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We’re delighted to continue our coverage on Canadian officers serving in overseas appointments. Meet Majors Brian and Rosalie Peddle, DCs for the Northern Division in New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga Territory. In the following excerpt, Brian and Rosalie invite us to share with them a little of what their life is like in this most beautiful part of the world.

We have just completed 15 months in New Zealand. While it is always difficult to be separated from family and friends we have found great joy and fulfilment in our work here in this Territory. We are the Divisional Leaders for the Northern Division which encompasses the top half of the North Island of New Zealand. We have received a warm welcome to New Zealand and feel very much at home here with the people. The Salvation Army is alive and well. We have been so encouraged by the moving of God’s spirit upon the lives of Salvationist to ‘step up to the plate’ and to be Spirit filled and mission focused as they represent Christ daily.

The Territorial Strategic Mission Plan(2006-2010) increasingly drives The Salvation Army’s activities and emphases. Four goals provide a unifying focus, supporting the territory’s mission of Caring for People, Transforming Lives and Reforming Society through God in Christ by the Holy Spirit’s power’: to grow all Salvationist as dynamic disciple; increase the number of new soldiers; take significant steps toward the eradication of poverty (especially in Tonga and Fiji); to be a connected, streamlined mission – focused Army. We are very pleased to be part of this Mission Plan and everything we plan and do aligns to these goals. There are great challenges to this because we have to evaluate what programs or events need to change if we want to truly be builders of the kingdom of God.

Fair Trade products are promoted, and the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit resources Salvationist and decision-makers on matters of social justice. The Salvation Army is very strong in this area and in recent days issued ‘ The State of the Nation’ address to the Government. Preventing human trafficking is high on the agenda, as is raising the level of public debate about rehabilitation in prisons and alternative punishment. The territory entered into a contract with the Salvation Army to assist newly released prisoners who have few social supports.
Child sponsorship goes from strength to strength. Young people from Waitakere Corps here in the Northern Division began sponsoring one boy from Fiji in April 2002. The Corps now sponsor 21 children around the world. In Tonga, a Sponsorship Church Parade saw 30 children and their families attend a special service. The desire is to not only care for these children but disciple them as well. At a recent Youth Event $16,000.00 dollars was collected from our Young People to be sent to Fiji and Tonga to help with the Salvation Army work there.
We are finding it very exciting to be a part of this great work here in New Zealand. We have a great passion for our Officers and children and we spend considerable amount of hours mentoring, coaching and encouraging the troops. Our goal is to make ‘good’ Salvation Army Officers become ‘great’ Salvation Army Officers. We have Officers and Salvationist in our Division from all parts of the world and it is very important we understand the culture and climate from where they have come from. This is a very rewarding part of our work here in this territory. We usually spend most of our morning at DHQ but in the afternoons and evenings we find ourselves out on the front lines meeting the people and supporting the variety of ministries that make up the Salvation Army here in New Zealand.

We are grateful for all the prayers and support from our home territory and we are thrilled for the opportunity of serving here in this great country. In the Salvation Army while New Zealand is considered a first world country, the countries of Fiji and Tonga are definitely third world and they are in great need of resources, monies and people who care. These people have a great love for the Lord and the Salvation Army and we have been moved and motivated by their testimonies and faith in God. In June we are going to Tonga to be the guest speakers for their Officers Retreat. There are only 12 Officers on the island and they do a great work for God and the Salvation Army. Pray for us as we go to share this special time with them.
There are promising signs of numerical growth as Salvationists across the Territory work together as a united mission team. The territory has a big vision, big goals have been set, but ours is a big God.

Prayer Request:
Northern Division Officers Fellowship(Retreat) May 27 – 29, 2008-05-09

Corps Meetings and Tonga Officers Fellowship (Retreat) June 14 – 19 2008

Children (Stephanie & Adam) (Krista & Tim) Grandchild (Aleksandr) back in Canada.