22 April 2017 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 22 APRIL 2017 | Issue 6665 | $1.50

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD DOESN'T FIT IN Why Lianne Bateman Donated a Kidney

Support the Red Shield Appeal: It’s Time to End Poverty in New Zealand 500 years since the Protestant Reformation Salvation Army Values:

CARE FOR OTHERS

SHANE CLAIBORNE

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

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

& Catherine Booth

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

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

Gainsford

OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

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

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

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

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

Publishing for 133 years | Issue 6665 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 salvationarmynzftwarcry @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

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The Army that brings lunch Our current Salvation Army Mission Plan is called ‘The Army that Brings Life’.

That’s the meaning of ‘The Salvation Army’ when translated into Māori as ‘Te Ope Whakaora’.

In the War Cry office, we sometimes joke that a better phrase would be ‘The Army that Brings Lunch’. That’s because so much of The Salvation Army’s work is focused on putting food on families’ tables (and also because we seem to involve food in most of our gatherings!).

The Salvation Army brings lunch through our food banks, budgeting services and community meals, as well as through the cooking classes run by some of our social service centres. Indirectly, we do it when we help people find affordable housing that means they have enough left over to feed their family. Similarly, we do it when we help those whose addiction to drugs and alcohol or out-of-control gambling causes turmoil at home that disrupts budgets and family meal times.

And we definitely do it when we feed people after civil defence emergencies, such as following the evacuation of residents from flood-affected Edgecumbe.

Our Public Relations Department recently received an email from someone advising they no longer wanted us to take money automatically from their bank account. We couldn’t locate this person in our records, but they were adamant regular payments to The Salvation Army were being made—and could we stop this please?

Then came an embarrassed apology saying they’d realised these ‘donations’ were actually the purchase price of café food at their local Booth Café, a training café run by our Education and Employment service. Yet another case of ‘the Army that brings lunch’—or at least morning and afternoon tea!

Christina Tyson Editor

Recognising that something is wrong is the first step toward changing the world.

Shane Claiborne

Romans 12:21 New International Version Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Rōma 12:21 Kei hinga koe i te kino, engari kia hinga te kino i tōu pai.

I

t’s time to end poverty in New Zealand.

That’s the challenge The Salvation Army is laying down to the country ahead of this year’s Red Shield Appeal from 1–7 May. It’s a bold challenge, but it’s not one we should be afraid of. The Salvation Army, from its birth in 1865, has been committed to fighting for the poor —to end their poverty. This year, it’s time to take a stand again on that commitment and ask the country to join us, Salvation Army Territorial Community Ministries Secretary Major Pam Waugh says.

The reality is that, today in New Zealand, one in every 100 people is homeless and one in four children live in a household that struggles to afford the basics of life. In fact, more than 155,000 children live in households that regularly go without essentials like adequate food, clothing and heating. Those numbers have barely changed in 10 years, showing that a level of poverty has become entrenched here.

That’s not good enough. No one should have to live like this. And in a prosperous country like New Zealand, if we all come together no one will have to, Pam says.

‘We shouldn’t accept this. We have always been known as a flourishing country that’s good to bring your kids up in, but that’s changing for a growing number of families. We don’t want to look back in 10 years and say we had a chance to do something, but we didn’t take it.’

Of course, in church circles a few people may say this is pointless, arguing that Jesus said, ‘The poor will always be with you.’ But that comment from Jesus was absolutely not a permission to stop fighting poverty.

When Jesus said this, he was quoting from Dueteronomy 15:11,‘There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.’ And that quote is almost certainly shorthand for all of the first 11 verses of Deuteronomy 15, like quoting one line from your favourite movie or song to refer to the whole thing.

The disciples, who would have been hearing and memorising Jewish written law every day from birth, would almost certainly have instantly picked up on Jesus’ message. A reminder that they were—and we are—commanded by God to ‘not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted’ toward the poor (Deuteronomy 15:8), but to ‘be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need’ (v9), to ‘give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart’ (v10), and again ‘to be open-handed’ (v11).

As Christians and as The Salvation Army, we’re committed to continuing our work to end poverty through services like budgeting, counselling, addictions treatment and housing, which help thousands of people every year escape poverty and build a better long-term future.

But ending poverty is not somethingthat The Salvation Army or other charities can do alone— and it’s not something that government can fix alone either. Ending poverty in New Zealand requires all of us to work together.

That’s why we’re not just asking New Zealanders to give us money; we’re challenging all of us to see the need, to talk about it, and to act.

Will you join us to end poverty in New Zealand?

BY ROBIN RAYMOND 22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 3

GOODSTUFF

New Zealand made history last month when the Whanganui River became the first in the world to be declared a legal entity, with the same rights as a person.

The ruling will protect the river from ownership and management, and instead, create guardians to oversee its wellbeing and health. This is a woefully overdue— but wonderful—legal acknowledgement that the wellbeing of our land and our people are intrinsically inter-connected.

As our world faces ecological crisis, the tradition of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship, is proving a visionary model for the future.

ONTHESPOT Kara Isaac Kara writes Christian romance novels set in New Zealand that captivate US audiences.

Animated The Lego Batman Movie (PG, Contains Violence) Chris McKay

A spinoff from the vastly successful Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie sees confirmed loner Bruce Wayne absentmindedly adopting orphan Dick Grayson who discovers the Batcave and wants to become Batman’s sidekick. The problem is this Batman doesn’t consider much apart from his fame, his wealth, his solitude, and his fragile yet overinflated ego. When he refuses even to admit to The Joker that their adversarial relationship is anything special, you know Batman is heading for trouble … Cue a fiendish evil plan by The Joker and some super villains, animated anarchy, riotous comedy, hilarious digs at superhero movies, and some valuable life lessons (namely: teamwork is good and friends are important). Brilliant fun for all ages and probably the best Batman movie ever. (Reviewed by Martin and Jake Barratt)

Secret Indulgence: Double Stuffed Oreos. You can’t get them here, so I beg/ charm my American friends when my supplies get low.

‘Imagine if trees gave off Wifi signals, we would be planting so many trees and we’d probably save the planet too.

Too bad they only produce the oxygen we breathe.’

Celebrity crush: Dame Tariana Turia. I worked in the Beehive for five years, and she always impressed me with her integrity, passion and unwavering commitment to her principles.

Unknown

History After the War Stephen Clarke

What I’m reading: I’ve just started Susan Meissner’s A Bridge Across The Ocean.

I wait with bated breath every year for her latest release.

One thing I love: Sleep! Probably because I live with three young children.

One thing I hate: Unnecessarily rude people.

What do you enjoy most about being an author? Hearing from readers. Most of the time I feel completely inadequate to the task.

But when I hear from a reader saying how much they enjoyed one of my books it makes it all worthwhile.

Something that would surprise us about your job: Probably how little control authors have over anything that isn’t the story itself. Book covers, pricing, release dates—all of that is the publisher’s decision.

4 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

We have two copies of Can’t Help Falling

by Kara Isaac to give away.

To be in the draw, email WarCry@nzf. salvationarmy. org by 5 May.

The history of the Returned Serviceman Association is a story of the catastrophic realities of war, and the yawning gap between those who stayed home and those who went to war. After the first ‘industrialised-scale killing’ of World War One, soldiers returned to be asked by the average person they met on the street, ‘Did you have a good time?’ The RSA was birthed out of the grief and loss of these silenced soldiers. Historian Stephen Clarke writes a dynamic social history from experiences that have become embedded in our national identity. (Penguin Random House)

Tears caused by sadness, happiness and onions all look different under a microscope.

QUIKQUIZ 1 What instrument

does Animal from The Muppets play?

2 How many dots on a standard dice?

3 Who is playing Mary

Poppins in the remake of the movie?

4 What vegetable was

eaten by athletes in the first Olympic Games to boost strength?

5 Which prophet was a very hairy man?

Answers on page 22

Cranberry & White Chocolate Anzac Biscuits This take on the classic Anzac biscuit is just a little bit gourmet | Makes 20 biscuits 125g butter 1 Tbsp golden syrup ½ tsp baking soda, dissolved in …

2 Tbsp boiling water 1 cup plain flour 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup sugar 1 cup coconut, desiccated ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup white chocolate chips

A Fabulously Fruity Idea After noticing how much fruit was falling on the ground in her Auckland neighbourhood, Di Celliers decided to approach her neighbours and see if she could pick their fruit and give it away. She got such a good response that the Community Fruit Harvest was born.

They were soon picking so much fruit that they started making jam, chutneys, cordials and fruit leathers. Today, they even run classes in the art of preserving. The bounty is then passed on to foodbanks—including working closely with Salvation Army Community Ministries.

Community Fruit Harvest now has branches around the country, and the emphasis is on keeping it local—each branch picks its own fruit, preserves it, and gives it back to the local community. ‘I come from family where we didn’t

Pre-heat oven to 170°C. Line a cookie tray with baking paper.

In a saucepan, place the butter and golden syrup. Melt over low heat.

Remove from heat. Add the combined baking soda and water.

Place dry ingredients into a bowl and pour over butter, syrup and soda mixture. Mix well.

Roll walnut-sized balls of dough and place onto a lined baking tray. Press slightly down with the base of your hand to form a cookie shape. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.

Place in the oven and cook for 15-20 mins or until golden brown.

Let biscuits sit for 5 mins to harden before removing to a cooling rack.

Source | thewhimsicalwife.com

have a lot of money and I saw how my father could support our family on what he grew in the garden,’ explains Di. ‘I also have a strong belief that we should help each other out, especially giving away what we don’t even miss.’

It has been a crash course in sustainability for Di, who was shocked to discover that local orchards are being all but abandoned. ‘Supermarkets import the fruit for a pittance, meaning that our farmers can’t do anything but leave the fruit to rot,’ she says.

On 22 April we commemorate Earth Day, and Di’s initiative shows that a simple idea can make a huge difference to both our environment and communities.

Community Fruit Harvest desperately needs more pickers and preservers. Email Di: pickfruit@xtra.co.nz 22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 5

Choose

LIFE

Brought up in the heart of US evangelical culture, Shane Claiborne has become a prophet to Christians, calling us back to the teachings of Jesus. On a recent visit to New Zealand, he talked to Ingrid Barratt about adopting a truly holistic pro-life ethic.

BY INGRID BARRATT

S

hane Claiborne’s best-selling manifesto The Irresistible Revolution is one of those books that makes you want to change everything about your life. Sell all your possessions and give to the poor. Live radically.

It’s a bit like how I imagine it felt to sit in the crowd when Jesus pronounced his radical teachings. Viva la revolution!

Before Shane wrote his first book 10 years ago, he was living in inner-city Philadelphia with his community ‘The Simple Way’. His life was defined by sharing possessions, living together, welcoming in the stranger, providing for the needy, and choosing the life of authenticity.

So, being catapulted into Christian celebrity status has sat uncomfortably with him. Shane, himself, states that the world doesn’t need another book about living like Jesus—we just need more Christians actually living like Jesus.

He could be rich. But, instead, he asked his community to cap his income so he continues to live in a similar way to his neighbours. The hundreds of thousands of dollars from Shane’s books go back into the community and other ministries. ‘I’m really convinced—and I have seen in myself—that the more we have, the more we have to maintain. Simplicity is not something we have to do, it’s something we get to do, and have freedom through it.’

The values of Jesus When you read the Beatitudes and juxtapose that with the divisive rhetoric evident in many countries around the world, you couldn’t get a more stark contrast. Reflecting on life in the US, Shane says, ‘We’re seeing what happens when a country makes idols out of power and fame and pride and money.’

He is particularly concerned about the impact of recent debates around immigration in the US. This is personal for Shane, since his own neighbours are living in fear. His wife Katie-Jo, a teacher, recently asked her seven-year-old students how they were processing the talk of immigration. Their answers were disturbing. ‘They said things like, “Are they going to make us slaves again?” and “Are my parents going to get sent back to Puerto Rico?” ’ Shane recalls. ‘We’ve enough trauma in our neighbourhood, so this is a blow.’

Shane is speaking as an insider into American evangelicalism. He was born and bred in the South, where he grew up in a typical church, with a typically US form of patriotism. To this day, his family are gun owners and supporters of the military.

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 7

But as a teenager, Shane began to see that the values of his Christian culture didn’t line up with the values of Jesus—who aligned himself with the poor, not the powerful. At university, he found himself thrown into the role of advocate for the homeless in downtown Philadelphia, and in an act of solidarity, started sleeping rough with them.

A truly pro-life ethic Today, Shane has become a prophet among evangelical Christians—he even looks a bit like what I imagine John the Baptist could have looked like, sewing his own clothes and living off the land. From the fringes of our consumerdriven culture, Shane is calling us away from wealth and individualism, and towards a Jesus-centred way of life.

When I ask him whether it’s okay for a Christian to be wealthy, he answers with a quote from Rick Warren: It’s not always a sin to generate money, but it’s always a sin to die with it. I think Jesus is pointing us to freedom from materialism and a solidarity with the poor and marginalised, re-defining our possessions based on love.’

THERE’S A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSIONS OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOT TO CONFORM TO THE PATTERNS OF THIS WORLD. Jesus was truly ‘pro-life’—far beyond the bumper stickers and slogans, says Shane, adding ‘I like to say that I’m pro-life from the womb to the tomb.’ A truly holistic pro-life ethic means caring for all of life. It means looking after the life of our planet, which has led The Simple Way to develop a sustainable garden in the inner city. It means taking personal responsibility for the girl in the neighbourhood who is pregnant.

Shane’s pro-life ethic has also led him to take an active stance against the scourge of gun ownership and legallysanctified killing, becoming an advocate for death-row prisoners. A surprising side effect of this work has been helping heal traumatised executioners.

8 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

‘One executioner killed himself, and another guy was absolutely heart-breaking. He used to do executions by electric chair, but one time it went wrong and the guy’s head caught on fire. So he went on and trained in lethal injection, but it haunted him. He is still a “hard on crime” kinda guy, but he has gone on to say that there is no good way to kill someone,’ recalls Shane.

‘I talk a lot about the execution of Jesus, and how people were passing him around, and Pilate washed his hands of it. No one wanted to take responsibility for it. We try to sanitise killing in the same way, but the early Christians were very vocal against all forms of killing.’

Ordinary radicals After 15 years living at The Simple Way, Shane got married and moved down the road. He even cut off his signature dreadlocks.

‘My life doesn’t look the same as it did 20 years ago, but nonconformity doesn’t mean uniformity,’ he reflects.

‘There’s a lot of beautiful expressions of what it looks like not to conform to the patterns of this world. It’s less about outward expressions than how you love. I know a lot of people that look very radical, but their lives aren’t that radical—I know a lot of people who look very normal, but they’re subversive people inside the imperial courts.’ The family is a beautiful example of community, adds Shane, and raising kids to think counterculturally will change the world.

Incidentally, Shane says he loves The Salvation Army, but laughs that ‘you have to be in on the joke’ when it comes to our military metaphors.

Although his message of living like Jesus is, tragically, somewhat still on the fringes of mainstream Christianity, Shane says he is strangely encouraged by what is happening in his home country. ‘Things are coming to the surface that have been there for a long time, and there is a holy uprising happening in our country.’

Recently, Shane attended a protest as part of the ‘Moral Mondays’ movement in the States—a civil disobedience effort begun by Christians to peacefully protest legal injustices. The march was attended by a staggering 80,000 people.

We’re all called to be ordinary radicals, sums up Shane.

And it’s the best life. ‘I’m a big believer that simple living isn’t ugly living, it’s a lot of fun. People have this idea that we’re suffering for the Lord, but I love our life, I absolutely love it.’

CARING FOR ALL OF LIFE MEANS LOOKING AFTER THE LIFE OF OUR PLANET, WHICH HAS LED TO A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN IN THE INNER CITY. Choosing Courage over Comfort ‘Jesus Was Homeless’ was on a shirt Shane Claiborne wore before a judge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his fellow activists were being charged for serving food to the city’s homeless population and for sleeping in a public park. The municipality had made both actions illegal in the hope of ‘cleaning up the streets’—and the public image—of one of the USA’s most historic cities.

I’d heard this story before, but a new sense of sadness and outrage arose within me hearing Shane tell it in person on his recent visit to Wellington. Outrage that a city would make it harder for people with no place to call home to find places to sleep, and food to eat.

Outrage that people would be arrested and charged for doing what Jesus specifically instructed his followers to do (see Matthew 25:35-40). Sadness that these policies were commonplace in a country that self-proclaims as ‘God’s nation’ on earth.

This is not a political or an anti-American piece. It’s a lament that we Christians seem to chase comfort and security over doing the very thing that our Lord told us to do. I’m much the same. Ideologically, I crave to be courageous—to be out there bringing food to the homeless, visiting prisoners and welcoming the stranger.

But more often than not, I have to admit, it’s just too scary. And (as I tell myself), I have bills to pay.

Many of you probably feel similarly, nursing a sense of guilt that you’re not doing something more meaningful

with your time. But perhaps, like me, you’re also secretly glad you’re not out there staring those fears in the face.

That you’re not opening yourself up to the vulnerability— or danger—that Shane and his friends have encountered.

The sheer reality of the situation is that not all of us can be (or are called to be) activists, constantly on the move to highlight the plight of marginalised people. But that doesn’t let us off the hook. We have to do what we can in the place we find ourselves.

The end of the Philadelphia story saw the judge ask for one of Shane’s ‘Jesus Was Homeless’ shirts and drop all charges against the group. The judge realised what they were doing was in line with the call of God, and that the municipal laws were unjust. He got on board in his own way.

That’s what encourages me. I can do small things every day to jump on board and sow seeds for the Kingdom of God. From the products I buy, to how I vote in elections, to how I serve others—I can say, ‘I want to be part of Jesus’ way.’

I’m in a process of actively increasing my engagement with larger justice issues, and encourage you to do the same.

For those who are daunted by this thought, remember the Kingdom of Heaven starts like a mustard seed (see Matthew 13:31-32). It’s small initially, but it grows!

BY SAM COATES

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 9

When Your Child Doesn’t Fit In Struggling to fit in at school can be miserable for your child—and heart-breaking for you. But there is a way through.

We are inherently social, and friendship is a universal human experience. But so is loneliness, and all of us experience feelings of isolation at times.

If your child only has one friend, there is no need to worry. But having no friends can be devastating to children. Your response is important, so don’t be devastated for them; instead, bring the issue down to size. Reassure them by showing sympathy and understanding, put it into perspective, and coach them through.

SOME CHILDREN HAVE TROUBLE LEARNING SOCIAL CUES, MAKING THEM VULNERABLE TO REJECTION. Encourage your child to make one friend first. Is there a quiet child who needs a friend? Is there someone they haven’t thought about talking to? Encourage them to take the first step by talking to someone new.

Help them identify and get involved in activities they enjoy— they may build friendships around shared interests. Or send them to groups like Boy Scouts or Girl Guides, where they can make friends outside school.

Some children have more trouble learning social cues than others, making them vulnerable to rejection. Walk them through different social scenarios. Show them pictures of different faces and ask them to identify the different expressions—get them to make up scenarios or stories about what these people are feeling, and coach them through how to deal with these situations.

Positive self-talk is a powerful skill to help your child in social situations, and will help sooth them when they feel left out. For example, if someone at school is picking on the way your child dresses, teach your child to say: ‘If they don’t like my clothes, that’s their problem not mine.’ Roleplay these scenarios with your child, so they have answers up their sleeve if the situation occurs—make sure these answers are empowering to your child, making them feel good about themselves.

Giving your child the reassurance of your love and acceptance will provide the best basis for learning how to make their own friendship connections.

10 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

If Your Child is Being Bullied If your child tells you they are being bullied, take their feelings seriously, listen carefully to what they are saying, and reassure them it’s not their fault, says Sandra Hiller of Family Lives in the UK. ‘Ask your child: “How do you want me to take this forward?” rather than just taking over.’ Here are some tips for working with the school to stop the bullying: Before you approach the school, list all the facts: what happened, who was involved, when it occurred, who witnessed it, anything your child did that may have provoked the incident, whether it was a one-off or a series of events.

Make an appointment with the class teacher or head of year.

Aim to work together with the school and make it clear you are seeking the school’s help in finding a solution.

Avoid accusing the school. Teachers are usually the last to find out bullying is happening at school.

Allow the school time to deal with the problem, but arrange a follow-up meeting to see how the situation is being resolved.

If things don’t improve, keep a bullying diary and tell the school each time an incident occurs. If you’re not satisfied with the school’s response, don’t give up or be made to feel like a timewaster or a troublemaker.

Source: bullying.co.uk

TESTIFY! A friendship begun over coffee led Tauranga Salvationist Lianne Bateman to donate a kidney.

I had no idea I was even considering organ donation until the words came out of my mouth: ‘What do I have to do to give you a kidney?’

It was mid-2013 and I had been a regular at a coffee shop near my Salvation Army church, where Frankie Egglestone would serve me and make my coffee. She was so friendly and engaging, and before long we were on a first-name basis and Facebook friends.

One day I asked her what that thing sticking out above her tee-shirt was.

That was when I first learned that Frankie was sick. She had been born with only one kidney that functioned at 30 per cent. When she was seven she received her mum’s right kidney.

However, two pregnancies in close succession in her early 20s put too much strain on the transplanted kidney and it failed. Frankie had a special access port inserted into her jugular so she could attach to a dialysis machine to filter toxins and waste from her body.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a peace about it in my heart and knew it was the right thing to do. It sat right in my spirit. The first thing I had to do was contact the transplant coordinator at Waikato Hospital. Once I registered as a possible donor, the tests began.

It’s just as well needles and the sight of blood don’t faze me! There were lots of blood tests. It was soon apparent that I was not a close match to Frankie. I had different blood types, and the high level of antibodies from her previous transplant meant rejection was almost guaranteed if we went ahead. But we were able to go on the paired transplant waiting list. We passed all the tests and I was considered a viable kidney donor.

Lianne (centre) with Frankie and her daughter Lexi.

Photography: George Novak/Bay of Plenty Times.

What followed was 18 months of silence. We heard nothing about the transplant, and meanwhile Frankie faced some big challenges with her health. At one point she nearly died from septicaemia.

Miraculously, in March 2016, I got a phone call out of the blue asking if I would retest. Frankie’s antibodies had suddenly started decreasing meaning I could possibly directly donate my kidney.

On the morning of 5 October 2016, I walked out of the ward and met Frankie in the corridor where we sat together and cried and laughed. My part in the procedure took four hours, and then they cleaned up the theatre and wheeled Frankie in.

Frankie’s new kidney started working straight away, but after two days it started to slow down and started to show signs of rejection. She was put on chemo and the kidney perked up and started doing its thing.

I came home 10 days after the operation and had a mini meltdown.

I was relieved to be home and the magnitude of what happened hit me like a ton of bricks. I had given away a part of my body that was now functioning in someone else’s body.

A PART OF MY BODY WAS NOW FUNCTIONING IN SOMEONE ELSE’S BODY. The challenge isn’t over for Frankie.

Her new kidney isn’t working as it should. But what struck me about her when we met was her indomitable spirit. She was honest about the reality of her health, but would often say, ‘But hey, I’m alive.’ I admire her so much because she doesn’t let it dominate her life—but her life was going to end because of it, if something wasn’t done.

I think God was teaching me a lot of patience through this process. And I’ve gained a new family. I trust God and pray that Frankie’s body will work again as it should so she and her daughter can have a long and happy life together.

LEARN MORE | donor.org.nz

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 11

A passion for creative arts has opened the doors for Kiwi Raechel Popping to be among the first students at a ground-breaking Salvation Army school in New York.

BY SHAR DAVIS

Shakespeare wrote, ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.’ For 21-year-old Raechel Popping from Grandview Corps, Hamilton, the world is her mission field and her love of Shakespeare is taking her to New York.

Raechel has been accepted to attend The Glory Shop, a school for arts and discipleship located in The Salvation Army’s Times Square Corps in mid-town Manhattan.

Creative arts have always played an important role in Raechel’s life. At high school she did production, drama and music. She was an arts prefect at Hamilton Girls High School, and if there was a singing group Raechel was probably in it. She is also part of the worship team at church.

CONNECTING WITH GOD A twin and the second-youngest of five children, Raechel grew up the world of Christian camping 12 firezone.co.nz 22 APRIL 2017

thanks to her parents Mary and Michael’s choice of vocation. (They’ve been running Christian camps for longer than Raechel has been alive!) This gave her heaps of opportunities to meet people from all walks of life, to develop her leadership skills and her creative pursuits.

Her grandfather is Salvation Army officer Major Dusty Miller, and while her mum grew up in The Salvation Army, Raechel first came to Grandview Corps when she was 11 or 12. Her cousins went there and Raechel and her family came along for a Pet Day with their turtles. ‘We really liked it and eventually made it our church home,’ she says.

Raechel grew up in a loving Christian family, but says she always experienced anxiety growing up.

She started attending Easter Camps and that really helped with her anxiety. When she was 16, she made a decision that ‘this was it’—she was committing herself to follow Jesus. But she then drifted a bit with that decision.

PEOPLE MAY GROAN AT THE IDEA OF CHURCH, BUT MOST GENERALLY LIKE THE ARTS, MUSIC AND GOING TO SHOWS. Two years later, a friend died and Raechel’s anxiety came back with a vengeance. ‘I remember one night being super overwhelmed and all I could do was pray,’ she says. Prayer was the only thing that was helping.

Raechel thought to herself, ‘I obviously can’t do this by myself anymore and the only other way is to do life with God.’ Raechel has spent the past three years involved with Salvation Army summer camps overseas. Her first two years were with Camp Connri in Connecticut, USA, and last year she spent a number of weeks volunteering at a camp in Canada.

CREATORS, INNOVATORS, AND VISIONARIES Raechel first heard about The Glory Shop when she was tagged in a Facebook post by a friend in September 2016. She was accepted, but due to issues with obtaining a visa she was faced with the choice to either start the school a month after everyone else, or defer until this year. She chose to defer.

The Glory Shop is a ministry of the Time Square Corps, which is run by Lieutenants Olivia and Pratik Munn-Shirsath. The corps has a rich history in their community. Its school is aimed at ‘zealous young adults (18–35) who want to invest a year in their own spiritual growth, and in their development as artists’.

The Glory Shop runs for 10 months and has six students from around the world. They live, study, rehearse and minister together. The weekly schedule includes morning worship, classes in Bible, evangelism, holiness and prayer, as well as afternoon classes in either dance or theatre.

Female students live at the Evangeline Markle Residence in Greenwich Village, home to professional women and students from all walks of life. Surprisingly, male students live at Williams Residence, a facility for senior citizens! All students are encouraged to meet their neighbours and demonstrate the love of Christ to people around them.

With a major emphasis on the performing arts, the students develop skill in their craft, and also have the chance to perform as a part of shows on a regular basis. Students not only learn technical skills as dancers and actors, but they also develop as creators, innovators and visionaries.

Raechel is equally excited about the hands-on faith stuff, which includes regular prayer walks around the city, street evangelism and outreach. She will be a part of ministry to city kids, teens, parents, corps members, the homeless, and those in The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center.

WHERE WILL THIS LEAD? The Glory Shop says, ‘This year-long programme will act as a springboard, catapulting you forward into your destiny as a follower of Jesus Christ, and as an artist.’

Raechel isn’t sure what exact direction her future will take, but she believes God has it under control.

‘Whatever God wants me to do with my life, it involves travelling overseas and most likely using creative means to spread the gospel—and working with kids.’

Until she leaves for New York, she is working at a local cinema and at Karakariki Christian Camp to raise the money required for the school. It costs $USD 8000 for the course fees and airfares to New York. All accommodation, meals and a transport pass are provided.

Raechel believes creative arts are a really powerful way of connecting people to God. ‘I think often people may groan at the idea of church, but most generally like the arts, music and going to shows. I think it’s a really good way to reach people who might otherwise not be interested.’

If The Glory Shop is something that you might be interested in, check out their website www.thegloryshop.com or look for ‘Theatre 315’ on Facebook to see some of their live theatre productions.

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 13

GO AND DO SOMETHING! The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission has released a resource of practical ideas to make the world a better place, based around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Late one night in 1888, General William Booth returned to London from an evangelistic campaign in the south of England.

His son Bramwell visited and had hardly entered the room when his father, ‘who was walking to and fro with hanging braces and stormy hair, burst out at him, ‘Here, Bramwell! Do you know that fellows are sleeping out at night on the bridges? Sleeping out all night on the stone?’

Bramwell responded, ‘Yes, General; why, didn’t you know that?’

William Booth appeared to be thunderstruck, writes historian Harold Begbie in The History of The Salvation Army (Volume Two). ‘He had seen those tragic huddled forms benched on stone for the first time on the previous night, and his own sleep in a warm bed had been robbed in consequence. “You knew that,” he said, ‘and you haven’t done anything!” ’ To this, Bramwell, who served as The Salvation Army’s Chief of the Staff, rationalised that The Salvation Army could not do everything that ought to be done in the world, and pointed out the dangers of ‘indiscriminate charity’. The General angrily interrupted. ‘Oh, I don’t care about all that stuff. I’ve heard it all 14 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

before. But go and do something. Do something, Bramwell, do something!’

William Booth walked around the room, running his fingers through his long beard and speaking with a loving rage and pity of the homeless wretches forced to sleep in the recesses of the London bridges. Then he ordered, ‘Get a shed for them, anything will be better than nothing; a roof over their heads, walls round their bodies.’

This conversation resulted in the birth of The Salvation Army’s social ministry. Two years later, William Booth’s book In Darkest England and the Way Out laid out a bold plan for the Army’s social work, which now extends around the world.

For those with a passion to put those words of William Booth, ‘go and do something!’ into practice, the latest publication from the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) is an excellent reference point.

A range of writers from around the world have contributed impassioned calls to action on each of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): End Poverty • End

Hunger • Healthy Lives and Wellbeing • Education for All • Gender Equality • Clean Water and Sanitation • Affordable, Clean Energy • Good Work and Economies • Infrastructure and Innovation • Reduce Inequality • Sustainable Communities • Responsible Consumption • Climate Change • Sustaining Oceans • Conserving Land Ecosystems • Peace and Justice • Working Together.

There’s a summary of key points for each goal, a brief personal reflection, and more food for thought under the headings of ‘What does the Bible teach?’, ‘What should we pray for?’, and ‘What can we do?’

The following ideas are suggested for making the most of this material: • Make time to read and reflect on one of the SDGs each day for the next 17 days, and commit to 17 new ways you will change the way you act or think.

• Discuss one of the chapters each week with other people —for instance, in a Bible study group or even during a music group practice.

• Teachers can use the material as a resource for schools, particularly to help with group discussions and for project ideas.

• Preachers can use it to inspire a sermon series on how people can live faithfully in the world today.

‘It is easy to be overwhelmed by the injustice in the world.

It is tempting to throw our hands up and say, “What difference does it make what I do?” It is more convenient to ignore the pressing matters or to expect someone else to do the job,’ says Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant, ISJC director.

‘While we cannot fight every issue that threatens the wellbeing of the world on our own, the words of William Booth are still relevant today. William Booth’s plan to change the world is similar to the [United Nation’s] Sustainable Development Goals to change the world by 2030. Both are bold, comprehensive and integrated plans. … We are called to be 21st century Bramwells. Go and do something. Do something, Bramwell, do something! ’

Help Follows Edgecumbe Floods The Salvation Army in Whakatane was called into action to help people caught up in the flooding in Bay of Plenty this month.

The Salvation Army Whakatane Corps building was opened as an emergency centre for people escaping the town of Edgecumbe after it was evacuated on 6 April during the flooding.

Corps officer Captain Phil Mellsop said the corps hosted about 40 people who had been evacuated and a further 20 who came looking for information and assistance.

‘We were taking in people, registering them and ensuring they had somewhere to stay. We got the whole melting pot, families, elderly, people with animals. It was a safe place where people could come and be provided with shelter and food. We had our cooking team in and they cooked up chicken, pumpkin and potatoes for tea.

The Memorial Hall was also opened as an evacuation centre, they had about seven people there, and we did lunch down there as well.’

The community had been extremely generous in opening their doors and everyone had found somewhere to stay by 8 pm, Phil said.

In the following days, the corps worked with Civil Defence and other charities in the area on what else would be needed to help people, particularly affected home owners. Psychosocial support was identified as a strong need and The Salvation Army has been assisting, with the Army’s flood response coordinated by Major Anthony Stone from the Midland Division.

Download ‘Go and Do Something’ | sar.my/dosomething

Advancing the Case of Social Justice The International Social Justice Commission is based in New York, with staff in Nairobi, Geneva and Vienna who advocate for human dignity and social justice around the world. It works with other like-minded organisations and takes part in world forums, such as the recent United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission also advises the Army’s international leader, General André Cox, on social, economic and political issues.

FOR MORE INFO | Go to salvationarmy.org/isjc

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Capt Marcus Collings with donations to Hamilton Community Ministries; Tim, Kelsey, Amber and Stewart from Lucid with Mike from the Nelson Salvation Army foodbank hub.

Online Foodbank Expands The country’s first online foodbank is expanding again to meet growing demand after reaching more than a quarter of a million dollars in donations.

The Foodbank Project is designed as an online shop, with people going to the website foodbank.org.nz to buy items needed by foodbanks. Countdown supermarket then delivers the items to 11 Salvation Army foodbanks or Community Ministry hubs around the country.

The online store was set up by Nelson web developers Lucid, Countdown supermarkets and The Salvation Army in 2015, with deliveries initially going to hubs in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Growing demand has seen it add deliveries to Whangarei, Gisborne and Nelson, and this month it has begun delivering to three additional Auckland foodbanks in Glenfield, Manukau and Waitakere. The new hubs came as the website celebrate passing $250,000 worth of donations at the start of April, with a special award given by The Salvation Army to Lucid to celebrate the milestone.

Over its two years of operation, The Foodbank Project has attracted more than 4000 donors from New Zealand and overseas—including donors from Israel, Indonesia, France, the United States and the UK. Nelson Community Ministries Foodbank Manager Mike Goodman said getting the weekly delivery of goods donated through the site had been great in keeping up their supplies with items they needed, especially when donors set up recurring donations to send items weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

‘It works really well. The items on the website are ones we use regularly, so it’s good in making sure we get what

16 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

we need in. It’s stuff we can use to make good family meals. For us in Nelson, someone’s done a recurring donation of hygiene products, so we can supply these more readily to people who need them, which is also great.’

The site features bundles of items to help people donate for a particular need, such as essentials for a family, to help fill school lunch boxes, or for events like Easter and Christmas. This had an unexpected bonus for the Community Ministries, Mike said. ‘Last year we did all our Christmas hampers that way, we ordered the Christmas bundles off the website. It was great, all we had to do was add some sweet stuff when they arrived and pack them. It was really nice and easy.’

Hamilton Community Ministries Business Manager Ros Waho said the donations had been ‘fantastic’, especially at times when the foodbank was running low on food. There had also been occasions when they had been able to share surplus donations with other foodbanks around the region. ‘It’s been a real blessing, because we do rely quite heavily on donations from the public. We’re really, really grateful because they’re definitely needed.’

Altogether, 91,000 items ranging from baked beans to fresh vegetables, fly spray and cleaning products have been donated by shoppers, with $0.99 packets of penne pasta proving the most popular item to donate.

Donors have also used the store to back Salvation Army campaigns, with people donating over 13,000 sanitary items worth $47,000 in the past 10 months as part of the Army’s campaign to support women who cannot afford them.

Growing God’s Kingdom at Flat Bush Flat Bush Corps Plant in Auckland launched Sunday services in February as the newest phase of ministry within the community. Corps Officers Lieutenants Ameet and Jessica Londhe began the corps plant in January 2016 by completing an intensive scan of the community’s makeup, needs and desires.

The results showed the community in Flat Bush is 61 per cent Asian ethnicity, which includes Indian, Cambodian and Chinese.

Over 40 per cent of people earn more than $100,000 per year.

These households are multi-family, owner-occupied houses.

There are very few single parent families, and 63 per cent of the community have no church affiliation.

The corps began English classes in 2016, starting in the Londhes’ home and moving to the local school as numbers increased. Baverstock Primary School is located right next to five acres of land purchased a number of years ago by The Salvation Army. The staff of the school have been very supportive, providing a classroom (without charge) for the language classes.

They held a Christmas breakup at the end of 2016 and invited the families of the students to attend. One hundred people shared a celebration meal together at local Indian resturant Mehfil.

A weekly Bible study was established last year and a number of people have been regularly attending. Six people from this group will form the corps council (leadership team) with Ameet and Jessica.

The corps officers have been involved in providing a few food parcels, but mainly social work assistance—including advocacy support at WINZ. Domestic violence, drug use and elder abuse are issues that are increasing in the community and The Salvation Army is doing what it can to support affected people.

The mission of Flat Bush Corps Plant is simple: love God, love people. There is a real sense of unity amongst those involved with The Salvation Army, and a desire to build slowly and deeply to establish a good foundation for the long-term work in the community, said Ameet. ‘We are not here to build our kingdom, this is God’s kingdom,’ said Jessica.

The corps is in the process of developing a building proposal, with plans to reflect the cultural and social needs of their vibrant, multicultural community.

GET INVOLVED | salvationarmy.org.nz/FlatBush

Rotary Honours Couple’s Service Majors Murray and Wendy Sanson were corps officers at Timaru Corps for five years, moving on to new appointments at Waihi in January.

While serving in Timaru, Murray was an active member of the Timaru North Rotary Club. At the Club’s 2016 Christmas Breakup, both his and Wendy’s work in the South Canterbury region was recognised when they were honoured as Paul Harris Fellows. This is one of Rotary’s highest international recognitions.

Murray and Wendy wanted to thank and glorify God first and foremost for this honour. ‘It is for God that we serve through The Salvation Army,’ they said.

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 17

Reprint of Māori History Book Te Ope Whakaora : The Army that Brings Life was first published in 2007. Edited by Major Harold Hill, the 444-page book tells the story of The Salvation Army and Māori from 1884 to 2007.

‘Te Ope Whakaora’ is the Maori name for ‘The Salvation Army’.

Its literal meaning is ‘the Army that Brings Life’. The first edition sold out, but a fresh print run (with a few minor corrections) has been released for sale through Salvationist Resources.

‘Te Ope Whakaora is a fascinating and relevant read for those who want to know more about our nation’s foundations, and its intersection with The Salvation Army,’ says Lieutenant Tau Mataki, co-leader of The Salvation Army Māori Ministry.

The centrepiece of Te Ope Whakaora is the exciting account of Ernest Holdaway and Salvation Army mission on the Whanganui River from 1882 to 1902, as written by Ivy Cresswell and originally published as a serial in the War Cry in 1971. The book also details the Army’s activities in the Bay of Plenty from 1902 to 1928, on the East Coast from 1934 to 1992, and more recent developments.

Many striking stories are included, included that of East Coast woman Maraea Morris, who came to The Salvation Army intent on avenging herself against Te Kooti for the murder of her husband, yet found salvation and the power to forgive through Jesus Christ. She went on to became a solder at Gisborne Corps.

Maraea’s photo is on the cover of Te Ope Whakaora.

‘This is such an important document for all Salvationists,

Māori and non-Māori,’ says Tau. ‘It gives a snapshot of the journey of Māori in The Salvation Army. The importance of this is it gives Maori the context of knowing this is a place we belong—even though the Army was born in the East End of London, a colonial space. And that’s because God is at the heart of The Salvation Army and its ministry in this place that we call home in Aotearoa New Zealand.’

Order for $34.95 (incl GST), plus p&p | salvationarmy.org. nz/shop

500th Anniversary of the Reformation 2017 is the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and the birth of Protestantism. The catalyst for the Protestant movement was when German monk and scholar Martin Luther nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church on 31 October 1517. Luther was protesting the abuses he saw within the medieval church—including the sale of ‘indulgences’ where people could purchase pardon for sins from the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther believed the Bible was the central religious authority and that people could be saved only by their faith, not by their deeds. As well as empowering people in their relationship with Jesus Christ and as part of ‘the priesthood of all believers’, Luther elevated the importance of the Bible by translating the Latin Scriptures into the German language. The shift towards married clergy can also be traced to Luther, who married nun Katharina Von Bora in June 1525.

The radical movement Luther started became one of the major turning points in the history of the Christian Church.

The Salvation Army has its own roots in Wesleyan Methodism, which is part of the Protestant faith stream.

18 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

A number of commemorative activities are planned around New Zealand, including an ecumenical service in the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Wellington on Sunday 4 June at 3 pm. This gathering will give an opportunity to pray for unity within the Christian Church.

A document reflecting many years of work between Roman Catholics and Lutherans has also been published, entitled ‘From Conflict to Communion’ (available online as a PDF). A study guide is available at strasbourginstitute.org/en/study-guide-forfrom-conflict-to-communion.

FOR MORE INFO | Commemorative events around New Zealand, visit lutheran.org.nz/reformation-500

GAZETTE Appointments: Lieut Seru Napolioni, Divisional Youth Secretary, Fiji Division (in addition to Assistant Officer, Labasa Corps).

Resignation: The Territorial Commander announces with regret the resignation from officership of Capts Lusiana (Lusi) and Patiliai (Pati) Leqanidruaivalu, effective 31 March. Captains Lusi and Pati Leqanidruaivalu were commissioned on 12 Dec 2009. They have served for seven years and three months in Corps, Community Ministries and Divisional appointments in Fiji. We thank Captains Lusi and Pati Leqanidruaivalu for their service, and pray God’s blessing on them and their family in the days ahead.

Tribute: Major Eunice Eichler

Major Eunice Mary Eichler (CBE), loved sister of Ruth and the late Ray, was promoted to Glory on 12 March from North Shore Hospital, Auckland, aged 85 years.

Eunice was born on 6 January 1932 in Milton. She entered The Salvation Army Training College in March 1956 from Stratford as a member of the Sword Bearer Session. Eunice was commissioned on 19 January 1957 and appointed to Bethany Hospital, Auckland.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR THOSE SACRIFICED THROUGH WAR? Throughout this beautiful land of New Zealand, we’ll have seen memorials to those who went to war and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their names convey the huge loss experienced by whānau/families, local communities, and our nation as a whole.

I have a photo of my grandparents’ wedding taken on 31 March 1917. As was the case back then, no one was smiling. But another indication as to why they were not smiling may have been that the groom was wearing his military uniform with its lemon squeezer hat. What was going through their minds as this photo was taken? You see, 10 days later my grandfather left on a troop ship for England and then on to a small place in Belgium that would become synonymous with the ravages of war, Ypres. There, James fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, which is more commonly known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

This appointment set the foundation for Eunice’s officership as she spent her 35 years of active officership working in Salvation Army midwifery.

In 1959, Eunice completed her midwifery training in Christchurch.

She was then appointed to Edward Murphy Maternity Hospital Gisborne.

This was followed by an appointment as officer in charge of Redroofs Hospital Dunedin in 1963.

Were my grandparents wondering how long they might have together? Was it going to be only 10 days, their last touch being at the wharf, or did they hope and pray that James would return and they could start a family together?

In 1970, Eunice started what was to be her final appointment, spending the last 22 years of her active service as Matron, Bethany Hospital, Auckland.

She retired on 1 February 1992.

Eighteen thousand of the 100,000 who left our shores never returned or died of their wounds upon their return. That was almost 10 per cent of New Zealand’s population! Many others returned maimed physically and psychologically. And only a generation later, whānau/families went through this again.

In 1996, Eunice was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours for service to welfare work.

So far, there have been over 60 descendants from my grandparents’ union. Had only half of those who made the ultimate sacrifice gone on to find love, have children and 40 descendants, today there would be an additional 360,000 Kiwis.

The same calculation for WWII and we could be looking at double—around 720,000—equivalent to the population of the Wellington region and Hamilton.

A service of thanksgiving and remembrance for Eunice’s life was held on 18 March at Glenfield Corps, conducted by Major Terry Heese.

The Salvation Army honours Major Eunice Eichler for 35 years of faithful active officer service and her continued ministry in retirement.

Please uphold Eunice’s sister Ruth and other family members in prayer at this time of grief and loss. Well done, good and faithful servant of Jesus!

James did survive and my grandparents went on to have four children. But many on that same troop ship never saw their loved ones or homeland again.

They are buried in cemeteries throughout France and Belgium, or their names are inscribed on memorials because their bodies were never found, consumed instead in the mud and carnage of many battlefields.

As we commemorate on Anzac Day the ultimate sacrifice of women and men who served our country, give thought to what might have been had they lived, with the opportunity to find love, the joy of having children and grandchildren, and other life experiences many of us take for granted. Some reading this will have lost someone from your whānau/family whose sacrifice meant never experiencing ‘what might have been’. For all of us, it is right to stop and remember—‘lest we forget’.

Captain Gerry Walker Territorial Secretary for Personnel 22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 19

MESSY CARING We’re good at doing good works, but how good are we at really caring for people? The Salvation Army value ‘Care for Others’ encourages us to reclaim the heart of the gospel.

BY INGRID BARRATT

It’s easy for us, living in 2017, to take for granted the huge cultural and social revolution that began with Jesus and his teachings. To give us a fresh perspective, let’s put ourselves in the story of Romanoccupied Israel, when Jesus was born: The Romans have invaded all aspects of your world and ensured that the most important thing in life is to work 20 WarCry 22 APRIL 2017

your way up the hierarchy of power.

The worst possible fate is to be at the bottom of the ladder, powerless and outcast. No one will look after you then. You’re diligent in doing favours for those above you—you ensure their comfort, and in turn, they will look after you. If you move up the ladder, you can then wield a bit more power, and others will be obligated to ensure your comfort. Still, at least you are not a woman. (In fact, you’d rather be a dog!)

You’ve been appalled lately by this extremist rabbi called Jesus. He’s said that power means nothing. Ha, shows what he knows! Jesus says it’s better to be poor and powerless, which is obviously ridiculous. Rumours are flying around that he has touched a leper, and has been seen with those scumbag tax

thieves. Worse still, he includes women as his followers and even talks to them.

The scandal of Jesus Jesus certainly did many wonderful and miraculous things while on earth, but the real scandal of Jesus was that he loved the unlovable.

The Salvation Army care for others is driven by our devotion for Jesus.

All our community services— foodbanks, addictions services, social housing, Employment and Education, post-prison integration, Family Tracing, and more—are a response to the love of Jesus. He told us to love one another. Love our enemies even.

Care for our neighbours—whoever they are. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, look after the

sick, welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:41).

But what we notice in Jesus is that his practical good works were only ever a fruit of his deep care for others as people. Whenever Jesus healed someone, he did so because they moved him.

‘In The Salvation Army we’re driven by good works—and that is great, it provides practical help. But we can get caught up in good works, rather than caring for people,’ says Jono Bell, national practice manager for Salvation Army Community Ministries.

‘The most important thing that Community Ministries gives people is hope. Yes, you’re meeting a practical need when you give them a cup of coffee or offer a service they need, but you’re providing hope. We talk a lot about the importance of listening, because people are starved of relationship.’

Spaces of belonging The greatest need for people who come to Community Ministries is the need to belong, reflects Jono. ‘The biggest issue I see for people—especially those who are on the margins or the most vulnerable— is social isolation, so we need to create spaces of belonging.

‘Sometimes in our organised church we deceive ourselves into thinking that if we turn up to church we’re connected. But we need spaces outside of that, whether it’s bringing somebody into your home for a meal, or whether it’s stopping and having a conversation with somebody that you feel awkward talking to, and just maybe some practical caring will come out of that.’

While The Salvation Army’s Community Ministries ‘epitomises caring on a daily basis around the country,’ says Jono, the challenge for us as Salvationists is not to leave it to the professionals.

For Jono, some of our most inspiring stories are simply of individuals meeting a need. ‘One Salvationist was going out buying bakery food and handing it out. It wasn’t an organised programme, it was a response to a need in their community.’

In addition, it’s not just the obviously deprived who need our care. How many people that seem to have it all together

are quietly suffering from loneliness or grief? And how many people within our corps, or even within Salvation Army leadership, desperately need a caring hand on their shoulder?

‘I only do what I see the father doing,’ said Jesus (John 5:19, paraphrased).

This is a wonderful model for our own spiritual life. The Holy Spirit can open our eyes to unseen hurts and needs, and our response is simply to act as the Spirit moves us.

had opportunities to speak into her life.’ Years later, she has a good job and restored relationship with family.

At Community Ministries, providing effective care means not only meeting people at the point of crisis in their lives and providing a plan through the crisis, it also means helping them gain skills so they can take more responsibility for their lives. This may mean challenging their behaviour, and ensuring they make decisions for themselves.

IN THE SALVATION ARMY WE’RE DRIVEN

BY GOOD WORKS … BUT WE CAN GET CAUGHT UP IN GOOD WORKS, RATHER THAN CARING FOR PEOPLE. The messiness of caring Perhaps the biggest difference between good works and genuine caring is that a good deed can be done once, but caring requires time and personal cost. We’re privileged in The Salvation Army to see lives freed from addictions, prisoners transformed and the poor given hope.

We should tell our success stories and encourage each other to continue our work of transforming society.

But what is often hidden is the messiness of choosing to walk alongside others. Jono provides a good example: ‘We had a guy who had just graduated from the Bridge addictions programme.

He’d found a flat and was doing well, but needed a way to get around, so I said he could have my bike. He came round for dinner and we gave him our bike. And three days later the bike was gone. Whether it was sold for money or whatever, that can be frustrating, but the thing is not letting your heart get hard.’

From his experience in youth work, Jono also knows it often takes years of ‘journeying together’ before we see real change take place. He was excited recently to get a text from a young woman. ‘She was involved with a youth gang and drugs, and we journeyed with her for a couple of years,’ recalls Jono. ‘She acknowledged that we were available to her, without trying to judge or fix her. We started from a place of relationship, and as trust grew, we

Our responsibility is to offer care. But, ultimately, how they respond to that care is their responsibility. ‘There’s a guy at my church who asks for money every week,’ says Jono. ‘He’s happy with his life, so I think that my job is just to make it a bit easier for him. When we give someone five dollars, it’s up to them how they spend it.’

When Jesus walked with us on earth, he whispered that a new kingdom was emerging, where the poor, broken and ugly got to sit at the banquet table. We join this feast as just another broken soul, and we get to be part of the kingdom.

Jesus calls us to care—full-heartedly, unequivocally, painfully, messily, and ultimately transformatively. We hope and pray our care will transform the lives of others. But we know it will transform us.

Learn more about our Mission Plan & Values | salvationarmy. org.nz/ MissionPlan

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Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 29–30 Apr: Christchurch City Complex Opening 9 May: Red Shield Appeal Breakfast, Auckland 11 May: Red Shield Appeal Breakfast, Wellington 12–14 May: Delve Weekend, Silverstream Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 29–30 Apr: Christchurch City Complex Opening 9 May: Red Shield Appeal Breakfast, Auckland 11 May: Red Shield Appeal Breakfast, Wellington 15 May: Spiritual Day, Booth College of Mission 21 May: Oamaru Corps 30 May–14 June: Footsteps of Paul Tour

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7 Minus 9 Possibility 10 Tie up 11 Feature of modern life 12 Preaching 14 Wood coal 15 Kinships 17 Ballpark figure 19 Deserted 21 Accumulation 22 Make melodious sounds 23 Time out 24 More boney

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Make fizzy Abhor Clear-cut A poetic unit Contemplation Computer instructions Reference works Reproduced Doctored Glorious Entry Came to earth Balanced

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Auckland City Korean, Ba, Blenheim, Cambridge and Carterton Corps; Bridge Programme; The Salvation Army in Uganda.

29 Sept–01 Oct

Booth College of Mission, Upper Hutt

Call for Papers

Potential presenters are invited to submit 200-word abstracts by 30 April.

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For more info

Visit salvationarmy.org.nz/ ThoughtMatters

To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org Quiz Answers: 1 The drums, 2 21, 3 Emily Blunt, 4 Onions, 5 Elijah (2 Kings 1:8).

Crossword Answers: Across: 7 Negative, 9 Theory, 10 Lace, 11 Technology, 12 Sermon, 14 Charcoal, 15 Relationships, 17 Estimate, 19 Lonely, 21 Collection, 22 Sing, 23 Recess, 24 Skinnier. Down: 1 Aerate, 2 Hate, 3 Distinct, 4 Stanza, 5 Reflection, 6 Programs, 8 Encyclopedias, 13 Multiplied, 15 Restored, 16 Splendid, 18 Access, 20 Landed, 22 Sane.

Exploring the relationship between host and guest, and what our willingness (or otherwise) to make space and offer kindness says about our identity and practice as people of God in an increasingly extreme and self-interested world. Registrations open 1 July.

Thought Matters is hosted by the Tri-Territorial Theological Forum.

Anzac day Lest we forget

Can you crack the code?

‘No one has greater love than the one who gives their life for their friends.’

John 15:13 NIRV

Answers: Ecclesiastes 3:8, NIRV

Copy the poppy picture

Anzac Day is celebrated every year on 25 April to remember and honour New Zealanders and Australians who served and died in World War I and World War II and other major wars in Korea and Vietnam.

We remember the sacrifice so many soldiers made as they fought to defend the people and the countries that they loved.

Anzac Day is a time to think about the reality of war in the past and what it has meant to our country.

It is also a good time to focus on peace and to think about how we can be peacemakers in the world today.

As we think about what these soldiers sacrificed, we also remember that Jesus sacrificed his life by dying for us at Easter so we could become God’s friends.

Anzac Day is when New Zealanders ANZAC is and Australians mark an acronym for the anniversary of their the Australian and landings on the beaches of New Zealand Army Gallipoli (which is now Corps. It was first in Turkey) on the 25th All over the used in World of April 1915. world, the red The 25th War I. poppy is worn to of April was show we remember officially named and honour those who Anzac Day in lost their lives serving 1916. their countries in wartime.

Did you know?

Dear Jesus, thank you for the many soldiers who fought and died for our country. There is too much war in our world today and so many people—including children—are hurt, made homeless and even die. Please help people around the world to find ways to make peace.

Amen.

22 APRIL 2017 WarCry 23

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