12 August 2017 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 12 AUGUST 2017 | Issue 6673 | $1.50

Love Changes Lives: The Salvation Army in Greece & Italy

Salvation Army Advancing into Samoa On the spot with Jacinda Ardern Double NZ’s Refugee Quota New Series: Dare to be a Daniel

A

MARLIES SMEDINGA

MODEL

Salvationist Life in the Fashion Industry

4

6

16

23

WAR CRY The Salvation Army

Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL André Cox | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine Booth

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Major Christina Tyson | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major

Jill Gainsford

OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, $75 per year within NZ

PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

12

Love changes lives Every year, The Salvation Army runs an appeal for funds to support our overseas mission work. The ‘Self Denial Appeal’ challenges us to make financial sacrifices so we have freedom to donate funds to help the Army’s mission in poorer locations around the world (you can learn more at www.selfdenial.info). Last year, The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga raised one million dollars!

This year’s Self Denial Appeal theme is ‘Love Changes Lives’, capturing the truth that when the love of God touches our lives, this translates into practical action to improve the lives of others.

We can summarise The Salvation Army’s reason for being as ‘Heart to God and Hand to Humanity’. Every positive thing the Army has done since our founding in 1865 is because God’s love has spurred people to action. In our early days, this saw us helping alcoholics, the homeless, hungry women and abused children. Today, it’s that and more.

In this edition we take a closer look at the Army’s work with refugees in Greece and Italy. Again: Heart to God and Hand to Humanity.

If you’re overawed by the deep, crisis-level needs of our land—and those beyond our shores, ask God to touch your heart and mind. Ask God to show you what to do. Let God’s love change even more lives, through you! And make giving to this year’s Self Denial Appeal part of your response.

Christina Tyson Editor

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 133 years | Issue 6673 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

2 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Money is the sinew of war … neither carnal nor spiritual wars can be carried on without money.

William Booth In Darkest England and the Way Out

2 Corinthians 5:14 (J.B. Phillips New Testament) The very spring of our actions is the love of Christ …

2 Koriniti 5:14 E akiakina ana hoki mātou e te aroha o te Karaiti …

I

Refugee quota raised, 15 June 2016, New Zealand Herald. Cartoonist: Guy Body.

n June, while travelling on a ferry from Kusadasi, Turkey, to Patmos in Greece, we passed one of the narrowest sections of the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. My friend and I were reflecting on what would motivate us to attempt to swim it—as so many refugees have done—and how ‘doable’ that looked from the safety of our ferry.

The refugee crisis is something we cannot ignore without intent. Stories, video and photos have been a regular part of our TV news, social media, radio and newspapers. The problem is oceans away from our shores. Or is it?

There is a growing call for New Zealand to increase the number of refugees we take each year. For the past 30 years we have welcomed 750 people each year, with this figure set to increase to 1000 by 2018.

That might sound like a lot for a small nation like ours, until you compare figures on a per capita basis.

According to Amnesty International, ‘New Zealand ranks 90th in the world per capita, and if you take our wealth into account, we drop to an embarrassing 116th in the world.’

With the General Election on the 23rd of September, our refugee quota is one of the carrots political parties are dangling in front of voters.

There is some really helpful information on www. doingyourbit.co.nz about the current situation and what each political party’s refugee policy is.

I recently watched the Oscar-nominated documentary 4.1 Miles, about the Lesbos-based Greek Coastguard rescuing thousands of people from the Aegean Sea. It’s heartbreaking and incredibly moving to see the small crews head out into the choppy ocean to rescue boatloads of

refugees, many containing women, children and babies. Not all make it.

It left me asking questions like: how desperate must a mother be to attempt this crossing rather than stay where she is?

Murdock Stephens from Double the Quota believes that at the heart of the debate around increasing New Zealand’s refugee intake is a big misconception. ‘The definition of a refugee isn’t based on being poor. It is based on being persecuted.’

Refugees versus poor people in New Zealand— it doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and.

By accepting refugees we are not rescuing them from poverty; we are enabling them to escape persecution because of ‘race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership to a particular social group’.

The Salvation Army internationally holds the position that the ‘ability to seek asylum is a basic human right, with all people having the right to life, liberty and security of person’. As a movement, we are actively working with those who are seeking refuge, and against those who are involved in people smuggling, human trafficking and others who would seek to gain from the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.

The situations refugees are fleeing are impossible for us to comprehend from the safety of Aotearoa, but this is an issue for all New Zealanders to carefully and prayerfully consider.

Let’s not forget, Jesus was a refugee.

BY SHAR DAVIS

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 3

Hello Thank You Thank You, an uber-chic Australian brand where 100 per cent of profits go to helping people in developing countries, has announced it will launch in New Zealand next year.

ONTHESPOT

Jacinda Ardern It’s election year, so we’re putting the leaders of all the major political parties ‘on the spot’. This time it’s the new leader of the Labour Party …

Secret Indulgence: Mindless television after a long day. Sometimes I won’t even be able to tell you what I’ve been watching, but it’s the best thing to get my mind to stop going full noise!

Celebrity crush: That list could be so long.

But right now, Justin Trudeau and still Barack Obama. The world needs a few political heroes.

What I’m reading: Diary of the Norman Kirk Years. Even though it covers politics in the 1970s, lots of things haven’t changed!

One thing I love: Cooking. I will be in a mad rush and have a crazy to-do list, and then suddenly I’ll think it’s a good idea to bake a slice or make scones. I think it’s my own strange form of procrastination.

One thing I hate: Meanness. There is never a good reason to be unkind.

Something surprising about your job: That politicians of all stripes work together more than people would think!

And you’ll even catch a few of us having a good yarn in the lunch line.

GOODSTUFF

The enterprise began in Australia almost 10 years ago, when founder Daniel Flynn was only 19, and he and two friends (including his now wife) used a grand total of $1000 in savings to produce bottled water.

‘Thank You was born in 2008 in response to the World Water Crisis. At that time, over 900 million people didn’t have access to safe drinking water on a daily basis, yet the Australian bottled water industry was worth an estimated $600 million a year,’ says the Thank You website. The goal of the social enterprise is to eradicate poverty by 2030.

The Thank You range now has 50 food, body and baby products available in 5500 outlets in Australia. A tracker ID on each product means you can trace exactly where the money from your purchase is going.

Profits from Thank You have so far helped over half a million people access better water and sanitation, provided around 140,000 people with access to food, and funded maternal

and child health projects for 80,000 people. A total of $5.5 million has been raised for ‘people in need’.

In New Zealand, Thank You will launch with 20 of its products.

Welcome to Aotearoa, and thank you.

In a symbol of our frantic times, the word ‘run’ has now accumulated the most definitions in the English language, with 645 usages—according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The word has exploded due to the rise of technology over the last century—a car runs on petrol, an ipad runs apps. But other new usages include ‘running out on’ your partner, or ‘can I run this past you?’ When the OED was first published in 1908, the word ‘set’ was the clear winner, but this was usurped by ‘put’. Now, these top three words alone make up over 1200 meanings of the quarter-or-so-million words in the English language. Are we running out of words? And setting others aside? Just putting it out there.

4 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Drama/War Dunkirk (M, Violence & offensive language) Christopher Nolan

Bacon Cauliflower Chowder

It’s rare to find a war film that focuses on a heavy defeat rather than a heroic victory, but Christopher Nolan is no ordinary director. Based on the Allied forces’ evacuation in 1940, Dunkirk shows us the battle from three perspectives: infantrymen trying to survive one week on the beach, civilian sailors spending one day as they cross the English Channel to help rescue the soldiers, and Spitfire pilots spending a single hour fighting above their beleaguered forces. Dunkirk’s nonlinear arrangement and minimal dialogue, together with its aural and visual brilliance, makes for a truly breath-taking cinematic experience. It’s one of the finest war stories ever made—and without a doubt, Nolan’s best creation.

(Reviewed by Martin Barratt)

QUIKQUIZ

1 Who has been cast as

the 13th Doctor Who?

2 Which political party does Gareth Morgan lead?

4 slices bacon, cut into chunks 1 medium onion, chopped 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped salt and pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced

Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.

Frank Zappa

3 ‘What you talkin bout Willis?’ is a quote from which ’80s TV show?

4 What is the collective noun for peacock?

5 Who did Jesus send

fishing to get money for taxes?

Answers on page 22

If you don’t think cauliflower can be delicious, you need to try this—an easy, warming, nutritious soup that’s perfect for a winter’s day. Plus, bacon!

2 Tbsp flour 2 sprigs thyme, stripped and chopped 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to paper towels and drain all but two tablespoons of fat.

Add onion, carrots, and celery to pot. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook until slightly softened, about five minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Sprinkle in flour and cook two minutes. Add thyme and cauliflower.

Pour in broth and milk and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce to a simmer and cook until cauliflower is fork tender, about 15 minutes.

Garnish with bacon.

1 litre vegetable broth 1 cup whole milk SOURCE | delish.com

Autobiography/NZ A Woman’s Place Joan Withers

She is one of New Zealand’s most successful business people—currently chair of Mercury Energy and The Warehouse—but you may not know that Joan Withers left school at 16 with only ‘School C’. Her autobiography opens with shades of Angela’s Ashes—a povertystricken, strict Catholic upbringing—but its matter-of-fact style refuses nostalgia. Where Joan’s story comes alive is as she forges a business career, emerging as a CEO and director. Since then, Joan has unwittingly become a role model, not just as a highly successful business woman in a man’s world, but as an advocate for others who will come after her. (Penguin) 12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 5

Greece, a country already bursting at the seams and under huge financial constraints is home to thousands of refugees caught up in an international crisis. The Salvation Army is there, demonstrating love and changing lives.

BY SHAR DAVIS

W

hile travelling in Athens recently, I spent some time with Captain Ray Lamont, a Salvation Army officer from Canada, who with her husband Curtis, has been serving in Greece for the past 10 months. Aside from running the church side of the Army’s operations in Athens, Ray heads up the Army’s anti-trafficking work—the Green Light Project—and coordinates volunteers at the Salvation Army refugee centre where the couple work.

Strong family ties are the backbone of Greek society. In the 1990s, there were very few non-Greeks and no such thing as homelessness in the country.

Fast forward to 2007, and it was a very different story. Homelessness, poverty, crime, human trafficking (in all its forms) were issues. And then, in 2008, the Global Financial Crisis hit. Today, a nation that has an incredibly strong value of family has been fractured as the middle-class have all but left Greece to find a better life elsewhere.

Not far from The Salvation Army is Victoria Square, which in the summer of 2015 became a makeshift refugee camp with over 1500 men, women and children sleeping there each night. Thousands of refugees began pouring into Greece, which simply did not have the infrastructure or resources to cope.

The Salvation Army mobilised to support those who found themselves in a foreign country where they did not understand the language, the culture and had little ability to fend for themselves. Most desperately wanted to get to Germany —to ‘Mama Merkel’ as they called her.

‘All throughout that time, we were helping these refugees by giving them food, drinks, new socks, comfortable shoes, underwear to change, and most importantly “safe information” as there was a lot of exploitation going on,’ says Ray.

Between a rock and a hard place In March 2016, the borders closed and 60,000 refugees were trapped in Greece.

New EU legislation prohibits new arrivals who haven’t pre-registered from qualifying for its relocation or reunification programme. Their options are limited: apply for asylum in Greece, voluntarily follow the relocation process to return to their home country, or pay smugglers to take them to their preferred destination.

A migrant woman sits with children at Victoria Square in central Athens on 3 March, 2016. Photography: PANAYOTIS TZAMAROS/AFP/Getty Images.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 7

To avoid deportation, asylum applicants must register in Greece, Ray explains. But Captain Ray Lamont. this then triggers a change of status, so that people are no longer able to access services and funding available to refugees and migrants took into account through the relocation or family reunification programme. that the population They also need to immediately find work, but without the might increase money to pay for the necessary legal documentation to obtain to such a size, and a job or open a bank account. this increase was so Many are forced out of housing programmes only available rapid and large that to refugees or those in the family reunification programme. the city is struggling.

Many others discover that the services they have come to rely There is evidence of these struggles everywhere— on for material support are no longer available because of their abandoned buildings, people sleeping on the street, and people new status. trying to make money through begging or selling goods.

The Salvation Army is working in the heart of the challenges, partnering with organisations from around the world.

There are free education classes, doctors offering medical examinations and medicine, translators helping bridge the cultural divide, and food, clothing and other essentials distributed to those in desperate need. Ray and her team of staff and volunteers are doing their best to offer quality, lifechanging assistance.

RAY WAS BURSTING WITH PASSION AND HOPE AND A GENUINE LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GREECE.

So they are essentially stuck between a rock and a hard place. They are in a country that has received international bailouts totalling over €240 billion, yet whose economy has shrunk by a quarter in just five years and with unemployment now at about 25 per cent.

People and businesses are restricted as to how much money they can withdraw from an ATM. They do not have full access to their own bank accounts. Imagine what that is like! Imagine having money in the bank, but your government won’t allow you to access it.

Individuals are only allowed to access €420 per week.

The same goes for businesses. The Salvation Army group I was travelling with was encouraged to pay with cash wherever we could as businesses appreciated this instead of an electronic transaction.

Given the extreme financial constraints and the lack of jobs that Greece is experiencing, it’s not hard to see why refugees might want to be elsewhere.

Struggles everywhere Athens is a city bursting at the seams. It doesn’t have enough jobs or houses for its own citizens, let alone the thousands of refugees that have made their way here. City planners never 8 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Bursting with hope and love As I listened to Ray tell us about the work going on and the needs of the people, I was struck by something. As much as the city is bursting, so was Ray. She was bursting with passion and hope and a genuine love for the people of Greece. You could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes as she talked—that spark of hope that comes from believing the work they are doing is not only helping individuals and families, but also the wider society.

Ray and others from The Salvation Army are bearers of hope for a city weighed down by overwhelming human need.

I wish I could have spent more time with Ray and seen more of her work. Although working on the streets of Christchurch amongst the city’s homeless and sex workers some years ago was the hardest, most challenging work I’ve done as a Salvation Army officer, it was also the most rewarding. I got that same sense about Ray’s ministry.

Working with the most vulnerable members of society recalibrates your heart. And you never really lose that. Whether it’s on Manchester Street in Christchurch, or the streets of downtown Athens, to be a bringer of hope is something that makes a heart burst at the seams. Love changes lives.

Care for Refugees and Asylum Seekers The Salvation Army is gravely concerned for the needs of the millions of people who are refugees and asylum seekers, people fleeing their homes and countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution. Many have experienced significant grief and trauma, with potentially long-term consequences for their wellbeing.

The ability to seek asylum is a basic human right, with all people having the right to life, liberty and security of person. The Salvation Army supports international efforts to eliminate persecution and displacement through the promotion of peace, tolerance, understanding and respect for human life and dignity.

God’s hospitable loving concern for the stranger and foreigner are evident in Scripture. Therefore, individuals and governments should act compassionately and humanely towards persons seeking asylum.

The Salvation Army condemns the actions of people smugglers, human traffickers and others who would seek to gain from the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.

It recognises the responsibilities of sovereign nations to control their borders, but believes there is also a duty to care for refugees and asylum seekers. Nations working together to address the needs of asylum seekers is critical.

The Salvation Army believes asylum seekers and refugees should be offered assistance to settle and become contributing members of society as quickly as possible.

are to remember their flight to freedom and safety and extend a welcome to others in their time of need: ‘[God] defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt’ (Deuteronomy 10:18–19).

Not only are foreigners to be the subject of compassion and special provision, they are to be welcomed as neighbours. The ancient nation of Israel was left in no doubt that divine law required them to love their neighbour as one of their own, even if their neighbour happened to come from a different background, culture or religion. Jesus taught we should love God and love our neighbour.

The infant Jesus was a refugee fleeing a violent tyrant and throughout his life he sought to love and welcome all. He commended those who welcome strangers. Obedient to the example and teaching of Jesus, the Church has called Christians to generous hospitality. This is a foundational principle of our shared life.

SOURCE | The Salvation Army’s International Positional Statement on Refugees and Asylum Seekers salvationarmy.org/isjc/ips

Christian teaching Human life is created in the image of God and is a gift to be cherished, nurtured and redeemed. The sanctity of human life means we treat all people with dignity.

Dignity is neither conferred nor withheld by citizenship, human choice or plight; it is inherent in every person.

(Genesis 1:27) In the Bible, God is revealed as love and compassion —a love and compassion that extends to all people and includes special provision for the foreigner and those whose circumstances leave them in need of the care of strangers.

God who was refuge, shelter, provider and comforter for the people of ancient Israel, makes it clear his people

Basque refugees fleeing Civil War in Spain, arrive at a Salvation Army centre in England circa 1930s. Photography: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 9

What Should I Look For in a Spouse?

We’ve all heard about ‘the list’—what we’re looking for in a husband or wife. But what should be on our list? And should we even have one?

To list or not to list? There are good reasons for having a list of what you would like in a spouse—it helps you understand the qualities that are important to you and what could be potential ‘deal breakers’.

But there is also a good argument for throwing out the list. While it’s important to have high standards, you don’t want to overlook a great potential spouse because they don’t match a random set of expectations. Many people end up marrying the exact opposite of what they were expecting, so be flexible. Allowing ourselves to be surprised is part of the joy of falling in love.

However, knowing what’s important to us can provide a great guiding-hand when our heads and hearts collide.

In our ‘swipe right’ culture, our list of expectations can sometimes be focused on externals like attraction, job and talent. Guys want a girl who’s cool, eats burgers but stays a size 10. Girls want a guy who’s strong, and has saved money for a house while they’ve been buying clothes. But these are just fantasies that have nothing to do with building a healthy life-long relationship.

Of course attraction is important, but we tend to give it far too much emphasis. Think about walking down a city street: how many people could you spot that you find attractive? (How many would you swipe right on?) And out of those, how many could you really build a life with?

Plus, that ‘babe in a band’ could one day be a balding accountant.

A major study of married couples found that while physical attraction was an important factor in getting them together, ‘attraction’ rated absolutely zero in what kept them together. The outward trappings change with time, but it is the deep, innate qualities that will last for the life of a marriage.

And these qualities are what belong on your list: honesty, integrity, kindness … these are just a few of the traits that are definitely worth looking for in a spouse. It’s also important to think about your own core values, and make those the theme of your list. For Christians, our faith determines almost every aspect of our worldview, so finding someone to share that outlook is vital. You may be opposites in your interests and personalities, but if you have common values, you can build a fulfilling life together.

Finally, work on becoming the kind of person you want to attract. If you want someone who is honest, be honest. That way, whether you meet ‘the one’ or not, you are becoming the best person you can be—and that is what will make your life complete.

10 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

DEEP, INNATE QUALITIES WILL LAST FOR THE LIFE OF A MARRIAGE. Marriage Material

These questions can be helpful in working out what kind of person you are dating, and whether they could be ‘the one’.

How do they treat their mother? If your partner treats their parents with respect, they will most likely treat you with respect.

How do they act when no one is looking? (Obviously, unless you are stalking them, you won’t know this for sure, but …) do they work hard when the boss is away?

Do they put money in the honesty box? These small actions make up a person’s integrity.

What do they laugh at? Is their sense of humour kind or callous? Can you laugh with them?

Do they ask questions? A partner who asks about your day and takes an interest in your life is a great gift, and one of the foundations of a good marriage.

Are they open to change? They don’t need to be perfect, but they do need to be willing to work on their weaknesses.

TESTIFY! For Fiji Divisional Youth Secretary Lieutenant Seru Napolioni following God is a life of full commitment.

I have been the Divisional Youth Secretary for Fiji for three months. It is an additional appointment alongside serving with my wife, Lieutenant Ruci Napolioni, as assistant corps officers (pastors) at Labasa Corps. This means I travel between Labasa and Suva for my work.

I’m very excited to be the Divisional Youth Secretary, I have a passion for it—my heart is with the youth.

Ruci and I have four children: Vasemaca Adi (18), Jope Paul Laginikoro (14), Siliva Tinai (11) and Waqa Vakaloloma (8). But I grew up in a broken family where my dad was in and out of prison. I don’t want our Fiji youth experiencing that. I have a passion to show them a new way.

I was adopted three times into different families and the last family was serving God in The Salvation Army, and I joined them there.

I think that was from God. It’s not an accident that I joined The Salvation Army; it was something God prepared for me. I may have my plans, but God has his. It’s a life of full commitment.

As an officer I have committed my life to God, and that’s what I try to teach the youth.

When I was appointed to this role, the first thing that came to my mind and heart was to make the youth strong spiritually, physically and mentally— for them to know their purpose and who they are in the community and in their families.

I have to meet them where they are.

You can’t expect them to come up to you as an officer up there in the chair, you have to go down to them and meet them at their level. And in The

I WANT THEM TO BE STRONG IN THEIR FAITH, TO STRETCH THEIR FAITH. Salvation Army, we’re all soldiers— we’re all on the same level.

You have to put your personality into it. It’s not about your role, but about who you are. Leadership is about how you influence people, and that’s about being who you are. As a leader and as an organisation we’re trying to be creative and think outside the box, to create an environment and a programme that youth will be engaged in.

I want them to be strong in their faith, to stretch their faith. We have just finished a camp and I can see the difference this has made in their lives.

When we have divisional camps, The Salvation Army has provided everything for the young people: travel, accommodation and food. So I went to speak to the different corps (churches) and said that we want to influence more youth, so could they pay half the costs? And they said yes.

I tell them it’s a life of commitment to God and to the corps, and if you want to come you commit yourself to fundraising.

I’m looking forward to huge growth.

We will have a divisional youth camp next year that could have 350 to 400 young people, and we want to grow from there. My goal is that in four years we will have 1000 young people coming to our camp. That would be huge growth, but that is what God has laid on my heart—to work for growth.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 11

A

MODEL

BY SIMONE WORTHING

Salvationist

When Marlies Smedinga (19) isn’t walking the catwalks of Europe, you can find her at her local Salvation Army church in the Netherlands playing trombone.* ‘When other models or people in the industry ask about my faith and about The Salvation Army, I’m happy to tell them,’ says Marlies.

She has travelled all over Europe for modelling and was recently in Australia. ‘I do love my work. I’ve done video campaigns, magazines and shows and I love the variety of it, and the opportunity of meeting so many different people.’

Marlies thought the modelling industry in Australia was a lot healthier than in many other places. ‘So many people want the girls to be so skinny, and some of them don’t do that in a healthy way. I make sure I keep myself healthy, and my family makes sure I eat well, so that’s not an issue for me. Being healthy and enjoying my work are the main things for me.’

Although part of the industry for only two years, Marlies, who was discovered by talent scouts in Sweden, has had to work through some serious issues.

‘Everyone always has an opinion about how you look, and [they] feel free to share their opinions,’ she says. ‘It’s a hard world and I often took their comments personally, but now I can let most things go.

12 firezone.co.nz 12 AUGUST 2017

‘I remember being really shocked at being told I had ugly eyebrows. People just don’t realise the impact their words can have on young girls. Now I am mostly confident in who I am and what I look like, and people can take it or leave it. Most people, though, are nice— they see you as a real person and treat you like one.’

GOD WILL OPEN A DOOR Marlies grew up in The Salvation Army playing cornet in the youth band, and then trombone in the senior church band. When she is away on assignments she really misses playing in the band next to her boyfriend and her 85-year-old grandfather.

Working in the cut-throat business of international fashion is extremely challenging for young people.

‘There aren’t many Christian girls in modelling,’ says Marlies, ‘but a lot of the young people do think about spirituality and don’t know what is out there.’

Lieut-Colonel Donna Evans of The Salvation Army in Australia served in the Netherlands and became a good friend of Marlies’ during that time. ‘Marlies is beautiful inside and out,’ she says.

‘Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.’

—Coco Chanel ‘The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives …’

—Audrey Hepburn ‘Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.’ —Proverbs 31:30 (MSG)

The pair keep in contact via social media and often have spiritual conversations. ‘Marlies asked once how she could reach others with her faith. I said, “Pray and God will open up a door.” She did this and the next day one of the other models asked her about her Bible and her faith. She was so excited!’

Marlies finds her Christian faith gives her a foundation for living and a wisdom that helps her negotiate the fast-paced, high-pressured world of the catwalk.

PEOPLE JUST DON’T REALISE THE IMPACT THEIR WORDS CAN HAVE ON YOUNG GIRLS. She says her dream job would be to walk the Chanel show or do a makeup campaign for L’Oréal. ‘The most important thing though for me, is to stay grounded in my faith and be myself,’ she says.

Amongst the glitter, the glam, the spotlights and the flashlights, Marlies is shining her own light with her faith in God. * This story originally appeared in Warcry in Australia— adapted and reprinted with permission.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 13

AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

BY IAN HUTSON

Italy has become the new gateway for many refugees —and The Salvation Army is there to meet human needs.

The speculative images travellers have of where a journey will take them almost always differs from the reality. Such was the nature of a recent visit to Italy where my wife Lynette and I saw first-hand The Salvation Army’s ministry to refugees. We found small but warm and passionate groups of Salvationists and discovered a nation engulfed by refugees. I don’t think we had understood the extent by which Italy has become the main gateway for the host of refugees escaping poverty and war.

Having experienced Italian hospitality and fellowship with the small Sicilian corps in the town of Castelvetrano with Corps Officers Lieutenants Francesca and Luca Longo, we were taken to a nearby settlement. The people there were seasonal workers whose work visas had expired, but who had been encouraged by their employers to stay on for the upcoming mandarin harvest The Salvation Army, along with other community groups, was providing support to the men there. What we saw was disturbing. The settlement was makeshift, with shelters mostly made out of a ramshackle collection of crates, wood, tarpaulins, and whatever could be obtained. There were no toilet facilities and only one source of running water outside.

The exploitation of these workers and lack of government support for their situation was something that grieved the heart of Luca, who went as far as to say it made him ‘ashamed to be Italian’!

Later, we were to visit the Salvation Army Oliveto Centre in the small Italian village of Atena Lucana, south of Naples.

Many years ago, a Salvationist returned there from the USA, and through his ministry ignited a small revival that birthed corps in three small villages within 10 to 12 km of each other.

The Oliveto Centre emerged out of this legacy as a place of hospitality for 55 refugees. The patience and compassion of the officers in charge, Major Teresa Macchia and Captain Maria Catalanotto, and the centre’s staff are immense.

Their clientele were mostly young men aged between 18 and 30, mainly Muslim but with Christians as well. The majority came from Sub-Saharan Africa. Speaking to some through a translator and others in English, we heard of their incredible journeys and their anxiety related to an unknown future. Here were young men from countries with names that sounded eerily like the source of so many slaves in a previous era: Senegal, Niger, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria and Mali. Nations bleeding another desperate diaspora of young lured by whatever promise they might have imagined, all journeying to uncertain welcome—and now in a completely different age.

Many had travelled through the Sahara Desert, facing periods of severe thirst, starvation and physical exhaustion.

Having endured such trying circumstances, which not all survived, they arrived in Libya—a lawless country without a 14 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Lieut-Cols Lynette and Ian Hutson with (centre, l–r) Mjr Teresa Macchia and Capt Maria Catalanotto.

functioning government. Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

This lack of government made Libya an ideal conduit for refugees, because no government also meant no effective border control. However, such lawlessness also meant the men were caught in a vicious web of exploitation, trafficking and violence as they endeavoured to earn the cost of transportation to Italy and a hoped-for life of freedom and prosperity in Europe somewhere. Here, many were subjected to violence. One staff member estimated about half the men living at the Oliveto Centre were victims of torture.

And so, having finally raised the money for a boat trip and enduring a dangerous sea journey—where, again, not all survived—the possibility of an uncertain welcome awaited in Italy.

This desperate and dangerous journey didn’t appear to fit the somewhat dismissive and euphemistic description by some of ‘economic’ refugees merely trying to ‘skip the queue.’ Although all the reasons for taking such a perilous journey cannot be fully known, the reality of persistent poverty and war in the SubSaharan region is clearly something many are driven to escape from. And while the numbers of refugees escaping to Europe seems huge, by far the greater numbers are moving between neighbouring states, creating significant burdens on the economy and infrastructure of already struggling nations.

A newspaper report from 4 July said 85,000 refugees had entered Italy to that point in the year. They were waiting for a decision around their refugee status, but with no guarantee such status would ever be granted. We saw for ourselves the despair and anxiety in the eyes of one young man as he was told his case would not be considered until November this year. Some had work they could occupy themselves with, while others could do little but ruminate anxiously on their situation.

In this context, it was unsurprising that the young men could be emotional, angry, impatient and frustrated. The staff showed a high level of patience, care and skill in managing these individuals and their temporary community. Pastoral,

psychological, counselling, social work, education, work training, and spiritual support were all part of what was provided for these men.

Our time in Italy left us with a sense of a small Salvation Army expressing the love and care of Christ in a beautiful way, and of a nation carrying an unequal burden.

Italy as a nation appeared to be doing an incredible amount for the refugees, with all kinds of centres and supports around the country. But the numbers were staggering and any response would likely seem inadequate. Later, we heard reports that the Austrian Government was looking to close its border with Italy, reinforcing our sense that Italy was increasingly being left to carry an unfair load.

At the end of such an incredible journey, what kind of welcome and hospitality should these refugees receive? What would or could God want or expect for them—and of us?

Removed geographically from this pain and suffering in New Zealand, it isn’t so hard to avert our eyes and metaphorically speaking ‘walk by on the other side of the road’ (world). But echoing in my mind were Luca’s words of shame for his nation’s supposedly parsimonious response.

Thinking of the way New Zealand recently quibbled over increasing our annual intake to 1000 refugees, I felt some of Luca’s shame fall on my own shoulders.

In the light of such a global humanitarian crisis, what kind of response should we make? Surely something more is required of us as we seek ‘to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God’?

Lieut-Colonel Ian Hutson is Director of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit

Fiji West Youth Listen for God’s Voice

Almost 200 young people explored God’s call at a youth camp in Sigatoka in Fiji last month.

Youth from seven corps met for the four-day Fiji West youth camp last month. Fiji Divisional Youth Secretary Lieutenant Seru Napolioni said it was an unexpectedly large crowd for the event, which originally had 138 young people registered. ‘We had to try and re-register them all and we had almost 200 there.’

This meant once the stage was up, not all the campers would fit in the 200-person tent they had booked for the camp and there was extra work for volunteers from Saweni Corps who oversaw the catering— but everyone was keen to welcome the extra young people.

Among the campers was a group of six street children from Suva who the Army works with. ‘They really enjoyed the camp, getting together in another environment and an atmosphere of love,’ Seru said.

The theme of the camp was ‘exploring your call’, Seru added.

Officers from the different corps led services during the day and campers engaged in group discussions, while different speakers challenged the young people in the evening. Campers also played sport during the day and pitched in to help around the school tidying a flower garden and mowing the playground.

Captain Epironi Toloi, who oversees The Salvation Army’s alcohol and addictions work in Fiji, and Temo Sasau from Suva Central Corps, were among the speakers. Both gave thought-provoking lessons— especially Temo, who gave his testimony about living with HIV/ AIDS, Seru said. On Sunday, Divisional Commander Major David Noakes closed the camp with a powerful message about living a life of dedication and commitment to God. It was also Candidates’ Sunday and any young people interested in officership were encouraged to speak with their corps officer, with many young people showing interest, Seru said.

Makeshift shelters near Castelvetrano.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 15

Salvation Army Marches on to Samoa Silila Alao, a faithful Samoan Salvationist from Ōtāhuhu Corps, has persistently asked Lieut-Colonel Rod Carey ‘Why is it there is no Salvation Army in Samoa?’ at every opportunity since their first encounter 27 years ago in South Auckland.

Larissa Toelupe, a soldier of Porirua Corps said, ‘I attended the afternoon meeting with these words singing in my head: ‘The Salvation Army is finally going to Samoa!’ Sam Ioane, also from Porirua Corps, happily declared, ‘Now is the time and our time has come!’

Silila’s question was finally answered with news that The Salvation Army has been welcomed into Samoa and Lieutenant-Colonels Rod and Jenny Carey will pioneer the Army’s work as regional leaders. The move has the approval of The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London.

As a nation with a strong Christian heritage, the Careys were asked what would make The Salvation Army’s contribution to Samoa unique. ‘The point of difference is practical caring in the name of Jesus,’ Rod replied. Statistics show a strong correlation between alcohol and other drugs and crime in Samoa, leading to the recent development of a Samoa Drug Court. The Salvation Army believes one important way it can serve in Samoa is by helping people break free from their addictions, supporting the Drug Court’s holistic vision.

In February, a Salvation Army delegation visited Apia, Samoa’s capital. The delegation included Alao, the Careys (Territorial Programme Secretary and Assistant Territorial Programme Secretary), Lieut-Colonel Lynette Hutson (National Director of Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services), and Greg Coyle (Principal Advisor, Social Programme).

While there, they met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to seek permission for the Army to establish a presence in Samoa. ‘The Prime Minister was warmly supportive of the Army’s desire to serve and gave us his blessing,’ Rod said.

Following this meeting, the Prime Minister wrote on 14 March asking the Army to start work in Samoa as soon as possible, saying, ‘That’s an indication of the importance of your work to our people.’ He was particularly interested in the Army setting up a drug and alcohol treatment programme. ‘I like to think that you were divinely guided to see me to bring the good news of your work for Samoa,’ he said.

While in Apia, The Salvation Army held highly productive discussions with people from the justice and health sectors, where they also received a warm welcome, Rod said. ‘They fully support us in our vision of establishing a church and an addiction treatment service in Samoa. Similarly, the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (SUNGO) and the National Council of Churches offered their support and assistance in getting established as an NGO and church in Samoa.’

On Sunday 16 July, the Careys met with Samoan Salvationists from Auckland at Ōtāhuhu Corps to share the exciting news that The Salvation Army was starting work in Samoa. This was received with deep gratitude and joy, said Rod. A week later, Porirua Corps hosted a similar meeting attended by Samoans and other supporters from Porirua Corps, along with Samoan Salvationists from Wellington South Corps and staff from Wellington Community Ministries.

16 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Rod and Jenny take up their new roles on 1 November.

Between then and early next year, they will establish a base for Salvation Army operations in Apia. They will also establish a constitutional framework for the Army’s work in Samoa—a legal requirement whenever The Salvation Army begins work in a new country.

The Careys plan to take a small planting team of Samoan Salvationists to Samoa to develop a Fa’a Samoa, culturally-appropriate Salvation Army work.

They would love to hear from those interested in joining this team, as well as others wanting to support the establishment of this work from New Zealand.

Writing this month to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Territorial Commander Commissioner Andy Westrupp said, ‘Like you, The Salvation Army also senses the divine guidance of God for this exciting step of faith. We look forward to the opportunity to work with the people of Samoa under the Salvation Army flag.’

With reporting from Larissa Toelupe.

Lt-Cols Rod and Jenny Carey, with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Ōtāhuhu soldier Silila Alao.

Inter-faith Partnership in Flat Bush

Leaders of The Salvation Army have visited the country’s largest Buddhist Temple in response to a request from the Venerable Abbess Manshin to meet together as neighbours in the Auckland suburb of Flat Bush. The temple borders land owned by The Salvation Army, where the Army plans to build its Flat Bush Corps.

Territorial leaders Commissioners Andy and Yvonne Westrupp and Chief Secretary Colonel Willis Howell led the party of 10 senior Salvation Army leaders visiting the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple last month. Abbess Manshin invited The Salvation Army to visit as the temple was interested in ways to address poverty and support children.

The Abbess and senior representatives of the temple took the group on a personal tour of the temple and art galleries. The groups also shared a meal and the Salvation Army representatives spoke about their work. The Territorial Commander talked about the Salvation Army’s history and mission in New Zealand. He explained that the work the Army does is a natural outcome from its Christian faith.

Both the Abbess and the Territorial Commander expressed their desire to help those in most need. Commissioner Andy Westrupp invited the Abbess to visit Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Wellington, and Lieut-Colonel Ian Hutson, Director of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, also offered to show her around Manukau Central Corps and Community Ministries, where the unit is based.

Flat Bush Corps Plant officers Lieutenants Ameet and Jessica Londhe shared what they had been learning about the demography of Flat Bush. They also introduced the various initiatives started by The

Salvation Army, including free English Classes, social services, a Justice of Peace service and Sunday worship.

Following the meeting, the temple offered Flat Bush Corps the use of rooms on their grounds for social services if needed and said it would send people in need to The Salvation Army, Ameet said. ‘Strengthening this relationship on the local level is of huge, huge value. This is a unique area—61 per cent of people are of Asian ethnic origin—so it’s very important to have this relationship. This was a direct entry into their lives and we greatly valued the opportunity to speak with Buddhist leaders.’

Venerable Abbess Manshin said it was a pleasure to host leaders of The Salvation Army, which she said was a first in Australasia. ‘We enjoyed learning more about Salvation Army’s current activities within the community and your goals to accomplish more. We look forward to future opportunities where we can collaborate at community events. Good things will come from our joint efforts!’

The Territorial Commander explained that Salvation Army tradition was to conclude such meetings with prayer, and the Abbess was willing for him to lead the combined group in prayer.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 17

Te Ōhākī: Te Tikanga O Te Hāhi—Being Church Together

BY TREVOR McLEAN

Unpacking the four goals of The Salvation Army’s Māori Ministry Strategic Plan, ‘Te Ōhākī’.

Goal 1: ‘Our systems, policies, procedures and people reflect an intention to support tangata whenua to live out their Christian faith as Māori.’

Unuhia te rito o te harakeke kei whea te kōmako e kō Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao Māku e kī atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!

Remove the heart of the flax bush and where will the kōmako sing?

Ask me, ‘What is the greatest thing in the world?’

I will reply, ‘It is people, people, people!’

This well-known whakatauki (Māori proverb) uses the analogy of a flax bush and people to emphasise the central importance and interconnectedness of human relationships. If people are to fulfil their God-given identity and destiny, we must cultivate them lovingly and carefully, giving them the room and resources they need to grow into who they are meant to be in Christ. This cuts to the heart of the first goal in The Salvation Army’s Māori Ministry Strategic Plan by acknowledging the importance of establishing strong, sustainable relationships (whakawhanaungatanga) and encouraging partnerships at every level within The Salvation Army.

Our systems, policies and procedures are entirely dependent on people—from the grassroots work of an individual at a corps or centre, to collective groups and departments, and right through to our most senior leaders. We want everyone to see they have a part to play in helping to implement, develop and realise this goal!

Spirituality and healthy relationships bring stability Ko te wairua tētehi pou o te whare tapawhā. Spirituality is one of the posts that stabilises the house.

Professor Mason Durie developed Te Whare Tapawhā, a Māori model of health and wellbeing. With its strong foundations and four equal sides, the wharenui (meeting house) illustrates the four dimensions of Māori wellbeing: Te Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional health), Te Taha Wairua (spiritual health),Te Taha Tinana (physical health), and Te Taha Whānau (relational health).

Professor Durie sees the correlation of a person and their spirituality as one dimension that needs to be strong. He says people need to be self-confident and self-assured to be healthy in mind, body and soul. If all sides of the whare are strong, so too is the person and the collective.

Nā, tēnei te mau nei te whakapono, te tūmanako, te aroha, ēnei e toru; ko te mea nui rawa ia o ēnei ko te aroha. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). This Bible verse supports Professor Mason 18 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

Durie’s whakatauki. Without these three things—faith, hope and love—we are incomplete. In the same way, when people are disrespected, it is hard to maintain solid relationships. But when a person’s faith, beliefs and values are acknowledged and respected, they will thrive, gain in confidence and excel.

Te Whare Io Te Whare Io is a Māori discipleship programme embraced by The Salvation Army. Wānanga (schools of learning) are being held to train kaiārahi (facilitators). The aim of Te Whare Io is to: • enable Māori to grow and be who God made them to be • provide a safe learning environment for Māori to have confidence in Christ and being Māori, to see Māori embrace their Christian and Māori cultural identity • provide the framework to support Māori to fulfil their mission in Christ as Māori • meet the needs of a diverse range of Māori within Te Ope Whakaora (eg, those that have a strong faith but a weak understanding of Māori culture; those that have a strong culture but are weak in the faith; those that might be new in faith and weak in culture; and for Māori that might have shut out their culture to begin with, but have had a bornagain experience and need to explore the journey of being a Christian and Māori at the same time) • see that the ministry of The Salvation Army with Māori can grow significantly.

Native American author and educator Richard Twiss says critical contextualisation is the successful communication of the Gospel with faithfulness to the integrity and testimony of scripture in cultural situations. He believes there is no general way to communicate the teachings of Jesus that is equally understood in all cultures. This fact requires that we find distinctive avenues to present these teachings in all settings to all people.

Ideas for being church together • identify an appropriate Māori support person for your corps/centre • use basic greetings in the call to welcome (Kia ora tātou, nau mai, etc) • encourage a Māori fellowship group in your centre or region • update signage to include Te Reo Māori • learn a benediction (eg, Kia Tau) or the Lord’s Prayer in Māori • learn bilingual songs (The Salvation Army’s I’ll Fight CD provides some helpful resources) • use Māori for scripture readings • identify appropriate Māori role models/ leaders and identify appropriate training for them • identify and develop potential suitable Māori leaders • encourage Māori representation on corps/centre leadership teams where possible • use Te Reo Māori across corps/centre programmes where appropriate • explore other models of worship apart from traditional Sunday morning meetings that might be more culturally appropriate.

Read the Māori Ministry Strategic Plan | salvationarmy.org.nz/TeOhaki

GAZETTE Salvation Army in Samoa: Having received an invitation from the Prime Minister of Samoa, His Excellency Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and approval from International Headquarters, the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory will commence work in Samoa. Therefore, the Territorial Commander is pleased to announce the following appointments, effective 1 Nov: Lieut-Colonels Jennifer and Roderick Carey, Regional Leaders, Samoa. Please pray for Lieut-Colonels Carey as they prepare to lead the planting of this exciting new mission.

Bereaved: Mjr Neil Adams of his mother, Mavis Adams, on 25 July 2017 from Kauri Lodge Rest Home, Kaeo, Northland. The funeral was at the Union Church, Kerikeri on 28 July. Please uphold Mjrs Neil and Merle Adams and grandchildren, Capt Robert Adams, Lieut Christine Foreman, Cadet Heather Pyper and Dean Adams, and family in prayer at this time.

BE THE KIND OF ARMY THAT’S CHANGING THE WORLD AND BRINGING LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS. There is something truly satisfying about watching people master something new. It might be a new or deepened understanding. It might be a new skill, a new idea, a new capacity. Every parent knows the joy of watching their children learn to smile, or walk, or talk.

We live in an age of constant change. Technology, social issues, leadership theories, spirituality and more shift around us, and sometimes we are like children trying to take our first steps in a suddenly strange world.

How do we respond to this as a Salvation Army? There’s a question that would take more than a short column to answer, but let me suggest two key ideas that I think could play a part for us.

First, we can embody the gracious, self-giving love modelled by Jesus Christ.

We can look to the needs of others, bear with others, comfort others, lift up others—because we know that we too are deeply loved. God’s love for us motivates a love for the people and the world around us. God’s forgiveness and generosity should inspire us to generous and forgiving lives built on living like the Jesus who embodied the love of God for all the world.

Second, we can learn: we can gain deeper understanding and greater capacity, and put those things to good use. I enjoy the privilege of working with a great team at Booth College of Mission (BCM) to help people develop the knowledge, skill, character and capacity for a life of faith. It’s our ‘day job’, if you like: to prepare, equip and inspire the officers, staff, volunteers, soldiers and friends of The Salvation Army for Christian living and ministry.

Of course, a lot of people reading this might not have access to all of BCM’s resources, or be wondering where they can turn to learn and develop. The good news is that within The Salvation Army are all kinds of communities in which we can benefit from shared experience and mutual support. Places where we can find our own needs met and play a part in meeting the needs of others. Opportunities to discover and grow—because we love and live and learn together, not just on our own.

That’s not always an easy journey. Sometimes life is neater if we do things our own way. But if we can love and be loved, if we can learn with and from one another, we just might find we’re building something that makes a real difference in a changing and often confusing world. We just might find fewer people are falling through the cracks. We just might be the kind of Army that’s changing the world and bringing life in all its fullness.

For more information on biblical and theological study, short courses or training as a Salvation Army officer please visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/BoothCollege.

Captain Ian Gainsford Principal, Booth College of Mission 12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 19

The Old Testament book of Daniel has a lot to teach us about resolving the tension of whether to resist or adapt as we engage with the culture around us.

BY CARLA LINDSEY

On 19 September 1853, a young missionary by the name of Hudson Taylor left England for China. His approach to mission would be like nothing the world had seen before.

Taylor abandoned his western clothing and hairstyle, and put his hair in a pigtail and took on clothing the same as the locals. Echoing the words of the apostle Paul, Taylor said, ‘Let us in everything not sinful become like the Chinese, that by all means we may save some.’ Other missionaries thought he was odd. They thought he should remain distinct and not blend in, but Taylor knew he would have more chance of influencing the Chinese people for Christ if he became one of them.

Hudson Taylor had to navigate the same tension followers of Jesus have to 20 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

navigate today. How are we to be in the world, but not of the world? How are we to remain loyal to God and distinct from the world, yet be in a position where we can influence the world for God? It is this tension we shall explore as we look at the first six chapters of the book of Daniel.

A king’s cunning plan Here we meet four remarkable young Jewish men who came face-to-face with a pagan world and questions like ‘just how far should we immerse ourselves in this world, and on what issues do we need to stand apart?’

Those four young men were Daniel, Mishael, Azariah and Hanniah. In Daniel chapter one we learn life for them was completely turned upside down when Nebuchadnezzar, King of the Babylonian empire, forcibly took them and many others from their home in Jerusalem, to his home in Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar was a clever and powerful man, and he had a plan. His empire covered a huge area and was made up of many different people groups, so to help keep things under

control Nebuchadnezzar took the cream of each group back to Babylon where he could re-educate them and then employ them in his service. They would then be accepted by their own people, yet be working for him. A cunning plan indeed!

Daniel and his friends were young, good looking, intelligent and from important families—the perfect candidates for the king’s programme. If Nebuchadnezzar could turn them into good Babylonians, he reasoned they would be a huge asset in keeping the Jewish population under control.

Nebuchadnezzar’s re-education program consisted of a three-year intensive cultural immersion course—essentially a degree program. The course included education in Babylonian language and literature. That involved becoming completely immersed in a world very different from the culture the four Jewish men had been brought up in.

The Babylonian world was a superstitious, polytheistic world.

Understanding it meant learning about omens, magic, incantations, prayers, hymns, myths and legends belonging to a pagan religious system.

The four seemed to have no problem accepting this pagan education. This is puzzling!

Loyalty or compromise?

The four also seemed to have no problem having their Jewish names changed to Babylonian ones. This is even more puzzling! In the ancient world, names spoke of ownership. The Hebrew names of the four each connect them to their God: ‘Daniel’ means ‘God is judge’, ‘Mishael’ means ‘who is like God?’, ‘Azariah’ means ‘Yah (short for Yahweh, an ancient name for God) is my help’, and ‘Hanniah’ means ‘Yah is gracious’.

Their Babylonian names were a symbol of new ownership, erasing the four’s connection to the Hebrew God, and in three cases connected them with other gods. Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, which means ‘Bel (the Babylonian god) guards his life’, Azaruah’s new name of ‘Abednego’ seems a deliberate corruption of ‘Servant of Nabu’ (another Babylonian god), and Hanniah’s new name of ‘Meshach’ includes reference to the Persian god Mithra.

This is not just puzzling, it’s disturbing.

We expect the heroes of the Bible to be loyal to God and different to the pagan cultures that surrounded them—not to blend right in!

Taking a stand Perhaps they had no choice. Perhaps it was accept the Babylonian education and names, or die? But as we’ll see when we look at chapters three and six of Daniel, they did have a choice and weren’t afraid to face death. Yet here, in chapter one, they didn’t protest. At least not on these issues. But they did quietly make a stand on another issue.

wine, they remained distinct and holy, different to the world. So, how might the meat and wine have caused defilement?

The most obvious answer is that Jewish law forbids eating certain foods. But Jewish law didn’t forbid the drinking of alcohol, and Daniel 10:3 indicates that Daniel, at some later point, returned to a normal diet with no restrictions. So, this argument doesn’t stack up.

Perhaps the foods had been offered to a pagan deity first. Bible scholar Leo Oppenheim believes that ‘food would be offered to the gods, and… whatever was left would be brought to the king’s table.’

But the vegetables would also have been offered to the gods, and Daniel ate those, so this does not answer our question either.

HOW ARE WE TO REMAIN LOYAL TO GOD, YET BE IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN INFLUENCE THE WORLD FOR GOD? Another suggestion is that meat and wine was ‘festival food’, so it wasn’t appropriate to consume this while in exile. Exile was a time for fasting and mourning, not partying. This argument falls short for the same reason as the first—Daniel eventually returned to a normal diet even though neither his circumstances nor the Jewish dietary laws had changed.

During their three years of training, the four were to be given a daily amount of meat and wine from Nebuchadnezzar’s table. But the youths refused to take these provisions and came to a special arrangement where they were given vegetables and water for a 10-day trial.

Scholars are not exactly sure why the friends would accept their re-education and new names from the king, but take a stand on this.

In the end, we don’t know why the four Jewish teenagers refused the meat and wine, which is frustrating!

Daniel 1:8 tells us Daniel felt taking the king’s provisions would have ‘defiled’ them. By avoiding the king’s meat and

While we may never know exactly why Daniel’s heart directed him in this way, the remainder of chapter one shows us

The scene is set For whatever reason, Daniel ‘resolved’ not to take the king’s provisions.

‘Resolve’ means ‘he set it upon his heart’.

In other words, this was a personal decision. It was a choice made according to his conscience, not a set of rules.

that God supported Daniel’s decision.

God enabled the four to look even healthier and better nourished than the other trainees who had been fed from the king’s table.

And not only that, God gave the four the wisdom they needed so they excelled in their training, graduating top of their class. They were ‘10 times better than all of the other magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom’ (Daniel 1:20). As a result, Nebuchadnezzar kept them on at his palace.

And so now the scene is set for the rest of the book of Daniel. We have learnt how Daniel and his friends came to be in Babylon, how they came to be in influential positions in the king’s court, and how they navigated what it meant to be loyal to the God of the Jew, while living in a very non-Jewish world.

There are more lessons in this chapter than that we should eat our vegetables (although we should do that too). It is a reminder that life on this world is not always clear cut, that we can’t always fall back on a list of rules to make decisions for us, and that some of our decisions won’t be understood by others—but that’s okay because they are between us and God, and God knows the intention of our heart.

Read Daniel chapter 1 • What do you think it means to be ‘in the world but not of the world’?

• Why do you think Daniel and his friends accepted the Babylonian education and names? Do you think they put limits on how far they would go with the education? If so, in what and how?

• Are there Christians in your life who have made decisions about their involvement in the world that disturb you? Will you bring these concerns to God today, and ask for God’s guidance for you and them?

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 21

CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

7

8

10

5

6

9

11

12

13

14

15

18

19

20

21

PUKEKOHE CORPS CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

22

23

Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 13 August: Porirua Corps 14 August: Lead to Grow Conference Dinner 15 August: Auckland Bridge Recovery Church 15–16 August: Visit of International Zonal Secretary, Auckland 22 August: Launch of Family Violence Programme, Manukau, South Auckland 25 August: The Warehouse Group Charity Dinner Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 11–14 August: Visit of International Zonal Secretary to Tonga 28 Aug–3 September: Zonal Leaders Conference, Bali

16

17

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

24

A warm welcome to all who have been connected with the corps.

7 9

10 11 12 14 15

Changed Large musical instruments Weighted balls used in Māori dances Between noon and evening Stationery item Dig into Shortcuts

17 19 21 22 23 24

Distant wide view Atomic number 8 Flexible sport Fully fit Cleaning blades Safe to eat

Down 1 2 3

Hue Chest protector Take issue

4 5 6 8 13 15 16 18 20 22

Musical dramas Scientific workplace Bonds Conclusion Summoned to court Analytic thinking A grand Size up Cream puff Book after Joel

PRAY Miramar, Mosgiel, Mount Maunganui, Mt Albert and Nadi Corps; Divisional Headquarters, Northern; The Salvation Army in Brazil.

To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Saturday 2 September 4 pm afternoon tea 4:30 pm Auckland City Corps Band Concert

(Door sales: $5 per person, $20 per family—this cost includes dinner— proceeds supporting local children in kindergartens and schools)

5.30 pm Celebration Dinner (RSVP for catering) Sunday 3 September 9:30 am prayer meeting 10 am Sunday meeting, led by Majors John and Kay Richards Morning tea to follow

For more info and to RSVP for the Celebration Dinner (09) 238 5641 | pukekohe_corps@nzf.salvationarmy.org Quiz Answers: 1 Jodie Whittaker, 2 The Opportunities Party, 3 Different Strokes, 4 A muster, 5 Peter (Matthew 17:24–27). Crossword Answers: Across: 7 Modified, 9 Pianos, 10 Poi, 11 Afternoons, 12 Eraser, 14 Research, 15 Abbreviations, 17 Panorama, 19 Oxygen, 21 Gymnastics, 22 Able, 23 Wipers, 24 Nontoxic. Down: 1 Colour, 2 Bib, 3 Disagree, 4 Operas, 5 Laboratory, 6 Connects, 8 Determination, 13 Subpoenaed, 15 Analysis, 16 Thousand, 18 Assess, 20 Eclair, 22 Amos.

Across

Men’s Events

Register today at www.promisekeepers.nz

Richard Brunton

David Dusek

Danny Guglielmucci

Tony McKeown

Sy Rogers

Nick Tuitasi

Founder Colmar Brunton

Rough Cut Men USA

Founder Edge Church Australia

Pastor & educator Eden Church

International communicator

Samoan legend QSM

Christchurch 18-19 August | Wellington 15-16 September | Auckland 6-7 October

22 WarCry 12 AUGUST 2017

‘Make your words good—you will be glad you did.’

Proverbs 18:20 CEV

Have You Been Bullied?

1. Talk about it. If someone is bullying you, talk to an adult about it—a teacher at school, a parent or someone else you trust. They will want to help you.

2. Hang with a friend. If you are getting bullied when you’re alone, ask a friend to hang out with you. Together you may feel safer.

3. Keep calm. It’s scary to be bullied, but ignore what is being said, ask the bully to stop, and walk away. When we get really upset, bullies sometimes want to be meaner to us for longer.

4. Pray. Pray for the bully. This will help you want to see life get better for them. It can also make you feel less afraid because you remember that God is on your side.

Has someone ever said or texted something mean to you? Or said unkind things about you behind your back? Did you cry, or get angry? Did you say nothing, but you felt yucky inside?

Never forget that even when people are mean or try to bully you, Jesus always loves and cares about you. So don’t let anyone make you feel bad about yourself.

Believe Jesus when he says you are special!

Sometimes people who are mean have stuff going on that is making them feel sad. They are looking for attention. It can help to pray for them and find ways to care about their lives. This way you change how you feel about them and you may find they change in how they treat you.

One more thing—Jesus wants us to remember how we feel when people are mean, so we only say kind and helpful words to others.

Because we don’t want anyone to feel sad because of what we say!

Ask Jesus to help you make others feel better by the words you say.

Dear Jesus, sometimes the things people say make me feel sad. I want to use my words to help others, so help me to be patient and to always use kind words. Amen.

12 AUGUST 2017 WarCry 23

Answer: Matthew 5:44, NIRV

Supporting Overseas Mission

Self Denial Appeal 2017 Will you give one week’s salary to change lives?

Watch the videos and bring your gift on Self Denial Sunday www.selfdenial.info

Fr�l� yo� � ��� r�ceived; fr�l� give.

Matthew 10:8