Members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team recently took part in yarning circles 'on Country' in and around Alice Springs. Online yarning circles have been taking place across the territory as part of the development of a new, three-year Stretch RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan). This RAP builds on the success of the 2020 Innovate RAP. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a selection of comments listed below from participants: “This is a step towards reconciliation,” shares Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander. “Do you want to be part of it? I sure do. I joined a group. Hope you will too. Let’s go forward together.”   “The Salvation Army’s reconciliation journey is for everyone,” says Lucy Davis , Reconciliation Action Plan Manager. “We want voices from every part of our shared country – urban, suburban, rural, regional and remote – so that all of us can speak into the space of how we can improve outcomes for First Nations people.” Putting feet 'on Country' was an important part of the yarning circles. “The Yarning circles are so important for everyone to engage with,” says Captain Robert Champion , Corps Officer, Swan Hill (Vic). “For me personally it was about the listening so we all may gain a deeper understanding. I was deeply impacted by personal stories, and it is through respecting individual voices that we may find harmony under our common grace.”   “For me, the yarning circle is the trickling impact of Voice,” explains Kirthana Changramogan , Salvation Army Policy and Advocacy Advisor. “It is really important to bring people together, and while we talk about this a lot, this matter is so deep, we just need to keep talking. There are just so many levels of understanding that it needs to be spread across time. The circle was a beautiful experience and a beautiful closure from Voice. I was in every circle in Voice, and the outcome impacted all of us. This was definitely a closure, and I intend to keep attending the RAP circles.”   “As one of the RAP Circle Facilitators, I have been very grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate deeply meaningful conversations,” says Amielia Wall , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initial Assessment and Planning Worker. “We have yarned about how we are walking together in the journey of Reconciliation; sharing vulnerably, and respectfully, with people from all walks of life. Participants have connected with each other from across many different areas and states, and across many different streams and branches within The Salvation Army. I have felt blessed to hold space with people in this way. I feel that RAP circles have been spaces that are grounding, inspiring, and hopefully have encouraged people to connect to country, and people, in different ways.” Yarning circles are open to everyone and are vital in continuing the reconciliation journey. “I recently attended a yarning circle for the Stretch RAP,” shares Harriet Grace, Acting Team Leader, Inner Sydney - Family and Domestic Violence. “Lucy Davis facilitated the session with incredible energy and knowledge, creating a welcoming environment for Salvation Army personnel to connect. After the session, Lucy encouraged us all to find a green space and put our feet on the ground to connect with Country. Some members of our Family and Domestic Inner-City Team used our lunch break to visit our local park on Gadigal Land. It created a time for us as staff to come away from our desks and come together." “I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on ways I can help move towards reconciliation and increase my knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, both in my role with The Salvation Army and in my life in general," says Caitlin Harcourt, AOD Specialist Project Worker in Coburg North (Vic.).   Innovate RAP and the Stretch RAP Key differences The Innovate  RAP provides a flexible space for trialling  new initiatives, allowing room to assess their impact.   The  Stretch  RAP supports the implementation  of trialled initiatives, helping an organisation drive reconciliation efforts that influence a broader sphere. Thoughtfully planting feet on Country has been a new but meaningful experience for many participants. RAP circles Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures use yarning circles to learn from a collective group, build respectful relationships and pass on knowledge.   The yarning circles are available for anyone who is part of The Salvation Army. This includes all officers, employees and volunteers. Web-based, Salvation Army-wide gatherings will continue throughout October for all users with a Salvation Army login. To register, click here .   Participants will be able to learn more about reconciliation and contribute to the Stretch RAP and ongoing journey of Reconciliation through participating in the circles.   “Our RAP circles for this journey will be called Ngumbe Bianga Guunung, which means ‘to listen and yarn in our camp/circle’ in the Burunggam language of south-west Queensland – pronounced Gumbi Biang-ga Gooyung,” Lucy explains. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team will be hosting other yarning circles on Country. Lucy and her First Nations team will facilitate Ngumbe Bianga Guunung, using the methodology of the Bonyi Bonyi (Bunya Mountains) which means ‘coming together in circle’.   Feet on Country The team is also leading ‘On country’ RAP circles, which basically means face-to-face circles. The facilitators will also host ‘on Country’ circles in their workplaces. ‘On Country’ circles have so far been held in Alice Springs and Mt Isa with Shirli Congoo, General Manger, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mission Support, and her teams.   Facilitators and support people Lucy and her team have trained mob from the Burra Burra network to help facilitate the circles. “Currently we have 13 facilitators, and we are so proud of these mob for stepping up in this space,” she says. “We also have 13 support people who are non-Indigenous mob across the Salvos who I also like to call ‘allies. These include various managers from different streams, from AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) to HR (Human Resources) to Doorways. Their role is to support First Nations mob in facilitating the circle and, importantly, to call out racism if it occurs. This part of the RAP project should be promoted and celebrated.”   For those with a Salvation Army login, register for the online yarning circles, click here

Marian Billups Booth was often found on her knees in dedicated service to God and The Salvation Army. Her sister Evangeline Booth said: “When she prayed I always felt that distance between earth and heaven was shortened.” By JOSEPH PINKARD Marian Billups Booth’s life is shrouded in mystery compared to some of her much more high-profile siblings who took on significant leadership positions in The Salvation Army. The sixth child of The Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth, Marian’s life is often overlooked or made little mention in the history books. Yet there are important lessons we can learn about disability inclusion from her life as one of the earliest soldiers with a disability. Marian was born in Leeds on 19 May 1864. Catherine describes Marian in this letter to her parents shortly after her birth, “The baby is the best we had yet; she sleeps nearly all her time ... she was the largest child born we have had.” Marian’s life took a significant turn in infancy when she experienced an unforeseen medical episode that would shape the rest of her life. Catherine describes the life-changing event in her diary: “I shall never forget our anguish when one morning I was called to the nursery to see the child who was 10 months old. The nurse thought it had swallowed something and was choking, but it proved to be a fit. We sent for the nearest doctor, who pronounced it to be caused by irritation of the brain as a consequence of teething. The attacks were continued with increased rapidity and virulence and did not leave her until her body and mind had been permanently injured by them.” While a definitive medical diagnosis of Marian’s disability is impossible from this Victorian-era description, Marian’s cognitive disability did not exclude her from full membership in The Salvation Army. Prayer was the spiritual foundation of Marian’s life. Marian gave her heart and life to God at an early age. She was recognised with the stationary rank of staff-captain and served in children’s homes. Catherine observed, “She can manage a baby, educate a child, or make the little ones generally comprehend and accept salvation. In this work she bids fair to be, if spared, very useful.” Marian lived out her faith primarily at Clapton Congress Hall Corps, where she was a soldier for 30 years. Marian enjoyed worshipping through song and prayer, and her favourite chorus was ‘Come to Jesus’. William and Catherine were often accompanied by Marian at significant Army gatherings. Interested comrades observed Marian sitting with her parents on the platform in meetings at the historic Clapton Congress Hall and Exeter Hall. Marian’s health was an ongoing challenge throughout her life, exacerbated by contracting smallpox in her childhood. Marian’s fragile health meant she was unable to embark on the various international soul-saving missions and active public work like many of her family members. Commissioner Lucy Booth-Hellberg described her sister Marian’s life in these words at her funeral as reported in The War Cry , January 1937, “Her life has been a hidden one, and yet how widely she was known and how widely she was loved!” The report of Marian’s promotion to glory as reported in The War Cry of January 1937.    General Evangeline Booth reflected on her sister Marian’s prayerful manner in this message that was read out at her funeral service, “When she prayed I always felt that distance between earth and heaven was shortened ... Her appeals quickly reached the Throne of Grace.” (General Evangeline Booth was campaigning in India at the time of Marian’s funeral.) Marian Billups Booth died following a considerable period of declining health on 5 January 1937, aged 72. Commissioner Lucy Booth-Hellberg conducted her funeral service at Stoke Newington Corps. Marian was buried alongside her parents in Abney Park Cemetery. So, what can we learn from this brief snapshot of Marian’s life? People with disability have been included in the life of The Salvation Army since its foundation, and this is exemplified in Marian’s life. More than simply being present, people with disability have found ways to serve and worship God in The Salvation Army, despite the low expectations we might sometimes project onto them due to their impairments. We are called to do the same as the Booth family by creating communities of welcome and belonging alongside people with disabilities in our local Salvos mission expression. As Paul reminds us in the letter to the church at Corinth, “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22). Are you interested in discussing disability inclusion in your local mission expression? Contact The Salvation Army’s Disability Inclusion Lead Joseph Pinkard

The Salvation Army group march behind the banner – being held by Salvos supporter Zoe Simpson and Captain Kris Halliday – which displays the Red Shield and five inclusion icons. A group of more than 40 people, including employees and friends, marched behind The Salvation Army’s Red Shield and its five inclusion icons as they crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge into the city during the WorldPride march on Sunday 5 March. After the march, a praise and worship service took place at the Army’s Sydney Streetlevel Mission. This was the second Pride March The Salvation Army has participated in this year, the first being the Midsumma Festival Pride March in Melbourne in February. The Salvation Army’s Social Mission team has been participating in the Melbourne event since 2016, but this was the first year the team officially marched under the Army’s Red Shield and inclusion icons. Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary, said The Salvation Army’s presence at these events aimed to demonstrate that it is inclusive in its social and community services programs. Major Paul Moulds, Team Leader at Greater West Salvos (Sydney) and Captain Kris Halliday, Team Leader at Brunswick/Richmond (Melbourne), led the Salvation Army's participation at the Sydney event.

“When we cannot build good roads for our children, we must build children strong enough for the roads they must face.” – Terrence (Roman poet)   BY CHARLES WHITE*   No child beats the enemy of our souls with a potato chip in one hand and a soft drink in the other. Flabby, casual soldiers are always the first to fall. Children asked to live in today’s world need God’s Word daily. They need unfailing faith that our Father answers prayer and frequently shares with other soldiers. Putting God first is no longer a respectable thing to do. It is absolutely necessary. In my own experience, there are certain minimum daily requirements for raising a Christian soldier. 1. A verse a day … the only way. A single Bible verse is a child-sized portion that can easily be served at meals, bedtime or first thing in the morning. If possible, keep a Bible on the table or find verses on the internet and write them out longhand. In my early Christian life, a fellow Christian wrote out daily verses for me and shared them with me each Sunday. One great idea is to tuck a verse in each child’s pocket each time they leave the house (see Deuteronomy 11: 19-21 ). No child/soldier should ever leave the house unarmed. It is foolish. It also disobeys a command given directly by the Creator and lover of our souls. Our Father longs for each of his children to be safe. Carrying God’s Word is a great start, something they will remember all their lives. (The author’s site, www.bibleparent.com , offers thousands of free pocket-sized verses.) 2. Pray with your child each time they leave the house. A simple, one-sentence prayer like: “Lord Jesus, make me smart enough to tell the difference between you and Satan (right and wrong) and strong enough to always choose you.” Another good prayer is: “Remind me, Father, that you are always there and when in doubt to call on you.” 3. Put as many decisions as possible into your child’s hands. I like how one pastor I know did it with his own children. When they wanted to do something or go somewhere, he made them ask God first. He would not give an answer until they had talked to God about it. Initially, he often had to tell his children that he was pretty sure they needed to talk to God again because God would never go along with what they thought he said. If a child is not enough of a soldier to recognise God’s voice, he is not enough of a soldier to leave the house. 4. One of the most important parts of raising a soldier is to ensure they are surrounded by other soldiers. This means attending services at your local corps, but it also means having your children’s friends in your home … the perfect way to influence them before they influence your children. And they will learn from being in your house what you allow and do not allow and where you stand. A key part of helping children understand what being a soldier is all about is explaining the value of being a leader of people but a follower of God. It is about being excellent instead of average. Children who grow up understanding this one thing will grow strong and straight, the one thing the world needs most. If your child is not a soldier, it is almost certain that they will be a casualty. Today is the day to tighten the ranks and get in step with God.   5. Once a child reaches age 15, suggest they ask God for a dream, something they can aim at and pray about. A child with a God-given dream for their future is much less likely to be influenced by friends or the media. Much more likely to grow closer and closer to God. *Charles White is a lifelong volunteer at The Salvation Army in Topeka, Kansas, USA. He is a retired preschool teacher, volunteers at US Summer Camps, and web editor of www.bibleparent.com

This Harmony Week, Bankstown Corps in south-west Sydney reminds us that God is glorified when we treat each other with dignity and respect and acknowledge each other’s worth as human beings. Captain Frank Wang says that it is the corps’ hope to ”get more and more opportunities to help and serve” the people of Bankstown. To journey with them, build relationships and help them “know God and feel the love of Jesus Christ that we experience so profoundly” in our own lives.

For tribute report, click here

One of The Beacon’s residents, Gary, is now debt-free after working off his court fine.  BY ANTHONY CASTLE   Gary, a client of The Beacon accommodation facility in Perth, has become the first resident to ‘write off’ their court fines after registering for the Work Development Permit (WDP) Scheme.   “This means everything to me,” an elated Gary said. “It has given me a clean slate and fresh start, with no debt.”   The Beacon is a 102-bed accommodation facility for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It provides client-centred, trauma-informed case management and a comprehensive range of services.   Gary has also transitioned into shared housing in the community.   “With the support of my case worker Ben and all the services here at The Beacon, I’ve secured permanent accommodation, something I didn’t think was possible a few short months ago,” Gary says. “I will be able to use the skills I’ve learnt here for the rest of my life.”   The Beacon is The Salvation Army’s largest residential homelessness facility in Australia. Clients are able to work off court fines by actively engaging in on-site case management and financial counselling and by attending Restorative Lifestyle Program (RLP) electives.   “The Department of Justice Western Australia WDP Scheme provides clients with opportunities to work off their court fines,” says The Beacon centre manager Karen Coetzee.   “Being able to not only assist clients to address the issues that have contributed to their homelessness but also to enable them to positively exit our facility into the community, debt free, is life transformational.”

In A Sally Son, Ben Anderson tells his story of growing up in The Salvation Army during the Great Depression and World War II in the United States. REVIEWED BY GARTH R. HENTZSCHEL Personal stories, such as A Sally Son , are becoming important to the understanding of organisational histories. These narratives reveal personal ‘truths’ and unpack how corporate events and organisational culture are perceived by an individual. There is a need, however, for such stories to be triangulated with other sources before they impact the historical canon. Memoirs by their very nature contain personal biases. Yet, in their basic form, memoirs add colour to wider historical narratives. A Sally Son is such a book. Uniquely, the memoir is written in the third person; even when conversations are included in the story. The book is divided into four chapters, and each includes photographs, images of newspaper reports and certificates received by the narrator, Ben Anderson. Ben tells of the events of his life from birth, through schooling, to employment and marriage. As is common to this genre, Ben sets himself up as the hero of his own memories. Sadly, the book ends with Ben and his wife Phyllis Hope Kitchen’s entrance to The Salvation Army Officer Training College. A postscript is given that lists the names of the couple’s children, a mention of service for over 20 years as an Army officer, and a list of other places of employment. However, ending so early in the author’s life left many unanswered questions, such as how growing up in The Salvation Army impacted the rest of Ben’s life? It was a weakness that the book did not have Ben’s later life investigated, but by doing so the book remained true to the subtitle, ‘Growing up in The Salvation Army’. Another weakness of the memoir was that some conversations included were too detailed. These in some places slowed down the pace of the story. A Sally Son clearly shows Salvation Army culture of the time, 1930s to 1950s – although with some elements more distinctive to the USA where Ben grew up. Corps life, participation in brass bands, collecting money at Christmas time, Christian gatherings, and Army events were described through the memories of Ben. Ben was the son of Salvation Army officers, and here his story is unique from other Salvationists of his generation. For this reason, this story is dotted with references to the state of Officers’ Quarters, official Army interactions, and of cause, constant relocation. Being myself the son of Army officers, I feel much of the Army context in Ben’s story is personally familiar. This memoir would be of interest to readers attracted to personal memoirs, social history, or Salvation Army historical culture. A Sally Son gives one man’s account of what it was like to be embedded in Salvation Army culture during the early decades of the 20th century. The book is gritty and authentic. A Sally Son is available as Kindle and Paperback editions from Amazon.com.au Garth R. Hentzschel is a Salvationist living in Brisbane, a freelance historian and executive director of the Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History.

General Brian Peddle joins in the final 'hallelujah wind-up' celebration during the 135 Caribbean Territory anniversary held in Jamaica. The Salvation Army’s Caribbean Territory recently celebrated its 135th anniversary of its mission under the theme Committed to God’s Mission – Encourage, Empower, Engage. General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, made their first visit to the Caribbean as international leaders to join the celebrations. The General and Commissioner Peddle engaged in conversation about the mission of The Salvation Army with the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. Visits to the territorial college for officer training and the renowned Salvation Army school for the blind and visually impaired started the weekend celebrations. Officer Councils followed, with 175 active and retired officers, Congress was a highlight of the celebrations, with 16 nations from across the Caribbean participating. Almost 700 Salvationists as well as local dignitaries attended. An open-air march took place the next day, as well as a youth meeting and evening of Caribbean reflections, telling the story of how the work of the Army began. Almost 1000 people attended Sunday meetings, where the international leaders preached.

Australian Cherise Holley (second from right), speaking at the ‘Girls On Fire’ panel event run by Ecumenical Women at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March this year.   With the International Day of the Girl being held tomorrow (11 October), Salvos Online Global Focus editor SIMONE WORTHING introduces two young Australian Salvationists who are members of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Girls group. International Zoom meetings at all hours of the night across multiple time zones are just “part of the fun” of being a member of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Girls (ISJG) group, according to young Aussie Salvationists Cherise Holley and Grace Murray. Cherise met Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, a passionate supporter of ISJG, during her recent visit to Australia. The ISJG group is led by The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) in New York, with the support of International Headquarters in London. Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries, is a passionate supporter of the group.   The ISJG exists to bring young Salvationist girls and women together from all over the world to discuss social issues; encourage, support and empower each other to take action and participate in local and international projects; and receive training and education on the issues, annual events and language used by the United Nations and ISJC.   Cherise has been part of ISJG for more than one year, and Grace, who attends North Brisbane Corps and is an administration assistant at the Queensland Divisional Headquarters in Brisbane, has recently become a member and attended her first meeting. “I feel like I’ve found my community of people,” says Cherise, who grew up in The Salvation Army and has been passionately interested in social justice issues since high school.   Cherise is studying a double degree in Law/Politics, Philosophy and Economics and works as the Church Life Administrator with Macarthur Salvos in Sydney.   She attended the first week of the annual  Commission on the Status of Women  (CSW) at the UN in March and is part of different sub-committees the group generates to work on a range of events and topics. Cherise (front), with the ISJG delegates at CSW in New York. “For me, it’s an incredible experience,” Cherise says. “In Australia, life can feel disconnected from the rest of the world and being part of The Salvation Army here is quite different to other countries. There is a lack of young people, especially young adults here – a cohort growing in other places – so it’s great to connect with young Salvationist women from all over the globe. “We are focused on encouraging and empowering each other in the work we do as individuals, as well as on common projects. The energy that exudes from these meetings is second to none – we are all on fire for Jesus and the mission of The Salvation Army in seeking Kingdom-focused social justice.” During her week at the CSW in New York, Cherise worked on several projects. She attended the parallel events organised by Ecumenical Women at the UN. These combined Christian churches ran ‘Girls on Fire’ – a panel of mostly young women from around the world focused on the theme of poverty and how that interacts with gender inequality. Cherise was a speaker on the panel and preached at one of the Ecumenical Women’s devotions in the UN chapel.   Cherise preached at one of the Ecumenical Women’s devotions in the UN chapel during CSW. Global resourcing Cherise is also part of several resourcing projects the ISJG organises. “For example, we resource the entire Salvation Army for International Day of the Girl, with content and videos they can use,” Cherise explains. “It’s part of our group’s ethos, to educate and celebrate,” Cherise explains. “On behalf of the international Army, I am also involved in working on the 16 Days of Activism project, which calls for action against gender-based violence.”   This campaign follows the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, which is day one of the campaign.   Passion for social justice The youngest of the advocates making up ISJG is 16 and goes up to around 25. There are currently 30 girl advocates 13 advisors. “We are young enough to remember what it’s like being a girl in this era,” Cherise shares. “There is such a good mix of people, including uni students, girls who’ve finished studying or who have not chosen that pathway, working girls and those involved in advocacy in their country and territory. It’s a diverse group from all walks of life.   “We meet monthly via Zoom and more often if you’re part of a project sub-committee. The hours across the time zones are crazy, but it’s so totally worth it.   “I love being part of the ISJG. It’s all that The Salvation Army stands for and it’s just remarkable to share my passion for social justice within the Army. It’s cool to communicate what we do and why we do it. This work is the DNA of the Army and such a great experience. I feel like I’m doing what I was created to do.” These resources will be released on salvosonline.org.au tomorrow. International Day of the Girl is one of the major campaigns the ISJG group works on each year. Resources produced by the advocates will be shared on Salvos Online tomorrow.   This UN day is observed by the United Nations and is also a major observance and celebration for the ISJC and The Salvation Army globally.   The International Day of the Girl rose out of the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995 and is about recognising the rights of girls and the unique challenges they face around the world, along with promoting their empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Salvation Army officers (from left) Major Michelle Oliver, Major Wendy Watts, Captain Natalie Frame, and Major Sharon Clanfield at the Captivated conference. By CLIFF WORTHING After a three-year break due to COVID, there was a sense of excitement and a hunger to worship at this year’s Captivated women’s conference in Brisbane, according to Major Michelle Oliver, Area Officer, North Queensland. About 200 women from all over South East Queensland registered for the 18 February conference held at Stafford Corps, Brisbane. “It was a peak experience for everyone,” Michelle said. “Sometimes you don’t realise how much you miss something until it is taken away.” Some of the 200 women who attended the Captivated conference at Stafford Corps. The conference theme was ‘Aligning with Jesus’, with Tweed Heads Corps Officer Major Nicole Viles as the guest speaker. In the first session, Nicole used the plumbline analogy from the book of Amos to explore the standard by which we measure if we are ‘plumb’. In the second session, she used Jesus’ sheep and goats parable to explore how justice is an act of God’s love and how he works for justice for everyone, which is then the standard for Christians in caring for each other. “It was a privilege to share the word of God and unpack a very challenging vision for the 21st century,” Nicole said. “I was so encouraged how God spoke clearly to them, especially some who are very new to the Salvos.” Powerful testimony Mel de Leon, a graduate of the Moonyah rehabilitation program in Brisbane, provided a powerful testimony of her journey from addiction into recovery. Major Laura Gittins (left), Assistant Manager, Brisbane Recovery Services, interviews Mel de Leon about her recovery journey. “My goal was to demystify alcoholism, educate so others understand how it happens to everyday people, and let those who suffer in secrecy, or suffer full-stop, to have some hope,” said Mel. “I sensed that many women were carrying a heavy weight, but there is nothing like hearing 200 women sing together to really lift the weight off their shoulders.” Major Wendy Watts, Officer Personnel Secretary Team Leader, Queensland Division, led the last session on being Jesus-centred and community-focused. “I really tried to build on the two previous sessions by Nicole,” Wendy said. Her talk explored how having a focus on those in need, helping make the culture of one’s faith expression vibrant and safe, building relationships with people of all nations, and having a vibrant spirituality, is Jesus-centred and community-focused. The mission fundraising project for this year’s conference was for a dialysis machine for a hospital in India. It raised just under $5000 on the day. “Captivated is a formula that works,” said Michelle. “Our ladies are really looking for fellowship, worship and teaching in ways they can’t always experience in their corps.”

The song for this year's Self Denial series comes from one of our feature territories: the Kenya West Territory. Captain Isaac Masini has penned the following song, especially for the 2023 Self Denial Appeal. It is written and sung in his native tongue of Swahili (with subtitles in English). It speaks to the wonders and blessings of God, and how we give back to him with cheerful hearts. “We have brought all with cheerful hearts, We request Father you receive them.” To find out more and donate visit selfdenial.info