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The Salvation Army’s international leaders visit Mitanda Home for the Aged.
General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, The Salvation Army’s international leaders, recently visited Zambia, where they led worship, recognized sacrificial service and affirmed current ministry.
Territorial leaders Colonels Stephen and Grace Chepkurui, along with territorial music sections and a hosho group, greeted the Coxes at Lusaka Airport as the public gathered to watch and listen.
On Feb. 4, the Coxes visited Mitanda Home for the Aged in Ndola, where USA Western Territory officer Major Beryl Pierce serves as administrator. The General spoke about The Salvation Army’s ministry and revealed that in coming to Ndola he was actually coming home. He had lived there as a young boy, when his Salvation Army officer parents served at the Mitanda Home. He posted a photo on Twitter during his visit captioned, “Great to meet residents at Mitanda Home for the Aged, and identify with the ministry given there by dedicated staff.”
“He enjoyed his visit to my home,” Pierce said, “where he remembered his bedroom when he was just 6 years old and where he sat with his family in my living room.”
While in Ndola, the Coxes met with the mayor and other city officials, who expressed thanks to The Salvation Army for its work in Ndola and in Zambia as a whole. The General and Commissioner Cox also visited the grave of Swiss missionary Pierre Demarchi, who was killed in 1960 at age 39 in an accident while serving in Africa.
“The General placed flowers on the grave,” Pierce said. “In the evening he sent pictures to the children of the deceased. It was very touching.”
At one of three weekend rallies, the General encouraged young people to further their education in order to achieve their goals and dreams. He told his listeners to keep their hearts and eyes open that they may be able to show the light of God through all that they do.
At the men’s rally the General told delegates that if Zambia is to be transformed, it will mean that men must accept Jesus as Savior. After the Bible message, 46 seekers knelt at the mercy seat.
The women’s rally, themed “You are Loved,” included music, African ululations, gospel dances, and timbrels. Commissioner Cox crowned the 2013 helping-hand “queen”—the woman who contributed the highest amount as an individual (about $3,000) toward the helping-hand fundraising.
That Sunday the territory welcomed the Messengers of Light session of cadets. As 24 cadets marched into the hall and were presented to the territorial commander and the training principal, the General encouraged the congregation to rejoice in the house of the Lord. The Zambian Salvationists then danced before the Lord with The General, who reminded the congregation that “God always wants to identify himself with people. God comes to meet our everyday needs and he brings joy.”
Read more about the Coxes trip to Zambia here. Follow the General on Twitter at @GeneralAndreCox.
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