Page 4 - Feb 21 Grace Mail

Beyond borders
IN the next few weeks, as we move towards Self-Denial Sunday on
6 March and continue to live through the various lockdown measures in place across our territory, I will be looking beyond our borders. This year’s Self- Denial Appeal theme is Rebuilding Hope and Resilience Together, and the focus is on some of the places we’ve featured in previous appeals.
Last year the Self-Denial Appeal highlighted the Army’s work in Burkina Faso. In the appeal videos we visited the city of Ouagadougou and met Captains André and Nana Togo who were doing some amazing things there. We saw a thriving corps full of enthusiastic new soldiers and how The Salvation Army was supporting people in the community.
Salvationists and friends in the UK and Republic of Ireland gave generously once again, and that money is already being put to good use. But how does the appeal work? Lieutenant Ashley Bowles (Stretford), who presented the films a couple of years ago, explains:
‘The money given through the appeal is used to support the mission of The Salvation Army around the world, including the work of our mission partners.
The idea of giving in this way
was first introduced by William Booth in 1886. He urged Salvationists to go without something and give what they would have spent to the Army’s work.
That was more than 130 years ago and today nearly every Salvation Army corps the world over plays its part. So, if you are giving in London, Llanelli, Lockerbie
or Larne, you are joining with Salvationists in Oslo, Ohio or Ouagadougou.
‘The money is redistributed by International Headquarters to the places that need it most. It funds the background things, the not-so-exciting but essential things, so that Salvation Army staff members and volunteers can get on and do what they are good at.’
Some of the Self-Denial money we
raise goes to the territory’s mission partners, but a lot goes to other mission support work all over the globe. For example, mission support was crucial in enabling the work in Burkina Faso as the seedling Salvation Army took root and began to flourish.
The theme of this year’s appeal is rebuilding Hope and Resilience Together
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