FAITH IN ACTION | 30 April 2016 | Issue 6641 | $1.50
Where’s Shieldy? Celebrating Red Shield Appeal Week 2–8 May
MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT—A REAL LIFE STORY THE PRICE TO PLAY: OVERCOMING GAMBLING HARM ‘I WOULDN’T BE HERE WITHOUT THE ARMY’ FIREZONE: EASTER CAMPS HELP FOR ECUADOR AND JAPAN
02 WarCry 30 April 2016
Kia ora Living up to our name WAR CRY
The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.
EDITOR
Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN
Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS
Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS
Kris Singh (music reviewer) PROOF READING
Major Jill Gainsford COVER Photo: Shieldy, Salvation Army mascot Photography: AJ Johnston OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 384 5649 Fax (04) 382 0716 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0768 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $75 per year within NZ
Over January I spent three weeks with my big brother and his family as I transitioned to my new appointment here in Wellington, and we keenly awaited the birth of their fourth child and the first girl in the family. I discovered a really interesting thing about how my four year old nephew sees me in relation to The Salvation Army. Any time he saw the red shield, whether it was on a building, a truck or a t-shirt, he would point it out. I thought it was impressive that he was able to recognise where I worked. Then one day he said ‘Aunty Shar, that truck is wearing your name.’ That was when I discovered that while he recognised the symbol of The Salvation Army, he had no idea what it really was. I know Logan is not the only one who recognises the red shield but isn’t sure of all it represents. We are fast approaching our annual Red Shield Appeal. This has always been one of my busiest weeks of the year, only second perhaps to the week leading up to Christmas. Like hundreds of people around the country, I will don my fluro vest, grab a collector’s bucket and position myself to collect donations from the public. One of my favourite parts of collecting has been the opportunity for conversations with people, often about the work of The Salvation Army and how it has impacted them personally: someone recieved assistance with a food parcel, or budgeting. Another attended Sunday School as a child or has fond memories of the brass band playing Christmas carols in their street. I will always remember soldiers from WWII speaking about the warm socks they were given by Salvationists serving on the front lines of battle with them. I am really proud of the work that we do. I am continually encouraged by hearing stories of people’s lives being positively impacted by The Salvation Army. One day I trust my nephew will understand what the shield means—in the meantime, I aim to live up to ‘my name’ and all it represents. Shar Davis
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 responsible sources and legally harvested forests. 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 132 years
ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6641
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BIBLE VERSE 1 Corinthians 10:31 Contemporary English Version
‘When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honour God.’ 1 Koriniti 10:31
Nā reira, ahakoa kai, ahakoa inu, aha rānei, meinga katoatia hei whakakōroria mō te Atua.
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WISE WORDS
But what is the use of preaching the Gospel to men whose whole attention is concentrated upon a mad, desperate struggle to keep themselves alive? William Booth
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Let’s Talk | 03
BY JO GHENT When I first walked into The Salvation Army I was what you’d call a broken woman. To tell my story—the real story—I have to start from the beginning. My mother got pregnant as a teenager and was shipped away to have the baby. That’s how I was adopted into a typical Kiwi family—the middle daughter between two biological sisters. From the beginning I lived with a black hole of loss in my life. I don’t remember being told I was adopted, but it simply became more obvious as I grew up—I was so different from my two sisters. It was during my childhood that I was the victim of sexual abuse. I left home at 16, and fell pregnant myself. The bottom fell out of my world when my parents shipped me off to ‘get rid of it’. This is something that still haunts me to this day. But just after my 18th birthday, I got an unexpected letter from my birth father—he had kept in touch with my birth mother who was living in Sydney, and I was going to get to meet them both. My birth mum booked a flight to New Zealand. At last, so many questions that had been a shadow over my life would be answered. Then I got a phone call from my birth grandfather saying that my mum wouldn’t be coming to New Zealand afterall. She had overdosed on drugs and died. How could she do this? Did she not want to meet me? The black hole in my life grew bigger. I escaped to Auckland and bounced around the nightclub scene. It looked like my luck was turning when I got married, and we bought a house. I got an inheritance from my birth grandfather that meant we were close to paying off our mortgage. Little did I know that my husband was addicted to the pokies. As his gambling problem grew, so did his drug addiction. He got involved with gang members and became physically and verbally abusive. I lived in fear. We lost our house, of course.
Finally, I found the strength to leave. I met my second husband, Ian, and we have been married for eight years. But I continued to spiral downward financially, and was simply not functioning. We ended up in a boarding house—the next step was homelessness. Due to some stupid decisions, I found myself in front of the court. This low point in my life actually became the best thing that ever happened to me. I got put on community service at The Salvation Army in Waitakere. There I found people who genuinely cared for me. I had never had this experience before. I was given foodbank and budgeting assistance. While we worked, I slowly shared my story. In return, I found that I was not alone. I finished my community service hours, and returned that very afternoon as a volunteer. The Salvation Army has helped me in so many ways. Over time, I got counselling, and the Positive Lifestyle Programme helped me look at some big issues like self esteem, grief and conflict resolution. I really don’t know if I would be here today if it wasn’t for The Salvation Army. I now work as the Community Ministries Administrator at Waitakere, and I see every day how The Salvation Army helps people just like me. That’s why I’m getting behind the Red Shield Appeal—donate what you can today, and help others like me to not only survive, but really start living.
Introducing Shieldy In this edition of War Cry, Shieldy—the Salvation Army mascot —is helping us celebrate the Red Shield Appeal 2016, from 2–8 May. Thank you to everyone who is contributing to the Red Shield Appeal, and for your support of The Salvation Army mission.
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Bookshelf Parenting Oh Baby Kathy Fray If you’re a parent, you will already know that no parenting book can ever capture what it is like to have a baby. If you’re expecting to become a parent, you may already be devouring baby books —beware, most will highly simplify this complex experience for you and your baby. But this book makes a good stab at accurately portraying pregnancy, right through to the baby’s first year, making it a stand-out in a market saturated with parenting advice. Author and midwife Kathy Fray attempts to be inclusive of all situations, without judgement—which makes this an affirming, encouraging and helpful guide. (Penguin Random House)
Playlist
Theology God, Ethics and the Secular Society John Gunson With its sub-title ‘Does the Church have a future?’, at first glance this book seems to be another voice bemoaning the decline of Christianity. An affirming quote from atheist Richard Dawkins in its first chapter confirms this book is provocative. But it’s refreshing to read a Christian book that doesn’t take a defensive stance against secularism. John Gunson argues lay people in the church haven’t been kept up to date with the latest scholarship about their faith. While its still academic, Gunson attempts to bring deep, theological—and usually life-giving—perspectives. (Morning Star Publishing)
Women’s Ministries Five Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit Nicki Koziarz It’s a sad admission, but this book’s marketing brings up the prejudices that can make women’s ministries seem cringy—the author works for ‘Proverbs 31 Ministries’ and uses pithy phrases like ‘an assignment of refinement’. But if you can get over the cultural gap between the ‘Christian culture’ version of women and real-life women, there is substance to be enjoyed here. Author Nicki Koziarz opens with an amusing and comforting description of being a life-long quitter, and goes on to provide some simple but useful tools on learning to, well, quit your quitting. (BH Publishing Group)
Reel News
Alternative One Wild Life: Spirit Gungor Spirit is the second in Gungor’s One Wild Life series of records. Expanding vastly on their already eclectic range of influences, Spirit brings together a mash of styles, genres and moods that are almost inexplicably woven into a coherent, musically satisfying whole. The most notable aspect of this record is that very little is ever repeated— songs evolve, shift and change, often moving through styles that eschew the typical verse/chorus/ verse. While this has always been part of Gungor’s style, the stream of consciousness style of ‘Wonder’ and ‘Whale’ shows this off well. The musically adventurous should jump on this record—there's a lot to explore.
Ghost of a King The Gray Havens Acoustic/Alternative The Gray Havens is comprised of husband and wife David and Licia Radford. Their latest full length record follows up their 2015 effort Fire and Stone. Ghost of a King is a warm, organic and lush record, driven by acoustic guitars, driving percussion and introspective, poetic lyrics. Touching on many faith-based issues, the title track ebbs and flows through acoustic ballad to shimmery, ambient pop. Tracks like ‘Diamonds and Gold’ and ‘Shadows of the Dawn’ have a real One Republic vibe to them, and provide a nice counterpart to the melancholy and broody ‘Go’. This is a great follow-up record that balances pop sensibilities with poetic and musical integrity.
GIVEAWAY To win a copy of 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, tell us about a woman who inspires you. War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 16 May.
Family/Comedy Zootopia Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush / PG (Some scenes may scare very young children) In a world where mammals have evolved to live in harmony, predator and prey side by side, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) moves from the countryside to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming the first rabbit police officer of Zootopia. But she soon discovers the big city is not the paradise she dreamed of, as animals start disappearing and she struggles against a world that believes a rabbit can never be a police officer. Let’s get a few things out of the way. Yes, the Shakira song could turn anything savage and yes the moral of the tale is delivered with as much subtlety as being run over by an elephant. But, while this never reaches the heights of great kids movies like Inside Out or Toy Story, it’s a really fun film. It’s a clever mix of very funny kid’s comedy, and a noire detective movie, that has plenty of scary scenes, without being too scary for younger kids—or at least not the ones in the screening we went to. As with all children’s movies these days it’s got plenty of jokes for adults, but they’re well worked into the story to keep everyone’s attention (the Breaking Bad scene is particularly good). Perhaps the best thing is the beautiful animation. The makers have obviously had a lot of fun putting together a world where elephants, polar bears, hamsters and shrews live side by side and it’s crammed with visual gags. (How do a giraffe and a mouse use the same subway?) Zootopia is a movie with heart, laughs and an important moral about being yourself and accepting others, even if they are a shifty fox, or an angry water buffalo. And the sloths … are … hi … lari … ous.
Feature | 05
Carla* sold all her furniture and then began stealing to ‘feed her kids’. Only her ‘kids’ were the pokie machines she had developed an addiction to, which she hated, but just could not break.
arla began playing the pokies when she became the sober driver for her husband. ‘He was an abusive, violent alcoholic and drug user and he lost his licence on multiple occasions, but of course he still wanted to go to the pub every night. So he’d give me $60 or $70 and say, “Go play those pokies and I will come and get you when I’m ready to go home”.’ The pokie machine room soon became a sanctuary. ‘They give you free eats, free tea and coffee, there are no lights and there’s nice quiet music. It was a safe haven from the violence, with friends without commitments who sympathized with me for my bruises, black eyes and broken bones.’ After almost a decade she managed to escape her husband, but not the gambling. ‘The first place I went to meet friends was down to the pokie room.’
Not Alone Carla was now firmly among the 2.5 per cent of Kiwis who gamble harmfully. It seems like a small number till Chris Watkins, manager of The Salvation Army’s Oasis gambling harm support service in Dunedin, adds some perspective: ‘I did some research and found that 0.7 per cent of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents and have to go to hospital. So you’re four times more likely to have a gambling problem as to be in a serious car crash.’ About five per cent of Kiwis are regular gamblers, gambling at least once a week, meaning a large proportion of regular gamblers end up in trouble, he adds. Most, like Carla, get hooked through the pokies—50 per cent of Kiwis who seek help for gambling say their main gambling is on pokies. The next biggest cause is gambling at the races or casino
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tables (10 per cent each) and through lotto or casino pokies (nine per cent each). In New Zealand, pokies tend to be targeted at poorer communities. A higher proportion of Māori and Pasifika people also end up seeking help for harmful gambling. However, it’s not a poor, brown problem Chris says, they just have the misfortune of being more exposed to gambling, especially pokies. ‘It doesn’t matter if you’re a banker, a teacher, or someone on a benefit, if you play the pokies enough they will get you. What we’re seeing is that the biggest risk factor is people who believe going to the casino is no different to taking the dog for a walk or going to the cinema.’ Auckland Oasis Public Health Worker Sara Woodward agrees, saying their clients include business managers, nurses and teachers. ‘We have, on occasion, seen someone who’s had problems with investing and stock market trading, so we get a wide range of clients.’
A high price Gambling is an expensive pastime–Kiwis gamble more than $2 billion dollars a year, an average of $5.7 million a day. For Carla, who was gambling every day, it was especially expensive now she was using her own money. She began to buy and sell on items from garage sales and Trade Me and got a second job, but was barely keeping up. It was exhausting and shameful, and her few wins just fuelled the desire to go back. ‘I tried to stop. Every time I’d go into a pub and lose all my money I’d be so angry with myself, and then the next day I’d go back and do it again. I despised myself; I had become a loner, no self-esteem. I let myself go in looks, dress and personal hygiene. I hated myself so much I tried to commit suicide.’ Fortunately, she was found and then placed in a mental health facility for six months. Throughout, she had severe withdrawals. ‘I could still hear my machines calling me,’ she says. Carla’s story is typical of gambling addiction, Sara says. While some people feel gambling is not an addiction, gamblers get all the same effects of a high as alcohol or drug addicts, from elevated heart rate to the same chemicals flooding the brain, she says. It can take hours for gamblers to come down from the rush, Sara says. And a pokie machine only takes four seconds to stop spinning, so a gambling addict can get more hits, faster. Pokies are also programmed to do things like giving small wins (less than you put in the machine) or putting winning combinations close to what you bet and highlighting them to make you feel like a win is close— encouraging you to keep playing. ‘We have people who talk about how when they shut their eyes they see the reels spinning and hear the noises the machines make. So they have a really strong pull on someone,’ Sara says. It’s a feeling Carla knows well: ‘A lot of people think you should be able to turn away, but it’s hard. I used to hear the machines calling to me, saying, “Feed me, feed me”. I used to refer to them as my kids. I’d have to go over and feed Jack every day, because there was a Jack and the Beanstalk themed one at the place I’d play.’
Rock bottom When she was released from the mental health unit Carla went straight back to gambling. She got a job near three pubs with pokies—where she would play every lunch time and after work till the pubs closed. Carla had moved to Wellington and although she had been
associated with Salvation Army churches in other places, the corps where she was living had closed down. She found herself drifting away from church just as she reached her lowest moment. She sold most of her possessions, including all her furniture, to pay for her addiction and had begun stealing from her employer, which fuelled her shame and self-loathing. ‘I felt so guilty I couldn’t look at my bosses in the eyes. I felt I had THIEF tattooed on my forehead for all to see. I suffered from ulcers, heartburn and poor health to the point of needing surgery.’
The wider impact While the effects of harmful gambling are devastating on the gambler, the impacts go much wider. Studies estimate between five and 10 other people are affected by harmful gambling. When staff began screening Salvation Army foodbank clients in Manukau for harmful gambling they found 40 per cent were affected by their own or someone else’s gambling, Sara says. Families can be left unable to buy groceries, behind on their rent or mortgage, or losing personal possessions that a gambler has sold. Some addicts, like Carla, are driven to steal—and gambling is the second leading cause of fraud in New Zealand. There is also a huge emotional toll, adds Sara.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a banker, a teacher, or someone on a benefit, if you play the pokies enough they will get you. ‘It can have quite terrible effects on relationships. Gamblers know there’s a stigma and they’re ashamed, so they will often lie about what they’re gambling. The lies build up and eventually, when it all comes out, it’s often the lies that do the most harm.’ Because of this, in addition to helping gamblers, Oasis offers help to any ‘significant other’ who has been affected. They work with everyone from family and friends to the people who have been stolen from. Carla stole from her work for three years before she quit and moved away to stop herself. Not long after the police came knocking on her door and within five days she was declared bankrupt, then charged with theft. ‘I had to move in with my son. That was the hardest part, to explain to my family about my addiction and theft.’
Recovery in chains Carla had begun going to her nearest Salvation Army corps and she confided in her corps officer who referred her to Recovery Church. There she met Recovery Church founders Majors Merilyn and Kevin Goldsack. ‘Merrilyn took me under her wing and I confessed all my sins, low self-esteem and self-hatred before the cross and wept.’ In court she immediately pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for over two years. ‘In prison they have help for the alcoholics and people on drugs, but nothing for gamblers, so I made a stink. I said, “I’m in here because of addiction, what have you got for me?” They got together with The Salvation Army and arranged for a person to come and see me.’ After that, an Oasis staff member began visiting Carla weekly for counselling. Her Recovery Church community also sent her letters, jokes, books and other support and she worked with the prison chaplain doing Bible studies inside.
Feature | 07
… I confessed all my sins, low selfesteem and self-hatred before the cross and wept. Without Oasis, the Salvation Army support and her newfound faith she would probably still be behind bars Carla says, but she insists being sent to prison was a good thing. ‘Prison was the best thing that happened to me. I went in as a bitter, angry woman, but inside I found many others had been sexually abused in childhood and had been beaten and threatened and unloved—I wasn’t the only victim in the world—many others had very similar backgrounds. I left prison as a new, changed woman; full of hope and faith, love and peace and contentment.’
Finding an Oasis Like Carla, most clients wait years before they seek help, Chris says. Although some are referred to Oasis from probation, Salvation Army food banks and other addiction centres, most refer themselves, he says. When they call, a staff member meets them for an assessment, to make a treatment plan. Treatment is usually weekly one-on-one counselling. Some clients have one session, some stay for years, but most do eight sessions on average, Chris says. They’re also encouraged to be part of a peer group that meets regularly. Often, clients tell Chris he’s the first person they’ve ever shared their story with and being part of a group is useful in helping them understand they’re not alone. People with gambling addiction are often isolated, and the group helps them stay accountable and get back into the community. A smaller number of clients also take out an exclusion order, banning them from places with gambling. They work with staff like Chris and Sara getting the orders in place with pubs or casinos who then have a legal obligation to refuse them service. Many clients have wider issues that contribute to their gambling, such as relationship problems or mental health issues and Oasis work with clients on those issues as well. That variety of people and the joy of seeing their lives change has kept him going over 12 years at Oasis, Chris says. And he also gets energised by the work Oasis does in the community, where public health workers partner with businesses and community groups to teach them about spotting and preventing harmful gambling. That community work can include supporting other Salvation Army groups. Sara recently organised training for staff at Epsom Lodge supportive accommodation unit on gambling and screening for gambling related harm and she’s encouraging other corps and centres to get in touch. Or it can range to organisations like the Dunedin banks Chris has been working with. Banks are in a unique position to see issues with people’s finances, he says. ‘So, instead of denying them loans so they go over the road to the finance company, they can refer them to us or to budgeting advice.’ The public health workers also raise awareness of the harm gambling does. Gambling has a strong hold in New Zealand, because by law gambling money has to be given back to the community. Many sports clubs and cultural groups rely on funding from trusts giving out gambling money, leading some to argue it’s an important part of New Zealand society. However, not all the money has to go back. Casinos keep all their money, clubs and pubs only have to give back 40 per cent of the money put into their pokies and Lotto can set its own targets, Sara says. For example, in 2013/14, Kiwis spent $988 million on
lotto, but it gave $231 million to the Lottery Grants Board to go back to the community. The majority of the money also doesn’t go back to the communities it came from, Sara says. Most goes to groups who can afford a dedicated person with a high level of skill and knowledge of the system to fill out regular grant application forms. While parliament is looking at changing the law to try and improve that system, it remains a ‘totally unimaginative way to fund a community, through something that does so much harm,’ Chris says. After being released from prison, Carla moved back in with her son and now works part-time in a retirement home. Recovery is a never ending process, she says. Every time she hears a pokie machine she feels the pull of her addiction, but she finds strength in her faith and her soldiers’ oath not to gamble. Recovery Church has also been a key part of rebuilding her life, she says. ‘The shame is still with me. Anywhere I go I look around to see if anybody knows me, who might say, “Hey, there’s that lady who did all that stuff”. But at Recovery Church everybody accepts you as you are.’ Along with being an active soldier in her corps, she is trying to use her experiences to help others by helping to set up a gambling support group in a nearby town and being part of her corps’ prison outreach team. *Name changed
Do I have a gambling problem?
Sometimes I’ve felt depressed or anxious after a session of gambling Sometimes I’ve felt really guilty about the way I gamble When I think about it, gambling has sometimes caused me problems Sometimes I’ve found it better not to tell others, especially my family, about the amount of time or money I spend gambling I often find that when I stop gambling I’ve run out of money Often I get the urge to return to gambling to win back losses from a past session I have received criticism about my gambling in the past I have tried to win money to pay debts If you answered yes to 4 or more of these questions or have concerns about your gambling, contact Oasis for a free and confidential assessment. Phone 0800 53 00 00 or visit www salvationarmy.org.nz/Oasis for more information. This self-test is not a diagnosis and doesn’t replace a face-to-face interview. Test by Sean Sullivan, PhD; ABACUS Counselling, Training and Supervision (NZQA Registered).
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BUDGET
HEALTH
How to Darn a Sock
A Very Juicy Debate
Holey socks be banished no more! You can easily mend your socks by using the easiest of all stitches … 1. Grab a tennis ball: Use something round like a tennis ball, and pop it into your sock. If you want to be pro, go to the craft shop and buy a darning egg. Secure it by tying a rubber band at the base of the ball. 2. Sew around the hole: The area around the hole will probably be threadbare, so reinforce it by using a needle and thread, and simply stitching in and out over the raw edge (it’s called a ‘whip stitch’ if you want to Google it). Juicing has become the latest health phenomenon, but will it really turn you into a one-person superpower or is it just another fad?
3. Fill in the hole: Run the needle through the edge of the hole leaving a long ‘tail’ of thread, instead of a knot. Simply stitch from one side to the other until the hole is filled in. This is called a running stitch and is easy to do—no need to be precise or neat, just fill in the hole.
For all those blissfully unware, ‘juicing’ is the (ideally) daily habit of making your own juices out of fresh fruits and vegetables. The on-trend juice of the moment is a ‘green smoothie’, which includes green vegies like spinach or kale.
4. Darn it: Now, get a darning needle—which is a needle with a big eye— and some fine wool (tip: if you don’t have any, get yourself some at the Family Store). Thread through the edge of your hole, leaving a long tail, and weave your yarn in and out of the running stitches. Repeat all along the hole, creating a tight, secure cross-hatch.
The health benefits are obvious: you get a huge amount of vitamins and minerals in one big hit. One woman, on health blog Summer Tomato, claimed that juicing healed her chronic sinus conditions, seizures, moodiness and mental fog. The faithful testify that juicing has even cured terminal illnesses.
5. Alternatively … if you don’t have an actual hole, but just a threadbare patch in your sock, you can skip the first steps, and patch it simply by doing step four—using the threadbare part of the sock to weave your yarn in and out, creating your crosshatch
But more recently, juicing has suffered a backlash, with scientists warning that many people are simply consuming too much fruit juice, which is very sugary. Nutritionists recommend keeping your juice intake under 250 ml daily. Juicers (as opposed to blenders) also strip out the fibre content of food, so you may be losing a lot of the nutritional benefit.
6. Secure your ends: Weave in and out along the edge of your darning.
Mostly, though, it’s about moderation. The fad for ‘juice cleanses’, in which you replace food with juice, has all the dangers that come with undereating. Neuroscientist Darya Rose refutes that juice cleanses have magical health effects and just says in her experience it just ‘made me really, really hungry’. For healthy juicing, here are her tips:
Top tip: you don’t have to use matching wool and thread, create funky socks by using different colours.
ΕΕ focus on vegetables, but include some fruit for sweetness ΕΕ include a root vegetables such as carrots or beetroot for its antioxidants ΕΕ add a leafy green vegetable such as spinach, kale or broccoli
If you wait until you can buy everything new you are missing the point. It is the old, the new, the made, the hand-me-down, the collected, the worn (but loved) things in your home that make it your own. Stacy Risenmay
ΕΕ include a watery vegetable like cucumber to dilute the strong flavours ΕΕ add ginger, lemon or mint for flavour ΕΕ Keep it to 250 ml a day, and continue to eat your usual fruit and vege.
Oaty Pancakes Pile them up, pour syrup over the lot, add some sliced banana—and you have a breakfast everyone loves! | Serves 2–3 ¾ cup milk ¾ cup rolled oats 1 large egg ½ cup self-raising flour 3 Tbsp sugar ½ tsp salt 25g (2 Tbsp) butter
Pour milk over oats and leave to stand for a few minutes. Add egg and beat with a fork. Sift in flour, sugar and salt —don’t mix yet. Melt the butter in the non-stick pan in which you will cook the pancakes. Add the melted butter to your bowl of ingredients and gently mix everything—do not over mix. Pour pancake mixture into the hot pan to make a round pancake. When bubbles form on top of the pancake, turn it over. Cook the second side until the centre springs back when lightly pressed. Adjust heat if necessary until next pancakes are golden brown. Serve warm, individually or stacked, with butter and syrup or jam.
From Children’s Step-by-step Fun to Cook Book by Simon and Alison Holst www.holst.co.nz
Lifestyle | 09
Q&A What do I do about my messy flatmates?
I am sick of my messy flatmates. Admittedly I’m a clean freak, but it drives me crazy when they leave their dinner dishes out and don’t put away their stuff. How can I change things around the flat? As with all relationships, there are two sides to this story: are they too messy, or are you too fussy? The answer is probably a bit of both. Firstly, let’s look at your side of the story. There is nothing wrong with wanting a clean, healthy home environment. But, when most people come into flatting situations they continue the patterns they grew up with—so your norm on how clean a house should be may be very different from another person’s norm. That’s why flatting requires large doses of tolerance (as does any relationship). When you feel frustrated, first of all, ask yourself: is this issue worth my frustration? If it’s not worth confronting your flatmates, let it go. You may simply need to tolerate doing a few extra dishes yourself to feel happy in your space.
Testify Stephen Freeman describes his old life as hell, but after a long road he’s now trying to help people escape the same life. I trained as a carpenter, then spent 20 years blasting and spray painting ships in Dunedin. I had to stop because I was seriously unwell. I had major drug and alcohol issues. My marriage split up—my wife thought I’d gone mad. Eventually, I was diagnosed with solvent neurotoxicity. I was addicted to solvents in the spray paint and I didn’t know it. That led to my drug and alcohol issues. ACC sent me to The Vincentian Centre in Christchurch to get clean. I hated Canterbury, because I was from Otago. The centre was like an island in a desert, because I knew no one and nothing in Christchurch. I knew if I left I’d end up back where I was before—in hell. That was 12 years ago and I haven’t had a drink or done drugs since. I first encountered God there. I met The Salvation Army through an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Then I decided I wanted to explore a bit more about God. My son and grandson lived across from Sydenham Corps, so to pluck up courage I grabbed my four-yearold grandson and said, ‘Come on, you’re coming to church.’ That’s how I got in the door and the love of the people and the peace I found changed my life. After the February 2011 earthquake, [Auxiliary Captain] Eric Turner rang me—he had lots of people coming in saying, ‘What
can we do to help?’, so he asked if I’d start a DALTA (Deliberate Acts of Love to All) group. At first it was a lot of liquefaction work. One couple had been stuck in their house for two days – the liquefaction was so high they couldn’t get out. One lady, her bath fell through the floor, all the pipes were leaking and her whole garden was overgrown. We just want to give people a blessing. We clear sections, do building, cut firewood. We built a garden for severely intellectually handicapped children at Ferndale school—that was special. We work four days a week, starting with a morning devotion and working till mid afternoon. The guys are often unemployed, so it’s about giving them a work ethic, experience in team work and working with tools. We act as
But from their side of the story, you may be surprised to realise your flatmates are probably also showing you tolerance. They may be trying hard to keep the place clean and tidy, but can’t live up to your standards. In this case, take a look at your expectations and make sure you are being fair.
Let’s Talk I would like: to explore what it means to follow Jesus information about Salvation Army worship and activities prayer for the following needs:
But, of course, showing tolerance does not mean you allow yourself to get walked over. It may be a good idea to have an open conversation with your flatties and agree together some basic flat rules. A flat roster is a tried and true way to ensure everyone is doing their bit. In addition, be clear about doing your dishes after you’ve eaten, and keeping personal belongings in the bedroom. Finally, if you value your relationship with your flatties above your personal differences, you’ll find that not only can you meet in the middle, but you may well become lifelong friends.
a referee for future employment, which is so cool. Some are from addictions, or the Army’s Addington Men’s Hostel, some are community service workers. Many have come to a pretty bad place in their lives. We try to keep an eye on our people and make them feel loved and worth it. We get people who are so anxious and withdrawn they don’t speak to anybody. A couple of months here and they come out of their shells. It’s an amazing transformation and an honour to be involved. It blows me away that every day I come in there are guys here before me. As a carpenter in Christchurch I could have another regular job these days, but this is where God’s put me and it’s such a privilege.
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10 | WarCry 30 April 2016
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QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5
Which 18th century figure was known as Bonnie Prince Charlie? What fruit currently in season is also known as a pineapple guava? What is the collective noun for koala bears? Who recently marked the milestone of 100 games for the Hurricanes? Where did Jesus perform his first miracle?
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BY INGRID BARRATT
As the controversial TV show Married at First Sight hits our screens, we look at a real life arranged marriage and ask, ‘who has got it right—them or us?’ The second series of the Aussie hit show Married at First Sight has hit our screens, and is again a ratings winner. As the title suggests, the show arranges marriages between four Aussie couples—all complete strangers—who only meet at the wedding ceremony. But in a very Western twist, it is not family who make the match, but a ‘scientific’ team that includes a psychologist, neuroscientist and marriage counsellor. Australian law does not allow the couples to undertake a legally binding marriage—although in the original Danish programme couples do legally wed, as well as in many other countries around the world that have picked up the TV franchise. To our eyes, the concept may seem outrageous—even undermining the sanctity of marriage—but for much of the world an arranged marriage is simply the norm. Leslie D’Mello, who works for The Salvation Army’s Youth Department, will be celebrating 20 years of marriage to his wife, Kim, next year. They met only once before making the decision to get married. ‘The first physical contact we ever had was when my wife put the wedding ring on my finger,’ laughs Leslie. There is an important distinction between arranged marriage—where the couple both have a say in the decision to marry—and mandated marriage—where someone is forced into marriage. Arranged marriages have a stunningly high success rate in India—where it’s estimated up to 80 per cent of marriages are arranged—only one in 100 end in divorce. It’s tempting to dismiss this as a reflection of cultural pressures, but that is too simplistic. As Psychologist Dr Utpal Dholakia says, ‘Relinquishing choice, deciding quickly and lower expectations,’ may be the key to making marriage work. Arranged marriage is a very logical decision that allows feelings to grow out of mutual compatibility, agrees Leslie. There is far greater support for couples, and far less pressure. Leslie was 30 when he decided he was ready for marriage: ‘Indians have the luxury of deciding when they are ready,’ he explains. ‘In my twenties, I told my mum, “No, I’m not ready”. I focused on serving in ministries like church and an orphanage, I bought a house. I had 10 years to work out what I wanted in a wife.’ Once he was ready, Leslie had the assurance that his
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community would come together to find a match. ‘It’s very difficult to stay single in India,’ he laughs. It was a visiting pastor to Leslie’s church who became his matchmaker. ‘The pastor told me that he knew a girl in Mumbai who was ready for marriage, and would I be interested in meeting her?’ A few mornings later, Leslie got on the train and met his future wife for the first time at a café near a crowded Mumbai railway station —accompanied by the pastor who introduced them, and Kim’s brother. After this meeting, the decision was made via a phone call—they only met a few more times, to organise the wedding ceremony. ‘It’s a very logical decision,’ explains Leslie. ‘The beauty of arranged marriage is that you put all your cards on the table and lay out your expectations.’ As part of Leslie’s requirements, he wanted someone who had a tertiary degree, and was willing to live overseas. A rock‘n’roll fan, he didn’t want someone who was big into Bollywood music. Kim’s desire was to marry a missionary, and she was happy to be the main breadwinner (unusual in India). In ‘love marriages’, we overlook these seemingly trivial issues which often become sore points in marriage, says Leslie. When making arrangements, you can specify requirements such as height, weight and colour. It’s common to ask for a medical certificate as part of the arrangements. But a big difference between Western love matches and arranged marriage, is that physical attraction is not a major influence. ‘In 10 years’ time, I know my wife will still have a degree, but I don’t know what she’ll look like. So what makes you gravitate towards someone is not the physical, but their long-lasting qualities and attributes.’ You can even discuss each other’s’ weaknesses: ‘In a love marriage, your feelings blind you to each other’s weaknesses. But with arranged marriage, you know the negatives going in—as a simple example, Kim knew I wasn’t willing to relocate to Mumbai.’ Marriage in India is very much a community effort. It is not two people who come together, it is two families. ‘One of the secrets of a really successful arranged marriage is the support network. In a love marriage, you make an independent decision and are on your own, but in an arranged marriage, your family has been involved in the beginning. ‘If Kim was having a problem with me, she would have every right to go to my mum for help … But I hear so many young people in New Zealand saying, “If only we’d had someone to talk to”. ‘The foundations we build our marriages on are very different in arranged marriage,’ sums up Leslie. ‘Love and marriage are two different things. The love you might have when you’re dating is very different from the love you have in marriage as kids come along, and the mortgage starts coming out.
‘We love the person first, and then we fall in love. I would say I love my wife more now than ever before.’ It seems arranged marriages work because the commitment comes first. For it to work well, both parties need to honour each others’ expectations, communicate openly, show mutual respect, kindness, and have a willingness to make it work. But isn’t that true of love marriages as well? It may be emotion, rather than logic, that brings us together. But it is only commitment and determination that will keep us together. Perhaps it’s not how we marry that matters, but how we live out our married lives.
Lessons from arranged marriage The wisdom found in arranged marriage can help us make our love marriage work: • Use your head: If you’re single, use your head not just your heart, to choose a life partner. Looks will change, but shared values and dreams will build a firm foundation for your marriage. • Lay out your expectations: If you are married, communicate your needs or wants openly, gently and respectfully. If you are single, know what you are looking for in a partner—focusing on long-lasting qualities. • Involve your support network: Our individualistic society is crippling to relationships. No two people can make a relationship work on their own. If you are single, ask friends and family to help you find love—being clear about what you want in a partner. If you’re married, find someone with wisdom to confide in. Similarly, reach out to other married couples who may need your care. • Be intentional: Ultimately, what will make marriage work is a commitment to make it work. Make room for each other, don’t let resentment build, and never stop getting to know each other. • Don’t rely on feelings: In a love marriage we often rely on the flimsiest of evidence, our feelings. Instead, rely on wisdom and truth—even when your feelings contradict them. • Know you have choices: If you have made a choice of selecting the love of your life, make choices of how your marriage will work—you are never stuck in a situation you can’t get out of. It will always take two of you to honour your vows.
CENTRAL EASTER CAMP BY KATE GEDDES >> Central Easter Camp was held at the famous Silverstream Retreat. From Friday afternoon, until Monday morning it was a time of extreme fun, chaos, Australian–New Zealand banter, finding out about our identity in Christ, and digging deeper into God’s word and his calling on our lives. Our guest speakers were John and Nicole Viles from the Australia Eastern Territory. John and Nicole brought Holy Spirit-inspired messages about finding our identity in Christ.
The Four key messages: On Friday night, Nicole challenged us about who we are, saying that messages from all around can bombard us and define us if we let them. She reminded us that the truth is we are children of God and that is where our identity is found. Saturday’s message from John explored ‘why is your identity important?’ John used an analogy that our lives are like radios: if we keep pressing the seek buttons, seeking things of the world and listening to its messages, we will never find who we are. If we stop hitting the seek button, and look for our identity in Christ, then life becomes much simpler. We were
encouraged to focus on our strengths rather than our weaknesses—to focus on who God created us to be. Nicole’s message on Sunday was all about embracing our identity. If you lived life not worrying about what people thought or knowing things would work out well in the end, would you live your life differently to the way you do now? She shared that embracing your identity means you gain access to all that God has prepared for you. In the final session, there was an awesome time of sharing about the life-changing experiences of camp. John brought a final word, giving practical advice and how we can live our identity in reality. We were reminded that at camp it is really easy to maintain your faith, but it’s harder once we get home and back to reality.
Top 10 classic moments: 1. An all-in chaotic big game of human Hungry Hungry Hippos involving long boards, ropes, and fierce competition. 2. That time volunteers had to consume a lunch meal—a spaghetti cheese toasty, a
blueberry muffin and chocolate milk—in a blended shake version. 3. The classic game of egg roulette—where people willingly smashed hard boiled and raw eggs on their heads. 4. That time that Mr. Whippy came to camp and it took us all back to the good ole’ days of our childhoods. 5. When our Aussie guests had to pronounce the longest place name in New Zealand, and absolutely nailed it. 6. The classic banter and healthy competition between the Kiwis and the Aussies. 7. The Australia versus New Zealand humdinger competition, where New Zealand wiped the floor clean and everyone loved it. 8. The stirring Haka performed in our final session for Nicole and John. 9. When we learnt that our identity is as a son or daughter of God, and we aren’t defined by messages of the world. 10. That time people met Jesus, found their identity in Christ and there was a party going off in heaven.
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southern EASTER CAMP BY PETER LOBB >> Finding one word to sum up our weekend is a struggle, but if I had to, it would be “unity”. This weekend really set a fire alight and brought us all closer as a group of young people in Dunedin City. It all started with leaving Dunedin at 3.30 pm with our 11 youth. We jumped into two vans and started the long journey to Spencer Park in Christchurch. For those of you who haven’t experienced Easter Camp, this is where 3300 youth met, along with Baptist Youth Ministry campers, to experience what Easter means to us. We arrived at 9 pm to commence the long walk to our site with all of our luggage. We were even lucky enough to have our tents set up in advance by some of the local Sally Army crews which was a big help after arriving in the dark. There were eight sessions throughout the weekend, they had awesome music and we learnt some really cool new songs. The speakers were a massive part of the weekend for all who attended, and as a result we were able to see God at work in hundreds of people. After each morning session we were able to go back to our youth groups and spend some time reflecting and thinking about the session. One of my highlights was when we split off into small groups and were able to go with a few boys from our youth group and spend some time praying for each other. It was very evident that God was working in the lives of the young people at Easter Camp. In the afternoons there were many activities we could get involved in: there was the verydreaded-yet-somewhat-popular ride called the Hurricane, a ferris wheel, helicopter and jet boat rides, Adrenaline Forest, sumo wrestling, giant Jenga, Twister, loads of sports, cafés, and even an op shop. The Salvation Army Southern Division had an awesome crew there. There were youth from Dunedin, Queenstown, Christchurch City, Sydenham and Rolleston. There was a big marquee for us all to hang out in. We were kitted out with sofas, gas fires, ping pong, pool, a kitchen and loads of chocolate. Easter Camp really brought our youth group together and we grew closer not only to each other but to the awesome God we serve. Please continue to pray for our young people as they return to their normal situations at home.
Photography: Andrei Talili & Nathan Adams
“we grew closer not only to each other but to the awesome God we serve.”
northern EASTER CAMP BY CAPTAIN JULIE MARSHALL >> Sleep is overrated. But you don’t go to Easter Camp to sleep! Approximately 450 young people and some not so young leaders from Northern and Midland Divisions said ‘Yeah–nah’ to sleep and joined 4500 others at Mystery Creek for the Baptist Youth Ministry Easter Camp. The lack of quality sleep was more than made up for by an abundance of other amazing things—tents, sunshine, music, foam (think the world’s biggest bubble bath, minus the bath), sports, people, pies, dancing, hand sanitiser, mud and timbrels … yes timbrels! The Salvation Army was superbly represented in the afternoon activities: Georgia Mellsop from Whakatane won the Project Runway competition with her op-shop fashion. The Tough Girl competition was taken out by Lisa Gatward from East City. The talent quest victors were the rockstars going by the name of ‘Minimal Silence’ from East City; and Roskill South won the competitive touch rugby tournament. So much victory! The fun was great, but the real victory was in
the souls won and the lives changed for the Kingdom of God, including some healings that happened at camp. We had some times of great worship along with challenging teaching from self-proclaimed fashionista Mike Pilavachi, the amazing Esther Elliot and cool guy Jay Lucas. The atmosphere was absolutely electric as 5000 people worshipped through a haka proclaiming Jesus Christ as Saviour—Ko Ihu Karaiti e! ‘Story’ was the theme for Easter Camp 2016 —the Easter story was told through scripture and powerful drama, and in each session the speakers explored what happens when our story intersects with God’s story. The morning sessions were followed by small group times, which provided space for the young people to explore the teaching of the morning and how it impacts their own stories. Following the ‘story’ theme, we re-enacted parts of the early Salvation Army history by breaking into three groups to stage a good oldfashioned march and open-air meeting. Every corps from both divisions participated
—playing the parts of either salvationists, bystanders or the skeleton army. The ‘Salvationists’ left our marquee and marched with gusto around the camp behind the flag, led by Catherine and William Booth, complete with song books, drums, brass music, caps, bonnets and timbrels (told you there were timbrels at Easter Camp!). The ‘skeleton army’ then ambushed the marchers—missiles were fired, insults were shouted and the skull and crossbones flew against ‘blood and fire’. Once the crowd was silenced, a rousing salvation message was delivered by General William Booth, played by Captain Mat Badger (the beard was real). At the end of the message repentant ‘bystanders’ and ‘skeleton army’ members knelt at the drum and gave their lives to Jesus. As individuals and as part of the body of Christ, we are part of a much bigger ‘story’. Thanks must go to all who led, supported and prayed for our Easter Campers. Please continue to pray that each young person who was at camp would choose to write their story with Jesus at the centre.
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Fonterra Celebrates Five Year Partnership with The Salvation Army This year marks the fifth anniversary of Fonterra Brands New Zealand supporting The Salvation Army through donations of dairy products for its foodbanks, and helping with Christmas foodbank drives. To mark the occasion, Salvation Army representatives Shane Chisholm and Camille Astbury, visited the Fonterra Brands New Zealand manufacturing site in Takanini and presented the team with a ‘Valued Partner’—recognising the five year partnership. 'The ‘Valued Partner’ trophy is one of only eight that have been ever been presented and we’re delighted to have given one to Fonterra. The Salvation Army greatly values the on-going relationship with the business,' said Shane. 'The donation of dairy products that can then be included in food parcels is extremely appreciated both by The Salvation Army and the thousands of Kiwi families who receive this support each year— without the support of partners like Fonterra we would really struggle to deliver the services that we do.' Fonterra Brands New Zealand social responsibility lead Hannah Sherratt said that 'sometimes we will have product that is perfectly fine but because it is close to the best before date our retail customers don’t want it. Rather than see it go to waste we drop it off to The Salvation Army foodbanks and it goes to families in need. 'Our UHT milk products are always popular and so too are yoghurts and cheese that can go in school lunch boxes. “We’ve even been able to donate compost, produced at our "Recycle Lab", to the community gardens where The Salvation Army grows vegetables for including in their food parcels. 'It’s great being part of a charity that makes a real difference to families in our local communities, and being able to support them in so many different ways. It means a lot to everyone who works in Fonterra Brands New Zealand. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with The Salvation Army.' Donate online at www salvationarmy.org.nz/donate
New MASIC Talk Sheet on Abortion Donald Trump’s recent admission that he believes women who have abortions should be punished has pushed the debate back into the spotlight again. It’s not an easy topic to discuss. It’s highly emotive, deeply complex and yet, an important discussion to have. MASIC (Moral and Social Issues Council) has released a new talk sheet addressing the issue of abortion and offering a perspective that aims to provide a platform for dialogue and reflection, to inform mission and practice. The talk sheet begins by asking: ‘is abortion an issue in New Zealand society today?’ After all, abortion is on the decline overall in New Zealand, having reached a 20-year low in the number of pregnancies terminated by choice. This sounds promising. Yet worldwide, 42 million pregnancies are terminated by induced abortion each year—and nearly half of them are illegal. ‘Abortion should not be seen as a quick response to an
inconvenient or unplanned pregnancy,’ said the talk sheet, going on to state: ‘The many and complex reasons women seek abortion cannot simply be dismissed as selfish, illconsidered or wrong.’ Hillary Kieft discovered her daughter at age 15 was referred for an abortion without her knowledge. Hillary has appeared before a Parliamentary Select Committee petitioning for a law change and shares something of the impact abortion had on her child. The Salvation Army believes in the sanctity of human life. All people—without exception—are of value to God, irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, health or social status, or their potential for achievement. It also believes that God has given humanity free will and the ability to make decisions. The talk sheet explains: ‘The notion of human rights must be accompanied by that of human responsibility.’ The aim of the talk sheet is to assist people to engage with the Salvation Army’s
International Statement and beyond. ‘While positional statements can be somewhat technical and relatively brief, the talk sheet is an opportunity to fill out what is being said,’ said Captain Ross Wardle, Chairperson of MASIC. It can feel overwhelming to try and unpack issues that can be so divisive. The too-hardbasket can be full of topics that cause people to feel inadequate or scared to explore for fear of ‘getting it wrong’ or offending someone. But when we meet someone whose situation involves one of those topics, the danger is we put them in the too-hard basket too. These talk sheets are an invitation to take the topic out of the too-hard basket and into the light of day. The hope is that people will both read and respond to it. It could be used as the framework for a sermon, or a small group (bible study). Ross suggests creating a series on ethics using the MASIC talk sheets available from The
Salvation Army website, or using the answers to the discussion questions as the catalyst for a ministry opportunity at a corps or centre. This MASIC Talk Sheet and others can be downloaded from www salvationarmy.org.nz/ MASIC
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Safety Net Strengthened at Breakfasts More than 400 people turned out to support The Salvation Army at the annual Red Shield Appeal Breakfasts held around the country this month. The three fundraising breakfasts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch saw corporate and business supporters of The Salvation Army gather to hear about the Army’s work. The breakfasts mark the launch of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, raising funds for the work of Community Ministries. The theme of the breakfasts was being a safety net. New Zealand sporting greats Richie McCaw and Sir Richard Hadlee spoke at the Christchurch breakfast. Waitakere Community Ministries Administrator Jo Ghent and psychologist and documentary maker Nigel Latta spoke at the breakfasts in Auckland and Wellington. Jo told the audience her story of how The Salvation Army had helped her after a life of tragedy left her almost homeless. Nigel compared the life of a teen he met at Child Youth and Family, who had been in care since he was nine, and his own son, who was the same age. Nigel's son had been raised, from the moment he was born, to able to climb mountains and succeed in life, he said. In contrast everything in the other child’s life had left him unprepared, a long way away and believing he could not climb the mountain of success. That young man was typical of many in New Zealand who needed support in life, he said. ‘We throw away so many people in this country, saying “You’re poor, you’re lazy, you didn’t try hard enough”. We say, “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” but you can’t do that if you don’t have boots. Some people need help. They need a safety net. They need someone who’ll sit down with them in the terribleness of their lives and say, “Yes this is really bad, we can sit here for a while and after a while we can talk about how to change this”.’ Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson spoke at the Wellington breakfast about how everyone was part of the safety net. He told the crowd there were three key components to a safety net—it had to be well anchored, made up of many strands and those strands had to be tightly knit together. The strands in the Salvation Army safety net included Army staff and volunteers, but also those who support the Army with donations, through their business, individually or through bequests. The Army’s work helping over 120,000 Kiwis a year was only possible through that support, he said. ‘It’s together and only together that we make it.’ The Red Shield Appeal will run from 2-8 May.
Salvation Army Responds to Quakes The Salvation Army is responding to the major earthquakes in Ecuador and Japan. In Ecuador, the Army is responding to the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s north-west coast. At least 350 people are known to have lost their lives and President Rafael Correa says that number is likely to rise. It is the worst disaster in Ecuador since a 1949 earthquake killed more than 5000 people. Territorial Commander for South America West, Commissioner Torben Eliasen said The Salvation Army’s Ecuador Division is fully involved in responding to the earthquake there. The divisional leaders Majors Samuel and Gloria Flores were visiting the city of Esmeraldas
National Māori Ministry Hui 2016 Dame Claudia Orange, author of the book The Treaty of Waitangi and research fellow at Te Papa Tongawera is the guest speaker at this year’s National Māori Ministry Hui. Dame Claudia has a wealth of knowledge about the Treaty, early New Zealand history, and 20th century race relations through years of research and employment in these respective fields. Te Ōhākī, the strategic bi-cultural plan for Māori Ministry will be a key area of focus for this weekend. Ōhākī means ‘statement’—a person's final wishes before death. So the strategy is connected to the final words (ōhākī) of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 28:19, 'Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.' There are currently a number of bi-cultural consultation wānanga happening around the motu (country), providing people with an opportunity to have input and provide feedback on Te Ōhākī. Graham Bidois Cameron, who is facilitating these wānanga, will be giving an update at the hui of the process and outcomes from these wānanga. Lieutenants Trish and Tau Mataki, Territorial Secretaries for Māori Ministry, believe in the importance of gatherings like the national hui for Māori salvationists. Whether in the corps or in their work, wherever their ministry grows, we want to develop a sense of belonging in the Salvation Army for Māori and their friends, says Tau. A sense of belonging is an important part of life for anyone. Trish hopes that Māori aspiration through whakawhanangatanga (relationship building) To have a vision and understanding of kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) will encourage our people. Tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) of what it looks like to be Māori in the Salvation Army.' The hui, an annual event, is open to anyone. There will be opportunites for children to be involved in activities specifically for them. This year’s programme includes a ride in the waka, a hāngī, Māori worship and a talent quest where people can express themselves through a talent. The hui will be held at Omahu Marae, Hastings and commences with a pōrwhiri at 9 am on Saturday 4 June, going through till Monday 6 June. Registrations open soon and forms are available from your corps officer or centre.
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near the hardest hit region, when the earthquake happened, and the corps (church) and community centre in the city is offering assistance. He adds: ‘Our corps and community centre in the city of Manta is also actively engaged.’ Red Shield emergency response teams are in action across the affected region, reports Major Samuel Flores. In Manta a team is offering support and providing food to dozens of families. Another team, led by Major Fabian Jaime, from Esmeraldas, has set off on a 180-kilometre journey to the small city of Pedernales, taking water, candles and non-perishable food to people who have been forced from their homes. Essentials are being distributed to people around Guayaquil and a further Red Shield team has left the capital, Quito, to provide assistance in Puerto Viejo and Manta. In Japan, the Army is responding after two earthquakes on the southern island of Kyushu, where 43 people died and 1100 were injured. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit on 14 April and a magnitude 7.3 on 17 April. A Salvation Army emergency appeal has begun with red kettles, traditionally deployed to collect donations in the Christmas season, set up on street corners in Tokyo and other cities across Japan to enable people to support the relief effort. Donations are also being taken online through The Salvation Army International Headquarters website and its South Pacific and East Asia Disaster Fund. General André Cox has called for prayer for the people of Ecuador and Japan, particularly for the families of those who were killed and for the Salvationists and others who are seeking to provide help and hope.
International Councils Collaborate in London
History was made last month when a joint two-day meeting of the International Theological Council (ITC) and International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC), under the leadership of Commissioner Robert Donaldson, was held. Themes and agendas common to both bodies were discussed at this meeting. Commissioner Robert Donaldson says General André Cox has significantly widened the remit of both groups during his tenure as General. ‘Previously, the ITC’s focus was primarily on The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine, but the group is now being asked to give considerable input to international Salvation Army
leadership on wider matters of theological significance. Likewise, IMASIC is providing more input on moral and social issues—and consulting more widely with territories and commands in the process. And where there is commonality, the two groups are also collaborating. This collaboration offers considerable strategic benefits to The Salvation Army, Commissioner Donaldson said. ‘For example, from an IMASIC perspective, there is great advantage to having such a broad, highly competent group of theologians assisting us with the theological reflections that form the basis of International Salvation Army Positional
Members of the International Theological Council and the International Moral and Social Issues Council. Statements. This isn’t to say that IMASIC doesn’t have these resources within its own members, but there is an extra measure of robust thought that comes from adding additional theologians to the mix.’ The ITC, chaired by LieutColonel Karen Shakespeare, had previously spent two days focusing on the General’s priorities, as well as preparing for an upcoming meeting in Paris that included Sunday worship and a workshop with French Salvationists. The ITC’s work on ‘Doctrines
for the 21st Century’ has been approved for publication. This will shortly be available on the ITC website (www. salvationarmy.org/doctrine). The ITC is also preparing for the publication of a book on The Salvation Army’s 11 doctrines from a series of articles previously published in The Officer magazine. Its members are now contributing to a second series in The Officer on aspects of the Soldier’s Covenant. After the two councils had met together, IMASIC then met for a further day. Its agenda included discussions on conflict and peace-making, as well as work on an International Positional Statement on refugees and asylum seekers. MASIC groups from the Australian territories have given input to this statement, as well as the Southern Africa Territory and the Italy and Greece Command. ‘This was a great collaborative effort,’ said Commissioner Donaldson. ‘Having such well-considered input from parts of the Army already heavily engaged around refugees and asylum seekers really sped up our process.’ New Zealand will host the next IMASIC meeting, in September at Albany Bays Corps in Auckland.
18 | WarCry 30 April 2016
A Booth College of Mission
LEADERSHIP LINKS
SHORT COURSE
Troop ships and luxury liners have radically different purposes … The year was 1950. The wounds of World War II had barely begun to heal when the friction between North and South Korea flared into an armed conflict that would last three bloody years. As world tensions ratcheted tighter, construction began on a ship that was intended to be the largest and fastest troop carrier of its time—the SS United States. Completed in 1952, she was designed to quickly carry 15,000 soldiers to any war zone in the world at the incredible speed of up to 44 knots (about 81 km/h), and could travel 11,000 miles without stopping for fuel or supplies. As it turned out, the SS United States never carried the troops she was built to transport. Instead, she was ultimately fitted out as a luxury cruise ship, serving as such for 17 years. Given that the carrying and pampering of passengers as they visit exotic ports-of-call requires a very different approach from transporting troops to an armed conflict, certain modifications had to be made. The no-frills accommodations that would adequately billet 15,000 soldiers were scrapped to increase the comfort level for the new maximum of no more than 2000 guests as they casually sailed back and forth across the Atlantic. Troop ships and luxury liners have radically different purposes, don’t they? The function of a troop ship is to get large numbers of soldiers where they are most needed as quickly as possible. Mission urgency trumps any thought of excessive comfort when there’s a battle to fight and a war to be won. The needed reinforcements are strategically deployed to achieve the greatest result. With cruise ships, however, nothing is urgent. Having no strategic destination in mind, keeping passengers comfortable and content is the main objective. Is The Salvation Army in danger of following in the wake of the SS United States, I wonder? Our history clearly confirms that we were originally designed as a militant expression of evangelism. And the evidence shows that we attracted a vast assortment of scrappy sin-fighters who, at the cost of their personal comfort and convenience, were eager to spit in the Devil’s eye while rescuing as many as possible from Hell. In 1878, the year we changed our name from ‘The Christian Mission’ to ‘The Salvation Army’, William Booth addressed a gathering of thousands attending the Army’s War Congress. In the opening session, he confirmed our purpose: ‘We are sent to war! We are not sent to minister to a congregation and be content if we keep things going. We are sent … to stop short of nothing but the subjugation of the world to the sway of the Lord Jesus.’ Tell me, are we still fit for such purposes? Or have we, perhaps, chosen to overhaul our original design in favour of something far less demanding and far more comfortable? Colonel Willis Howell Chief Secretary
Great Courses at Booth College of Mission Booth College of Mission’s Centre for Leadership Development offers a short course programme, designed to target specific leadership skills or issues. We would love to have you and/or your leaders—current or emerging—join us for one of our courses. All courses are held at BCM unless specified otherwise. Travel to courses is subsidised. 30 May–2 June: Brengle Holiness Institute for Local Leaders. This powerful and profound weekend experience will draw you fully into God’s light and empower you to live out a holiness that makes sense in your daily life. In 2016, this course is targeted specifically towards local corps leaders. 5–8 July: Foundations for Chaplaincy. An introduction to the basic skills, practices, philosophies and understandings which form the foundations for practice as a chaplain in various Salvation Army contexts. 2–3 August: Leadership Essentials. No matter where you’re at Leadership Essentials is a new course that has been designed to strengthen how you lead. Building on Foundations of Leadership, Leadership Essentials will help you to become: • A strategist who asks the right questions • A coach who builds people up • A critically reflective decision-maker who leads from and with prayer • A team player who fosters not only community but a shared responsibility for radical service 23–25 August: Re-reading the Scriptures. Following on from previous preaching workshops Booth College senior tutor David Wells will be expanding on his work with a new course for both preachers and readers of the Bible. The course will look at study tips for engaging more deeply with a passage and how it can apply to our lives. This is a course for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the Bible and what God is trying to say to us through it. 19–22 September & 18–20 October: 12 Steps. The 12 Steps have been around for over 60 years and offers tools, not just for addicts, but for anyone who wants greater personal and spiritual freedom for themselves or those they minister to. The model is based on the successful Alcoholics Anonymous programme, but has been specifically developed to be applicable to a range of life issues. The course is in two parts, both of which must be completed. (19-22 September & 18-20 October).
For more information, phone: (04) 528 8628, email: bcm@nzf.salvationarmy.org Go to www salvationarmy.org/BCM_courses for registration forms and travel advice.
Mission Matters | 19
E V E RY DAY
HOLY LIVING The Brengle Holiness Institute
BY ROBIN RAYMOND
Holiness for ‘Very Important People’ Nurturing an understanding of holiness among local leaders is the focus of the latest Brengle holiness course run by Booth College of Mission. Brengle holiness courses take their name from Salvationist and well-known holiness teacher American Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, and were originally developed for Salvation Army officers. They provide the opportunity to discuss and explore holiness, including its important role in the Salvation Army tradition. Chief Secretary Colonel Willis Howell, who has taught at ‘Brengle Holiness Institutes’, says holiness was a foundational and mainstay teaching of the Army in its earliest days. ‘One of the things that set us apart was our belief in the possibility of holy living. Holiness was the hub around which everything turned.’ However, there has been a decline in teaching, preaching and encouragement toward holy living and Brengle institutes are important to offer people the option to explore a key part of Christian life, he says. They provide a setting for people to dig further into holiness and into the full possibilities of living in relationship with God. ‘Why be happy to splash around in a puddle, when you can dive into the ocean?’ Willis asks. ‘Brengle institutes open doors to greater exploration and understanding. If there’s a pathway that helps to take us deeper into the nature and character of Christ, why wouldn’t we want to explore and embrace it?’ Every Queen’s Birthday weekend—since 2002—a Brengle Institute has been run at Booth College of Mission, in Upper Hutt. This has been an open course for Salvation Army soldiers and other corps members. However, this year the course will have a slightly more specific focus, targeted at those in local leadership roles within their corps. Booth College of Mission’s Assistant Principal Captain Bryant Richards says the change is in response to feedback from divisional leaders. Although all corps members are equally important, local leaders have a large amount of responsibility in The Salvation Army and the hope of the course is to refresh and strengthen them, Bryant said. ‘At the corps level, local leaders carry a lot of the weight of leadership. We want to honour and inspire them. We would like to provide them an opportunity to come together as peers, to encourage each other and to explore what their leadership means through the lens of holiness.’ Course organisers are hoping corps officers will take the opportunity to identify people who might enjoy or benefit from the course and suggest they attend, but they are also encouraging local leaders who are interested to speak to their officers about attending, Bryant says.
This is the first time the territory has run a Brengle Institute solely for local leaders and the course is being adapted to add new sessions specifically around the relationship between holiness and leadership, Bryant says. The four-day course traditionally includes teaching sessions on The Salvation Army’s history as part of the holiness movement, holiness in the Old and New Testament, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, and holiness as a fruit of the spirit. These will all be included in teaching sessions each morning, Bryant says.
At the heart of leadership is not our capacity, but our openness to the Spirit and the working of God. The new leadership component of the course aims to allow the participants to explore their own leadership, as an individual and among other leaders, as well as what The Salvation Army’s specific holiness teachings and the Holy Spirit can mean for their roles, Bryant says. Much of the leadership work will be covered in afternoon workshops. ‘At the heart of leadership is not our capacity, but our openness to the Spirit and the working of God. It is our ability to empty ourselves of all those things that would push God out, to allow God to continually develop, encourage and refine us as we engage with others in our everyday life that will truly make us people of influence. This is the heart of holiness.’ Along with the leadership focus, the course will encourage and strengthen attendees about the role of the Spirit in their daily lives, he says. Along with teaching and workshops there will be worship times in the evening and space for personal reflection. The course will finish with a covenant service, where each person is able to reflect on what they have learnt and what it will mean for them in their leadership and in their life, Bryant says.
Course runs from 3–6 June at Booth College of Mission, Upper Hutt. Cost $200 (includes travel, course, materials, teaching, meals). Registrations extended to 12 May. For more info, talk to your Corps Officer/Centre Manager or e: bcm@nzf. salvationarmy.org
20 | WarCry 30 April 2016
The second of two excerpts from Lisa Barnes’s book about embracing weaknesses and failures, lifting the mask and recognising our true identity in Christ. I forgive you. Three of the most powerful words we can share with another. Those words have the ability to change hearts, alter circumstances and restore the most broken of things. ‘I love you’ gets a lot of hype, but can be used for things that were never intended. In my case, I love my husband, and my kids … and chocolate, and nail polish and internet videos of cats playing with babies. When I say I love those things, there is no sarcasm in my tone. I really do love them, especially chocolate. I think chocolate is evidence that God is real and he loves me. When we say we love things, no one puts any extra thought or consideration into those words. But if I were to tell you that I forgive nail polish, even when it smudges or when I get bits of potato chips stuck in its top coat, I would sound like a crazy person or like I didn’t really understand what forgiveness was. But past the crazy, when we sincerely forgive someone, that causes people to stop in their tracks. We don’t forgive as often as we could. When you take out the Jesus element of forgiveness, it is even more difficult to find. It is important to forgive. It is freeing to forgive. It is liberating to forgive. And it is humbling to be forgiven. But before we can become a person who freely forgives, it would be beneficial for us to know what forgiveness is—and what it isn’t.
I have true and complete forgiveness toward my mother … [but] we will never have a reconciled relationship. Legit forgiveness So, in looking up scripture on forgiveness, I stumbled on one of the most hardcore of passages: ‘For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But (here comes the hardcore part… hold on to your butts) if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins’ (Matthew 6:1415). Yikes! Important point of context: these two verses follows right after Jesus tells us how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer. I think Jesus knew that when he talked about prayer and forgiving others, he needed to include an explanation of how big a deal this really is. And if it’s a big deal to him, it should be a big deal to us too. I think that legit forgiveness doesn’t really have anything to do with the person whom we are forgiving. Most of the time, they don’t know or maybe even don’t care. We forgive for ourselves. We forgive so we can let it go and feel whole. Maybe Jesus commands us to forgive truly and completely so we can see a small glimpse of how he forgives us. If we are capable of doing this, then most definitely the creator of the universe is capable of forgiving us when we come to the cross and repent of our junk.
Forgiveness imposters So, as we journey towards being forgiving folks, let’s unpack some concepts of forgiveness impostors*. There are some things out there that try to trick us into thinking that they are elements of forgiveness. Sometimes they are parts of the process, but sometimes they just aren’t. Excuses. Everyone has them and they all smell. Making an excuse for someone who has done you dirty or deeply hurt you is not forgiveness. If we dismiss what someone has done—maybe saying it wasn’t really a big deal or we didn’t take it personally—this is not the same as forgiving what has happened. This burns bridges and cakes on layers of the masks we wear. Forgiveness is not for wimps. If the act of forgiveness seems quick or easy, there is a good chance it isn’t really forgiveness at all. Authentic forgiveness demands effort from the one doing the forgiving. Yeah, it gets easer over time, with practice and as we grow as followers of Jesus. But most of the time, it’s not easy—and it’s not disguised as a bag of excuses. They don’t have to be sorry for us to forgive them. Folks who hurt us may never see what they did as wrong, or even be aware of how it affected us. There are even a few people out there, I refer to them as ‘super-jerks’, who know that we are hurt or that they did something that they should have, and they are in no way remorseful for any of it. Praise the Lord that there is forgiveness even for them. Our forgiveness isn’t dependent upon the other person feeling bad, or even admitting their wrongdoing. Because forgiveness is for us, and not really even about the offending party, how the other person feels about the situation is inconsequential to us offering legit forgiveness and moving on. Denial and passive acceptance are not forgiveness. Sometimes it’s easier to ignore what happened and just stay silent about it all. But not confronting an offence or injustice doesn’t mean we have forgiven the jerk who did it. There are people who freak out at any thought of confrontation. They think that if they keep silent to maintain peace, they are doing what’s right. But there is no peace in their hearts. They harbour the hurt and keep all of the negativity bottled up. That’s not beneficial for anyone. Like I said before, forgiveness isn’t easy. Sometimes we have to do what is difficult to achieve real peace and have the relationships that we want. That means there are times where we gotta have the courage to confront for healing’s sake. Maybe if I claim the entire problem, it will just go away. Forgiveness also isn’t blaming ourselves for everything. There are times when we have a part to play in the drama that went down, but saying it’s all our fault all the time doesn’t have anything to do with forgiveness. Even if our bad choices make us major players in the problem, forgiveness can still happen. These kinds of situations may take a little more grace and accepting of our own roles. Reconciled relationships are not always required. Some people
Soul Food | 21
have hurt us in a way that would make a fully reconciled relationship with them a bad idea. If we can tell by their lack of remorse that there’s a good chance they aren’t going to stop doing that hurtful thing, then maybe they should just kick rocks. In this case, I think of people who have been abused physically by another. If someone is a victim of molestation, in no way would we encourage them to be in any kind of relationship with the person who has hurt them. This is the same kind of thing for a person who has no remorse for the rude way they choose to talk to you, or for insults they slam in your direction. Sometimes the best thing for us to do is to forgive the jerks (then stop referring to them as jerks), and pray for them as we allow them to exit stage left, out of our lives.
Letting hate go Out of all of these forgiveness imposters listed above, I can relate the most to not needing a reconciled relationship. This is where I am with my birth mother. I’ve shared a bit about her and the vices that crippled her life. I wish I could say the Lord moved in a mighty way and she now sings in the church choir, or plays first-chair cornet. At this point she is in her early 60s, still caught up in her addiction and—mind bogglingly—still running the streets. Growing up with her was rough to say the least, and I could make a list of her offences that could make even the meanest of Super-Jerks cringe. If anyone has a get-out-of-forgiveness-free card, I do. But that scripture verse from Matthew 6 lets us know that no one haves a getout-of-forgiveness-free card. I lived with my birth mother until I was 15. Not consistently, there were about 35 different foster and group homes sprinkled throughout that time. Most were during third and fourth grade. (So please don’t ask me to multiply or divide. I have no idea how. When most kids are learning those things I was bouncing from place to place, hoping for a safe landing somewhere). Through all my years with my mum, I remember actively hating her—even as early as kindergarten. I moved in with my corps officers (Salvation Army pastors) when I was 15. They granted me asylum from the penitentiary that was my life, and it was because of their removing me from such a crazy environment that I am not on that same trajectory. Them and Jesus, of course. I lived with them for about three years, hating my birth mother the whole time. I worked at a Salvation Army camp and led kids to the Lord while I hated my mother. I met and married my husband while hating my mother. Then I became a mother—and terror shook me. I was scared that I was going to do everything wrong because I had a crackhead for my main example, and even more afraid that my child was going to hate me like I hated my mother. Something had to give … but it didn’t. I kept up my resentment and anger until I was a second year cadet training to become a Salvation Army officer, preparing myself to love and serve the lost— still totally okay with hating my mother. Then the thought of being a hypocrite, standing behind the pulpit and preaching a message of love
We forgive so we can let it go and feel whole. and forgiveness while being content in my discontent was enough for me to face that demon. I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed help to talk about all the things my mum had done and put me though. I saw a counsellor every week, and she helped me work through my mummy issues, and learned to legit forgive my mum and others who had hurt me. At this point, I am confident in saying that I have true and complete forgiveness toward my mother. In that same breath I am just as secure in saying that we will never have a reconciled relationship. Caveat: this isn’t my prescription for everyone, and isn’t really the best solution. It would be better for us to be able to communicate, but she is still a hurtful and abusive person. She is destructive and horribly racist, among other things. As a wife to my handsome black husband and a mother to my beautiful beige babies, it is my duty to protect them, even if that means keeping my mum as far away from them as possible. I pray for her. I am thankful for her releasing me to the care of others. And I hope that one day she truly finds the Lord. My forgiveness for my mum has released me from a tormented past. It guides my steps as a confident mother now (both to my children who have lived in my abdomen and the hundreds of children and young adults I’ve met in the ministry who live in my heart). I know that I’m not her and her mistakes aren’t mine. I am thankful for the freedom that comes with forgiveness and the peace in knowing what forgiveness isn’t. * The list of forgiveness imposters was inspired by: ‘Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling’, by Mark R. McMinn.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER What is holding you back from forgiving those who have hurt you? What have you done to offend or hurt others that you need to seek forgiveness for? Do the Scriptures ever give us an ‘out’ for forgiveness? How will things be different if you are actively a person of forgiveness?
BUY THIS BOOK TODAY!
Order your copy of Love to a Whore’s Daughter (Frontier Press), from Salvationist Resources mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, p: (04) 382 0768, www salvationarmy.org.nz/shop
22 | WarCry 30 April 2016
CALENDAR MAY 2–8: Red Shield Appeal 9–11: Learning & Development Conference / Booth College of Mission 13–15: Women’s Camp (Lower South) / Southern Division 13–15: May Mother and Kids Weekend / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 15: Pentecost Sunday 16–19: Five-year Officer Review / Booth College of Mission 16–20: Officers Retreat (Spiritual Life Development) 18: Spiritual Day / Booth College of Mission 18–22: SpiritSong Rehearsal Camp / Silverstream Retreat Centre 22: Youth Unite Event / Central Division 20–22: Kids Camp (Southern) / Southern Division 30 May–2 June: Brengle Holiness Institute for Local Leaders / BCM
JUNE
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
4–6: National Māori Ministry Hui / Omahu Marae Hastings 20–23: Ten-year Officer Review / Booth College of Mission
1–4 July 2016, Queen Salote Hall, Taufa’ahau Rd, Nuku’alofa with guest leaders General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox
OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 1 May: Ashburton Corps 23–25 May: General’s Consultative Counsel 48 (TC) 27 May-7 June: Governance Review visits to India Western Territory, Sri Lanka Territory, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory (TC) 20–31 May: Visit to India Eastern Territory to view overseas development projects (TPWM) Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 20 May: Jeff Farm 1/2 AGM 22 May: Dunedin City Corps 25–30 May: Tonga Visit
PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Vaini, Vava’u, Waihi, Waitakere Central and Whanganui Corps, The Red Shield Appeal, and The Salvation Army in Liberia.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND 29 SEPTEMBER–02 OCTOBER
salvationarmy.org.nz/now
Crossword Answers: Across: 1 Scholars, 5 Zigzag, 9 Arriving, 10 Pebble, 12 Their, 13 Egyptians, 14 Status, 16 Section, 19 Undress, 21 Polite, 23 Footsteps, 25 Scrub, 26 Centre, 27 Literary, 28 Stress, 29 Enclosed. Down: 1 Starts, 2 Harvested, 3 Lever, 4 Runners, 6 Identical, 7 Zebra, 8 Guessing, 11 Eyes, 15 Treasures, 17 Intervals, 18 Surfaces, 20 Seek, 21 Passion, 22 Obeyed, 24 Owner, 25 Shell. Quiz Answers: 1 Charles Edward Stuart (31/12/1720–31/01/1788), 2 Feijoa, 3 There isn’t one as they are solitary creatures however an area where several live is a colony, 4 Cory Jane, 5 Cana (John 2:1-11)
To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org
The Salvation Army
NATIONAL MĀORI MINISTRY HUI Omahu Marae Hastings 4–6 June 2016
THE SALVATION ARMY NEW ZEALAND, FIJI & TONGA TERRITORY
Words of Life
May to August Available Now The latest edition of The Salvation Army’s daily devotional is available now from Salvationist Resources. The theme is ‘The Purpose of Prayer’. e: mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org or p: (04) 382 0768.
Whakawhanaungatanga
PLAN TO BE THERE Māori Worship Registrations Open Soon Forms available from your Corps Officer or Centre
Hāngī
The Māori Ministry Strategy Plan is called Te Ōhākī to connect the strategy with the ōhākī of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection and at the time of his ascendancy to His Father, Jesus beseeched his disciples: “Therefore go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Come along and join us in our celebration. Nau mai, piki mai, whakatau mai rā, Tihei mauriora. Contact Tau Mataki for more info: Phone 021 703 728, Email: tau_mataki@nzf.salvationarmy.org or Patricia Mataki: Phone 021 478 273, Email: patricia_mataki@nzf.salvationarmy.org
With guest speaker Dame Claudia Orange
Research Fellow at Te Papa Tongarewa and renowned New Zealand historian with a focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Kids Time Talent Quest Tino Rangatiratanga Update
read it ‘Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt.’ Psalm 51:2 (CEV)
let’s talk
King David wrote Psalm 51 after he had done something that was very wrong. David had stolen another man’s wife and had the woman’s husband killed. David’s sin had hurt others and it had hurt his relationship with God. David felt so bad about this. He prayed to God and asked for God to wash his heart clean from all of his sin and guilt. God answered his prayer and so David thanked God for his forgiveness. He also asked God for
good thoughts so that David would always stay faithful to God in the future. David’s heart was dirty, but God made it clean again. And then David asked God to help him to stay clean. God can do the same thing for us! We all have times when we do wrong things, but God helps us to turn away from these sinful thoughts and actions. We can trust Jesus to forgive us because he died on the cross to wash our sins away for ever.
F GH I J K LMN O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z E A B C D
s ins away.
to for gi ve us and take our
God, h e can a lways be t r ust ed
but i f we confess our s ins to
Clue: 1 John 1:9 (GNT) Use the key to work out what the sentence says. Each picture represents one letter.
code breaker
Turn on the tap and see where the water comes out!
Fun4Kids | 23
Hey, look! It’s me, Shieldy. Look for me throughout the magazine. I’m hiding 12 times!
let’s pray Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross to wash away my sins. Help me to always ask for your forgiveness whenever I do something wrong so I will always know I am your friend. Amen.
HELP CATCH KIWIS FALLING INTO DANGER Your donation will help families like Linda’s to get back on their feet.
Call
0800 53 00 00
or give at salvationarmy.org.nz
RED SHIELD APPEAL