Estevan’s new Salvation Army officers carry extensive experience that they hope will be beneficial for their work in the Energy City.
Majors Wilf and Heather Harbin have been officers in the organization for 35 and 37 years, respectively. They have also been a part of the ministry, through attending church services and volunteering, for their entire lives.
Since becoming officers, they have posted in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia (B.C.). Their last seven years were spent in B.C.
“We’ve covered everything, but I guess after this many years you would,” Heather told the Mercury. “But we’ve never worked in Saskatchewan.”
They arrived in Estevan on July 15.
The Harbins have also worked in Bermuda, since the island nation is part of the same territory as Canada.
“We got married and went to Bermuda for two years,” said Heather. “It was our first posting together.”
The Harbins will also be responsible for the Salvation Army’s operations in Weyburn. Estevan and Weyburn became part of a circuit last year. It’s the first time the couple has been involved in a circuit.
“I’m just looking at it, and figuring out how it works,” said Wilf.
Wilf said they’re in the midst of learning what the Salvation Army does in Estevan. Once they’re able to assess the different programs, they hope to continue with them.
The Warm Welcome shelter, which the Salvation Army has operated in partnership with St. Paul’s United Church since 2012, is among the initiatives they expect will continue.
“We’ll continue on with the programs that were initiated before by the previous officers,” said Wilf.
The Harbins briefly spoke with Estevan’s previous officers, Lieutenants Brian and June Bobolo, before arriving in Estevan, and before the Bobolos moved to Moose Jaw. It gave the majors an idea of what to expect in Estevan.
“Because we’ve been in the Salvation Army for so long, and moved a number of times, we kind of wait to find out things for ourselves,” said Heather. “We’re all different. We see things differently.”
But they have already noticed some trends, such as the demand on the Salvation Army’s food bank. Wilf said they have a good staff in Estevan and Weyburn, and they have spoken with their managers in both cities.
The Harbins have been impressed with what they have seen in the region thus far.
“I like small towns, so I’m always open to small towns,” said Heather. “People are friendlier, neighbours are nice, and they kind of look out for each other. I’m sure that’s the case here.”
They’re used to being in a valley surrounded by mountains in their previous community of Trail, B.C., so the plains of southeast Saskatchewan are different. But different is good, Heather said, and they’re looking forward to their time in Estevan.
