While I grew up hearing about The Salvation Army’s Self-Denial Campaign, it wasn’t until 2016, when I first came to serve in Papua New Guinea (PNG), that I saw it lived out in action. One Sunday, as our corps officer introduced the campaign, he set a fundraising target, calling each of us to give up two weeks’ salary toward meeting this goal.

My first reaction? That’s impossible! How could The Salvation Army even ask for such a financial sacrifice, when people were already living paycheque to paycheque?

How is God calling you to deny yourself to better follow him?

But what shocked me even more was when people started to bring in their gifts over the following weeks, and shared testimonies of God’s blessings on their life. They spoke about how they gave up their salary and yet still managed to feed their families, as their wontoks (extended family and community) dropped off food from their garden, or they ran into an old friend who took them to lunch, which served as their meal for the day.

People who have very little looked toward other countries, other people and other Salvation Army ministry units that needed support. Their testimonies showed that they were praying and thinking about kingdom building throughout the world. They did not want to selfishly keep funds that could be used to spread the love of Jesus and serve suffering humanity.

This year, I was once again reminded of the beauty of self-denial as the corps in our division held a combined service to present their collections. Each church danced their collection up to the platform, proudly displaying their target and achievement. There was lots of singing, dancing, clapping and celebration. One church had their Sunday school children dress up and hold posters of the focus countries for the year (Philippines, Indonesia and Tonga), displaying how the children had learned about ministry in these countries.

I feel humbled to live and serve alongside so many generous officers, employees, Salvationists and local congregants. Living in PNG for six years has taught me about living simply and in community. There are days with power blackouts and too many days with limited to no water (a struggle with three kids). I miss things about Canada, and it’s hard living so far from family and friends. However, when I leave PNG, I miss the simpler lifestyle and my wontoks.

At training college, I memorized and preached on Mark 8:34: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” How is God calling you to deny yourself to better follow him? What I have learned in PNG is that self-denial cannot be done from a place of obligation but when it is done with joy, we are unburdened and can run toward the cross, shining the light of Jesus more brightly.

This year’s Self-Denial Campaign reminds us of just that, with the slogan “Let Your Fire Keep Burning.” I am blessed by the Self-Denial Campaign because instead of focusing on fundraising individually, as is the case for many missionaries, I can keep my attention on the ministry to which God has called me and keep burning bright for him.

Lieutenant April Barthau is the territorial development officer and territorial social justice officer in the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory.

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