Self-Denial 2025: James and Dita's stories

In the fourth of five weekly videos, we meet Dita Rossela and James Jeans.

This year’s Self-Denial Appeal runs from 2 February to 2 March with a focus on the life-changing work in the Indonesia Territory.

‘My name is Dita Rossela,’ says Dita. ‘I’m 27 years old. I work at the Woodward Hospital in Palu as a nurse.’

Dita starts each day by checking on her patients. She studied at the Salvation Army nursing school before getting a job here two years ago. The Salvation Army’s Woodward Hospital has 130 beds and offers 24-hour emergency services, diagnostic imaging, surgical facilities, some specialised clinics and nutritional support.

About two miles south of the hospital is Towua school. It’s on the same compound as the corps, and it’s where James works.

‘My name is James Jeans,’ says James. I’m one of the primary school teachers at the Salvation Army school in Palu.’

James teaches PE to classes across the primary school, which has 400 students. There’s also a nursery and secondary school here. Most days there are 1,300 students on site.

‘I think education is very important,’ asserts James. ‘Many children want to go to school but not everyone is given the opportunity. But all in all, when I see these students, their enthusiasm for learning is incredible.’

The Salvation Army has a long history of work in health and education around the world, often focusing on the needs of poorer and more vulnerable members of society. It provides hospitals, community health programmes and training for medical staff, as well as nurseries and schools.

Throughout the world, every year, The Salvation Army cares for one and a half million people in its hospitals and clinics and educates over half a million students in nearly 3,000 schools.

Back in Woodward Hospital, Dita is checking blood pressures.

‘As a nurse, we work with people, people like us, so we need to learn how to connect with them.’

Dita is a Salvationist and when she first came to Palu to study, she started going to Woodward Corps, not far from the hospital. By twenty past seven in the morning, the meeting is well under way.

James also worships here: ‘I am not originally from The Salvation Army, but after I got married to my wife, I joined The Salvation Army corps and, indeed, when I look at the Salvation Army church, it is truly extraordinary.’

For the past few weeks, all Salvation Army corps in Indonesia have been holding their Self-Denial Appeal, and this Sunday is the final meeting when people from the corps make their offering.

Dita explains: ‘We don’t give to others because we have a lot or because we want people to know that we often give to others. But giving is an action that God has taught us.’

For Dita and James, being part of a church community has shaped how they approach their work.

Dita continues: ‘In our worship, we learn how our hearts are directed to God and hands extended to others. It is not just the words that come out of our mouths or that we just hear, it’s what we do.’

Pray for...

• The 1.5 million patients supported by Salvation Army hospitals each year.
• The Salvation Army schools that educate over 500,000 students in 3,000 schools around the world.
• Healthcare and education professionals employed to provide care and support.