Milwaukee, WI — After going through most of their training at the CFOT (college for Officer Training) in the Latin America North Territory, the newly commissioned Lt. Kassleen Gutiérrez and Lt. Ashley Gutiérrez, cousins from the Liberia Corps in the Costa Rica Division, went through the last six months of training and were ordained and commissioned in the US Central Territory with the Defenders of Justice session early this summer.

Lt. Kassleen explained that she and her cousin were two of the three cadets from their home territory on track to be commissioned last year in the Reflectors of Holiness session. Lt. Ashley adds that they were the only two from Costa Rica, with their session mate being from Cuba. When the opportunity for an exchange program of sorts came up, their training was extended so they could finish out their education in Chicago. 

“The really amazing and beautiful thing is how people just welcomed us and how we feel that we belong to this territory and to the family of the CFOT,” said Lt. Kassleen. 

“It’s a challenging experience,” Lt. Ashley said, “but … it’s like we have our family in Costa Rica, and when we came here, we belonged to this family.” 

The lieutenants also shared about the cultural differences between their home and the US. “It’s the same Salvation Army, but it’s also different,” said Lt. Ashley. 

“The Salvation Army is really big, but at the same time it’s really small,” said Lt. Kassleen. “Culturally, we are not the same, so it’s kind of exciting, different, nervous at the same time.” The lieutenants agreed that one of the best things to come out of their experiences is that they’ll be able to take things that are different about the two cultures and combine them for unique ministries that serve God.  

Looking forward to her lifetime of ministry, Lt. Ashley says, “I want to show the love of God to others, to my future congregation, and serve God with all that I am and all that I have. The first thing for me is to love God and love others.” 

Lt. Kassleen had this advice to offer to other international cadets who may end up training in the US: “Enjoy it. Embrace the change. It’s completely different and can be overwhelming but at the same time it can be something beautiful. You’re going to struggle during your training, but God is always right there. Even when we cannot see it, God is working.” 

“Trust in God,” Lt. Ashley added. “When God calls you, He opens all the doors and he takes care of you, your family and all these things that you can’t control.”