Delilah Collier, OF
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The Salvation Army / USA Central Territory News and Views from the Midwest “We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.” Eph. 4:3,4 (NLT) Volume 51, Number 2 February 2021 Springfield ministries flourish despite pandemic h t Harbor House staff deliver sack lunches to i espite the ongoing chal - “The dedication and pas - m the homeless. S y lenges presented by the sion of the staff is really e r f f e coronavirus pandemic, Sal - why the Army here has J D During the early days of the pan - y vation Army ministries in been able to flourish in this b s demic Springfield community lead - o t Springfield, Mo., are remarkably pandemic,” he said. “It’s a o ers asked the corps to expand their h healthy. From their two homeless well-running Army that un - afterschool program into a day P shelters and noonday feeding pro - derstands and is living the camp for the children of essential gram to corps programs and social mission. It’s truly a bless - workers as schools and daycare cen - services, Major Jon Augenstein, ing.” ters closed down. In response the corps officer, reports excellent staff, Maintaining a full range of community center staff created a hard work and a willingness to be services requires ongoing full day program with time and flexible and adaptable ensures the adjustments, but the staff re - space set aside for online learning. mission continues to move forward mains passionate and com - When schools resumed using a hy - and meet critical needs. mitted to their purpose of brid model in the fall, they used being a beacon of hope for Volunteers load groceries in drive-thru pantry. grant money to hire college students those they serve. to provide educational support and “What’s really motivated me is which provide homeless individuals tutoring, which has led to strong re - knowing the difference it makes to being discharged from the hospital a lationships with schools and teach - have someone reach out and say safe and sanitary place to fully re - ers as children thrive despite not we’re here for you, we care about cover, at which point they can move being physically in the classroom you,” said Jamie Millikin, case man - forward in the program with the every day. Although the program ager at the Harbor House men’s help of a case man - shelter. “It brings hope to people. If ager. we don’t care, no one else is going to Front Line Feeding, care, no one is going to reach out a daily lunch pro - and give them dignity and hope. We gram which serves are here to be a place of safety and meals to the Harbor shelter.” House residents and Family Haven also has continued other homeless in the to offer a safe place for families and area, now distributes individuals to stay while they work boxed meals outside toward finding a stable income and the facility since they A young student plays an educational game housing. Unique to these facilities can no longer safely during day camp. are grant-funded “respite beds” accommodate every - one in the dining room. “If people need help, we’re going to Ferguson Community figure out how to help them, virus or Major Vicki Buttrey accepts a food donation from Convoy of Hope. Empowerment Center: not,” said Bryon Brown, Harbor House director. “We has had a couple of short breaks in a place for resources and hope See pages 6-7 might not be able to get people out service when staff members tested of the weather to eat lunch, but at positive for the virus, thanks to least we can still give them a meal early and continued use of safety and ask how they’re doing.” protocols they have not experienced Emergency social services assis - any outbreaks and have been able tance, the corps food pantry and a to reopen. weekday seniors’ luncheon have car - In addition to their ongoing serv - ried on with the use of social dis - ices to the community, the corps has tancing and masks. Corps staff have remained open for worship in per - adjusted several times to meet the son and online, with Sunday school, need in the safest and most practical Bible studies and youth programs ways possible. resuming last fall. Corps members For example, the food pantry tran - happily welcome visitors from the sitioned to a drive-thru with shelters who often choose to attend prepacked food boxes in the initial when they learn of the many oppor - stages of the pandemic but has re - tunities for worship, growth and turned to an indoor grocery store community offered by the corps. model, requiring health checks, Major Jon concluded, “We are masks and social distancing, to allow grateful for the incredible support of clients to choose food items their this community that allows us to families will most enjoy. Youth Development Specialist Landon King with a child at the center run a breadth of programs.” 2 9 1 0 6 L I , s e t a t s E n a m f f o H , y w k P e n o t S e i r i a r P 0 5 5 5 , r e g a n a M n o i t a l u c r i C : o t n o i t c e r r o c r u o y h t i w l e b a l d e h c a t t a e h t d n e S ? g n i v o M 2 9 1 0 6 L I , s e t a t s E n a m f f o H y w k P e n o t S e i r i a r P 0 5 5 5 Y M R A N O I T A V L A S E H T 2 Treating every day like and chocolate, but the most impor - tantly, love? We love “love.” But Valentine’s what exactly is it? The Bible tells us “Love is patient, by Lt. Colonel Vicki Amick love is kind. It does not envy, it Territorial Secretary for Retired Officers does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not hat plans do you have self-seeking, it is not easily angered, to celebrate Valen - ture a meal out with your sweet - it keeps no record of wrongs. Love tine’s Day? It might heart and possibly flowers, choco - does not delight in evil but rejoices W with the truth. It always protects, look different this year lates and a love note from your due to the lingering pandemic, but valentine. always trusts, always hopes, always the answer also depends on your for your classmates. If you’re a Whenever I think about Valen - perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 age. If you’re a child, it probably teenager… well, I have no idea. If tine’s Day, I find myself smiling. Corinthians 13: 4-8a, NIV) will involve making Valentine cards you’re an adult, it might usually fea - Who doesn’t enjoy cards, flowers That is quite a list. When I read it, I find myself sometimes lacking these attributes. I can’t say that I am always patient, never angered or that I keep no record of wrongs. To love well, I believe we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us— Choosing God’s path every day! I enjoy a song called, “Love God, tanding tion meeting in the summer of love people.” Its refrain goes: “We alone out - 1975 Major Herb Luhn preached have to love God to love people.” To Sside a cabin on John 3:16, and a lightbulb came love others is not easy, and although on Lake on. I went home that night and we’re well-meaning we fall short if Huron and gazing asked Jesus to be my Savior.” we don’t love others through the up at the universe At 20, Keith was the oldest per - power of the Holy Spirit. However, of stars, Major Keith son in the recruits class, but he if we call on God to share His love Bailey felt a stirring was proud to become a soldier. with others through us then it is in his heart. He will “I absolutely fell in love with possible because we don’t do it in never forget it. It our own strength. was the summer of The Salvation Army,” he said. “I 1979. read everything about its history I What if we decided to show love could find in the corps library.” not just one day of the year but “I felt God ask every day? We can by: me, ‘Do you want to The Baileys entered officer train - build cars, or do ing in 1983 and began a life of • Mending a quarrel you want to build ministry and service, raising three • Writing a note or sending a card children, leading corps and invest - people?’” Keith • Forgiving someone knew the answer, ing in people along the way. After 35 years of service, they are thank - but it would be a few years before volved in corps programs, Keith was • Keeping our promises ful they chose the path God laid God brought this calling to fruition. raised going to a Catholic church • Listening intently out for them. Keith’s wife, Colette, needed to be and had a somewhat troubled youth.