What does hope look like today?
During COVID-19, the Salvation Army (an important participant in the Global Christian Forum) has been engaged all over the world, providing relief and ministry. We are excited to share some of that work here, as the first installment of a new series highlighting the churches and ministries that come together to comprise the Forum.
In the The Solomon Islands hope looks like… tuna fish and cassava stems.
The COVID-19 restrictions closed the market stalls and community leaders expressed ‘deep concern’ about access to food. When basic needs like these are unknown, there is fear of people resorting to illegal activities in order to feed themselves and their families. The Salvation Army used funds to purchase enough rice and tuna to feed the families for three weeks while they replanted their gardens. Cassava stems – a kind of sweet potato – were bought from local farmers to help replace crops which had been lost.
In Indonesia hope looks like… the internet.
There are 107 Salvation Army schools in Indonesia. In some, ministry materials have been shared online, teaching and lecturing has happened online, registration has gone online, and social media has helped bring communication and connection.
In Australia, hope looks like… sewing needle and a note.
The Salvation Army’s centres in Melbourne have launched a new campaign, ‘A small action can make a big difference.’ To help people comply with a new mandate to wear masks in the city, they organized a drive to make and donate hand-made masks, adn include an uplifting message to encourage and uplift.
In the Netherlands, hope looks like… doughnuts!
The Salvation Army in The Netherlands has been lifting spirits through a generous donation of doughnuts, given out free to volunteers, supporters and service users to mark the reopening of Salvation Army community centres. The partnership with local company Donut Worry Be Happy saw more than 36,000 treats given out as a symbol of The Salvation Army’s enduring care in times of difficulty.
In the USA, hope looks like… a hot meal.
6.5 million prepared meals, 1.8 million food boxes each serving 8 meals, childcare for frontline workers, 1 million nights of shelter, showering facilities for the homelessness, and 600,000 people who have received emotional and spiritual help.
Learn more at www.salvationarmy.org.
