War Cry 28 March 2020 by The Salvation Army UK and Ireland

28 March 2020 20p/25c

Best foot forward FATIMA WHITBREAD AND FELLOW CELEBRITIES TAKE ON A TV PILGRIMAGE

From the editor’s desk

What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church

THE lives of millions of people have changed beyond anything they could have imagined just a few weeks ago. Spring is normally associated with new life and new beginnings in the natural world. Many people look forward to getting out and about more, especially during the long Easter bank holiday weekend. However, this year things are significantly different because of the rapid spread of the coronavirus. But perhaps some comfort can be drawn from the fact that spring has still sprung as the natural world continues to follow its seasons – regardless of whatever else may be happening. Some comfort, maybe, but not for the many people in the country who are unwell or struggling with the significant demands of self-isolation. The hope of the War Cry team is that having the opportunity to read this magazine will provide a break in people’s routine and that the uplifting and positive stories we carry will give some relief from the relentless news of the worldwide pandemic. Stories such as Shirley Donovan’s. In this week’s issue, Shirley describes the horrors of being kidnapped at gunpoint and held captive for more than three weeks. That may not sound particularly uplifting, until you read how Shirley’s faith helped her through the situation she faced. And that is the message of the War Cry. In life, we all face difficult situations and sometimes wonder how we will ever get through. But millions of people have found God to be a source of support and comfort, helping them to deal with their difficulties. The Earth’s seasons have not changed despite coronavirus and neither has God. He continues to offer his love and support to all who ask for it – and the War Cry will continue to deliver that message. If you would like to continue to hear the way in which God can make a positive impact in your life but struggle to obtain a copy of the War Cry, you can visit our webpage: salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry or follow us on facebook.com/The WarCryUK or twitter @TheWarCryUK.

What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.

WAR CRY Issue No 7467

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN

Contents

Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies

Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper

Your local Salvation Army centre

FEATURES 3

Following in Fatima’s footsteps

Former Olympian takes part in TV pilgrimage

Kidnapped at gunpoint

Missionaries at the mercy of masked abductors

Singers pitch in

How a vocal group are using their talents for good

Almighty answers required

Podcast explores the questions guests would

put to God

REGULARS 12

Browsing the Bible

Out of the Mouth of Babes and Media

14 Puzzles 15

War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: BBC/CTVC/OLIVER ROSE

2 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

TELEVISION

HE two-time Olympic medallist and former T world champion javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread stepped away from everyday life and

became a pilgrim for two weeks for BBC Two’s Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul. In the first episode of the series, which was broadcast yesterday (27 March), Fatima was joined by journalist Adrian Chiles, former politician Edwina Currie, comedian Dom Joly, actor Pauline McLynn, broadcaster Mim Shaikh and TV presenter Amar Latif. The group members had differing faiths and beliefs but set out together on the pilgrimage across eastern Europe. They walked along the Sultans Trail – a 2,200km modern-day pilgrimage, which starts in Vienna and ends in Istanbul. Formed just over ten years ago, it retraces an ancient path taken by the Ottoman armies when they were attempting to expand their empire. The route has now been transformed into a path of peace, with the aim of promoting tolerance between people of all faiths and none. The pilgrims began their journey in Belgrade, Serbia, and travelled to a monastery and a mosque. Reflecting back on the multifaith aspect of the pilgrimage, Fatima says, ‘I felt at home and at ease with it all.

GOOD FOR THE SOLE

BBC/CTVC/OLIVER ROSE

Adrian Chiles, Fatima Whitbread and Dom Joly walk the Sultans Trail on eastern Europe

FATIMA WHITBREAD tells Sarah Olowofoyeku how walking for 15 days on pilgrimage was an enlightening experience

The other celebrities on the trip were wonderful, and I found it fascinating that, we all, despite being successful in our own walks of life, need religion and faith in our – it was important to each of us.’ Faith has always been important to Fatima. Having been abandoned as a baby, she was introduced to Christianity in the children’s homes that she grew up in. ‘It was really hard for us in the home,’ she says. ‘Everyone was emotionally disturbed, crying for mummy or daddy. But I took on a mother role and used to give love to the other children. One of the ladies who worked in the home was an inspiration to me. She taught me to look after the other kids and about prayer. She was a Christian and gave me a cross on a chain. We went to Sunday

Turn to page 4

➥

Fatima Whitbread 28 March 2020 • WAR cry • 3

Seven celebrities with different faiths and beliefs embark on a pligrimage together

From page 3 school and I started believing and praying, and that became a part of my life.’ She also believes that helping others is part of her role in life. ‘I was taught that in giving you receive, so it’s always been important for me to help others. And in the times we are living in at the moment, if anything can be learnt from the programme it’s that, as a world, we have to become one and work together to support one another.’ On the pilgrimage, it wasn’t always easy to work together, but Fatima recognises that is the nature of being with others. ‘It’s always a challenge when you have a group of people because we’ve got different likes and dislikes. People get “hangry”, and there are times when the accommodation wasn’t what we’d expect it to be at home. But we all rallied round each other. We all had our issues and our own ways of dealing with them, but when you learn how people tick, you can embrace them and that makes life a lot easier. ‘I feel I’ve lived a life with big challenges,’ she adds. ‘But I’ve grown as a person from them as I did from the experience of the pilgrimage.’ Fatima is grateful for the opportunity to have journeyed along the path with her fellow pilgrims. But walking the Sultans Trail also offered her a unique opportunity. ‘The journey took me back to my heritage. Both my biological parents were Turkish,’ she

4 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

explains. ‘When I was an athlete I always actively avoided going to Istanbul, but part of what drew me to the pilgrimage was the opportunity to visit there. I asked to meet a family and it showed me what life might have been like if I’d been brought up in a Turkish family. I was quite overwhelmed and a lot of things came rushing back from my past. ‘I’ve lived with being abandoned and left to die as a baby for years, and so to go back to where my biological parents came from was a good thing. It gave

I’ve grown as a person from this experience me closure. I’m grateful to the programme because I’ve benefitted greatly from that.’ While she was almost sixty years old before visiting Turkey, she was able to cope with her difficult childhood experiences as she grew up through sports and her faith. ‘Sport was one of my saviours in school, it enabled me to compete on a level with my peers, and to feel confident and good about myself. My belief also balanced out what I’d been through in the fundamental years of my life and it has stayed with me since,’ she says. ‘I believe that God deemed it right for me to have my life start in the way that it did and I believe that each of us have to deal with our experiences in the best way possible. For me, religion is very much a part of that and always has been. I pray every day. It gives me peace within myself and serves my soul – for me that is the most important thing.’

INTERVIEW

‘We all thought we were going to die that day’ SHIRLEY DONOVAN tells Emily Bright about the horrific experience of being kidnapped at gunpoint CALAMITOUS crashing woke medical A missionaries Shirley and David Donovan in their remote accomodation

in the Niger Delta. For 14 years, the pair had run a medical mission for remote riverine communities through evangelical medical mission New Foundations. In all that time they had never experienced anything like this. In the pitch black of night, Shirley listened to the sounds of intruders as they marched closer and closer and raided the rooms of fellow missionaries Alanna Carson and Ian Squire. ‘We heard the horrific noise of banging and shouting as a door near us finally gave in. We knew we would be next,’ she says. ‘Their faces were covered with black balaclavas so we could only see their eyes. They came bursting through our door with torchlights which shone straight in our faces. They had huge AK-47s and pump action shotguns. ‘They were very aggressive and violent as they marched us all out of the compound. It was the rainy season, so we were squelching

through the mud,’ she says. ‘They pushed us through the fields to the riverside and put us on a boat. ‘I started praying inwardly. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening but a strange calm fell on us. We did what we were told, there was no crying and no speaking. We just thought: “Okay, there’s no way out of this, we’ll have to rely on God.”’ Racing down the River Niger, the speedboat eventually landed at a small jetty miles from any civilisation. Clambering onto the platform, the hostages collapsed onto mattresses covered with mosquito nets. Totally drained of all energy, they slept. As dawn broke, their kidnappers approached and asked them what they needed. The hostages asked for bread, nuts and biscuits. Ian boldly requested a Bible and reading glasses. Amazingly, their captors returned with all the items, including a small red pocket Bible. ‘They also brought Ian’s guitar, which was really odd. Someone suggested that we should sing a chorus to lift our spirits. Ian played “Amazing Grace” and we all sang it together,’ recalls Shirley. Suddenly, the unthinkable happened.

They had huge AK-47s and pump action shotguns

Turn to page 6

➥

28 March 2020 • War Cry • 5

From page 5 ‘When Ian stood to walk towards us, a volley of shots rang out. He fell forward into our laps. I thought he’d fainted and patted his back. Then I saw he had been shot.’ Ian was killed by the gang’s leader, who was known as the General. Diving from the platform into floodwater, the hostages tried to hide from their captors. But the General spotted them. ‘He came with the gun he’d shot Ian with and told us to get up out of the water and keep quiet,’ Shirley remembers. ‘For the rest of that day, we were lying on our backs with Ian’s blood all over us. They interrogated us and made threats that if David didn’t answer their questions, they’d shoot him in the legs. They were taunting Alanna that she’d become one of their wives.’ In the immediate aftermath of Ian’s death, Shirley says they all entered a state of shock. ‘It felt like our minds got wiped, and we couldn’t process anything. We were very angry at our captors and, if we could have got hold of a gun, we would have shot them.’ Their kidnappers later demanded an impossible ransom of 1 billion naira, the equivalent of £2.3 million. During this time the captives sought support from each other and the Bible. Shirley said that the Bible had a transformative impact on the three missionaries. ‘It is a supernatural book. When we read the Bible out loud, it was like our minds were cleaned and washed by God’s word.’ During their ordeal, the missionaries prayed fervently to God for their freedom. But, as Shirley remembers, God seemed to have other ideas. ‘Within 24 hours we felt God saying not to pray for deliverance from the situation but instead to pray for deliverance in it. ‘He was clear. We had to forgive our captors or we would not survive the ordeal. We consciously prayed out loud for forgiveness for them so they could hear us praying for them.

6 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

‘It was a battle because the men were all on drugs and they were irrational, angry and threatening. But God said clearly: “Do not look away from them and do not be afraid.” So we turned to face them.’ When the gang toyed with the trio, threatening to shoot them, Shirley was emboldened by her faith in God to stand up to them. ‘I said: “Look, if you’re going to shoot us, shoot us. But don’t play with us like this.” ‘I also said: “We are freer than you are. You think you’ve got us captive but we’re free because we’ve got our God and we don’t feel afraid of you anymore.”’ The missionaries even felt compelled to offer Bible studies to their kidnappers, and by the 21st day of their captivity, they had shared the entire Bible with their captors. The missionaries quickly realised that they had nothing left to say. Their living situation was becoming increasingly untenable with food supplies running low. They heard nothing for days after they had met an intermediator who was going to try to negotiate their release. They had no idea whether the ransom demand could be met and they feared that the General would simply cut his losses and kill them. ‘We looked around and thought: “They can’t sustain us here, this is really the end. They’re either going to have to shoot us or let us go.” We all thought we were going to die that day.’ During the ordeal, their captors played sexualised music 24 hours a day on stolen phones. They often took drugs, which would wear off in the morning and create an argumentative and aggressive atmosphere. But suddenly, on the final morning of their 22-day ordeal, the atmosphere changed. ‘Out of the blue, everything stopped,’ Shirley remembers.

We had to forgive our captors or we would not survive the ordeal

INTERVIEW

Shirley and David held health clinics in Nigeria ‘Their music and arguments stopped and a clear beautiful voice, presumably coming through the phone’s music player, sung the Christian worship lyrics: “God will make a way today.”’ As twilight faded into night, the gang punted two boats towards the pontoon. As the three captives got onto the boat life, vests were thrust into their hands, a precautionary measure which Shirley thought strange after shooting one of the group. After about an hour, the boat stopped.

Shirley recalls: ‘They pulled the covers off our heads and removed our vests and said: “Go, go, go.” We hadn’t been allowed to stand up for the whole three weeks so we could barely walk. We scrambled up the embankment to people with their hands out and they pulled us up. ‘There were private army trucks and a big 4x4 with a leather interior and air conditioning waiting for us. And would you believe it, God had made a way that day.’ Last year, Shirley and David published a book called Counting the Cost to share how their faith sustained them throughout their ordeal. Shirley explains that they quickly learnt that they had to rely on God in their darkest moments. ‘When we were kidnapped, we lost our freedom, we lost our self-direction and we lost our choice. God showed us that we had to rely on him. He became our deliverer in that situation. ‘I want to give a testimony of how real God was during that time. He is enough and we can depend on the living God as a reality.’

l Counting the Cost: Kidnapped in the Niger Delta is published by Christian Focus

28 March 2020 • War Cry • 7

t c e f r e p Pitch SING only their voices, five guys from Birmingham U have performed on stages all over the world. The boys, Midé, Joe N, Josh, Joe B and Joe H, first met at

THE SONS OF PITCHES talk to Sarah Olowofoyeku about the career that is just right for them

university when they all joined a singing society called The Sons of Pitches. In 2015, they entered BBC Two’s Naked Choir show with a group of the same name. The programme was hosted by Gareth Malone and singing groups went voice-to-voice against each other. What Naked Choir was specifically for a cappella made the show unique was that all the groups. It was also specifically about groups performed a cappella. arranging songs under pressure during the When they were on the programme, some show, which was something we were used to of the boys had graduated from university doing, so it was a no-brainer.’ while others were still completing their Throughout the process, they didn’t know studies. ‘I was doing my finals whilst we who they were up against as the groups were filming the show,’ says Josh. were hidden away from each other. They Despite having to juggle between studies also didn’t get to hear the other groups and singing, the boys are convinced their featured in the show or get to see any of the opportunity on the television came at just the programmes. right time. As a result, they had no idea how well ‘It was perfect for us,’ Joe B explains. they were getting on in the competition. It ‘We’d always thought in the past about was a considerable shock to them when they auditioning for other TV shows, but The were crowned champions. ‘It was a bit bizarre,’ says Josh. ‘I remember being told we’d won on stage and we were all speechless. A few of us were welling up. After that, it was the first time any of us had encountered the surreal feeling of of walking down the street and being recognised.

8 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

It was absolutely life-changing, and the best thing that ever happened to us as a group.’ Although there was no offer of a record deal or a large sum of money for winning the show, the experience and exposure they gained were priceless. ‘We got a trophy and a nice cuddle from Gareth Malone, but the main thing is that it shot off our career,’ says Joe N. ‘We now get to do what we love and sing every day.’ Since hitting the right note on The Naked Choir, the boys have performed at the NEC Birmingham, the Hong Kong International A Cappella Festival and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They have also embarked on five UK tours. ‘We do a mix of covers and originals,’ says Joe B. ‘The tours we do are themed, so recently we did one called Around the World. The majority of those songs are covers, but it’s world music. And in that set, we do a traditional worship song called ‘King of Kings’ by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.’ While Joe B emphasises that they’re not a Christian group, he recognises the Christian faith as something ‘that’s important to a lot of us’. Midé, the group’s beatboxer, says: ‘I got a grasp on beatboxing when I was about 16 and I always prayed that I’d be able to use it. And then this opportunity came out of nowhere, and I don’t feel like I could have done that by myself. This experience has been one big blessing. ‘Music is one of the first things that anyone really comprehends,’ he adds. ‘From age zero, I think babies react better to music than they do to anything else. And you build up nostalgia with it, whether it’s songs from your childhood, or songs from a game. You study to music, you listen to it when you’re feeling sad. Music can have a really profound effect on people.’ ‘We don’t do religious performances,’ says Joe B. ‘But we love the community feel, so we have done Christian festivals and public performances in churches.’

INTERVIEW

Music can have a really profound effect on people Joe H says: ‘Our shows are very familyfriendly and inclusive. A lot of us have strong Christian morals so that has shaped where we are now.’ These values come through as the boys do more than just performances. ‘We do workshops with church communities and church choirs, as well as schools. We love to spread our gift with as many people as possible,’ says Joe H. Both passing on their talents and performing is something that the boys feel privileged to do. ‘Often we’re quite surprised that our music has affected people so much,’ says Joe B. ‘Coming off stage and hearing somebody say to you that a specific song or chord structure meant something special to them is amazing.’ Josh, Joe B, Joe N, Joe H, Midé

28 March 2020 • War Cry • 9

Honest to God ELL-known guests. Killed ‘W off. Arrive in Heaven. Three questions for God.’ Matt White typed

these four short sentences into his phone, thinking they might be a good idea for a podcast one day. Then he forgot about them and went about his usual business as a development executive for a TV production company. ‘A few weeks later, I met a podcast producer called Joel Porter from Dot Dot Dot Productions and we got chatting,’ says Matt. ‘I told him I was thinking of starting a podcast and that I’d like to pick his brains about what sort of equipment I would need. He asked me what my podcast idea was and I told him. Then we finished our conversation and off he went. ‘A few weeks later, Joel contacted me and said: “Don’t worry about buying any equipment for your

Matt White

10 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

MATT WHITE tells Claire Brine why podcast guests are dying to ask questions

podcast. I’m going to produce it for you.” So last year we released ten episodes of God Only Knows and we are about to launch the second series.’ Matt explains how the podcast works. ‘I invite interesting people to come into the studio and straight away I kill them off – metaphorically of course. Then, they step out of the eternal elevator and end up at the entrance to Heaven, ready to submit three questions to God. ‘The two key things about the podcast are that we don’t specify who or what God is before the guests come in, and nor do we define what Heaven is. Those decisions are up to them. So we discuss what they imagine God and Heaven

might be like, and then they put forward their three questions.’ It seems that no question is off limits. Comedian Bec Hill wanted to ask the Almighty why men have nipples. Investigative journalist Ellie Flynn questioned the criteria for getting into Heaven. Presenter Patrick Kielty asked God: ‘Why do you pretend to be real?’ There is one element of the show that is particularly important to Matt. ‘We don’t try to answer the guests’ questions during our conversation,’ he explains. ‘The podcast simply explores why they might ask such questions. As we chat, each guest has the chance to talk about their life, their work and their own view on faith and religion – if they want to. I don’t have an agenda other than to listen. The whole direction of the conversation is guided by their questions.’ While some of Matt’s guests on God Only Knows share his Christian faith, many have been atheist or agnostic. But although their views on the afterlife may differ, Matt and his guests all have one thing in common: the desire to voice their unanswered questions. ‘In my experience, conversations about life and death happen all the time – whether people have faith or not,’ says Matt. ‘So if I’m going to host a podcast which invites conversations about life and the universe and how we should live, then I’ve got to invite everyone to be part of those conversations and not just other Christians. I want to create a space for people where they can ask anything.’ Sometimes the conversations Matt shares with his guests take a surprising turn. Often they laugh together. But on

INTERVIEW

many occasions, guests have opened up about their personal difficulties, which Matt considers a privilege to listen to. ‘When a guest tells a deeply personal story, I get goosebumps,’ he says. ‘I remember comedian Aurie Styla talking about how he lost lots of money in a business venture and how it affected his mental health. Earlier this month, he tweeted about being on the podcast, saying it “made me realise things about myself I have never verbalised until I was a guest”. ‘The podcast is about giving people a space to talk and sometimes they want to ask the difficult questions. But there’s a lot of beauty in those types of questions because they are so genuine. And if God is as loving and all-knowing as Christians believe he is, then he is surely big enough to deal with people’s bitterness, their disappointment, their sadness and certainly their questions.’ After months of listening to guests on his podcast describing how they see God, Matt’s own understanding of God has developed. ‘Everyone who comes on God Only Knows teaches me something,’ he says. ‘I used to have a very orthodox view of

where everyone is invited and there’s a seat for everyone too. All around, people are trying new foods for the first time, sharing and swapping plates. I get the feeling that Heaven is going to be quite amazing.’

l The second series of God Only Knows is released on Monday 30 March and is available on iTunes, Acast, Apple, Spotify and Google

Comedians Patrick Kielty and Bec Hill have featured on the podcast

STEVE ULLA THORNE

God, but right now I think I’m undoing that and making room for something else. Through this podcast and other conversations I’m having, my experience of God is transforming and I think that’s positive. ‘But while I struggle to imagine what God is like, I do have a very clear picture of Heaven. There’s a gigantic table

Shutterstock.com

When a guest tells a deeply personal story, I get goosebumps

28 March 2020 • War Cry • 11

EXPLORE Prayerlink THE War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

Becoming a Christian There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book in the Scriptures

Philemon HE apostle Paul’s letter to a man T called Philemon is personal and unlike his other letters in the New Testament.

Paul is elderly and he writes from prison in Rome. The story so far is that one of Philemon’s slaves, Onesimus, who originally came from Colossae, ran away from his master, met Paul while he was in prison and became a Christian. Although Paul would like to keep him, he is sending him back to Colossae and Philemon. He now writes, in effect pleading for Onesimus’ life. The Roman Empire was founded on the backs of slaves and supported by slavery. Under Roman law, a slave was the master’s property. An escaped slave was regarded as a fugitive and a thief (effectively stealing himself from his master). If caught, a runaway slave would be punished and branded, or, if the master chose, killed. Now that the slave and the master have experienced the same new life through faith in Christ, Paul asks Philemon to treat Onesimus not according to his legal right but rather with Christian mercy. Just as Onesimus has become as dear as a son to Paul (10), now that he is a brother

in the faith, Philemon, should treat him as a brother and not as a slave (16 and 17). Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus as ‘you would welcome me’ (17). With a cheeky reminder that Philemon owes him his own life, Paul tells him that if he has suffered any financial loss because of Onesimus’ temporary absence, he will recompense him in full (18 and 19). To modern ears, the concept of slavery is appalling. Why, we wonder, did Christians have slaves? Why didn’t Paul teach that

An escaped slave was regarded as a fugitive and a thief

Christians should release their slaves and that slavery was an offence to God and to humanity? In other letters, Paul does challenge the status quo in his advice to Christian slave owners, reminding them that God has no favourites, they are to respect their slaves and not threaten them (Ephesians 6:9). They are to provide slaves with ‘what is right and fair’ (Colossians 4:1). Rather than deal with what modern-day readers would regard as a political or humanitarian issue, Paul focuses on the change in attitudes , us im es On n so my and actions that should be evident in ‘I appeal to you for s’ ain ile I was in ch the life of everyone who becomes a who became my son wh ) on ational Versi ern Int follower of Jesus Christ. w Ne 10 n mo ile (Ph

Key verse

Looking for help? Just complete this coupon and send it to War Cry 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army Contact details of a Salvation Army minister

12 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

Name Address

quick quiz 1

Victoria Beckham was known as which member of the Spice Girls?

What does a caterpillar change into before it becomes an adult butterfly?

Who wrote a series of crime novels featuring the fictional character Detective Sergeant Rebus?

a 4

Who played the friendly TV presenter Mr Rogers in the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood?

In which Egyptian city is the Great Sphinx statue?

How many days does it take for the planet Mercury to orbit the sun? ANSWERS

EXPRESSIONS

Rosemary Dawson on the life lessons she has learnt from young children

Looking for God indebted to my good friend Sandra for this story that features her I’M daughter Carolyn. During a family holiday in the Dales, Carolyn – then about six years old – wan-

dered off on her own while the family were browsing in a shop. When they realised she wasn’t there, panic set in. Mum, dad, big brothers and little sister set off in different directions to find her. Eventually she was spotted coming out of a nearby church, and reunited with her very relieved family. ‘What on earth did you go in there for?’ her mother asked, to which Carolyn replied with great dignity: ‘I was looking for God.’ It seemed perfectly logical to her child’s mind to expect to find God in a church. Where else would he be but in what some grown-ups call the house of God? Now a mum herself, Carolyn knows that God is not limited to a building, however old or beautiful. He is wherever we choose to call on him and ask for his help – a garden, a park, a crowded bus or train, an office or a hospital ward. She has learnt this for herself through many difficult times, including a long struggle with cancer. Jesus tells us, ‘Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened’ (Matthew 7:7-8 New Living Translation). The secret must be, keep on looking for God.

1. Posh Spice. 2. Pupa. 3. Ian Rankin. 4. Tom Hanks. 5. Giza. 6. 88.

MEDIA

ALED JONES visits the Salvation Army site which inspired the Beatles hit ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, in BBC One’s Songs of Praise tomorrow (29 March). Beatles member John Lennon grew up near the site and played in the grounds of what was then a Salvation Army children’s home. The church and charity has since converted the site into a visitor attraction and training hub. Aled meets with mission director Major Kathy Versfeld to hear more about the heritage of Strawberry Field, John Lennon’s links with the grounds and how the centre is offering a Christian place of contemplation. He also talks to trainees on the Steps to Work Programme, which takes place at the training hub to help those with learning difficulties develop new skills and find employment.

28 March 2020 • WAR cry •13

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Pitman (5) 4. Scoundrel (5) 8, 19. Australian swimmer (3, 6) 9. Pry (5) 10. Foot-operated lever (5) 11. Lubricant (3) 12. Uniform (5) 13. Swiss city (7) 16. Christian festival (6) 19. See 8 across 23. Diver (7) 26. Let (5) 28. Elver (3) 29. Motorcyclist (5) 30. African antelope (5) 31. Relations (3)

HONEYCOMB

32. George _____ , jazz singer (5) 33. Written paper (5) DOWN 2. Loop with running knot (5) 3. Clever reply (7) 4. Mounds (6) 5. Savoury jelly (5) 6. Sea duck (5) 7. Worth (5) 9. Walk sideways (5)

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

HONEYCOMB 7

6 2

9 2 8

9 1

8 1

Wordsearch BABY ANIMAL BLOSSOM BULB DAFFODIL EASTER EQUINOX GARDEN GROWTH NEWBORN PICNIC RABBIT RAIN RAINBOW REJUVENATE RESURRECTION ROBIN SUNSHINE VIBRANT

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these words associated with Spring

3 5 8 2 1 7 4 9 6 B D G N Z D V M E R R H Z Q O X J J 1 6 9 3 8 4 7 2 5 I R P L H K E S E Z R Z Q Y K S D Q 7 4J Y B K N Y V W G M O 2 9 5 6 1 8 3 F C T C P Z V T V Y Z N E U Q O V Q Y P T Q W Y M 9 8 7 4 3 2 6 5 1 N C B P L V W N M I C Q G F B S T P 5 1 4 8 T R D S Q T R F 6 9 2 3 7 O I I L E E O N K E I D B N P Q A 6 2J E P O V 3 1 7 F 5 E H D T 8 4 9 V T Q A O C U W S I W Q Z A N O M D D 4 U Y T H W B Q N X T U M 3 6 5 2 1 9 7 8 C T B F R I E C Y Y F N P H B E Y F H F J A C Z 2 7 5 6 9 8 3 1 4 R Z A Y S O R G K S R A I N N Z L Q 8 9 1 7 4 3 5 6 2 M R A N H X X D O A S Q Z U C Y N W U Q I Q X N V I B R A N T O C W V N S N M N W X M V L W D I H U V O I U E R A B B I T B Q T E E W P U Q T S R E L S M O S S O L B N N E U P T I T U P F J O W C X J M E F H V P D W B S Z U J T L D M P X S L O M T H D

Wordsearch Wordsearch Wordsearch Wordsearch

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Miner. 4. Knave. 8. Ian. 9. Snoop. 10. Pedal. 11. Oil. 12. Dress. 13. Lucerne. 16. Easter. 19. Thorpe. 23. Frogman. 26. Lease. 28. Eel. 29. Biker. 30. Eland. 31. Kin. 32. Melly. 33. Essay. DOWN: 2. Noose. 3. Riposte. 4. Knolls. 5. Aspic. 6. Eider. 7. Value. 9. Sidle. 14. Ego. 15. Nap. 17. Air. 18. Tag. 20. Hellene. 21. Emend. 22. Sneaky. 23. Fable. 24. Oakum. 25. Moral. 27. Amass. HONEYCOMB 1. Cheese. 2. Ninety. 3. Rabbit. 4. Hobble. 5. Bishop. 6. Grease.

1 5 6 3 4 7 2 9 8

7 6 5 1 8 4 9 3 2

4 9 2 7 6 3 5 8 1

3 8 1 5 9 2 6 4 7

5 3 9 8 2 6 1 7 4

6 1 7 4 3 5 8 2 9

2 4 8 9 7 1 3 5 6

SUDOKU SOLUTION

14 • War Cry • 28 March 2020

Wordsearch

Answers

14. Self (3) 15. Short sleep (3) 17. Tune (3) 18. Label (3) 20. Greek (7) 21. Edit (5) 22. Furtive (6) 23. Tale with 25 down (5) 24. Fibre from untwisted ship’s ropes (5) 25. Ethical (5) 27. Gather (5)

SUDOKU

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Made from pressed curds 2. The product of 9 and 10 3. Long-eared burrowing mammal 4. Walk awkwardly 5. Senior member of clergy 6. Oily lubricant

by Chris Horne

1 1

8 9

RECIPES

Grilled salmon and potato rainbow salad 1tbsp low-fat natural yoghurt 6 small cauliflower florets, blanched for 1 minute

1tsp lemon juice

4 stems purple sprouting broccoli

1tsp dried tarragon

½ lemon, zest 1tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

3 stems rainbow chard, trimmed

½ roasted red pepper

2tsp ground turmeric 2tsp rapeseed oil 1 salmon fillet Serves

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Sprinkle 1tsp of turmeric and 1tsp of oil over the cauliflower, broccoli and chard and roast in a suitable tray for 20 minutes.

Salt and pepper 4 new potatoes, quartered Watercress

Crushed new potatoes with salmon 6tbsp fresh herbs, chopped, plus extra to garnish 1 lime, rind 4tbsp virgin olive oil 2 salmon fillets, skinned 400g Maris Piper potatoes, scrubbed and quartered 1 garlic clove, crushed Salt and cracked black pepper

In a bowl, mix together half the herbs with the lime rind and 1tbsp oil and use to coat the fillets. Cover the fish and place in the fridge for later. Place the potatoes in a pan of lightly salted water and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, cover the salmon with the remaining turmeric and season well. Preheat the grill to high and cook the salmon for 3 minutes on each side. Set aside. Add the potatoes to a pan of hot water. Cook for 15 minutes, or until soft and drain. Leave to cool. Mix the yoghurt, lemon juice, zest and tarragon together with the remaining oil until smooth to make the dressing. Season with the salt and pepper. Toss all the other ingredients, apart from the salmon, into a bowl. Place the salmon fillet on top of the salad, to serve.

Heat 1tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and cook the salmon for 3 minutes on each side. Drain the potatoes and coarsely crush with the remaining oil, some Serves of the herbs, the garlic and seasoning. Divide the potatoes between two plates and top with the fish. Garnish with the remaining herbs, to serve.

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board website lovepotatoes.co.uk

28 March 2020 • WAR cry •15

The Lord is compassionate

and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with

unfailing

Psalm 103:8 (New Living Translation)