22 February 2014 NZFT

FAITH IN ACTION | 22 February 214 | Issue  | $.

Tornado: When All is Gone Amplify Creative Arts Camp Celebrates Five Years State of the Nation Report, Three Years on from Christchurch Earthquake

02 WarCry¨22 February 2014

Kia ora Life after a disaster WAR CRY

The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination.

War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR

Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Millington, Josh Wyatt STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Martin Barratt, Emily Dimock, Jon Hoyle, Vanessa Singh PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford COVER PHOTO

Getty Images

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 SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0740 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT MakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

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

It’s been three long years since a devastating earthquake struck Christchurch, causing loss of life, property and security. In this edition, the head of our work in the South Island pays tribute to the hard work of The Salvation Army after the earthquake— especially the ‘courageous’ service of locals—and speaks frankly about some of the challenges that this year may bring.

Our feature article is by a Salvation Army officer from Oklahoma, USA, who was living in the town of Moore when large parts were flattened by a category five tornado last May. I met Sharon late last year and one of the things she wanted to know was how life was going for people in Christchurch. She said she understood ‘in some strange, not-very-good way’ some of the sense of loss that people in this part of the world had faced because of what she had been through.

Where Sharon, her husband and their two young children live, houses were gone, landmarks flattened and people killed— including three people in the 7/11 store where she regularly shopped. There was a lot of disruption of community and displacement of people. The Salvation Army is a valued first responder to emergency situations in the US, but Sharon had never been in a disaster with so much social media interest.

‘There were tours of tourists organised, with people selling tickets and taking photos of where people died,’ she told me.

‘It was a news feed on Facebook: the sensationalism of other people’s tragedies.’ Alongside this was what Sharon describes as ‘the beautiful servanthood’ of The Salvation Army helping its community.

This week, we farewell graphic designer Josh Wyatt, who joined our team in May 2009. Josh’s creativity, skills and hard work have been greatly appreciated. I want to say ‘thank you’ to Josh on behalf of all our readers for the part he has played in the ministry of this magazine. With Josh moving on, Lauren Millington joins us in a permanent role and Amber Wilkinson returns part-time from parental leave.

Christina Tyson Editor

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BIBLE VERSE Isaiah 41:10 The Message

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 130 years

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6586 Please pass on or recycle this magazine

‘Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.’

Ihāia 41:10

‘Kaua e wehi; kei a koe nei hoki ahau; kaua anō e tirotiro; ko ahau nei hoki tōu Atua. Māku koe e whakakaha, āe rā, māku koe e āwhina, ka tautokona ake anō koe e te ringa matau o tōku tika.’

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WISE WORDS salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

salvationarmy.org.nz

I must have the Saviour with me, For my faith at best is weak.

He can whisper words of comfort That no other voice can speak.

Fanny Crosby

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very day we are bombarded with numbers telling us how the world’s economic markets are performing. Television news shows inevitably end with a report on how the ‘Dow Jones’, the footsie, the Hang Seng and the ‘Dax’ are doing.

It is doubtful that most New Zealanders know or even care what these numbers mean. Certainly, the day-to-day or even month-to-month movement in these numbers (or ‘indices’ as they are technically known), has little to do with the everyday lives of most people—unless, of course, they are serious share market investors.

The daily reciting of these market numbers does, however, create a certain reverence for them. We come to see these numbers as important simply because they are mentioned on TV —even when we don’t really know what they are about. Global financial markets have become ‘important’ to us because the people creating our news reports have told us they are important.

But there are other numbers being reported—daily, weekly, quarterly and annually—that we may not see as so important.

Numbers that don’t often rate a mention in news broadcasts.

And because these numbers seem unimportant, the stories behind them scarcely seem to register on the public’s radar. Thus, the number of children being neglected or injured, the number of domestic violence incidents or unemployed young people become ‘unimportant’ in the public mind simply because the people creating our news are not so interested in these numbers as they are in the shifting fortunes of the world’s economies.

Yet these ‘unimportant’ numbers are vitally important to The Salvation Army.

Why? Because they tell us about the lives of the most vulnerable New Zealanders. The Salvation Army’s desire to highlight the importance of these numbers and the stories behind them is what drives its annual State of the Nation reports. These reports have been published in early February since 2008 and are now regarded by a wide audience as a leading contribution to public debate around social priorities and social progress.

The 2014 State of the Nation report—Striking a Better Balance—was released on 12 February at six events held from Auckland to Dunedin. The title of the report highlights the key conclusion from the data and analysis it contains: that as a nation we need to look for a better balance in our social priorities and social policies.

This year’s report identifies a complete lack of progress in reducing child poverty and domestic violence. The Salvation Army is calling on New Zealanders and the politicians that represent us to take these issues more seriously and to accept that we need additional policies and new approaches to tackling them. ALAN JOHNSON Alan Johnson is a senior policy analyst with The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit and the author of the State of the Nation report

Download the latest State of the Nation report, Striking a Better Balance, from salvationarmy.org/stateofthenation2014

Photography: www.thephotographer.co.nz

Let’s Talk | 03

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Bookshelf Biography The People’s General Edited by Mal Davies & Dawn Volz The title refers to retired General Eva Burrows, and celebrates her life on the 20th anniversary of her retirement. A gallery of pictures captures her inspiring life—growing up as one of nine children during the Depression in Australia, through to her calling into officership, her years serving in Africa, and her inspiring leadership as one of the Army’s most influential Generals. A question-and-answer interview in the first half of the book captures more personal insights, like her rebellious teens and decision not to marry. A tribute to a confident and passionate woman who has dedicated her life to Christ above all else. (Salvo Publishing)

Playlist

Social Justice Shouting Into The Silence Danny Smith This reads like an FBI spy thriller, opening with Danny Smith being taped up with secret recording and filming devices as he goes undercover. The enemy in this real-life story is a British travel agent selling ‘sex tours’ to Asia. His investigations helped change the law in Britain, making it possible to prosecute citizens that abused children while overseas. Danny Smith is co-founder of Jubilee Campaign, a group lobbying for the rights of children, as well as the persecuted church. His work has taken him to many of the world’s black spots, exposing some of the world’s greatest injustices against children. (Lion Hudson)

Discipleship Messy Spirituality Michael Yaconelli This Christian classic has been re-printed to mark 10 years since Michael Yaconelli died tragically in a car accident. The new edition includes a tribute to Yaconelli from his wife, reaffirming his lifelong quest for the ‘real’ Jesus—not the sanitised version of religious cliché.

Yaconelli calls himself a ‘klutz in the Kingdom of God’, and argues that imperfection and messiness are the true hallmarks of discipleship. This is a life-affirming read for anyone who feels like they are not a ‘good Christian’, struggles to pray, or who doesn’t read their Bible enough (which just about covers all of us).

(Zondervan)

Reel News

Worship Compilation WOW Gospel 2014 Various WOW Gospel 2014 snaps out of the gate in what may be the quickest worship compilation release ever.

This 30-track behemoth is padded out with a huge range of artists, spanning pop, rock, gospel and R&B. It’s standard fare, leaning to forgettable rather than fantastic.

The content is good, although a bit weak lyrically and musically. There’s a general tilt toward the black gospel/R&B genre, and the bigger names include Kirk Franklin and Israel Houghton. Now that many of us are routinely selecting our own ‘best of’ tracks online to make more personalised compilation playlists, there’s probably a limited future for middle-of-the-road albums such of these.

Worship/Rock Glory Kutless Kutless’s eighth studio album, Glory, takes the band further away from the intense hard rock experience of To Know That You’re Alive, and instead focuses on applying their rock chops to worship music. The result is an almost Daughty-like record, with soaring choruses, chunky walls of guitars and huge drums. It’s a refreshing change from the U2 and electro-indie sound that’s dominating the Christian worship music scene at the moment. Glory does, however, slot well and truly into a third overwrought category: the pop rock sound favoured by giants Third Day. To that end, Glory is a solid, fairly predictable yet satisfying release.

GIVEAWAY To win a copy of Shouting into the Silence, tell us someone who inspires you.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 10 March.

Stan Walker CD winner is D. Hazlewood

Drama Short Term 12 Destin Cretton / M (offensive language) With a film industry that pushes this idea of a hero being larger than life and necessarily ‘super’, we can forget about the real heroes in the tough jobs that truly make us better. Short Term 12 is a remarkable film that reminds us that compassion is far more powerful than any super power.

Short Term 12 is about a group foster care facility of the same name for at-risk teenagers, the damaged kids who live there, and the young people who help run the facility. Supervisors Grace (Brie Larson) and Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) help kids who arrive broken and struggling to communicate, and others who are afraid about going back out into the real world. They exhibit the rare and valuable capacity to approach every situation with good humour and the appropriate amount of seriousness.

But the true stars of the film are the kids that make up the facility. Every performance is achingly real and tells a story about the ways we try to convey what is really hurting us. There are some incredible and heart rending scenes when this takes place.

This film is amazing in the way that it tells stories completely naturally.

It is a subtle and emotional film with simultaneous depth and lightness, happiness and trauma. We watch as the kids slowly reveal themselves in the only ways they know how. We learn that the supervisors are struggling with their own painfully similar demons. And in the pursuit of connecting with and helping the kids, they may have their own wounds exposed—and healed.

Short Term 12 is a deeply personal film about the human heart and how it may be broken from selfishness and mended with selflessness. And don’t worry, the film is equally as hopeful as it is heavy.

Feature | 05

Lieutenant Sharon Autry is a Salvation Army officer serving with her husband as corps officer (pastor) at Oklahoma City Corps (church) in the USA. The family live in Moore. Sharon recounts the day a tornado changed the landscape of her community.

Three years have past since the 22 February 2010 earthquake struck Christchurch. In this time, other parts of the world have been similarly shaken by natural disasters and have also needed to find their way through these times of turmoil. One of these is the heavily populated neighbourhood of Moore in Oklahoma City, USA.

On 20 May 2013, Moore was struck by a category 5 tornado, with winds peaking at 340 km/h. Twenty-five people were killed, 377 injured and 1150 homes destroyed. Entire subdivisions were obliterated and two schools were severely damaged, with seven students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School. At its peak, the tornado was 2.1 km wide.

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ollowing a Sunday evening of severe weather, I opened my email on Monday morning and reviewed the weather forecast brief from our local emergency management agency. My husband John was already on his way to assist with disaster relief efforts in communities nearby after storms the day before, and I was readying our children for school.

The forecast was foreboding, but in Oklahoma we know that what’s forecast doesn’t always eventuate. Still, the apprehensiveness in my spirit moved me to keep Eliana and Isaiah home from preschool. They attended a small Montessori school housed on a farm just a few blocks from our home. The school had no storm shelter and that was enough to stir a mother’s concern.

The morning was filled with mundane tasks and it was a few hours past lunch when John realised I had the credit card he needed to purchase disaster supplies. He headed home to pick up our van and the card to buy groceries so he could help cook dinner on one of our church’s deployed emergency services canteens.

But by the time John pulled in the driveway, hail was falling and tornado sirens were blaring. I was rushing the children into our bedroom closet, unaware John was locked out of the house and trying to get in through the garage. Once inside, John scanned the weather reports before walking out into the front yard for a visual perspective of what we now knew was a likely tornado heading our way. The black wall of wind that he saw was indescribable.

John’s only words to the kids and I as he returned to the closet doorway were, ‘We need to leave.’

As terrifying as the idea of being in a minivan in the middle of a massive storm was, the lack of color in John’s face and the singleminded look in his eyes was persuasive. We ran to the garage and buckled the little ones in their safety seats.

A devastated community As we backed out, hail pelted the van with exceptional force, and we looked over our shoulder to see a beast of wind over the neighbourhood that was home to our preschool. It was at that time that our cell signals ended and the weather forecast we were streaming went blank.

As we drove north, away from the storm’s track, we saw the first sign of God’s faithfulness. Despite wind rushing, rain pouring, and hail abounding, our children fell asleep while John navigated the treacherous roads.

After 20 minutes of driving, gripped by the greatest presence of fear, we suddenly drove into sunshine. Not a drop of rain on the ground, not a cloud nearby. It was one of the eeriest moments of my life. John and I took a moment to regroup, shock still running through our veins. Aware that this sudden peace meant the tornado had passed, we turned for home. We had no idea if our house would still be there, and no idea if those from our church who lived in Moore were alright.

The traffic heading south into Moore was at a standstill. The only vehicles moving were emergency response vehicles travelling at top speeds with sirens blasting. We realised it was too dangerous and unwise to take the children back into the unknown, so we found a store where the kids and I waited for a friend to take us to safety in

the north part of town.

In our haste to leave our home, the kids left with no shoes and I left with no purse. As I walked the aisles in the store looking for shoes, I was overcome by the sound of the registers and scanners beeping, the clerks stocking shelves and the customers making their selections.

Just a few miles away, we had experienced what felt like Armageddon, but here there was sunshine and business as usual. What relief I felt when I saw the smile of our rescuer, a dear friend and a fellow Salvation Army officer. I still remember the warmth of her hug.

John drove south, connected with our Salvation Army disaster team and began to serve. It was hours between my farewell hug at the store and a text from him late in the evening. Our house was spared; most everything else was not. I spent that night fielding texts, monitoring Facebook, and learning that our church people were also spared. All their homes were intact, with debris and power outages being much of the worst of their damages. To me, this was a miracle.

Just one street away from our home, the landscape was that of devastation Serving the community I know that God doesn’t play favourites—as Jesus says in Matthew 5:45, ‘He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong’ (CEV). The magnitude and quantity of good and bad in our lives is never reflective of a greater or lesser love from an always perfectly loving God. But knowing that many people had lost their lives, my instinctive feeling was that since all our people were spared the tornado’s destructive power, we had to regard ourselves as ‘spared to serve’. We had to turn our attention to the needs of our community.

This resolution helped me cope with my own survivor’s guilt, a little talked about affliction that haunts those surrounded by excessive loss.

While John continued his service among the suffering, I tucked Eliana and Isaiah into the warm bed my friend had prepared for us. They were too shaken to sleep on their own. I waited for John’s phone call. When it came, it was brief and laden with tears.

John had spent much of the night serving at Plaza Towers, one of the schools destroyed in the tragedy. He recalled one of the most sobering and painful moments of the day: as he was walking down a street near the school to offer nourishment and pastoral care, he saw what looked like bodies lying across the pavement. Troubled and overwhelmed, he was afraid he’d come upon some unaided victims.

But upon closer observation, he found that these were parents of some of the children that had died, overtaken by their grief, weeping in the dust. He worked through the night.

Total loss On Tuesday, with help from another officer, the kids and I made it south to be reunited with John. We felt war-torn and exhausted from physical and emotional chaos. On all counts we were not well. Our neighbourhood was spared from damage, but a stone’s throw of less than a kilometre from our front yard was total loss and destruction.

Feature | 07

By Wednesday, we were able to access our children’s preschool.

We could only arrive by foot because the damage in the area was impassable by car. Their teacher and all the preschool’s children were safe, although the roots of a giant tree now rested mere feet from where they had cowered beneath a small desk. The classroom windows were all broken, and the yard was littered with trees and perished livestock. Everything else surrounding them was gone.

‘Gone’ is a word that will forever have a different meaning for me.

Because it is the word that most accurately describes the weeks and months that followed the 20th of May in our lives.

Just one street away from our home, the landscape was that of devastation. Gone. Mangled debris was all that remained. One friend’s gravel driveway and much of his grass was completely gone—a whole yard made bare as if it were crumbs being vacuumed away. We looked on in disbelief from the empty foundation that once was his home. The rest of our community looked like a game board swiped clean by a frustrated child.

It was a week later when I pulled a receipt from my purse from the gas station where a mother and child perished—now gone. Then the menu from the Chinese takeout restaurant I found in our kitchen drawer—that restaurant, too, now gone.

And yet life in the neighbourhood of our church and other parts of Oklahoma City was still very much normal. It was hard to reconcile the unaffected parts of my life—most evident in office hours and errands in the north end of town—and the parts of my life where I witnessed constant grief and total destruction.

Like each morning and afternoon as we kept our young ones in their repaired preschool. In an effort to maintain some stability in their young lives, we travelled through an emotional war-zone twice daily. Upon seeing blue tarps and splintered wood, they would speak from the back seat about everything that got hurt in the tornado.

Some afternoons while driving, Eliana would ask me the names of the children that perished, wondering when she would see them in Heaven.

It was in moments like those that I wrestled with God, asking him to make sense of it all.

Most often, it seemed there was no sense to be made.

The force of God’s love In those hours, days and weeks, I finally understood the depravity of man and the depravity of all creation. I understood in the most intimate way Paul’s words in Romans: For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. I began to not only mourn for my neighbours, but for the whole of creation that is eagerly waiting, groaning like the force of the wind, to be brought into Christ’s freedom.

Each summer morning through the summer, I passed by a tree near Eliana and Isaiah’s preschool. It had managed to remain rooted despite the destruction of everything around it. But its beauty was marred by a mangled livestock gate—warped metal entangled around it like gift wrapping.

That tree brought me to tears nearly every day. Until one morning when I was passing by and the Holy Spirit began to sing to my mourning heart: He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, and I realise just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me.

Oh, how he loves us!

No matter how creation is shaken, we cannot be separated from God’s kingdom of love.

His is a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

We Affirm …

Sharon shared these words with the Salvation Army congregation at Oklahoma City Corps the Sunday after the Moore tornado struck.

Lord God, we affirm that although our homes, our neighbours’ homes, our places of business, our places of learning and our places of physical healing may be separated—brick from mortar, steel from steel, wood from concrete—nothing, no nothing, can separate us from your love.

Lord God, we affirm our understanding of the fall of man and the entrance of corruption and depravity in what was once a complete and perfect world. And so, along with the whole of creation—the fallen trees, the wind-struck and forlorn flowers, the fallen livestock and beasts of the field, the grass carried away by the great wind—we cry out Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly and abide. Make us whole again in you.

Lord God, we affirm the depth and riches of your compassion.

A compassion that reaches into the deepest and inmost depths of who you are, and touches the deepest and inmost depths of who we are. By your nature you refuse to crush the bruised reed, and by your nature you refuse to put out the flickering candle.

Remember, oh Lord, your compassion and your loving kindness, for they have been from of old. Your compassions never fail.

We count those blessed who have endured. We have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealing—that you are full of compassion and are merciful. And we, your children, made new again in your likeness and holy, put on a heart of compassion for the sake of our neighbour. That we may be as you are, here in this fallen world, even in the midst of our deepest sorrow.

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ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH

Say it with Flowers

Sneeze-free your Home

Bring the sunshine inside with flowers from your garden. And even if you’re all thumbs and no green fingers, these tips will make it easy.

One of the downsides to living in a green country is that you’re never far away from vegetation and their pollens. But the good news is that the best place to start allergy-proofing your life is in your own home.

Before they go in the vase Remove the foliage that will be under water. Cut stems on a slant of about 1–4cm long to provide a bigger surface area for the stems to absorb water, and wrap the stems in tin foil to help them last longer.

Tricky tips for arranging flowers If the vase is too tall for the flowers, crinkle up a plastic bag and put it in the bottom of the vase.

If the vase is too wide for the flowers, making them splay out, put a scourer (made with springy, tangled wire) into the vase and poke through the stems to keep them in place.

For a whimsical look, float flowers in a bowl. Do this by floating a plastic doily in the bowl of water, and poking the stems through the holes to hold them in place.

For some floral flair, add large, heavy flowers to your arrangement first, turning the vase as you go. Fill in with smaller, airier blooms, and include flowers with various shapes and stem lengths. Leave some foliage to hang over the vase.

Keeping flowers fresh Put flowers in lukewarm water and add two tablespoons of white vinegar and two teaspoons of white sugar to each litre of water. If you don’t have those ingredients, you can add a pinch of salt or a soluble aspirin instead.

To prolong the freshness, change the water every three to four days and keep out of direct sunlight.

Rosey posies Revive drooping stems by re-cutting the bottom of the stems and plunging them into boiling water for one minute, before putting them back into fresh, cold water.

The amen of nature is always a flower

‘Patients will often ask, “Is there any place in New Zealand that is better for allergy sufferers?” My standard answer would be: “It is not where you live in New Zealand that matters to the allergy sufferer, but how well designed your home is”,’ says allergy specialist Dr Vincent Crump of the Auckland Allergy Clinic. He adds that higher altitudes help, but you’d have to live half way up Mt Cook to make a real difference.

Reducing allergens at home ‘should be the first line of approach to allergic diseases,’ says Dr Crump. New Zealand has some of the world’s highest levels of dust mites, as they thrive in our humid environment and damp houses. So do all you can to eradicate dampness by ventilating your home: a DVS system with filters is ideal, but a simple solution is to make sure that you open your windows every day and use a de-humidifier.

Carpets: Dust mites love carpets, but won’t be able to snuggle up to floorboards, so go for polished wood floors and ceramic tiles.

Heating: Dr Crump recommends heatpumps with allergen filters, as they circulate the air, keeping it dry. Also it means you can set your indoor temperature to 21°C—the best temperature to kill dust mites. Don’t use gas heating or stoves, which are very humid.

Bedroom: Studies have shown that even new mattresses contain dust mites, so cover your mattress, base and pillows with allergen barriers.

Pets: Countries that keep their pets outdoors have far fewer allergies than our indoor pet-loving nation. So encourage outdoor living in your pets, and always keep them out of the bedroom.

Garden: Avoid birch, which Dr Crump has found to be the most common allergenic pollen, as well as pine, privet and exotic trees such as olive. Make sure any bushes or trees are kept at least 60cm from your house, to avoid dampness and mould.

Source: www.allergyclinic.co.nz

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Chicken and Crispy-noodle Salad A tasty and interesting salad with a low-fat dressing. Although it must be assembled at the last minute, the ingredients can be prepared ahead | Serves 2 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp soy sauce 2–3 cups crisp lettuce, coarsely chopped 1–2 cups salad vegetables (spring onion, coriander leaves, capsicum, bean sprouts, etc) 70–100g crispy noodles 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds or 2 Tbsp chopped roasted peanuts

Dressing 2 cloves garlic 1 cm ginger ¼ cup wine vinegar ¼ cup soy sauce 2 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp sesame oil 1 Tbsp cornflour ½ cup water

Pound chicken breasts between plastic until 1cm thick, then coat with sesame oil and soy sauce and grill or pan-fry. Cook until thickest part has turned milky white, but do not overcook (cut to check this).

Slice crisp lettuce into strips 1cm wide by 6cm long.

Place in bowl with other salad vegetables.

To assemble, slice warm chicken breasts into diagonal strips and toss in about 2 Tbsp of dressing. Toss salad mixture gently with about 2 Tbsp dressing. Just before serving, pile two layers of salad and noodles on each flat plate or salad bowl, and top with chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or peanuts.

To make dressing: Chop garlic and ginger in food processor. Add other ingredients and process briefly.

Add water, process briefly, then tip into a small pot.

Bring to boil, stirring constantly, then cool.

From 100 Favourite Ways with Chicken by Simon & Alison Holst. www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A Do I have the X factor?

Reality singing shows have taught us that anyone can make it. It’s also taught us that even the most deluded people can get on the telly. So what does it really mean to have the X factor?

Showbiz types talk about ‘it’ or ‘the X Factor’, as an indefinable quality a few people have that makes them a star. Lorde, for example, exudes the X Factor with her singing voice and individual style. But the Bible tells us we’re all unique, formed and nurtured by our Creator. In today’s terms, we all have the X Factor.

Lorde doesn’t really have some mythical, indefinable quality—in interviews she comes across as just a normal teenager. What she does have is a great balance of talent and confidence that has encouraged a strong sense of self, and people around her that nurture this.

Find your talent: God didn’t create everyone to be on stage, but he did create everyone with strengths or talents. He asks each of us to use our talents to increase God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:14–30). One of the easiest ways to discover your talent is to ask yourself what you enjoy doing: if you love it, you’re most likely great at it. It could simply be ‘hanging out with friends’ or ‘well organised stationery’.

But what if I fail? Okay, there will be times when you love something, but may not be the best at it. God only requires us to accept who he has made us to be. God doesn’t care about the things we care about, like popularity and fame.

If you love singing but can’t hold a tune, God still loves to hear you singing songs of praise to him, even if it’s not on stage.

Confidence is cool: As we said, Lorde is a great example of a confident, self-assured young woman. But if she was more confident than talented or hardworking, she might come across as arrogant and wouldn’t seem nearly as cool. The Bible tells us to judge ourselves fairly, not thinking too lowly or highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). This gives us the freedom to simply be ourselves, without comparing our talents or success to others.

Testify!

Initi Tu’iono used to think that only ‘losers’ needed Jesus.

I grew up in a very poor family, the second youngest in a family of seven. I was born the year Tonga experienced the biggest earthquake in its history. When I was five, cyclone Issac hit Tonga so a big wave swept away all of Sopu Village, including our house.

We than had to stay in a tent for almost 10 months.

Our father was the only income earner in our family. He always reminded us that education was the answer to our life and that if we wanted good food on the table, we needed to study hard.

I took that advice seriously and deeply into my heart. Dad was always sick, and passed away when I was 15. This was a sad time, when it seemed our hope was gone I used to go to church once a month as a duty, but the Bible never made any sense to my mind and I didn’t think what it talked about was real. I used to think that only losers needed Jesus and always said to myself that education was more important than Jesus.

One Sunday, I went to church and sat at the back in my usual seat. The preacher was talking to us about Jesus—what Jesus had done and will do if we let him be the Lord of our life. My heart was moved as I thought about Jesus and his love for me, how he died on the cross for my sins, and how the grave could not hold him. I thought about how Jesus rose from the dead to give us life.

The preacher wrapped up by saying, ‘If you think Jesus is not real, why don’t you come taste and see? And that is what I did. My journey with Jesus started then.

I came to The Salvation Army as Business Administrator for the Tonga Region. In my spare time in the office, I would read the books in the library. I read about William Booth and how he changed his generation. I loved the teaching and the mission he left for us, so in my heart I said, ‘This is what I want and this is where I belong.’

Yet so many hindrances and hurdles pushed me away from The Salvation Army. I always said to God, ‘God, if you sent me overseas I would answer your call, but while

I’m here in Tonga, please no!”

Every day I knew God was drawing me in, calling me to a life of service through The Salvation Army, but I was like the prophet Jonah in the Old Testament. I tried to find so many ‘ships’. I tried to get a scholarship, a new fellowship, friendship, overseas citizenship, a new relationship, but all came to a dead end. Nothing was successful.

Finally, I tired of running and having nothing, so I came to God and said, ‘Lord, here am I. Use me for your glory. I finally found the right ship—and that is soldiership.

So today I am a soldier of God, a member in The Salvation Army. I await God’s commands and will be saying, ‘Yes, Lord. Yes!’

I knew God was drawing me in, calling me to a life of service

Let’s Talk

Worship with us

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

NAME:

For a warm welcome and a friendly, supportive community environment, come and worship with us at your local Salvation Army church.

It’s why we do all the things we do. www.salvationarmy.org.nz/centres

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

10 | WarCry¨22 February 2014

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Occupy Night fliers Exiles Textile Contrived Freshest Stick out Business Link Poring over Pressure On the train A surprising ending (informal) Right on the map

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In which English city is the Old Trafford football stadium?

What was Mumbai formerly known as?

What is the title of Eleanor Catton’s latest book?

What animal lives in a ‘drey’?

What is the only gospel to mention Jesus riding on a donkey?

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FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @salvationarmynz

Christchurch: Three Years On 185 people died as a result of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on 22 February 2011.

Buildings were destroyed, livelihoods lost and entire communities fractured.

But this is a tragedy that also saw people rally to help and support one another.

BY JON HOYLE & CHRISTINA TYSON In the aftermath of the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes, The Salvation Army’s response included the provision of 27,000 meals at welfare centres, 20,900 chemical toilets, three mobile shower units, 6500 care packages, 11,066 food parcels, 8631 vouchers and debit cards, and 253 respite holidays for stressed families. Twelve hundred Salvation Army personnel from New Zealand and Australia visited 100,000 affected households, providing material, social and spiritual support.

Last year, The Salvation Army’s work continued its focus on residents’ physical needs, but a lot of effort also went into supporting residents whose resilience was diminishing due to the ongoing frustrations and stress of damaged and unhealthy living situations, financial pressures and uncertain futures.

The region’s Community Ministries centres faced significantly higher demand than before the quakes, as rising costs of living and housing made life tenuous for many lowincome families. The emotional toll on these families cannot be overstated, according to local Salvation Army social workers.

In response, Salvation Army community outreach teams continued to provide assistance to families in quake-affected areas. The teams worked to build community cohesion by establishing small neighbourhood support groups in areas where demolitions and migration of residents had brought social dislocation and isolation.

In a similar vein, the Army’s Schools Support Programme continued to provide practical, social and emotional support to 13 primary schools and their wider communities across Christchurch.

Another programme, DALTA (Deliberate Acts of Love to All), utilised volunteers to work on sections and properties

Close Up | 11

of families struggling to cope after the quakes. Many of DALTA’s volunteers, who were previously unemployed, entered the work force or began vocational studies as a result of this programme.

With the rebuild gaining momentum, a Salvation Army initiative that uses its vocational training arm, Employment Plus, to train unemployed people for infrastructure reconstruction is also pace.

‘U Build 4 the Rebuild’ has run 12 courses so far, and has an average 86 per cent rate of participants being placed in full-time work.

The Salvation Army, together with other social service agencies and the Christchurch City Council, have also been working on an affordable housing project in Hornby. The development, comprising 44 units, will be completed in early 2015. It will initially house families and individuals forced to move from their homes and awaiting long-term accommodation, and will eventually provide affordable housing for the elderly. The Army is contributing $3 million to the $12 million project.

Some of the things our people went through in those first months were courageous Major Ivan Bezzant is Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army’s work in the South Island. He grew up in Christchurch, but was living in Wellington when the quakes struck. Ivan remembers the overwhelming emotions he felt as he watched the terrible tragedy unfolding in Christchurch—especially after the deadly February 2011 quake. ‘I was very caught up in what was going on in Christchurch, because this is home for me,’ he says.

When he and wife Major Glenda Bezzant were appointed to Christchurch in January 2012, Ivan came home to a city he didn’t recognise. ‘I could not have imagined the devastation. The inner city was just gone. It was like a ghost town, with curtains still flapping at the windows of empty homes and hotels. I don’t think the media reports did justice to the plight of people out in the suburbs. You could never have imagined what it was like until you drove around and saw for yourself.’

It was devastating to watch so many of the city’s landmarks come down, he says, including AMI Stadium. Ivan used to live near the stadium, describing it as his ‘boyhood second home’. ‘There would be days when I would walk around and feel quite depressed, for no other reason than just being in a city that I’ve known so well—and it’s not the same anymore.’

As a counter to the hardships, Ivan has the highest praise for those who served the city through The Salvation Army. ‘I describe that service as “courageous”, because not only were they trying to help other people, but the Sallies in the town were also going through their own stuff. ‘As an organisation, we flew people in for months to help with our disaster response, and every night we made sure they had a hot meal and a good bed to sleep in. But we had Sallies going

home to gas cookers and to digging latrines in their back yards. Some of the things our people went through in those first months were just courageous—there’s no other word for it!’

Ivan says it’s been so easy to collect for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield fundraising appeal over the past two years in Christchurch as a result of the service given since the earthquakes.

‘That’s because Christchurch people know us. They see the Sallies out in their community. We were prepared to get out and meet people– it’s an inspiring story, really.’

However, the courageous service of Salvationists has taken a toll. Ivan remembers sitting in a staff meeting 12 months after ‘the big one’ of 22 February 2011 and seeing first-hand evidence of the trauma that people were still experiencing every day. ‘There were tears because it had been two days since we’d had a shake, and there was fear that because it had been two days, that there would be another big one coming,’ he recalls.

Some of the practical aftershocks facing the people of Christchurch are well known. Three years on, there are still outstanding insurance claims, for instance. But the emotional aftershocks are still resonating too. ‘There’s already a sense that this year there will be a lot of tiredness and even depression here,’ Ivan says. ‘People have lived on adrenalin for so long and now they’re exhausted. They’re tired of road works—it used to take 10 to 15 minutes to drive anywhere, and now it can take up to an hour. There’s still uncertainty.’

The earthquake did more than shake up bricks and mortar; it shook the foundations that people had built their lives on. ‘There’s a growing sense in this city that there’s more to life than just meeting our physical and psychological needs now,’ says Ivan. ‘Even the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Centre (CERA) is talking about the importance of meeting people’s spiritual needs. So you do sense that there is an opportunity for a move of the Holy Spirit in the community. The churches are positioning themselves for that—and the Army is amongst that. We’re seeing new people coming along to Christchurch City Corps and at other corps, too. There’s an exciting expectation for great things.’

Ivan is convinced there’s been an upward lift in people’s spiritual lives as a result of the quakes. ‘We promote the importance of “passionate spirituality” within The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga,’ he says. ‘Well, over the past two weeks, I’ve been at two different Sunday meetings and both officers talked about faith.

We’ve been in our storm—we’re in our storm—but we respond with faith. And I really do believe that the level of faith has increased around the city.

‘We’re in a great time of opportunity. The Salvation Army is realising that these are incredibly challenging days, and yet they must be lived out in hope and with a sense of expectation of advancement. I look around the city and I see the evidence of this.

Our corps are planning for advancement—for increase, for growth.

The opportunities are there for us as a city and as an Army.’

12 | WarCry 22 February 2014

PART ONE OF TWO

Maps and Journeys To nurture the mind, we add things. But if we want to nurture the spirit, we subtract, says Joy Cowley. She meditates on a journey to feed the heart.

What is the difference between ‘spirituality’ and ‘religion’? Are they separate, as some people think? Or are they bonded and a part of each other?

Life experience teaches us that they are different and yet connected—one nurturing the other. The word ‘spiritual’ describes our natural state. We are not human beings in a spiritual journey, but spiritual beings on a human journey, and our challenge is to fully develop our human potential. What we call our ‘spirituality’ comes from our awareness of the sacred in our lives. What we call ‘religion’ has come out of this awareness.

Spiritual awareness is usually contained in some kind of context.

For some people, that context is a set of religious beliefs that give us a code of conduct that will help us identify and develop our spirituality. For others, the context may be an affinity with nature, with animals, with large bodies of water like seas or lakes that often provide a metaphor for our spirituality. For others, it is working with people, listening to music, being with children. Sometimes the context is all of these. Whatever brings you to a state of spiritual awareness, will be something that takes you beyond your ego state, to a wider and deeper place.

Maps for the journey My own journey is influenced significantly by religion. And my favourite metaphor is that religion is the map and spirituality is the journey.

When we are young, our religious tradition gives us a map for our faith journey. The map is crisp, new and it carries clear instructions.

But as I journey, I start making my own notes on this map. Maybe there is a well here that has dried up; but over there I’ve found a spring of fresh water that isn’t on the map. Perhaps too, I’ve found a short cut through a rather thorny area. On the map there is a path going around a mountain, but I prefer to go over the mountain. That might be hard work, but there are magnificent views that I would not get otherwise. Eventually, I have personal notes written all over my map, and it is now uniquely my own.

The important thing is that we do make the map our own as we journey, because we are all different. And it would be error to think that the map is the journey. This is what we could call fundamentalism, when we sit on the road, worshipping the map.

Jesuit retreat director Monty Williams says that theology comes out of life experience, and not the other way around. We could call that a self-evident truth. Theology must all come from human understanding of the sacred in our lives. It is in the context of human experience that we unwrap the sacred in ourselves, and our awareness changes, deepens, as we get older. There is a parallel here—as our knowledge of ourselves deepens, so does our spiritual awareness.

God-incidences We tend to move about on the surface of life when we are young.

We are like flies walking on the surface of the stream. In maturity, we realise that there is much more going on than we once thought.

We realise that we are a part of a great system of connections—like threads in a tapestry. Separation is an illusion. We ask a question. |The answer pops up. We have a need. It is met. We experience remarkable coincidence in our lives, to the extent that we want to call it ‘God-incidence’, and all the time we are being called to a larger place. At this stage, we also see the deeper truths of religious teachings. Awareness of the sacred comes out of life experience, and like life experience, it has many levels of understanding, many layers of meaning.

In mature faith, we realise that Jesus’ teachings are not just pious exhortations. In the gospels he is telling us how the universe actually works. ‘Give and it shall be given unto you’ (Luke 6:38). That is a natural law. Dr Deepak Chopra says that when we give to others, we create a vacuum and more will flow into that space. We do not make ourselves poor by giving to others. We make ourselves poor by not giving.

We are not human beings in a spiritual journey, but spiritual beings on a human journey Likewise, let us consider all Jesus’ teachings about dying to self.

‘Anyone who loves their life will lose it’ (John 12:25). ‘Take up your cross and follow me’ (Matthew 16:24). ‘Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed’ (John 12:24).

When we are young, we see those sayings as messages of doom and gloom. But those teachings are not for the young who need to be developing a healthy ego. Jesus is talking about the mature stage of faith where we need to break out of the small prison of self and move into a larger place. This is well described by an anonymous 15th century monk who wrote: Find thyself; tis half the path to God, and then lose thyself and the rest of the way is trod.

We can all look back on our lives and see times when we were very aware of the sacred in us and around us. There were special grace-filled moments—some big, some small—when we knew we were held by a loving Presence.

Transforming love Spirituality is not a static state. It’s about movement. We can use the metaphors of growth or journey or talk about unwrapping the truth in our lives. It is a slow but constant process of transformation, and it is what we are born for.

The movement is one of love. The word ‘love’ can be seen as a bit of a cliché even in a religious context, but believe me, it is the stuff of spiritual journey. Love is the impetus for journey. Fear is the inhibitor. Love and fear: how do those operate in my life? I’ve made a list of the effects that I recognise in my life:

Soul Food | 13

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Love always calls us to a larger place. Fear always tries to draw us back to a narrow place.

• Love has a quiet soft voice. Fear had a loud strident voice.

• Love is compassionate. Fear is judgemental.

• Love is unitive. Fear is divisive.

• Love is a slow feeling, a movement of the heart. Fear comes quickly as strident thought.

• Love opens me up like a flower. Fear closes me down.

• Love is my spiritual truth. Fear belongs to my animal instinct for survival.

We know the words from Scripture: ‘God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them’ (1 John 4:16). We tend to think, ‘Oh yes, but this is pious talk. It’s not that simple.’ Well, actually, it is that simple. We can feel a little cautious about the word ‘love’ because it is so loosely used, but if we think of it as hessed—the Hebrew word for ‘loving kindness’—we come home to it. God is loving kindness and those who live in loving kindness, live in God and God lives in them.

When we give or receive loving kindness, we move into a larger place. We feel good about ourselves. Because we come home to whom we really are. Loving kindness is our true nature.

Feeding the heart Our time is taken up by a thousand tasks, a thousand demanding voices. The world is full of information. We are battered by it every day, and while that is not bad in itself, it does get in the way of reflective self-knowledge. It is difficult to nurture ourselves without time spent in regular reflection.

By reflective self-knowledge, I don’t mean ‘religious’ or pious activity. Often that is not about reflection at all, but about adherence to law and outer forms of religion. Reflective self-knowledge is about taking time out to know ourselves and listen to the voice of guidance within us. It’s what Jesus did when he left the crowds and went into the mountains to pray.

Prayer is what feeds the sacred space within us. But how do we define prayer? Prayer is not about formulae. It’s not even about words, although words can be its expression. It’s about the heart, about being in love with life. Prayer is what nourishes our sacred space.

We can start by identifying what fills us. That depends on who we are. Are you the sort of person who feels nurtured by walks in the bush or on the beach? Do you feel most at home with yourself sitting in the garden. Do you like listening to music? Do you find nourishment reading poetry? Are you a jogger? Or a swimmer? Do you wake up at night with a stillness and awareness that you don’t usually have during the day?

When I ask what fills you, I don’t mean entertainment. One women said she found fulfilment in her grandchildren, but then added that while she enjoyed being with them, she was exhausted afterwards. I’m talking about times when you are essentially alone and feeling comfortable with your aloneness.

What fills me? In my tradition am fed by daily mass. Terry and I

extend this by going three quarters of an hour early to have a time of silent reflection before mass. Our schedule allows us to do that. Other things that fill me up are working in a garden, observing animals and birds, sitting on the sea in a dinghy, fishing. What works for you?

In Buddhism and Hinduism, there is much emphasis on awareness as the key to spiritual journey. Jesus made the same emphasis, only the word that comes to us from the Aramaic and Greek is ‘wakefulness’. How often did he make statement like, ‘Be awake! The Kingdom is at hand.’ Or ‘Be awake! The bridegroom is coming.’ He was telling people to be in the present moment, to be aware of what was happening within them and around them. To unwrap the sacred or ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’.

When we take time out for awareness—that is, when we use our senses to rest in the present moment—we notice the language of the heart. There is something in us that opens up like a flower when we are in a situation that nurtures us. The same body movement happens in reverse when something is not right for us. Something inside us closes. It is a simple yes or no, and it is very finely tuned.

This inner movement doesn’t pay too much heed to social notions of what is desirable or undesirable. Nor does it necessarily move the same way in every like situation. It will be true for you at the moment, and you will know it is truth because it comes not from fear but from the gentleness of love.

Generations of New Zealanders have grown up with Joy Cowley’s much-loved children’s books.

She also writes on spiritual reflection and is a retreat facilitator. joycowley.com

A Reflection Awareness happens in the present moment, and it is the senses that feed the heart. When we are alone and relaxed, we can be aware of tactile sense, what we are feeling.

Our breath is a life gift that we take for granted. Feel the air moving in and out of your lungs and be aware of the miracle of your body. We are told that there are more cells in the human body than stars and planets in the universe. I don’t know who did the counting, but that’s impressive. Contemplate this ‘universe’ within you. Focus on your hands and feet and how they are resting. Consciously bless them for all for all that they do for you.

From feeling, we can go to sight. See beyond seeing. Look minutely at things you may not usually notice. At this time of reflection, you can if you like, pretend that you will go blind in 10 minutes and you have only those 10 minutes to remember every detail of your immediate environment. The intensity of your focus will hold you in the present moment. You can try listening beyond your normal range of hearing. Or try to identify the smells that are in the air you breathe. All of these are exercises in awareness.

14 WarCry¨22 February 2014

Time of Firsts for Territorial Leaders in Tonga

(l–r) Tonga's divisional leaders Capts Sila and Malia Siufanga with territorial leaders Comms Janine and Robert Donaldson History has been made in The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, with Kiwi officers Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson leading the territory, Fijian officers Majors Iliesa and Litiana Cola leading the Fiji Division, and Tongan officers Captains Sila and Malia Siufanga now leading the Tonga Region. This is the first time all three countries have had local, indigenous leadership.

The Donaldsons’ four-day trip to Tonga began on Friday 10 January and included many ‘firsts’. They enjoyed their first meeting with regional staff and visiting each corps except the Vava’u Corps Plant. By the end of their first day in Tonga, the couple had also experienced first hand what Uike Lotu (Prayer Week) is all about in the Kingdom of Tonga, attending Talasiu Corps for its final prayer meeting of the week.

Saturday saw more firsts, as the commissioners dedicated and blessed their first new Salvation Army buildings in Tonga: the new Fua’amotu Corps citadel and officer quarters. Commissioner Janine Donaldson officiated in the first dedication within the new citadel, before the Donaldsons experienced ‘light refreshments’ Tongan style.

On Sunday morning at Nuku’alofa Corps, the Territorial Commander enrolled his first Tongan senior soldier, Initi Tu’iono, and Commissioner Janine Donaldson presented her first Bible message to Tongan Salvationists, to which many responded. A small feast followed the service, before everyone made their way to Vaini Corps for a regional meeting.

Children and youth took part in the regional meeting, in which

Alive and Kicking at Jumpstart Toward the end of 2013, kids and their leaders from all over Central Division came together for a night of inflatable bowling and moon bouncers, singing and dancing, lollies and chocolate cake, along with some awesome worship and teaching.

Major Bronwyn Malcolm (Territorial Children’s Secretary) talked about preparing to run a marathon, and the importance of doing all we can to prepare for what God requires of us. Kids went home with the lesson that ‘having done all, trust’—an awesome reminder of the faithfulness of God and that once we have done all we can, we can trust God to do the rest.

The evening finished with a graduation for the year eights in the division, a huge thank you and farewell to Alana LePine (Divisional Children’s Mission Director), and a delicious supper.

The Central Division is looking forward to another amazing year of Jumpstarts and kids ministry this year and is pleased to welcome Lieutenant Fleur Carpenter as its new Divisional Children’s Mission Secretary.

Sophie Medland

everyone discovered that their new territorial leaders loved to dance and sing praises to the Lord—just as Tongan people do. The Donaldsons carried out the first installation ceremony of their territorial leadership, that of Tonga’s new regional leaders. Later, Commissioner Robert Donaldson preached from 1 Thessalonians, challenging the congregation ‘to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reason’. His message was easily translated and many people responded by seeking God in prayer at the mercy seat.

Monday morning was the final day of the territorial leaders’ visit to Tonga, yet there were still more firsts to come. The Donaldsons led their first Tongan Officers Councils, taking officers on a journey of reflection through the Officer’s Covenant. Commissioner Janine Donaldson shared some of the couple’s experiences in South Africa, ahead of a time of prayer.

Tonga has a cyclone season, and this year Cyclone Ian made its presence felt while Commissioners Robert and Janine were in Tonga.

The devastation caused by the cyclone meant people turned to The Salvation Army for assistance. This was the first large-scale natural disaster the territorial leaders have had to deal with in their current appointment. It was helpful to have them on the scene, able to receive information from right around the Tonga Region and assist as plans were formulated for The Salvation Army’s response.

Tongan Salvationists are grateful to Commissioners Robert and Janine for coming to Tonga and spending time getting to know the people there. The couple demonstrated servant hearts and showed a good example of how we can all serve the Lord in whatever we do.

Captain Kevin Waugh

Our Community | 15

Sharing the Good News in Queenstown

TRIBUTE

Aux-Captain Keith Tremain (QSM) (l–r) Michel and Chloe Marchand, Elizabeth Walker-Ratu and Semi Ratu strengthen friendships at the rugby In October 2013, Queenstown Corps enjoyed a massive weekend that included an all-day evangelism seminar by Major Malcolm Herring, a social trip to the All Blacks vs. Wallabies game and a compelling message preached by Malcolm in the Sunday morning service.

About 30 people attended the evangelism workshop (including two from a local Brazilian church and eight from Invercargill Corps).

At one point, Malcolm invited some people to share some of their evangelism stories that he’d heard over lunch. These testimonies were inspirational and only added to what was already an extremely challenging yet encouraging course.

After the seminar, several of the corps headed to Dunedin for the rugby test, which not only ended up being a fun and exciting night for all but was great for establishing and strengthening friendships.

Finally, on Sunday morning, around 80 people heard some passionate preaching from Malcolm. He begun by talking about how his heart went out to the 29,000 people at the rugby the night before and pointed out that the reality was that most of those present were not saved. Malcolm had held a short conversation with the guy sitting beside him at the rugby, and said the man was happy to receive a small booklet titled ‘Steps to Peace with God’.

Malcolm said that every unsaved person is a potential convert and we should treat them accordingly (showing a real interest in who they are and loving them the way Christ loves us). During the response time, seven people knelt at the mercy seat and many more came down the front to accept copies of the ‘Steps to Peace with God’ booklets to share with others.

The Holy Spirit’s presence was undeniable throughout this entire weekend. Our prayer is that we will take what we have learnt and apply it practically. We can only do this successfully in the power of the Holy Spirit, but we can act confidently with the expectation that God is going to do something big in the Queenstown Lakes District!

Lieutenant Shaun Baker

Keith was born in Palmerston North on 29 June 1928 and dedicated in the Palmerston North Corps. He was promoted to Glory on 1 October 2013, aged 85.

At 15, Keith took up a trade as a carpenter/builder, gaining his trade certificate a few years later.

A lover of brass bands, Keith learnt to play in the Salvation Army band at eight. Later, he became a foundation member of the New Zealand Military Brass Band, travelling overseas with the band when it was stationed in Malaysia. Among his highlights of this time was taking part in the Edinburgh Tattoo. A trained singer, Keith had a beautiful tenor voice, which he used for the glory of God. He also served as songster leader and bandmaster.

Keith was a caring person. He would sit on his front veranda and talk to everyone who passed by.

In 1951, Keith entered Salvation Army Training College, where he met wifeto-be Mavis. Keith left Salvation Army officership, but some years later renewed his friendship with Mavis.

They were married in October 1969, taking up residence in Hastings, where Keith was a supervisor in the Post Office telephone department.

In 1981, Keith and Mavis answered the call to missionary service in Singapore, where they managed a

children’s home and then an elderly women’s home. Before leaving Singapore, the couple was awarded a special Government Certificate of Merit for their assistance in helping rescue guests and recovering bodies from the New World Hotel, which collapsed after an inside water cylinder burst.

Keith retired to Hastings to Salvation Army community work, representing the Army in its Wills and Bequests programme. He was also a life member of the RSA. In 2002, Keith was awarded the Hastings District Council’s Community Award. Four years later, he received the QSM for his services to music, which spanned 74 years.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1998, and in 2012 was made a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary.

For 22 years, Keith was a chaplain at Hillcrest Rest Home in Havelock North, where he visited residents and conducted weekly church services.

Twelve years into retirement, Keith suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered. Although often confined to a wheelchair, Keith helped other stroke sufferers by overseeing the Hastings Stroke Club.

Heaven was Keith’s goal and he is now resting in his Saviour’s joy.

Dorothy McEwen

Hamilton City Campers Look to Future There was much to be thankful for when Hamilton City Corps shared its ‘Back to the Future’ Family Camp at Matamata’s Totara Springs from 1–3 November 2013. The camp was part of our celebration of 125 years of Salvation Army ministry and service in Hamilton. We also celebrated the encouraging fruit of the growing integration of the corps and Community Ministries.

The Waikato weather behaved itself superbly, as some 170 adults and children belonging to this community of faith enjoyed a weekend rich with variety, sharing, encouragement, fun, laughter and good food. The facilities were great and the camp staff served us well.

There was the invitation to take part in a range of outdoor or indoor activities: water slide, kayaking, eeling, top team competition, bouncy castle, quiz night, children’s film, afternoon picnic, history room, puzzles, and hot pool. There was something for everybody!

The camp provided an easy meeting place, with time for leisurely interaction between those who have been in the corps for a long time and those who have come to belong more recently. Connections were

made and a bridge to further participation gently created.

We were privileged to have Captains Kenneth and Catherine Walker, former corps members, as special guests. On Friday night, they introduced themselves and brought a devotional message.

Sunday morning’s worship service was a memorable time.

Kenneth and Catherine offered a large and diverse group of children and adults the opportunity to be creatively and meaningfully engaged in a very helpful worship experience.

As we reflected on Isaiah 43, the Walkers’ prime focus was to consider the new thing that God was bringing to fruit in the present and the challenging invitation to be involved—personally and as a community of faith—in what God desires for the future.

We give thanks for this significant and encouraging weekend with members of a community that truly belong together and who are committed to step out in partnership as the Lord beckons.

Tom Jewkes

16 | WarCry¨22 February 2014

Messengers of Light Welcomed to Booth College of Mission

With the arrival of the Messengers of Light (Kaikarere O Te Māramatanga) officer training session, numbers at Booth College of Mission in Upper Hutt have swelled, with 23 staff, 29 cadets and 36 children now on campus. Reflecting the multi-cultural make up of the session, whaikōrero were given in Māori, English, Tongan and Fijian.

Please continue to pray for the new cadets and their families as they settle into their new environment in Upper Hutt. Pray also for new staff joining the Booth College of Mission faculty this year.

Salvation Army at Winter Olympics With more than 200,000 people descending on the city of Sochi, in southern Russia, for the 2014 Winter Olympics, The Salvation Army’s Eastern Europe Territory put together a team of officers and soldiers to take part in outreach ministry.

Lieut-Colonel Wendy Walters (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Territorial Programme Secretary) says that as there is currently no Salvation Army presence in Sochi, the 10 team members were linking up with local churches, as part of the More Precious than Gold programme (the Russian version of More than Gold).

Team members were chosen not because of their particular interest in sport, but because of their ‘heart for evangelism’.

In Sochi, FunZones were being set up around the property of a Protestant church, with a large screen to show the day’s events, games for children, and other activities for youths and adults. LieutColonel Walters says, ‘Our Salvation Army team will provide tea and coffee at these locations, as well as supporting with translation when needed. The local authorities have placed restrictions on the distribution of material in any location apart from the property of the church, but we do have information that we can share when approached by members of the public.

‘We have purchased disposable cups with the Salvation Army Red Shield (in Russian) visible, as well as small packets of tissues—again with the Red Shield and Salvation Army web address—that can be freely handed out in the streets, and small cards with a calendar on one side and information about The Salvation Army on the other. We have also formed links with A21, an anti-trafficking organisation, which is providing material that can be given out from the church property.’ Team members will be easy to recognise in their Salvation Army-branded winter jackets.

Lieut-Colonel Walters says she expects that many of the visitors from around the world who are expected to attend the games will know The Salvation Army from their home countries. She adds, ‘We believe this is a good way to let the world know that The Salvation Army is operating in Eastern Europe. We see it as a good outreach opportunity, but also a major awareness-raising opportunity for The Salvation Army in this part of the world.’

Focus on Egypt in World Day of Prayer About 220 ecumenical World Day of Prayer services will be held throughout New Zealand on Friday 7 March, using a service prepared by the World Day of Prayer committee in Egypt with the theme ‘Streams in the Desert’.

Within the region—and worldwide—World Day of Prayer women are touched by the urgency for prayers and a search for understanding of the context of the violence that has escalated in Egypt and in the region. As women of faith, they find strength in the relationship developed through the World Day of Prayer around the globe. The ability to grow in understanding and respect of other people through a shared worship service is one of the gifts of the World Day of Prayer.

Egyptians still look forward to social and economic justice, peace and security. The Egyptian church strongly backs efforts at reform and is one of God’s ‘streams in the desert’. This year’s World Day of Prayer challenge is to stand with them as they share the streams of living water.

Projects to receive support from the 2014 World Day of Prayer offerings in New Zealand include: emergency relief and vocational training for Palestinian and Syrian refugees through Christian World Service, Bible Society bookshops in Egypt, class sets of Bibles for New Zealand schools through the Bible Society, along with funding for hospital chaplaincy in New Zealand.

GAZETTE Appointments Effective 3 Feb: Capt Sharlene Davis, Manager, Community Ministries Christchurch City (additional).

Effective 1 April: Personnel Section —Capt Gerald Walker, Secretary for Personnel and Privacy Officer; Mjr Lorraine LePine, Assistant Secretary for Personnel; Lieut Pauleen Richards, Territorial Candidates Secretary and Senior Training Officer (Booth College of Mission); Programme Section—Capt Kristine Walker, Research Officer, Family Training Officer. Effective 1 May: Addictions and Supportive Accommodation, Comm Alistair Herring, National Director; Comm Astrid Herring, National Coordinator Mission and Personnel Development. and Assistant, Community Ministries, Auckland City (additional).

Mission Leadership Effective 3 Feb: Jocelyn Smith, Director, Hornby Community Ministries.

Bereaved Mjr Myles Plummer of his father, Noel Plummer, on 29 Jan. The funeral was at Evans Chapel in Gisborne on 31 Jan. Mjr Muriel Gooder of her daughter, Fiona Gooder-Martin, as a result of an accident on 2 Feb. The funeral was at the Baptist Church in Marsden on 7 Feb. Capt Epironi Toloi of his father, Anasa Toloi, on 4 Feb from Drue, Fiji.

Capt Paul Gardner of his father, retired bandmaster Norman Gardner, on 10 Feb from Christchurch. The funeral was at Linwood Corps on 14 Feb. Please support these families in prayer.

First-time Grandparents Congratulations to Mjrs Bronwyn and Russell Malcolm on the birth of Ryder James McLaren Malcolm, born to Ryan and Serrina on 31 Jan.

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CALENDAR FEBRUARY 21: Youth Rally / Tonga Region 21–23: Father and Kids Weekend / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 23: Divisional Welcome Meeting / Midland Division 23: Divisional Welcome Meeting (Auckland City Corps) / Northern Division 23: Welcome Meeting (Northern) / Central Division 23: Blaze Youth Event / Central Division 23: Welcome to New Officers / Northern Division 24: Officers Councils / Northern Division 24–25: Officers Summer Councils / Midland Division 25: Officers Councils / Tonga Region 24–26: Addictions and Supportive Accommodation Services Retreat 27: Family Store Quality Improvement Working Party / Northern Division 27: Family Store Annual Awards Dinner / Northern Division 28: Youth Kneedrill / Northern Division MARCH 1: Youth and Children Leaders Spiritual Retreat / Northern Division 2: Children’s Day / New Zealand 3: Retired Officers Luncheon / Midland Division 2–4: ‘The Big Picture’ (Training for Managers) / Booth College of Mission 4: Officer/ RHQ Staff Retreat / Tonga Region 5: School for Officer Training Spiritual Day / Booth College of Mission 3–6 March: Twelve Steps Workshop (Part 1) / Auckland 7: World Day of Prayer 7: Women’s Rally / Tonga Region 8: Youth and Children’s Leaders Training (East) / Fiji Division 8: Paddy Bash Event / Southern Division 9 March: Welcome to Cadets / Wellington City 10: Taranaki Anniversary 10: Territorial Executive Leaders Conference / Wellington 11: Executive Women Leaders Commission / Wellington 11–12: Youth Quality Improvement Working Party 12: Children’s Quality Improvement Working Party 13: HR Conference / Northern Division 14: Hawera Book Fair / Midland Division 14: Te Whare Io / Midland Division

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Dannevirke, Dunedin City, East City, Far North (Kaitaia) and Feilding Corps, Regional Headquarters in Tonga, The Salvation Army Latin America North Territory.

Crossword Answers: Across: 7 Anywhere, 9 Arrows, 10 Cats, 11 Underlined, 12 Remove, 14 Receiver, 15 Recess, 16 T-shirt, 19 Elephant, 21 Unlike, 23 Stationery, 24 Each, 25 Honour, 26 Sinister. Down: 1 Invade, 2 Owls, 3 Refugees, 4 Fabric, 5 Artificial, 6 Sweetest, 8 Endure, 13 Occupation, 15 Relation, 17 Studying, 18 Stress, 20 Aboard, 22 Kicker, 24 East.

Quiz Answers: 1 Manchester, 2 Bombay, 3 The Luminaries, 4 The squirrel (a drey is a nest of twigs), 5 Matthew (21:1–9)

Fairtrade Supporter Award Passionate about Fairtrade? Spread the word to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit Fairtrade farmers in Costa Rica!

The inaugural Fairtrade Supporter of the Year Award allows you, as an advocate of Fairtrade in New Zealand, to blow your own whistle. Plus … one campaigner will win a money-can’t-buy experience to meet the farmers they are campaigning for!

Register at www.fairtrade.org.nz/supporter and say you heard about this award from The Salvation Army to be in the draw for a pack of Fairtrade treats and resources.

Sign Up to Become a Social Media Soldier Every day, millions of people go online seeking help with spiritual issues. They are looking, listening, searching and longing for connection. SAVN.tv (Salvation Army Vision Network) in the US invites Salvationists from New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga to join with other Social Media Soldiers from the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, Kenya and elsewhere to win the world for God. Are you ready to be trained and equipped with all the tools needed to engage the lost through social media? Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through social media can be as easy as sharing a video. Together we can meet people at the moment of their need, when they are most ready to listen.

To sign up and find out more, like www.facebook.com/MediaSoldiers

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

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 21–24 February: Northern Division 25 February: Addiction and Supportive Accommodation Services Retreat 27 February–2 March: Cabinet Retreat 9 March: Territorial Welcome to Cadets (New Zealand) 10 March: Territorial Executive Council 11 March: Women’s Commission Meeting (TPWM) Colonels Graeme (Chief Secretary) and Wynne Reddish (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 27 February–2 March: Cabinet Retreat 10 March: Territorial Executive Council 11 March: Women’s Commission Meeting (TSWM)

18 WarCry¨22 February 2014

LEADERSHIP LINKS

Stir up the gift of God that is in you This week we remember the devastation of the Christchurch earthquakes and the ongoing aftermath, while also recognising that other parts of the country have more recently experienced some shaking as well.

For the people of Christchurch, though, life will never be the same. People talk about ‘the new normal’, but the physical shaking they experienced has also been an emotional and psychological shaking—much of which has not yet settled in people’s lives. The stress continues for many, with insurances yet to be finalised and ongoing changes to residential zone status.

The Salvation Army is still working closely with people affected by the devastating earthquake of 22 February 2011.

Funds generously provided by the public have enabled us to provide material assistance and counselling, as well as assistance with needs in schools through people working within a number of schools. Some of this work is winding up, but other areas of our response are ongoing as the impact of the quakes continues to be felt in people’s lives.

I saw my first James Bond movie at age 12 (and I’ve seen most since) and I recall that Bond likes his Martinis ‘shaken, not stirred’. In thinking about New Zealand’s recent earthquakes, I wonder if we have been just shaken, or whether we have been stirred as well.

‘Shaken’ carries ideas of shock and fear, and sometimes of being riveted to the spot or seeking a place of refuge. ‘Stirred’, however, carries the idea of mixing things up a little, unsettling things that have become settled, and even of activating people. For those of working at Territorial Headquarters in Wellington, last year’s quakes made us aware of the need to be better prepared. We’ve been putting some new systems in place, testing these just a few days ago. Clearly, the people of Christchurch and from further afield were also stirred—so many came together to assist each other, to care for their neighbours, to give to meet the needs of others. They were stirred to action.

Hence my question: are we shaken or stirred? Not just in relation to the earthquakes, but also in relation to our mission, in relation to the gospel of Christ, in relation to those in need, in relation to the issues around us. Are we paralysed by the things we see and hear, shaken and overwhelmed by the enormity of the need around us; or are we stirred to action to work to see a better world, spiritually, physically and emotionally? We can all do small things that make a difference to the big picture. Each of us has been given gifts and abilities by God that we are to use to make a difference.

2 Timothy 1:6 says, ‘Stir up the gift of God that is in you’ (KJV), or ‘I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you’ (The Message). Sometimes we will be shaken—that is the nature of life on earth—but we also need to be stirred, mobilised to change our world a little every day!

Colonel Wynne Reddish Secretary for Women’s Ministries

You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover The first in a series of articles from The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission. James Read and Don Posterski tackle the issue of discrimination based on first impressions.

First impressions are consequential. They can open doors or slam them shut. Some of us see a person begging on the street and think, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover. There’s a story here. I wonder what happened.’ Others see the same person in the same situation and conclude, ‘What you see is what you get. I’m glad that’s not me.’ For them, the story is over.

People who are marginalised suffer the consequences of first impressions. Too often, they have doors slammed in their faces before they have a chance to tell their stories. They seem destined for discrimination.

Who are some of those that may be judged by appearances and discriminated against?

• the chronically unemployed and unemployed youth • long-term welfare recipients • beggars and transient street people • addicts and drunkards • prostitutes, adulterers and HIV carriers • lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people • people of colour • indigenous people • foreign-language speakers • mentally ill people • those with a criminal history …

We often don’t think we are discriminating when we feel uncomfortable around any of these people or others. But too often, as we walk away, we may feel that we haven’t been our best selves in our response.

What we believe about people can help us respond to them more appropriately. Followers of Jesus believe that the image of God is in everyone. Capacities to think and love, abilities to make positive decisions, and resourcefulness to express goodness are all

Mission Matters 19

human beauty marks that reflect God’s image.

Because people have made bad decisions does not make them bad people, for instance. Because people are different from you and me or because their lives are off track doesn’t diminish their human worth.

Before walking out the door in the morning we can remind ourselves that whomever we encounter today, we can begin with, ‘I see God in you.’

Another pre-commitment we can make is to humanise our interaction. Whether individuals have disgraced themselves or find themselves outsiders through no fault of their own, we can send signals of acceptance to them. In our minds, we can pre-schedule an interruption. We can stop, look people in the eye, greet them and break the awkward silence.

Instead of being befuddled by the encounter with an unexpected beggar, we can graciously put our hand into our pocket for the coins that were put there precisely for this anticipated moment. Encouraging them to ‘have a good day’ as we walk away perhaps lifts their sights further. By living with foresight we can reduce stigmatisation and counter discrimination.

Followers of Jesus believe that the image of God is in everyone In his award-winning book, Tattoos on the Heart, priest and social worker Gregory Boyle tells the story of taking some shaved-head, tattooed, baggy-clothed gang buddies to a restaurant. Overcoming the host’s resistance to seating them, the three are ushered through the maze of other customers to a back corner table. In Boyle’s description, ‘all the diners stop what they’re doing, silverware suspended in midair, and a disquieting silence descends on the place.’ This is Richie and Chepe’s first time in a restaurant.

Richie speaks first. ‘Everyone is looking at us. We don’t belong here.’ Chepe chimes in, ‘There’s just pure, rich white people here.’

Then it happens. The waitress comes toward them. Instead of the earlier frozen and awkward reception, she verbally puts her arms around them, ‘Hey, fellas, what can I get you?’ Looking at Chepe, ‘How about you, sweetie?’ And then Richie, ‘Well honey, what do you want?’

After cleaning their plates and being served refills they didn’t even ask for, they make their exit.

On the way to the car, the talk was about the waitress. Chepe said what was important: ‘Yeah, she treated us like we were somebody.’

Those who decide that ‘what you see is what you get’ have crushed imaginations. They slam doors shut. But those who know that ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ inherently believe there are more chapters to be written. They open doors. Which type of person would you like to be?

International Social Justice Commission The International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) is The Salvation Army’s strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice with the world’s poor and oppressed. Its director is Lieut-Colonel Geanette Seymour.

From the beginning, The Salvation Army’s mission has been marked with love for God, service among the poor, and the invitation to believe and follow Jesus Christ. The additional mandate of the ISJC is challenging Salvationists to harmonise our historic mission with God’s call to pursue justice in today’s world.

The International Social Justice Commission has five goals: 1. Raise strategic voices to advocate with the world’s poor and oppressed.

2. Be a recognised centre of research and critical thinking on issues of global social justice.

3. Collaborate with like-minded organisations to advance the global cause of social justice.

4. Exercise leadership in determining social justice policies and practices of The Salvation Army 5. Live the principles of justice and compassion, and inspire others to do likewise.

The Commission’s activities include: • advising the General on global matters of social justice and poverty • consulting with territories on present social justice practices and programmes • developing expertise on selected global issues and key concerns • representing The Salvation Army at the United Nations (New York, Vienna and Geneva) • maintaining a commitment to established priorities, such as the issue of human trafficking • coordinating the development of ethical and moral positional statements • producing justice-related biblical and theological resources • proposing policy and positioning strategies to address critical concerns.

For more on the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), go to salvationarmy.org/isjc

EVENTS

Happy Fifth Birthday Amplify!

Top Five Classic Moments 1 When the chair-lifting dance took off at the Exhibition Night—people flooded to the stage carrying chairs like dance-floor trophies and everyone boogied down.

Amplify 2014 was an awesome week spent with Jesus and friends, learning new skills and igniting passions to build the kingdom of God in our home communities.

Delegates chose a major and minor study option for the week and were able to learn more about photography, visual arts, dance, brass music, event management and a whole lot more! Other activities included a diverse range of workshops, a fancy fifth birthday celebration dinner, daily Bible studies, night churches, and plenty of time to meet new friends and catch up with old ones.

Check out all the highlights from the week …

Vanessa Singh Photography: Scott Curtis, Cameron Millar and AJ Wells

2 The moment the tree hit the ground after the Tool Time minor learnt a lesson in forestry from macho-man Karl Foreman. What a flipping loud thud, and what excited faces when they all got a turn on the chainsaw.

Top Two New Things 1 Tool Time was introduced as a new minor this year, and who knew so many people wanted to be ‘Tim the Tool Man’ Taylor. Campers tried their hand at DIY skills and avoided removing their hands with big shiny tools.

Leadership was also introduced as a new major for those slightly older and either exploring leadership or already on the journey—yeah, TSMP goal number 4!

2 Finally, after five long years, milkshakes were put on the café menu and many people exclaimed ‘milk was a good choice!’ Stew’s milkshakes brought all the campers to the café.

Top Two Awkward Moments 1 When the 6.2 Eketahuna earthquake hit just after we had finished the Outdoor Concert. Half of us didn’t know whether it was an earthquake or just some really big kids on the bouncy castle, and the other half didn’t know whether to take cover or not.

2 Sam Parker’s ‘game of touch’ and Marcus Collins’ ‘rousing Lion King’ comments during the Amplify’s Most Eligible Bachelor video. Erm, awks …

3 Rebecca ‘Reba’ Gane taking to the stage to show off her moves in a full fourand-a-half minute dance routine as her final farewell. She really taught us how to dougie.

4 Everyone joining in for a high-energy sing-along of Katy ‘good Christian young lady’ Perry’s ‘Roar’ at the annual Explorer’s Café acoustic night.

5 Life Tips with guest speaker, Jono Bell, during his sermons at Night Church. Which then meant guys were always loaded up with chewing gum, deodorant and quick ‘pursuit’ shoes.

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Top Amplify ‘The Porcelain Post’ Meme So accurate, right?!

Top Night Activity While the café Quiz Night and Acoustic Night are always top notch, and the newly-added alternative worship night was a cool way to experience different types of worship, this year’s Top Night Activity has to go to the 5th Birthday Party. What an awesome time celebrating the Amplify journey, eating gold-class menu food and getting all glammed up in our formal clothes!

Top Three Overheard at Amplify 1 ‘Chop twice, measure once!’—in Tool Time 2 ‘You’ve got to flirt to convert’—in a ‘sharing your faith’ workshop (definitely don’t take this one out of context!)

3 ‘We’re quite normal, we just do everything sober’—in conversation

Top Three Bonding Moments 1 Doing outreach together for our friends and families and the Upper Hutt community at our Outdoor Concert. Awesome weather, awesome activities and awesome performances. What a cool way to share the Gospel!

Top Five Stats of Amplify 1 We hit record numbers again this year at Amplify with around 225 campers, staff and kids packing out Silverstream Retreat.

2 Matt Smith was this year’s oldest camper, turning 31 just before camp (but somehow he failed to inform us when he registered … hmm).

3 Registrations determined that the most popular major was Group Performance, and most popular minor was a draw between Photography and newbie Tool Time.

2 All of us cramming into the nautical-themed Explorer’s Café for the annual Quiz Night and annual Acoustic Night. Both were super cool, but what really brought us all together was the last-minute evacuation after the fire alarm was tripped. Party in the quad!

4 We had our farthest traveller attend Amplify this year: Jonny Whybrow (‘Jonny English’) made the trip from England to be with

3 Coming together for four Night Churches across the camp and praising

Silverstream Retreat staff ! Reports are in that campers were far less greedy with the bread rolls this year. Amazing!

God together. Such a cool opportunity: meeting with over 200 other people, getting into prayer, the Word and worship, and hearing from God. Such a powerful time!

us … and to move here.

5 Almost 5500 meals were prepared for us by the awesome

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Top Amplify Photos

It was hard to choose, but here are our top Amplify 2014 photos. Enjoy!

5th Birthday

Night Church

General Camp

Performance

Photobooth

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MATCH THE PAIRS OF FUNKY SHAPES TO MAKE SIX CIRCLES

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CAN YOU FIND 10 DIFFERENCES?

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3 4 5

6 LINE DRAWING Draw four straight lines, each from one edge of the box to another edge, so each line goes through four letters that spell a word about prayer. The word ‘OBEY’ is done for you.

7

F

8

H

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R Y

L A

10

R A

T

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P

9

N

I Y

R B

E O

I

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11 12

L K

WHAT AM I? I travel all over the world but always stay in my corner. (I am a stamp.)

Answers: 1 & 10, 2 & 5, 3 & 8, 4 & 7, 6 & 12, 9 & 11. Pray, talk, hear.

READ IT

When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers.

Matthew 6:7 CEV

PRAY IT Dear God, thank you that you love it when we talk to you. Help me to remember to talk to you every day.

Amen.

TALK IT Meet Junior. With a name like that, it’s not surprising that he signed up to be a ‘junior soldier’ in The Salvation Army.

There are a few things Junior really loves to do. Can you guess one of them? That’s right—Junior loves to play rugby. But he also loves to pray. Junior talks to God about almost everything—the good stuff and the bad stuff. When something is worrying or even scaring him, Junior tells God about it and asks for God’s help.

Prayer is a great way to stay connected to God. When we pray, we often feel more peaceful and happier. We can also get ideas about what God might like us to do, think or say.

We don’t have to use big or fancy words, or speak long sentences when we pray. Jesus says God isn’t impressed by that sort of thing.

Just pray what’s on your heart, and in your own words. If you don’t know what to say, just say, ‘God, I love you.’ And then sit quietly for a while and listen for God’s voice speaking back to you.

Junior

Territorial Welcome to the

Sunday 9 March, 6 pm Wellington City Corps, 92 Vivian Street With Territorial Leaders Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson ‘You are the light of the world … let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honour to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:13-16, New English Translation