Cadets Lester and Almeta Ward have been pastors for the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw and Assiniboia for almost four months and have acquired many positive experiences in that short time.
The couple arrived in Moose Jaw on Aug. 17 and have felt at home ever since, Lester said recently. They are still learning about many of the organization’s projects, including Christmas initiatives such as the Stocking Fund. While they have been involved in similar fundraising campaigns before, they have not done anything like the Stocking Fund.
“For Almeta and I … our heart yearns and longs to meet the needs of those people that are suffering, either from a need of food (or) children (needing) toys,” he continued.
The Wards helped serve more than 6,800 lunches from mid-March to Thanksgiving in October as a way to support Riverside Mission after the latter organization adjusted operations due to the pandemic. After acquiring the ability, Riverside then began serving lunches again the day after Thanksgiving.
Ward acknowledged that the Salvation Army serving lunches during the pandemic was a temporary measure and it would have to hand it back eventually, but it was still tough.
“I feel like there’s been a piece of me taken away, because I really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with those folks, serve a hot meal, be available (and) have a conversation,” Ward said. “My wife and I are very passionate about being there and providing hope and provide a sense of peace during the Christmas season and all year through … .”
The Wards’ goal is to help make Moose Jaw one of the best places to live, he added. They have lived here for nearly four months and feel at home.
The Wards hail from St. John’s, NFLD. They began a two-year training program with the Salvation Army in Winnipeg in 2019 when they were asked to take an early appointment to fill the vacant Moose Jaw positions.
“We fit in very well,” he chuckled.
Working at the downtown office and the church has been a great experience and is something Ward wouldn’t ever give, he remarked. The couple felt connected almost as soon as they arrived. Their 32 staff — similar to an extended family — made them feel welcome and at home.
“We love them. We appreciate them (and) they work hard. And not only that, but to get a sense and a feel of the need outside our front door here in downtown Moose Jaw, we know we are where God wants us to be,” added Ward. “We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
After finishing their training, the Wards will be ordained and commissioned as lieutenants in June. They hope to continue their journey in Moose Jaw for many years and want to remain here for as long as possible.
