12 July 2014 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION |  July  | Issue  | $.

A SAFE PLACE TO

START AGAIN

Meet Chris Veldkamp

EPSOM LODGE

FIREZONE

TAKE A TIP FROM HOUSE RULES

Transform

Your World Inner

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

PLANTING SEEDS OF HOPE

DO WE WANT A PUNITIVE SOCIETY?

IMPERFECTLY PERFECT FAITH PREVENT PEOPLE TRAFFICKING CONFERENCE

IT’S NOT FAIR!

0 WarCry 12 July 2014

Kia ora Let trust grow WAR CRY

The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson 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

Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Kris Singh (music reviewer), Alisha Tyson (movie reviewer)

PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 601, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 4 64 Fax (04) 2 016 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 2 040 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $ per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT MakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

PAPER Novatech is an environmentally responsible paper manufactured under environmental management system ISO14001 using FSC Certified, Mixed Source, ECF pulp from well managed and legally harvested forests.

I heard—and saw—the most powerful definition of what it means to take a leap of faith a few weeks back at Recovery Church. Alan, a past graduate of the Addiction Services programme in Wellington who now works at Wellington Community Ministries, talked about his experiences going on a tandem sky dive in Australia. He played a video of him leaping out of the plane, tethered to a guide, taking the initial freefall and then gliding safely down to earth. It’s certainly a testimony to the quality of life that can be experienced once drugs and alcohol no longer have a grip on someone’s life.

Anyway, as I watching the footage of Alan’s face being buffeted by the wind on his descent, I was thinking that I could never, ever be persuaded to do the same thing. Not in a million years! I have such a terror of heights that even watching a TV programme with someone looking over the edge of a roof will have my toes curling.

Alan went on to talk about the expression ‘taking a leap of faith’. He was encouraging his listeners to take that leap during their recovery—to believe in a higher power, which in Alan’s case is God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. But it was Alan’s connecting of faith with trust that piqued my interest. We don’t have to trust to take a leap of faith, Alan pointed out. Trust grows later.

I guess I’d never really thought about this in such a practical way before: that trust is a gradual confidence that grows over time and through experience. In a Christian sense, as we learn that the faith we’re exercising in Jesus brings peace, wisdom and more for everyday life, that’s when we realise that faith is holding us up and keeping us safe. That’s also when doubts, although they will always surface, don’t control our hearts and minds. Instead, they can help spur us on to that next leap of faith, which gives us yet another opportunity to let trust grow.

If you’re wrestling with doubts, I’d encourage you to dive into Darren Elkington’s study on ‘Imperfectly Perfect Faith’ in this edition. Realise that whether your faith is large or small, God is there for you. And, as another writer wisely observed, ‘Faith, like a muscle, grows by stretching.’

05

09

11

1

Christina Tyson Editor

BIBLE VERSE 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  years

ISSN 004-0242, Issue 66 Please pass on or recycle this magazine

salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

salvationarmy.org.nz

John :12 New Living Translation

‘Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” ’ Hoani :12

18

‘I kī atu anō a Īhu ki a rātou, i mea, Ko ahau te whakamārama o te ao: ki te aru tētahi i ahau, e kore ia e haere i te pōuri, engari ka whiwhi ki te mārama o te ora.’

WISE WORDS

Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter.

Bono

0

Let’s Talk | 0

I

’ve become a real House Rules fan. For the uninitiated, this is an Australian reality TV show currently showing on TV3, where couples compete for the chance to have their mortgage paid by undertaking mammoth house redecorating projects.

The first few weeks involved remodelling each other’s homes, which were in various stages of disrepair. One couple even had an extension added to house the seven children in their new blended family. Quite an achievement in just seven days!

Of course, being reality TV, there are the requisite ‘manufactured’ elements where people are painted in a particular light for dramatic interest. Let’s face it, you’d have to be pretty keen on DIY to get excited by four hours a week of demolitions, painting, plastering and rewiring alone!

So we meet the couple that loves to bicker, the couple that seems to rub everyone else up the wrong way, and the bloke who’s prone to storming off. There are the requisite practical jokes to lighten the mood, and the drawn out ‘reveal’ episodes with all their laughter and tears.

Of course, following the show’s screening in Australia, there were revelations most of these couples were not as hard up as the ‘story’ of the show suggested. Shock, horror! And perhaps the somewhat style-challenged Tasmanians that were the first to exit may have been the most deserving of mortgage relief after all? But that’s reality TV for you!

So … back to my own reality. I am not a home decorator by any stretch of the imagination. My interior decorating style might be better described as ‘pile and clutter’—and it’s not even ‘chic clutter’. I admire beauty in a home; I just don’t know how to pull it off myself. For a while, I attempted to blame my DNA, but a few weeks back I visited my sister’s exceptionally tidy and impeccably decorated place in Christchurch. Of course, there is only one of her, and we are a household of four. But even so … in all honesty, I could see that I couldn’t blame my ‘décor de clutter’ (aka ‘mess’) on upbringing any longer.

When I considered how much these amazing House Rules competitors could accomplish in transforming an entire house from disaster to design in seven days, I was left with an undeniable challenge: surely I could clean up a few trouble areas in my own place?

So I did. (Thank you, House Rules, for the unexpected encouragement.)

Every day we make choices about how to tackle the uglier aspects of our lives. And perhaps one of the biggest areas to overcome is that of negative attitudes. We all face disappointments, health and financial challenges, along with issues with our partner, our kids and our work colleagues at times.

And we could understandably respond by adopting attitudes like resentment, martyrdom, self-pity and apathy. But this doesn’t bring beauty to either our inner or outer world, does it?

In the Bible, Paul (an early Christian leader), has some tips for introducing more beauty into any life. He writes, ‘… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things’ (Philippians 4:8).

When we continually dwell on the negative, our outlook becomes coloured by dark and pessimistic thinking. But when we make it our habit to focus on the positive things in life (and in others), we find our spirits lifted and our outlook turning to bright optimism.

If you’re frustrated by an ugly exterior world and suspect it may be influenced by some messy thinking on your part, give Jesus permission to take up residence and have greater influence in your life. Cooperate with him on an inner redesign and you’ll see the ugliness of negativity transformed by the beauty of joy.

Real change doesn’t happen in seven days—that’s only in the realm of TV—but it can last for a lifetime. CHRISTINA TYSON House Rules screens on TV3 Wednesday to Fridays 7:30pm, with the big reveals Sunday 7pm.

0 WarCry 12 July 2014

Bookshelf Church Doctrine Convictions Matter Roy Harris What difference do The Salvation Army’s beliefs make to today’s Salvationists? Each of the Army’s 11 doctrines is addressed, exploring the development of their theology; concerns and misunderstandings; and how these ideas affect our thinking and actions in daily life.

Chapters are divided into three sections: forming the doctrine, engaging the doctrine, and practicing the doctrine. Drawing on his experience as a teacher of doctrine in various roles, Major Harris articulates Army beliefs for a broad audience, with reflection questions for group study. An accessible, yet deep resource.

(Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda)

Playlist

Youth Mental Health When Nothing Matters Anymore Bev Cobain Everyone feels down or sad at times. But when these feelings hang on, affecting your body, behaviour, emotions and thoughts, you may be more than sad. You may be depressed. And teenagers are at particular risk. Bev Cobain is an expert on youth depression and suicide. In this, the second edition of When Nothing Matters Anymore, Bev has created ‘a survival guide for depressed teens’. Lifesaving information is coupled with inspiring stories from teens of their depression, despair and eventual recovery. An excellent section on ‘staying well’ from an author who correctly states that ‘being a teen is a hard job’. (Free Spirit)

Palliative Care The Best Care Possible Dr Ira Bycock In our Western culture we’re not good at dealing with dying. We don’t want to talk about it, let alone read a book about it. But Dr Byock, one of the leading palliative care physicians in the US, argues that the way we die is at crisis point. Science has outrun society—although we can prolong death these days, we are no longer so confident at providing care and dignity during the ‘waning years’. Rather than reading like a dirge, this book is filled with real life stories that put flesh and bones on a difficult subject, offering a best practice model for emotional and spiritual empathy. (Penguin)

Reel News

Pop/Rock Danny Gokey Hope in Front of Me Church music director turned American Idol finalist Danny Gokey’s latest record showcases his powerful soaring voice and couples it with some great introspective lyrics. With the death of his wife four years before his Idol appearance, there’s a tenderness and fragility that shines through this record. The title track’s huge snare, catchy vocal hook and layered synths are a great representation of this record. Gokey’s voice carries a weight and power that fully justifies his Idol fame, tastefully holding back when needed but unafraid to let loose just the same.

A tightly produced album, and while not musically complex, it’s a challenging and inspirational listen.

Worship Covenant Church Kingdom The second major release from the non-denominational megachurch Covenant Church from Dallas, Texas. An upbeat, energetic album that toes the line between creative and generic. The groove of Lakewood, the riffs of Planetshakers and the anthemic, synth-laden Hillsong Worship shapes the core sound, while the choir gives Kingdom a more intimate, congregational feel, rooted in solidly biblical lyrics. Tracks like ‘Let The Name of Jesus Reign’ are perfect for congregational worship, while the higher energy ‘New Every Morning’ and ‘Risen’ keep the album moving forward. With something for everyone, Kingdom is well worth checking out.

Mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement / R13 (violence & offensive language) Yes, What We Do in the Shadows is a film about vampires and werewolves.

But please don’t set this aside with shameful movies like the Twilight saga —this one is set to become a Kiwiana cult classic.

What we do in the Shadows explores a familiar theme (vampires) and a familiar subject (community), and manages to make both fresh. It achieves this is by being unabashedly Kiwi. Writers, actors and directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement have said this is a film for New Zealanders and for the fans of the film Boy (written and directed by Waititi).

Yes, it is of the horror/mockumentory genre but it is also a story of love that does not lessen once a person hits 70 ... or 200. It’s about maintaining friendships, especially when your best mate decides to be honest about a dark secret. And it’s a film that encourages us to give strangers a chance when they join our community.

The movie centres on three old European vampires in a flatting situation.

They haven’t adapted with the times, and New Zealand is in many ways still a foreign landscape for them. The newbie who joins this group has much to teach them, and he himself needs to be taught how to be ‘un-dead’. But there is that conflict where a community that is so settled has to shift itself to accommodate someone who needs a home. As Christians, we could learn a lot from the way these ‘monsters’ make room for one another.

GIVEAWAY To win a copy of Convictions Matter, tell us one important thing for the 21st century Salvation Army to remember.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 28 July.

Ruth & Billy Graham winner is: S. Bradley

Go to

salvationarmy.org.nz/saresources

Borrow from BCM library, p: (04) 528 8628, e: library@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Feature | 05

Cherie and her teenage daughter were abandoned by her husband last year. After he got a job in Australia, Cherie sent her daughter to stay with a friend, and then began several months enduring the bleak and desperate world of the homeless.

With no money to set up a flat, Cherie says her life was one of acute and constant worry—she lost almost 13 kg during her ordeal. ‘On a daily basis you’re living and breathing where you are going to stay that night­­—the worry is a huge drain.’

She says arriving at The Salvation Army’s supportive accommodation in Auckland, Epsom Lodge, it was a ‘huge relief’ just to know she was safe.

Cherie is one of the many homeless women who don’t qualify for emergency accommodation because they don’t have children in their care.

If they can stump up the money, their main accommodation alternatives are boarding houses that offer no support and are far less safe and secure than Epsom Lodge.

BY JON HOYLE

06 | WarCry 12 July 2014

he leafy middle class streets of Epsom, the Act Party’s electoral stronghold, are an unlikely place of refuge for the dispossessed and homeless. The sprawling complex, at its present site, was established in 1897, catering exclusively for men. The Salvation Army’s first supportive accommodation in Auckland opened in Parnell in 1884, providing a home for men released from prison.

In 2012, Epsom Lodge opened its doors to women, prompted by the Corrections Department’s concern that many women were being released from prison with nowhere to live or were heading back to the same home environments that helped get them into prison in the first place. Epsom management were also acutely aware of the vulnerability of women who lacked the security of their own home, and a shortage of services to address the problem.

The new service began with a four-bed unit. Initial demand prompted Epsom to expand the service to 12 beds, with management currently reconfiguring accommodation space so 18 women can be housed in self-contained, secure units if needed. All up, Epsom can accommodate 90 clients.

Epsom Lodge’s current directors, Captains Doug and Janet Newman, managed Invercargill Supportive Accommodation for four years up until its closure last year. They say while there was some trepidation over how introducing often traumatised women to a predominantly male environment would work, they were pleasantly surprised, and the women’s service has proved an invaluable addition.

The inclusion of women at Epsom also resulted in a more settled and respectful environment, says Janet. The men are conscious of the responsibility of being respectful towards the women, modifying their behaviour and language. ‘They are more gentlemanly,’ Janet says.

For the women, the service is a godsend. Clients spoken to by War Cry tell of some nervousness before coming to Epsom, but were relieved at finding a safe, secure and accepting home until they could build the confidence and skills to live independently.

Taking refuge Tania entered Epsom after she relapsed following 10 years of sobriety. She lost everything she had built up during that decade.

Tania completed a residential addiction treatment programme at The Salvation Army’s Addiction Services in December last year and then returned to Epsom. She considers it a safe place to start the new phase of her life, free from any influences and pressures that might affect her recovery.

She says it was ‘scary’ arriving at Epsom. ‘Because I didn’t know the environment and I felt really vulnerable when I came here. ‘Once I got here, the support from all staff was incredible,’ Tania says. ‘It is an incredibly safe and supportive place for women and that was a huge thing for me because I needed a safe place that was alcohol free.’

Epsom’s Women’s Services Manager Jo Ralston says her clients come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Like the great majority of Epsom’s residents, they face an array of complex problems to overcome before they're ready to return to wider society.

Jo previously worked at the Los Angeles Dream Centre in one of the city’s most deprived areas. The Dream Centre is similar to a community ministries but on a much larger scale. She says her Epsom clients are amongst the most fractured she has worked with.

Some have been recently released from prison, some have been working the streets, a number are waiting on or have recently completed addiction treatment, and some are escaping the traumas of domestic abuse and violence. Almost all arrive at Epsom emotionally battered with their self-esteem and confidence at rock

bottom, and more often than not, with their physical health in tatters. Most arrive with only the clothes on their backs.

The majority have children no longer in their care, and their overriding aim is to get themselves in an emotional and financial position to bring the family back together.

Generally, Epsom’s residents are people who are unable to live in the community independently but who are willing to work on removing the obstacles blocking them from leading independent and healthy lives.

Homelessness may be the express reason people come to Epsom, but it is the underlying causes of their homelessness that are the focus, says Doug. Apart from poverty, clients have historically faced great obstacles such as mental illness, addiction, criminal histories, childhood neglect and abuse, and ingrained emotional issues such as grief, anger and a lack of self-respect.

Helping people change on the inside can start a chain reaction that can improve everything else in their lives.

A new way The Salvation Army’s Supportive Accommodation Service is no longer simply the refuge for the homeless and disenfranchised that it once was. In recent years, a Model of Care was developed and rolled out

by The Salvation Army for its Supportive Accommodation centres in Christchurch, Palmerston North and Auckland.

In short, the model uses a structured and case-managed approach to help clients overcome their difficulties and prepare them for an independent and constructive life out in the community.

To do this, Epsom has had to up-skill, and now employs staff with counselling, social work and specialist alcohol and drug qualifications, medical staff, and provides additional in-house training.

Each client, together with a case worker, develops an individual plan outlining a series of achievable goals aimed at building selfconfidence as well as moving them toward the lives they aspire to.

All clients are required to commit to changing their lives and actively work toward their goals. These goals start modestly. If the main aim is to get a job, clients may start small by learning to develop a good routine, rising early and maintaining structure in their day, or starting to compile a CV—steps that move the client toward their main goal. But they also build self-esteem and confidence as they complete each step.

Jo says many of her woman clients are rebuilding their lives from scratch. So, their first goals might be as elementary as obtaining ID, securing a benefit and setting up a bank account.

The client’s case worker can pull in specialist services, depending on the client’s needs, such as onsite counselling, advocacy, medical care, financial supervision and budgeting, and programmes ranging from parenting to anger management. Clients can be referred to other Salvation Army services such as Addiction Services or Education and Employment, as well as other social and health services, government agencies, and services tailored for Māori and Pacific people.

Epsom augments these services with chapel, Recovery Church and a range of activities and cultural groups.

To foster change, clients are encouraged to help out, whether it be working on the gardens or sharing their skills and talents with other clients.

Doug Newman, who is also The Salvation Army’s National

Feature | 07

Capt Janet Newman with Graham and Peter outside the Epsom Lodge tranisitonal house.

Photography: Jon Hoyle Operations Manager of Supportive Accommodation, says this relatively recent multi-disciplined approach is paying off. ‘The key is for clients to challenge some of their old thinking and look at what their future might be, and we’re seeing so many positives. People are getting their self-esteem, their confidence back. They are reclaiming their lives—“I am not a victim, I can take control of my life so I don’t need to be here, I can move on.” ’ The first and single-most important task, says Doug, is to build a relationship and trust with each client. Without this, success is unlikely. ‘When I have a relationship with them, when I am invited in to join with them to share their challenges, only then do I have the right to cry out with them, and only then do I have the opportunity to care and to help.’

Janet points out that Epsom clients have been let down or betrayed so many times throughout their lives that developing trust is elementary to Epsom meeting its goals. ‘Some people would say they deserve it; but, of course, it’s God’s job to judge, The Holy Spirit’s job to convict, and my job to love.’

At Epsom, the model has been so successful that clients are typically staying for shorter periods than in the past. Almost 90 per cent of residents have moved on to accommodation and lifestyles that their case workers deem a positive progression.

Reducing reoffending Tyson Waters was a probation officer recently based at Epsom Lodge and is now a senior case worker at Auckland Prison. He maintains a working relationship with Epsom.

His role at Epsom involved closely working with staff to develop plans for those clients recently released from prison – often the more challenging clients, he says. The aim was to make the transition from prison to the community as smooth as possible, reducing the likelihood of reoffending. This work is ongoing.

Tyson says Corrections’ partnership with Epsom, and especially the lodge’s 24/7 support and supervision, has made a major contribution to turning ex-prisoners’ lives around and making the community a little bit safer.

‘A community is a collection of individuals, and not everybody is going to be in a place of strength all the time—people sometimes need help,’ he says. ‘That plays a pretty important part in terms of trying to keep our communities safer and trying to reduce reoffending.’

On the south-western corner of the complex sits a recently redecorated and spacious 1940s bungalow. Clients who are almost ready to leave Epsom can spend their final time in the recently opened transitional house getting to grips with running a household, cooking and managing flat finances.

One resident of the house, Peter, describes his life history as one of serious drug and alcohol addiction. Once a hospital technician, Peter was at Epsom following residential treatment at The Salvation Army’s Auckland Addiction Services. Epsom staff view Peter as a positive influence on his fellow residents and a mentor to some. This month he begins Bible studies at Laidlaw College.

Peter says he has regularly ‘sabotaged’ his life with the help of his addictions, severing his connections with his family. For Peter, his time in the house is about preparing himself to re-enter wider society.

‘It’s teaching me to be responsible for myself, and for me I don’t want a life to do with alcohol or drugs ever again—it’s all about hope for the future.’

Young Men Thrive at Epsom Lodge Epsom Lodge recently launched a service aimed at getting homeless 17-24 year-old males back on track.

The service came about through former Royal Oak Community Ministries’ Youth Worker Stewart Irwin’s informal investigations into homeless youth in Auckland and the woefully inadequate services available to them.

Now head of the youth programme at Epsom, Stewart says, broadly, its young men fall into two categories. The first are those who were under Child Youth and Family care and are now old enough to be deemed independent. The second group come from comparatively stable homes, but have been cut off or have severed ties with their families.

The great majority of these young clients have had some form of criminal involvement, around half have been substance abusers, about 25 per cent have mental health issues and all have experienced family breakdown to some degree. A significant number face a combination of the above obstacles to overcome.

For some, Epsom is their first stable home.

Stewart says, ‘Once they’ve settled in, they are pretty open to improving their lot. Sometimes it’s two steps forward, one backwards, but that’s life.

‘They all have a past, and they’ve been labelled and often they’ve been told they are rubbish, that they can’t do anything.

But put them in a positive environment where they feel valued and more often than not, they thrive.’

Like other Epsom Lodge clients, the young men are case managed with individual plans and goals to work towards. They are required to commit to working towards change. Stewart can call on the full range of Salvation Army services, as well as specialist services of other NGOs.

08 | WarCry 12 July 2014

ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH

Are you feeling SAD?

The Fairest of Them All

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a whole lot more than wanting to eat more carbs and feeling a little blue.

A boutique Kiwi business, All Good Organics, has been named ‘fairest trader’ in the world at the International Fairtrade Awards.

Out of 27,000 Fairtrade products in 120 countries, All Good Organics—a small, 100 per cent Kiwi company—was praised for their bananas and fizzy drinks.

Norman E. Rosenthal should get an award for ‘best use of an acronym’ in naming Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, in 1984. SAD is when you repeatedly experience long periods of low mood with changes in weather.

Symptoms include difficulty waking up, oversleeping, overeating, a craving for carbs, weight gain, and withdrawal from social activities. It’s what many of us simply call ‘winter’. But the difference between normal winter blues and SAD is that symptoms lead to ongoing depression, which includes feelings of hopelessness and a lack of pleasure. While once classified as a ‘disorder’, SAD is now considered part of the wider mental health issues of depression and bipolar.

Bananas are our nation’s number-one food, but initially the All Good founders were told Kiwis would never pay more for their bananas. Four years later, the supermarket big wigs have been proved wrong, with All Good bananas sold nationwide.

‘Now other suppliers are jumping on board with Fairtrade bananas, and you can find now them in every supermarket in the country. We’re really proud to have led that demand,’ says co-founder Chris Morrison, who also founded the Phoenix brand of organic drinks.

SAD is most prevalent in autumn and winter, due to disruptions to your body clock, a drop in serotonin levels—the ‘feel good’ hormone, and changes in melatonin—the chemical that helps you sleep. But SAD has also been diagnosed in spring and summer, characterised by anxiety and insomnia. Females are at greater risk than men, as well as those with a history of depression or bipolar—either themselves, or within their family.

All Good sources bananas from Samoa, which are made into dried banana chunks and sold at health food stores, and the bigger Cavendish bananas come from cooperatives in Ecuador. Wages for growers in Ecuador are as little as $3 a day, and the chemicals used contribute to bad health. ‘We’re about empowering the growers. It’s not charity, it’s about acknowledging they are business people and should be treated as such,’ says Chris.

To beat the winter blues, the most effective thing to do is to go out and get some sunlight. In Aotearoa, we’re lucky to have sunny sky days, even in the middle of winter—but getting any natural light is beneficial even on cold or cloudy days. Go for a long walk at lunch time, eat your lunch in the sun, or simply sit on a park bench.

Getting outdoors is especially beneficial within two hours of getting up. Make sure your home is as sunny as possible, and do regular physical activity—exercise is essential for positive mental health.

With 1.7 billion people drinking cola beverages every day, All Good felt they could make a positive difference to cola nut growers. But there were no Fairtrade cola nuts available, so All Good worked with farmers in Sierra Leone to produce organic cola nuts that met fair trading standards. They also worked with vanilla, ginger and sugarcane growers to produce their funkily-named Karma Cola, Gingerella and Lemony fizzy drinks.

If you think your low mood is more serious than winter blues, keep a record of your symptoms, note any other health issues and life stressors, then go and see your doctor.

A portion of every sale of Karma Cola goes straight back to the growers.

Within a year, All Good were able to build a bridge in the Boma village, to help rebuild the community after the devastating 10-year war.

‘When we were starting out, The Salvation Army were really supportive in getting behind and publicising our All Good bananas, so you’ve been really great,’ says Chris. Well, we reckon they’re all good, too!

To find out more, go to

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. Albert Camus

allgoodorganics.co.nz

Apple Crumble Wonderful comfort food for cold evenings | Serves  ½ cup of flour ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp mixed spice ¾ cup sugar g butter ½ cup rolled oats 4 medium-sized apples

Preheat oven to 190°C. Measure flour, spices and sugar in a medium-sized bowl or food processor. Cut or rub in the butter until crumbly, then add the rolled oats.

Grate the unpeeled apples into a shallow medium-sized ovenware dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over them.

Bake at 190°C for 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.

Serve hot or warm with cream or ice-cream.

Variation: Add about ½ tsp of mixed spice or cinnamon to the sliced apple and tops to mix. Grating the apples skin and all gives a ‘fresher flavour’ to the crumble.

By Simon & Alison Holst. www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A How can I make friends?

What makes friendship truly meaningful?

The World Day of Friendship is on 30 July, with the aim of promoting peace between people, cultures and countries through friendship.

It conjures images of holding hands around the world and swaying together—don’t get us wrong, that sounds fun, but most of us know making friends can be really hard.

In our culture, we hate to appear vulnerable, but to make friends you have to get over this and make the first move. Amie wanted to get to know her work colleague, Isobel, better—so she asked her to her birthday dinner. When Amie later confided she’d found it difficult to ask Isobel to her party. Isobel replied, ‘Well, I felt awkward cos I thought you were trying to set me up with some guy!’ Both felt vulnerable, but got over themselves and became good friends.

To make good friends, you have to be a good friend. Well, the number one characteristic of a good friend is trustworthiness. Think about how you would feel if a friend gossiped about you, and don’t be that kind of friend yourself. Take confidences seriously—don’t even tell your partner without permission.

Good friends are also easy to open up to: empathetic, caring, nonjudgemental and good listeners. To get to know someone better, it helps to be open yourself—which invites them to open up as well. But it can also be helpful to listen, and not relate everything back to yourself.

True friendships are life giving, which means respecting boundaries. If you feel your friend is not giving you enough, ask yourself what you are expecting from them.

It may be that your expectations are unrealistic, leaving you feeling disappointed. Friends are not just there to care for you, but to be cared for, too.

In our selfie-obsessed culture, we glamorise narcissism, but good friends are other-centred. As Jesus said, when you lose your life, you’ll gain it. When you give up your own agenda, you’ll discover true, lifegiving friendship.

Testify!

The Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC) is receiving plenty of rave reviews these days. Here are just a few …

‘We have had the pleasure of using BMAC for the past three years.

Once we discovered this amazing place, we have never considered looking anywhere else. Not only is the venue comfortable and clean, but it is affordable too. The staff have always been so happy and easy to deal with too. Five stars from us!’

Matt Renata, Youth and Young Adults, Hutt City Baptist Church ‘My girls have attended several camps at BMAC and are eager to get to more! Having them arrive home full of the joys of life and being a kid is so great. They love the activities, rave about the food, the location and the staff. Thank you, BMAC, for wonderful camp memories that I know will last a lifetime.’

Raylene Wood, mother of Kids Peak participant ‘As a person who could not be described as an outdoors or adventurous person, BMAC gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and push myself to reach new heights. In this process I was able to experience a beautiful part of God’s creation (seeing the sunset from the slopes of Mt Ruapehu is something I will never forget!) that without trying something new and a little daunting I would have never seen.

Though I definitely felt personally

challenged during my time at BMAC, I always felt safe and never felt any pressure to complete any activity that scared me … I was given the support to do things that people back home doubted I would ever do.’

Sam Ward, Winter Peak participant

Spread the word because BMAC is truly remarkable!

‘For the past seven years we have worked with BMAC staff for families that have experienced domestic violence … [who] have been given the confidence to make life-changing decisions in their lives. BMAC has always tailored our experiences with them so our participants gain all that they can from their time [there].’

Gabe Quirke, Family Violence Coordinator, Taumarunui Police ‘I’ve been taking groups of young people to BMAC from Southland for the past 12 years. It’s so much more than a place; it’s an experience for our young people that creates transformation. It’s great to know we are working with instructors who are on the same page when it comes to wanting to see positive change: spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. The outdoors is

such a cool playground, but it’s also an amazing school, church and life changer—BMAC captures all of these aspects in the way it operates. There is a strong culture of safety and professionalism, but also warmth, sense of fun and adventure.’

Darren Frazer, Youth Worker Winton Corps ‘Safety always comes first at BMAC, but it never kills the fun! I also love the little inspirational stories read out at the start of each day. Back at school, some of these stories are retold, which means the kids too must enjoy them and listen to them … I could not imagine ever trying to organise a camp like this, having to resource equipment and expertise. BMAC has it all and it is so simple to turn up and have a week of great people leading young people on a fantastic journey! The cost of coming to BMAC is also much cheaper than other camps offering similar activities and expertise, so why wouldn’t you go with BMAC? You’re always made to feel welcome—the BMAC crew is friendly, considerate, kind and very helpful. If you have not yet had a BMAC experience, you’ve certainly missed out! Do it, go to BMAC, see what they’ve got to offer, and spread the word because BMAC is truly remarkable!’

Iggy Gloy, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Let’s Talk I would like: to explore what it means to follow Jesus information about Salvation Army worship and activities prayer for the following needs:

NAME: ADDRESS:

Please post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

10 | WarCry 12 July 2014

GOSPEL MANIFESTO

CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

8

5

6

7

9

10

11

12

Ahead of the New Zealand General Election on 20 September, War Cry is publishing material from a Christchurch-based group of Christians suggesting a ‘Gospel Manifesto’. Experts will focus Christian voters on the teaching of Jesus and the local and global situation in which we live.

13

Priority : Are We a Punitive Society?

14

15

16

17

18

19 20

21

22

23

25

24

26

27

28

Across

Down

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 20 23 25 26 27 28

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 17 18 19 21 22 24

Kind of control Came before Make an impression Krypton, e.g.

Common city bird Typical example Sudden reddening Kind of fair Ballpark figure Frightened Author Guiding Indicating Adjusting for better function

Kind of witness Indigenous String of words Crush Place of worship Minus Exacting Repositioning Song holder Removing dirt Email Regret Nimble Clothing protectors

Let’s get quizzical …     

Where is the 2014 FIFA World Cup being held?

When did France last use the guillotine in an execution: 14, 10 or 1?

Which sport features an event called the keiran?

NZ model Rachel Hunter found fame in a TV advert for what product?

Which Bible character let birds fly out of his ship’s window?

Do you know someone aged 16 to 19 who could benefit from practical, zero-fees education?

The Salvation Army Education & Employment can help.

For more information phone 0800 437 587 or visit salvationarmy.org.nz/E&E

Prisons are but one measure of punitiveness, but the frequency with which we place people in them and the way we treat prisoners tells us a great deal about the nation’s attitude to power, authority, legitimacy, normalcy, morality, personhood and social relations. As Nelson Mandela said, ‘No one truly knows a nation until he has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but how it treats its lowest ones.’

New Zealand mostly presents as a just and peaceful nation. In the Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranks third in the world. In recent years, there has been a steady drop in the crime rate and modest decreases in reoffending and reimprisonment rates. These are all hallmarks of a socially just, peaceful cohesive nation that cares for its citizens.

But one indicator suggests otherwise: the extent to which we punish. The prison population in New Zealand went from 91 per 100,000 general population to 200 per 100,000 in 2009. This is well above other western democracies, with the exception of the USA. We are currently sandwiched between two West African nations, Gabon and Namibia in the ‘locking up’ stakes. Historically, we have locked up people at a rate higher than our Western neighbours.

Market reforms of the 1980s triggered the start of a more recent trend toward increased punitiveness. Crime was no longer an indicator of deprivation and need; its primary function was to signal indiscipline and inadequate controls, which must be dealt with through incapacitation.

These beliefs had the great political advantage of excluding any possibility that the offender may be disadvantaged, poorly socialised, or marginalised.

Instead, the solution lay in the

imposition of more controls, and a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to offending.

Increasingly, punishment has extended beyond the criminal justice system. The communities that most offenders come from have experienced a reduction in primary healthcare services, increased evictions from and ineligibility for social housing, decreased access to justice, increased levels of unemployment, a decline in the level of welfare support, the introduction of ‘workfare’, and increased pressure to ‘behave’ without any commensurate provision of support. In this scenario, the basic idea that all humans are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect gets lost.

How have Christians responded to this cultural shift?

In my experience, those who are actively involved in caring for prisoners and offenders find that church leaders and fellows in Christ are unsupportive.

As a result, many develop an ambivalent theological position between what they practice and what they believe.

There is often a gap between what we actually believe and what we think we should believe, between official and operative theologies. Official theology is the theology created by our particular orthodoxy, while operative theology consists of the beliefs that inform our day-to-day lives. In other words, Christians may feel compassion toward the least, lost and lonely, but publicly express views that are less aligned to the gospel and make them indistinguishable from non-Christians.

Our task as Christians is to recover an understanding of the social, collective nature of sin and salvation, both in terms of contemporary reality and biblical witness—a return to the social gospel of the early 20th century.

Kim Workman, QSO, is Senior Associate of the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University Wellington. He has served as Director of Prison Fellowship and Director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment.

Close Up | 11

Plant Seeds of Hope Jesus calls us to lives of generosity and self-sacrifice.

BY HEATHER RODWELL The biography of St Francis of Assisi reads like a game of two halves.

His early life in 12th century Italy was one of luxury, with a selfindulgent lifestyle funded by wealthy parents—to the detriment of his character and reputation.

Francis wasn’t attracted the idea of following his father into business; he much preferred the idea of being a war hero. When war broke out in 1202, Francis took his place in the Assisi cavalry. In a bloodied battle that killed many of his compatriots, he was captured.

Francis’ expensive armour marked him out as someone who could attract a healthy ransom and so his life was spared. He then spent a year in awful prison conditions, waiting for his father to pay the ransom demanded.

The 22-year-old man who returned from prison was dangerously sick in mind and body. The story goes that an encounter with a leper while out riding his horse one day became a pivotal moment in Francis’ life. He took a radical turn toward God. It was something of an epiphany, and the call came to rebuild the Christian church and to live a life of extreme poverty.

The rest is history, as they say. Despite being labelled ‘God’s fool’, others followed his lead. Amongst this, the movement of Franciscan monks was born. The second half of St. Francis’ life ended with his death at age 44 in 1226, yet his legacy endures.

This well-known prayer by St. Francis is worthy of our attention as we head toward The Salvation Army’s Self Denial Appeal, which is launched on Sunday 20 July.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, harmony; Where there is error, truth; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Each subsequent Sunday until Self Denial Appeal Sunday on 24 August, we’ll have a chance to consider The Salvation Army’s international mission to which our giving will be directed. This year, this appeal is called ‘Planting Seeds of Hope’. Maybe it will be the compelling words of New Zealand officer Captain Ian Gainsford reminding us that the buying power of our money is so much greater in Tanzania that causes us to give? Perhaps it will be other stories from China, Bolivia and Bangladesh that further compel us to consider carefully what we can go without, so that others can have hope.

The final lines of St Francis’ prayer—‘for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life’—bear remarkable resemblance to words of Christ. Jesus’ often counterintuitive teaching presents us with another set of operating guidelines for life, such as: ‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it’ (Mark 8:35).

Jesus’ words contain both a warning and a promise, paraphrased in The Message with an unmistakable clarity for our modern ears: Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? You can’t get much clearer than that!

It is imperative that we respond generously and joyfully by giving to the Self Denial appeal this year, but don’t let’s stop there. Why not undertake a deep assessment of the values that drive us in our regular everyday living? Are our lives the means of planting seeds of hope at all times? The easy part is sending money for others to distribute in far flung places of the world.

The more difficult challenge is the everyday ‘dying’ we must do so that we and those around us can really know life.

Major Heather Rodwell is Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development

1 | WarCry 12 July 2014

The New Testament reveals a God who perseveres with us regardless of our wavering faith, says Darren Elkington. It’s not about our efforts, but about God’s true perfection.

The gospels are full of stories where faith and doubt collide. Take the story about a father who came to Jesus, looking for healing for his son (Mark 9:17-24). He says to Jesus, ‘My son suffers terribly; he is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk, that seizes him and throws him violently to the ground, so I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.’ * Jesus turns to his disciples and says, ‘You faithless people! How much longer must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?’

Ouch! I’d imagine that comment would have hurt!

Jesus then asks that the boy be brought to him, but when the evil spirit sees Jesus, it throws the child into a violent convulsion. Jesus asks the father how long this has been going on. ‘Since he was a little boy,’ the father replies. ‘Have mercy on us and help us …’

It’s a fair plea: a father is grieving for his son and wants help, so he turns to Jesus and asks for mercy. But the father, it seems, is also riddled with doubt. After making his bold request for help, he then tacks on to the end, ‘… if you can.’ To which Jesus brazenly responds, ‘What do you mean, “If I can?” Don’t you know that anything is possible if a person believes?’

There is no doubt in Jesus’ mind that he can heal the boy. But the father remains unsure. ‘I do believe,’ he states, ‘but help me overcome my unbelief!’

I find these words quite comforting. The father’s response to Jesus is a mixture of trust and despair. And isn’t ours as well? When faced with turmoil or uncertainty, we too believe in God—we have faith, but even so, mixed in with our faith is uncertainty.

And yet despite the uncertainty, God still responds.

A responsive God Another time, Jesus’ disciples were in a boat and they were trying to get across to the other side of the lake. The wind was blowing and it was getting choppy, and then Jesus comes walking on the water out to them (Matthew 14:22-31).

They all think it’s a ghost coming toward them, so they cry out in fear. But Jesus says to them, ‘Do not be afraid, it’s me.’ ‘Lord, if it is you,’ replies Peter, ‘tell me to come to you.’

‘Come,’ says Jesus, and so Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water toward Jesus. But as he makes his way, he suddenly looks around and sees the waves and feels the wind … and then he comes to the realisation that he, too, is walking on water. He gets scared (naturally) and begins to sink. ‘Lord, save me!’ Peter cries.

And then, the Bible tells us that Jesus ‘immediately’ reached out his hand and caught Peter.

At this point, Jesus gives Peter a rebuke of sorts: ‘You of so little faith, why did you doubt me?’ And it’s a fair question! But Peter’s lack

of faith didn’t stop Jesus from rescuing him, either.

At different times in their lives, my children have come to me and said, ‘I’m scared, Dad.’ And when that happened, I didn’t punish them for being scared, nor did I take away my love and support for them.

After all, who does that? Who punishes a child because they feel scared or frightened or lack faith?

And if God is love, how do we think God responds when we are at our weakest? God doesn’t withhold his love or withdraw his hand (Well, Peter, you can just sink!). When we get scared, or when we lose faith, or when our faith is low, it’s in those times that God’s love, God’s strength and God’s protection abounds.

I find this quote from R.T. France very helpful and reassuring: ‘It’s not the amount of faith which brings the impossible within reach, but the power of God, which is available to even the smallest faith’.

Thinking back on the story about the father and his troubled son, Jesus could have said to the man, ‘Go and work on your doubt, and when you have it all sorted out, come back to me.’ But Jesus doesn’t say that. The boy’s father says, ‘Help my unbelief’ and Jesus responds.

A father turns to Jesus and asks for mercy. But the father is also riddled with doubt.

Imperfectly perfect When the temple in Jerusalem was originally built, it had three parts: the outer court, the inner court and the holy of holies. The holy of holies area was a sacred space surrounded by a thick veil where no one was permitted to enter except the High Priest—and even then he could only enter once a year.

That day was known as the ‘Day of Atonement’, but preparations began a week before. The high priest was taken away from his home to a secluded place where he would live completely alone, so he couldn’t accidently touch anything that was considered unclean. The other priests would attend to his needs, bringing him food and such, so that the high priest could concentrate solely on preparing his heart.

On the night before the Day of Atonement, the High Priest wouldn’t go to bed. Instead, he stayed up all night, praying and reading God’s word—all in an effort to purify his soul.

When the Day of Atonement finally arrived, the High Priest would wash himself from head to toe, before dressing in pure, unstained white linen. He would enter the Holy of Holies and offer an animal sacrifice to God, to pay the penalty for his own sins. He would then leave the Holy of Holies, bath again, and dress in a new set of pure white linen clothes. After this, the high priest would re-enter the Holy of Holies, this time sacrificing for the sins of the priests.

Then he would leave, complete the cleansing ritual one more time, and return to Holy of Holies a third time, this time sacrificing for the sins of all the people.

Soul Food | 1

Although only one man could enter the holy of holies (as the representative for the community of God), the cleansing process, the bathing rituals and the sacrifices that were made there were never done in isolation. On the Day of Atonement, the temple was crowded, with everyone watching as much as they could as closely as possible. Even the bathing was watched—although this took place (thankfully!) behind a thin screen.

The people and priests took so much interest in the ritual because they were concerned that nothing would be done wrongly. With God, they were taught, everything had to be perfect. And so, while in a sense they came to cheer on the High Priest, they were also there to ensure that he was as pure as can be.

In November of the second year of King Darius’s reign (around 520 BC), God gave the prophet Jeremiah a vision. It was a vision of Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the presence of God in the holy of holies. But his garments were not white or clean as they should have been. Instead, they were covered in excrement. Meaning that he was standing before God absolutely defiled.

God was revealing to Zechariah that in spite of our best efforts to be pure, to be good, to be moral, to cleanse ourselves, God sees our hearts. And our hearts—it turns out—are full of filth.

Imagine how soul-destroying that moment must have been for Zechariah. The people of God were trying their very best, doing all they could to ensure that the high priest stood before God clean of heart, clean of body, clean of soul. But their best efforts fell remarkably short.

But just as Zechariah was about to despair, God said to him, ‘I will send to you a new High Priest, a new Joshua.’ Today, we know this Joshua to be Jesus (Jesus and Joshua are the same name in Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew).

Whether you have lots of faith or small faith, God will respond ...

The perfect high priest In many ways, Jesus staged his own Day of Atonement. One week before his crucifixion, Jesus began to prepare. He enters Jerusalem, cleansing the Temple. Then, the night before his crucifixion, he doesn’t go to sleep; instead, he spends the night in prayer.

But what happened to Jesus next was exactly the reverse of what happened to the high priests of old. Instead of the crowd cheering Jesus on, they called for him to be executed. Instead of Jesus being clothed in pure white garments, he was stripped of the only garment he had. Instead of Jesus being bathed in water, he was bathed in human spit.

And why? The Apostle Paul puts it this way: ‘For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And since it is through

God’s kindness, then it is not by our good works. For if that was case, then God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved’ (2 Corinthians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Romans 11:6).

When it comes to faith, a belief (or faith) in God is essential. I am not denying this. But even so, a relationship with God is not based on what you can offer God, but on what God has already offered to you.

Whether you have lots of faith or small faith, whether you have no doubts or you are flooded with serious doubt, God will respond to you the same.

In his book King’s Cross, Timothy Keller puts it this way: ‘Through Jesus we don’t need perfect righteousness, just repentant helplessness.’ This reminds me that when it comes to our relationship with God, our faith is actually never enough. We need God, and we need God’s gift of grace. Not so that we can be perfect—because we cannot—but so that we can live a free and full life, fully dependent and reliant on the goodness and kindness of God. * Bible quotes from the New Living Translation Major Darren Elkington is Corps Officer (pastor) of Whangarei Salvation Army

Whether your faith is that there is a God or that there is not a God, if you don’t have any doubts, you are either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.

Frederick Buechner Wishful Thinking

1 WarCry 12 July 2014

Partnering for Progress at Prevent People Trafficking Conference

A FAIR GO FOR EVERYONE

‘It was great to play a small part in such an impressive conference’, ‘I am very grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding this, and it will lead to action’, ‘What a splendid conference—so much presented so well and in such a well-constructed programme …

Thank you very much indeed … for information learned and contacts made …’, ‘I enjoyed the variety of speakers and how there is such diversity, yet in a way which seems holistic.’

The primary aim for this year’s Prevent People Trafficking Conference was working together to combat labour exploitation and people trafficking within New Zealand and the South Pacific, so the spotlight remained fixed on the plight of vulnerable individuals who exist quietly within many of our communities today and who are being ruthlessly exploited for their labour.

It was the knowledge that the exploitation of workers is a growing issue of concern that led Immigration New Zealand, the New Zealand Police and The Salvation Army to partner together to plan and present the 2014 Prevent People Trafficking conference. The conference was held at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua from 5 to 6 June.

One hundred and two individuals and representatives of many government agencies, law enforcement, nongovernment organisations, churches, two embassies, health and aged care professionals listened, discussed and learnt.

Those attending came from differing backgrounds, cultures and understandings of the crime of human trafficking, yet collectively sought common ground and were united in their commitment to tackle all forms of exploitation that rob a person of the right to have a fair go at life.

Minister for Immigration, the Hon Michael Woodhouse, opened the conference and thanked its organisers. He then welcomed the two keynote speakers, Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland from the London Metropolitan Police’s Special Crime Directorate on Human Exploitation and Organised Crime and Phil Marshall, Director, Research Communications Group and also a Director of the Mekong Club, a Hong Kong-based initiative against modern forms of slavery.

The Minister acknowledged with appreciation the distance both men had travelled to share their valued experience. He also welcomed Marie Damour, Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy.

‘It goes without saying that people trafficking is a heinous crime and a grave violation of human rights,’ said Mr Woodhouse. Although New Zealand had not identified any cases of trafficking to date, he emphasised the need to have adequate measures in place to punish perpetrators and protect and support victims. He pointed to the sex industry and labour in the horticulture and viticulture industries as having been identified as high-risk areas for trafficking in the New Zealand context.

Marie Damour spoke briefly, affirming the progress and commitment made by New Zealand to address people trafficking and exploitation. She went on to outline the purpose of the US Trafficking in Persons report as a way of collaborating globally, working toward eliminating a crime to which no country is immune.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, who heads the London Metropolitan Police’s specialist human trafficking unit, set the scene, leaving no doubt that the driving motive behind the crime of human trafficking is money.

The product, which is sold online and on street corners, is a reusable one that can be resold time and time again: a human being. Unlike drugs, women, men and children can be sold on, increasing their profit value for seller and buyer.

Forget clandestine meetings hidden well away from public view—Kevin showed the conference delegates surveillance photos taken on London’s busy Oxford Street. Money for human goods was being exchanged in broad daylight among throngs of shoppers.

A standout dynamic in this year’s conference was the careful choice of topics and speakers to cover a range of issues that have been identified as priorities for New Zealand and the South Pacific. These were addressed by practitioners that are actively engaged at the grassroots in tackling all forms of labour exploitation.

Whether presenting on behalf of a government department, law enforcement or from wider civil society, each one could speak not just from their skills and experience but also from their passion for prevention and disruption of exploitation at the local level. During the course of the two days, repeated prominence was given to engaging at the grassroots with communities and, above all else, of the importance of civil society working together.

Understanding the environment

Nonie from the Indonesian Society graphically portrayed what life is like for those whose hopes and dreams of earning a decent wage are repeatedly and cruelly shattered. Hearing her first-hand account of what life is like for the fishermen that

The focus on the first day of the conference was on ‘Understanding Our Environment’, with an emphasis on improving baseline information.

Seeing the people

fish within our waters was gut wrenching. Most people in New Zealand would not hesitate to take action when in an abusive workplace environment, but for many of our migrant workers— on sea and land—simply going home is not an option.

Fisherman Edi’s reply to Nonie’s question as to why he didn’t simply up and leave was, ‘Mam, the stakes are huge. You can imagine just how much money I would lose. I would have to pay a penalty, I would lose my collateral. My house, which belongs to my parents, would not be mine. How could I do that to my parents, my wife and my children? And if I decide to end the contract now, it will be very difficult for me later on to find a job with the agency. The agent will tell other agents as well and I will not be able to get a job again.

I have to finish my contract, despite the psychological stress and suffering.’

Time and time again, conference sessions emphasised the real life situations being played out in our country right now, involving real people whose hopes and dreams of building a life for themselves and their families have been shattered.

Many of the affected workers are not looking for redress over false promises and exorbitant recruitment fees; they simply want to be paid, to have some money for their labour to send home to their families.

So, is it simply a case of raising awareness to prevent such abuse happening here in New Zealand?

Just raising awareness is not the solution, for although it was acknowledged several times during the conference that prevention and awarenessraising both have their place within the anti-trafficking framework of response, they are but a small part of the picture and not the whole picture. The emphasis first and foremost must be on addressing the vulnerability factors that see

Our Community | 15

women, men and children exposed to being trafficked and exploited.

The evolving response

This was the driver behind the presentation given by Phil Marshall on our second day.

The day’s overall focus was on ‘The Evolving Response’, with an emphasis on building on present-day action and progress.

Phil’s presentation, entitled ‘Leaking taps and missing kidneys’ graphically outlined the harsh reality that current antitrafficking efforts are largely ineffectual, with less than one percent of victims identified and a mere handful of traffickers brought to justice.

As an illustration of this, Phil stated that in 2005, there were an estimated 66,000 legal kidney transplants worldwide and an estimated 5000 cases of illegal trafficking for kidneys.

Phil posed the question that if there is a shortfall of 5000 kidneys each year, what is the solution? Surely, concentrating efforts to increase the global donor base legally would be far more effective than raising awareness or trying to address the trafficking of illegal kidneys?

Crowding out and disrupting the profits of the trade at source works to make the trafficking of people uneconomic. This, coupled with addressing the root causes of why people get caught

up in the trap of trafficking in the first place, must take top priority for any work going forward, he said.

Matt Morrison, co-founder of ‘All Good Bananas’, a Fairtrade business that has received a top ethical business award for two years’ running, confronted us with the sobering reality of global trade injustices, when he observed, ‘Those who produce much of the food we eat are among the hungriest people in the world.’ Matt issued a salient challenge to all delegates when he observed, ‘It’s much easier to get noticed if you stand for something.’

In The Salvation Army’s ongoing fight against human trafficking, we clearly have to stand with those who are being exploited, doing all we can to ensure their plight is noticed so that this trade in humanity comes to an end.

Perhaps the last word is best left to OCEANZ (Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand), an initiative of the NZ Police to combat the growing crime of sexual exploitation of children, to which no country seems immune. The presentation concluded with the stark observation that ‘the worst thing you can do is nothing’.

Chris Frazer (Social Justice Advocate, Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit)

Go to salvationarmy.org.nz/sppu to learn more about The Salvation Army’s Social Policy Parliamentary Unit

TRIBUTE

Morvin Te Anatipa Simon Morvin Simon, respected Māori historian, academic, composer, choirmaster and kapa haka leader, passed away in Wellington on the 14th of May. His tangi was attended

by Chief Secretary Colonel Graeme Reddish and the Principal of Booth College of Mission, Major David Noakes, along with a number of Māori Ministry members.

Morvin was a great friend of The Salvation Army and an encourager of its Māori Ministry, penning the Salvation Army ‘I’ll Fight’ haka—‘Ka Whawhai Tonu Ahau’, based on the words of Salvation Army founder William Booth. This and many other contributions are part of Morvin’s legacy to The Salvation Army.

Morvin and the late Aux-Captain Joe Patea—who led The Salvation Army’s Māori Ministry with his wife Aux-Captain Nan Patea until Joe’s promotion to Glory in April 2011 —were born and bred on the same marae, attending school together and maintaining a strong relationship. It was Morvin who encouraged Joe and Nan to tour overseas with the Wellington Citadel Band in 2002, the start of the couple’s journey with the Army.

When the Pateas were commissioned as rangatira of the Army’s Māori work in 2006, they asked Morvin for advice on teaching marae protocols and customs. Morvin had written a programme called ‘The 7 Veils of Marae Protocols and Customs’ that he was using elsewhere and gave the Pateas permission to use this.

We’d love to hear your news We’re looking for stories of recent happenings at your corps or centre.

Generally 400–600 words with one or two clear and well-captioned photos. Promotion to Glory tributes are usually around 300 words.

Please send large, high-quality digital images in .jpg format.

Email news reports to warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, or phone (04) 384 5649 to discuss with the editor in advance.

Morvin was the wellspring of matauranga Māori that gave to The Salvation Army the process of Māori pōwhiri/mihi whakatau at the graduation and commissioning of cadets from Booth College of Mission. He was sensitive to the fact that the majority of those involved were Pākehā, but was also adamant that Māori protocols be followed.

‘Piri Mai’, written in 2008, was the first of Morvin’s compositions for The Salvation Army. It used

words that had real meaning for Salvationists: brothers, sisters, world, salvation and workers. Kura put actions to her husband’s waiata.

Joe then approached Morvin about writing a haka for The Salvation Army, and this was launched at congress meetings in 2010.

After Joe’s death, Morvin continued to provide support for Nan in her ongoing leadership role, particularly at hui around the country.

Despite his worsening health, Morvin wrote several new waiata for the 2013 Salvation Army congress. This included ‘Kotahi Nei’, a poi dance based on the theme of the ‘One Army’ congress, and a welcome waiata, ‘Hei Piringa’. More waiata have been given to The Salvation Army by Morvin, and through Nan, will be taught to Salvationists.

Following last year’s Queen’s Birthday honours, Nan was privileged to be present for the investiture of Morvin and Kura when the couple were awarded the MNZM and QSM for their services to Māori. The Salvation Army also wants to acknowledge Morvin’s valued service to Te Ope Whakaora, which will be a taonga for generations to come. Morvin is survived by 11 children and almost 50 mokopuna.

Moe mai e te Tangata Rongonui, tōku hoa, i roto i te aroha, takoto mai i runga i tō atamira. Haere e hoa ki te urunga te taka, ki te moenga te whakaarahia, te pō, ki a koe, e moe, haere, haere atu rā. Haere ki te tōrona o Īhowa, haere ki te Kaiwhakaora …

Sleep the loving sleep, renowned and respected Leader, my friend. Lie there upon your stage. Depart my dear friend, to the place where the pillow does not fall, where one cannot be roused from the bed. The void is yours!

Sleep on! Go forth to the throne of the Lord and to the Redeemer. Ake, ake, ake, amine!

Aux-Captain Nan Patea (Territorial Secretary for Māori Ministry)

16 WarCry 12 July 2014

First Visit by a Salvation Army General to Kuwait

The first visit of a Salvation Army General to Kuwait was a time of challenge and great encouragement to Salvationists and friends of the Middle East Region. It included a meeting between General André Cox with the Crown Prince that was spoken about as a significant moment for all Christians in Kuwait.

On Friday, the international visitors met Salvation Army leaders from the Gulf countries that make up the Middle East Region —Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates—and joined young people of Kuwait Corps (church) for a time of challenge and prayer. General Cox stressed the importance of people’s relationship with God being real so they can be effective in his will and build up God’s kingdom.

The international visitors moved on to the National Evangelical Church compound to be welcomed by hundreds of enthusiastic onlookers, including flag-waving, singing Salvationists. At the public welcome and celebration—held with the Lighthouse Church—the 500-seater hall was packed with celebrating worshippers.

On Saturday, Sheikha Hussah Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah (wife of the Amir’s nephew, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, and world-renowned collector of Islamic art) arranged for the General and Commissioner Cox to tour of the Americani Cultural Centre. The guests appreciated the display of Islamic art but were also pleased to visit what could be called the spiritual birthplace of Christianity in Kuwait, where Dutch Reformed Church missionaries to Kuwait made their home 100 years ago.

The party then moved to a lunchtime reception for 50 people, that included embassy staff, senior church leaders, lawyers and representatives of those helped in The Salvation Army’s Booth House social care programme. Everyone was given the gift of a mug that featured a quotation from General William Booth: ‘I like my religion like I like my tea: hot!’ Guests also received some tea, literature and some Booth House marmalade, made with oranges from the grounds of the UK embassy. The General was presented with his own gutra headgear, which a willing Kuwaiti helped him to put on.

Lunch was followed by a Salvation Army-style praise celebration back at the church, featuring the youth praise band, brass band, youth drama, a flag-waving welcome from children, along with praise, prayer, preaching and challenge.

On Sunday, the international leaders were welcomed to the Seif Palace by His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait. General Cox told the Crown Prince that Christians are grateful for the freedom they have to worship in Kuwait, and assured him that The Salvation Army seeks to be of help to the state and people of Kuwait. The Crown Prince told the General that he wants to help The Salvation Army.

After some time, the Crown Prince asked: Why the name ‘The Salvation Army’?, which gave the General opportunity to speak about the Army and its work for the Lord, at the same time advocating for all Christians in Kuwait. Responding to questions by others in the

room, the General told of the realities of poverty in Victorian Britain and the emergence of William Booth’s Salvation Army, its growth around the world over 149 years, and its desire to help all people in need, regardless of colour, race or religion. The General presented the Crown Prince with a simple plate featuring the Lord’s Prayer inscribed in Arabic, a copy of The Salvation Army Year Book and a model camel made at Booth House.

The meeting between the Crown Prince and the General was filmed and shown on TV channels in Kuwait. Reports and pictures have featured in newspapers throughout the Gulf countries.

The visit and its coverage have been greatly encouraging to The Salvation Army congregation in Kuwait, members of which include an expatriate Canadian teacher and Asian doctors, alongside impoverished African and Indian labourers. Senior leaders of other denominations have said that they believe the General’s meeting with the Crown Prince will be beneficial to all Christians in Kuwait.

Later in the day, the international leaders visited the Booth House social care programme, which has a tremendous ministry caring for women who have been trafficked. General Cox was introduced to ‘Annette’, a Booth House resident, shortly before she left for the airport to return home to safety.

As he departed, the General prayed a blessing on the group, on The Salvation Army, on Kuwait and its people, and on Kuwait’s leaders, the Amir and the Crown Prince.

GAZETTE Appointment in Retirement Effective 16 June: Mjr Ray Gordon, Assistant Officer, Levin Corps, Central Division.

First-Time Grandparents Congratulations to Mjr Alister and Anne Irwin on the birth of Micah John Hutson Irwin, son of Stewart and Collette Irwin on 24 June in Auckland. May God bless Micah, his parents, and grandparents, Mjrs Alister and Anne Irwin and Lt-Cols Ian and Lynette Hutson.

Corps Closure Effective 1 July: Due to declining Sunday and week-day attendances, it is with deep regret that the closure of the South Otago Corps is announced. Many years of faithful service has been evident by the officers and soldiers who have been about God’s work in the Milton/Balclutha area over the past 130 years, and The Salvation Army honours that loyal service. Some of the Army’s ministry and mission will continue in the area, with a Community Ministries centre continuing in Balclutha, supported by Family Stores in Balclutha and Milton. We pray God’s blessing, wisdom and strength as the South Otago Mission Station operates in God’s name.

Corps Name Change Effective 1 July: At the request of the corps and with support from Southern Divisional Headquarters and Territorial Headquarters, the decision has been made to change the name of Timaru Fortress Corps to Timaru Corps.

Noticeboard | 17

Whangarei Corps Celebration of Bandmaster Phil Robertson

CALENDAR JULY –: Men’s Camp / Tonga Region : Moral and Social Issues Council / Territorial Headquarters : Divisional Review / Southern Division : Regional Women’s Night of Prayer / Fiji Division –: International Conference of Leaders / Singapore : Self Denial Appeal launch : 24/ Prayer/Combined Youth Night of Prayer / Fiji Division : Young Adults Event / Central Division : Local Leaders Training / Tonga Region : Youth & Children’s Leaders Spiritual Retreat / Northern Division –: Tri-Territorial Planned Giving Conference / Melbourne : Blaze Youth Event / Central Division : School for Officer Training Spiritual Day / Fiji

AUGUST : Regional Lunch (Auckland City & Auckland South) / Northern Division –: National Youth Band at Christchurch City Corps / Southern Division –: Territorial Young Adult’s Retreat / Waikanae –: Brengle for Officers / Booth College of Mission : School for Officer Training Spiritual Day / New Zealand

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Sunday  August

Whangarei Corps are celebrating that Phil Robertson has served God and the Army as bandmaster for 50 years, and would like to extend an invitation to former Whangarei Corps Band members to join in the celebration. The band (including former members) will provide music from 10:15 am, followed by a celebration service at 10:30 am and a fellowship lunch. For more information, contact the corps office on: (09) 438 8335.

International Congress: Group Travel – July 

Are you planning to go to the Boundless International Congress in London in 2015 as The Salvation Army celebrates 150 years since it was founded by William and Catherine Booth?

If so, are you also interested in being a part of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga group travelling to this occasion? Please contact our congress coordinators, e: nzftboundless2015@nzf.salvationarmy.org to register your interest and receive regular updates on the group travel arrangements.

Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries)

Go to www.boundless2015.org for more information on the International Congress.

– July: International Conference of Leaders / Singapore  August: Brengle Holiness Institute – August: Palmerston North Corps  August: Retirement Service for Colonels Graeme and Wynne Reddish

Words of Life: Latest Edition Out Now!

Colonels Graeme (Chief Secretary) and Wynne Reddish (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) – July: Appointments Consultation – August: Fiji Divisional Review  August: Retirement Service

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Queenstown, Raiwai, Rangiora, Rotorua Corps, Rolleston Corps Plant, Salvation Army Defence Force Chaplains, The Salvation Army Pakistan Territory.

Crossword Answers: Across: 8 Damage, 9 Preceded, 10 Register, 11 Planet, 12 Pigeon, 13 Specimen, 14 Blushes, 16 Science, 20 Estimate, 23 Scared, 25 Writer, 26 Steering, 27 Pointing, 28 Tuning. Down: 1 Material, 2 Native, 3 Sentence, 4 Oppress, 5 Temple, 6 Negative, 7 Severe, 15 Shifting, 17 Cassette, 18 Cleaning, 19 Message, 21 Sorrow, 22 Adroit, 24 Aprons. Quick Quiz Answers: 1 Brazil, 2 1973, 3 Cycling, 4 The Tip-Top Trumpet, 5 Noah (Genesis 8:6).

Is your church celebrating the arrival of the Bible in New Zealand 200 years ago?

September to December 

Daily devotional messages to bring the power and wisdom of God’s Word into your everyday life.

Concluding 2014’s ‘Love’ series, Major Beverly Ivany takes ‘Amazing Love’ as the theme for this edition.

What love we see in the Old Testament! It shines through Ezekiel’s visions; we see God’s works of love in the lives of the minor prophets Joel, Jonah, Habukkuk and Malachi; and in the New Testament we witness God’s love in Paul’s letters to the Philippians and Timothy, as well as in the letters from Peter and John to God’s people. The year closes with Jesus’ magnificent Revelation, before a glimpse into the Christmas story.

Order today from Salvationist Resources. Phone: (04) 382 0768, email: mailorder@ nzf.salvationarmy.org.

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

GET INVOLVED

Free resources available at www.biblemonth.org.nz

18 WarCry 12 July 2014

LEADERSHIP LINKS

Anti-Trafficking Prayer Resources Now Available We sit in solidarity and partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Have you heard the phrase ‘first world problems’? It describes the sort of things we moan about as minor inconveniences, but that many other people in the world could only dream about experiencing. One of my favourites is: ‘I have too many chips for my dip, but if I open more dip, I’ll have too much dip for my chips.’ First world problem!

I suppose this trending phrase at least indicates that people in richer parts of the world are thinking about their situations with a greater awareness of the relative position of privilege.

However, the reality is that we still too often take this position for granted, which can lead to a sense of entitlement.

In recent days, our family has experienced a situation where we required urgent and specialist medical care. Thankfully, everything we needed was quickly available, with good resources and high levels of care that ensured a positive outcome. But how different the situation and its outcome would have been if we had been living in many other parts of the world!

As I think about this in the light of The Salvation Army’s upcoming Self Denial Appeal, I realise it’s extremely relevant to think about ‘developing world problems’. As we focus on the many needs for resourcing by The Salvation Army in countries like Tanzania, Bangladesh, China and Bolivia, I am reminded of just how rich we are in this part of the world. And so, as we prepare to give to this vital Salvation Army appeal, will we give generously in reflection of our comparative wealth and privilege, or will we give just a little, perhaps reflecting a sense of entitlement?

Some people would call it an ‘accident of birth’ that we find ourselves living amongst the ‘haves’, rather than the ‘have nots’. But the truth is that we do not sit apart from the wider Salvation Army world­—we are one Army and sit in solidarity and partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Old Testament asks the question: ‘Am I my brother’s (and sister’s) keeper?’ And the clear answer is that we most certainly are! God would have us keep our brothers and sisters around the world in a state of safety and security, as much as we are able.

In the New Testament, Jesus says, ‘When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required’ (Luke 12:48, NLT). Now, that’s a first world problem, isn’t it?

We, who have much, need to do our part to solve the problem of poverty and lack of resources in poorer parts of the world. Your response to the Self Denial Appeal will be part of this solution.

Lieut-Colonel Lynette Hutson Territorial Secretary for Business

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD Matthew 6:21

‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’

A selection of new resources has been made available online ahead of The Salvation Army’s Annual Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking 2014.

Sunday 28 September has been set aside as this year’s day of prayer, when Salvation Army corps (churches) and centres around the world are encouraged to call on God in focused prayer to bring hope and freedom to the staggering number of people trafficked every year.

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Reliable reports show that millions of people around the world are subjected to human trafficking. The techniques used by traffickers and the forms in which trafficking is manifested are various, but what is common to them all is the exploitation of some people by other people. Those who are victimised include babies, children, teenagers, women and men.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says that even though more people are becoming aware of the issue, the number of people being trafficked continues to rise: ‘People trafficking is the fastest-growing means by which people are enslaved, the fastest-growing international crime, and one of the largest sources of income for organised crime ... There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk.’ A report by the International Labour Organisation estimates that at least 44 per cent of the 21 million people that are victims of forced labour worldwide have been trafficked.

The Salvation Army is deeply committed to fighting human trafficking however it may be manifested, seeking to exercise care in restoring the freedom and dignity of those affected.

2014 is the eighth year that a day has been specifically set aside by The Salvation Army to pray for the victims of trafficking.

As in 2011 and 2012, the Bible verse chosen as the theme for the 2014 day of prayer is Jesus’ words from John 10:10, ‘I have come that they may have life.’

A powerful array of resources—including a link to the Army’s Positional Statement on Human Trafficking, a sermon and Bible study material, poetry and prayer ideas, PowerPoint presentations and information about The Salvation Army’s antitrafficking ministry—can be accessed from a new anti-trafficking section of the International Headquarters (IHQ) website: www. salvationarmy.org/ihq/antitrafficking.

The site also includes a promotional poster that corps can download for local use. There is an English version and a blank version to allow the poster to be adapted into other languages.

Further resources will be added to the site between now and September. More information about the Army’s antitrafficking ministry can be found in the July-September issue of the international women’s magazine, Revive. Copies can be ordered through the Salvationist Resources Department at Territorial Headquarters in Wellington (www.salvationarmy.org. nz/saresources).

Mission Matters 19

It’s Not Fair!

Part of a series of occasional articles from The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission. James Read and Don Posterski look at the disparity of a world where not all are born equal.

Every parent has heard the retort: ‘It’s not fair!’ Just the smallest hint of favouritism is all that is needed: ‘His piece of cake is bigger than mine’, ‘I didn’t get to stay up that late when I was her age!’

Children have an injustice radar device that instinctively strikes out with ‘it’s not fair’.

‘It’s not fair’ injustice is flagrant in the sports world. The steroid cheaters stain their achievements, damage their sport and disrespect their competitors. Whatever the level, amateurs, professionals, or Olympians, some athletes are ready to sacrifice the integrity of their souls for a chance to win.

Still, there is another ‘it’s not fair’ domain that is much more devastating. This domain is wrapped in the oppression of the world’s poverty. People who are uneducated, unemployed, frequently unhealthy and often hungry are the victims. Families whose children die unnecessarily of preventable deaths are the victims. Mothers who birth HIV-positive babies and are caught in the poverty web are the victims. Young girls with no choice of their own who are abused as sexual toys are victims too.

One of the inescapable dilemmas in life, over which we have no control, is where we are born. We simply arrive … somewhere. In most cases, people in the poverty domain inherit their plight. They are born into an ‘it’s not fair’ existence.

All countries on planet earth are not created equal. Some have more natural resources. Land in some countries is highly productive compared to others. Fresh clean water is abundantly accessible for the favoured; the unfavoured dig wells with their fingers crossed.

Some governing authorities create opportunities, while others stifle initiatives.

Economically, there are Bread Countries and Cake Countries.

Bread Countries are marked with few choices and limited opportunities. Education is not a human right, especially if you are a girl. Safe water may require a trek that takes most of the day.

In the Bread Countries, healthcare is meagre; the national average spent on it amounts to less than $20 per person per year. Unless you are connected to the ruling class, employment opportunities are dependent on self-created initiatives. The idea of a ‘social safety net’ is not a part of your vocabulary. You may not really have the freedom to choose where you worship. And if you are born poor, with only a few exceptions, you live poor and you die poor.

Tragically, Bread Country people are too frequently robbed from living productive lives.

Cake Countries are marked with choices galore and abundant opportunities. Social stability gifts Cake Countries with predictability. Going to school is the law. You turn a tap to access safe water and flip a switch for electricity. Healthcare may be expensive but you choose which doctor you desire to see. In Cake Countries it is not unusual for the national average spent on healthcare to exceed $3500 per person per year. Government programs subsidise vocational training. If you are laid off from your job, you qualify for unemployment benefits. Not everyone is employed or employable, but if you must receive welfare, you do. Freedom to worship where and when you want—or not to worship at all—is your choice. If you are born into the bottom end of the economic scale in Cake Countries, there are still opportunities to climb the ladder.

It is no wonder that people look at disparity in the world and conclude, ‘It’s not fair!’

Serious followers of Jesus conclude that seeking justice for others is part of the Christian way.

So, what’s our point?

It’s that serious followers of Jesus conclude that seeking justice for others is part of the Christian way. They reject the idea that you can close your eyes. At a minimum, they cannot rest until those who are grappling with ‘not fair’ circumstances begin to live a ‘more fair’ existence.

People who embrace the spirit of justice push back against ‘it’s not fair’ circumstances. Their justice disposition has a radar device that flashes ‘it’s not fair’ messages on the screens of their minds.

A justice disposition is not inherited. It is acquired. Those on the journey pay the price of becoming informed, pondering the complexities, naming injustices, thinking and praying beyond self-interest, advocating for the marginalised, giving strategically, collaborating with the like-minded and loving their neighbour as themselves. At the International Social Justice Commission, we think about these things and try to do something about them. What do you think?

The International Social Justice Commission is The Salvation Army’s strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice with the world’s poor and oppressed. Go to salvationarmy.org/isjc

TESTIMONY

nce Upon A Time AS TOLD TO HAYDEN SHEARMAN

few years ago Chris Veldkamp’s existence was essentially Grand Theft Auto in real life. That was until a drug overdose put him in a coma where he died for 74 seconds. Life for Chris has changed since then, in massive ways.

You’re 24 now, but the past three years have been pretty crazy. How did this journey of transformation start? I was a drug addict for quite a few years. I used daily. I was really bad.

I was 21 and weighed 45kg—really unhealthy.

I tried to kill myself by overdosing on drugs, and was successful. My mum walked in and I was on the ground. In the hospital, while I was in a coma, I died for a minute and 14 seconds, but they brought me back.

I was in hospital for about three weeks. It sucked. I was hooked up to all sorts of different wires, beeps, drips and intravenous lines. They gave me methadone to help get me off the drugs.

They were like, ‘I’ll give you really strong drugs to get you off the even stronger drugs.’ I didn’t know how that was going to work, but it did work.

Then, for six months, I was locked down out of society in rehab, and that helped. I was in a clinic and all I had was my dad and my brother and family to get me through it. That sucked too.

So what was it like going cold turkey in rehab, not having access to drugs? I was just like, ‘When can I get out of here and get my fix?’ I still felt horrible. I just wanted to go get some crack.

But I couldn’t do that to my parents again.

Within a period of two years I had done so much to them. I had been to jail, I had been stabbed

twice and tried to kill myself. My parents said, ‘We can’t deal with you anymore.’

Even now, I can’t take Panadol or sleeping pills or anything I could get addicted to. I have insomnia, but I can’t take sleeping pills because I could get addicted to them.

When did God enter the picture? Did you grow up going to church? Absolutely not. My mum was always kind of Christian, but my dad was like, ‘Pfft, no way.’ Mum went to church and I used to go with her sometimes, but I didn’t understand it. I thought, ‘Yeah okay, this is a nice fairy tale. Jesus and the other fun fairy tale creatures.’ You know, Santa, Easter Bunny, Jesus.

That was up until last year. Till Easter Camp happened.

And how does an ex-drug addict end up at Easter Camp? Well, I was dating a girl who invited me along to her youth group [at East City Corps in Auckland]. But I said, ‘I don’t really like people.’ I preferred being alone to hanging out with people.

But I went and I really liked it—it was really cool.

After a few weeks I started to like it more, so I went every week. Then Mat [Captain Mat Badger of East City Corps] asked me if I wanted to go to Easter Camp. But to sneak my way out of it, I said, ‘I can’t really afford it.’ And Mat said straight away, ‘I’ll pay for it, don’t worry.’ So that was it, I had no excuse. I was going to Easter Camp.

Easter Camp can be a massive culture shock for a non-Christian, what were your expectations? I thought, ‘Okay, you’ve got 4000 Christians and I’ll just sit back and laugh at them.’ But they played this video of people

 JULY  | 

FIREZONE.CO.NZ

holding signs of their lives before Christ and then another sign afterwards. That blew my mind.

The one that really got me was a girl holding up a sign that said ‘Drug Addict’. Then, after Christ, it said ‘Reformed’. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s me right there! If Jesus could help her, then maybe he could help me.’

I watched that video and just broke down. And then Nathan [a mate from East City] said to me, ‘That’s the Holy Spirit.’ I realised then that there was something to this [God fairy tale] that I hadn’t been seeing.

One of the youth leaders, Paul, prayed with me and said, ‘We’ll pray and just listen. You’ll hear something.’ And on the second to last day of Easter Camp I felt something saying, ‘I’m here.’

They’re in no rush to get rid of me. Jules said to one of the ladies at church the other day, ‘Chris is my oldest boy.’ I feel part of the family. I love being there.

Now that life is more settled, you’ve started studying for a Bachelor of Arts. That’s a bit of a change from what you were doing. It’s because I’m in the perfect position where I can do what I want and don’t have to worry about that other stuff.

Last year, I was doing automotive engineering at MIT. But it wasn’t right for me. I love cars, but it’s more of a hobby. It’s not really challenging because I know what I’m doing. Whereas writing, I love it! I can put all my feelings and emotions into poetry or a story and express myself that way.

Was that an internal voice? Yeah, it’s hard to describe. It scared the hell out of me at first. I was like, ‘What is this?’ But after a while I got comfortable with it.

I’ve been writing a lot of poetry. It’s all pretty dark. Definitely not unicorns and butterflies. I write about everything from depression to youth problems and to God. It’s a lot of the personal stuff I’ve gone through.

[As a poet] I don’t use big words. It’s not the singer; it’s the song.

I guess that’s what spoken word is: it’s about putting your experiences out there. You don’t have to be an incredibly literate person to be a poet. I don’t use big words. It’s not the singer; it’s the song.

So, all of a sudden God’s looking a whole lot less like a fairy tale creature! But it can be hard going back to ‘normal life’ after such amazing times. What happened for you?

I struggled with that a lot. At Easter Camp I was in that frame of mind, and afterwards I just fell out of it for about six months.

Then I started going to church again, but earlier this year things turned to custard again. I was homeless and had no idea what to do. So I prayed about it. I didn’t know what I was going to do, I had no choice. I just had to pray.

I prayed for a few days and was wondering why God wasn’t talking to me. But my prayers did work.

I had a mate who was feeding me during the day, but their partner wouldn’t let me stay at night.

One day while I was there, a Salvation Army advert came on the TV. So I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll text Mat [Badger].’ And, next thing, they [Mat and his wife Jules] were there to pick me up and let me live with them.

Now, finally, I’m somewhere that is comfortable and safe. I’m with people who want me around.

In 24 years you’ve been through a lot. If you could give any words of wisdom to your 14-year-old self what would they be? If I could go back, I would not be happy with the young me. I don’t know what I would say though, because I know I wouldn’t listen. Realistically, if I could go back I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s the reason I’m sitting here now. Yeah, it was hard.

But I’m a stronger person out of it.

FIREZONE.CO.NZ

TESTIMONY | 

I Want to Believe

–written by Chris about his earlier struggles with faith When I was younger, I was taught to believe in God. Now I wonder if I misunderstood? Whether it was a mirage, Baptised in holy water so the Father could give a trial by fire, Suicidal thoughts seek to conspire.

As we forget the angels and our demons consume us, Earth–encrusted shoulder each day a little bolder, And I want to be a believer, But all I see is anger and shots of liquid amber.

I heard the preacher tell me that God loves us, That we’re like angels, simply wingless.

And I want to believe that there’s someone out there.

Children in school fall like confetti as his light simply tiger stripes the shade, never erases, simply highlights.

And with every dead child I struggle to reconcile this love–hate relationship.

But I want to believe that the love outweighs the hate, That we’re screaming goodbye while he whispers hello.

Like we’re that second page in another hopeless fairytale sprinkling bodies like Hansel’s breadcrumbs as we search for that gingerbread house they told us was a church.

But we find only the pieces of us we left behind, the parts that shattered on impact as we free–fell.

Leaving us looking a little less beautiful than before.

And I want to believe.

I look for God but I never get past the neon cathedral sacramental whiskey sips and bartender confessionals.

Never used a chaser because I was too afraid to chase the truth.

Mostly because I was too afraid of myself.

So I exchanged fear for numbness as I use whiskey–scented Band–Aid substitutes trying to drown my demons, but my terrors taught them to swim.

I just want to believe.

But first I have to believe in me.

Chris will perform another of his poems, ‘Gravity’, at the NZ National Poetry Slam next month, after it won an award.

od says: ‘When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back … bring you home … You can count on it.’

Jeremiah 29:12–14 (The Message)

Fun4Kids | 

HOLIDAY FUN Ask someone to fill in the blanks, and then read out the story: 1. Form of transport: 2. A song: 3. Number: 4. A board game: 5. A place: 6. A number: 7. A place where you can stay: 8. Favourite food: 9. Item of clothing #1: 10. Item of clothing #2:

In the first week of the holidays, I went on a trip with my family.

It was going to be a long journey, so we took the (1).

On the way, Dad got us to sing (2). We sang it (3) times before it got boring, and then we played a quick game of (4) to pass the time until we reached (5).

We got out and carried (6) suitcases into our (7). Because we’d all eaten lots of (8) for breakfast, we were feeling pretty strong and it didn’t take long to unpack.

Straight away Mum got upset because she realised she’d forgotten to bring her (9) and Dad’s (10). But the good news was that I had remembered to bring our pet (11) called (12).

We all cuddled (12) before Mum made us a quick lunch of (13), and then we headed off into the great outdoors. We started by going (14) and then we went (15). It was getting a bit (16), so I put on my (17) and felt (18).

It was such a great day … until Dad tripped over (12) and broke his (19).. Tomorrow we’re going into the bush to take photos of (20). I’m sure we’ll have lots of fun!

11. A type of animal: 12. Famous person’s name: 13. An unusual food: 14. Outdoor sports #1, ending with ‘ing’: 15. Outdoor sports #2, ending with ‘ing’: 16. Temperature: 17. Another item of clothing:

CAN YOU SPOT 8 DIFFERENCES?

18. A feeling: 19. Part of the body: 20. Unusual creature:

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Nobody.

Nobody who?

(Stay silent)

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Cows say.

Cows say who?

No silly, cows say moo!

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Tank.

Tank who?

You’re welcome!

LET’S TALK

Cate

Cate had a really special experience with God this month. She had to make a pretty important decision about how to spend her time during the school holidays.

Cate had the offer of going to a camp that sounded like lots of fun. She was going to be a leader-helper and knew she’d also learn some great new things. Sometimes Cate feels quite shy when speaking to people and she knew camp would give her a chance to get a bit braver because she’d have to talk to more people who she didn’t know so well.

But she also had the chance to spend time with her grandma, who had been very sick and was staying for a week to get stronger and spend time with Cate’s family.

Both things were really good and Cate really didn’t know what to do. Her Mum told her that she could do either thing and asked her to pray about what God thought would be best. So Cate prayed about it. After she had prayed for a couple of days, she started to feel a bit less excited about the idea of the camp, and she felt really happy and peaceful about spending time with her grandma. So Cate decided to stay at home these holidays.

It’s awesome that God helps and guides us every day when we take the time to ask for his advice!

an’t Why c and up s cle t E a bicy f ? BECAUS l e ! s D t i E be O-TIR IT’S TW

READ IT

You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths Psalm 2:, CEV

LET’S PRAY Dear God, sometimes I’m not sure what choices to make. Help me to ask you for your advice and to listen carefully to your answer. Thank you for being such a wise friend. Amen.

KIDS PEAK ADVENTURE

6–10 October 2014 & 7–11 April 2015

FAMILY WEEKEND 15–17 May 2015

WINTER PEAK ADVENTURE 12–18 July 2014

FATHER & KIDS WEEKEND

7–9 November 2014 & 20–22 February 2015

THE JOURNEY

13–21 December 2014

SUMMER PEAK ADVENTURE 22–29 January 2015

To book your adventure contact us today freephone 0800 00 BMAC (2622) | bmac@nzf.salvationarmy.org

bluemountainadventure.org.nz

@bluemountainadv facebook.com/BlueMountainAdventureCentre