General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton were given a warm welcome to Bangladesh at the start of their three-day visit. At the training college campus, where most of the events took place, Salvationists gathered to greet their leaders with garlands. Children waved red, yellow and blue flags and girls from the Integrated Children's Centre gave a welcome song and dance. Bangladesh is presently under State of Emergency restrictions but there were still around 450 people present for the weekend of celebration.

During the commissioning and ordination of eight cadets of the Witnesses for Christ Session, the Training Principal, Major Heather Randell, presented the cadets to the General, saying: 'They are developed, equipped, Spirit-filled and ready to be commissioned.'

In his address the General exhorted and encouraged the cadets to be useful winesses in the world. He gave examples from Scripture of how people had been brought Jesus and added: 'God is still calling. One thousand two hundred cadets around the world is not yet enough.'

In the appointments meeting Commissioner Helen Clifton admitted 14 mothers and fathers of new lieutenants to the Fellowship of the Silver Star. For the first time in the Bangladesh Command's still relatively short history the mother of a new lieutenant received a second Silver Star and her father received two stars, the first being in recognition of fathers who were not included in the fellowship before 2002.

The Officer Commanding, Lieut-Colonel Ethne Flintoff, issued marching orders and appointments to the new lieutenants. In his challenge the General addressed the new officers. He thanked God for their availability to go where they are sent. Referring to the disciples hiding in the upper room in fear following the crucifixion of Jesus, he said: 'There is nothing wrong with being afraid. Fear is healthy and makes us alive and alert, and it is part of being human.' He explained that the presence of Jesus can transform fear into joy.

The General asked accepted candidates for the 2009 Ambassadors of Holiness Session to move to the front and invited others who chose to follow a full-time, sacred calling in ministry to step forward. Several junior and senior soldiers responded to the challenge.

The afternoon public meeting on Friday was blessed by participation of the command's children and young people. The praise and worship team from Mirpur Corps provided music throughout the day. Children from two corps combined to sing, one junior soldier testified of healing and faith and another presented a dance depicting rural life in Bangladesh.

Commissioner Clifton encouraged the women in the Army. She challenged them to continue to provide a place and time to come together and to share one another's lives, learning more of God's word and his goodness. The General, in his Bible address, reminded all that God raised up The Salvation Army. He said Jesus is in charge of The Salvation Army, now working in 117 countries around the world.

The General conducted officers councils with 80 officers, including the new lieutenants. He also briefly addressed more than 90 young people at a youth event, encouraging them in their Christian walk.

In the final holiness meeting, Commissioner Clifton referred to Jesus comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a woman kneading yeast into flour. She said: 'Jesus sees every person and sees into their hearts. He notices you whatever you are doing.'

The General told the congregation: 'Let us open the eyes of our hearts to see the truth of Christ.'

A brief visit to command headquarters and the Sally Ann Bangladesh shop, where bright Christmas decorations added to the usual colourful display of handicraft items on sale, was fitted into the end of a busy weekend. The international leaders, accompanied by the officer commanding, also paid a visit to the British High Commissioner, who expressed interest in the work of The Salvation Army in Bangladesh.

Report by Major Evelyn Posadas,
Command Secretary for Women's Ministries