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The General paid a pastoral visit to the acting President of Zimbabwe, the Honourable Vice President Joice Mujuru, a Salvationist, at her Munhumutapa office. The acting President commended the role being played by The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe in the field of education, health and community development. She said that the coming of the General had cemented the relationship between the peoples of Zimbabwe and The Salvation Army.
At The Salvation Army's Howard Hospital the international leaders toured the under-construction new building as well as the 'old' Howard Hospital, which is still in use. The General prayed with patients in female and male wards.
At the neighbouring Howard High School the General challenged students to develop the mind, soul and body. He reminded and encouraged them to be the guardians of their spiritual life and to put God first.
The international leaders received a warm welcome from students, teachers and parents of Mazowe High School, which is celebrating 50 years of academic excellence. Thirty years ago the General was vice principal of the school and Commissioner Clifton taught English there. The General urged students to pursue studies developing the total person and going deeper into the things of God.
The Governor and Resident Minister of Mashonaland Central Province, Advocate Martin Dinha, praised The Salvation Army for its sound Christian ethos. He then donated 100 bags of seed maize and five tons of fertiliser for the school farm. Deputy Minister of Education, Sport and Culture Mr Lazarus Dokora read a speech on behalf of the acting President of Zimbabwe acknowledging the role Mazowe High School is playing in producing good academic results and also mentioning its renowned brass band. Also in attendance were The Salvation Army's Territorial Education Secretary, Major Henry Chitanda, and headmasters and teachers from Howard and Bradley High Schools and surrounding schools in the Mazowe area and from Harare.
On Friday morning the General led two sessions of officers councils at the training college. Much spiritual food and encouragement were received.
At the territorial congress welcome meeting in the evening, held at Glamis Stadium, the General spoke about the significance of the Salvation Army mercy seat. He reminded the Salvationists gathered that the mercy seat was created not by man but by God as a place to meet his people.
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During the soldiers rally Commissioner Clifton spoke about sex-trade trafficking, challenging officers and soldiers to fight against this evil that has touched many countries, affecting vulnerable young girls and boys. She appealed to all Salvationist to raise awareness and find ways of fighting against trafficking and to pray for its victims.
Mayor Masunda of Harare attended the praise meeting and commended The Salvation Army for the role it has played in the field of health, schools and community development since it arrived in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1891. He spoke about how Salvation Army hospitals have helped in times when other hospitals stopped working.
In the same meeting Commissioner Rosemary Makina, The Salvation Army's Zonal Secretary for Women's Ministries (International Headquarters), encouraged Zimbabwean Salvationists to unite in difficult situations to defeat the devil. International Secretary for Africa Commissioner Amos Makina presented the Bible message, declaring that true security in life is found in Jesus Christ and that there is no other security in this world better than Christ.
Throughout the congress music was provided by the territorial songsters, territorial youth singers, territorial band, regional hosho dzedu group, senior, youth and junior soldier timbrelists and divisional brigades, showcasing the rich talents found around the territory. Well-known gospel musician Mechanic Manyeruke, a Salvationist, motivated the congregation with his songs.
The Bible study presented by Lieut-Colonel Langton Kazimpingani on spiritual warfare challenged and informed Salvationists. The study encouraged spiritual fighters to be holy and faithful to God to win the battle.
In the Sunday holiness meeting the congregation heard the General challenge Salvationists to do things wholeheartedly for Jesus Christ and assured them that Jesus will be there to defend them when people want to go against them for doing what is right for God.
In all the meetings the grass at Glamis Stadium was turned into a Salvation Army power station. Many people lined the mercy seat, seeking restoration, salvation, healing, forgiveness of sins, spiritual empowerment and victorious life. Thirty-seven young men and women accepted the call to officership.
The acting President of Zimbabwe hosted a private farewell dinner for the international leaders at her family home. The dinner was attended by Salvation Army cabinet members and Government officials who are products of Salvation Army schools and Salvationists.
As Zimbabwean Salvationists bade farewell to the General at the airport he told them: 'We go away blessed, enriched and much better in our souls.'
More than 16,000 Salvationists attended the territorial congress. They returned to their homes more sure of why The Salvation Army was raised by God. The congress, which was featured on national television and radio, demonstrated to the nation that The Salvation Army is a mighty Army of God in Zimbabwe.
Please note that comments listed above reflect those of the commentators, and not those of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Editor.