Les Adieux

Dear Friends,

So, Saturday afternoon I am squished in the middle of an African bus, sitting in between two seats, bumping along down the road, on my way to the farewell service for the Territorial Youth Secretary, and the topic of conversation all around me is the Officer (Pastor) moves. Who is moving where? Who is replacing who? and so on and so forth.

And there is me sitting in the middle thinking, I suppose some parts of The Salvation Army are the same no matter where you are in the world. Other than the fact that the service started late and therefore, ended late, it was a good service. My Corps Cadets group sang a song about the books of the Bible.

On the way home, since it was already late, instead of going in the bus with my Corps Cadets friends I rode in the car with one of the officers who lives on the same compound as me, as well as more officer’s children than I ever thought possible crammed into and on the back of the truck.

On Sunday I went to church at the Ngangouni Corps because the Jr. Timbrel group from Nzoko (my church) was invited to play. It was the farewell service for the Corps Officers, so that means it was a really long service, it started at 9 and ended around 2:30.

I really enjoy playing the timbrel with the girls. But one of the things I always find funny is the reaction of the crowd when they notice that I am going to play. At first they are always very surprised and then after they cheer loudly as if I am some great dancer. I am sure I look really silly, but I guess they enjoy the fact that I am joining in.

Farewells are a regular part of the Salvation Army. Every year several officers move to new locations, so I have been to my share of farewell services. But there were a couple things that stuck out to me this weekend. First there was a moment in both services where the departing officers gave The Salvation Army flag back to symbolize that they were leaving their post and putting it in the next persons hands.

The Territorial Youth Secretaries gave the flag to the Territorial Program Secretary to guard until the next couple begins. The Corps officers (Pastors) at the Ngangouni Corps gave the flag to the local officers to guard until the next officers arrive. The other thing that was new to me was the gift giving time. I know at farewells people usually receive gifts but I have never seen anyone leave their farewell with new mattresses, suitcases, lamps, a generator, and so many wrapped boxes that it looked like Christmas.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.

Tracy Pilewski