This is not a Palm Sunday I’ll ever forget as we were greeted by a brilliant African sunrise, which set the tone for the day.

Our journey this Sunday took us from Harare to the world famous Victoria Falls – one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World.’ A short one hour flight on Air Zimbabwe in an older 737-200 model and we reached our destination.  The Air Zimbabwe service was very ‘old school’, a throw back to a different era in air travel. It was wonderful.

While we could see the spray from Victoria Falls shooting up into the sky on ‘final approach’, we no sooner touched down and we started the next leg of our journey to the Village of Tinde, located 220 kms west of Victoria Falls in a remote part of the Matebeleland Region of Zimbabwe. The Village is home to a Salvation Army outpost that was started 8 years ago and it was there that SAVN.TV filmed today.

Our bus driver Kenneth was a real champ, as he drove for 3.5 hours and endured a police road check where officials took his licence and inspected it prior to letting us continue on our way. The final 22 kms of the trip was on a dusty, bumpy, unpaved road. I think most motorists would have turned around – but not Kenneth and the SAVN.TV crew!  We arrived at the Outpost to a grand welcome of singing, dancing, drumming and timbrel playing – well worth the drive!

The corps officer, Captain No-Matter Renesu and his wife are circuit pastors. While they are the commanding officers of this special Village Outpost, they actually live 120 kms away thus their commute is significant – but clearly they are doing an important ministry. 

As I reflect on all that has taken place this week, I have been reminded that one of the great strengths of The Salvation Army is our cultural diversity. While the color of our uniforms vary and we often speak different languages, more things unite us than divide us because we worship and serve the same God – whether in London – Toronto – or Tinde, Africa. Also, I am grateful for the service and ministry of the SAVN.TV crew. Not only are they ‘pros’, but they are a very sensitive and talented group that has a knack for finding the ‘right story.’ Thanks guys, for all you’re doing!

Tomorrow we get to see Victoria Falls – which will be a highlight in a different kind of way. I’ll close for now. 

Palm Sunday, Africa 2014, wow – Hosanna to the King!

Major John Murray, IHQ Communications and Literary Secretary