by Commissioner Dawn Heatwole
Recently, someone asked how we are doing and if we still love being in the Latin America North Territory (LAN). Without hesitation, I confirmed we love being in LAN and said we continue to be stretched in new ways as we see how God works in this amazing territory. Is it always comfortable? No, but God does not want us to always be comfortable in our faith. So, we continue to step out in faith and follow where He leads.
Over the past two-plus years, God has changed us more than we could have imagined. We have learned to trust more, to believe in His faithfulness all over again—and to go with the flow. One thing I learned very quickly is that even though we make plans, things rarely go exactly as we expect. Flexibility is a must when serving in ministry, particularly when serving in an appointment that encompasses 10 countries where visa issues often emerge.
When I think of our ministry over the past two years, the words that come to mind are joy, miracles, and warmth.
As we celebrate in territorial events, during prayer time online every week as a territory, or in our conversations with our people, we see joy rising to the top. The style of worship is full of joy. “Hallelujah Choruses” are used across LAN, and seeing people’s faces light up when they lift praise to God is something of which I’ll never tire. When we recently held the territorial music and arts camp with the Chicago Staff Band, it was delightful to hear a delegate exclaim, “It’s like our CD has come to life!” Joy is evident in the territory as people live with joy in serving Jesus even in some very hard places.
Miracles continue to occur all around us. God provides in financial and spiritual ways every time we turn around. For instance, we were sitting in a finance board meeting trying to determine how to best use the World Services / Self-Denial funds we had been allocated for mission projects in the territory. The list of needs was so long that after we had finished allocating the money, there was still $99,000 worth of projects that needed funding. As we walked out of the boardroom, my heart broke knowing those requests were important but we would have to ask officers to wait an additional year to get their roof fixed or to replace a stove that no longer worked.
My husband, Commissioner Merle, said to me, “This is where we put our faith in action and pray for God to provide.” We did just that. The very next day we received an email from the Salvation Army World Services Office (SAWSO) saying our territory had been given $100,000 to use as necessary throughout the territory! It was a direct and astounding answer to deep-felt prayer. We have seen miracles like this throughout our time here in LAN. God continuously answer prayers through others who generously give their time and financial support to the mission.
The warmth of the people and their spirit of being open and welcoming to all who enter their buildings and lives is an incredible thing to experience. We, ourselves, have been welcomed with open arms and open hearts. People are eager to know you, to be your friend. They work hard to speak to us in English, while we work hard to speak to them in Spanish. There have been some funny stories along the way of literally getting “lost in translation!” We laugh together and learn from each other while serving side-by-side in ministry.
Over the past year we have celebrated together at a Congress with The General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle and miraculously delegates from all 10 countries. We joined together for commissioning weekend with USA Central territorial leaders Commissioners Brad and Heidi Bailey.
We have been challenged to be people of prayer as we share blessings and concerns each week online in prayer across the territory. God continues to work in us individually and as a territory as our people love Him, serve others and grow in their faith.
How are we doing? We are happy to be in this beautiful part of the world and growing as we love and work with the people God has called us to serve.
