They are not raw rookies in the game of life, but they are relative newcomers in terms of ministering to the needs of others. That's why Ian and Donna Rabourn, formerly of Kelowna, B.C., found themselves working and ministering in southeast Saskatchewan this summer. They were receiving on-the-job training experiences as Salvation Army cadets with the guidance of Lieutenants Brian and June Bobolo.
Training to become a full-fledged Army officer requires 22 months of concentrated study at their training centre in Winnipeg.The Rabourns are halfway through that mandate as they headed back to Winnipeg on Aug. 17, having completed their summer field internship with the Bobolos.
"We have learned what a day in the life of a Salvation Army officer might entail and believe me, it's multi-faceted," said Donna, who left a 25-year-career as a nursing aide to enter the Army.
The couple will get a couple of days freed up to return to Kelowna to check on their two grown children who have been tending to the house and household tenants while they've been away. All four family members have embraced the decision, and the parents know the experience will allow their children to grow and embrace adult decision-making on a new level.
"I have also learned that no matter how well you may plan your day, that doesn't mean that is what will happen," Donna added with a chuckle, citing their need to respond quickly to flood-ravaged communities in Carnduff and Gainsborough as just one example.
"As Christians, we learned there is a calling put before the Lord as to what does he want us to do," said Ian. "There is scripture that urges one to reach out to the poor and needy, and I realized the Army was meeting those needs. We left a very large, busy church in Kelowna after making our decision and determined this was our path, so here we are."
The couple, married 23 years, have certainly made a commitment. She left nursing, as did Ian, who was a nurse for several years before branching out into retail business and then real estate and banking before they made the decision to don the uniform, knowing that when they are finished, they can be assigned to anywhere in the world.
"In the classroom, besides the theological and traditional lessons learned, they also receive a lot of practical lessons in faith, sort of like putting feet to the faith," said Brian.
"It's hard to focus on faith when you're hungry and frightened. Jesus went to the people and was hands on. So we're not necessarily defenders of the faith, we practice it," Brian said. "We sometimes refer to the Army as the smelly or messy church because we have a point of pride of being the street ministry, providing services with no prejudice, just some care, love and commitment to the community we are in."
Bobolo went on to note the Army makes a special effort to build relationships with other churches and have found a strong partner on many occasions, especially St. Paul's United Church with the Warm Welcome winter shelter and other programs.
"We've really learned a lot about the generosity of the people in this city and area," said Ian. "How quickly your communities can get together in an emergency situation, like the floods, is truly impressive. I also see the generosity with the contributions to the Thrift Store and food bank. We're learning how humble the leaders in your communities are and how much they care," said Ian.
"We're finding the training is hard work but well worth it, and we've found our instructors are actually on our side. In fact, the principal of the college and his wife and child stayed with us in Estevan one night this summer, just to see how we were doing."
"Some of the challenge they'll face is the change of pace from the school and academic side of the training to the one of becoming an officer in context," said Brian. The changes in lifestyle can seem overwhelming at times for the new officers.
"But you know, this couple saw what was happening around them with the flood, while we were away, and they took charge and did a wonderful job," said June.
"Some of that may be due to our maturity. That can come with not being 20-year-olds and just learning how to cope. We like it that the Army fully supports the concept of having older recruits, too. They need both."
"We have to cover the entire province, so we're just local leaders but we understand that the entire Army is not only invested in the Estevan church and social services but in our entire circuit," said Brian. "The circuit is just an administrative move to enhance services."
The Rabourns will be back in their classroom in Winnipeg on Sept. 2 and their ongoing training will include some more field work as they and 20 other cadets enter the back stretch of their training. They have already experienced work placements in Peterborough, Ont. and Montreal just to help them realize the diversity of their calling.
"They like to send us where we haven't been before so we can learn more about the country's geography and cultural differences," said Ian.
Once they felt comfortable with the fact their children didn't feel their parents were "leaving them behind," Ian and Donna said they were prepared to make the full commitment. "They have friends as well as family around them and they have structure. It's still hard for us all, but it's healthy."
"We learn the old 10:1 ratio thing, that wherever we go there are at least 10 people behind us praying for and supporting us," said Bobolo who said the Army also believes in making transfers a part of the Army life. They know they will be in Estevan and Weyburn for at least another year since transfer notices go out in April and May with the expectations that the officers are implanted in their new communities by the end of June. They received no such notice this year.
"They may be students, but aren't we all just students of life anyway?" asked Brian. "We see people treating other people well and Estevan seems to be figuring that out."
June added she has received feedback from people who have been assisted by the Army, who have expressed gratitude for how they have positively impacted their lives, and that makes it all worthwhile.
"We have one of the best communities here because the people don't turn their eyes away. They choose to see the value in each person," Brian said.
"As a student I sit on an ethics committee for the Army and our current concern is social media and how it can misrepresent or record untruths, and it can't be managed very well. The Army faces this problem of instant messages a lot with a lot of misunderstanding. If the Army's public persona is injured it hurts us, but more importantly, it hurts the people we serve," said Ian.
The recruit concluded by saying "there are amazing stories that are eye openers for us, but then you begin to realize something may not be as far off normal as you'd think, but then again, what is normal?" he said with a laugh. "We're learning."
