Day 110: Praying for northeast Wales (1983)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 110 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'The Lord God said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right side until I win against your enemies. Then you will be able to put your feet on them' (Psalm 110:1, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1983

Here are some of the headlines from a Welsh edition of the War Cry that appears to have been produced for the Llangefni Eisteddfod in 1983. The focus was mainly on northeast Wales. (The English translation is also shown.)

• Cymru I’r Iesu (Wales for Jesus)
• Gad Lef (War Cry)
• Eisteddfod Llangefni 1983 (Llangefni Eisteddfod 1983)
• Cyfarchiad Douglas H Rayner Gadlywydd Adrannol (Greetings: Douglas H Rayner Divisional Commander)
• Ymgyrchu Yng Ngogledd Cymru Yn 1983 (Campaigning in North Wales in 1983)
• Diwygiad yn Rhosllanerchrugog (Revival at Rhosllanerchrugog)
• Arloesi yn Llandudno (Innovation in Llandudno)
• Mwy Am Y Diwygiad (More About the Reformation)
• Golygyddol (Editorial)
• RHYL yn dal I fynd (RHYL is still going)
• Ynglyn a Chefn Mawr (Regarding Cefn Mawr)
• Mini Bws (Minibus)
• Gwaed A Than: Llyfr Newydd ar hanes Byddin yr lachawdwriaeth (Blood And Fire: New book on the history of The Salvation Army)
• Hanes Cynnar Y Fyddin (Early History of the Army)
• Hanes Y Fyddin Yng Nghymru, gan John Morris, Coed-poeth (History of the Army in Wales, by John Morris, Coedpoeth)

Major Peter Mylechreest (R), a former corps officer at Llanelli, writes:

‘When in 1983 Llanelli Borough Council announced the compulsory purchase of The Salvation Army Citadel for road development, the corps wanted to have a larger, purpose-designed building that was fit for both worship and community work. The plans outstripped the finance offered by the local authority. So, the corps undertook a whole range of fund-raising activities.

‘Among these were sponsored solo parachute jumps by the commanding officer, the corps secretary, and the assistant corps cadet guardian. They received instruction at Swansea airport on how to control the parachute, the proper way to land and when to pull the emergency ripcord if anything went wrong! 

‘Now ready to make their debut jump, the three of them walked to the single-engine plane to the accompaniment of a band ensemble playing, “Nearer my God to Thee”. Fortunately, everything went to plan. The local newspapers had headlines of: “Heavens above, it’s the Salvation skydivers”,  “Coming in on a wing and a prayer” and “Salvationists put faith in a sky dive”. Even the War Cry had a feature called, “A leap of faith”. 

‘The venture raised a substantial amount of money and gave valuable free publicity regarding the work of The Salvation Army. Commenting on the experience, one of the three said, “The view over the Gower was incredible.” Another said, “It was so peaceful.” The third observed with a smile, “It certainly took your mind off work!”

‘Three years later, in 1986, the new building was officially declared open and free of debt.’

Prayer

• Pray today for all those bringing glory to God in northeast Wales.