23 January 2021 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 23 JANUARY 2021 | Issue 6759 | $1.50

Ready to Rent in Rotorua Councillor Teri O’Neill, Advocating for Change

The General’s New Year Message Tough gals from all walks of life are showing their stuff

‘Big Dave’ Tribute

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine Booth

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

EDITOR Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Holly Morton, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major Colleen

Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,

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

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

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

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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Tough gals!

I recently attended the wedding of a young friend. It was a beautiful occasion, but especially poignant because I have witnessed the difficult path this woman has walked over many years, through no fault of her own.

Growing up, her father was an abusive and dangerous man and caused significant trauma for her family. As a child, she was at the forefront of the confrontations and regularly challenged this man’s life-threatening behaviours.

She was and is courageous and, despite the uncertainty and anguish of these years, my friend remained positive and optimistic.

The saying ‘bitter or better’ comes to mind. It is at times a fine line that separates bitter and better, a line we draw for ourselves. Each negative experience brings us to a crossroad with two clear choices: I will allow this experience to make me bitter, or, I will allow this experience to make me better. This is not always clear cut and the internal dialogue can be had over months or years, but as we daily choose to lay down our bitterness, eventually we bear the fruit promised to us in the Bible of love, joy and peace.

My young friend chose the better over the bitter multiple times, and in this edition of War Cry, you will read about other women who have chosen better and who have developed tenacity, courage and resilience. The decisions they have made gave them strength and the ability to change their own lives for good and we recognise them as our tough gals!

Vivienne Hill Editor

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 137 years | Issue 6759 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?

Corrie ten Boom

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Ngā Whakatauki 31:25 He kaha, he hōnore ōna kākahu; ā e kata ana ia ki ngā rā ō muri atu.

T

here are many females in the Bible who were leaders and, through their actions, changed the destinies of nations.

In Exodus 1 and 2, we read about one of these girls, Miriam. She was an Israelite under the rule of the newly-installed Pharaoh of Egypt, who had decided the enslaved Israelite nation must be broken.

He ordered forced physical labour for all to curb the Israelites’ growing numbers, but the pregnant women persisted in delivering healthy babies under oppressive conditions. So, Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of all Israelite boys. After all, in his experience, only boys grow up to deliver empires— little girls were of little consequence to this powerhungry killer.

Two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, were instructed to kill the boys they delivered. ‘The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live’ (Exodus 1:17). Their courageous disobedience meant that the boys were delivered twice over!

Miriam’s mother Jochebed secretly gave birth to a son. When they couldn’t hide him any longer, this clever, heartbroken mother placed her tiny baby in an ark of papyrus and tar.

Exodus 2:4 tells us, ‘His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him’.

Hebrew Bible scholar, Jopie Siebert-Hommes, describes how Miriam’s stance was one of faithful expectation, careful watching and bold audacity.

What a risk to be seen near the contraband-filled basket holding a tiny Hebrew boy.

Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, went to

bathe in the same river in which her father had commanded the Hebrew boys be drowned. She spied the tiny boat, opened it to see the little boy, ‘And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children”’ (Exodus 2:6, NASB).

Instead of adhering to her father’s decree, Bithiah rescued the child. And the little sister waiting in the reeds saw her opportunity to deliver her brother to safety. ‘“Shall I go and call a woman for you who is nursing from the Hebrew women, so that she may nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother’ (vs 7, 8).

Miriam showed wild courage in emerging from cover and suggesting this bold solution to the Egyptian royal. She served as God’s hand in delivering her brother back to his family and into his future.

When Miriam grew up, God delivered her family a second time through water, when he parted the Red Sea. Author, Jennifer Lewis, says in her article ‘Girl Power Gone Right’, in the Journal of Youth and Theology: ‘Miriam’s emergence in the text not as an independent actor, but as a member of a community, testifies to the collaborative nature of leadership development and compels Christian communities today to consider their role in growing girls into strong, confident women who believe that their voices are valued and their contributions esteemed’.

The courageous, collaborative acts of all the women and girls in this story opened the way for Israel to be saved, and changed the destiny of a nation.

BY ROSY KEANE 23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 3

Ready, Set, Lift Off! There are lots of ways you can empower yourself to be a tough gal, and one of The Salvation Army’s Communications team members is doing just that.

Julia De Ruiter (Digital Communications Manager) started lifting weights in February 2019, after deciding that she wanted to push herself to be fit and strong.

She quickly found she enjoyed the process of setting goals and gradually increasing the weight or number of repetitions.

Two years on, her current personal bests are a 400kg leg press and 150kg deadlift.

QUIK QUIZ

1 Whose mannerisms did Christian Bale reportedly study to prepare for his role in American Psycho?

2 In which year was the Battle of Hastings?

3 Tennis player Ashleigh Barty played what other sport for Australia?

4 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was originally published in what language?

5 What ominous winged creature is described as unclean in the book of Leviticus in the Bible?

Answers on page 22 4 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

‘The other day, I saw a video on my Instagram from when I was stoked that I lifted 90kgs for my deadlift, which seemed huge at the time … I was thinking, man, I’ve come such a long way. Even my form is way better.’

Her next goal is to achieve a 170kg deadlift.

OUR PEOPLE

Holly Morton, Staff Writer/Reporter, Territorial Headquarters

Beyond fitness, she believes lifting weights has improved her mental strength, and she encourages people— especially women—to give it a go.

‘You think you can’t do Holly Morton is something, and then you do the new writer on the Communications team at THQ. it. If you do that a lot, then Holly grew up in Tauranga in over time you think, okay, the sunny Bay of Plenty and I’m going to give something a migrated to Wellington to crack and see what happens,’ spend her university career reading detective fiction she says. ‘That’s had a good and conjugating Spanish flow-on effect for other verbs. She has also studied things in my life that I publishing at Whitireia New Zealand. She is on the probably wouldn’t have leadership team at Blueprint given a go, and now I have, Church in Wellington city and because of pushing myself describes herself as ‘increasingly every day.’

Anglican’. Holly is excited to work with words every day and to share stories of what God is doing in our territory. In her spare time, Holly enjoys reading Weird of the Week: Argentina and writing once had a tax on unmarried poetry, baking men, with an exemption for men and trying who proposed but were turned out new down. To get the exemption, hobbies like juggling and Argentine women began skateboarding. businesses where they

would charge to turn down fake proposals.

Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Bruschetta 3 peaches, skin on, cut into wedges 1 clove garlic 6 slices sourdough bread, cut into 1.5cm thick slices 2 Tbsp olive oil 120g soft, creamy French goat’s cheese Handful of rocket leaves 10 slices prosciutto Salt and pepper, to season

Heat up a BBQ grill or grill pan. Grill the peach wedges, cut-side down, over a medium-high heat until grill-marked but not too soft and still holding their shape. Set aside.

Halve the garlic clove and very lightly rub over the slices of bread. Drizzle bread with olive oil and grill each slice on both sides until toasted.

Lay the toasted bread on a platter and spread a little of the cheese on top of each slice. Top with rocket leaves and a slice or two of prosciutto.

Place 2–3 wedges of grilled peach on top of the prosciutto.

Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Drizzle the bruschetta with a dash of balsamic vinegar for added flavour.

Source: countdown.co.nz

WARCRY INHISTORY

This spread of Leading Women Officers of The Salvation Army around the world was printed in the 20 December 1919 edition of War Cry. The familiar faces of the Booth women are in the centre and in the top left corner you can spot New Zealand’s Mrs Commissioner Hodder.

TOPFIVE

We’ve seen all sorts of reality TV shows, from the engrossing to the unnerving. Here are five of the strangest concepts to make it to air.

1. M r Personality— a dating show which aimed to make it all about what’s on the inside by having the contestants wear full face masks (probably a bit too close to home for a comeback in 2021).

2. C elebrity Splash— most of us have heard of Dancing with The Stars, but have you heard of the celebrity diving show?

Animation Soul (PG, Available to stream online on Disney+) Directed by Pete Docter Initially scheduled for theatrical release in June 2020, Soul follows Joe Gardner, an aspiring jazz pianist on the verge of a careerdefining gig when he, seemingly, dies. Accidentally finding himself in ‘The Great Before’, he meets 22, a prospective soul who is cynical about life on earth and conspires to return him there in time. The film offers a creative premise and plot to ponder how we come to possess our unique personalities, and thankfully doesn’t attempt to tie up the meaning of life in a neat bow. Rather, it engages with poignant themes in a humourous way both adults and children can appreciate, against a stirring, jazz-inspired soundtrack. Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey voice the main characters, while Kiwi listeners will recognise Rachel House as abacusarmed counter Terry. (Reviewed by Bethany Slaughter)

3. Shattered—a plainly dangerous series, where contestants completed a range of challenges whilst staying awake longer than seven days. If they closed their eyes for more than 10 seconds, they were eliminated.

4. S cream Queens—a group of actresses went through a range of horror movie-themed challenges to win a role in a real flick. Two seasons resulted in two starring roles.

5. I Wanna Marry Harry—a vague lookalike of Prince Harry was enlisted to dupe a group of unsuspecting American contestants that they were going on dates with the real royal.

Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission 23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 5

Tough gal Hania Aitken (Blue Mountain Adventure Centre) has faced many obstacles in her life. Her faith—tried and tested—has taught her to face those obstacles head on. She’s been surprised time and again not only by what God has helped her overcome, but also by what her body is able to do. For the 41-year-old mother of four, being strong is about having a mindset that doesn’t shy away from difficulty—be that physical or spiritual. Her approach to building strength makes for inspiring and compelling new year reading.

BY JULES BADGER

H

ania vividly recalls sitting on the couch with a newborn in her arms, when her four-year-old son, Cruz, wondered aloud who could take him for a bike ride. ‘I remember him saying that he’d have to ask Dad because I didn’t know how to ride a bike. I was like, What?! But then I realised, Hang on a minute, he doesn’t know that I can ride a bike because he’s only ever seen me feeding babies and cleaning bums and whatnot!’

That was a poignant moment for Hania who decided then and there that she wanted to reverse her son’s assumptions. ‘I needed to set an example, because already at that young age Cruz had made this assumption that mums don’t do certain things. And I thought to myself, I owe it to my sons and daughters to demonstrate that women are capable and strong. That was the beginning of the journey for me—my goodness, of course I could ride a bike!’

Early obstacles Raised by a single mum who migrated to Australia from the Czech Republic, Hania had an interesting entry into Aussie life. ‘Mum had a very strong accent and there were some strong cultural differences which meant that as a family you could say we were on the outer edge of normal life. But when I was about six, Mum became a Christian, and I remember it distinctly for the change it brought about in her life—it was a hundred percent game-changer for us.’

Even though faith was embedded in her home life, Hania had a difficult time at high school, made more challenging when her front tooth was knocked out.

‘This might seem minor, but at 14 it was massive. I had to have braces and they held the gap open until I was 16. So that was two years with no front tooth—I felt ugly and cried buckets. But I began to consider that there had to be more to me than just looking normal and having what might be considered a pretty face at the most basic level—like with all ya teeth! The realisation began to sink in that my heart really does matter and so does who I am. And that sat with me— the way we look at our bodies and judge our appearance is not the full story.

There’s so much more! That was a wake-up moment in my life, and it made me start to look at my body and appearance in a healthier way.’

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 7

Hania moved to a Christian college for her final years of schooling. A series of events that could only have been orchestrated by God saw Hania head to Fiji on a mission trip with her class. ‘I had this encounter with God there, and I committed myself to doing what God wants of me, not what I might have planned. That trip became one of the first major spiritual markers in my life. Everything has flowed from that reassurance that God’s way is the best way. Now, throughout our life together, my husband Kyle and I consistently ask, “Okay, God, what do you want of us?”.’

Clarity in the darkness In 2012, Hania and Kyle were living in Australia and felt utterly convinced that God was calling them back to New Zealand and Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC), where the couple had previously served as outdoor instructors in 2006. ‘We felt so strongly about it—God had spoken so loudly to us. But then Kyle didn’t get the job.’ Hania was pregnant and went into a tailspin of disappointment. ‘We’d bought tickets back to New Zealand, sold our car and had to come back to no job and no house. I honestly entertained the thought that God had lied to us. If I couldn’t trust what God had said so clearly to both of us at the same time, which doesn’t often happen, then maybe I can’t trust anything he’s ever said or might say.’

Worried about where their baby would be born, the couple decided to volunteer at BMAC anyway. Then Kyle picked up some paid work in Auckland, while Hania remained at BMAC. ‘I ended up taking care of the new manager’s children for a week while she settled into her new role that was supposed to be our role. It was really hard! I was caring for the kids in what would have been our house, and I was like, God, why am I here?

What is your plan?.’

Hania was approached by someone asking if Kyle might be able to make it to an interview at Dilworth School the following day. ‘I was pretty begrudging because I was sure we

were called to be at BMAC, but I promised I’d tell Kyle about it, so I did, and he already had a commitment. But we agreed to pray about it anyway.’ And as she did, God directed her to Jeremiah 29.

‘I was like, Come on, God, we all know Jeremiah 29:11 by heart, but I felt God saying, No Hania, read the first part of the chapter.

So I did, and this is my summary of it: “Go into the land that I’m sending you into and at the right time I’ll bring you back to this place. Settle down and have babies and increase in number… and you’ll come back to this place.” While I knew we were meant to be at BMAC, I now understood the time wasn’t quite right yet.’

It turned out that the commitment Kyle had the next day was with someone who happened to be an intern at Dilworth.

‘Long story short, he had an interview and got the job, and we felt right about settling down at Dilworth and giving it our all because we were confident that returning to BMAC was in our future. It was such a moment of clarity in a very dark space, and God took care of all the small details. Sometimes they go hand in hand, don’t they? Dark times and significant God moments.’

Choosing obstacles Kyle and Hania loved their season at Dilworth, and it was during this season that the concept of ‘obstacles’ was redefined for Hania. Having given birth to four children, she decided to get into shape by ticking off some bucket list items. ‘I had a half marathon in the back of my mind, but when I started running—I think I ran about 400 metres—not only did I pull my Achilles tendon, but my insides felt like they were going to fall out! I put two and two together and realised that I had no core strength and that in order to run I would have to start with some strength work.’

Hania gathered some other people together and began a little boot camp in the Dilworth gym. ‘I could only do about five push ups on my knees when we started, and I thought, Oh my gosh, I’m never going to get anywhere. Slowly, but surely,

‘I WOULD SAY THAT ULTIMATELY BEING A TOUGH GAL MEANS BEING WILLING TO EMBRACE HARD THINGS. WHETHER THAT’S A DEMANDING PHYSICAL CHALLENGE THAT YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE YOUR ALL, OR WHETHER THAT’S ABOUT EMBRACING YOUR BODY—EVEN YOUR GREY HAIR!’ 8 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

strength began to build to the point where after my first half marathon, I signed up for a ‘Tough Mudder’ event, which is a half marathon with 40 obstacles spaced throughout the race. I thought this would be more fun than training for just a run, because each obstacle leant itself to specific challenges in terms of strength. You might be a fast runner, but what happens when there’s mud? What are you going to do when you have to pull something really heavy? I liked that the obstacles evened the playing field for the athletes. Some people are really strong but not so fast, or they might not have great balance or not be so good on monkey bars. I love the obstacles!’

A whole new world opened up for Hania as she grew physically stronger, including an appearance on Australian Spartan in 2018, with New Zealand team James and The Peaches.

The following year, God brought the now six-strong Aitken tribe to BMAC, with Kyle taking on the promised manager’s role. It was like entering the Promised Land for the Aitkens and they’ve embraced their new life with gusto. Hania is making the most of the outdoor environment to continue her strength-training journey. In October 2020, Hania came second overall in the Rotorua Tough Gal Championship and won her age group (the over 40s).

So, what is a tough gal?

‘I would say that ultimately being a tough gal means being willing to embrace hard things. Whether that’s a demanding physical challenge in which you choose to give your all, or whether that’s about embracing your body—even your grey hair! Being a tough gal is that willingness to embrace tough things. Discovering strength changed my everyday life in terms of what I could do, and it didn’t really matter how I looked from the outside, because I felt so strong. And that just felt really liberating. I can do things and I can trust my body.

God’s designed my body in an amazing way, and I feel like I’m honouring it by doing things with my body that I would otherwise have just gone, Nah I can’t do that.

‘My faith meshes with the physical—they go hand-in-hand.

There can be times in our faith when it’s easy and there are times when it is so hard—it can get really tough, like when we have to let God handle things instead of putting in our two cents’ worth and giving God our suggestions. It’s hard to let go of our right to control everything. It’s hard to be afraid, but still have the courage to do something that God’s told you to do anyway. Those are all tough things and I think whether

it’s physical or spiritual, being a tough gal is being willing to embrace those hard things and say, “Okay, this is tough, but I’m going to do it anyway—I’m going to have courage in the face of whatever it is that is really difficult right now and still step forward”.’

Powerful peaches Hania is now a qualified personal trainer, and despite the challenges of Covid-19, took on yet another new challenge— launching Powerful Peach Fitness in November 2020. ‘I especially wanted to appeal to women. My vision and passion is to share my new-found strength and how it works with family life, particularly with other mums that often feel run off their feet and don’t take time for themselves. I just want others to discover their strengths and feel how it feels to live life to the full!

‘As you enter middle age, I know there are times when you are tempted to watch others—to sit back and let the younger ones do it, or watch your kids have fun instead of joining in.

You don’t push yourself physically and instead get into a rut where you no longer trust yourself or your body to do things.

Christ has come so that we might have life and have it in all its fullness, so I want to help other peaches jump on the tramp with their kids without the fear of wetting their pants or their insides falling out! Any mother knows that feeling, because our bodies change. I want women to discover their strength and feel powerful—at any age.’

Tough love As a parting word, Hania especially wants women to be kinder to themselves—today. ‘Most of us are thinking, I’ll be happier with myself when … and it’s somewhere off in the future. I want to inspire women to be kind to themselves today and embrace themselves as they are now. Being tough is about self-love—loving yourself right now and being strong enough to not settle for less. Love and accept what God has created and then build your strength—whether that’s being a tough gal physically or embracing the next hard thing spiritually with God. Love yourself now! That’s what God does—he loves us right now. Jesus died for us when we were at our worst, not at our best—we need to follow that example.’

MORE INFO | Check out Powerful Peach Fitness on Facebook or Instagram

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 9

Back at Uni

It is estimated that mature-age students—adults who have taken more than a year off from fulltime study—make up approximately a third of university students. Their motivations are varied: coming back after raising a family; travelling or taking a sabbatical; embarking on a career change; resuming deferred/incomplete studies or simply deciding to learn something new.

Returning to study is tough, and there are a range of common fears unique to mature-age students. Here are some of the questions people ask before diving back into the world of essays, lectures and tutorials.

WHAT IF I’VE FORGOTTEN HOW TO STUDY?

REMEMBER YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE: TIME AWAY FROM STUDY WHERE YOU HAVE GLEANED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF YOURSELF AND YOUR INTERESTS.

Set realistic expectations.

Don’t expect to immediately resume your old study habits.

University structure and marking is different from school, so don’t panic if there is discrepancy with the grades you used to receive. Universities have study resources and advisors available— investigate and utilise them.

WHAT IF I CAN’T BALANCE STUDY WITH MY WORK/ FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES? HOW AM I GOING TO AFFORD THIS NEW LIFESTYLE? Don’t bite off more than you can chew, either with your time management or your finances. Look out for flexible study options, like online classes or part-time study. If possible, stagger your in-person classes on the same days to limit your travel time. If you need to study part-time to get the right life balance, start there. Don’t choose a study option you won’t be able to afford, which will only heighten your stress. Again, utilise the staff who are available to counsel you about your fees or timetable, and check whether you are eligible for any student discounts.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT SKILL SET? Remember you have an advantage: time away from study where you have gleaned a better understanding of yourself and

your interests. It is highly likely that, perhaps even unconsciously, you have chosen a course guided by your attributes and interests, which will lend to the skill set required.

HOW AM I GOING TO FIT IN? Reach out and get involved wherever possible, be it during class discussions, or joining a group on campus or social sports team. You have plenty of other mature-age students as company, and there is no reason why you can’t connect with school leavers too. Don’t make assumptions; just because someone might be a different age, doesn’t mean you have no common ground.

WHY DID I DECIDE TO STUDY AGAIN? Record your goals and keep them in your diary or textbooks—what you want to learn, the career you are aiming for, the person you want to become—especially when you are struggling through your prescribed readings while ironing school uniforms, finishing assignments late at night or feeling those nerves before handing over an essay. Keep your chin up, stay organised and a routine will establish itself. Then, the results you reap are up to you.

Get Back into the Studying Groove 1. Organise everything from textbooks to childcare long before orientation week.

2. Seek support—financial, emotional, psychological or learning support, as needed.

3. Plan your time. Invest in a calendar/diary; share your schedule with relevant family members to keep them in the loop.

4. Know your priorities and stick to them.

Source: International Career Institute (www.ici.net.au)

10 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

TESTIFY! Lieutenant Eleni Daucakacaka shared her testimony at Fiji Commissioning in December 2020.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight’ (Proverbs: 3:5–6).

Praise the Lord! It is a privilege to be given this opportunity to testify my journey with God. Proverbs 3:5–6 was a memory verse that I had learnt in my very young age and it seemed like a usual verse to recite as I grew up, and the depth of this verse worked miracles in my life. To trust God with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, submitting and surrendering my all to him, knowing and believing that God will direct my path.

I grew up in The Salvation Army. My dad died when I was 16 years old and Mum brought us up with my six siblings, myself being the eldest. Life wasn’t easy back then. Mum had to try her best to meet every need of the day.

There was laughter, there was sorrow and I never saw or heard her giving up on us. She trusted in God. She taught me to be independent, but dependent on God. I attended Sunday school, was a junior soldier, corps cadet and attended youth fellowship, which all added to my knowledge of God. And as time went by, I began to drift away from God within my human knowledge and teachings from home, but I thank God that he directed me on to the right path.

I met my husband in the youth fellowship, and after eight years settled, our journey together began.

It was not a bed of roses. There were moments of joy, laughter and sorrow.

Being a young working mother of three children, as my husband wasn’t

HIS GRACE HAS BROUGHT US THIS FAR AND IT IS BY HIS GRACE THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE HIS LIGHT IN AND THROUGH ME. working for the first four years we were together, was not easy.

I thank God that he had already instilled in me to trust in him. And it seems so hard at times to trust him, because I look with my physical eyes and as I see waves of challenge building and building, I often forget that Jesus is right here with me. All I must do is to give him my all— my everything. I have surrendered my all to Christ, ‘...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…’ [Galatians 2:20, NKJV].

Two years in training college saw more of myself offloading burdens that I was still carrying, identifying weaknesses that needed strengthening, acknowledging God-given strengths that I already had and surrendering my life daily to Christ—knowing and believing that the God who called is faithful and he will accomplish his will in my life.

I stand here today looking back at my journey, I thank and praise the Lord that he was with me all along. And today as I continue on another adventure with him, I believe that he has already gone ahead of my family. I can’t make it, my family cannot make it, but with Christ in us, he gives us the power to hold onto him and never let go.

I am a messenger of grace and so are you. His grace has brought us this far and it is by his grace that he will continue to shine his light in and through me.

I give God the honour and the glory to be his and his alone. Amen.

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 11

BY JULES BADGER

Teri O’Neill, at 22 years old, is the youngest member of the Wellington City Council. Born and raised in Kilbirnie/Lyall Bay, Teri represents the people of Te Motu Kairangi/Eastern Ward, having been elected in October 2019. A year into her new role and Teri is as passionate—if not more— than when she first began this journey, and has some great advice for young people wanting to advocate for others and agitate for change in their community.

‘I first remember switching on to things that were going on when I was still a young kid. My younger brother had respiratory problems due to the mould in the walls of our house. Mum was pretty staunch and proud and didn’t want to ask for help. My grandmother got involved, and that started a conscious understanding of housing and how that issue affected my family.’

When asked who her role models are, Teri is emphatic: ‘My grandma! I had an idea that role models should be big political leaders like Jacinda Ardern or Chloë Swarbrick, but, actually, my grandmother is pretty staunch, and she’s always been the glue that held our family together. I’ve also become more comfortable naming my role models as people just getting on and doing the most in the community—people like Ray Tuffin from the Wellington City Mission.’

LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE

Some things are worth making a noise about. Teri was acutely aware that housing was not just an issue for her own family but for many of her friends’ families as well. ‘Things were way worse for some of them. I had mates that lived in social housing, council housing, state housing and some were refugees and migrants. When I was about 16 or 17 years old, I jumped into the housing space and started lobbying my local council by making a bit of noise and rustle around that issue.’

Teri recalls receiving a mystery box of toys as a child one Christmas; donated, she suspects, by a church or social work programme. ‘Possibly even the Sallies. Mum never explained explicitly the source, but looking back now I recognise that people helped us, and when they did, Mum was a bit happier and less stressed. I owe it to the people that helped me as a child to do everything I can to support them back. The need hasn’t really diminished from when I was a kid, so I’m trying to make as much difference as I can.’

Not surprisingly, housing and ending homelessness are the issues closest to Teri’s heart. But climate change is also a high priority, and Teri has worked on the Zero Carbon Act campaign over the past few years. In fact, for Teri, those two issues are closely linked.

12 firezone.co.nz 23 JANUARY 2021

‘Wellington’s running out of land we can build on.

A huge contributor is that the soil we are living on is not infinite. Climate change is rupturing our land away into the sea and the communities that are on the lower socio-economic tiers are going to be disproportionately affected. If we want to be able to promise housing to our children, then we need to build in safe places, where everyone can have access to good infrastructure. Climate refugees from the Pacific Islands are already coming to New Zealand, and if we are to be a responsible Pacific partner, we need to be taking these people in, because all people deserve to have a place.’

Teri has been involved in some wonderful work ensuring that all Wellingtonians have access to the same things as everyone else, like swim school passes and the zoo.

‘Some of our social housing tenants have lived here for 20 and 30 years and never had that access. It made a world of difference for some of our manuhiri toward feeling part of their city.’

LESSONS IN SERVICE

Teri says that her Catholic education also contributed to her proclivity for social activism. ‘I was fortunate to grow up in an active community, going to Lyall Bay Primary School and then on to St Mary’s College. I’m really thankful for the values my Catholic education gave me, and the lessons of service to others which I still hold on to and practice today.’

A bit of a troublemaker at school, Teri also became a bit of a troublemaker at

the local council. ‘There were enough people, like city councillors, who encouraged a stronger youth voice.

From there, I became invested in some campaigns. When the time came to look for a new Eastern Ward candidate, I was campaigning for reducing housing inequality and ended up running for council.’

As a younger member of council, the legal framework and council structure means that every member has an equal platform, and Teri believes that youth voices and stories are powerful— especially when combined. ‘Your voice is more

‘WHEN I WAS ABOUT 16 OR 17 YEARS OLD, I JUMPED INTO THE HOUSING SPACE AND STARTED LOBBYING MY LOCAL COUNCIL BY MAKING A BIT OF NOISE AND RUSTLE AROUND THAT ISSUE.’ powerful together. Collectivism will always outdo individualism. If it’s something you want given daylight because current leaders aren’t giving it any—a breadth of stories and experiences holds more weight. Get your gang together and work collectively for as long and as consistently as you can.’

STEPS TO MAKING CHANGE

Teri has some sage advice for how young Sallies can better be heard in their communities and high schools.

‘When you find what you’re passionate about—and especially when you meet the people behind the issue— reach out if you’re not sure which umbrella the issue fits under or who you can talk to about it. Hit up your local MP or councillor. If you’re trying to make change in your local high school or raise a community issue, reach out. You just never know, someone right around the corner might be thinking that the very same issue needs attention. When we get connected, and share, we can achieve more.’

Teri shares a simple but great example of collaborative voices getting connected and making real change. ‘A few university students found that there was a really unsafe pathway between their flat and the university, and there’d been a couple of assaults. But without drawing that to a table, no one knew there was a pattern. Once we figured out there were voices over here, and more over there, we were able to join forces and that voice became stronger. One of the outcomes was improved lighting.’

MOBILISING AN ARMY

You too can be a powerful force in your community! Activism and fighting against social injustice are part of your Salvation Army roots and missional DNA! There is strength in our national and territorial networks just waiting for you to leverage.

So, if something’s getting under your skin, get your youth group together, pray and make some noise! Contact your local city council, your school or university’s students' association or any other group in an area of interest, and get active.

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 13

A Library on a Mission

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

The library found at The Salvation Army’s Booth College of Mission (BCM) is different from any other in New Zealand— what’s more, its vast resources can be accessed by people all over the territory, regardless of their distance from the Upper Hutt campus.

When War Cry asked librarian Rachelle de Laat about what makes the Booth College of Mission Library unique, she replied: ‘I think it’s the purpose of the library … our purpose is to provide information resources and services to support the Booth College of Mission, but also the wider Salvation Army. So, it’s different from a public library in that it has its more specific focus to prepare people for the realities of ministry, to equip them to live and work as servants of Christ.’

Located on the Upper Hutt campus as part of the Plowman Resource Centre (Library, Heritage Centre and Archives), with the college on site, the library can be accessed by any Salvation Army officer (active or retired), full-time employee, soldier or adherent, as well as Bible college students and community borrowers (such as pastors or church members from other denominations).

Some membership types carry a yearly subscription fee, and the application form requires an endorsement (for example, a soldier would need their corps officer to sign the form, while a community borrower would get their pastor to sign).

Plentiful Resources The library is keen to attract new borrowers, particularly from outside the college’s bubble. ‘A group that I haven’t seen so much of coming through would be Salvation Army soldiers and adherents. Their subscription fee is $25 per annum. When you think about it, that’s the price of one book.’

Members local to the Wellington region are welcome to sign in and visit the library during its opening hours, from 8.30am to 4pm on weekdays; those further away who prefer to read a physical book can access the library via postal borrowing.

Books are loaned for six weeks; however, members can opt to renew their loan, provided that no one else requests the item. There are no overdue fees, although the library charges for 14 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

damaged or lost books, and borrowers will need to cover the cost of postage (both ways).

Rachelle is also happy to scan excerpts of physical resources to members, within copyright criteria.

However, she encourages members to explore their vast online catalogue, which includes access to the EBSCO eBook Religion Collection, Atla Religion Database with Atla Serials, the Leadership and Management Source, periodicals and abstracts. Members can also explore online resources such as the Christianity Today website and the Biblical Archaeology Review.

‘We do have some resources that are duplicated but, mainly, it’s actually that the electronic resources provide a wider range than our physical ones.’

Unlike many libraries, these online resources can be accessed by multiple people at one time.

‘With the electronic Serials database, there’s far, far more serials available there than we could ever hope to hold here,’ Rachelle explains. ‘But people still like reading a physical book.’

And there are plenty of those on the shelves. The majority of the collection is non-fiction—including books, periodicals and magazines—although there are a handful of fiction books and some poetry written by Salvation Army officers, ‘which are really fascinating reads’.

Resources are sometimes ordered in, upon request, or in conjunction with the staff at the college. The library adds new items to their catalogue most weeks, which can be viewed on their website.

Children’s Section Rachelle is particularly excited about their Children’s collection, which she is actively seeking to expand. ‘We have picture books, devotional books for kids, Children’s Bibles,’ she lists. ‘We have a Minecrafters Bible for children, the Action Bible for children.

‘… A BOOK THAT SOMEONE’S OPENED AND IS READING AND ENGAGING WITH—IT CAN IMPACT THEIR LIFE.’ We’ve got a couple of chapter books, and a DVD cartoon on William Booth and The Salvation Army.’

‘If people say, “Oh, this would be a helpful book for children”, then I’m really happy to hear people’s suggestions or ideas of what topics would be useful to them.’

One of Rachelle’s favourite children’s picks is a picture book called The Storm That Stopped. ‘It’s the story of Jesus in the boat when he calms the storm, and it’s just such a great book,’ she says.

‘One of the children who has read it, they’ve asked for it several times, so it’s going out to the same child at the moment!’

Another book she recommends from the wider collection is Caught in the Crossfire, a biography about a young Polish girl set during World War II and its aftermath. ‘I read it when I was a child, and it stuck with me, and then I came here and I found it on the shelf,’ she says.

‘For people who aren’t pastors or Bible students, we do have Christian devotionals and Christian living books as well, if they’re interested in that; so it’s not all academic.’

The library’s proximity to Archives affords the benefit of handing over the care of rare and fragile resources to the Archives team. ‘They’ll still be seen on our catalogue if someone needs to access them, but it will say that they’re held in the Archives.’

Currently, cadets (Army officer trainees) are the most common visitors to the library, along with local corps officers, pastors and students from other Bible colleges. However, Rachelle is keen to promote the library to the rest of the territory and beyond, because she believes it is full of untapped potential.

‘To me, books aren’t just books. Books contain so much wealth of thought, perspective and knowledge from a range of different backgrounds,’ she says.

‘We have the resources here, so I’d love for people to know that they can use them, because a book sitting on a shelf is sitting on the shelf, but a book that someone’s opened and is reading and engaging with—it can impact their life.’

The Plowman Resource Centre was generously funded with a legacy from the late Maureen Plowman.

GAZETTE Engagement: We congratulate Lieutenant Emma Buckingham on her engagement to Jaden Frunt on Friday 11 December 2020. We pray God’s blessing on Lieutenant Emma and Jaden as they plan for their future together.

Bereavements: Brent Gordon, the younger brother of Major Graeme McMurdo, died suddenly following a car accident in the South Island on Friday 18 December 2020. We ask you to uphold in prayer Majors Graeme and Lorna McMurdo, along with other members of Brent’s family at this time of grief and loss.

Major Rodney Birch, the father of Major Helen Knowles, was promoted to Glory on Sunday 20 December, from the United Kingdom. We ask you to uphold in prayer Majors Helen and Bernie Knowles, Helen’s mother Major Lilian Birch, and other family members at this time of grief and loss.

Promotion to Glory: Lt-Colonel Elaine Brinsdon was promoted to Glory on Monday 4 January 2021, from Longview Home, Tawa, Wellington, at the age of 83. Elaine Ruth Angus was born on 17 November 1937 in Te Aroha and entered Training College from Newton Corps in 1958 as a Cadet of the Courageous session. Following her commissioning on 17 January 1959, Elaine was appointed to Wanganui East Corps to assist for a short time before being appointed Officer In Charge of Wanganui East Corps. Elaine met Cadet Ronald (Ron) Brinsdon during their training together and married on 14 January 1961. For the next 10 years, Elaine and Ron served in corps appointments in Queenstown (1961), Nightcaps (1962), Naenae (1963), Terrace End (1966), New Plymouth (1968) and Hastings (1970). A change of focus in 1972 saw Elaine and Ron appointed as Divisional Youth Secretaries, Central Division (1972) then Canterbury Westland Division (1975). In 1978 they were appointed to the Training College as Assistant Officers before returning to serve as Corps Officers, with appointments to Tawa Corps (1979), New Lynn Corps (1981) and Auckland Congress Hall Corps (1982). Elaine was appointed Territorial League of Mercy Secretary in 1984, before becoming Divisional Director of Women’s Organisations in the Southern Division (1988), then Central Division (1993). In 1995, Elaine was appointed to the Chief Secretary’s Office as Secretary for Overseas Service, with additional appointments as Secretary for Retired Officers and Secretary for Outer Circle Home League. In 1996, Elaine was appointed as Missionary Counsellor and it is from this appointment that Elaine retired from active service on 17 January 2002. We honour Lt-Colonel Elaine Brinsdon for her 43 years of active service and continued service, with grace and gentleness, in retirement. Please uphold in prayer Lt-Colonel Ron Brinsdon, daughters Janine, Julie and Suzanne, along with the extended family at this time of grief and loss. Well done faithful and courageous servant of Christ.

Appointments: Effective 14 January 2021: Captain Saimone Gataurua has been appointed as Pastoral Support Officer, Hamilton City Corps, Midland Division. We pray God’s continued blessing as he takes up this additional appointment.

Effective immediately: Captains Gavin and Veronica Rivett, Corps Officers, Invercargill Corps and Directors, Invercargill Community Ministries, Southern Division appointments have been rescinded and are awaiting appointment. We thank them for their leadership at Invercargill Corps and ask for you to please uphold them and their family in prayer in the days ahead.

Effective 11 February 2021: Majors David and Judith Bennett have been appointed as Corps Officers, Invercargill Corps and Directors, Invercargill Community Ministries, Southern Division. Please pray for Majors David and Judith as they prepare for this service in retirement.

Effective 1 February 2021: Major Christine De Maine has been appointed as Hēkeretari-Ā-Wehenga Te Waipounamu, Manatū Māori, Divisional Secretary for Southern Division Māori Ministry. We pray that God will continue to bless Major Christine as she takes up this appointment in a full-time capacity.

Birth: Congratulations are extended to Captain Mat Badger and Jules Badger on the safe arrival of their first grandchild, Rosella Mave Jean Herbert. Rosella was born on 31 December 2020 in Auckland, weighing 8lbs 13 ozs (3.68kgs). We join with the parents Gabrielle and Nathan Herbert, grandparents Mat and Jules Badger, and great-grandparents Majors Kathie and Russell Garbett as they celebrate the birth of Rosella, and pray God’s blessing on them all.

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 15

Whangārei Corps Farewell Building Whangārei Corps have completed the first stage of moving into their brand new building.

On November 22, the corps reminisced about significant moments, including weddings, funerals, soldiership ceremonies and the beginning of Recovery Church in Whangārei, as they said goodbye to the old church building.

After honouring their whakapapa in the former building— which Whangārei Corps called home for more than 40 years— they carried their flag and promoted to Glory boards into the new building.

‘We had three of our ladies karanga us into the new building, and then we had a haka pōwhiri,’ Corps Officer Captain Peter Koia says. ‘We had a blessing in the new building, thanked God and then we had a big, shared kai.’

The building project has been in development for over 20 years. Corps Officers Captains Peter Koia and Jenny Ratana-Koia acknowledge the members and soldiers of Whangārei Salvation Army, particularly previous corps officers, for their contributions.

‘I’m honouring those people who invested so much, so that we could have this now. People like Major Donald Walker, who passed away last year—he’s been very much a forerunner of this building project. He’s just one of many, but his name comes to mind because of the blood, sweat and tears.’

However, they want this new corps season to be characterised by action for Te Tai Tokerau.

‘It’s lovely to have this beautiful facility, but if it’s not being used for seeing people come to Jesus, or have a relationship with Jesus, then why is it here?’

They are still fundraising the final costs for necessary furnishings. ‘We’re looking at grants for that, to have the building so it resembles that demographic of our community,’ Peter says.

‘We’re not talking about just Whangārei, or just us here at Aubrey Street. We’re talking about the whole of Northland won for Jesus.’

Currently, staff are split between the completed office spaces and a separate, on-site building until they can all unite under one roof. ‘But, in true Salvation Army form, the auditorium is ready to go!’ Peter laughs.

It has already attracted a range of community groups, such as the Māori Land Court, Whangārei District Brass Band, sporting groups and Whangārei Primary School.

‘It’s a nice space for us, but it’s a nicer space for our community,’ Peter says.

‘Jenny and I are very grateful to The Salvation Army, which is our family, for making the provision for this building to be built and supplying the funds. We don’t take that lightly.’

The project is expected to be completed in late 2021.

Tribute: David Keith Rains (Big Dave), 2 Sept 1960–10 Oct 2020 ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Ephesians 2:8–10).

I still remember Dave’s first Sunday at Napier Corps—he went up for celebration time with the group he’d come with from Springhill and he stood out even from the very back of the room. It wasn’t until later that we learned going to church meant not being on cleaning duties for that day. Dave soon became a regular ‘celebrator’ and ‘It’s my birthday coming up’ became a well-known phrase. Others tried to emulate but never as successfully as Dave—he was a leader from the start.

Dave’s salvation and enrolment as a soldier just seemed like logical progressions. Right from the beginning of his relationship with the corps, he just seemed to belong, like he’d always been around.

Hearing his testimony and being able to share in anniversaries of ‘being clean’ had a big impact on me and so many others. Raising children in an increasingly permissive culture of readily available drugs and alcohol was made easier by having someone unafraid to speak the hard truth to kids about what these things can do to them.

Dave was involved in many different areas of corps life—both as an employee and as a volunteer. Starting in 2010, he was employed as a Family Store supervisor, then a welfare worker for Community Ministries before working as a field officer then senior field officer for Reintegration Services. His last role was Recovery Church leader, establishing Recovery Church in Hawke’s Bay. This role was such a great fit for Dave, combining so many of his strengths and passions into something he had been talking about for so many years. A place to gather the people he’d been walking with, and sharing his faith and love for Jesus and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Dave’s volunteer roles covered many things, perhaps one of the more memorable ones was as Men’s Ministries leader (he did this at least twice) and monthly men’s breakfasts were a much anticipated

16 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

key event—we used to joke about everything being deep-fried at these breakfasts, including the baked beans and possibly even the cornflakes. This was neither confirmed nor denied, but the big laugh that followed when he was questioned gives us pause to think…

There were struggles, too.

Dave was human, just like the rest of us, and we had a number of conversations with a box of tissues on the table between us. Having permission to be real and authentic can be such a blessing and a comfort on our journey and one I hope we all experience.

Dave’s heart for people was both convicting and encouraging to so many of us who knew him. He was passionate about his own transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit and equally passionate that others should experience this for themselves. He wasn’t shy about sharing his faith, and he was definitely not averse to challenging behaviour that needed it. Do we boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who don’t yet know him as Lord and Saviour?

Dave wasn’t someone who swept things under the carpet. He would speak up as needed and was a great person to have in your corner.

How often do we as fellow believers hope that someone else will do the speaking up so that we don’t have to?

Well done good and faithful servant, Big Dave.

By Donna Jamieson

The General’s New Year Message 2021 Welcome to 2021!

I can almost hear the echo resonating around the world: ‘Well, it’s about time! I’m happy to say “farewell” to 2020!’

These past months have been gruelling and uncertain for some, filled with unimaginable human pain that, at times, was simply overwhelming. My prayers have been constant, and throughout I have placed my faith in three realities: First of all, that I know Jesus Christ died for my sins.

I also know that he rose from the grave. And I know he is coming again.

So when there were moments that were dark, seemingly dismal, and the way was not clear, I have repeated these words of comfort in my own heart: the Cross, the tomb, the sky. I have been able to say to myself: God is steadfast and he is present.

For as long as I can remember, I have always welcomed the new year—loving its unwritten pages, anticipating the ‘impossible’ and doing so with faith and courage, and in the full knowledge that my God, Jehovah, was going before me. With all that in place I acknowledge that, looking forward today, I do see shadows.

I see promised dates that I am not certain will come to fruition. The shadows are the ongoing impactful realities of a pandemic, with all the fallout that will require the very, very best of us. It will require men and women of faith.

The promises that might not be realised according to my agenda are centred around a vaccine, a relief from the number of cases reported, and some relief from the number of deaths. And then there is the loss of employment, the damage to our world economy.

For Commissioner Rosalie and myself, it is about anticipating travel, and reconnecting with our international Salvation Army as we embrace Salvationists around the world.

I long for the promise of a new normal. I might not know all the detail, but I want included in that being able to share with my family, being able to worship together with my friends and the freedom to embrace without reservation all that God has for me—for us—for The Salvation Army in 2021.

I want to be full of faith – and I am being very careful that that faith is well placed. For me, that faith is in a sovereign God who is Alpha and Omega. I have often said that any faith that fails in trial, or plunges in the midst of things like a pandemic, is not the kind of faith I'm looking for. I want to know that God is with us! And of that I am sure.

Hebrews 11:1 says: ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ This verse, in fact the whole chapter, is a testament to God’s impeccable faithfulness to his people. By faith we engage

with God—the God of the impossible— as we become a part of his story.

From my vantage point, despite the challenges, chaos, uncertainty and much doubt, I still stand and I ‘raise my Ebenezer’.

I pray for the courage and faith that we find in the story of the Israelites who, when facing their worst enemy, the Philistines, turned to Samuel and, ultimately, to God; and God acted on their behalf – the enemy was destroyed. The victory on that occasion was marked by a memorial stone. In the Scriptures we understand that the stone was named Ebenezer—and it represented the simple truth: ‘so far the Lord has helped us’.

I am very privileged to lead an international Salvation Army, but let it be known that I only rest when I acknowledge that our God—a God who is faithful, a God who acts on our behalf—has the Army in his hands. So far he has helped us, carried us on eagle’s wings, sheltered us under the shadow of the Almighty, shielded us by his power and, best of all, assured us we can be more than conquerors. The only way that we can welcome this new year with confidence is to do so with faith in a God who has proven that he is able.

My Call to Mission, a call I believe God has placed on The Salvation Army, is a call that cascades down to every corps (church) and centre of ministry. It is a call that reaches out to every friend, soldier and officer, asking us: • To be ready—prepared and living out the mission of God in the world, • To be engaged—active in God’s plan, with obedient faith, • To take responsibility—never leaving my task for someone else to do.

If there was ever a time in history when our world needs the presence, ministry, love and service of The Salvation Army, it is now! It is my prayer that in 2021 we will be an Army that is out there, not confined to barracks by COVID or any other oppression, but that we will be a people mobilised by the Spirit, compelled by love and battle-ready. Because God is with us.

A ‘Happy New Year’ is my wish for you, but it comes in the context of challenging difficulties and in some ways in a time when happiness eludes us. But I am praying for you and those you love, those you seek to serve, that we might know in every challenge the sustaining grace of a mighty God who holds us in the hollow of his hand.

So far the Lord has helped us, and I believe he will be with us in this new year. May God bless you.

Brian Peddle General

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 17

Ready to Rent in Rotorua Through holistic support, education and empowerment, a renting programme piloted by Rotorua Community Ministries is already helping clients find sustainable housing solutions.

Ready to Rent operates in conjunction with 18 community partners and agencies. Clients receive skills and knowledge in areas such as how to become eligible for a tenancy and then how to apply for—and sustain—tenancies. It also covers communicating with landlords, legalities and maintaining a healthy home, along with addressing wider social issues such as drug and gambling addictions or family harm.

‘One of the main goals is obviously that they achieve housing ... but also that they tackle a lot of the social barriers that are either preventing them from getting into housing or sending them back into emergency housing,’ says Transitional Housing Social Support Worker Danielle Porteous.

The programme is intended as a bridge for clients to reach out to avenues of further wraparound support. It runs for six weeks, with a time commitment of one weekly session (approximately 2–3 hours long).

‘That’s all that is required to be a part of this and graduate, and the reason is that it should be a journey, not a tick box course,’ Danielle explains. ‘A lot of people that stay, really enjoy the different topics that they go through.’

Sessions are run by representatives from the 18 specialist agencies, including WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust, Sustainability Options, LinkPeople, Westpac Bank, Problem Gambling Association, Housing First and Whānau Ora. Not every partnered agency runs a session; some are involved as a provider of follow-on support, whether that is in the area of housing or contributing issues.

‘A lot of the reasons people are homeless here are because of the social issues that are in the way, so it’s a really good opportunity to make good transformation with people—not just in housing, but in personal journeys,’ Danielle explains.

‘It started off as a basic renting course, but it developed, and Rotorua’s a good place for that because unfortunately a lot of our people have multi-complex issues.’

Rotorua Community Ministries launched Ready to Rent in early 2020, but it was disrupted due to Covid-19. Despite taking a necessary hiatus, there were more than twenty graduates, several of whom have already seen development in their housing situation.

One young couple’s first baby was due in October 2020. They had been sleeping rough in the thermal areas of Rotorua, before moving into a motel during the lockdown period. This couple was referred by their MSD (Ministry of Social Development) case manager for Ready to Rent, which they completed and subsequently graduated. Due to their dedication to change, they were then able to connect with Housing First, and they now rent their own home.

A second success story was another young couple. The father had full-time care of his daughter, while his partner shared the parenting load. They had been living in emergency housing for several months before being referred to Ready to Rent by their key worker at LinkPeople.

Following completion of the programme, they were able to connect with a collaborating agency—Te Waiariki Purea Trust— and with the help of ongoing social support, they are now residing in permanent housing with Housing First.

Several other graduates engaged with services like Whānau Ora or Housing First, before being housed in their transitional housing networks. One client reported moving into a private rental.

‘We’ve been able to connect people with other services. They’ve been able to find some sort of other housing solution or get followon help—whether that be budgeting, addictions, parenting,’ Danielle explains, ‘so it’s not stopping with the programme.’

There is no criteria required to participate, although they cap the group number at 30–40 to maximise the experience for each individual. Danielle says it is ‘open to whoever wants to gain that support, whether they are in a house at the moment, wanting to keep that house or whether they’re in a motel or living with family.’

MORE INFO | People in the Rotorua area who are interested in Ready to Rent should call Rotorua Community Ministries on (07) 346 8113.

Major David Bennett’s New Year Honour The Salvation Army extends its congratulations to Major David Bennett for his recognition in the New Year Honours recently announced.

David became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, awarded for services to The Salvation Army and the community.

In upwards of 50 years of service, David has held a multitude of roles within The Salvation Army, including corps leadership, youth work, public relations, education and emergency services.

Significant moments in David’s journey as a Salvation Army officer which were acknowledged included initiating a building renovation project for Glenfield Corps, introducing a scheme to enable Christchurch City Corps to become debt free within 13 years and launching an adventure camp during his time working with youth in the South Island.

18 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

In his ten years as Emergency Services Coordinator, David was involved in The Salvation Army’s response to the earthquakes in Christchurch (2010, 2011) and Kaikoura (2016), as well as natural disasters in Fiji, Samoa, Nepal and Uganda.

David and his wife, Major Judith Bennett, will begin an Appointment in Retirement on 11 February 2021 as corps officers of Invercargill Corps and directors of Invercargill Community Ministries.

Congratulations to David on his well-deserved recognition.

Kaitoke School Turns Transitional House into a Home After encountering the issue of homelessness in their curriculum, students from Kaitoke School reached out to Whanganui Community Ministries to ask how they could help.

A project was dreamed up: adding welcoming touches to a transitional house before new tenants arrived.

Ahead of the move-in date, the students asked around their community to source an ‘abundance’ of donations to furnish and decorate the residence.

Transitional Housing Social Worker Janine Tipu met with class representatives, who took photographs of the house and allocated projects to their classmates.

On preparation day, the students, helpers and teachers toiled for five hours, only stopping to share a barbecue lunch.

Inside the house they decorated, placed flowers and a Christmas tree and made the beds. Outside, the students weeded and planted the vegetable gardens.

It was also a teaching opportunity to learn more about homelessness and transitional housing.

‘I had statistics put on different areas in every room,’ Janine explains. ‘When I went into a room, I said, “Ask me a question in regards to these things”.’

She was impressed by their initiative to get stuck into tasks and transform the house.

‘There were vouchers, food, the fridge was packed, the deep freezer had meat in it, the cupboards were filled,’ Janine says.

‘We were overwhelmed as a team, with what they had done.’

…LET’S CONTINUE TO RE-IMAGINE HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF WOMEN… I am looking forward with hope to this new year. None of us would have anticipated how last year would unfold, yet in the midst of uncertainty, great loss and the baffling circumstances we faced, we experienced great grace as we navigated our way through. I’ve been involved in conversations where people have admitted that it’s been a lesson in life that has reminded us of what really matters.

For Salvation Army Women’s Ministries, 2020 was a watershed year with a revisioning of the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ of our purpose. In February there was a global call from our International Headquarters to ‘re-imagine’ what was needed for twenty-first century ministry to women. This would not so much focus on the programmes which have been effective in the past, but focus instead on the needs of today’s women and families. Our focus has shifted to intentionally empowering and equipping women and girls to overcome any barriers that prevent them from becoming all that God designed them to be.

It’s a sad fact of life that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in the occupations that are typically low paid or female-dominated. This includes retail, where 60 percent are female; the hospitality sector, where women make up 70 percent of the workforce; and tourism, which shrunk dramatically overnight.

I suspect that during the times that their children needed to be homeschooled, this may have also meant mothers juggled their work in addition to being substitute teachers. Think about other situations where women take up the lower paid positions and you get the picture.

I draw attention to these things to remind us all that women the world over are still challenged by cultural, political and economic norms that in some places continue to disadvantage them. Day in and day out we hear heart-breaking stories of women who endure hardship, who have limited options available to them and yet aspire to make change. That’s why I remain a strong advocate for women within this organisation and within our nations. That’s why our governments have dedicated structures to improve equity for women in regard to access to education and training, health and wellbeing.

So, as we move into a new year, let’s continue to re-imagine how we can make a difference in the lives of women connected with our corps and community centres.

By looking around your neighbourhoods, will you look for where women’s lives can be enhanced by friendship or empowered through new skills and opportunities?

I believe that when we share what we have with someone else, we all benefit. But, more importantly, we shift the powers at work in this world, bringing light and hope which demonstrates what Christ has called us to.

Colonel Heather Rodwell Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries 23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 19

For the last four years I’ve been involved in a two-phase rebuilding project for work, which has been plagued by delay after delay. The timeframe for completion keeps getting pushed further and further out. Some have been tempted to give up and just complete phase one. I suspect this is par for the course for most rebuilding projects. Many of us are surprised to find the same is true when it comes to rebuilding our lives.

BY MAJOR SUE HAY

When we are broken we expect the process of healing to be done and dusted quickly. In fact, restoration may take many years as God progressively rebuilds the parts of our lives which have been broken.

20 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

Broken Walls of a Broken Nation It seems that God is in the business of restoring both broken walls and broken people. The story of Nehemiah and the broken down walls around Jerusalem offers an example of just how God does that.

The city of Jerusalem had been destroyed earlier by an attack from enemy nations. At the time most of the people ended up in exile. But as the exiles trickled back into the city one of the first things the people set out to rebuild was the temple. The temple was the heart of both the city and the life of this God-worshipping nation. They needed it restored to allow their daily rhythms of life to get back to normal.

But once the life of the nation felt more settled they lost the motivation to complete phase two of their rebuilding project. The work of rebuilding stopped.

The people were too fragile and too worn out to muster enough energy to restore

the broken down walls of the city. This left the city very vulnerable to attack from external forces.

Complete the Project A similar thing can happen for us as we seek to recover from the destructive forces we experience as we journey through life: we begin a personal restoration process, but once life settles down again we may not feel the need to carry on and complete the whole process.

If we have ever experienced life unravelling we will know that facing up to and accepting the reality of our brokenness starts to bring us some relief. This is the work of step one of the Twelve Steps programme. In step two we grapple with the idea that there could be a God out there with enough power to restore our sense of wellbeing, and in step three we find the courage to hand over our life and will to the care of this God. And that process can initially

outer walls that remain broken, leaving us very vulnerable to being destroyed again. The deeper issues which led to our unravelling in the first place have not yet been addressed. Sometimes, to be honest, we stop rebuilding because in the past the broken parts of our lives have just seemed impossible to fix.

Nehemiah was living away from Jerusalem when the temple was rebuilt.

He was unaware the walls of the city still lay in ruins. However, when his brother arrived with news from home, Nehemiah discovered the sad truth. His heart broke, knowing the restoration process was incomplete. The rubble diminished the mana of the city and its people. This sorry state of affairs drove Nehemiah to his knees in prayer.

Pray for Restoration

IT SEEMS THAT GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF RESTORING BOTH BROKEN WALLS AND BROKEN PEOPLE. bring us some relief. This amount of rebuilding can be enough to allow us to function again; it is often enough to restore our sense of serenity; it may well be enough to stop the feelings of overwhelming pain and chaos. Once our lives are more settled we usually just want to get on with living. But if we stop there we can end up like the city of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day—with

Nehemiah already had faith in God. He already knew God could restore and rebuild what was broken. In a sense he had already worked the first three steps.

Now he begins the work of step four.

He laments. He grieves for what is not yet healed and he examines his own life and that of his people. Nehemiah took a stock-take of his own and his people’s shortcomings and confessed these to God (Nehemiah 1:6–7). Nehemiah asked God for help (Nehemiah 1:11). This is the hard work of recovery. However, this is the work that addresses our areas of vulnerability and allows us to rebuild our outer walls and strengthen our boundaries. This is hard and holy work and it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Nehemiah worked as cupbearer to the king. His job description required him to be consistently cheerful in the presence of the king. Anyone displaying sadness usually had both their job and their life terminated! After four months of processing his responses regarding the brokenness of Jerusalem, Nehemiah felt ready to risk everything by daring to express sadness in front of the king. Surprisingly, the king asked him what was wrong. Then, even more surprisingly, the king arranged support for Nehemiah to return home and rebuild the broken walls around Jerusalem. Having handed everything over to God, Nehemiah found that God provided a completely unexpected way to complete a task which had sat in the ‘too-hard basket’ for his people. He was

SOMETIMES, TO BE HONEST, WE STOP REBUILDING BECAUSE IN THE PAST THE BROKEN PARTS OF OUR LIVES HAVE JUST SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE TO FIX. appointed to galvanise the people to fully commit to completing the work of restoring Jerusalem. They faced opposition and ridicule, but every time this happened Nehemiah turned to the Power who was more powerful than any challenges they faced.

Persevere in Rebuilding Nehemiah’s story reminds us that we remain vulnerable if we give up on our own rebuilding process. Even if life feels manageable again, a half-completed job leaves us without the protection we need to prevent further destruction.

Nehemiah also reminds us that worthwhile rebuilding projects take time.

God seems to delight in such projects and regularly commits to restoring the nation of Israel, even when they doubt it’s possible. During another point in the nation’s journey, God declares, ‘Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight’ (Isaiah 49:16, The Message). I often write on the backs of my hands when I am desperate to remember something. How incredible to imagine God being that determined to remember us and partner with us to rebuild all of the broken places of our lives.

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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Mark (Territorial Commander) and Julie Campbell (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 21 January 2021: Recovery Church, Wellington 26 January: Marlborough Hospice (Mark only) 1 February: Year of Prayer Launch 5–6 February: Waitangi Day Celebrations, Waitangi Colonel Gerry Walker (Chief Secretary) 13, 16 January: Amplify Arts Camp, Silverstream, Wellington 4–6 February: Waitangi Day Celebrations, Waitangi Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 13, 16 January: Amplify Arts Camp, Silverstream, Wellington 4–6 February: Waitangi Day Celebrations, Waitangi

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22 WarCry 23 JANUARY 2021

What m us frighte ic ns balloo ns?

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Making music!

Can you unscramble the names of these famous instruments?

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Do you like musicals? Do you find wonder in stories told via music rather than just words? Or do you find the idea of people breaking out into song and synchronised dance … kind of unrealistic?

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When you think about it, though, that’s what a lot of us do every Sunday. Okay, maybe we don’t always dance, but we gather at church and sing together to worship and praise God. However, worship is not all about the music. If we are just reading words off a screen and not thinking about their meaning, we have missed the point.

But, if we think about those words, mean them and sing them with passion, that’s what God wants! Also, remember that prayers, acts of generosity and discipleship are all forms of worship too, and they are all part of praising God. In many ways, worship serves a similar function to a song in a musical—we outwardly express who we are, how we feel about God and the direction we want our story (and Jesus’ mission) to go.

I WONDER...

What is your favourite song to sing at church, and what do the lyrics mean to you?

23 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 23

Worship at Waitangi TE TII MAR AE, WAITANGI | 4–6 FEBRUARY 2021

Worship at Waitangi is an annual worship gathering with people from Aotearoa and beyond. Joining in unity at the birthplace of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we stand together to affirm the spiritual covenant between Tāngata Whenua and Tāngata Tiriti.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT Captain Hana Seddon | 027 277 3777 |

worshipatwaitangi