62 – Leadership Crisis
The majority of the Heads of Departments at the Hong Kong Command Headquarters came from overseas, referred to in The Salvation Army as reinforcement officers. In the olden days we used the term missionaries. We appreciate their expertise and commitment to overseas service given not without some form of sacrifice. At the same time, we are conscious of the need to train our own nationals to take over responsibilities of leadership.
In the case of Hong Kong this need for national leadership was accentuated by the imminent return of the British Colony of Hong Kong to Mainland China. The year 1997 loomed large like the sword of Damocles. Some people had already emigrated; others were planning to do so. For the majority, they had no choice but to remain regardless of the uncertain future. It was our duty to encourage our own comrades to put their faith in Christ.
Hong Kong had gone through a very dry spell with regard to new recruitment of young people for officership. There had been no training session for about a decade! Three who had offered for officership at different times were sent to the Philippines for training. We stressed to our officers and Salvationists the urgency of getting cadets. We set goals in faith to have a training session the same year we were to move to the new Command Headquarters at Wing Sing Lane – 1985.
In faith, we appealed to International Headquarters to send someone to be the Training Principal. Commissioner Eva Burrows, Territorial Commander Australia Southern, responded to our need by offering Captain and Mrs. Robert Patterson. They were at that time staff at the Melbourne Training College.
The Lord, in answer to our prayers touched the hearts of our Salvationists and soon quite a number of our youth accepted the challenge and offered for full time service. Seven candidates entered the “Proclaimers of the Gospel” session (1985-1987) Praise the Lord! (The present General Secretary, Major Simon Tso and his wife Belinda were among the seven.)
As mentioned in an earlier chapter, the General Secretary Major Moira Wright went on homeland furlough during our first year in Hong Kong. The Financial Secretary Major Helen Prosser was leaving the Command for her retirement in America. It was a difficult time for the Command but the Lord was good to us. We had a good team of officers who gave full support and were willing to take on additional responsibilities.
It was not easy trying to find someone with the experience and expertise to run the Finance Department. The Command operated on a large budget because of the Social and Educational Services largely funded by the Government. The International Secretary was aware of our situation, so in the interim, a retired couple Colonel and Mrs. Herbert Martin were appointed to help us for a few months. The Colonel was eighty two years old, but physically fit, and mentally alert! His wife, Colonel Nancy Martin was at one time the Financial Secretary in Hong Kong prior to taking the leadership of the Philippines Command! Age was no barrier to this devoted American couple. The first thing he said to me on arrival was “We do not need any allowance as we are getting pension from our own territory. Please do not pay us.” Mrs. Colonel Nancy Martin took over the running of the Trade Department. Thank God for such dedicated servants of God who worked wholeheartedly for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
To show appreciation the Command paid for their return fares when they went to the Philippines for a short break to meet up again with her old Filipino friends. My wife and I kept up a correspondence with the Martins till their promotion to Glory. As we look back, we thank God for sending folk like the Martins to bless us.
The Army’s William Booth Secondary School was without a principal since the last one returned to Scotland and we did not have anyone qualified to charge. We appealed to International Headquarters and Captain Laurence Hay of New Zealand was appointed to this take over the School. Mrs. Captain Margaret Hay, also an educationist came in time to serve as the Education Officer at the Training College. I’ve always proved God’s timing is always perfect. If we do His will we never need fear of lack of resources. We were now ready to open the new fourteen storeyed Command Headquarters and Training College!
Faith might faith, the promise sees
And looks to that alone;
Laughs at impossibilities
And cries: “It shall be done!”
I’ve proved the truth of these words time and again. To God be the glory!
No comments:
Post a Comment