THE Chief of the Staff (Commissioner William Roberts) brought words of challenge and encouragement when he opened and dedicated to God the new Howard Hospital buildings in Zimbabwe. A large crowd gathered for the ceremony, which marks the conclusion of years of work which will allow the hospital to continue its vital ministry to the people of the Chiweshe region.
Taking words from Isaiah where God speaks about doing 'a new thing', the Chief urged people to look beyond the new appearance of Howard Hospital and instead to see what new things the Lord is doing in their lives and to consider what new things they can do for him. 'God has something new in mind for this crowd here at Howard and for the entire Zimbabwe Territory,' he said. 'I suspect God may be speaking to us, calling us to do new things for him ... Open the eyes of your heart and the eye of the Spirit, and you may catch a glimpse of the new things the Lord wants you to do, the new thing that the Lord wants you to be.'
Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, spoke of his appreciation for Howard Hospital’s long history of caring, noting that it was one of the first hospitals to engage in the fight against HIV/Aids. 'We have come here to help celebrate the huge contribution by the church for people and for Zimbabwe,' he said. 'When you come to be treated here, it is not only the drugs but the enveloping spirit of Jesus that helps you as well.'
Commissioner Henry Nyagah (Territorial Commander, Zimbabwe) recognised the presence of Commissioner Sue McMillan (Territorial Commander, Canada and Bermuda), Commissioner Barry C. Swanson (Territorial Commander, USA Eastern) and Commissioner Marie Willermark (Territorial Commander, Sweden and Latvia). He thanked them and the Salvation Army territories they represent for their immense and unwavering support towards the construction and operation of the new Howard Hospital.
The Salvation Army has served the people of Chiweshe since 1923 when Howard Institute, a school, was founded some 80 kilometres north of the country's capital, Harare. The need for quality medical services became apparent as Salvation Army officers with little medical training initially carried out these services, so the hospital opened in September 1928, with a nurse training programme being added a year later. Today, Howard Hospital offers its services to more than 250,000 people.
Report by Captain Liveson Mushayakarere
Literary Secretary, Zimbabwe Territory
