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PAPUA NEW GUINEA—The Salvation Army’s Community Advancement and Reform Enhancement (C.A.R.E) program is rapidly spreading in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Captain John Kerari and Major David Temine created the program in 2008 when they mobilized farmers to grow their own coffee and sell it at their own price. With support and training, the farmers have improved in providing quality coffee beans to C.A.R.E. for export sales.
The farmers are currently selling their green beans, but the program’s goal is to help them eventually produce their own homegrown coffee beans.
The program directly addresses the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
From Tokaut, Sept.-Oct. 2010
U.K.—Duncan Parker, a business entrepreneur and former director of The Salvation Army’s International Development (UK), ran from Amsterdam to London—more than 130 miles—on Dec. 8, 2010.
The event, for “Freedom Ticket for Life,” was a joint campaign between Stop the Traffik and four other charities, including The Salvation Army.
Parker began his run from the red light district of Amsterdam and ended it in Soho, London. Calling it his “Red Light Run,” his goal was to highlight that most female victims of trafficking end up working as forced labor in the sex industry.
Parker invited sponsors to encourage him through donations and also by suggesting motivational songs to add to his iPod playlist. All donations went to The Salvation Army and other sponsors.
From www.salvationarmy.org.uk
CANADA—On Dec. 4, 2010, close to 10,000 Canadians—in 37 cities nationwide—ran or walked the annual Salvation Army Santa Shuffle and Elf Walk to raise money to assist he Army’s work with at-risk children and families living in poverty. Now in its sixth year, the Santa Shuffle consists of a 5k run and a 1k for kids.
About 170 people participated this year in Sudbury, Ontario, raising $18,000. Over 600 runners/walkers showed up in Vancouver, B. C. St. John’s, Newfoundland, welcomed 148 runners who raised approximately $16,000.
While donations are still coming in, The Salvation Army is hopeful they will exceed $500,000. In 2009, close to 10,000 participants raised over $450,000.
From www.salvationarmy.ca
POLAND—Since Sept. 2010, Western officers Majors Patrick and Captain Kitty Granat have served in Poland; he is regional officer for Poland and she is corps officer in Warszawa. The corps is one room, and serves as the chapel, classroom and fellowship hall, just by switching from seats to tables. Located in a section of town called Praga-Potnoc, or “midnight,” the corps shines the welcoming light of Christ into an area of spiritual darkness.
The Granats dreams for Poland include soldier recruitment and leadership development in the corps, so that some of the comrades who live miles away can pioneer their own congregations. Granat is building contacts for an advisory board; public relations is critical for Poland’s not-so-well-known Salvation Army. After that, they will develop local financial support.
The Granats request prayer for their ministry in Poland.
From the Granats’ newsletter
