Helping the Army
WONDER WOMEN P.12
Tackling Nazism
RESISTANCE P.10
Confronting COVID-19
CARING PORTRAITS P.21
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
NOVEMBER 2020
“One Day At a Time”
CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR JOE KNYPSTRA’S FAITH HELPS HIM MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. P.16
Out of Focus? Anyone who wears glasses or contact lenses can attest to how easy it is to lose your eyesight. Over time, your vision can deteriorate so gradually you don’t even notice. It takes regular examinations to keep your sight perfectly attuned. So it is with faith. Faith by itself can become stagnant. Only by opening yourself to others, practising acts of charity and kindness, attending church and studying the Bible can your faith stay focused in the way God intended.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”—2 Peter 1:5-7 Need help in keeping your spiritual eyesight 20/20 in 2020? Visit our website (www.faithandfriends.ca), contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 or visit your nearest Salvation Army church.
November 2020
VOLUME 23 NUMBER 11
COMMON GROUND 5 Serving From Both Sides
of the Counter The people at Sally’s Kitchen are a blessing to Paula Geister. SOMEONE CARES 8 Eating Humble Pies
Jill Boville decided to help people affected by COVID-19. FAITH BUILDERS
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10 Resistance Is Not Futile
Movie tells the story of Marcel Marceau’s fight against the Nazis. FEATURES
Helping the Army
WONDER WOMEN P.12
Tackling Nazism
RESISTANCE P.10
Tackling COVID-19
CARING PORTRAITS P.21
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
NOVEMBER 2020
12
“One Day At a Time”
CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR JOE KNYPSTRA’S FAITH HELPS HIM MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. P.16
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COVER STORY 21
Wonder Women
Four young women were worth their weight in gold to The Salvation Army.
“One Day at a Time”
Concentration camp survivor’s faith helps him maintain a positive outlook on life.
Rising to the Challenge
Canada’s health-care workers have tackled COVID-19 head-on. FAMILY TIME 25 The Apology
When Jeanette Levellie offended her teenage grandson, God gave her the courage to ask for forgiveness. LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin
Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search.
21
NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Winter Is Coming …
… so here are three tips to thrift the coat you need. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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Faith&Friends
FROM THE EDITOR
Caring Connections
W
hile interviewing health-care professionals on the front lines of COVID-19 for this month’s Faith & Friends, writer Kimberly McIntyre was deeply touched by their dedication. “All health-care areas have been affected,” she says. “And learning how different professions and fields have coped in the face of COVID-19 was eyeopening and at times heart-wrenching.” During an interview, one health-care worker remarked to Kimberly, “We want the best for our patients. I hope every one of your readers knows that. Even through these hard times, we still care.” Read Kimberly’s story on page 21. Caring of a different type was displayed by four summer placement students who were assigned to The Salvation Army’s North Toronto Community Church. Not content with their assignments, the four eagerly completed some projects on their own initiative that benefited not only the North Toronto congregation but the wider community as well. “Folashade Oguntuga, Kyuhee Lee, Jodi Bosley and Phylicia Earl: you’re going to want to take note of those names,” says writer Linda Dixon. “They are the names of future leaders in years to come. Watch for them.” As well, in this issue of Faith & Friends, you’ll also see how a concentration camp survivor has kept a positive outlook on life through war and peace. Ken Ramstead
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Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.
Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS
Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR
Brandon Laird SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Hannah Saley DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR
Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR
Leigha Vegh STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER
Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131
Faith&Friends
COMMON GROUND
Serving From Both Sides of the Counter The people I’ve met at Sally’s Kitchen are more of a blessing to me than I could ever be to them. by Paula Geister
The Kitchen Help Paula Geister (right) with one of seven “Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry” teams that serve at Sally’s Kitchen
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ometime during the spring of 2003, I volunteered to join a team that came in once a month to prep and serve food at Sally’s Kitchen, The Salvation Army’s soup kitchen in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Salvation Army has a reputation for helping people through activities I believe in. People I know personally have benefited from children’s afterschool programs, emergency disaster services, and food baskets at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
The people who come to Sally’s work, don’t work, live alone, have families, eat a lot or eat just a little. Being able to get one hot meal in 24 hours has been the case for some. Others come in because they’re trying to stretch their grocery money. I saw right away from behind the counter that the kitchen has its “regulars.” They’re all different, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of them over the years. But that started by simply asking someone his or her name.
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COMMON GROUND
Special Apron Paula’s teammate created a made-to-order apron that not only helps her stay clean while prepping and serving food, but showcases the Autism Awareness official artwork
Alan Not everyone who comes to Sally’s wants conversation. But there was Alan. I sat across from him one day during my break and we engaged in some small talk. “Sure was nice to get all that rain,” I said. “The farmers needed it.” “I don’t like the rain,” Alan countered. “We have to find shelter inside and sometimes we get kicked out, even if it’s a vacant building.” Alan went on to tell me other difficulties he and some friends had finding a home when they had none. He got choked up telling me about a friend who’d died alone in one of those vacant buildings. Up until then, I’d been sympathetic to the problem of homelessness, but Alan made it real to me.
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Val Not everyone has a sad story about why they come to eat. Sometimes they sit with friends to gab and catch up on each other’s lives. People like Val are fun to be with. She works as a home health aide and likes cookies. Whenever we serve cookies, Val asks, without fail, for two. I tell her, without fail, “Everyone gets one cookie.” She grumbles, albeit with a smile, then I see her in the dining room with a stack of cookies on her tray. Her friends come through. That’s something else I love about the kitchen—the fellowship. But people come and go. We lose track of some. Others we know will be there again tomorrow. I can talk about them like this
I think the best thing God did for me as I’ve served over the years is teach me how to better love my neighbour. PAULA GEISTER because I’m now a regular! Circumstances kept me away from the dining room for about a week and when the dishwasher asked about my absence, he said, “We haven’t seen you in a while. I wondered if you’re OK.” I can’t tell you how much I felt cared for in that moment. Loving Her Neighbour Folks at Sally’s are like family. When we haven’t seen a Sally’s regular for a while, we try to find out if they’re OK. Usually, they’re fine, but it’s always nice to know. Some ask, “How are you?” and really mean it. We take care of one another. We’re a special community. God led me to serve at the kitchen
and now I have a passion for it. I’m grateful for opportunities to learn to be more flexible, to chill out, to learn teamwork, to realize that my way isn’t the only way. However, I think the best thing God did for me as I’ve served over the years is teach me how to better love my neighbour. That’s one of the best lessons anyone can learn. I’ve learned to love them no matter their situation and regardless of their skin colour, age, level of education or anything else by which I might have judged them before I started volunteering at The Salvation Army. God is still teaching me and I’m grateful for that. Whichever side of the counter I’m on, I want to keep learning. And loving.
(left) Paula Geister serves her church by writing small group studies based on the weekly sermons. She’s also a grandmother and “mom” to two pets, Scout the rabbit and Rennie the gecko.
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Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
Eating Humble Pies When Jill Boville decided to help people affected by COVID-19, the baker never expected her actions to ripple out into the community. by Ken Ramstead
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ike so many, Jill Boville, owner of Jill’s Humble Pies in Oshawa, Ont., found her life grinding to a halt earlier this year because of COVID-19. But rather than lament over the state of the world, the baker and piano teacher decided to do something to make the world—or at least her little part of it—a better place. Fair Is Fair “I started hearing from people who were struggling,” she says. “I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. That’s not
No Pie in the Sky Baker extraordinaire Jill Boville is serious about making a difference during COVID-19
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how God created us to be. We’re supposed to treat others with compassion. We’re not here to judge; we’re here to love.” So in March, Jill starting asking people through her Jill’s Humble Pies Facebook page—as well as family, friends and acquaintances— if they could donate food items. The response surprised even her. “The outpouring was incredible,” she says. “More than 1,800 items of food were donated.” Now, the question was how to dis-
tribute the food—much of it baked goods cooked by Jill herself—to those who needed it the most. Jill naturally thought of The Salvation Army. “I was born and bred there,” she says, “so it’s a big part of my life. I attend Oshawa Temple and I have a lot of friends that belong to the Army.” Jill brought all the donated items to Oshawa Temple’s food bank. So much was donated that Jill was able to bring food items to The Salvation Army’s food banks in Whitby, Ont., and Bowmanville, Ont., as well. “I wanted to be fair,” she smiles. Chalking Up Success Encouraged, Jill started collecting for seniors in Salvation Army and other long-term care facilities. “We knew many families couldn’t get in to give their loved ones shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and so on,” Jill explains. “We assembled more than a hundred care packs and delivered them to some of the homes.” Not content with that, Jill started preparing personal hygiene bags— consisting of face cloths, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and lip balm—for those suffering from homelessness, which she sent to Leigh Rowney, director of The Salvation Army’s community and family services in Oshawa. “We assembled 80 bags and they all went that first night,” Jill smiles. Jill also prepared kids’ packs for
those who go to the food banks with their parents or live on the streets. “They need some encouragement, so we set up packs for all different ages with colouring books, crayons and sidewalk chalk.” What Can I Do Today? Jill was doing this out of the goodness of her heart. However, she never imagined that her actions would ripple out into the community. People from all over Ontario have contacted her to inquire how they can participate. They started telling Jill, “I’ve never felt so good before, being able to help people.” Others asked her, “What else can we do?” “The encouragement I am getting from them is a constant, but the encouragement that they’re all receiving from giving and being part of something greater is just spectacular,” Jill says. “This one person, in particular, told me, ‘You’ve given me a new lease on life. I’m excited to wake up each morning and think, What can I do today for somebody?’ ” Jill replied, “That’s just great! You can give a bar of soap or you could give a hundred bars of soap, and you’re still giving the same kind of blessing.” “The church doors may be closed or partially closed,” Jill concludes, “but this is as much church to me as anything. This is what church should be.”
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FAITH BUILDERS
Life-andDeath Lesson Marcel Marceau (Jesse Eisenberg) teaches his charges the power of silence
Resistance Is Not Futile Second World War movie tells the story of Marcel Marceau’s fight against the Nazis. by Ken Ramstead
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ous honours accorded to him by an admiring public, was a wartime story of heroism and resistance. On the Run Resistance, fittingly, is the title of the new movie dealing with Marcel Marceau during the Second World War. Played by Jesse Eisenberg, Marcel Mangel, as he was then, was the son of a Jewish butcher who dreamed of becoming a mime artist, inspired by a Charlie Chaplin movie he had seen as a youngster. Self-centred on his career, Marcel at first refuses to
Photos: Courtesy of IFC Films
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he world knows Marcel Marceau as a legendary mime, internationally renowned for his artistry and skill. He could move audiences to laughter and tears without uttering a single word and was known as the “master of silence.” Marcel received an Emmy award, was declared a “national treasure” by Japan, served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations, and was made an officer of France’s Legion of Honour. But before the acclaim and the accolades, before the performances all over the world, before the numer-
help his brother, Alain (Félix Moati), and best friend, Emma (Clémence Poésy), deal with dozens of Jewish immigrant children escaping Nazi Germany. But he soon discovers his humanity while dealing with the refugees, and he uses his pantomime skills to help them forget the horrors they had been through. With the onset of the Second World War, the fall of France and the eventual German occupation of the entire country, Marcel and his friends realize that resistance is the only way they can make a difference and save the hundreds of children in their care. Marcel and his brother take the last name of Marceau in honour of a general of the French Revolution, all the while eluding the ruthless Gestapo agent Klaus Barbie (Matthias Schweighöfer), known as the Butcher of Lyon. As part of the French Boy and Girl Scouts, Marcel, Alain and Mila (Vica Kerekes) head to the French Alps with the aim of bringing as many children as they can to the safety of neutral Switzerland. But with Barbie and a Gestapo death squad hot on their heels, their backs against a deep ravine, will they make it? In Harm’s Way The experience of the war and the persecution of his fellow Jews brought about a metamorphosis
in Marcel Marceau. Thanks to his efforts and working with the French Resistance, as well as the French Boy and Girl Scouts, Marcel was responsible for rescuing hundreds of Jewish children from death at the hands of the Nazis. Resistance illustrates how one person can make a difference. Had Marcel only continued caring for himself, he might have evaded capture and settled abroad. He chose to put himself in harm’s way and by doing so, saved the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people. The Apostle Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Sometimes that burden can be as literal as Marcel carrying a tired child on the trek to Switzerland. At other times, it can be as simple as checking on a friend during COVID-19. In either case, a conscious choice is made. Is that choice in you? Miming for Life Marcel didn’t just use his mime skills to make the children laugh; he mimed to save their lives. It was a good way of keeping them quiet while they were escaping. “It had nothing to do with show business. He was miming for his life,” Philippe Mora, the son of one of Marceau’s Resistance comrades, told The Age. Resistance is available on most on-demand sources.
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Faith&Friends
FEATURE
Wonder Women
FOUR YOUNG STUDENTS WERE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD TO THE CLIENTS OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S NORTH TORONTO COMMUNITY CHURCH.
Photos: Hossein Andarzipour
by Linda Dixon
Standing Up for the Community (from left) Phylicia Earl, Jodi Bosley, Folashade Oguntuga and Kyuhee Lee were a dynamic addition to The Salvation Army's North Toronto Community Church this past summer
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his past summer, The Salvation Army’s North Toronto Community Church received government funding through the Canada Summer Jobs 12 • NOVEMBER 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
program for four student placements. Interviewed and carefully chosen by Major Ken and Major (Dr.) Beverley Smith, the co-pastors, the students were assigned to the church’s
community and family services branch. After initial training in Salvation Army protocols and procedures, they started their summer with us. As North Toronto’s community and family services co-ordinator, I mentored and supervised them, but they all showed a welcome initiative in taking on a project that interested them personally. Together, these four contributed in ways that not only benefited North Toronto but the wider community that the church serves as well.
Phylicia Earl This sociology undergraduate entered her first year of a master’s of criminology and social justice studies at Ryerson University in Toronto this past fall.
Smart, kind and intelligent, she was instrumental in developing partnerships with three new local organizations and was able to provide North Toronto’s client community with sought-after products. As a personal project, Phylicia conducted a study in ways that North Toronto could advance programs and services to greater meet the needs of local women and their families. One mother who participated in Phylicia’s women’s project told her, “The work you’re doing, empowering women, is so important. Thank you!” Another female client expressed her view of the provision of feminine protection products that Phylicia secured from a generous donor. “Sometimes feminine protection products are more important than even food,” she told Phylicia. Jodi Bosley This third-year bachelor of social work student is passionate about social justice issues and art. Another self-starter, Jodi parlayed a routine product inquiry with a supplier into a generous donation to North Toronto of much-needed healthy snack foods for youth and children. For her personal project, Jodi conducted research on mental illness and how North Toronto might better serve clients facing those significant challenges in life. One client returned especially to say to Jodi, “I faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
“The work you’re doing, empowering women, is so important. Thank you!”
needed e-contact list for the newly minted North Toronto food bank. As well, Liah contacted, interviewed and vetted applicants, singlehandedly expanding the North Toronto volunteer force to include an impressive roster of capable, energetic and reliable people—all within the constraints of COVID-19. Over the summer, this resourceful student took on the task of helping various clients in their quest for employment. After helping one newcomer to Canada with her resumé and finding a suitable have felt blessed since dropping in yesterday. I’m rejuvenated thanks to the food and shower resources you gave me.” Another client recommended a friend after his first few tentative visits to North Toronto Community Church. “I feel safe with you,” he told Jodi. “I don’t like social workers much, but I think you’re going to be a really great one!” Kyuhee “Liah” Lee This York University master’s student initiated a desperately 14 • NOVEMBER 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
volunteer opportunity to help her client gain experience and references, the woman found employment. The client returned to North Toronto to say how grateful she was for the help and support she received from Liah. Folashade “Sade” Oguntuga Energetic, articulate and innovative, art features prominently in this high school student’s future. With a compassion and understanding of the stresses experienced by youth and exacerbated by COVID-19, Sade created a brochure that provided information and resources on mental health for students. As a team outreach project, copies were handed out to passersby on a nearby street corner, accompanied by smiles and offers of Skittles.
The outreach was a resounding success. One person scanned the brochure and asked, “Who made this? It’s really cute!” Sade’s co-worker, beaming with pleasure at her teammate’s accomplishment, pointed out the creator by name. Holding up the brochure, the woman called out, “Thank you, Sade!”
(left) Linda Dixon is the community and family services co-ordinator at The Salvation Army’s North Toronto Community Church. faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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COVER STORY
Postwar Joe Knypstra in his new Dutch Army uniform in June 1946
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“ One Day At a Time” CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVOR JOE KNYPSTRA’S FAITH HELPS HIM MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. by Melanie Eskal
ONE LOOK AT JOE KNYPSTRA and you wouldn’t believe he’s 100. Even after a century, his memory is still sharp. He remembers the day he immigrated to Canada from Holland in 1954, and even recalls all the names of people he first met when he arrived. One other thing he remembers very clearly is the Second World War and the two years he spent in a concentration camp in his home country after he was arrested for his involvement in the underground Dutch Resistance. “It was nothing but torture,” Joe says. He was 23 years old and a solid 150 pounds when he entered the concentration camp, but weighed just 70 pounds when he left.
Joe recalls the sadistic and often random beatings he and the other prisoners received at the hands of the guards, people being shot if they cried or complained. “If we were lucky, we got a little bit of coffee—coffee, well water,” he says. “And a little piece of bread. It was black. They said it was made from beans. Tasted terrible, but anything was fine. If we were good, we got a little bit of soup—mostly water.” He remembers being roused in the middle of the night by guards who would whip prisoners who did not get out of bed fast enough. If they didn’t bleed from the lashings, they would be dunked in a trough full of cold water and scrubbed with hard bristles. Sand would then be rubbed faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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COVER STORY
Joe was 23 years old and a solid 150 pounds when he entered the concentration camp, but weighed just 70 pounds when he left. into the wounds. “Most of them didn’t make it,” Joe says sadly. “You just took it one day at a time.” He spent two months in the hospital after being liberated from the concentration camp. Longevity’s Secret Joe’s first home in Canada was Soda Creek, B.C., working as a farmhand before moving to Vancouver to begin selling dry goods. His time
Happy Santa Age has not stopped Joe from encouraging donations to The Salvation Army at Christmas
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as a merchant took him across the country until he settled in Kaleden, B.C., where he ran a bakery, followed by a butcher’s business, until he retired to Penticton, B.C. Although he saw the worst of humanity in a concentration camp, Joe maintains a positive outlook on life and jokes about how he doesn’t look a day over 70. “A lot of people have said to me, ‘By golly, you are looking so good. How come?’
A Century of Progress Salvation Army Majors Lisa and Paul Trickett celebrate with Joe on the occasion of his 100th birthday
“I reply, ‘You know, I was 25 years old and was 70 pounds—skin and bone—so all the flesh around me is all new. And my hair is new, so that’s why I look young,’ ” he says with a laugh.
But the real secret to longevity, according to Joe, is everything in moderation. “Doesn’t matter what you do. If you overdo it, you won’t make it.”
A 15-Year Love Affair Following the closure of their church in 2005, Joe and his wife, Frances, decided to visit a few local houses of worship in their area.
Joe immediately became as active in the congregation as he was able and found his calling as an enthusiastic greeter at the front door of the church. He hopes to do this with once again when pandemic restrictions are lifted, and continue to hand out the service bulletins and arrange for individuals to take up the weekly offering alongside him. In addition, up until this past Christmas, Joe’s been a supportive and active bell-ringer on the kettles—dressed, when appropriate, as Santa Claus!
They first stepped through the door of the Penticton Salvation Army Community Church to attend a Valentine’s dinner at the invitation of friends, not knowing that this would lead to a love affair with The Salvation Army. After familiarizing themselves with the Army’s doctrines and evangelistic method of conducting services, they soon decided that they would like to become full-time members and, following classes, were enrolled as senior soldiers.
Reprinted from Penticton Herald, January 14, 2020
“His doctor has forecast that Joe will live to be over 110,” says John Pettifer, who with his wife, Barbara, has been a close friend. “He’s a most remarkable individual.”
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Faith&Friends
FEATURE
Rising to the Challenge
Masked and Ready Jim Moulton ready for duty
CANADA’S HEALTH-CARE WORKERS HAVE TACKLED COVID-19 HEAD-ON, AS THESE THREE FRONT-LINE WORKERS CAN ATTEST. by Kimberly McIntyre faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
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s COVID-19 has infiltrated our day-to-day lives over the last several months, many Canadians have had time to reflect on work, priorities and family life. For those in health care, it has been a whirlwind of change. Their call to protect not only themselves and their families but also those in their care has been fundamental in helping to “flatten the curve.” Almost all areas of health care have been affected, and treatment for many looks much different than it did before. Here are three front-line staff working diligently to ensure safe and proper care within the walls of their hospitals. Right Place, Right Time Jim Moulton, an orthopedic healthcare aide at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, had his work turned upside down. The patients on his floor were quickly discharged to prepare for COVID-19 cases. “As we emptied our ward, our staff became the float pool,” he says. “You could be sent anywhere in the hospital when you came to work each day. Totally understandable, but totally stressful. You don’t know the processes or who you are coming into contact with.” Within the challenges and changes that came with COVID-19, Jim has been reflecting on what led him to health care in the first place. “I was going through a time of 22 • NOVEMBER 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
Conducting Faith Jim is the bandmaster at The Salvation Army’s Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg
struggle about what I should be doing,” he recalls. “Then I watched as my mother-in-law, who was dying, was taken care of by my sister-in-law, who is a nurse. It impacted my life and I felt a calling to do something with hospice care in particular.” As COVID-19 progressed, Jim found himself in a full-circle situation. “Our orthopedic ward started taking very serious patients, some who were dying and in palliative care,” he says. “I was able to really be of use in that way after having 12 years of experience in that area. I was working with non-COVID-19 patients who were in the hospital but were dying alone. That was challenging but affirming. I felt that I was in the right
place at the right time.” Jim’s faith and Salvation Army church community have been a great support to him. “I’m a member at Heritage Park Temple and I’m also the bandmaster, so I’m quite involved,” he says. “People have taken the time to send messages and make calls of encouragement to let me know that they were praying and thinking of me.” “Being There” Donna Lee Samson, a cardiac services manager at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, was drawn into decision-making for her hospital from the get-go. “I got a call from my director saying he needed me in the boardroom immediately,” she remembers. “Another manager and I were representing cardiac services at the table for pandemic planning. There were lots of questions, and they called the team together for answers since things were happening rapidly. We didn’t know how patients would present, what patients would bring in and what the needs would be. Each day was consumed with planning, and regular eight-hour days turned into 12-14-hour days while we managed normal flow of the hospital as well as the new information coming in.” Donna Lee felt the significance of her position as a manager and wanted to do right by her staff.
Leaning on Faith “Faith is about something greater,” says Donna Lee Samson
“I felt that they really looked to me and other managers as if to say, ‘You’ve got my back, right? I can trust you, right?’ ” she says. “I needed to make sure they still felt safe and could still come to work. I still have a job to do, to make sure supports are in place to move forward, no matter what was happening.” Donna Lee has been leaning on her faith during this time. “Faith is about something greater,” she says. “It’s all about how you show God’s love and how you live your life. That’s important to me. With the interactions I’ve had with my staff, it’s always a chance to show kindness and compassion as decisions are made. Sometimes it’s just about being there.” faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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FEATURE
The Advocate Janine van der Horden is an occupational therapist assistant/ physiotherapist at University Health Network-Ontario Rehab in Toronto. She’s seen a shift in mindset around how treatment for the strokerehabilitation patients she cares for is taking place. Normally, a patient would be on track to leave the hospital quickly, then complete recovery in their homes. Now, things are looking very different. “We normally would have family visiting their loved ones and being involved in the recovery process,” she explains. “We would do caregiver training to teach people what they need to know about caring for a patient in their home. So much of it was hands-on, but then we had to start finding other ways to do that. It’s more of a challenge to make sure our patients are discharged safely and to fill the void that is there because patients don’t have anyone to advocate for them or in-person support from their loved ones. “Even though right now I have questions, watching people suffer
Peace and Calm “My faith gets me through the day,” says Janine van der Horden
and losing people in my own church family to COVID-19, my faith gets me through the day,” says Janine. “What I get from God is peace and calm. He already knows the outcome, and that, to me, is really hard to imagine. We need to love and be kind to each other, and there are lots of opportunities to show God’s love. My faith keeps me humbled and peaceful.”
(left) Kimberly McIntyre enjoys writing stories of transformation, faith and the human experience. After completing a communications and media degree from Canadian Mennonite University, Kimberly is continuing her education and pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science. When she is not writing or working in Riding Mountain National Park, she enjoys cooking, exploring Canadian national parks and dancing.
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FAMILY TIME
Photo: Antonioguillem/stock.Adobe.com
Faith&Friends
The Apology When I offended my teenage grandson, God gave me the courage to ask for forgiveness. by Jeanette Levellie
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had one goal in mind when I visited my daughter, Kelli, for the weekend last summer: help her organize and declutter the kids’ rooms. Kelli was a single mom of three. By the time she got home from work each night, making a meal and washing a load of laundry was all she could manage. If I could help her simplify her environment, life would be easier. On Friday, while Kelli was at work,
everyone was co-operative and happy. My promise to take the kids out to dinner when we were done might have helped sweeten their attitudes. But when I wanted to finish 13-year-old Ben’s room the next day, he exploded. “We got enough done last night!” he screamed. “Why are you being so pushy? Your visits are supposed to be fun!” As calmly as I could, I tried to
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FAMILY TIME
explain that Kelli needed help and couldn’t do everything on her own, but he was having none of it. With tears streaming down his face, he stomped out the door. Gathering Her Courage Now what? I thought. I tried to tidy up his room, but my heart wasn’t in it. Besides, I worried where Ben might have gone. Did he have his key with him? If I went looking for him, could
When I spotted Ben at the playground around the corner, I rolled down the window. I tried to make my voice gentle and caring. “Do you want to come to lunch with us, honey?” Ben nodded, walked to the car and got in. But the look he gave me could have wilted an oak tree. “Please Forgive Me” My voice soft and shaky, I said. “Ben,
The look Ben gave me could have wilted an oak tree. JEANETTE LEVELLIE he get back in the house? I prayed, justifying my actions by my desire to help Kelli get organized. But the more I talked to God, the worse I felt. Finally, I listened. You are being too hard on Ben, the Holy Spirit whispered. He needs to learn responsibility, but you can’t just whiz in and expect him to learn everything in a few days. Tears stung my eyes. I knew the Lord was right. I needed to find Ben and apologize. I gathered my courage, my purse and Ben’s two sisters. “Maybe he’ll be calmed down enough to agree to go to lunch with us,” I said as we got in the car.
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I was too harsh with you today. I realize I was expecting too much. Can you please forgive me?” Then I let myself cry. To my surprise, Ben reached over and hugged me. “I’m sorry, too, Grandma. I should not have snapped at you like I did.” Lunch was punctuated with stories of my childhood and loud laughter. It could have turned out so differently. I was grateful for God’s mercy at work. Heartfelt apologies are never easy. When we realize we’ve hurt or wronged someone, it feels uncomfortable—even downright scary—to
Jeanette Levellie with her grandson, Ben. “When I apologize, I like to think I’m passing on God’s example of mercy, “ she says
say, “I was wrong—please forgive me.” And that often involves admitting we’ve acted unkindly and then seeking forgiveness. Passing Mercy On We all know that “love brings about the forgiveness of many sins” (1 Peter 4:8 Common English Bible). Still, we aren’t so sure it’s in an offended teenager’s heart to love us
unconditionally. But they deserve our sincere apologies as much— sometimes more—than our adult friends, spouses and co-workers do. I’m sure I’ll have many more opportunities to apologize to people I’ve hurt or wronged. But when I apologize, I like to think I’m passing on God’s example of mercy. And that changes everything.
(left) Author of five books and hundreds of published articles, Jeanette Levellie and her husband make their home in Paris, Illinois. Jeanette’s hobbies include spoiling her three grandchildren, pampering her cats and inventing new ways to avoid housework. Find her splashes of hope and humour at www.jeanettelevellie.com.
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LITE STUFF
Eating Healthy With Erin BAKED ITALIAN RICE BALLS
Recipe photos: Erin Stanley
TIME 2 hrs MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH chicken or fish
2 eggs 1. In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cheese, oregano, basil, salt 75 g (3 oz.) mozzarella and pepper and place in cheese, cubed 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried oregano refrigerator. 2. Bring rice, butter and stock to a 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried basil boil, then reduce to simmer until 1 ml (¼ tsp) salt most of the water is absorbed. 1 ml (¼ tsp) black pepper 3. Remove from heat and place in 250 ml (1 cup) uncooked bowl in refrigerator for 10 minutes. white rice 4. Combine egg and rice mixtures in 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter bowl and chill covered in 500 ml (2 cups) vegetable refrigerator for one hour. or chicken stock 5. Roll into 25 mm (1 in.) balls and 375 ml (1½ cups) dried coat in bread crumbs. Stuff the bread crumbs inside with ham and cheese. 60 ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil 6. Preheat oven to 205 C (400 F). 200 g (7 oz.) ham or 2 slices Arrange on well-greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and flip 200 g (7 oz.) mozzarella balls over for an additional 10 cheese, cubed minutes or until golden brown. 250 ml (1 cup) marinara 7. Serve with your favourite marinara sauce sauce and garnish with basil if fresh basil to garnish desired. (optional)
MAPLE HOT COCOA TIME 5 mins MAKES 3 servings SERVE WITH marshmallows
60 ml (¼ cup) real cocoa 60 ml (4 tbsp) pure maple syrup 75 ml (1/3 cup) boiling water 500 ml (2 cups) milk of choice 2 ml (½ tsp) cinnamon
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1. Stir cocoa and maple syrup in medium saucepan and slowly pour boiling water while whisking. 2. Heat on medium low and slowly pour milk. 3. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. 4. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
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HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank
Answers on next page.
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QUICK QUIZ 1. What movie series focused on the character of Michael Corleone? 2. Who is actress Neta-Lee Hershlag better known as? 3. What African country’s capital is Windhoek?
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Word Search Lights, Camera, Action! E M D Q D D E Y D O U L S T B U D B C Z W D B L O C K B U S T E R N E G N R J C M Q S S Y R M W H E S G T Z A A A S P E C T R A T I O D C N P A I W D E D U L R E T N I T P R I I J B A C K S T O R Y D O S E Y E L R W M R O T U B I R T S I D L V E L C U A C T O R A L H A N T A G O N I S T D O U B L E E L O J A D N T P B W R J M W S U S N G B N T L A O L Q P A I P H Q C G A R V B P I I M A G E L B O E E O T O L K C A B Y D Y X H C T S N R O T C E R I D C L V T N M Z T E W R I T E R G D A K K O K Q G R S R P D F E A T U R E C U D O R P W U O E M Z H R N S F L W L C R P H P O C Z U Q B Q Q Y A W N J U N O E G I S T U N T Y G O F C Z A G R I P R ACTOR ADAPTATION AD LIB AERIAL SHOT AMBIANCE ANGLE ANTAGONIST ASPECT RATIO BACKDROP BACKLOT BACKSTORY BEHIND THE SCENES
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Quick Quiz Answers: 1. The Godfather; 2. Natalie Portman; 3. Namibia. 8
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Faith&Friends
NIFTY THRIFTY
Winter Is Coming … … so here are three tips to thrift the coat you need. you check is the label. Wool is always a popular winter coat material and is also a common thrift store find, but make sure that it is at least 70-percent wool. A polyester blend will not help you stay warm through a cold winter and lacks the water-resistant power of a highpercentage wool or nylon material.
A winter coat is a necessary investment for people living in Canada, and choosing a pre-loved piece is a more affordable and sustainable option. Here are three tips to finding one at your local Salvation Army thrift store. Look for Quality Materials Thrifters who are experienced know that when a garment catches your eye, the first thing
Size Up, Not Down Layering is a key component of cold-weather apparel, so make sure your coat provides enough room to fit additional layers underneath. When leaving room to layer, an area often overlooked is sleeve space. Many coats are looser fitting around the torso but tighter on the arms, which makes wearing warm sweaters underneath more difficult. Flatter Your Body Winter coats tend to be big and bulky, which can make it difficult to find a shape that works for your unique body type. If you are on the shorter side, a coat that falls at mid-thigh level can help elongate, while a tie-waist coat can add a slimming effect.
(left) May Strutt is an avid thrifter with more than a decade of shopping experience in thrift stores across Canada. She is also a communications and engagement specialist with The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.
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