Salvation Army Territorial Commander visits
The Territorial Commanders of the Salvation Army for Latin America North, which includes Belize, Central America, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela, have concluded a farewell visit to Belize. Colonel Robin Forsyth and his wife Shona spent the weekend meeting with officers stationed in Belize and inspecting ongoing social work managed by the Salvation Army in Belize City, Georgeville, and San Ignacio. Prior to his departure, Colonel Forsyth told News 5’s Patrick Jones that his six years as leader of the congregation of Salvationists in this region have been productive.
Col. Robin Forsyth, T.C., Latin America North
“I think the biggest accomplishment has been the opening of the Salvation Army work in Honduras. It took quite some time to work out, but in the end eventually the Salvation Army has moved into both San Pedro Sula and into Tegucigalpa. And at both of the centres there we have worked in the children’s hospital in the capital and in San Pedro Sula. And there we are helping children who are there long term. Of course there are two vibrant churches of the Salvation Army in each of those places with about fifty to eighty people attending each Sunday, so I think that has been a very positive thing about the time that we’ve been here.”
Patrick Jones
“What is your assessment of the work in the Belize region?”
Col. Robin Forsyth
“Well it’s been interesting to look at Belize and to see something of the development too, to see new work starting at San Ignacio. To see the changing of the character of some of the social work at the Raymond Parks, at the shelter, and also at the Ganns, and to see to the development of some of the work at Georgeville as well. That has been an encouraging thing. And of course they work in north-side and at the Central, work is beginning to show a difference at this particular time.”
“Well I would simply say to the people of Belize, thank you for all that you have done for us in the past because I realise that the people of Belize have a very warm spot for the Salvation Army in their heart. But I would say to them, please continue to help us in the future. Please cooperate with us, please be partners with us in what we try to do, sometimes for the more disadvantaged in the community.”
Forsyth and his wife today left Belize en route to El Salvador for a similar visit. His next appointment is as head of the Salvation Army in New Zealand. The Salvation Army recently appointed Captains Anthony and Lizette Sanchez as the new officers to head the main church in Belize City.
