20 October 2018 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  20 OCTOBER 2018 | Issue 6703 | $1.50

Saving Halloween The Wonder of Acceptance What MAFS Can Teach Us

Sallies Respond to Indonesian Quake Darkest Days: 100 Years Since the Flu Pandemic

in the

First Person Actress Nicola Pauling brings to life a famous murder, with a surprising Salvation Army link

04

06

12

18

WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine Booth

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

MANAGING EDITOR Ingrid Barratt | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Hugh Collins, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major Jill

Gainsford, Vivienne Hill OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

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

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

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

20

Becoming a Wild Child When I was a child, my favourite playground activity was the swing—I still remember the thrill of swinging so high that you felt sure you were going to go right over the top.

I had to smile to myself the other day, when my husband was swinging our six-year-old son, who was shouting, ‘Higher! Higher!’ As he swung high into the air, he began singing for the whole park to hear: ‘I believe I can fly! I believe I can touch the sky!’ He had no thought as to who was listening or laughing at him. He was totally, wildly, in the moment.

I wondered to myself, ‘When do we lose the un-self-consciousness of childhood?’ When do we begin worrying about what other people think— whether they are judging us, or worse, laughing at us?

This weekend we launch New Zeal in our territory. The purpose, as an Army, is to ask the Holy Spirit to revive us again and do a new thing in our mission.

We know we have the Spirit with us always, but when we humble ourselves to seek him, God promises that he will be found.

We focus our eyes on Jesus. We throw off everything that hinders. We lose our self-consciousness and call out to God. We are zealous for his purpose. We don’t worry about the judgement of others. We become a wild child in the Kingdom of God. Watch this space, because something big is about to happen …

Ingrid Barratt Editor

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

Publishing for 135 years | Issue 6703 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

[The Holy Spirit] is life. He is power. And if he is sought in earnest, faithful prayer, he will come, and when he comes the little meeting will be mighty in its results.

Samuel Logan Brengle

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Nga Waiata 42:1 Rite tonu ki te hāta e kihakiha nei ki ngā manga wai tōku ngākau e kihakiha nei ka a koe, E te Atua.

Steadfast God, perhaps one of the greatest mysteries is why you continue to entrust the work of your kingdom into our clumsy hands.

But we are forever grateful that you do not want to change the world without us.

May we become the church you dream of.

Amen.

Shane Claiborne

Weird of the Week: Now for the most Kiwi thing you’ve ever seen … Jack Fagan, the son of legendary shearer Sir David Fagan, went viral for giving his pet sheep Boofy a mullet.

OURPEOPLE

‘Cans for Coffee’ a Cut Above A Christchurch barbershop and café is showing that anyone can join in to help others. Last month, they ran an initiative swapping cans for coffee, with proceeds going to The Salvation Army Foodbank.

Ben Scott, owner of Benny’s Barbershop in two locations around Christchurch, says he came up with the idea after walking past homeless people on his way to work. ‘Most of the time we have these homeless boys around where our shops are, and you feel like you can’t do too much about it. So that got me thinking about what we could do through the shop.’

get a cheaper-than-usual coffee,

Kingsley Sampson and we all contribute a little bit to (War Cry Contributor) He got in touch with regular client Glen the community,’ says Ben. ‘It’s not Kingsley is a retired Salvation Army Buckner, The Salvation Army’s national just donating money, it’s bringing officer, as well as a teacher and historian. Has been reading since reintegration manager, and together customers together and they can age four and loves books and they hatched a plan.

Clients see where their donation is going.’ the Bible. He spent half could donate a can in his active officership After raising around a hundred at Booth College of exchange for a baristacans, Ben is planning another cansMission, and in made coffee, with all for-coffee month in November. retirement he cans going to the Meanwhile, he challenges other enjoys researching local Salvation Army business to think of small ways they Salvation Army and foodbank. can contribute to their community— family history.

‘It’s a win-win and make a big difference.

Unsurprisingly, his favourite TV situation because programme is from a business Who Do You Think perspective, there is You Are? When not value in it, the customers at his desk, he likes gardening, travel and exploring new places. In summer he enjoys biking, a day Drama, History at the beach and watching the occasional oneFirst Man (M, coarse language) day cricket international. Kingsley has been Damien Chazelle married to Barbara for almost 50 years; they Terrifying, exhilarating, heartbreaking. And that’s have two children and 11 grandchildren. just the first 10 minutes. In three previous films

director Damien Chazelle has shown himself to be a rare talent as a film maker. First Man is something else again. Even knowing the outcome of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon you’re kept gripped, and often shaking, for almost every second. The tension is at times too much. It’s a bit too long, revels in every tiny rivet and button and, wow, does it need some joy. These are trivial knit picks though. This is a masterpiece.

In an age of popcorn movies it’s powerful cinema—a reminder of the fragility and beauty of every tiny life. (Reviewed by Robin Raymond)

4 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

TOPFIVE Last month, Lonely Planet named Wellington New Zealand’s top destination.

But here are the best places the guidebooks don’t know about …

1 Otumuheke Stream in Taupō’s thermal spa park is the place locals go for a free hot soak, in a river heated by the region’s geothermal activity.

2 For urban culture, the street art trail in Dunedin’s city centre.

3 New Zealand makes the best coffee in the world, and according to this year’s Barista Championships, Ozone Coffee Roasters in New Plymouth is the best place to get your coffee.

4 If you want to go remote, Curio Bay in the Catlins has a petrified forest, wild landscape and penguins—the only thing missing is people.

5 Just out of Palmerston North is another gastronomic delight at the Waireka Honey Centre, home of perhaps the best ice cream in New Zealand.

QUIKQUIZ

1 Who created the character Mrs Wishy Washy?

2 W hat sport is retired sprinter Usain Bolt playing now?

Italian Chicken & Orzo

WARCRY INHISTORY

Commissioner James Dowdle—known as the ‘Hallelujah Fiddler’—travelled with William Booth, and his personality never failed to make an impression.

In 1895, he brought his talents to New Zealand.

He was often assigned to ‘build up the crowd’, and his showmanship would attract the attention of soldiers, policeman and even the ‘drunkards’ who wanted to see what he was doing.

Source: Booth College of Mission Heritage and Archives Centre

3 W hat is the official currency of Tonga?

4 W hat fruit is also known as ‘strawberry pear’ or ‘pitaya’?

5 W hich New Testament book mentions the voice of Balaam's donkey?

Serve with your favourite green vegetables for a delicious dinner that’s guaranteed to please! Serves 4 500g chicken thigh fillets, skin removed 1 large onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 50g tomato paste ½ tsp crushed chilli 400g can Italian style tomatoes ½ cup chicken stock or water ¾ cup orzo 2 Tbsp basil pesto Parmesan cheese to garnish

Heat a dash of oil in a lidded frying pan. Add the chicken thighs and brown over a high heat. Remove from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat. Add onion and garlic and stir fry until softened.

Stir in tomato paste and crushed chilli and cook for a minute. Pour over tomatoes and stock. Stir while bringing the sauce to the boil.

Reduce the heat. Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally.

Scatter over orzo and stir into the sauce. Continue cooking for a further 15 minutes, stirring again part way through cooking, until orzo is tender and chicken cooked. Stir pesto into the sauce.

Serve garnished with a little grated parmesan. Accompany with your favourite green vegetables.

Courtesy of foodinaminute.co.nz

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Winston Churchill

Answers on page 22 20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 5

in the

First Person

Top: promotional poster for the play She Danced on a Friday; Centre: Lieutenant-Colonel Mavis Pauling, Nicola's grandmother; Bottom: Nicola Pauling performs her play.

The murder of tourist Margery Hopegood in the 90s shocked New Zealand.

But there was a bitter-sweet Salvation Army twist to this tale—Margery was a ‘Bethany baby’, on our shores looking for her birth parents. Now, playwrite and actress Nicola Pauling has brought the story to life through her play She Danced on a Friday.

BY SHAR DAVIS

I

t’s a play about a brutal murder that shocked the nation, but Nicola Pauling’s one-woman show is poignant and surprisingly heart-warming.

First shown in Hamilton, She Danced On A Friday recently had a successful run in Wellington.

For Nicola, there is a very personal connection to the story of Margery Hopegood: she is the granddaughter of Salvation Army officers who were involved with Margery, both at her birth and in the aftermath of her grisly death. ‘I grew up with the story of this baby girl, and this family,’ says Nicola. ‘It’s a story that always sat with me because there are so many unanswered questions … ’

The chain of events Lieutenant-Colonels Noel and Mavis Pauling were corps officers at Auckland Congress Hall when Margery was born at The Salvation Army’s Bethany home, to her mother, Jean, and father—both 17 years old. The situation was fraught: the father's mother was willing to raise little Margery, but Jean's mother was adamant she would be adopted.

Meanwhile, Mavis was friends with Ursula and Andy Hopegood, a childless couple from England who were desperate for a child of their own, but were struggling to adopt at home because of their age. Mavis agreed to care for the baby herself while the Hopegoods made the boat trip over to New Zealand.

Baby Margery moved to England with her adoptive parents, and eventually three boys were also adopted into the Hopegood family.

Mavis and Noel kept in touch, making several trips to the UK to see Margery and the family. But it was not until 1992, that Margery—now a solicitor, aged 32—made the trip to the land of her birth. She had her birth father’s phone number in her pocket, but she would never meet him.

On the afternoon of Friday 10 January 1992—just four days after arriving in New Zealand—Margery was in Hamilton, about to head to Auckland for dinner with Mavis, Noel and their family.

Margery never made it to dinner that night. Instead, she died tragically of multiple stab wounds in a now-demolished public toilet by the Waikato River.

A story waiting to be told Nicola had her own close connection to the story, having spoken to Margery on the phone the day before she died. The then 21-year-old Nicola had been excited 20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 7

to finally meet the ‘baby’ she’d grown up hearing all about around the meal table.

‘The story kept visiting me over the years, and not just me, but my family too,’ reflects Nicola. ‘What was her reason for coming to New Zealand? Do you think her parents ever found her? Who were they?’

Nicola got to a stage in her acting life where she was ready to tackle a solo project, having spent years directing others and doing some theatre work herself. ‘It was something I’d always wanted to do. As a performer, the solo show is the actor’s version of running a marathon.’

She spent nine months researching the story, contacting both Margery’s birth family who were in New Zealand and Australia, as well as the Hopegood family. ‘We obviously never got to speak to Margery herself, so I relied on conversations with her brothers [to fill in details around her motivations].’

They spoke of a restlessness in Margery and a feeling of being unsettled.

Finding the family members and then making contact was somewhat terrifying. Nicola had to do a lot of cold calls due to the geographical locations of the family. ‘There wasn’t a lot of face-to-face so it really was a lot of ringing and saying, “Hi my name is … you don’t know me but I’m ringing about …”.’ But Nicola was touched by the generosity people offered her.

Finding their voices Writing a play about such a gruesome event in a way that audiences would engage with, required time and careful planning. ‘It was an evolving process that happened organically over time, it certainly wasn’t there from the beginning,’ says Nicola. ‘I did a first draft once I had completed all the interviews and had all of the material, and could see for myself what were the strong elements of the story.’

After writing the first draft, she took it to Kerryn Palmer who was a dramaturge (a literary editor on the staff of a theatre who liaises with authors and edits texts). She looked over the development of the script and later became the director of the show.

‘She read it through and said, “I see your grandmother [Mavis] being a stronger character and I feel like she holds the story—I feel like she should open, and she should close it”,’ recalls Nicola. ‘As soon as she said that to me, it became obvious that Mavis was with Margery in the beginning and she is with her at the end. She bookends the story really beautifully.’

8 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

‘I created a script for each character: there was Iris [Mavis' pseudonym in the play] and her story; there was Margery and her story; and there was Jean [birth mother]—young Jean and old Jean—and her story. I had almost three separate scripts and three separate stories. I was really clear what I wanted each character to move through, and what parts of the story I wanted them to communicate,’ says Nicola.

MARGERY NEVER MADE IT TO DINNER THAT NIGHT. INSTEAD, SHE DIED TRAGICALLY OF MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS …

Mavis’s role in Margery’s life plays out so poignantly in the play—watching over baby Margery while her adoptive mother comes from England to collect her. And again at the end— watching over Margery’s body while her mother comes from England to collect her. It is a demonstration of love and care and attention, that combats the lingering feelings from the movingly-crafted death scene.

Margery had been with the Pauling family for the first three months of her life and Nicola believes that’s why she had such an impact on them. The family felt that Margery couldn’t be left alone after her death. ‘Someone needed to be with her while we waited,’ recalls Nicola. ‘My grandmother was part of it, but we were all part of it by then—that need to be with her—with the body. We carefully chose what she wore, while her mother came from England.’

She Danced on a Friday The play’s title, She Danced on a Friday, got its name from Margery’s favourite hymn—‘Lord of the Dance’—sung at her memorial services both in Hamilton and in her home town of Earls Colne. ‘I remember singing the hymn … and that verse comes, “I danced on a Friday when the world turned black, it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back”,’ recalls Nicola.

‘Margery died on a Friday—and I remember her mum refused to sing those words at the funeral. When they held her funeral in the UK and they sang the song again, once again her mother stayed silent, refusing to sing that verse.’

The play was first performed in Hamilton, and the reception

‘ … I FEEL LIKE I’M EXPRESSING AN EMOTION IN A WAY THAT FEELS VERY HUMAN AND VERY DEEP, BUT IT FEELS OKAY AND SAFE AND DOESN’T FEEL TRIGGERING OR TOO TRAUMATIC.’ was overwhelmingly positive. But Nicola recalls, ‘It had a substantial emotional impact.’ People approached her saying, ‘It must be so hard for you performing that, because it was so hard for me to watch it.’

The very emotional response had Nicola wondering if the play was too traumatic for people. When people told her that they’d just spent the last hour crying, Nicola would ask: ‘But is it okay?’ They would reply: ‘It’s okay, I feel like I’m expressing an emotion in a way that feels very human and very deep, but it feels okay and safe and doesn’t feel triggering or too traumatic.’

That was important for Nicola. People have been moved by the play ‘but in a way that feels okay’. The story needed to be true to the facts, but it needed to honour Margery’s life and not just glorify her death.

Aftermath of a murder But in reality, Margery’s death devastated Noel and Mavis.

According to Nicola, they held a lot of guilt over what happened because they had encouraged her to come to New Zealand. ‘I think they held that and felt a responsibility in some bigger picture sense that they’d encouraged her to come … and then there was just a lot of grief.’

In the play, Nicola also portrays the anger of the birth parents towards The Salvation Army. After the murder, the birth parents tracked down Mavis and Noel. ‘They were quite angry—he particularly had a lot of anger that The Salvation Army had let the adoption happen,’ recalls Nicola.

Mavis loved and cared for Margery as if she was her own, adds Nicola. ‘I think the exchange that happened after Margery’s death was very hard for my grandparents to experience as well … ’ The emotional reaction from the birth parents was understandable, considering they were so close to finally meeting their daughter. Margery had her birth father’s phone number on her when she died. Jean had been contacted by a lawyer, ‘so knew where Margery was and that she had an aroundthe-world ticket, so was in New Zealand,’ explains Nicola.

‘It’s the loss of a child twice, particularly for Jean,’ reflects Nicola. But she believes the birth parents were able to come to a place of realisation that their daughter had lived a ‘most amazing life’.

Their own story Nicola is a theatre practitioner by profession, spending most of her time supporting other people to be on stage. She works for Voice Arts, a charitable trust that uses performance as a tool for development and education. ‘We do a lot of group facilitation and supporting people to build confidence and passion and empathy and communication. It’s about helping them to identify what their story is—supporting people to tell their own story, in their own voice.’

Voice Arts has recently completed a film project with the Department of Corrections, working with young offenders.

They also work a lot with the refugee and migrant community.

‘Often that’s just around social connection and language development,’ says Nicola.

Margery was unable to tell her own story, in her own voice, but through Nicola’s labour of love she helped New Zealand remember Margery as more than ‘that poor girl who died in the toilet’. She was a cherished baby, an answer to prayer, a beloved daughter, sister and friend.

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 9

What MAFS Can Teach Us The outrageous TV reality show Married at First Sight could turn out to be a modern-day morality tale.

‘If reality TV has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t keep people with no shame down,’ says Liz Lemon on 30 Rock. Never has this been more outrageously on point than on Married At First Sight—which may be exactly why it’s a ratings bonanza.

We don’t watch it, of course. It’s unjustifiable and shallow. But, if we did stumble across it, we might be surprised to find it has something to teach us—if for no other reason, than that it highlights just how shallow our culture’s attitude to marriage is.

It never ceases to amaze (not that we watch it) when one of the soon-to-be-hitched cast members claim that if their partner is too short, too tall, wears the wrong jacket, has ugly toenails or sports a monobrow, it will be an absolute, set-in-stone deal breaker.

IN FACT, ATTRACTION HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH COMPATIBILITY … WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING A LIFE TOGETHER, WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED IS SHARED VALUES.

Surely, the whole foundation of an arranged marriage is that it’s not about attraction.

It’s about choosing to be committed to the person and building your relationship from there. Attraction and love grow out of this commitment.

The overarching belief about romance in our culture is that ‘having a spark’ is the most important part of compatibility.

When you bring that false ideal to an arranged marriage you get … well … Married At First Sight.

In fact, attraction has very little to do with compatibility. Even having shared interests has little to do with compatibility. When it comes to building a life together, what is really needed is shared values. That’s why Christians are often urged to be ‘equally yolked’—meaning our values and beliefs mirror each other’s.

Robert Taibbi of Fixing Families, has some helpful pointers for building compatibility: 1. Individual vs. couple time: Work out your needs as introverts and extroverts. Agree together your expectation of alone time and couple time.

2. Handle each other’s stress: Do you know your partner’s signs of stress? ‘This is about compassion and stepping up for the big stuff—not taking things personally for the small, not falling into tit-for-tat over who’s got it tougher,’ says Taibbi.

3. Work through conflict: Don’t sweep it under the carpet without ever resolving the underlying problem.

10 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

4. Support each other’s dreams: ‘The notion here is that, “I want to help you be happy, live the life you want to live, and know that I’ve always got your back”,’ reflects Taibbi.

5. Feeling safe: This is about having equal power in a relationship.

‘Feeling safe is ultimately what all these other issues come down to,’ sums up Taibbi. ‘Both partners being able to say what they think and want without fear, without holding back.’

DO’S AND DON’TS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PARTNER Do find someone you enjoy spending time with.

Don’t look for someone to fill the gaps in your personality.

Do look for someone who will treat you with equality and respect.

Don’t expect someone else to meet all your relational needs.

Don’t restrict yourself to a ‘type’.

TESTIFY! Avelynn Pate shares the story of her daughter Marita—who defied the odds to learn how to walk and talk, and who ‘oozes with love’.

I was born and lived in Zambia until I was five, as my parents, Tom and Daphne McKenzie, were Salvation Army officers there. When I was 15, my mother died suddenly of a heart attack. It was very traumatic and shaped me as a fighter and strong woman—but strong in God, because God has always been in my life.

At 20, I married my husband John.

After five years of marriage, we had our first, longed-for baby, Marita. It was a traumatic birth and she was born with hydrocephalus (commonly known as ‘water on the brain’). We were told that she wouldn’t live past a few days.

But three weeks later, we took her home from hospital. Then, we were told she most certainly wouldn’t make it into double figures. She had many operations, and we were told her brain would never develop.

I refused to believe this. I said, ‘No that’s not going to happen—I will love her and teach her language and she will develop.’ And she has! This year, Marita turned 44 years old. This is not my story, it is hers …

I loved Marita and involved her in normal life. In no way did I treat her as sick or with a disability. I got on the floor and showed her how to crawl. At seven, she learnt to walk on crutches.

When Marita was a baby, I talked to her heaps. A therapist taught me and Marita to develop eye contact, and I read her picture books. I believe when the language centre of the brain has been damaged, it can be re-trained—I know this, because Marita did it! Today, she talks like a book—she is a great talker.

As Marita grew up, her care became too difficult and so, with much pain,

I SAID, ‘NO THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN—I WILL LOVE HER AND TEACH HER LANGUAGE AND SHE WILL DEVELOP.’ she went into professional care. She has stayed family-orientated and we connect regularly through phone calls, dates and overnight stays.

She went blind at the age of 20, but has never lost her faith in Jesus. She loves Jesus and loves the Army. She loves her brothers and her family. She just oozes love.

Recently, I did a spoken word workshop with Rosy Keane of Women’s Ministries.

Here is an excerpt from the poem I wrote for my daughter: My beautiful daughter! You are precious!

But they say you need an operation; You will be disabled; Your life expectancy is short. So, they say.

But I believe God has a plan. I believe that you have a potential to be realised.

We prayed for a miracle, and yes! You lived!

They say you will not walk; will not talk.

But I believe your brain can be trained.

You smile, you laugh, and yes, in time— His Time—you sit up. You crawl! You are amazing! … You love the Army and you love to sing.

You are enrolled as a junior soldier! And later a senior soldier.

You blossom and make your way in life.

You are now blind. You embrace this pain and you do not complain.

You communicate your wants and desires.

You have a voice to be heard. You know you have rights. You are so special!

You love family. Clothes. Fashion.

Jewellery. Make up. And coffee! … Time for a café date? What café today?

You smile; you fight. So many operations.

Then meningitis at three.

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 11

Saving Halloween It’s time to get spooked y’all. Hugh ‘Hannibal’ Collins believes Christians can, and should, embrace Halloween—but not for the reasons you might think.

It was a dark and eerie night. The street lights flickered ominously. Silent shadows played on the walls. When suddenly … well, actually, nothing suddenly happened because—like many Christians—my family never celebrated Halloween.

I never had any serious ‘FOMO’ about not getting to experience the buzz of asking strangers for lollies—even when church ‘light parties’ didn’t have quite the same appeal. My whānau wasn’t unusual—many Kiwi Christian families still consciously avoid Halloween due to its dark themes and origins.

But it’s not only Christians who’ve railed against Halloween in New Zealand. Stuff writer Laura Baker says it’s time we send Halloween ‘back to where it belongs’— and not because she’s against throwing a party in the name of evil. ‘No, I’m the Grinch of Halloween because it is a repugnant excuse of a holiday, dripping in slimy American commercialisation. It teaches young children to take sweets from strangers and encourages women to dress in overtly sexualised costumes,’ she rants.

There’s no doubt major retailers are partly responsible for the growth of Halloween in New Zealand—the likes of the Warehouse and Kmart have been especially good at promoting jack-o-lanterns and fake cobwebs over recent years.

But Halloween isn’t leaving our shores anytime soon.

When we accept it’s here to stay, Halloween can actually become something Christians embrace. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve appropriated a celebration which wasn’t originally our own.

12 firezone.co.nz 20 OCTOBER 2018

UNDER THE FULL MOON ...

Humans had seasonal celebrations long before the arrival of Christ. Many pagan (or pre-Christian) celebrations were based around the positioning of the sun—events connected with various agricultural seasons.

In fact, our central celebrations of Christmas and Easter both have pre-Christian roots: Christmas is derived from celebrations related to the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year); easter came from pagan celebrations around the first full moon that occurs after the March equinox (when the equator passes through the centre of the sun).

This is why we celebrate Christmas in December, despite the fact historians agree Christ was likely born sometime in September. Not to mention that the word Easter is derived from Eastra, a Germanic goddess who loved rabbits. With this knowledge in mind, there’s no reason Christians can’t begin to adopt our own form of Halloween.

SPOOKING FOR JESUS

Traditionally, New Zealand churches have either spoken against Halloween or embraced an alternative, most commonly in the form of a ‘light party’. But Territorial Youth Secretary Mat ‘the Mongrel’ Badger believes there’s a third approach—something he developed while an officer at Howick’s East City Corps.

For four Halloweens, Mat was the brains behind unique installations that intertwined ghosts and zombies

Photos from East City Nights’ Halloween event ‘The Wide Road’.

with the good news of our Christian faith. In an interactive ‘Spookers’ style experience, young people went through a dark tunnel, where volunteers in horror-themed costumes jumped out and scared them. East City Corps even got the makeup and art department at Howick College to come to the party.

The first year, in 2014, featured an 80 metre long installation which took youth through a series of choices relating to the ‘narrow’ path of Christ or the ‘wide’ path of death. A hangout zone at the end provided food, drink and people who were good with hospitality. Mat would then share a brief devotion on the wider message of the event. In the first year, nine people made first-time decisions for Christ!

‘This whole idea of having an experience that is kind of a little bit spooky, but with a message is actually really powerful,’ Mat says.

‘The aim of all of these was to provide a platform to present the gospel in its fullness. We’re not scaring people into heaven. But it’s easier to talk about the fact that the Bible does say that there are two roads in life.

‘The simple fact is that we serve a God who loves us and we know that we can be at peace if we’re in him.’

While the installation took a bit of creativity and labour, the concept was something both the corps community and neighbours could get behind.

‘The only stress we got was never from the neighbours or the community. It was from a couple of other church leaders who thought that we were endorsing Halloween through what we’re doing.

‘Whereas my take was, “No we’re not endorsing Halloween, we’re using it as a platform because it’s in the calendar”.’

TRICK OR TREAT?

Many families, Christian and secular, will avoid trick or treating for a range reasons. But Christianity Today writer, Ed Stetzer, says Christians not only can, but should, put on their costumes, pass out lollies, and greet guests at their door. This is about building community as it’s the only time many people will connect with their neighbours.

‘This night is a once-a-year opportunity to do something so simple, yet so critical: get to know your neighbours,’ he writes.

‘God is at work in our individual lives, but also in our communities. If Halloween is an opportunity to engage in this work and learn to love our neighbours better, I believe we should take it—costumes, candy, and all!’

Like Christmas and Easter, Halloween can be a time of connection and coming together. And of course this doesn’t mean we’re affirming ancient pagan deities.

Afterall, we celebrate Easter every year and never question if we’re worshipping an old Germanic goddess!

Halloween is another opportunity to join with our community in spreading hope and hospitality. And, finally, who doesn’t enjoy a bag of delicious lollies!

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 13

Left: Clipping from War Cry, 7 December, 1918. Above centre: Memorial for Fred Brown, aged 11, from Whangārei Corps (War Cry, 11 January, 1919). Above right: Corps Cadet Eva Mills, promoted to Glory 13 November, 1918 (War Cry, 30 November, 1918). Opposite page: Cover of the 15 September 1917 War Cry, showing the ‘Two Flags’ that represent The Salvation Army and Empire.

Darkest Days: The Salvation Army and the 1918 Influenza Epidemic Next month commemorates 100 years since Armistice Day, which heralded the end of World War I. But as the war ended, the influenza epidemic began to take hold—causing such wide-spread suffering that news reports of the pandemic threatened to overshadow the longed-for victory.

BY KINGSLEY SAMPSON

The influenza pandemic killed at least 50 million people worldwide—the worst-recorded human epidemic since the Black Death of the 14th Century. The most severe wave of the ‘flu’ hit New Zealand during six weeks, from October to December 1918, when we lost 9000 residents to the illness.

The Salvation Army’s Response Salvationists throughout New Zealand were actively engaged in ministering to the sick and in general relief work connected with the epidemic, with many officers at both national and local levels being diverted from their usual tasks to special service at temporary hospitals.

Brigadier William Hoare, National Young People’s Secretary, was put in charge of the staff at the 105-bed temporary hospital set up in the Wellington College classrooms and gymnasium. His staff of 28 Salvationists and 22 others worked in 12-hour shifts.

In Invercargill, Ensign Harold McKenzie served on the local epidemic response committee and ‘together with his band of workers … [had] gone to the most squalid parts of the town, 14 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

supplying comforts and giving relief to those who were in most need of it,’ reported the Southland Times. In early December, McKenzie himself fell ill.

Some Salvation Army buildings were opened as emergency hospitals. Eighty beds for convalescent women were set up in the Army’s Training Garrison at 33 Aro Street, Wellington. In Christchurch, the Salvation Army’s maternity hospital in Bealey Avenue was requisitioned by the authorities as a temporary hospital, as was the Army hall at Pukekohe.

In Raetihi, Captain John Griffin ‘turned the [Salvation Army] Hall into a temporary hospital and himself [became] doctor, nurse, etc,’ reported the Press.

In Marton, the Army hall was requisitioned as a mortuary. In Temuka, Captain Herbert Hawkes offered the use of the Army hall as a convalescent hospital ‘so as to free beds at the other two halls as patients recovered’. In Christchurch, the city was divided into patrolled blocks, and Linwood Salvation Army Barracks became the headquarters for Block Seven, assisting flu sufferers.

In the camps Additional support was sent to the military camps, which were very hard hit with the epidemic. Supplies of fruit and drinks were provided for the men. A soldier from Southland reported that ‘he was in hospital with the prevailing epidemic in the Salvation Army Institute [at Tauherenīkau], where at one time there were close to 100 patients.’ He said that ‘[e]verything was well organised and the patients received excellent medical attention.’

In mid-November, Staff-Captain (Chaplain) Andrew Gray was recorded as the only chaplain on his feet at Trentham Camp. His tasks included meeting wives whose husbands had died before they could reach them. Sister Le Valliant was another Salvationist who helped at Trentham, assisting in a ward at the camp hospital.

In commenting on this work, the Press praised Salvation Army workers ‘for their self-sacrifice and devotion on behalf of the sick soldiers, their periodic visits to the sick with fruit being greatly appreciated.’ It also noted that ‘the Army has made many friends, and its kindness to the men is very much appreciated’.

The darkest days Then there were the funerals. On Sunday 17 November, the Wellington City corps officer Staff-Captain Fred Burton spent the whole day conducting 17 funerals. He ended the day ‘with shoulders stiff from carrying coffins.’ He continued with burials at the cemetery the next day.

Burton also arranged for a Salvation Army band to play hymn tunes in different streets, while Salvationist women distributed flowers and ‘appropriately worded’ cards. In the following weeks, Burton and Captain Henry Goffin spent their time conducting funerals and visiting relatives and sick people while all available soldiers were occupied in combatting the epidemic.

‘[SALVATIONISTS HAD] GONE TO THE MOST SQUALID PARTS OF THE TOWN, SUPPLYING COMFORTS AND GIVING RELIEF TO THOSE WHO WERE IN MOST NEED OF IT.’ In a proactive statement, Commissioner Hodder announced in early December that each divisional centre would establish a finance board to consider ‘all applications for assistance’ and ‘to deal with every case on its merits without any delay whatever’.

He also said that the Army would ‘come to the aid of children in distress—children whose parents are dead, incapacitated through the epidemic, or who may have been stricken themselves’ and to provide for them ‘until such time as definite arrangements can be made [for them] by the Government’.

Perhaps his declaration was prompted by stories such as this one from Auckland, when a Salvation Army worker entered a house where no sign of life had been seen for a day or two to find a mother and her three children all dead.

In early December, the War Cry noted that it was not possible ‘to give full credit to the many comrades who most unostentatiously and faithfully have assisted sick neighbours’.

One comrade worthy of mention was a Mrs Suter, who had taken an infant girl into her own family.

At the end of December, War Cry summarised the work done by the Army at the Wellington College Temporary Hospital.

Forty-seven officers and soldiers were listed as having helped out at the hospital, caring for the living and removing and attending to the dead. Some patients were so affected by the illness that

they had to be restrained in straightjackets. Some officers had been on duty for 23 out of 24 hours ‘under conditions of the most distressing character.’ Some Salvation Army staff had collapsed after two or three days’ work; others had continued through the whole five weeks.

Suffering amongst our own War Cry reported on the effect of the epidemic on the Army— people unwell, reduced or abandoned corps programmes, officers reallocated to fill gaps left by sick officers. For instance, War Cry reported that ‘nearly all the soldiers’ of Stratford Corps had been smitten and that Petone Corps ‘had been hard hit by the epidemic’ with ‘practically every home of the local soldiery’ affected.

Salvation Army institutions were also affected by the epidemic.

In early November, the situation at the Army’s social institutions in Auckland was described as ‘acute’, while a week later, the home for inebriate men on Rotoroa Island had as many as 40 inmates down at a time, plus officer staff struggling—even the doctor was reported as collapsing.

Among the younger Salvationists promoted to Glory was Corps Cadet Eva Mills of Woodville, who died aged 18. She was corps organist and a young people’s company guard (Sunday School teacher) and had hopes of becoming an officer. Her memorial service was not held until December owing to the restriction on public gatherings.

Even younger was Myra Avenall, aged eight, daughter of Adjutant and Mrs William Avenall of Dunedin City Corps. In one particularly sad case, Sister Mrs Kendall of Petone Corps left a husband, a six-week-old daughter, a three-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter.

There were many more cases besides, including the death of three Salvation Army officers.

Aftermath The last Salvationist death reported in War Cry, in early January 1919, was that of Fred Brown, aged 11 of Whangārei Corps.

In the following weeks, War Cry returned to more normal fare—Salvation Army news, inspirational messages, corps reports and helpful hints for life and living. But given the number of deaths, there can be no denying that the epidemic, coming as it did at the end of the war had a long-lasting effect both on New Zealand and The Salvation Army.

This is an abridged excerpt from Under Two Flags: The New Zealand Salvation Army’s Response to the First World War by Harold Hill, Phil Lascelles, Garry Mellsop and Kingsley Sampson, which will be released early next year.

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 15

Diary of a Mission Trip Cadets at the Fiji School for Officer Training had an action-packed five-day mission trip to Savusavu Corps, on 16–20 August.

Day One: Thursday After a 12 hour boat ride, we arrived safe and sound in Savusavu Corps. The officers welcomed us with a warm breakfast, and then we headed to our hotel.

In the afternoon, we visited retired officers, Captains Thomas and Miriama. We were blessed to see them, especially since Captain Miriama has been bedridden for five years. Even in her condition, she was filled with the joy of the Lord and praising God. I remember when she asked us to sing, and with the little strength that she had, she lifted up her arm that was hard to lift, and praised God in singing. We were humbled to have this wonderful experience. This reminded me of the scripture in Nehemiah 8:10, ‘The joy of the Lord is my strength’. What a challenge and blessing. We finished by praying with the family.

Soldier Waisale, who is in charge of Nasavu outpost, with his wife and Cadet Betty.

The Family of Nasau outpost, with officers and cadets.

Day Three: Saturday Retired Captain Thomas with Cadet Adriano and daughter Faith.

Day Two: Friday On this day, we visited an outpost in Nasavu. We hoped to dig a rest room, but we were not able to because of the weather. We visited the place where they will build a shelter for the outpost, which was given by one of the soldier’s fathers, who is the land owner. Meanwhile, paper work will be done so that the land is leased to the Army for the outpost. We had the privilege to pray over it, and we’re hoping a shelter will be built soon, since many members of The Salvation Army come from Nasavu village.

In the evening, Cadets Seremana and Betty led a corps cadet session on ‘Leisure’. We were blessed to hear from the corps cadets on how they spend leisure and want to spend it wisely. We were divided into two groups and came up with the advantages and disadvantages of social media, which is the common source of leisure for young people today. We were encouraged to glorify God in our leisure time. We ended by praying together. There were 10 corps cadets who attended the session.

16 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

We ran a ‘joy hour’ at Savusavu Corps, attended by over 30 children. Led by Cadets Seremana and Betty, with help from Cadet Adriano, the theme was ‘Trust and Team Work’.

Cadets Seremana and Betty leading Joy Hour.

The children participated in games that motivated them to trust in one another and work as a team. At the end the activities, the children recited Proverbs 3:5–6 in Fijian.

In the afternoon, Cadets Adriano and Samisoni led the youth programme, continuing the ‘Team Work’ theme. The youth participated in different games that motivated them to work together. They finished with putting together a skit from Scriptures. Major Marika, who was their judge, presented to them presents for participation. Youth were excited as they talked about the session.

To Indonesia With Love

Day Four: Sunday The Sunday service was led by Cadet Samisoni. Cadet Adriano took over the Sunday school, Cadet Betty did the children’s story and Cadet Seremana did the preaching. In the midst of the service, Major Marika was given an opportunity to dedicate a baby. There were over 40 in attendance, including the outpost.

Savusavu Congregation.

Day Five: Monday We debriefed, and it was good to hear from each one on the results of the field mission, both positive and negative. Learning from one-another and how to work as a team was the lesson learned from the mission week.

BY MAJOR RACHEAL-LEE KENDRICK

Akoteu and Rokovesa cadets and families.

The Salvation Army is taking up a love offering to support our Salvationist brothers and sisters in Indonesia.

The offerings are being taken to support the Army following the earthquakes and tsunamis that struck the province of Central Sulawesi on September 28.

The Salvation Army has played a vital role in the response to the quake, which has claimed the lives of more than 2000, including eight Salvationists. Hundreds more were left injured and in desperate need of medical attention.

The Army provided much needed medical facilities after the collapse of a major government hospital in the city of Palu. With many patients being cared for in the open and in makeshift tents, priority was given to repairing The Salvation Army’s Woodward Hospital.

Army healthcare professionals and students from a Salvation Army nursing school were deployed to remote areas outside Palu to provide urgent medical assistance.

Severe damage to roads meant accessibility was limited and only possible by motorcycle or on foot.

General Brian Peddle called on the Army to pray, asking that 'every congregation will uphold our Indonesian brothers and sisters, as they, in the midst of their own grief, do their best to serve’.

Indonesian Territorial Commander Commissioner Peter Walker said prayers and messages of support from Salvationists and friends worldwide were a source of great encouragement.

Despite the disaster, Salvationists were still able to attend their Sunday worship: ‘Salvationists in the area continued ... to seek God’s hand even in these extreme situations.’

With the national government declaring a 14-day state of emergency, the Army worked closely with other agencies and local authorities in order to deploy resources wisely and with maximum benefit.

Take part in the love offering at your local corps, or if you want to donate to The Salvation Army's South Pacific and East Asia Disaster Fund, go to: salvationarmy.org/ ihq/palauquake 20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 17

Focus on Miramar

Bless You Miramar!

A suburban Army corps has found an innovative way of tangibly bringing love and hope back into its community.

Miramar Corps has launched ‘For Miramar’, an initiative which encourages its congregation to bless three people each week— one from the church, one who doesn’t know God, and a third that’s either of the first two.

This can be as simple as checking in with the neighbours or writing a card—‘We often think about these things, but don’t get round to it, but it really only takes a minute to write a card, and it’s so encouraging and affirming to another person,’ say Territorial Children’s Mission Director Hannah Medland, who introduced the For Miramar concept.

‘People are hearing really clearly from God. So one time, we had an event and had all this pizza left over from church.

One woman felt she should give the pizza to someone. She went out the door and turned the corner and there was a guy who is actually the dad of children she fosters, so she gave him the pizza,’ recalls Hannah.

The concept originates from The Five Habits of Highly Missional People, a book by Australian theologian Michael Frost.

Hannah, a long-time Miramar resident, says the initiative is about creating opportunities for people to ‘see Jesus in us’.

‘So often, as the church worldwide, we’ve been known for what we’re against and we actually really want to be known

for what we’re for,’ Hannah says. ‘We’re for people and we want to see our communities thriving, we want to see local businesses and local schools doing really well.’

She says this is all about ‘surprising the world’ and getting out of our Christian bubble. ‘We can live these lives that people question and go “how would you forgive that person, or why did you take that person in?”’

As the church becomes less and less relevant in modern society, Hannah hopes initiatives like For Miramar will eventually have people saying, ‘Thank goodness we have the church’.

Hannah’s father and Miramar Corps leader David Medland says the concept was something that instantly resonated with him. ‘We want to be here to bless our community as God has blessed us,’ David says.

‘It starts with when I walk out my front door with my neighbours, and when I’m in the supermarket, and when I’m here on a Sunday.

‘I say to our people, “It’s not a series, it’s not a programme.

It’s a lifestyle until Jesus comes back”.’

David was also inspired by a study he read which proved plenty of non-Christians were interested in the idea of God and church. ‘But they need to see that the church is real … they need to see that Jesus is real in people’s lives.’

Excitement as New Soldiers Enrol Miramar Corps celebrated enrolling four new soldiers and one new adherent, on 26 August.

This was the first time in several years Miramar has had a number of enrolments, and there was a lot of excitement and momentum around the commitments these individuals were making. Major Katherine Sonntag led the ceremony along with Corps Leader David Medland.

The corps had focused on a covenant series for four Sundays called ‘I Believe, Therefore…’, with the focus on what covenant is and what that looks like in our own lives, as well as the covenant options in The Salvation Army. The series also included testimonies from people who have chosen soldiership as their covenant—these were powerful Sundays.

As part of the enrolment ceremony, new soldier Joanne Smith shared her testimony, saying she felt God was calling her to step out in faith and go deeper with him—soldiership was one of the ways God was asking her to do this. Two of the other new soldiers commented that they felt this was the next step in their passion for more of God, and their love and commitment to The Salvation Army.

It was an exciting day in the Miramar history books and has encouraged a sense of anticipation around what else God has in store for the corps, as each individual reaffirms and enters into a new season of covenant.

Left to right: Pastor Dave, Phil, Summer, Joanne, Jocelyn (holding the flag), Sandra, Katherine and Sophie.

Is your corps brimming with new initiatives? Tell us about it so we can spread the word and share the love!

18 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

‘ … WAITING IS THE HARDEST WORK OF HOPE.’ Waiting is difficult, but it is the doorway to hope.

Hannah Medland, mastermind of the For Miramar initiative, and her father David Medland.

GAZETTE

Bereavement: Captain Stewart Lee of his mother Jane Lee, who passed away in Thames on Tuesday October 2. We ask you to uphold Captains Stewart and Michelle Lee, Stewart’s father Robert, and other family members in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.

Resignation: Effective January 10 2019: Majors Bruce and Lee Edney. Following their commissioning on 9 December 1995, Bruce and Lee were appointed as Corps Officers in Motueka. In addition, Bruce was the Community and Family Services Director in Motueka. In 2001 Bruce and Lee were appointed Assistant Officers of Community and Family Services in Wellington. Since 2004, Bruce has had appointments as a Court and Prison Officer in Wellington, Upper Hutt, and Hutt City; Employment Plus Chaplain, Petone; and Data Analysis and Support Team Leader (2008–2018).

In 2005, Lee was appointed Assistant Director, Community and Family Services in Wellington. Then in 2007 she went on to became the Director.

From 2010 to 2013, Lee was a Court and Prison Officer for Wellington. In 2013, Lee was appointed Divisional Secretary for Community Ministries, Central Division. We thank Majors Bruce and Lee Edney for their 23 years of active service and pray God’s blessing on them in the days ahead.

New appointment: Effective 10 January 2019: Jono Bell, Territorial Director, Community Ministries. Please pray for Jono Bell as he undertakes this new responsibility.

Have you ever gone on a long road trip with a child? Road trips come with comments like, ‘Are we there yet?’, ‘I’m hungry, I’m bored, I’m thirsty’. The child has needs but they have to wait. They persist, but they still have to wait.

Waiting is not easy for anyone. Why? Because we don’t like doing nothing. We don’t like the powerlessness of inaction. We don’t like feeling that we can’t do something.

Yet, we do a lot of waiting: in queues, waiting for answers, waiting for things to be done, waiting for God. Lew Smedes says, ‘Waiting is our destiny. As creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for, we wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a “not yet” that feels like a “not ever”. Waiting is the hardest work of hope’.

When we wait, we do so with expectation. We look for something to happen.

We have hope. This is what keeps us waiting. This is what stops us giving up.

We believe if we just wait we will receive what we are waiting for.

Jesus told his disciples to wait: wait for the Holy Spirit, wait for God’s power, wait for what is promised (Acts 1:4). They waited and they received what God had promised.

We are very blessed in this territory. We have people called to mission, we have resources, we see God at work, the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning. But we have a yearning for more—to know and experience more of God in our own lives, and to know and experience more of God in our world and so we wait. We wait with hope. We wait, yet we pursue—we chase after, and we continue to seek God. ‘The Pursuit’ a nine week prayer focus in the lead-up to New Zeal, reminds us why we wait, what this pursuit is about, what we hope for: ‘We want to be an Army that is in pursuit of holy living, of encounter with the Holy Spirit and living out all God is calling us to be’.

God is at work in our territory. We celebrate the encounters that are happening, the lives being transformed and the power of the Holy Spirit at work. And we pursue more—we pursue another encounter with God. As we gather for New Zeal in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa we pray that God will fill us again with his Spirit and breathe life into us and we wait with expectation of God encounters.

Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp Territorial President of Women’s Ministries

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 19

After a life-time of feeling shame, Kath Wells finally discovered wonderfilled acceptance in Christ. This (the first in a two-part series) is an excerpt from her book Four Degrees of Wonder.

We were created with this capacity to overflow with wonder, to be awed, ‘blown away’, unravelled and renewed. Often we see deeper into things and pass beyond the immediate to the eternal. And once experienced, it becomes part of us.

I believe wonder and worship were meant to be as familiar to us as laughter and affection. I am sure the Lord wants waves of wonder to wash over us often.

It lifts our heads, enlarges our hearts, and empowers our hands to serve and our mouths to bless.

Emily O’Leary, in an article called ‘It’s a Wonder-filled Life’, decries the overly casual use of the word ‘awesome!’ and describes awe as ‘an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration and fear—an emotional response produced by something that is grand, sublime and extremely powerful.’

Quoting a number of university studies and experiments, Dr O’Leary says that awe and wonder increase our overall sense of wellbeing and draw us into charitable giving and getting involved in helping others. They shift us from small thinking and self-interest to thinking about the interests of others.

20 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

Being wonder-struck by the beauty of nature enlarges us, moves our focus off the trivial and brings calm and attentiveness to our overly busy minds.

Our sense of time slows down which causes us to feel more patient and more willing to help others. Dr O’Leary reports studies that show how awe can even help us fight inflammation in our body! How extraordinary. Who wouldn’t want to be in wonder on a regular basis!

Bathed in love In my growing years, the wonder of exploration and discovery was common for me. I have always been curious about things and would pore over an encyclopaedia or dictionary or map for hours. Our family enjoyed the outdoors—surprise and astonishment were part of my learning process as it is for most children. I responded to the ‘natural wonders’ of this world.

As I wondered about this recently, I realised that a blight had crept into my soul. Some life events caused a sense of being ‘unacceptable’ to colour my world and prevent me from enjoying the author of all that is beautiful and good.

I was often told I had ‘too much to say’, and I was ‘too loud’. (I didn’t ask to be born an extrovert!) I was inept at certain things, good at tripping over things … and a whole lot more besides. So, feeling shamefully unacceptable became a fairly regular and painful experience. And for many years I felt that was how God viewed me.

But it all changed at the age of 30 when, for the first time, I met the Lord heartto-heart and was made a new and very different person. It was stunning to me. I had no idea that relating to God could be like this. Yes, I grew up in an enthusiastic evangelical church, I had ‘given my heart to Jesus’ around seven, and in my later teens had ‘surrendered my life and my future’ to the Lord when I felt his call. I earnestly tried to do all the right things, but failed so very often. But this reality, this divine wonder of being made new, was veiled to me until that day, the 16th March.

‘ … FEELING SHAMEFULLY UNACCEPTABLE BECAME A FAIRLY REGULAR AND PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. AND FOR MANY YEARS I FELT THAT WAS HOW GOD VIEWED ME.’ Now I knew that I belonged to God and was totally and completely acceptable, not because of anything I had done, but all because of Jesus. His love had bathed my heart and nothing was ever the same.

What opened the door?

When recalling this pivotal event recently I began to wonder: why didn’t it happen earlier when I gave myself to him? As I thought back on it, I realised that there were a number of different perspectives that needed to come to me before my heart would open.

I needed to become hungry for the new life, not just ashamed of the old.

My impression is that there was a strong emphasis in those days in our evangelical/holiness denomination on the need to confess our sins, discipline our lives, and ‘deny the flesh’. There was much less emphasis on the nature of the new life that was given to us who trusted in Jesus. It seemed like it was mostly over to us to ‘get it right’.

Dallas Willard in his book The Divine Conspiracy calls it ‘the gospel of sinmanagement’—a preoccupation with our own failings and how to overcome them, rather than focusing on the wonder of what Jesus has done for us, and is now doing, because he lives in us.

What happened for me was that a neighbour who was a believer gave a winsome testimony about her love for Jesus, and the reality of his presence in her life. But I knew that she also had

‘NOW I KNEW THAT I BELONGED TO GOD AND WAS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE.’

days of agony, suffering in a dark room with severe migraines. It puzzled me that she was so sure of Jesus, yet had such dark and painful days. I realised I was lacking something she had. So I became hungry for this reality that could withstand the hard things in life. This was no longer about sin, which I confessed often, but about finding the presence and consolation that only Jesus could bring.

me. I simply said to Jesus, ‘I am sorry it has taken me so long to trust you. I give you my life now.’ This was in effect an ‘entrusting’ of myself fully to him. No one had ever explained to me how to do that. They had assumed that I ‘had faith’, that I ‘believed in Jesus’. But to receive from him was a step further.

The next morning when I woke up I knew instantly without a shadow of doubt that I was indeed his child, made clean, with a new heart and a new spirit. I was flooded with his joy and felt incredibly light! The ‘weight’ of doubt and fear had been taken off me.

The theologian Baxter Kruger points out that we too often look for a ‘sin solution’ when that has already been fully provided through the cross. The Father sent Jesus to bring us into union with himself and to return us to our true home with him.

I needed to trust and receive.

My neighbour suggested I came to a small group her friend was having. So I did. That night they were looking at John 4, the story of the woman at the well. Jesus offered her ‘living water’. It dawned on me that my ache was for this ‘living water’ that Jesus talked about.

I had many times ‘gone forward’ in a service to receive counsel and prayer. But somehow nothing changed in me. I just felt a temporary catharsis. This time I was with a group of caring women who heard me when I blurted out, ‘I don’t think I have ever received this living water. But I want to.’

They prayed for me, and one laid her hand on my shoulder and prayed over

This is an abridged excerpt from Four Degrees of Wonder by Kath Wells. Buy at Manna Bookshops, bookdepository.com, or at wellsprings@xtra.co.nz.

Take a moment …

Do you know that you ‘stand in grace’ as Paul describes? No judgement, but full acceptance? If you do, give thanks! If you are unsure, find someone to talk and pray with about it.

How much do you focus on sorting out the ‘old’ you, in comparison to drinking in the ‘new’ and living water Jesus has for you? How can you shift your focus to what is already yours, what has already been done for you?

What was the personal way the Lord revealed himself to you so you became fully his?

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 21

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 21 Oct: New Zeal Launch, Wellington City Corps, Wellington 26 Oct: Jeff Farm Annual General Meeting, Otaraia 28 Oct: Gore Corps visit, Gore 27–29 Oct: Southern Division Governance Board visit, Christchurch

Do you know these people?

NUNNEY, William (Bill) Sidney, born 1960 in Canada McINTOSH, Alan Dale, born 1962 in Hastings

These people are missing and a loved one is looking for them.

If you know this person, please contact Family Tracing. e: family.tracing@salvationarmy.org.nz p: (04) 382 0710 | salvationarmy.org.nz/familytracing

Colonels Suzanne Fincham (Chief Secretary) and Melvin Fincham (Territorial Secretary for Programme and Communications) 19–20 Oct: Te Ngākau–Nui Hōu (National Māori Hui), Rangiriri 21 Oct: New Zeal Launch, Auckland City Corps, Auckland 28 Oct: Christchurch North Corps visit, Christchurch 27–29 Oct: Southern Division Governance Board visit, Christchurch 2 Nov: ReKindle, Christchurch City Corps, Christchurch 4 Nov: Nelson/Tasman Bays Corps visit, Nelson Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 21 Oct: New Zeal Launch, Linwood Corps, Christchurch 28 October: Sydenham Corps visit, Christchurch 27–29 Oct: Southern Division Governance Board visit, Christchurch

PRAY Subscribe today!

War Cry … DIRECT to your door Annual subscription (including p&p) $75 (within NZ).

To subscribe, contact Salvationist Resources, p: (04) 382 0740, e: mailorder@.salvationarmy.org.nz

Shop online at

salvationarmy.org.nz/shop

Want to Know More?

Masterton Corps, Matamata Family Store, Midland Divisional Headquarters, Miramar Corps and the Moral and Social Issues Council (MASIC); The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe.

Check out our new website salvationarmy.org.nz

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES: salvationarmy.org.nz/employment

Buy pre-loved

I would like:

&

to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army

spread the love

The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

more than just a store Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Quiz Answers: 1 Joy Cowley, 2 Football (Wollongong Wolves), 3 Pa’anga, 4 Dragonfruit, 5 2 Peter (2:16).

22 WarCry 20 OCTOBER 2018

‘ … always give yourselves fully to the Lord … ’

Word search!

Can you find 12 words related to New Zeal?

They can be found either forward or backward, up or down, or diagonally.

E N T H U S I A S M D L V T K

G O P N C A C H N C Y J S P S

K I V P O Z I O L R Q C M E Y

N T C B Y I I T F X J T R T K

P O Y S D T S T P W G V K B R

K V I U A T H S Z M I Z E A L

L E V V E F P L A C A V M Y F

W D L R N I M M E P O Y U C B

S A W L E W A I H L H X L R U

S P R Y R A P T G D W R B N R

D L I I G B Q Q A Y M A I D Y

E O F R Y H V O L R L P E U T

T X G T I U Z K F Z A A S U J

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

G N W N U T B V B J B I F O F

E E M O S E W A B K G A E W V

AWESOME DEVOTION ENERGY ENTHUSIASM FLAG GOD LOVE PASSION SALVATION SERVICE SPIRIT ZEAL

This Sunday, The Salvation Army is gathering together for a special event called New Zeal.

‘Zeal’ means when you are super excited about something. Like, if you love video games and do it as much as you can, you are zealous about gaming. You can be zealous about sports, or Lego, or unicorns …. What do you absolutely, totally, crazily, awesomely love? What do you have zeal for?

At The Salvation Army, we have zeal for God—we want to get to know God and love God as much as possible.

Did you know that The Salvation Army flag reminds us of God? It shows us the three parts of God that make up the one God we worship: The blue part represents God the Father, who created the world with the waters below and the sky above.

The red part represents Jesus, God’s son, who bled and died on the cross so that we could be friends with him.

The yellow star reminds us of the Holy Spirit, who helps us. Like a star, the Holy Spirit lights our path in life so that we know where to go and what to do.

• • • What do you love? What do you have zeal for?

Draw your own flag that shows what you have zeal for!

ea There ar ntr y u o c f o bunch p ag e . e h t n o flags name Can you ll? them a

Dear God, I love you so much! I want to have zeal for you!

20 OCTOBER 2018 WarCry 23

40 YEARS 4 0 of MISSION A celebration of The Salvation Army’s Education and Employment service

This year marks 40 years of The Salvation Army’s Education and Employment service. Although the service has evolved over the years to meet education trends and employment needs, the motivation of ‘transforming lives’ has been the constant over the decades.

We want to thank past and present stakeholders for being part of Education and Employment’s positive efforts over the decades.

Education and Employment, New Zealand’s longest running private training establishment!