Friends,
Tracey and I send our greetings to you today. We are grateful for your tremendous work in furthering the mission of The Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, and we remember you daily in our prayers. It is a privilege to be “partners in the gospel” (see Philippians 1:5) as we work to share the love of Jesus, meet human need and transform communities.
In recent months, I shared news of my health journey with you. In 2021, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and subsequently with ocular cancer. Under the care of excellent physicians, I sought treatment and am grateful for the outcomes to date. We are grateful to God for his answers to the prayers of ourselves and so many and to the medical team and their expertise and care. We are pleased to have been able to maintain our responsibilities and serve the people of Canada and Bermuda as territorial leaders through this journey.
When the ocular cancer was first detected, we knew that it was an aggressive form of cancer. For this reason, doctors have been conducting regular tests of my lungs and liver over an 18-month period. In March, an abnormality was detected, and upon further testing it was revealed to be a tumor on my liver.
I will be undergoing a treatment plan in the coming weeks; however, the doctors have advised that the tumour is inoperable and that there is no medical cure. While this is difficult news, we continue to put our hope and trust in Jesus, the Great Physician. We believe in a God of grace and compassion, and sense him with us even as we face these challenging circumstances.
I’m deeply grateful for the prayer and practical support you have shown to me, Tracey and our family throughout this health journey. I would invite you to again join us in prayer as we embark on this next chapter. We are grateful as well for the prayers, support and understanding of the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, as well as Commissioners Buckingham and Commissioners Hill at IHQ. We continue to rely on God’s strength through all the days ahead. We know our God to be faithful and remain confident that we are in his hands, “whate’re the future holds, we’re in his hands”. We pray that God will be glorified in and through our lives in the days ahead.
Due to these health concerns, Tracey and I will not be attending the High Council for the election of the next General. Our hearts will be with Salvation Army leaders as they meet for this sacred task, and we will continue to lift up our international leaders in prayer.
Friends, we do not despair as people with no hope; rather, we place our hope firmly in our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave everything so that we may have life abundant. Thank you for your continued prayers and commitment to the mission God has given to The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.
May God bless you.
Commissioner Floyd Tidd
Territorial Commander
Click here to download the letter from Commissioner Tidd.
Paul and I are praying for you both as you go through this difficult time with your health. We're also praying for healing for Mrs Tidd as she has injured herfoot. God bless you both.