An obvious need, when learning of the many soldiers being enrolled in Latvia was the need for uniforms. An appeal went out to Glad’s (Major Ljungholm) Facebook friends and other parties, and again the response was immediate. Uniforms and other SA logo identified clothing was received until the day of our departure from every corner of the UK (in one of the columns on the right you will see a list of those Corps and individuals who donated uniforms).
Due the uncertainty of the weather the day of our ferry departure from England we journeyed to the Harwich area the day prior to our departure and were hosted by Majors Alan and Carolyn Read, CO’s at Ipswich Citadel,
We joined in their holiness meeting the next morning; appropriately it was their Commitment Sunday where we were challenged to re-consider our Covenant with God. The privilege to sit and worship and to be ministered to on such a day was a very special gift to me and perfect with the timing of our mission, our adventure…
Alan, unexpectedly invited me to share something of our reason for being there, our mission, our adventure. This was followed by the singing of the songsters and as their leader, Juliette Parker introduced their piece she was visibly moved by the hand of God in her choice of song: ‘We are the hands of Christ’, selected by her to replace another, just prior to the meeting;
We are the hands of Christ.
He uses us each day to show his love to everyone
In every kind of way.
We are the feet of Christ. his errands we must run
To fetch to carry and to help
In every way we can.
We are the eyes of Christ. All beauty we must share.
And hope one day to bring to him all those who do not care.
We are the lips of Christ. He speaks throught us to men
To cheer to comfort ant to tell
Of his great love for them.
We are the friends of Christ.
We love his work to do
His friendship is so wonderful.will you not share it too?
We are the hands of Christ. he uses us each day.
To show his love to everyone.
In every kind of way.
We are the body of Christ.
We were privileged to witness acts of commitment and covenant being made by people around the hall.
And then, very movingly, we personally witnessed two more as the meeting concluded, when the Songster Leader and her husband Peter took off their uniform shoes and gave them to us to carry with, along with the uniforms to Latvia. The CO too made a commitment stating that they had many uniforms for Latvia if we could find room.
This highly emotional morning was followed by good food and fellowship shared with Alan and Carolyn Read at a local restaurant. We then re-commenced our journey and headed for Harwich and the boat.
On arrival in Riga we will unpack our van and I expect we will present the Command Headquarters’ leadership with at least 50 uniforms some still carrying the trim reading; Cwm, Folkestone, Peterborough, Exeter Temple and others. We made
As I typed these words, sitting in the very cold lobby of our hotel in Riga, it has come to me again what a responsibility and pleasure it is to be able to work for Christ and also to thank him for the inspiration and the strength that He gives to us to do this work.
I will share more tomorrow of what we in the FSAOF are doing together n this remote part of God’s vineyard.
End Part Two
Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Former
Exeter, UKT
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