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<![CDATA[(Archived) Salvationist.ca > RSS > Articles]]> en 60 <![CDATA[Our Daily Bread]]> and sesame seed bagels, whole wheat pitas, English muffins, rolls, naan, injara and a hundred other bread possibilities. We were paralyzed by choice.

Earlier this year we were living in Harare, Zimbabwe. At lunch time, we would often walk to Fife Sparâ”€one of the country's largest grocery storesâ”€to hunt for bread. Sometimes there would be a long lineup (or a queue as Zimbabweans would call it) for bread stretching down the block. Depending on the size of the queue, we would get in line. At other times, we would wander around the store, waiting for the possible moment when bread would appear and people would rush and jostle for a loaf. On one occasion, I got a nasty bruise from someone's elbow.

Obtaining a loaf of bread was an accomplishment. And on those days when we were successful, we would often feel guilty as we walked back to work and people on the street and our coworkers stared at our two loaves of bread. These would be simple white loaves, with no poppy seeds, no olives, no cheese.

It's not that Zimbabweans don't like to eat bread or that it's not part of their typical diet; in fact, most Zimbabweans would prefer to eat bread every day. The bread shortages exist because the Zimbabwean economy has collapsed, farms are no longer producing adequate wheat and the country can no longer afford to import enough flour. And so it is not unusual for a Zimbabwean to line up for hours in the hope of obtaining a simple loaf of white bread.

When Jesus taught his followers to pray to God the Father, he included the phrase, ...Give us today our daily breado (Matthew 6:11). In our affluent society in Canada, it is so easy to forget that we need to depend on God and be grateful for his provision. As millions of Zimbabweans (and billions of other peoples worldwide) struggle to survive and find their daily bread, I pray that we will never take our prosperity for granted and that we can find ways to share our wealth with others.

John McAlister is the senior editor for The Salvation Army. He recently returned to Canada from Zimbabwe, where he and his wife, Rochelle, worked for two years. John and Rochelle have baby boy named Kieran Tinashe.
]]> 1592397327 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 1592397327 0 2009-02-03 and sesame seed bagels, whole wheat pitas, English muffins, rolls, naan, injara and a hundred other bread possibilities. We were paralyzed by choice.

Earlier this year we were living in Harare, Zimbabwe. At lunch time, we would often walk to Fife Sparâ”€one of the country's largest grocery storesâ”€to hunt for bread. Sometimes there would be a long lineup (or a queue as Zimbabweans would call it) for bread stretching down the block. Depending on the size of the queue, we would get in line. At other times, we would wander around the store, waiting for the possible moment when bread would appear and people would rush and jostle for a loaf. On one occasion, I got a nasty bruise from someone's elbow.

Obtaining a loaf of bread was an accomplishment. And on those days when we were successful, we would often feel guilty as we walked back to work and people on the street and our coworkers stared at our two loaves of bread. These would be simple white loaves, with no poppy seeds, no olives, no cheese.

It's not that Zimbabweans don't like to eat bread or that it's not part of their typical diet; in fact, most Zimbabweans would prefer to eat bread every day. The bread shortages exist because the Zimbabwean economy has collapsed, farms are no longer producing adequate wheat and the country can no longer afford to import enough flour. And so it is not unusual for a Zimbabwean to line up for hours in the hope of obtaining a simple loaf of white bread.

When Jesus taught his followers to pray to God the Father, he included the phrase, ...Give us today our daily breado (Matthew 6:11). In our affluent society in Canada, it is so easy to forget that we need to depend on God and be grateful for his provision. As millions of Zimbabweans (and billions of other peoples worldwide) struggle to survive and find their daily bread, I pray that we will never take our prosperity for granted and that we can find ways to share our wealth with others.

John McAlister is the senior editor for The Salvation Army. He recently returned to Canada from Zimbabwe, where he and his wife, Rochelle, worked for two years. John and Rochelle have baby boy named Kieran Tinashe.
]]> <![CDATA[A Prayer for My People]]>
As we entered the synagogue in Capernaum, a sense of reverence fell upon us. Standing in a place where Jesus had taught so many years ago was an experience that goes beyond words. The sense of his presence with us was astonishing. Gathering together, a young woman from Hawaii began to sing a beautiful prayer. As spontaneous songs and prayers came from all over this small synagogue, a lady from the Hopi nation caught my attention. Her sung prayer was filled with tearful intensity as her passionate heart cry was voiced in her language. As I listened, tears flowed down my face as my heart related to the prayer of her heart. After she finished singing, she choked out the words, ...This is my prayer for my people.o Very quietly and quickly, this woman was surrounded by a host of women to support and encourage her. As they wept together in community, I echoed the prayer that I had prayed years earlier: a prayer for my people.

This was a prayer of salvation, healing and restoration. A prayer very appropriately prayed in this synagogue in Capernaum (Mark 1:21). It was here that Jesus freed a man from the bondage of demons. As soon as Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum he went to the home of Simon and Andrew where he healed Simon's mother in law. This little village of Capernaum was where Jesus freed captives from bondage and healed and restored the broken hearted; it was now the place where we stood and prayed for the very same things.

What will it take for people to experience this healing? This question often comes to mind as we see the cycle of dysfunction destroying people's lives. As I looked around the room and saw the living illustration of answered prayer, I saw a glimpse of Hope coming. Here stood people that experienced the transformational power of Jesus in their lives. Here stood people that were healed from addictions, physical illness, broken lives, sin and destruction. Here stood a community of faith as a living testament to the miraculous work of Christ. Here stood a community of faith that Christ brought together to inspire, support, and encourage. Here stood my brother and sisters, united in prayer for our people to bring salvation, healing and restoration. I believe Christ answers prayer!

Captain Shari Russell and her husband, Robert, are the corps officers at Weetamah in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shari also serves as the Territorial Aboriginal Ministries Liaison. Shari and Robert originally met in Winnipeg and were married there, so it is a joy for them to be back. They have three boys: CJ, Gavin and Brannon. As a family, they enjoy travelling, camping, playing sports and music.]]> 1171441846 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 1171441846 0 2009-02-03
As we entered the synagogue in Capernaum, a sense of reverence fell upon us. Standing in a place where Jesus had taught so many years ago was an experience that goes beyond words. The sense of his presence with us was astonishing. Gathering together, a young woman from Hawaii began to sing a beautiful prayer. As spontaneous songs and prayers came from all over this small synagogue, a lady from the Hopi nation caught my attention. Her sung prayer was filled with tearful intensity as her passionate heart cry was voiced in her language. As I listened, tears flowed down my face as my heart related to the prayer of her heart. After she finished singing, she choked out the words, ...This is my prayer for my people.o Very quietly and quickly, this woman was surrounded by a host of women to support and encourage her. As they wept together in community, I echoed the prayer that I had prayed years earlier: a prayer for my people.

This was a prayer of salvation, healing and restoration. A prayer very appropriately prayed in this synagogue in Capernaum (Mark 1:21). It was here that Jesus freed a man from the bondage of demons. As soon as Jesus left the synagogue in Capernaum he went to the home of Simon and Andrew where he healed Simon's mother in law. This little village of Capernaum was where Jesus freed captives from bondage and healed and restored the broken hearted; it was now the place where we stood and prayed for the very same things.

What will it take for people to experience this healing? This question often comes to mind as we see the cycle of dysfunction destroying people's lives. As I looked around the room and saw the living illustration of answered prayer, I saw a glimpse of Hope coming. Here stood people that experienced the transformational power of Jesus in their lives. Here stood people that were healed from addictions, physical illness, broken lives, sin and destruction. Here stood a community of faith as a living testament to the miraculous work of Christ. Here stood a community of faith that Christ brought together to inspire, support, and encourage. Here stood my brother and sisters, united in prayer for our people to bring salvation, healing and restoration. I believe Christ answers prayer!

Captain Shari Russell and her husband, Robert, are the corps officers at Weetamah in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shari also serves as the Territorial Aboriginal Ministries Liaison. Shari and Robert originally met in Winnipeg and were married there, so it is a joy for them to be back. They have three boys: CJ, Gavin and Brannon. As a family, they enjoy travelling, camping, playing sports and music.]]> <![CDATA[Gaining Acceptance]]> Following our first year of studies at the College for Officer Training, my wife, Hannah, and I had the amazing privilege to carry out our summer assignment in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. When approached by the college staff about this opportunity, I remember being very interested but at the same time very anxious. When I first heard Dnepropetrovsk pronounced, I wondered if I'd ever be able to train my tongue to say it, let alone the many other words I would need to learn to connect with the people. But a few months later, armed with a lot of prayer and an English-Russian/Ukrainian dictionary, we arrived in Ukraine's most easterly city.

We were assigned to a corps that has been in operation for little more than a year. Captains Sergey and Tanya Katchanov, corps officers, began the work in that part of the country with next to nothing in the way of resources. Like Army pioneers of old, they arrived with a few bags in hand and only the clothes on their back. Through hard work and much spiritual planting, in the span of one year they managed to reap a harvest of about 40 precious souls. Our little Salvationist fellowship consisted primarily of young people with an average age of 35.

The welcome we received from our new friends was truly amazing. In the weeks prior to our arrival, they went through the effort of learning songs and choruses in English so there could be unity in our collective worship. We sang praises to God in Russian and English, switching back and forth with perfect ease; it made me think back to the day of Pentecost and how the people worshipped in different tongues and languages.

Our duties and responsibilities throughout the week were not that different from those of our fellow cadets serving at home. We led Bible studies, visited people in their homes and ran children's programs and various other Christian education courses such as English as a second language, leadership and development, and marriage preparation classes.

What made our experience in Ukraine so unique was the context. In Canada and Bermuda, The Salvation Army is a trusted and beloved institution; in Ukraine, we were hardly known and sometimes met with a lot of distrust. The officers had to work hard to gain acceptance in the community, eventually overcoming the public perception that we were just another cultic sect. There is still a lot of progress that needs to be made in this area as the Army continues to build relationships with the community, the state and the very influential Orthodox Church. What blessed me, however, is that once someone is accepted by the Ukrainians, he or she becomes part of their family and they share whatever they have.

As one who will soon join the Army's ranks as an officer, the experience to serve in Ukraine was life-changing. It taught me to focus on the strengths of a culture rather than its sins, and to see how God is already working in it. I've learned something of what it means to have a missionary spirit. A missionary's goal is not to change the host culture; it is to fulfil Christ's plan for the world by removing the effects of sin from the culture.

The greatest honour my wife and I received came during our final Sunday in Ukraine. After thanking us for helping to disciple them, in prayerful sincerity they sent us out as ...missionaries for the entire world.o And no matter where I find myself in God's great Salvation Army, I hope that I'll continue to labour for the world's salvation.

Top photo: Cdts Robert and Hannah Jeffery with the congregation in Ukraine; below: Cdt Robert Jeffery interacts with a blind girl]]> <![CDATA[A Place of Renewal]]> If Major Roy Bridger, executive director of The Salvation Army's Addictions and Residential Centre (ARC) in Edmonton, needs to remind himself of the program's success, he only has to look across the conference table to Joe McCharles, the maintenance manager.

Three years ago, Joe came to ARC straight from prison. A crack cocaine addict, he lost his wife and his home, and ended up living on the streets of Edmonton for a year. Arrested and released from prison, he was court-ordered to attend the Anchorage, a Salvation Army addiction treatment program for men and women. ...I didn't want to be there,o he says now, ...but something changed in me after a month.o He was able to finish at the Anchorage and eventually began working at The Salvation Army. ...ARC's been a tremendous blessing for me in my recovery.o

Joe started out in the maintenance department as one of the employees. Now he is the maintenance manager. In that capacity, he prays with his staff at the start of the day. ...He spends as much time counselling his staff as he does managing them,o says Major Bridger.

More Than a Place to Stay
The Edmonton ARC has offered addiction services'residential and community-based'to Edmonton and surrounding area since the early 1900s. In recent years, the facility has gone through an exciting period of transformation. ...We look at our buildings as more than just bricks and mortar,o explains Major Bridger. ...Instead, we see them as havens of hope that hold out opportunities for changing lives. We believe that the people we serve all have the potential to become productive citizens.o

The ARC consists of a single men's residence, a men's supportive residence, the Anchorage, and the Keystone and Cornerstone apartments for those in recovery. But when Major Bridger came on staff two years ago, he noticed a disconnect between the hostel and addictions staffs.

...There seemed to be a silo effect between the departments, with little co-operation,o he observed. Under Major Bridger's direction, the philosophy of the centre has changed. ...Our attention has turned to the client and resident,o Major Bridger states. ...Recognizing their potential is the number-one focus of what we do.o Staff have grasped the concept. Partnerships have developed between the addictions and hostel staffs, and this spirit of collegiality has taken root.

...Word has spread,o Major Bridger says. ...Previously, the people that came to us off the street were looking for a place to stay. Now they come in with higher expectations'believing that we're going to do more for them.o

New Hopes, New Beginnings
...We're trying to get away from the idea of client and resident by using the term guest,o continues Major Bridger. ...A client or a resident could be a long-term person; a guest is someone who comes for a short time.o More than that, a guest is someone you welcome and serve, someone with a human face, who is more than a statistic.

Guests are strongly encouraged to find work or go to school. Weekly on-site meetings with counsellors are mandatory, and classes are given in life skills, anger management, budgeting and financial issues. The courses are all designed to get people back into gainful employment.

...We don't want this to become a permanent home,o says Major Bridger. ...ARC should be a place of transition, a place of renewal, a place of hope and new beginnings.o

The success of ARC's efforts has not gone unnoticed in the community. ...People are looking at this facility'and the Army and what it does'differently than they did a few years ago,o comments Major Bridger. ...They are seeing the Army not only as a place to stay but a place that's helping people get re-established.o

...For me, it's all about changing lives,o concludes Major Bridger. ...It's not about what I can do, because I can do nothing without God. Being able to take somebody off the street, to see God work in their life and the change that comes about'there are no words to describe that feeling.o]]> 1698372733 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 1698372733 0 2009-01-30 If Major Roy Bridger, executive director of The Salvation Army's Addictions and Residential Centre (ARC) in Edmonton, needs to remind himself of the program's success, he only has to look across the conference table to Joe McCharles, the maintenance manager.

Three years ago, Joe came to ARC straight from prison. A crack cocaine addict, he lost his wife and his home, and ended up living on the streets of Edmonton for a year. Arrested and released from prison, he was court-ordered to attend the Anchorage, a Salvation Army addiction treatment program for men and women. ...I didn't want to be there,o he says now, ...but something changed in me after a month.o He was able to finish at the Anchorage and eventually began working at The Salvation Army. ...ARC's been a tremendous blessing for me in my recovery.o

Joe started out in the maintenance department as one of the employees. Now he is the maintenance manager. In that capacity, he prays with his staff at the start of the day. ...He spends as much time counselling his staff as he does managing them,o says Major Bridger.

More Than a Place to Stay
The Edmonton ARC has offered addiction services'residential and community-based'to Edmonton and surrounding area since the early 1900s. In recent years, the facility has gone through an exciting period of transformation. ...We look at our buildings as more than just bricks and mortar,o explains Major Bridger. ...Instead, we see them as havens of hope that hold out opportunities for changing lives. We believe that the people we serve all have the potential to become productive citizens.o

The ARC consists of a single men's residence, a men's supportive residence, the Anchorage, and the Keystone and Cornerstone apartments for those in recovery. But when Major Bridger came on staff two years ago, he noticed a disconnect between the hostel and addictions staffs.

...There seemed to be a silo effect between the departments, with little co-operation,o he observed. Under Major Bridger's direction, the philosophy of the centre has changed. ...Our attention has turned to the client and resident,o Major Bridger states. ...Recognizing their potential is the number-one focus of what we do.o Staff have grasped the concept. Partnerships have developed between the addictions and hostel staffs, and this spirit of collegiality has taken root.

...Word has spread,o Major Bridger says. ...Previously, the people that came to us off the street were looking for a place to stay. Now they come in with higher expectations'believing that we're going to do more for them.o

New Hopes, New Beginnings
...We're trying to get away from the idea of client and resident by using the term guest,o continues Major Bridger. ...A client or a resident could be a long-term person; a guest is someone who comes for a short time.o More than that, a guest is someone you welcome and serve, someone with a human face, who is more than a statistic.

Guests are strongly encouraged to find work or go to school. Weekly on-site meetings with counsellors are mandatory, and classes are given in life skills, anger management, budgeting and financial issues. The courses are all designed to get people back into gainful employment.

...We don't want this to become a permanent home,o says Major Bridger. ...ARC should be a place of transition, a place of renewal, a place of hope and new beginnings.o

The success of ARC's efforts has not gone unnoticed in the community. ...People are looking at this facility'and the Army and what it does'differently than they did a few years ago,o comments Major Bridger. ...They are seeing the Army not only as a place to stay but a place that's helping people get re-established.o

...For me, it's all about changing lives,o concludes Major Bridger. ...It's not about what I can do, because I can do nothing without God. Being able to take somebody off the street, to see God work in their life and the change that comes about'there are no words to describe that feeling.o]]> <![CDATA[An Uncertain Future]]> Home to more than a million people, Kenya's Kibera is one of the largest slum communities in the world. Located on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya's capital, the Kibera slum is densely populated (2.5 square kilometres) with the vast majority of its residents living in abject poverty. It's estimated that nearly 20 percent of the community is infected with HIV/AIDS, and that half of the population is younger than 15. One of these children is Graham, five, who lives with his mother and younger brother in a one-room, one-storey shelter.

Kibera has thousands of these shelters built from clay, discarded wood, cardboard and corrugated iron. When it rains, the water often leaks through the roof and walls. Despite these horrible conditions, the people living in these shelters, such as Graham and his family, still have to pay rent to landowners. There is no electricity, drinking water or lavatories. With no healthy way to dispose of human waste, small plastic bags are used, tied up and then thrown away as far as possible. The small alleys between the shelters are covered with these ...flying toiletso and other waste. The smell is unbearable.

Graham's mother Margareth, 30, is the sole caregiver for the family, as her husband died of AIDS in 2003. When Graham was born, Margareth tested positive for HIV. Her two sons are not infected, and Margareth hopes that her medication will keep her alive long enough to see her daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

The Salvation Army operates a church and day-care centre in Kibera. Eighty children'the majority of them AIDS orphans'attend kindergarten classes. Each weekday, Graham walks with his little rucksack from home to school and back. His future is uncertain, as he, too, may become an orphan like many of his friends at school.

The Salvation Army compound contrasts with the filth of the surrounding community. When people walk through the yellow, red and blue gate, they step into a different world: everything is clean, quiet and peaceful. In 2007, the kindergarten classrooms were renovated and a play garden was established in the centre of the compound. In addition to the classrooms, the Army has a corps building, a humble residence for the officers and a vocational training centre where women can learn how to make clothes.

Margareth and most Kibera residents work in and around their homes. They try to earn a living with everything and nothing. In small shops and stalls, second-hand clothes, utensils and food are sold. During the day, the slum streets bustle with activity. At night, the streets are dark, dangerous and silent. In the late hours it is not wise to leave the shelters, because a human life is not worth much in Kibera.

In her poor shelter, Margareth explains that her medication has to be taken with meals, but that she has not enough money to buy food. ...I earn a little bit of money washing clothes for other people, but that is not enough to support my family. I'm grateful that The Salvation Army pays Graham's school fees and provides him with a meal at school. That means fewer worries for me, but I still have to care for his little brother. I need new mattresses because the ones we use now are wet and dirty because of leakage. There are times when I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but despite it all, I know that God cares for us.o

The Salvation Army does its best to help the people of Kibera, but this ministry relies on the financial support of donors in other countries. Captains David and Grace Musyoli, corps officers, remain committed to offering hope and a future to children like Graham. ...Our faith in God and his Son, Jesus Christ, is the reason why we want to help the people in Kibera,o says Captain Grace Musyoli. ...Our faith gives hope, despite the inhumane and almost hopeless situation in which people have to live. We testify about this hope in our church meetings on Sunday, but during the week we want to show it in a practical way.o

Top: A child walks through the Kibera slum; middle: Cpt Grace Musyoli visits with Graham and his family in their home; bottom: children play at the Salvation Army day-care centre in Kibera]]> <![CDATA[The Miracle of Adoption]]> Adoption has been an interesting experience for our family. A road riddled with twists, turns and unexpected bumps, it has also been a journey filled with wonder, grace and joy.

Ten years ago, when my wife, Valerie, and I were corps officers at Rideau Heights Community Church in Kingston, Ont., we approached our local Children's Aid Society (CAS) to ask about adopting a preschool child. We soon learned that the journey would be long and anxious, with a potential wait of 10 years or more. Determined to proceed, we found strength through a local support group where we met couples with similar struggles and aspirations, and through some adoptive families in our congregation who became our encouragers.

In September 1998, through a guest soloist who was visiting our corps, we were connected with a woman in Tillsonburg, Ont., whose daughter was expecting a child in December. CAS had already determined that the baby was to be give up for adoption at birth, and the grandmother, Marion, felt a strong desire that it be raised by Christian pastors. Surely this was an answer to our prayers.

When we contacted our CAS social worker in Kingston, she warned us that this sort of adoption would be quite complicated. She was right. Working out of two CAS offices and through seemingly insurmountable legal problems, the process seemed to take two steps back for every one step forward. Yet through it all we claimed God's promise that he would be with us and found inner peace and strength when we needed it most.

The weeks crawled by. The phone remained silent and messages were unreturned. Eventually we discovered that CAS opposed the plan and was going to take us to court. Frustration grew.

On December 9, Marion phoned to tell us that our son was born and that he was healthy. She asked what we wanted to name him. Zachary was our immediate response. The name means ...God has remembered.o That Christmas, we hung a small picture of Zachary on our Christmas tree, knowing that someday we would welcome him into our home.

Early in the new year, we received an urgent call from Marion that a court date had been set. Somehow we found a lawyer. We had no idea how we were going to afford her fees, but we were more determined than ever to bring Zachary home. In the meantime, we were not permitted to see him or even know where he was.

As expected, the court proceedings dragged on through numerous delays. Just when we thought it would never end, we shared the latest update with members of our congregation. ...Just give it until Tuesday,o we were told.

On Tuesday, the phone rang. It was our social worker. ...I don't know who you know,o she said, ...but get your nursery ready. You can pick up your son on Thursday.o

Later that day, we called our lawyer to share the good news and received another surprise'she wasn't going to charge us any fees. ...My thanks is in bringing your family together,o she declared.

Wednesday morning we drove to Tillsonburg to meet Marion for the first time and pick up Zachary. There are no words to describe the joy and overwhelming relief that we felt. As we sat down for a meal with Zachary's birth grandparents, there was an awesome sense of the providence of God. Two families who had never met became the answer to each other's deepest prayers.

Thursday morning, we were guided to Zachary's foster home on Wheeler Boulevard'our name! We stopped and took a picture of that road sign. It was if God was saying, ...Why did you ever doubt me?o Walking into the home, we met a minister's daughter who felt a unique calling to care for foster children awaiting adoption. Her living-room wall was filled with pictures and to this day we continue to send her a new one of Zachary every year.

As we held our new son for the first time, it was all we could do to keep our knees from buckling out from beneath us. Valerie and I both knew that from that moment forward, Zachary was our son. Biology was not important, for where the genes fall short the heart bridges the gap. The month and years of dreaming now created a strong bond to cherish and protect.

The Apostle Paul wrote, ...In love [God] predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and willo (Ephesians 1:4-5). As I cradled this small child who looked up at me with tender eyes, I said softly, ...I love you.o This is the true miracle of adoption. Every day, God looks at his adopted children and whispers the same sweet words.

The next day'Good Friday'we introduced our new son to our congregation. We were late, but what an entrance we made! Today, when we ask Zachary what adoption means, he has a simple answer: ...I am loved.o]]> 844206221 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 844206221 0 2009-01-26 Adoption has been an interesting experience for our family. A road riddled with twists, turns and unexpected bumps, it has also been a journey filled with wonder, grace and joy.

Ten years ago, when my wife, Valerie, and I were corps officers at Rideau Heights Community Church in Kingston, Ont., we approached our local Children's Aid Society (CAS) to ask about adopting a preschool child. We soon learned that the journey would be long and anxious, with a potential wait of 10 years or more. Determined to proceed, we found strength through a local support group where we met couples with similar struggles and aspirations, and through some adoptive families in our congregation who became our encouragers.

In September 1998, through a guest soloist who was visiting our corps, we were connected with a woman in Tillsonburg, Ont., whose daughter was expecting a child in December. CAS had already determined that the baby was to be give up for adoption at birth, and the grandmother, Marion, felt a strong desire that it be raised by Christian pastors. Surely this was an answer to our prayers.

When we contacted our CAS social worker in Kingston, she warned us that this sort of adoption would be quite complicated. She was right. Working out of two CAS offices and through seemingly insurmountable legal problems, the process seemed to take two steps back for every one step forward. Yet through it all we claimed God's promise that he would be with us and found inner peace and strength when we needed it most.

The weeks crawled by. The phone remained silent and messages were unreturned. Eventually we discovered that CAS opposed the plan and was going to take us to court. Frustration grew.

On December 9, Marion phoned to tell us that our son was born and that he was healthy. She asked what we wanted to name him. Zachary was our immediate response. The name means ...God has remembered.o That Christmas, we hung a small picture of Zachary on our Christmas tree, knowing that someday we would welcome him into our home.

Early in the new year, we received an urgent call from Marion that a court date had been set. Somehow we found a lawyer. We had no idea how we were going to afford her fees, but we were more determined than ever to bring Zachary home. In the meantime, we were not permitted to see him or even know where he was.

As expected, the court proceedings dragged on through numerous delays. Just when we thought it would never end, we shared the latest update with members of our congregation. ...Just give it until Tuesday,o we were told.

On Tuesday, the phone rang. It was our social worker. ...I don't know who you know,o she said, ...but get your nursery ready. You can pick up your son on Thursday.o

Later that day, we called our lawyer to share the good news and received another surprise'she wasn't going to charge us any fees. ...My thanks is in bringing your family together,o she declared.

Wednesday morning we drove to Tillsonburg to meet Marion for the first time and pick up Zachary. There are no words to describe the joy and overwhelming relief that we felt. As we sat down for a meal with Zachary's birth grandparents, there was an awesome sense of the providence of God. Two families who had never met became the answer to each other's deepest prayers.

Thursday morning, we were guided to Zachary's foster home on Wheeler Boulevard'our name! We stopped and took a picture of that road sign. It was if God was saying, ...Why did you ever doubt me?o Walking into the home, we met a minister's daughter who felt a unique calling to care for foster children awaiting adoption. Her living-room wall was filled with pictures and to this day we continue to send her a new one of Zachary every year.

As we held our new son for the first time, it was all we could do to keep our knees from buckling out from beneath us. Valerie and I both knew that from that moment forward, Zachary was our son. Biology was not important, for where the genes fall short the heart bridges the gap. The month and years of dreaming now created a strong bond to cherish and protect.

The Apostle Paul wrote, ...In love [God] predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and willo (Ephesians 1:4-5). As I cradled this small child who looked up at me with tender eyes, I said softly, ...I love you.o This is the true miracle of adoption. Every day, God looks at his adopted children and whispers the same sweet words.

The next day'Good Friday'we introduced our new son to our congregation. We were late, but what an entrance we made! Today, when we ask Zachary what adoption means, he has a simple answer: ...I am loved.o]]> <![CDATA[Making a Difference]]> Last summer I attended a beautiful wedding on a warm July afternoon. The bride and groom looked lovely and totally happy. The ceremony was solemn. The music was soothing to my spirit. At the reception, the bride explained that instead of providing all the guests with the usual table favours (such as matches or chocolates), they decided to use the money for a greater purpose. They would be making a donation to World Vision in our honour to make a difference and help build a better world. They selected the gift of supplying classrooms with needed items to help children succeed in school. We all applauded. We were happy to be making a difference! I can only imagine the lives that will be made brighter because of this gift.

I recall another occasion sitting beside the bed of a young woman who was struggling for her life. Rhonda made an amazing difference in the world in a short time. Her genuine spirit of compassion and big heart prompted her to look for opportunities to smile and serve others. The impact she had on her colleagues, friends and members of her corps family'in fact, all who knew her'was incredible.

My call to officership and the awareness that God wanted me to surrender my life to full-time ministry came at an early age. Growing up in a Christian home and participating in church activities, I was constantly reminded of God's direction and plan for my future. I am compelled to minister and to make a difference in the lives of others'to be a helper of humankind.

During my 19 years of officership, I have met all kinds of people. Some have given me inspiration and hope; others have drained me. I've been the recipient of both encouraging and discouraging remarks. Yet through it all I've learned that people are all basically the same. They look different on the outside, but inside they all have beating hearts and a burning need for love, acceptance and friendship.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've had to make a difference'to brighten someone's day or lighten their load. I have to confess there have also been times when I walked away and wondered, Did I make a difference? Did I plant a seed that will take root, grow and blossom for God? I realized, of course, that it is God who makes the ultimate difference in people's lives.

Throughout my ministry, I've also learned to thank God for the many people, too numerous to count, who have made a difference in my life. Let me share with you what one little boy said to me. Following chapel one Friday morning at the Small Blessings Daycare Centre in Moncton, N.B., three-year-old Tyler said to me, ...Major, thank you for God!o I melted. I was humbled. I think what Tyler meant to say was, ...Major, thank you for telling me about God.o

You're welcome, Tyler. It's what I want to do for my entire life. I want to tell people about God. I want to make a difference for them'through him and because of him. I have a passion for ministry within The Salvation Army. I have a strong sense of calling and a desire to make a difference through a smile, touch, visit, prayer and any other avenue as God leads.

I love working at things where I can see a tangible difference because of my efforts, whether it's painting, washing my car, ironing or mowing the lawn. It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that my actions are achieving results. But no greater joy comes to my heart than when I know I've made a difference in the life of a little boy, a teenage girl, a young couple or a more mature saint of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote of the confidence we can have as Christians ...that he who began a good work in you [i.e. made a difference] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesuso (Philippians 1:6).

God uses people just like you and me to make a difference. We just need to be faithful and available.]]> 2012880960 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 2012880960 0 2009-01-21 Last summer I attended a beautiful wedding on a warm July afternoon. The bride and groom looked lovely and totally happy. The ceremony was solemn. The music was soothing to my spirit. At the reception, the bride explained that instead of providing all the guests with the usual table favours (such as matches or chocolates), they decided to use the money for a greater purpose. They would be making a donation to World Vision in our honour to make a difference and help build a better world. They selected the gift of supplying classrooms with needed items to help children succeed in school. We all applauded. We were happy to be making a difference! I can only imagine the lives that will be made brighter because of this gift.

I recall another occasion sitting beside the bed of a young woman who was struggling for her life. Rhonda made an amazing difference in the world in a short time. Her genuine spirit of compassion and big heart prompted her to look for opportunities to smile and serve others. The impact she had on her colleagues, friends and members of her corps family'in fact, all who knew her'was incredible.

My call to officership and the awareness that God wanted me to surrender my life to full-time ministry came at an early age. Growing up in a Christian home and participating in church activities, I was constantly reminded of God's direction and plan for my future. I am compelled to minister and to make a difference in the lives of others'to be a helper of humankind.

During my 19 years of officership, I have met all kinds of people. Some have given me inspiration and hope; others have drained me. I've been the recipient of both encouraging and discouraging remarks. Yet through it all I've learned that people are all basically the same. They look different on the outside, but inside they all have beating hearts and a burning need for love, acceptance and friendship.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've had to make a difference'to brighten someone's day or lighten their load. I have to confess there have also been times when I walked away and wondered, Did I make a difference? Did I plant a seed that will take root, grow and blossom for God? I realized, of course, that it is God who makes the ultimate difference in people's lives.

Throughout my ministry, I've also learned to thank God for the many people, too numerous to count, who have made a difference in my life. Let me share with you what one little boy said to me. Following chapel one Friday morning at the Small Blessings Daycare Centre in Moncton, N.B., three-year-old Tyler said to me, ...Major, thank you for God!o I melted. I was humbled. I think what Tyler meant to say was, ...Major, thank you for telling me about God.o

You're welcome, Tyler. It's what I want to do for my entire life. I want to tell people about God. I want to make a difference for them'through him and because of him. I have a passion for ministry within The Salvation Army. I have a strong sense of calling and a desire to make a difference through a smile, touch, visit, prayer and any other avenue as God leads.

I love working at things where I can see a tangible difference because of my efforts, whether it's painting, washing my car, ironing or mowing the lawn. It gives me a sense of accomplishment knowing that my actions are achieving results. But no greater joy comes to my heart than when I know I've made a difference in the life of a little boy, a teenage girl, a young couple or a more mature saint of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote of the confidence we can have as Christians ...that he who began a good work in you [i.e. made a difference] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesuso (Philippians 1:6).

God uses people just like you and me to make a difference. We just need to be faithful and available.]]> <![CDATA[Being Found]]>
There is one scene in this movie where the father is trying to find an appropriate stage name for this emerging prodigy. As they sit together brainstorming, the father asks the question: ...What do you want to be in the world? I mean, the WHOLE world, what do you want to be? Close your eyes and think about that.o Evan responds with one simple, yet profound, word: ...FOUND.o

As a child who was adopted I can relate to Evan. There is something inherent within us that longs to know where we came from and to make that personal connection. For some, it is a frightening journey as they may never know what or whom they will encounter on the other side. For others, that desire may not be as strong as they are content with their current family situation.

When people would ask me if I ever wanted to find my birth family my response was adamantly ...No.o There was a sense of inquisitiveness but I would not act on it. After years of encouragement from my husband and friends, I ventured to find at least some information.

Long story short, I did make contact with my siblings. As I nervously dialed the number and stated who was calling, a voice assuredly said: ...I know who you are. We have been looking for you for over 20 years.o

I didn't quite know how to respond to that. I had always thought that I was given up for adoption and that was it. I never thought they would be looking for me. Those words impacted me intenselyâ”€not just emotionally but also spiritually.

The parables of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep and Lost Son in Luke 15 illustrate that God earnestly searches for us. Since God is omniscient, what does it mean when we say, ...He is looking for uso? When Jesus searches for us, he desires more than the knowledge of where we are but also a personal relationship with us. I always knew I was adopted, but it wasn't until I decided to be open to looking and finding my birth family that they found me (and only in a matter of days). I needed to respond. I needed to want to be found.

The same applies to our Heavenly Father. He is earnestly searching for us but it is our response, our willingness to be found, that he is waiting for. Once we take that step, he overwhelming wraps his arms around us and says, ...I have been looking for you for years. I love you, I have always loved you. Welcome home.o

Captain Shari Russell and her husband, Robert, are the corps officers at Weetamah in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shari also serves as the Territorial Aboriginal Ministries Liaison. Shari and Robert originally met in Winnipeg and were married there, so it is a joy for them to be back. They have three boys: CJ, Gavin and Brannon. As a family, they enjoy travelling, camping, playing sports and music.]]> 2124335798 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 2124335798 0 2009-01-21
There is one scene in this movie where the father is trying to find an appropriate stage name for this emerging prodigy. As they sit together brainstorming, the father asks the question: ...What do you want to be in the world? I mean, the WHOLE world, what do you want to be? Close your eyes and think about that.o Evan responds with one simple, yet profound, word: ...FOUND.o

As a child who was adopted I can relate to Evan. There is something inherent within us that longs to know where we came from and to make that personal connection. For some, it is a frightening journey as they may never know what or whom they will encounter on the other side. For others, that desire may not be as strong as they are content with their current family situation.

When people would ask me if I ever wanted to find my birth family my response was adamantly ...No.o There was a sense of inquisitiveness but I would not act on it. After years of encouragement from my husband and friends, I ventured to find at least some information.

Long story short, I did make contact with my siblings. As I nervously dialed the number and stated who was calling, a voice assuredly said: ...I know who you are. We have been looking for you for over 20 years.o

I didn't quite know how to respond to that. I had always thought that I was given up for adoption and that was it. I never thought they would be looking for me. Those words impacted me intenselyâ”€not just emotionally but also spiritually.

The parables of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep and Lost Son in Luke 15 illustrate that God earnestly searches for us. Since God is omniscient, what does it mean when we say, ...He is looking for uso? When Jesus searches for us, he desires more than the knowledge of where we are but also a personal relationship with us. I always knew I was adopted, but it wasn't until I decided to be open to looking and finding my birth family that they found me (and only in a matter of days). I needed to respond. I needed to want to be found.

The same applies to our Heavenly Father. He is earnestly searching for us but it is our response, our willingness to be found, that he is waiting for. Once we take that step, he overwhelming wraps his arms around us and says, ...I have been looking for you for years. I love you, I have always loved you. Welcome home.o

Captain Shari Russell and her husband, Robert, are the corps officers at Weetamah in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shari also serves as the Territorial Aboriginal Ministries Liaison. Shari and Robert originally met in Winnipeg and were married there, so it is a joy for them to be back. They have three boys: CJ, Gavin and Brannon. As a family, they enjoy travelling, camping, playing sports and music.]]> <![CDATA[The Porcupine and the Snake]]> I once heard an Australian preacher describe the conflict between porcupines and snakes in the outback. When hunting the snake, a porcupine will repeatedly bite the snake's tail, then stick out its quills to avoid the snake's poisonous bite. Eventually, the snake dies by self-inflicted puncture wounds from the porcupine's quills. The preacher used this example to illustrate the negative effects of seeking revenge.

The word ...bitterness,o as used in the New Testament, comes from the Greek word pikrias, meaning a cutting, pricking or puncturing. It's pure torture. In our marriages and relationships, this is exactly what we put ourselves through when we choose bitterness over forgiveness.

In What's So Amazing About Grace?, Philip Yancey admits that forgiveness isn't easy: ...When we feel wronged, we can contrive a hundred reasons against forgiveness. 'He needs to learn a lesson!' 'I don't want to encourage irresponsible behaviour!' 'I'll let her stew for a while, it will do her good!' 'I was the wronged party'it's not up to me to make the first move!' 'How can I forgive if he's not even sorry?' o

If we want to learn how to forgive, it is helpful to first understand what forgiveness is and isn't.

Forgiveness is NOT:
* A feeling. When someone hurts you, naturally you don't feel like forgiving them. But feelings can contradict what you need to do. Forgiveness begins with a choice'an act of the will.
* Pretending it didn't happen. Trying to bury the painful memories can short-circuit the healing process. If you don't face the hurtful issues from the past head-on, you bring unfinished business into your relationships.
* Ignoring the hurt. Don't make light of your pain. Acknowledging the full impact of your hurt brings significance to the act of forgiveness. The old maxim ...time heals all woundso is false. Time does not heal anything. But time can help you sort through your emotions and understand what you need to deal with.
* Denying the wrong. Rationalizing your pain by saying things like ...Well, she has a lot of problemso or ...He had a rough childhoodo interferes with the healing process and your ability to forgive. Making excuses for the other person sends the message that their behaviour is acceptable.
* Demanding that the other person ad-mit they are wrong. You don't have the power to make a person change. Forgiveness doesn't depend on the other person's participation. The person who wounded you may be long gone from this world or ambivalent toward your feelings, and yet you can still release your resentment.
* Feeling obligated to trust the other person again. Trust is earned. Forgiveness is the first step but it doesn't necessarily lead to an instantaneous or complete restoration of trust.
* Forgetting. Remembering what happened can help you to create healthy boundaries to guard against the wrong happening again. In The Bondage Breaker, Neil Anderson writes, ...Forgiveness is not forgetting about past hurt'rather it is making a conscious decision that gives up the right to use the offence against the other person again.o
* Conceding defeat. You aren't saying what was done to you is OK, and you are not lying down like a doormat to be stepped on. Instead, you release the person to God and in the process set yourself free.

Forgiveness IS:
* A choice. Forgiveness opens the way to reconciliation and halts the cycle of blame and pain. It is a process that requires patience, time and understanding.
* Difficult and humbling. You must be willing to let go of what you feel is your right to ...get back.o Remind yourself of the many times God has forgiven you, then transfer the offender and the offence over to God.
* Exercising God's strength. Loving and accepting someone who has hurt you requires resources outside of yourself. As you respond to God's will to forgive, he will empower you to love.
* Breaking the control that someone has over you. An unwillingness to forgive hooks us into the trap of resentment and bitterness. Forgiveness frees you from being controlled by what someone else has done to you.
* Healing and freeing. Forgiveness allows an individual to move on. Emotional energy can now be used for creative and positive endeavours.

When we take our unforgiving spirit to God, he can melt away our bitterness. By holding on to resentment we remain emotional prisoners. The only thing harder than forgiveness is the alternative. Ask yourself: Do you want to get even or get well? The choice is yours.

How to begin the process:
* Make the choice to forgive
* Refuse to hold on to ...ifso or ...untilso (...If he does this I'll forgive himo or ...Until she does this I refuse to forgive hero)
* Don't bring up the past against those who have hurt you
* Avoid feeling controlled by the person who wronged you
* Realize you have better things to do with your time and energy
* Give yourself permission to make life]]> 699532497 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 699532497 0 2009-01-19 I once heard an Australian preacher describe the conflict between porcupines and snakes in the outback. When hunting the snake, a porcupine will repeatedly bite the snake's tail, then stick out its quills to avoid the snake's poisonous bite. Eventually, the snake dies by self-inflicted puncture wounds from the porcupine's quills. The preacher used this example to illustrate the negative effects of seeking revenge.

The word ...bitterness,o as used in the New Testament, comes from the Greek word pikrias, meaning a cutting, pricking or puncturing. It's pure torture. In our marriages and relationships, this is exactly what we put ourselves through when we choose bitterness over forgiveness.

In What's So Amazing About Grace?, Philip Yancey admits that forgiveness isn't easy: ...When we feel wronged, we can contrive a hundred reasons against forgiveness. 'He needs to learn a lesson!' 'I don't want to encourage irresponsible behaviour!' 'I'll let her stew for a while, it will do her good!' 'I was the wronged party'it's not up to me to make the first move!' 'How can I forgive if he's not even sorry?' o

If we want to learn how to forgive, it is helpful to first understand what forgiveness is and isn't.

Forgiveness is NOT:
* A feeling. When someone hurts you, naturally you don't feel like forgiving them. But feelings can contradict what you need to do. Forgiveness begins with a choice'an act of the will.
* Pretending it didn't happen. Trying to bury the painful memories can short-circuit the healing process. If you don't face the hurtful issues from the past head-on, you bring unfinished business into your relationships.
* Ignoring the hurt. Don't make light of your pain. Acknowledging the full impact of your hurt brings significance to the act of forgiveness. The old maxim ...time heals all woundso is false. Time does not heal anything. But time can help you sort through your emotions and understand what you need to deal with.
* Denying the wrong. Rationalizing your pain by saying things like ...Well, she has a lot of problemso or ...He had a rough childhoodo interferes with the healing process and your ability to forgive. Making excuses for the other person sends the message that their behaviour is acceptable.
* Demanding that the other person ad-mit they are wrong. You don't have the power to make a person change. Forgiveness doesn't depend on the other person's participation. The person who wounded you may be long gone from this world or ambivalent toward your feelings, and yet you can still release your resentment.
* Feeling obligated to trust the other person again. Trust is earned. Forgiveness is the first step but it doesn't necessarily lead to an instantaneous or complete restoration of trust.
* Forgetting. Remembering what happened can help you to create healthy boundaries to guard against the wrong happening again. In The Bondage Breaker, Neil Anderson writes, ...Forgiveness is not forgetting about past hurt'rather it is making a conscious decision that gives up the right to use the offence against the other person again.o
* Conceding defeat. You aren't saying what was done to you is OK, and you are not lying down like a doormat to be stepped on. Instead, you release the person to God and in the process set yourself free.

Forgiveness IS:
* A choice. Forgiveness opens the way to reconciliation and halts the cycle of blame and pain. It is a process that requires patience, time and understanding.
* Difficult and humbling. You must be willing to let go of what you feel is your right to ...get back.o Remind yourself of the many times God has forgiven you, then transfer the offender and the offence over to God.
* Exercising God's strength. Loving and accepting someone who has hurt you requires resources outside of yourself. As you respond to God's will to forgive, he will empower you to love.
* Breaking the control that someone has over you. An unwillingness to forgive hooks us into the trap of resentment and bitterness. Forgiveness frees you from being controlled by what someone else has done to you.
* Healing and freeing. Forgiveness allows an individual to move on. Emotional energy can now be used for creative and positive endeavours.

When we take our unforgiving spirit to God, he can melt away our bitterness. By holding on to resentment we remain emotional prisoners. The only thing harder than forgiveness is the alternative. Ask yourself: Do you want to get even or get well? The choice is yours.

How to begin the process:
* Make the choice to forgive
* Refuse to hold on to ...ifso or ...untilso (...If he does this I'll forgive himo or ...Until she does this I refuse to forgive hero)
* Don't bring up the past against those who have hurt you
* Avoid feeling controlled by the person who wronged you
* Realize you have better things to do with your time and energy
* Give yourself permission to make life]]> <![CDATA[Proclaiming Kingdom Culture]]> Lt-Colonels Raphael and Winsome Mason were appointed to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as territorial multicultural ministries secretary and assistant territorial multicultural ministries secretary last July. They come with over 40 years of experience as Salvation Army officers in the Caribbean, a territory made up of 15 nations and a diversity of cultures.

The colonels met as cadets in training college and were commissioned in 1968 in the Messengers of the Faith Session. Their first appointment together was as training officers. Since then, they have been appointed to corps, youth work, education and children's ministry at Caribbean headquarters.

Salvationist.ca recently interviewed the Masons about their ministry.

What were your thoughts as you prepared to come to Canada?
RM: We weren't sure what to expect. We were aware that there was a lot of immigration to Canada from other nations, but did not know how it was impacting The Salvation Army.

Since our arrival, we have been impressed by the extent to which multiculturalism is part of the Canadian scene and by the way it is happening naturally. It's going to be interesting to see how ...Canadiano is defined in another 10 years. The fact that we're here in this appointment demonstrates the commitment of the Army to make the gospel relevant and attractive in a context that is Canadian. It's challenging and exciting. We want to express our gratitude to Major Donna Millar, former secretary for intercultural ministries in the Ontario Central-East Division, for the intentionality with which she blazed the trail and set the pace to carry out the multicultural vision.

What is your perspective on multiculturalism?
WM: The national motto of Jamaica is ...Out of many, one people.o In Jamaica we have learned to live with people from many different backgrounds and to see them as ...Jamaicans.o
The Lord says we are to love without discrimination. We need to be challenged to show that love. We need to make choices every day to be forgiving, loving and accepting of people. The Bible teaches us how to treat foreigners and how to follow God. It's a way of forgiveness, peace and love, all of which Jesus showed us.
RM: We need to recognize that the end is not multiculturalism. The end is Christ. He should be our main focus and motivation at all times. In the multicultural ministries portfolio, we have taken Isaiah 56:6-8 as our foundation: ... 'And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants 1/2 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer 1/2 for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.' ... 'I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.' o

As part of the Church, our job is to carry out the Great Commission. How do we do that within the context of multiculturalism?
WM: The nations have come to those who once went to them. It's so hard to get people to ...goo with all of the violent situations around the world today. But God, in his love, is bringing people from other nations here. The Salvation Army is capitalizing on that.

Canadian society has undergone enormous changes in the last 30 years in terms of the people who now call it ...home.o As the Army adapts to them, what would you say to people who are afraid of change?
RM: Don't allow fear to precipitate flight, but allow faith to bring fulfilment. Kingdom culture is all-inclusive in terms of eligibility. It doesn't reject where you're coming from. It puts everyone on an equal footing. Multiculturalism is not just for corps. It is for all of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. It is a vision, not a corps program.
WM: There's fear involved in change. But instead of leaving a place that is changing and finding a new place that is more comfortable, remember to look at God's Kingdom as a body. Every part is necessary. Every person is of value. It might be helpful to think, ...Maybe the people coming in will have something for me.o

How have you seen multiculturalism work within the Army in Canada and Bermuda?
RM: There is no such thing as the correct model, as long as the model you're using manifests the vision of multiculturalism. Each ministry unit needs to reflect its community. That is the vision.
WM: One corps that was in decline is seeing new growth by integrating an immigrant group, which happens to be Spanish-speaking, into its fellowship. It's encouraging to see that the leadership and congregation have bought into the multicultural vision by integrating Spanish into worship services. They are even learning to speak Spanish!
RM: We have seen ministries at different stages of their multicultural journey and observed some challenges. Salvationists who have been comfortably settled in Canada for many generations are being challenged to make adjustments. They have to distinguish between things that are ...of cultureo and things that are ...of Christ.o Jesus had to make a cultural shift when he left the glories of Heaven for our sakes. That gives us an example to follow.

What would you encourage Salvationists to do in order to become part of the multicultural vision?
WM: We need to pray and educate ourselves about the people who are coming to us. Accept people as individuals, just as we want people to accept us. This is Christian living.
RM: Begin to become aware of who is in your community and educate yourselves about them so that when the invitations go out, you can begin to accommodate them.
WM: As Christians, we have to make a choice to live out what we know is true. We should be able to do it, by the grace of God, and do it better than the rest of the world.]]> 1294983353 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500 1356917768 1294983353 0 2009-01-16 Lt-Colonels Raphael and Winsome Mason were appointed to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as territorial multicultural ministries secretary and assistant territorial multicultural ministries secretary last July. They come with over 40 years of experience as Salvation Army officers in the Caribbean, a territory made up of 15 nations and a diversity of cultures.

The colonels met as cadets in training college and were commissioned in 1968 in the Messengers of the Faith Session. Their first appointment together was as training officers. Since then, they have been appointed to corps, youth work, education and children's ministry at Caribbean headquarters.

Salvationist.ca recently interviewed the Masons about their ministry.

What were your thoughts as you prepared to come to Canada?
RM: We weren't sure what to expect. We were aware that there was a lot of immigration to Canada from other nations, but did not know how it was impacting The Salvation Army.

Since our arrival, we have been impressed by the extent to which multiculturalism is part of the Canadian scene and by the way it is happening naturally. It's going to be interesting to see how ...Canadiano is defined in another 10 years. The fact that we're here in this appointment demonstrates the commitment of the Army to make the gospel relevant and attractive in a context that is Canadian. It's challenging and exciting. We want to express our gratitude to Major Donna Millar, former secretary for intercultural ministries in the Ontario Central-East Division, for the intentionality with which she blazed the trail and set the pace to carry out the multicultural vision.

What is your perspective on multiculturalism?
WM: The national motto of Jamaica is ...Out of many, one people.o In Jamaica we have learned to live with people from many different backgrounds and to see them as ...Jamaicans.o
The Lord says we are to love without discrimination. We need to be challenged to show that love. We need to make choices every day to be forgiving, loving and accepting of people. The Bible teaches us how to treat foreigners and how to follow God. It's a way of forgiveness, peace and love, all of which Jesus showed us.
RM: We need to recognize that the end is not multiculturalism. The end is Christ. He should be our main focus and motivation at all times. In the multicultural ministries portfolio, we have taken Isaiah 56:6-8 as our foundation: ... 'And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants 1/2 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer 1/2 for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.' ... 'I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.' o

As part of the Church, our job is to carry out the Great Commission. How do we do that within the context of multiculturalism?
WM: The nations have come to those who once went to them. It's so hard to get people to ...goo with all of the violent situations around the world today. But God, in his love, is bringing people from other nations here. The Salvation Army is capitalizing on that.

Canadian society has undergone enormous changes in the last 30 years in terms of the people who now call it ...home.o As the Army adapts to them, what would you say to people who are afraid of change?
RM: Don't allow fear to precipitate flight, but allow faith to bring fulfilment. Kingdom culture is all-inclusive in terms of eligibility. It doesn't reject where you're coming from. It puts everyone on an equal footing. Multiculturalism is not just for corps. It is for all of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. It is a vision, not a corps program.
WM: There's fear involved in change. But instead of leaving a place that is changing and finding a new place that is more comfortable, remember to look at God's Kingdom as a body. Every part is necessary. Every person is of value. It might be helpful to think, ...Maybe the people coming in will have something for me.o

How have you seen multiculturalism work within the Army in Canada and Bermuda?
RM: There is no such thing as the correct model, as long as the model you're using manifests the vision of multiculturalism. Each ministry unit needs to reflect its community. That is the vision.
WM: One corps that was in decline is seeing new growth by integrating an immigrant group, which happens to be Spanish-speaking, into its fellowship. It's encouraging to see that the leadership and congregation have bought into the multicultural vision by integrating Spanish into worship services. They are even learning to speak Spanish!
RM: We have seen ministries at different stages of their multicultural journey and observed some challenges. Salvationists who have been comfortably settled in Canada for many generations are being challenged to make adjustments. They have to distinguish between things that are ...of cultureo and things that are ...of Christ.o Jesus had to make a cultural shift when he left the glories of Heaven for our sakes. That gives us an example to follow.

What would you encourage Salvationists to do in order to become part of the multicultural vision?
WM: We need to pray and educate ourselves about the people who are coming to us. Accept people as individuals, just as we want people to accept us. This is Christian living.
RM: Begin to become aware of who is in your community and educate yourselves about them so that when the invitations go out, you can begin to accommodate them.
WM: As Christians, we have to make a choice to live out what we know is true. We should be able to do it, by the grace of God, and do it better than the rest of the world.]]>