All The World (January 2016)

Street life through a lens Raising funds and awareness in Sweden

Photograph by Lee Jeffries/The Salvation Army Sweden

EUROPE – responding to refugees Teaching baseball in MONGOLIA

Sport and other ministry in BRAZIL

JANUARY–MARCH 2016

VOL 54 NO 1

INDIA – an ongoing transformation

CONTENTS

JANUARY–MARCH 2016

Visit ALL THE WORLD at: www.salvationarmy.org/alltheworld

03

UPFRONT From the Editor

04

EUROPE Refugee response

08

HOME AND AWAY Thoughts from here and there

10

INDIA A journey to hope

12

SWEDEN Fundraising photos

15

RESOURCES International online interaction

16

BRAZIL Getting ready for Rio 2016

20

MONGOLIA AND KOREA Forging links through baseball

22

SNAPSHOTS News from around the world

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12

15 20

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FRO M T H E E DITOR

A little better

W

E live in a world of superlatives and exaggeration. Everything has to be the best or the worst, the biggest, the smallest, the fastest or the slowest – there appears to be a competition to compare and contrast, often with no real context.

The ‘coldest winter since 2005’ may make it seem like a big freeze, for instance, but if the past 10 years have been particularly warm, the comparison becomes useless or even misleading.

News coverage seems to be pushing this agenda more than ever, perhaps as each 24-hour station attempts to make its coverage the best. They often aim to entertain and shock where once they sought to inform.

The world today can appear to be a frightening place. War, terrorism, unspeakable brutality – all appear on TV screens, in newspapers, on computers and even on our phones with alarming regularity. Is this world really at its worst, as we seem to be told? Are things at their scariest?

I would suggest no – not because I know for certain but because I’m pretty sure no one knows for certain, not even the doom-and-gloom brigade! Go back just a couple of decades and the Rwandan genocide saw up to a million people killed in 100 days. If we travel back in time another 50 years we see the Holocaust, in which six million people were killed, and a world war that led to almost 50 million deaths. If we want to talk about ‘the worst’, there’s a pretty good place to start!

I’ve been overseeing All the World for 17 years now, making me the

Kevin Sims, Editor

magazine’s longest-serving editor – though I certainly wouldn’t claim to be the best or cleverest! Over this time I have worked on articles about terrible tragedies, awful examples of inhumanity and stories of incredible heartache.

‘The news is full of stories of hurt and anger, but I see enough of the good to realise that the bad is still a minority’

Actually, that’s not quite true.

Tragedies, inhumanity and heartache may have played their part but the articles have really been about the power of God working in people’s lives – those who are dealing with great difficulties and also the representatives of The Salvation Army who come alongside and offer help, whether that be through practical, emotional or spiritual support.

After the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, people asked me if I was frightened to come into London every day. I’m not, although that doesn’t mean I’m not a bit more aware of my surroundings during my daily walk through the city.

The news is full of stories of hurt and anger, but I see enough of the good to realise that the bad is still a minority.

Just working on this issue I have been encouraged by stories like that of photographer Lee Jeffries, who uses his time and skills to help homeless people.

Or the many examples of hope and help given to refugees across Europe.

Or the children’s baseball team that offers something new and wonderful in Mongolia. I could go on ...

So I’m not frightened. In fact, I refuse to be frightened! I’ll continue to put my trust in God like millions of people all over the world and, rather than adding to the gloom, I will try to shine a light into the darkness. If I and countless others can make these days even a little better then – by definition, I would suggest – they can’t be the worst!

Editor Kevin Sims

Founder William Booth

design and Artwork Berni Georges

General André Cox

Editorial Office The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom

COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY Major Brad Halse

© The General of The Salvation Army 2016

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Major Martin Gossauer

Tel: [44] (0)20 7332 0101; fax: [44] (0)20 7332 8079

Published by André Cox, General of The Salvation Army

Email: IHQ-alltheworld@salvationarmy.org

Printed in the UK by Lamport Gilbert Printers Ltd

J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

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REFUGEES

EUROPE

NORWAY

A growing response

SWEDEN DENMARK THE NETHERLANDS BELGIUM GERMANY

In brief

Austria The Salvation Army in Austria is small but the plight of the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving in the country has led to a response from Austrian Salvationists. The Salvation Army has just opened a shelter for up to 45 asylum seekers.

Belgium In the town of Spa, The Salvation Army – in partnership with Caritas – has converted a youth and conference centre into a reception centre to receive 70 asylum seekers. In Brussels, an integration centre is currently hosting 85 people but is in the process of increasing the number of places to 140.

Another, smaller residence provides accommodation for 24 single men.

France The Salvation Army in France is providing space for 275 refugees in various centres and offers regular meals to 60-80 migrants in Marseille.

Germany (see ‘In more depth’) Greece (see ‘In more depth’) Hungary The Hungarian Government closed its borders in October 2015, but before that The Salvation Army was involved in providing food, sleeping bags and other items to people travelling through, including some of the thousands who became stuck at Budapest railway station.

Italy The Salvation Army in Italy is accommodating and supporting asylum seekers in a hostel in Rome and at Atena Lucana, where an empty facility was prepared and readied to receive

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THE Salvation Army is continuing to build its refugee response across Europe, with new stories of care and compassion emerging almost every day. These pages seek to provide a sense of the scale of the crisis but also of the breadth of the response, from individuals volunteering to distribute sandwiches and drinks to large centres dedicated to accept asylum seekers and help them to settle in a new country where they and their families can be safe. The list is not exhaustive – almost certainly there are projects that have been missed – but it gives a sense of how The Salvation Army is continuing its 150-year tradition of helping the ‘lost and the least’.

up to 50 asylum seekers. Qualified and experienced personnel have been hired and a care and integration programme developed. The first 25 young men and women from Nigeria arrived in early November, followed soon after by another group of 19.

Lieut-Colonel Massimo Tursi (Officer Commanding, Italy and Greece) writes: ‘One of the asylum seekers is a tailor and someone lent him a sewing machine to tailor Nigerian clothes and make pillows. We have also identified two barbers in the group and other skilled people. We hope to build relationships with the townspeople and find small jobs for our guests.

They have received name tags where their professional skills can be seen, in the hope that the people in town will eventually ask for their help.’

Like many others, these young people hope to gain asylum in Italy.

The Salvation Army is supporting them through the legal procedures but also

AUSTRIA

H

SWITZERLAND FRANCE

ITALY

Oran Algiers Malta

MAJOR MIGRATION ROUTES LAND routes mAritime routes

in other ways that will help them to integrate better into their new homes.

The Netherlands The Salvation Army has doubled its capacity for hosting asylum seekers from 75 to 150 beds, with additional beds in crisis centres for the most marginalised.

More than 1,000 have so far received emergency shelter. The Salvation Army recycling programme, ReShare, is providing clothing to asylum seekers in all shelters across the country.

Norway The Salvation Army in Norway has converted a school in Oslo to enable it to house 250 asylum seekers. A second shelter for 150 people in the south of Norway is due to open soon.

Sweden (and Denmark) Sweden is welcoming a huge number of asylum seekers into the country, including many unaccompanied

‘The focus is upon building relationships, helping asylum seekers integrate into their new surroundings’

EUROPE

RUSSIA

HUNGARY Major Haris Gianaros (right) in Athens, Greece, with an Afghan refugee family – Bahbood, his sister, her husband and their two children (see ‘In more depth’)

ROMANIA

TURKEY GREECE

SYRIA ME

DIT

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ANEAN S EA

Alexandria

children – most of whom have fled from Afghanistan. Working in partnership with the Swedish Government, the Migration Authority and charities such as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army is part of the national network that plans activities to meet the needs of these new arrivals. As an organisation formed mainly of volunteers, the Army is considered an important participant.

Most asylum seekers come to Sweden across the southern border, arriving either by ferry to Trelleborg/Ystad or by train to Malmö. Some are also arriving by ferry to Gothenburg on the west coast.

Supported by colleagues from neighbouring Denmark and by interpreters, Salvation Army team members spend several hours at the rail station in Malmö every evening, meeting At the time of writing (27 November 2015), 868,282 refugees had arrived in mainland Europe by sea in 2015 – although at least 3,551 are known to have died on the way – or are missing, presumed dead.

Top countries of origin for people seeking asylum in Europe: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Sudan.

these travelling people, providing support and information and guiding them towards the initial reception centres.

In Stockholm, The Salvation Army has prepared emergency night shelters at several corps in the city.

The work with migrants is not a totally new ministry for The Salvation Army in Sweden. For more than 10 years it has been working closely with the Migration Authority in Gothenburg to integrate refugee children. The existing programme is being scaled up to include some of the new arrivals.

Switzerland For many years The Salvation Army has been operating refugee reception shelters in Switzerland. With the recent increase in new arrivals the established centres have been overrun, leading to a request for temporary shelters to be opened to cope with the need. During a visit to Switzerland by General André Cox, Salvationists were challenged to open their doors to refugees, leading to a number of corps (churches) offering to help.

In the Canton of Berne, for instance, the government requested assistance from The Salvation Army to shelter increased numbers of asylum seekers.

As of November the first two corps (Malleray und Moutier) opened their doors to house 30 people, mainly from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. Huttwil and Thun Corps have also offered assistance Salvation Army volunteers are also involved in all kinds of integration activities, including the provision of French lessons.

Responses have also been reported in ROMANIA and RUSSIA

In more depth Germany Report by Major Ced Hills IT’S been well documented that 2015 witnessed the largest migration of people since the Second World War. Around 900,000 people entered southern Europe, mainly through Greece and Italy, making their way northwards.

Final destination countries include Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany.

Currently, the preferred destination seems to be Germany, where more than 330,000 people applied for asylum in the first nine months of 2015 – four times the total figure for the whole of the previous year.

The Salvation Army has a 130-year history in Germany. With around 40 corps (churches) and 60 institutions, it is certainly not the largest territory in Europe but it is well established and has a broad geographical coverage.

The Salvation Army in Germany is very active in ministry to refugees, particularly in the east of the country, where corps have good volunteer support. However, work is not limited to the eastern cities and, around Germany, Salvationists are doing what they can to make a difference.

The focus is upon building relationships, helping asylum seekers integrate into their new surroundings and adapt to a new culture. Practical assistance – food, clothing and support at appointments – is readily offered.

Language classes, community cafes, cookery groups and parent-and-baby clubs are springing up around the region.

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EUROPE

With such large numbers moving into the country, mediation between the community and the new asylum seekers is important and so – with little advance planning – corps are naturally responding to the needs and starting these ministries. In Germany, as with so much of Europe, the refugee situation is not expected to be a short-term crisis.

The Salvation Army is committed to a long-term response.

Leipzig is in eastern Germany, near the Polish and Czech borders. During 2015 more than 6,000 asylum seekers arrived in the city – a significant addition to the half a million people who already lived there. A small apartment above the corps building was offered to the city as an emergency shelter and 10 people were placed there. Hygiene packs and clothes helped to make the new arrivals feel at home.

The small-scale project run by the corps to provide furniture was quickly called upon to help as arrivals were accommodated in properties with inadequate furnishings. With limited stock available, and a very small warehouse, the need to upscale the project became obvious.

A hard-standing area close to the corps was made available to The Salvation Army by the city and – with financial support from the Salvation Army World Services Office (SAWSO) in the USA, a modern, heated semipermanent storage facility was erected.

In recent years the commercial logistics company UPS has become an active partner with The Salvation Army.

After a quick call, a technical specialist from the company’s Germany office was released to advise and assist with setting up this new project. The programme, which is expected to run for a few years, will help 1,000 families or individuals each year, but will also provide employment opportunities for 12 asylum seekers.

In Dresden, when city authorities were looking for organisations to help manage temporary shelters, one of the groups they turned to was The Salvation Army. An unused school gymnasium

Above: playing games with refugee children at Malleray Corps, Switzerland; right: Major Maria Konti Galinou gives out food and drink to refugees in Victoria Square, Athens; opposite page, top: refugees sleeping in this sports hall in Dresden, Germany, are cared for

by The Salvation Army; opposite page, bottom: Nigerian asylum seekers play music at the Salvation Army centre in Atena Lucana, Italy

was to become temporary home to 40 asylum seekers, and The Salvation Army agreed to supervise the project.

Every room was used. Even one of the shower rooms was converted into a sleeping and living area for six people.

Visiting the shelter in October 2015, I was surprised by the homely feeling and the relaxed atmosphere. It clearly wasn’t due to the comfortable surroundings – beds were lined up side by side and facilities were quite basic.

So what was special about this place?

One of the six Syrian men living in the ‘shower’ room invited me in for a chat.

I was made to feel like a guest – one of the others kindly offered us coffee and came back with a warm drink.

As we chatted I learned something of the exhausting journey that these men had made. I was told that, while en route to Germany, my new friend had received two significant phone messages – one broke the tragic news that his

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brother had been killed by a bomb, the second told of the safe arrival into the world of his new baby daughter.

He opened his phone and the photo of this new addition to his family was proudly shown around. As I rejoiced and commiserated with him I asked about his new situation. He told me that he was delighted to be hosted by The Salvation Army.

As I looked at his cramped living space and limited privacy, I asked: ‘Why?’ I’m sure his unexpected reply will remain with me for a long time – ‘The Salvation Army people smiled and were kind to us’. Here was a vulnerable young man, far from his home and family, and yet he was touched by simple gestures of care and compassion.

Greece Report by Major Haris Gianaros FROTAN is a young journalist from Kabul who worked as an interpreter for American and British troops in Afghanistan. When the forces were removed from Afghanistan, Frotan was left without a job and, as importantly, without protection. Having worked for

EUROPE

Western forces, he was now a target for the Taliban and left with no other option but to join what has come to be called ‘The Great March’. It is a march that more than 700,000 people have joined, crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece and then ‘marching’ on to seek refuge in other European countries.

Major Rick Shiran and I were deployed to Greece for eight weeks with the The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services. We met Frotan and many other refugees like him in Victoria Square, in the Greek capital, Athens.

From June 2015 – when the volume of refugees passing through Greece dramatically increased – soldiers and volunteers of Athens Corps (Salvation Army church) joined their officers, Major Polis Pantelidis and Major Maria Konti Galinou, and went out to help the refugees in the parks, where many would camp for the night.

On occasions, Salvation Army team members would go out in the parks at 7am, distributing as many as 1,000 sandwiches, milk cartons and water.

They have now distributed well over 20,000 sandwiches and countless bottles of water and milk as well as many nonfood items such as clothes, nappies

(diapers), baby wipes and other hygiene goods.

The international Salvation Army has been able to channel even more funding to help the Army in Greece to further expand its response of filling gaps in the humanitarian aid that is offered by the government and many other NGOs (non-governmental organisations).

With this financial backing we were able to rent a shop near Victoria Square which will be used as a day centre for refugees and a warehouse to store and sort donated items. Two people are now employed to coordinate The Salvation Army’s response to the refugee crisis in Greece and to manage the day centre and the vast army of volunteers.

Two big containers have already arrived from overseas and many more are on their way.

The Salvation Army wants to make sure that not one soul will be lost because of the winter. To this end, Jan Noordijk, the Army’s Logistics Manager in The Netherlands, appealed for raincoats, scarves, socks and hats.

Jan was already deployed here and is due back again to help set up the warehouse and the distribution of these items as winter sets in.

The Army is also responding at the border crossing as the refugees leave Greece, providing electricity to ‘Camp B’ at Idomeni – on the Macedonian border – as well as giving out items such as raincoats, scarves and hats.

The officers and young people from Thessalonki Corps also visit the camp once a month to assist with the collection of rubbish/garbage that is scattered in the nearby fields.

I have heard many stories from the refugees I have met here in Athens. I’ve heard of people who risk their lives, crossing mountains and sea to find a country that will offer them refuge. I’ve heard of smugglers who threaten to cut off an ear or a nose if demands for more money were not met. I’ve heard of friends who were shot by soldiers as they crossed borders. I’ve heard of people who live in constant fear for their lives.

If there is something that everyone on this great march shares, it is desperation.

This desperation has driven them to leave their homes, their wider families and their countries in search of a safe tomorrow.

The Salvation Army, motivated by the love of God, seeks to restore the dignity of these people who are made in the image of God. Huddled under a canopy on a rainy day I spoke to Bahbood, who was on the march with his sister, her husband and their two children, aged 11 and one.

They shared some of the hardship they had faced and my heart broke for the inhumanity and cruelty that we humans are capable of.

As I looked at the two young children, I thought to myself that any parent on this planet would want a safe future for their children. How could they not seek refuge in a safe country? I realise that I would have done exactly the same.

Major Ced Hills is commander of The Salvation Army’s Estonia Region. He visited Germany as part of his temporary role as head of the Refugee Response Taskforce.

When not on secondment to International Emergency Services, Major Haris Gianaros is a corps officer at Gillingham in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland

For the latest news on The Salvation Army’s Europe refugee response go to sar.my/europerefugees, which includes a regularly updated interactive map

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HO U MN E TARNYDOARWTAHYE M E C

A series looking at the thoughts and experiences of people working for The Salvation Army in their country of birth and others giving service abroad

MAJOR Kerry Coke Major Kerry Coke is from the United Kingdom

Major Kerry Coke speaking at the Bound-Less women’s gathering during the 2015 International Congress

What is your role in The Salvation Army?

With my husband, Major Nick Coke, I’m a corps officer (church minister) at Raynes Park, south-west London – in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

What would be your typical day?

Visiting people, emails, meeting and sermon preparation, thinking through wider vision for the corps and community. We’re new in this appointment, so we’re still learning!

How did you meet The Salvation Army?

I was born into it! I have officer parents.

HOME

Do you have a ‘claim to fame’?

Yes! I was part of the team that got the statue of Catherine Booth erected opposite William Booth in Whitechapel, east London, to celebrate The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary in 2015. (Editor: Kerry is also one of the main presenters of the video component of the One Army teaching resource.*) Do you have a ‘hero of the faith’? If so, please explain.

In our first appointment we had a wonderful corps treasurer called Bea Allen. She was very wise and encouraging. Nick and I often still say: ‘Bea would have liked that!’ She lives with Jesus now.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

Philippians 4:6-7: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (New International Version). I remember that another officers’ child shared it with me before I moved house aged 16.

It was important then and it’s important now!

What is your favourite Salvation Army song?

Number 30 in the new Salvation Army song book: ‘He Giveth More Grace as our Burdens Grow Greater’. I think every officer should have these words framed by their front door so we remember them as we go out of our houses!

How do you think that working in the UK differs from working elsewhere?

From my limited experience of Salvation Army work abroad, I would say that in the UK we tend to overrely on ‘stuff’ and we are somewhat risk averse. I also don’t think we acknowledge how difficult it is in the UK, working under the strong arm of secularism. The spiritual temperature of the country has changed over the past 15 years – it’s tough!

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What do you like most about the UK? Our changing seasons – they are all beautiful for different reasons.

What aspects of another country’s culture do you wish were present in the UK? I wish we had a stronger sense of ‘family’ here in the UK. We lived among Bangladeshi people in our last appointment (in Stepney, east London), and I was often moved by the sacredness of extended family getting together to eat and celebrate. Sadly, that’s a tradition we are losing in the UK. If you were elected General, what would be the first thing you would change?

I would like us to be bolder in speaking out regarding matters of social justice, even if that makes us unpopular in some quarters.

If you could choose to work for The Salvation Army anywhere else, where would you choose and why?

I’d like to work in Norway. I went to a women’s conference there a while ago and I loved it! They have a real understanding of integrated mission. Plus, they have beautiful candles everywhere – even at the breakfast table!

What skills do you use most in your work?

Listening.

What skills do you have that you would like the opportunity to use more?

Actually, having a new appointment gives you the opportunity to use different skills.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who listened.

What’s so special about The Salvation Army?

Our ‘let’s do something about it’ values!

* See page 15 for details about the One Army live discussions that will be hosted by Kerry and Nick

&

away

Major Deslea Maxwell Originally from Australia, currently works at International Headquarters in London, UK

What is your role in The Salvation Army?

I am the editor of Revive – an international women’s ministry magazine – and The Salvation Army Year Book.

How did you meet The Salvation Army?

I am, as they say, ‘a daughter of the regiment’ – an officers’ kid.

Do you have a ‘hero of the faith’?

I really don’t think I have a ‘hero of the faith’ but there have been female Salvation Army officers who have been amazing role models regarding the balance of family life and ministry.

My greatest desire is to be like Christ and to be all he has created me to be.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

My favourite verse is found in Philippians 4:13 (from the Barclay translation) which says: ‘He who fills me with his dynamic power has made me able to cope with any situation.’

&AWAY

What is your favourite Salvation Army song?

There are so many songs which come to mind but one of my favourites would be ‘I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene’ (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 466). Of course it must have the rhythm that Papua New Guinea Salvationists bring to it!

How do you think that working in the UK – and particularly at IHQ – differs from working elsewhere?

Having worked in another culture apart from Australia (Papua New Guinea) I am very much aware that there are cultural differences even within an English speaking country. At IHQ we have many cultures that are melded together. Sometimes it makes for very interesting conversations!

What do you like most about IHQ – and living in the UK? It’s the people – I love people and I like figuring out what makes them tick. The cultural differences at IHQ provide for me a challenge – and I love it! I never dreamed that I would ever live in the UK and I find that I often have to pinch myself as I have my lunch under the shadows of St Paul’s Cathedral or along the Thames River or to look up and see Tower Bridge as I wait for my train in the afternoon – it’s just amazing.

What do you most miss about Australia?

That’s easy – my children and grandchildren.

&AWAY

What would be your typical day?

I journey into the office, turn on my computer and check what emails have filtered through during the night. My days vary depending on what deadlines I have to meet, but I attend to emails and if any of those emails have articles attached then I begin to edit them. During the six months of intense preparation for the Year Book it is a matter of taking the information sent in from the territories/commands/ regions, formatting it and editing the reports in readiness to be entered into the graphic design program. I also attend meetings. I love the interaction I have with the International Headquarters (IHQ) Communications team and the way that we work together to produce material that not only gives facts and figures about the The Salvation Army but shows the work of God.

What aspects of another country’s culture do you wish were present in the UK? If the UK changed then it would cease being the UK. But one of the things that I have come to appreciate about other cultures, which is a little different here, is the way they are a little more laid-back.

If you were elected General, what would be the first thing you would change?

I’d change who was elected as General! The second thing would be to change the membership of the High Council as obviously they were not taking their job seriously and were having too much fun! But seriously, I would encourage officers to return to their first love and reignite their sense of calling, willing acceptance of the cost and consequences of that calling – modelling true servant leadership.

What skills do you use most in your work?

I often say: ‘I am not an editor’ – and it is true that I have no qualifications in that field – but I do find that my gift of administration, particularly in the area of project management, is used quite extensively.

What skills do you have that you would like the opportunity to use more?

Due to the nature of my ministry at this time, I communicate through text and that, of course, is one-sided. I do miss ‘journeying through life’ with people, mentoring and helping them (particularly women) to find their value in Christ.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who was caring and gracious in spirit.

What’s so special about The Salvation Army?

I think the thing that is special to me about the Army is that no matter where I serve, despite the cultural differences, it is like coming home. There is a love and acceptance.

&AWAY

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INDIA

Transformation – ––a winding road

by Ben Gilbert

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‘

TORIES of Transformation’ is a phrase I often hear from my colleagues in the International Projects Department at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters. It’s always encouraging to hear of lives being turned around through our projects, and it’s often these stories that I remember long after the details of a project evaluation have been completed and all the work of implementing a project comes to an end.

The word transformation is commonly used in a development context to describe a movement between two contrasting states – from a place of despair to a place of hope, or from a place of darkness to light. Christians may talk about being transformed by God or the Holy Spirit. However, these definitions could give the impression that transformation is a straight road with clearly marked start and end points – that once it has happened no further change is necessary, our job is done and everything will be fine. My experience is that, often, it’s far more complicated!

During a recent visit to the India Eastern Territory I met a young man whose story challenged me to think of ‘transformation’ not so much as a move from one state to another, but rather a journey which is hard at the best of times and sometimes involves moving in the wrong direction! But through it all, I discovered, transformation becomes a person’s continuing process of inner restoration.

I was on a routine monitoring visit to a water, sanitation and health project.

On route I had the opportunity to drop into the territory’s Community Caring Programme which reaches out to people

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living with HIV in the Manipur area.

The centre consists of two well-kept little rooms adjacent to the divisional headquarters on a quiet residential street.

One room is used as the programme office and medicine dispensary, while the other is a storage unit, holding large sacks of rice and medicine supplies that are given to people enrolled onto the programme.

As I entered the building I was greeted by a few programme volunteers who were busying themselves getting medicines and food packets arranged in preparation for those who were coming for their weekly prescriptions. I noticed a young man sitting in one of the chairs

near the office desk and, at first, assumed he was another volunteer.

He smiled as I sat in the chair next to him and introduced myself. He told me his name was Soimounlal and that he was waiting for his turn to collect his food ration and medicine. Over the next few minutes, while the volunteers hurriedly got on with their paperwork and various organisational tasks around us, Soimounlal quietly told me his story.

He is 30 years old and has been living with HIV for at least the past 10 years.

Above: Soimounlal waits to be seen at the Community Caring Programme in Manipur

INDIA

He lost both his parents when he was 15 and moved in with his older brother and sister-in-law. By 17 Soimounlal had become a hard drug user and was a heroin addict.

Substance and hard drug use is widespread in north-east India as drug trafficking across the borders of Myanmar and Bangladesh is commonplace. Sadly, young people from Manipur and the surrounding states are exposed to drugs at an early age and can be caught up in hard drug use even while still at school.

For the past 15 years Soimounlal has tried to break his addiction but several stints in the local government rehab centre have proved unsuccessful.

That is, until a year before my visit, when he was introduced to the Community Caring Programme and a local non-governmental organisation called Shalom that works in partnership with The Salvation Army. Since joining the programme Soimounlal has been receiving regular medication for his HIV and counselling for his drug use.

‘His relationship with his brother has improved and he has been off heroin now for some months’

DEVELOPMENT

Above left: distributing food to people living with HIV; above: the Community Caring Programme centre in Manipur; left: members of the Salvation Army team – officers, staff and volunteers – in Manipur

Most critically, he has been given an opportunity to work as a peer educator within the programme. He laughed as he explained how he is now the one who goes to the ‘hot spots’ (places where he once took heroin with other users). He approaches heroin users and distributes sterile needles as he warns them of the dangers of sharing needles and talks to them about joining the Community Caring Programme.

His unique position and history as a heroin user himself gives him opportunities to speak to many users who would never listen to one of the regular volunteers. This has given him a purpose, he told me, something that he has not felt in years. His relationship with his brother has improved and he has been off heroin now for some months.

As I walked away from the centre I thought again of that word ‘transformation’.

Is Soimounlal’s story of transformation over? Not yet. Will he relapse again?

Perhaps. Has he found a hope and purpose? Yes. Is he on the road from darkness to light? Definitely!

Ben Gilbert is Community Development Coordinator (South Pacific and East Asia Zone and South Asia Zone) at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

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Photograph by Lee Jeffries/The Salvation Army Sweden

This page: Lee’s photo of Thomas; opposite page: the images of (from left) Peter, Thomas and Claes Thomas offer a powerful message on the Stockholm Metro

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SWEDEN

Photograph by Lee Jeffries/The Salvation Army Sweden

HOMELESSNESS Compassion through Photography

L

EE Jeffries is a British accountant with a skill for photography and a passion to highlight the stories – and humanity – of homeless people around the world.

He travels in his free time, meeting homeless people and earning their trust before he takes their photos. Any proceeds he makes – and funds he raises from running marathons – goes to support charities that work with the homeless. He is particularly active on social media, raising money and awareness through postings on Instagram.

So when The Salvation Army in Sweden wanted to highlight its ministry to the homeless in Stockholm, Lee was an obvious choice.

He told photography website iso.500px.com: ‘I was contacted by The Salvation Army in Sweden a number of months ago. They reached out to me to see if I would be up for shooting a series of portraits of the

homeless people they help in their missions in Stockholm. They stated that, as I was “the best”, they couldn’t envisage using another photographer!

‘I agreed and travelled to Stockholm at the beginning of October. I spent three days there, including a significant amount of time in a couple of their outreach centres in the city.

I was left alone and basically “hung out” as any user of the facilities would do. I spent this time talking and connecting with the various people that dropped in ... in much the same way as I do when I go and do a homeless project on the street.’

Christine Samuelson (Communications Coordinator and Brand Manager, Sweden and Latvia Territory) spent time with Lee in Stockholm and says he came across as a humble man. ‘He really put his heart and soul into this project,’ she says. ‘I went around with him to

‘The concept behind the campaign is to ”bring a homeless person into your home“’ J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

13

‘My images have always been about spirituality, emotion, and humanity’ winter – by buying a photo of Peter, Thomas or Claes Thomas – and at the same time they’ll be supporting our work.’

At the time of writing (25 November 2015), 142 portraits had been sold, raising €10,643. Of course, no price can be put on the photographs’ ability to bring out the humanity in faces that many people would often walk past and try to pretend are not there.

Top right: this picture of Rolf was taken at the same time as the photos that are being sold to raise funds; below: Peter

Photograph by Lee Jeffries/The Salvation Army Sweden

some of our centres, and he got to hang out there with [the homeless people].’

Lee continues: ‘The aim of the project was to shoot three separate portraits. These portraits were then to be sold as fine art prints by The Salvation Army with 100 per cent of the revenue going direct to the charity.

‘The concept behind the campaign is to “bring a homeless person into your home”.

‘The Bible has a passage that says: “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you” (Leviticus 25:35-36 English Standard Version).

‘What does this mean to me? Well, my images have always been about spirituality, emotion and humanity. It seemed to me it was the perfect fit with an organisation such as The Salvation Army with its long tradition of religion.

Notwithstanding that, the series of portraits I produced has afforded me the opportunity to make a huge difference to the lives of homeless people. I’m always trying to do as much as I possibly can for this global community.’

The photos were also used as part of an advertising campaign organised by Scholz & Friends Sweden, shown on the metro and around Stockholm. Christine reveals that the campaign has even been nominated for ‘ad image of the year’ in Sweden, going up against some of the largest advertising agencies in the country.

‘We are helping as many people as we possibly can,’ she says, ‘but it’s difficult to meet everyone’s need.

So we’re asking the public to take a homeless person into their home this

The three portraits are for sale online from http://portratt.fralsningsarmen.se (European sales only – orders from the rest of the world can be placed by emailing Lee at lee.jeffries@btinternet.com).

Large prints (60cm by 60cm) cost £100 and standard prints (31cm by 31cm) are £60 (or local equivalent).

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Photograph by Lee Jeffries/The Salvation Army Sweden

SWEDEN

RESOURCES

MEDIA

rmy one

T

HE highly-versatile One Army international teaching resource is introducing yet another dimension to its outreach. The 13 attractive, informative books and the accompanying DVDs are currently complemented by being available online, backed up with additional resources. Now, from January, One Army will introduce virtual meetings, linking Salvationists and friends internationally as it does so.

Majors Nick and Kerry Coke will host the first meeting from Raynes Park (UK) as they launch a One Army study discussion group at their corps (church).

Using the ‘One Life’ theme from the Introduction book, they will invite comment from those who tune in to

‘It will be good if we can encourage more international links between people who share the same faith, or even none – as yet’

Live!

share their meeting. The International Headquarters web manager, David Giles, will be on hand to collate the comments, posting them on the live One Army website.

Worldwide participation is an integral part of the One Army concept.

The Army’s internationalism is one of its main strengths, with mutual support and sharing consistently enriching its effectiveness. The DVDs present views, comments and wide activity from across the Army world, with an eye-opening feature on a specific culture in each book. The sharing of comments by means of virtual meetings will enhance this further.

Scriptwriter and producer Commissioner Robert Street explains: ‘One Army has been received eagerly in an enlightening diversity of locations and situations. It will be good if we can encourage more international links between people who share the same faith, or even none – as yet.’

He continues: ‘Essentially, One Army teaching is centred on Jesus – who he was, what he taught and what he says to us today. We look to him to see what The Salvation Army should be today.

The teaching helps us make a personal response too.’

One Army is currently being translated into more than 20 languages, with books already printed and being used in nearly all of them. The DVDs

have subtitles in eight languages, with further territories working to add more.

The resource is designed to be used in any number of ways, from Sunday worship meetings to cafe church-style gatherings, cell groups, soldiers’ classes, Bible study groups, or as a means of introducing people to Christian faith and Salvation Army fellowship.

The virtual meetings begin on 13 January at 7.30pm (GMT) and will run for five consecutive weeks at the same time. They will utilise the online tools deployed for the highly successful Boundless 2015 international congress coverage – including Periscope and YouTube – and facilitate live, interactive participation. Details of further venues and times will be arranged according to how these first meetings develop.

With One Army also having specific youth teaching in every book, virtual meetings for young people are the next aim.

J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

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MINISTRY

BRAZIL

Seeing Jesus in Rio de Janeiro

In August and September 2016, millions of people will flock to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the first-ever Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in South America. More than 7.5 million tickets for 64 different sports will be sold – covering disciplines as diverse as archery and water polo. David Giles went to the former capital city to find out how The Salvation Army, which has been at work in Brazil since 1922, is working with the poorest members of the community while developing plans for outreach and sports ministry to coincide with the sporting extravaganza.

M

y route to The Salvation Army’s divisional headquarters in Rio de Janeiro involves a stroll along the warm sands of the world-famous Copacabana Beach, which will be the venue for the beach volleyball contests at the 2016 Olympic Games, before embarking on the bustling Rio Metrô, on which the TV screens alternate between adverts for McDonald’s, the James Bond film Spectre and … The Salvation Army. Finally, it’s a quick taxi ride past the massive Maracanã Stadium that will host the Rio 2016 opening 16 | ALL THE WORLD |

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and closing ceremonies. Even on this relatively short journey, the dichotomy of rich and poor is pronounced – there are bright, shiny boutique stores and people sleeping rough along the shoreline.

I’m here to meet Major Dan Ford, The Salvation Army’s divisional commander for Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Federal District, responsible for the 10 corps (church) and three social service centres that serve this eclectic city’s 6.3 million residents.

Also accountable for The Salvation Army’s mission teams during Rio 2016, he is affable, welcoming and enthusiastic

about the potential of the Olympics. ‘It’s a great opportunity to talk about our faith,’ he says. ‘To show The Salvation Army in Brazil to a worldwide audience, to show them where our heart is. And locally, we need to put The Salvation Army on the map.’

Brazil’s distinctive auriverde flag flies proudly across the city. But Major Ford observes that its Portuguese slogan ‘Ordem e Progresso’ (‘Order Above: the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue emerges from the mist above Rio de Janeiro

BRAZIL

Clockwise from left: looking across Rio de Janeiro from the edge of the Divinéia favela; a Salvation Army mural in Méier; Major Dan Ford talks with Captain Ionara Tebas; The Salvation Army’s Projeto Integração centre in Divinéia

and Progress’) is conflicted. ‘Rio is progressing,’ he concedes, ‘but not necessarily in the right direction.’ He explains that ‘many parts of the city are affluent and well-to-do, but there is a gulf between rich and poor, a prevailing “anything goes” attitude and a marked lack of generosity towards the more vulnerable members of the community.’

He speaks warmly of Brazilian Salvationists’ profound desire to serve

on mission teams while their city is in the spotlight of the world’s media. ‘It’s not so much what they are going to do, but the fact that they are prepared to do something,’ the major continues. ‘In particular, we’re aware of estimates that up to 40,000 sex workers will ply their trade in Rio during the event. Salvationists here have a real heart for those trapped in the sex trade, and are campaigning against human trafficking.’

‘Alcohol and drug dependency is widespread, with a serious knock-on effect on family income’

An initiative in the suburb of Niterói is already ministering to local women engaged in prostitution, offering nonjudgemental counselling, refreshments and care packages.

Vânia Quintão is a Salvationist from Niterói who is keen to be participating in August’s mission. She was part of similar outreach campaigns at the Pan-American Games in 2007 and at a number of Rio’s famous carnivals. ‘I am looking forward to the arrival of the Olympic Games and being part of this great team of volunteers,’ she says. ‘I believe [this] is a strategic way … to fulfil our mission as The Salvation Army.’

Elisa Moura, also from Niterói, agrees: ‘To the vendors, people coming in and out of sports events, and the street people we can show Jesus.’

Meanwhile, international mission teams are also being deployed, with the intention of developing sports ministry J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

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BRAZIL

Left: Lunchtime at The Salvation Army’s Méier centre; below: a boy who is benefiting from Salvation Army ministry in Divinéia; bottom: a colourful graffiti-style vista of Rio adorns the Méier dance studio wall; opposite page: having fun on the climbing frame in Méier

programmes in and around Rio’s Salvation Army corps and centres.

In partnership with Brazilian parachurch movement Braços Abertos (Open Arms), these teams are being brought together by Lieut-Colonel David Bowles, Europe Zone Sports Ministry Coordinator.

He aims to build on similar initiatives undertaken in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup and in the UK during the London 2012 Games.

He outlines the rationale: ‘Sports ministry is important because it builds bridges and transcends language and culture – a shared passion that can be the first steps to forming real relationships. It’s a great leveller; people can participate in sport regardless of social status, background or ability. The fun, excitement and discipline of sport has much in common with our faith experience – it’s a natural springboard to meaningful and life-changing conversations about Jesus.’

Linn Tabita Milde belongs to The Salvation Army in Ås, Norway, and describes the chance to get involved in the Rio 2016 mission team as a ‘unique opportunity’. She continues: ‘I know this will strengthen and develop my relationship with Jesus! [It] will challenge me in sharing the gospel with others.’ Fellow team member Vetle Jarandsen, from Oslo, echoes Linn’s sentiment: ‘I want to be Jesus’ hands and feet ... to experience a new culture and discover how Church works in a poorer community.’

In fact, several of The Salvation Army’s corps and centres in Rio are already using sport and other forms of recreation as a way to cement meaningful relationships in the community. Captain Ionara Tebas is the corps officer and centre manager at 18 | ALL THE WORLD |

JAN UARY–M ARC H 2016

Méier, which has established itself well in the community.

‘It’s a case of visiting the people who might need our help,’ she explains. ‘We go to them and get to know the whole family.’ Some of the families Captain Tebas is in contact with have significant needs; alcohol and drug dependency is widespread, with a serious knock-on effect on family income.

The cornerstone of the Méier Corps ministry is its provision of care to children.

Every day, between 50 to 60 under-18s arrive at the centre for lunch (on the day I visit they will be given a nutritious dish of rice, chicken and beans) and remain for the afternoon. Activities are varied – The Salvation Army works with the local authorities to provide additional teaching, but there are also opportunities for art and craft, letting off steam on the all-

purpose sports pitch and getting groovy in the centre’s dance studio! There is delight on the children’s faces as they perform impossible manoeuvres on the climbing frame and effortlessly kick a football around in the 30° Celsius heat.

‘I love the dance workshops and learning Portuguese,’ enthuses 15-yearold Tamiris. It makes her want to go back to the Méier centre every day and recommend it to her friends. And perhaps more pertinently: ‘It’s pretty cool!’

Attendance for worship here is gradually growing, with about 30 locals regularly attending Sunday morning meetings. In common with most of the corps in Rio, worship is vibrant, with a Latin American samba vibe featuring alongside Bible teaching and prayer!

The Army is well regarded by the city government, with the leader Vereador

BRAZIL

Eliseu Kessler – himself a Christian – honouring The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary with a civic reception last November. Corps officers and many long-serving Salvationists were thanked for their efforts with official certificates of recognition.

While many big cities have areas of social deprivation, the slum-like favelas of Rio are especially prominent because of their hillside locations. Again, The Salvation Army is at work, providing hope to the hopeless.

Projeto Integração serves vulnerable families in the Divinéia favela, offering a place of safety for around 50 children each weekday. At the stroke of two o’clock, children stream in through the open doors.

At this centre, serving can be as simple as offering a cup of clean drinking water or providing a mattress for a child to have a much-needed nap. Soon, the place is abuzz with young people catching up on each other’s news, exchanging banter

with the staff and tucking into a hot meal.

The rest of the day could include games or further study, depending on the child’s age, with the option of Bible stories, singing or painting. The centre also has an IT suite, to provide training in valuable technological skills.

‘With drug dealing and gun crime rife,’ adds Major Ford, ‘the favela is not a safe place for children to go home to an empty house.’ He starts to talk again about the holistic nature of caring for the entire family but, as if to underscore his assertion about the dangerous nature of the place, a police patrol car with machine guns pointing out of its windows passes by slowly as we return to his car.

Rio is, of course, renowned for the 38-metre-high Cristo Redentor [Christ the Redeemer] statue that towers over the city on the top of Mount Corcovado.

Thousands of tourists every day make the decision to trek up the mountain paths (or take the less energetic option of a train) to the summit. In a city that needs salvation,

‘A police patrol car with machine guns pointing out of its windows passes by slowly as we return to his car’

it’s an interesting juxtaposition that so many people swarm to see Jesus – or, at least, a reinforced-concrete-fashioned version of him! It’s a spectacular sight by day and – impressively floodlit – by night.

Will visitors to Rio 2016 ‘see Jesus’?

Through their various ministries, Salvationists and mission partners certainly intend that they will.

David Giles is Web Manager at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters

Could you be part of a mission team to Rio? Will you financially support or pray for those who will be? To watch a short video featuring the projects mentioned in this article and find out more about joining a Salvation Army mission team to Rio in August, visit sar.my/rio2016. (Applications must be received by 29 February 2016.)

Follow The Salvation Army’s activities at Rio 2016 across social media using the #SARio2016 hashtag.

J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

19

SPORTS MINISTRY

M ongolia and K orea

More than a game based on an article by Major Kim, Kyu-han

M

OST people would associate the sport of baseball with the USA, perhaps Canada or even Japan. Not many, however, would link it to Korea – and even fewer would think of Mongolia! The reality is, however, that baseball is hugely popular in Korea – second only to soccer – with a quarter of Koreans identifying themselves as baseball fans. In Mongolia, baseball is still at the early stages of becoming a popular pastime, but The Salvation Army is doing its part to introduce Mongolian children to the joy of team sports and – in doing so – is forming close links between Korea and Mongolia.

At the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the Mongolian national baseball team played with only one bat, losing its matches but winning the hearts of many Koreans. Then, at the

2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, Mongolia received great support from the home fans even though, again, they lost every match!

There is no dedicated baseball park in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, and the national team is made up of 13 amateurs – but there is now an interest in Mongolian baseball that goes beyond the country itself, which is where The Salvation Army comes in.

Three years ago, The Salvation Army’s Korea Territory established a children’s baseball team in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The territory oversees Salvation Army ministry in Mongolia, which began in 2008, so there were already strong links between The Salvation Army in the two countries.

‘Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, the children from the two countries shared together through sport’ 20 | ALL THE WORLD |

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Above: children from Korea at a baseball camp in Mongolia

The Salvation Army team in Mongolia is even sponsored by a Korean professional baseball club, the Kia Tigers, based in Gwangju.

As time goes on, the baseball programme continues to grow, allowing scope for greater links with Korea. In 2015, three baseball clubs from Korea visited Mongolia and spent a week at an annual training camp, joining three Mongolian baseball teams –The Salvation Army Ulaan Tigers, The Salvation Army Zuun mun Tigers and Mongolia Falcon.

During the training camp, children from the two countries shared fellowship and played friendly baseball games.

The Salvation Army Ulaan Tigers Baseball Team was the first to be established, offering opportunities for children from poor families to join together with a common goal. In turn,

M ongolia and K orea

Top: children from Mongolia and Korea join for a photo with guests from The Salvation Army’s leadership and government officials; left: The Salvation Army Ulaan Tigers baseball team gets ready to play; above: a Korean officer coaches one of the Mongolian children

the exercise helped with the children’s physical development. In 2015, at the request of the mayor in Zuun mun, Tuv Aimag, the Zuun mun Tigers baseball team was established along similar lines.

The baseball matches between the Korean and Mongolian children’s teams also served to bring together some distinguished guests from both countries.

Matches were attended by the Korean Ambassador to Mongolia, the General Secretary of the Mongolia Olympic Committee and the Director of Health and Sports in Mongolia. They each promised to support the development of baseball in Mongolia.

The coach of Ulaan Tigers even had a national order conferred by the Mongolian government in recognition of his contribution to international cooperation through the development of baseball in Mongolia and the forming of international friendships with Korean children.

The Mongolian children weren’t the only ones to benefit from the experience.

The visitors from Korea were all from

difficult backgrounds, including some who had grown up in children’s homes.

The opportunity to travel overseas has helped to develop the young people’s self-esteem and self-confidence while also broadening their views and introducing them to new cultures.

Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, the children from the two countries shared together through sport, learning sportsmanship, and accepting and encouraging each other.

The Salvation Army in Mongolia runs a kindergarten, computer class, afterschool programme, Korean language class, art class and feeding programme in Ulaanbaatar. In Tuv Aimag, it runs programmes for the elderly at a welfare centre.

Through these social service programmes, The Salvation Army continues to expand its spiritual ministry while becoming well recognised and respected by community members and the government.

The sponsorship programme for the Mongolian children’s baseball team

exists not just to support and promote baseball but also to offer children a place where they feel cared for, where they can develop physically but also socially, working with teammates and learning to cooperate. The social skills they develop make life easier for their parents and extended families.

It’s not too far-fetched to think that, one day, children from Salvation Army teams in Mongolia could represent their country at baseball. This is the sort of dream that is opened up by this ministry.

This small group of young people, shown God’s love through the help and guidance of The Salvation Army, are becoming healthier and more sociable – but they are also given opportunities to hope and dream that would never have been theirs without this simple but effective programme.

Major Kim, Kyu-han previously served as Development Ministries Secretary in The Salvation Army’s Korea Territory J A N UA RY – M A RC H 2016 | ALL THE WORLD |

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COUNTRY OR THEME

SNAPSHOTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

International Headquarters

A site for all

THE International Headquarters website, www.salvationarmy.org, received the ‘Accessibility’ award at the 2015 Premier Digital Awards ceremony in London, UK. The award is open to any website run by a Christian organisation based in the UK. This is the second time that salvationarmy.org has won the Accessibility award, which recognises good practice in creating a site that can be used by people with disabilities or sight issues.

Presenting the award, judge Mike Townsend said that it was clear to him that ‘accessibility is built in to the site - it’s not an afterthought’.

He also appreciated the content of salvationarmy.org, adding: ‘You could spend a whole day on the site and still find new and interesting information.’

Accepting the award, Web Manager David Giles (pictured) spoke about the importance of the website being inclusive, not discriminating against people who may struggle to navigate other sites.

‘You could spend a whole day on the site and still find new and interesting information’

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He explained that accessibility was a vital component of a site that seeks to be used by everyone, especially as – according to its mission statement – The Salvation Army seeks to ‘preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and ... meet human needs without discrimination’.

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United Kingdom Territory witH the Republic of Ireland

Shaken and heard

JUST over 30 years ago, in November 1985, a young, rockabilly-styled Welsh singer known as Shakin’ Stevens (real name Michael Barratt) released his Christmas song ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. The catchy number quickly made its way up the charts, becoming that year’s Christmas number one and finding a place in the top-selling 50 singles of that year (and pretty much every Christmas compilation released in the UK ever since!). The song also made it to number five in Ireland and has found a place back in the British top 50 on another five occasions.

Late last year it was revealed that ‘Shaky’ has Salvation Army links through his family, leading him to

commemorate the 30th anniversary of his biggest hit by re-recording ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ in a folk/rock style, renaming it ‘Echoes Of Merry Christmas Everyone’ and giving the proceeds from the sales of the new version to The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army’s Video Production Unit worked on the footage for the video which features the work of the Army across the UK and undertaking international disaster relief work in Haiti, Zambia, Kenya and Bangladesh.

ONLY

£10

JAN UARY–M ARC H 2016

Boundless – The Experience, a stunning 160page photo book of the 2015 International Congress, is available from territorial trade departments across the world. Please contact your territorial/command/regional headquarters for contact details. The book is also available to buy for personal callers to International Headquarters. (Because of the size and weight of this high-quality production, there are currently no plans to offer postal sales direct from IHQ.)

SNAPSHOTS

International Headquarters

In the news

THE hope of General John Gowans – The Salvation Army’s international leader from 1999-2002 – that the movement’s International Headquarters (IHQ) in central London should be a building that ‘speaks for itself’ was put into practice at the end of 2015 with a thought-provoking Christmas display. Using huge lightboxes, the display revealed a poignant message that some of the difficulties faced 2,000 years ago by Jesus and the Holy Family are still affecting thousands of people today.

An estimated four million pedestrians pass IHQ every year, walking between the Tate Modern Gallery and St Paul’s Cathedral, so the Christmas display could well have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people.

Taking a few moments to look closely at the images (see photo), the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Brian Peddle, revealed that he has been amazed at the way in which the public interacts with the IHQ building, with many taking photographs of the Bible texts that are wrapped around the ground-floor windows. He told the images’ creators, Berni Georges and Kevin Sims, of the IHQ Communications Section, that from his office he watched people stop to take photos of the Christmas display, with some pressing their faces to the windows to take in every detail.

The set of four images, loosely titled ‘Read All About It’, may seem at first glance to contain simple but well-known Christmas images such as a tree, star, angel wing or bauble, created out of folded paper and newsprint. A closer look, however, reveals a powerful message.

Kevin explains that the initial concept came from seeing the plight of migrants in

Europe – and the often unkind approach of some newspapers. Each image contains a newspaper headline that could be seen as a response to an aspect of the Christmas story if it was being reported today – a family fleeing as refugees, a shortage of appropriate accommodation, the declaration of world peace and a pregnancy occurring out of marriage. Real newspaper headlines and text add context, and a ‘Read All About It’ Bible quotation seals the link between each part of the Christmas story and the similar current situation.

Berni and Kevin have been amazed and moved by the reaction to the images from people walking by and also from others who have seen them online and through

The Salvation Army Year Book 2016 details statistics, addresses, telephone numbers and information relating to programmes run by The Salvation Army worldwide.

It contains ●●Global reports and photos from the

127 countries in which the Army works

●●Up-to-date facts and figures on

the Army’s international mission

●●Full-colour photographs

Postage: UK £1.20/Europe £5.09/ rest of the world £7.31

The 2016 Year Book is available for Kindle e-readers and can also be downloaded onto Kobo e-readers through the kobo.com website.

Prices will vary

Anyone wishing to use the images for largescale and other purposes is asked to contact IHQ Communications (email: IHQ-Communications@ salvationarmy.org).

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ‘THE SALVATION ARMY’, ADDRESSED TO:

Communications Section, The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom Please include your name and address Salvation Books publications are also available from territorial trade/ supplies departments and on www.amazon.co.uk, although prices may vary.

Email IHQ-Editorial@salvationarmy.org for further information

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social media. Some corps (churches) and other Salvation Army centres have used the images as posters, and the UK Schools and Colleges Unit created resources to accompany the artworks before making them available to schools across the country.

The four images are available to download from the IHQ Flickr stream at sar.my/christmasdisplay2015. They are free to be used by Salvation Army corps and centres (for multimedia displays or printed as posters up to 50cm wide), or to share on social media.

‘I urge you to pray for the Church, the Body of Christ, of which our Salvation Army is a vital part. Pray that we will have the courage and the wisdom to fulfil our mission in these times, a mission given by Christ to be both proclaimers of his gospel and also ministers of his grace and love to all. To all … regardless of their culture, race or creed. We are brothers and sisters of one humanity.

One humanity created, and loved, by God.’

General André Cox, writing after the terror attacks in Paris, France, in November 2015

The Salvation Army – united in prayer M

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24

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

29

28

29

30

31

25

26

27

28

29

30

M

Tu W Th

F

Sa

Su

M

M

Tu W Th

Su

M

Tu W Th

may

june Tu W Th

F

august

july Sa

Su

F

Sa

F

Sa

Su

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

1 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

27

28

29

30

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

29

30

31

30

31

september M

october

F

Sa

Su

1

2

3

4

Tu W Th

M

Tu W Th

F

DECember

NOVEMBER

Sa

Su

1

2

M

Tu W Th 1

2

3

F

Sa

Su

4

5

6

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

7

8

9

10

11

12

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

14

15

16

17

18

19

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

21

22

23

26

27

28

29

30

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

28

29

30

24

25

26

M

F

Sa

1

2

3

4

Tu W Th

Su

13

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

20

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

27

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

31

Every Thursday, Salvationists from around the world join together in prayer through the Worldwide Prayer Meeting (see http://sar.my/wwpm). In some places, this involves prayer groups, but individuals can be part of a wave of prayer by focusing their conversations with God on the work and ministry of the international Salvation Army. For prayer topics and ideas, follow @TSA_WWPM on Twitter, then respond and share your prayers with the world using the hashtag #WWPM.

This year planner is available to download, in this size and a larger format, from sar.my/atw2016calendar

JANUARY