SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2022 Faith & Friends INSPIRATION FOR LIVING Thai Cave Rescue 13 LIVES P.25 Nikoleta Curcin TRUE TO HERSELF P.12 Not Doing Without ARMY TACKLES HUNGER P.5 NUNAVUT TEACHER PARTNERS WITH SALVATION ARMY TO PROVIDE CLOTHING FOR HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS. P.16 in the North Hope
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Thankfully, with God, we never have to worry about how He will react. If we confess our mistakes to Him, He will forgive us and make us whole again (see 1 John 1:9).
WithAntidisestablishmentarianism.28lettersand13syllables, it’s one of the hardest words to say in the English language. (Right up there with sesquipedalian and Inotorhinolaryngologist.)general,longwords can be difficult to say. We have to pause on each letter and sound out every syllable.
But sometimes, short words are even harder. Words like “I love you” or “I’m sorry.”
While we all make mistakes, admitting our faults and asking for forgiveness is often not easy. It requires humility. And it can be risky—what if the person we apologize to does not forgive?
To learn more about God’s unfailing love, visit our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4.
“If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from unrighteousness.”all—1John1:9
God is love. Three simple words, one eternal truth.
faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • 3 COVERSTORY September/October 2022 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 7 SOMEONE CARES 5 Not Doing Without Salvation Army boosts rural communities affected by unique hunger challenges. GOD IN MY LIFE 8 Feeling Seasick? Maybe it’s time to look up. COMMON GROUND 10 Planting a Seed The Salvation Army helped Spencer move on from a life of incarceration and drugs. 12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2022 Faith& Friends 13 LIVES P.25TRUE TO HERSELF P.12 Not Doing Without ARMY TACKLES HUNGER P.5 NUNAVUT TEACHER PARTNERS WITH SALVATION ARMY TO PROVIDE CLOTHING FOR HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS. P.16 in the North Hope FAITH BUILDERS 25 A Miracle Moment Not sure if prayer works? Just ask the rescued soccer team in Thirteen Lives LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search. NIFTY THRIFTY 30 Case Study Organize your supplies the “write” way with this DIY project. 12 True to Herself Nikoleta Curcin had to dig deep inside herself to find the strength needed for recovery. 16 Hope in the North Nunavut teacher partners with Salvation Army to provide clothing for hundreds of students. 22 As “Luck” Would Have It Once lost and alone, John found himself, thanks to The Salvation Army Belkin House in Vancouver. FEATURES 22 QulautPatpCoverhoto:
4 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 I faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends FROM THE EDITOR 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 bimonthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY Pamela Richardson ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR Kristin Ostensen MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR Giselle Randall, Abbigail Oliver STAFF WRITERS 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) Allcirculation@422-6119salvationarmy.caarticlesarecopyrightThe Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131 “The Real Deal” Salvationist Managing Editor Kristin Ostensen was first introduced to teacher Colleen Chau at a debriefing meeting. Through the efforts of The Salvation Army, Joe Fresh and Baffinland Iron Mines, hundreds of pieces of clothing—brand-new jackets, sweaters, pants and other sorely needed items—had been delivered to schoolchildren in Igloolik, Nunavut. But the catalyst for the event was Colleen, whose idea had made this all possible.
“From the moment I met Colleen, via video chat, I liked her,” Kristin says. “Though she was almost 3,000 kilometres away, I immediately sensed her warmth, her kindness, her passion and perseverance to make a difference. She is the real“Wheredeal. others may have given up, may have thought the project was too difficult to pull off, Colleen was determined,” Kristin continues.
You can read Kristin’s article on page 16. Elsewhere in this issue of Faith & Friends, you’ll see our take on the new Thirteen Lives movie, which deals with the international rescue of a young soccer team from a cave in Thailand. And you’ll read about Nikoleta Curcin, a remarkable woman who reclaimed her dignity with the help of The Salvation Army. Ken Ramstead 2022 I faithandfriends.ca
“And thanks to her, hundreds of children received much-needed winter clothing. It was a pleasure to meet her and share her story.”
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
“Many people in remote commu
In rural villages surrounding Kirkland Lake, Ont., The Salvation Army is filling in gaps, so everyone can enjoy a glass of milk, a healthy snack and nutritious food.
Not Doing Without Salvation Army boosts rural communities affected by unique hunger challenges. by Linda Leigh Ground Zero The Salvation Army’s food bank in Kirkland Lake, Ont., fills a vital need in the community
Faith & Friends SOMEONE CARES
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“Our monthly school snack program and hamper delivery in remote and isolated villages is promoting community wellness and ensuring that individuals, families and children have access to healthy food,” says Lieutenant Robbie Donaldson, who served as the community ministries co-ordinator in Kirkland Lake until becoming the corps offi cer (pastor) of The Salvation Army Temiskaming Community Church in New Liskeard, Ont., in July.
Lieutenant Robbie says that in most villages, a struggling economy has resulted in a lack of food retail ers. Rural shoppers may rely on more expensive and less nutritious food, such as the types available at gas stations and convenience stores.
SOMEONE CARES
“When I deliver the food items directly to a home, it protects dignity, and shows love and respect,” she says. “That’s important to people.”
In Virginiatown, Ont., one of the communities served by The Salvation Army, Melanie delivers school snacks and food boxes to people who need them most.
“Its nice to have the assurance that
MELANIE nities are limited by geographical isolation, financial restraints and inadequate transport. Many cannot afford vehicles. With no vehicle and no public transport to a town with a supermarket or grocery store, food insecurity and poor health outcomes have become an increasingly trou bling issue,” he explains.
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Watching Out for Each Other
Melanie says that in the com munity of 600, everybody knows everybody. People who struggle do not want others to know.
“When I deliver the food items directly to a home, it protects dignity, and shows love and respect.”
Food boxes include non-perishables, diapers, formula, personal hygiene items, frozen foods, milk, cereal, eggs, bread and fresh pro duce. As part of the Army’s school nutrition program, the Canadian Red Cross partnered with the local Salvation Army food bank to provide snacks that include granola bars and applesauce.“TheSalvation Army is grateful for strong partnerships that align with our vision to bring hope to those fac ing hardship,” says Lieutenant Robbie.
Filled to the Brim Dozens of hampers are ready to be delivered
“I was a teacher’s aid for six years and saw children with no snacks or not enough lunch,” she states. “This can negatively affect their school performance. It was easy for me to identify families without them coming out to say they needed help.”
Faith & Friends
faithandfriends.ca people in my community won’t do without,” says Melanie. “We do as much as we can for each other and watch out for each other.”
I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • 7
The anddigitalvationist.ca),websitemagazines,Territory’sandArmySalvationCanadaBermuda(Salmediamarketing and communications depart ment won 15 awards at the annual Canadian Christian Communica tors Association (CCCA) ceremony this spring. The CCCA (formerly the Canadian Church Press) has 75 members, including individual writ ers, musicians and representatives from publications of mainline, Cath olic and evangelical churches. The awards are judged by accomplished secular journalists and academics.
(left) Linda Leigh is manager of communications at The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters in Toronto.
INSPIRATION FOR LIVING The Band Played On COVID-19 CONCERT P.26 Army’s Safe Refuge “DON’T WORRY” P.10 Runaway Bunny PETER RABBIT 2 P.5 faithandfriends.ca MARCH2021 THERE’S NO BEEF WITH HOW THE BURGER’S PRIEST RESTAURANT GIVES BACK. P.16 Faith on the Menu
Faith & Friends received five awards for articles published in 2021. “Coffee Conversations,” Giselle Randall’s profile of Salvation Army Major Morgan Hillier in the October issue, won second place in the Biographical Profile category, as did “Faith on the Menu,” a profile of the Burger’s Priest restaurant chain in the Feature Layout and Design category. Dennis Jones’ drawings for April’s “ABBA, You and Me” garnered a third place for Original Artwork. “Faith on the Menu” also won a third-place nod for Front Cover, as did October’s “Roadside Assistance,” Angela Rafuse’s article on how The Salvation Army helped hundreds of stranded motorists and truckers, in the News Story category. Our sister magazine, Salvationist, received seven awards. Salvationist.ca took home two first-place awards for their social media post on the sinking of the Empress of Ireland and a podcast featuring Salvation Army Captain Crystal Porter. Last but certainly not least, our marketing and communications department received a welldeserved first place in the Marketing Campaign category for its national Christmas campaign. Check out all of our winning entries online Salvationist.ca/cccaawards2022.at:
Salvation Army Media Wins 15 Awards
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Feeling Seasick? Maybe it’s time to look up. by Dean Simpson
T
GOD IN MY LIFE
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he Great Barrier Reef is one of the most vibrant and picturesque locations in the world.Ona recent holiday, I took my family on a cruise out to the reef, where we spent the day snorkelling and enjoying the unique environ ment around us. As we departed the marina, the views back to the tropical coastline and the rainforest-covered mountains were amazing. The salt air and the sea spray enlivened the experience, and the sight of distant islands increased the anticipation as the reef beckoned.Theonly shortcoming was the stretch of ocean between the coast and the reef. A tropical storm the day before had increased the swell signifi cantly, and the journey out to the reef was quite a rough ride. To combat any stomach upsets, the crew advised the 40-odd passengers to “look up and out” to the horizon and suggested the best place was from the top deck. Keen to take in the views and engage in conversation with fellow tourists, my family and I skipped up the steps to the open deck. But we found ourselves mostly alone. Where was everyone? I popped back down to the main cabin area for a drink and was
faithandfriends.ca
Reprinted from Salvos Magazine (Australia) May 21, 2022 (left) Dean Simpson is part of the communications team for The Salvation Army in Australia.
Other verses in the Bible pick up on this theme.
dismayed to find most passengers still sitting there, heads down and absorbed in their mobile phones. I asked an experienced crew member if this was a usual scenario. He sighed and said yes. But then, in a whispered tone, he confidently predicted what would happen next as the boat con tinued to rock and roll out to the reef. Within 30 minutes, more than half the passengers were holding paper bags to their faces as seasickness took hold. To add to the scene of woe, many passengers continued to look down at their phones in some sort of futile solace—sick bag in one hand and phone in the other.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?” he wrote. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Over and over again, the Bible urges us to “look up” and look to God.Ifyou’re feeling down and discouraged today, or feeling “seasick” in life, then “look up.” Look to the support of friends, look to nature, look to things that lift your spirits and look to the Bible, where God will speak to you through His encouraging words. And I promise you that things will begin to “look up.”
John 4:35 says, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” And Luke 21:28 says, “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Advice From God The Bible talks about this very theme on another level. King David, the man who wrote many of the Psalms, often felt “seasick” in life, pouring out his heart when he felt discouraged, dispirited, depressed and disheartened. It wasn’t until he “looked up” that he felt God’s presence and a sense of peace.
I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • 9
The people who decided to “look up” and come to the top deck not only started feeling better but started to engage in conversation and take in the views. But, still, many stayed in the main cabin looking down—and suffered the consequences.
Drugs and Prison Growing up, Spencer had a difficult time figuring out where he belonged. He struggled to identify with the peers in his class and, in an attempt to fit in, he would act out with poor behaviour in school and at home. As a result, he left home in Grade 11, rebelled and started to dabble in drugs and alcohol.
COMMON GROUND
“I was 17,” says Spencer. “As my attachment to drugs got stronger, I spent more time getting high.”
In Ottawa, The Salvation Army helped Spencer move on from a life of incarceration and drugs. by Linda Leigh
“I remember overdosing in Toronto’s Regent Park,” he says. “People thought I was dead and dumped my body into an apartment stairwell for someone else to find. I
For 20 years, substance use was a priority for Spencer, and he often put his life at risk in order to use.
It’s Official! Spencer (fourth from left) became an official member of The Salvation Army this past April
On the outside, Spencer was in control. He’d gone to college, received a degree in hotel restaurant management and owned a business. But the reality was that he was deep into substance use. Then a transformative event gave him the courage to change.
Planting a Seed
Before and After Spencer during his incarceration (inset) and today
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all odds, the court overturned my detention order with the understanding that I would explore options for change at The Salvation Army,” Spencer says. “The Salvation Army provided me with guidance and direction as to my next steps. Living there and staying clean kept me Spenceralive.”eventually moved on, worked part-time, lived in a small basement apartment and attended college. Life Today Today, Spencer is the spiritual formations coach and facilities supervisor at Teen Challenge Canada, working with adult, at-risk men who suffer from lifethreatening addictions. In April 2018, he started attending Salvation churches services and, in April 2022, he became an official member at Ottawa’s Barrhaven Corps church. More than 40 of Spencer’s co-workers attended the ceremony. “It feels so good to be a part of the Salvation Army family,” Spencer says. “They showed me love when I was unlovable. This had a profound impact on my life.”
SPENCER
Transformation is Possible In 2017, while in prison, a lifechanging experience altered what mattered to Spencer. “I participated in a Bible study and found Christ,” says Spencer. “I got on my knees, prayed and gave my life over to God.”
Spencer is passionate about sharing his faith and influencing the lives of people who suffer from substance-use disorders.
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“My desire is to continue being useful and help my community. Sometimes that just means planting a seed.”
also recall having a gun held to me during a drug deal that had gone bad.”Spencer tried treatment centres many times, but he couldn’t separate himself from the lifestyle. To get more drugs, he engaged in criminal behaviour that often led to incarceration.
“It feels so good to be a part of the Salvation Army family.”
In March 2018, Spencer was three months clean when he was accepted into the stabilization program at The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Ottawa. This is an abstinencebased residential program for men that provides a safe and supportive environment and encourages clients to pursue goals that are meaningful to “Againstthem.
NIKOLETA CURCIN HAD TO DIG DEEP INSIDE HERSELF TO FIND THE STRENGTH NEEDED FOR RECOVERY. by KimberlyHerselfMcIntyre True to 12 • faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends FEATURE
“Back in Canada, I approached a guy who looked like he might have a connection,” Nikoleta says. From then on, she was in the grip of heroin and fentanyl.
In her mid-teens, Nikoleta started to experiment with drugs, and by 17, she was taking cocaine daily and continued to use for a year. Around that time, she started dating Sean,* who sold drugs. Nikoleta decided a few months into their relationship that she didn’t want to use anymore and stopped. However, that wasn’t the end of addiction for her. The Descent After a few months of dating Sean, Nikoleta realized she was in an abusive relationship. It would be four years until she could get away from“Thehim.relationship affected me a lot, and my perception and beliefs about myself, even up until recently,” she recounts. “It got really messed up toward the end. I really believed he would kill me.”
“My emotions controlled me,” Nikoleta recounts. “For the longest time, I didn’t trust myself.”
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Sean was arrested and went to jail, and Nikoleta took over the drug sales, but she, too, was appre hended. After her release, and his death from health complications, Nikoleta avoided drugs for eight years, until she met Jude.*
A
“I had no idea how to even do it,” she says. “I had to ask the guy how to take Thoughit.”
Nikoleta stopped using upon her return home, when she journeyed to London the next summer, she fell back into addiction.
“I had always felt overwhelmed by my emotions and a deep empti ness all the time,” she remembers. “Heroin helped numb my out-ofcontrol emotions and helped me detach from myself and the world. From a young age, I dreamt of par adise. I felt that the world was
While on vacation in London, England, Jude asked Nikoleta if she wanted to take some recreational drugs. She agreed. During the trip, they met a man who offered them heroin instead of what they had already been taking.
“I had a perfect, ideal childhood,” she says. “My parents were wonder fulHpeople.”owever, when Nikoleta went to high school, she started to feel that she didn’t belong. When life became overwhelming, her family sought counselling, but the psychologists she saw brushed off her feelings as hormones.
ddiction and substance abuse are often connected to a difficult childhood. In Nikoleta Curcin’s case, there were a combination of factors that led her into addiction, but lack of care and connection was not one of them.
Steve Manuel was then the Salvation Army chaplain at Toronto’s Old City Hall courthouse and one of the program team members. Often, he would be the first point of contact for program attendees, providing coffee and snacks in his office before the Tuesday and Thursday meetings.
“It was three months long and I barely remember any of them,” Niko leta recalls. “I have no idea how I even fed myself or who the people around me were. I thought, I have to get away from this. I called my therapist from Drug Treatment Court, and she sug gested I go to detox. I couldn’t see another way out.”
Nikoleta knew it would be awful, but she also knew it was her only chance at Addictionrecovery.isatraumatic experience, and within the cycle of addiction there are traumas every day. The sickness that comes is a trauma in itself and can strike terror in a person. In detox, Nikoleta was sick for 21 days.
“For two weeks, I couldn’t eat or drink water,” she says. “Each time I tried to quit, the next time would be even harder.”
The Bottom After another arrest, Nikoleta found herself at a crossroads. She had the option of either going to prison or attending the Toronto Drug Treatment Court Program. She chose the latter because she thought it would be easier.“Ithought, OK, it will be a year, then I can move on with my life. It wasn’t so easy,” she chuckles. Nikoleta doesn’t remember many of her interactions. But one person
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supposed to be this beautiful place, and it disappointed me. I couldn’t accept the misery and cruelty I saw, but I also felt powerless in the face of it all.”
does.Major
“I love recovery. I love the feeling of growing. It’s so exciting!”
Major Steve was also the first per son many of the attendees would see if they were arrested during their time in the Nikoletaprogram.wasinthe program for three years. During that period, she was in and out of rehabilitation cen tres and relapsed multiple times. Eventually, she had the worst and hardest relapse of her life.
Help “Nikoleta’s an program”fromgraduatedwhenwasManuel.Majorwoman,”incrediblesaysSteve“Isohappyshethe
NIKOLETA CURCINFEATUREMajor
The Recovery After detox, Nikoleta was transferred to the women’s inpatient unit. There, she saw a psychiatrist who gave her tools to work through her own traumas.“Itgave me a groundwork to overcome trauma on my own,” she says. “She had me write down how to pro cess it, the steps to take and how to change my thought process about the events.”Eventually, Nikoleta persevered into recovery, and Major Steve was the chaplain she encountered all the way
Nikoleta discovered what her ultimate value was and continues to work on it every day. “It’s freedom,” she states proudly. “Internal freedom, the freedom of yourThesemind.”days, Nikoleta maintains a passion for education and intends to pursue further academic studies.
“Athrough.lotofthe people you see in court, you only meet once. Drug Treatment Court is different; you can build a relationship,” Major Steve says. “There are people you celebrate with, and Nikoleta was definitely one of those.”When COVID-19 hit, Nikoleta found herself with time to do one thing.“Self-reflect,” she says with a smile. “My self-worth was tied to productiv ity and achievement instead of who I was. It took me a long time to flip that way of Nikoletathinking.”learned to forgive herself and to have self-compassion.
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“I love recovery,” she says. “I love the feeling of growing. It’s so exciting!”Nikoleta now works as a con sultant with the Canadian Mental Health Association and is a peer researcher with the justice and equity lab at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.“Forthe first time, I feel fulfilled, and I don’t need anyone else to com plete me. I’m good just on my own,” she says. “Our time on this earth is finite, and all the more precious. I want to have an adventure and learn as much as I can while being true to myself, now that I know who I am.”
(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.
*Names have been changed.
“I had to be responsible for my own conscience,” she reflects. “I had to discover what my values were. I had been so far away from myself before. I wanted to embody my values.”
16 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 I faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends QulautPatPhoto: COVER STORY Warm Hearts Igloolik students (from left) Sienna Rose Qulaut, Shannon Tapardjuk, Thoretta Iyerak and Ivy Iyerak are all smiles as they wear their new winter clothes, courtesy of Joe Fresh
NUNAVUT TEACHER PARTNERS WITH SALVATION ARMY TO PROVIDE CLOTHING FOR HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS. by Kristin
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER, you might have thought there was a rock star in town. By 10 a.m., a long line had formed in front of the community centre in Igloolik, Nunavut, stretching way down the street. Excitement filled the cold September air as students and their families waited for their turn to go inside. The big attraction was not a celebrity, but a massive donation of essential items. Tables piled high with jackets, sweaters and pants, backpacks and boots, mittens and toques. Brand-new with tags still on—and all for free. This happy day, a year in the making, would not have been possible without a passionate ele mentary school teacher—and the support of The Salvation Army.
HopeOstensen in the North
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Colleen’s Search
Originally from Winnipeg, Colleen Chau graduated from teacher’s college in 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With all the schools in her area pivoting to remote learning, Colleen began looking for work in places still offering in-person classes. That led her to Igloolik. She began teaching at the Ata guttaaluk Elementary School in September 2020 and soon noticed that some of her Grade 4 students did not have adequate clothing.
“Some didn’t have a change of clothes or their clothes were worn out,” Colleen recalls. “When winter came, I noticed some kids didn’t have a jacket or boots, and they were coming to school in hoodies and running shoes.”
She reached out to more than a dozen organizations, some of which were willing to provide the cloth ing—if Colleen could pay for the shipping. “That’s the catch-22 of living up North,” she says. Undeterred by her lack of success, Colleen kept searching and trying. And then she contacted The Salva tion Army. For A long line forms outside the community centre in Igloolik on distribution day
COVER STORY Worth Waiting
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At first, Colleen thought she would ask some of her friends and family in the south to ship clothing to Igloolik. “But it wasn’t really viable with the cost of postage—to get things up here would have cost at least $200 or $300 for a smaller box,” she explains. “So, I started digging around in my spare time, searching for non-profits and seeing what my options were in terms of getting clothes.”
“When I got that email from Margaret, I was ecstatic,” Colleen smiles.From there, Major Margaret and Colleen began assembling their “dream team” as other Army per sonnel and supporters came on board.Thefirst piece of the puzzle was the clothing itself, which fell into place quickly thanks to Joe Fresh
Big Dreams
“If we could do something to support her, wouldn’t that be great?”
MAJOR MARGARET McLEOD
“I wrote back and said, ‘Let me look into it and see what I can do.’ ”
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Before becoming a Salvation Army pastor, Major Margaret had been a teacher herself. Seeing Colleen’s passion for helping her students struck a chord.
“My first thought was, That’s a long ways away,” Major Margaret recalls. “But in the same breath, I thought, If we could do something to support her, wouldn’t that be great? ”
Major Margaret McLeod, who leads the Army’s Alberta and Northern Territories Division, remembers getting that email from Colleen.
Coffee Date Colleen Chau (left) and McLeodMargaretMajormeet in person Winnipegin
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Joe Fresh asked Colleen about the number of students attending Igloolik’s three schools, and cloth ing for 25 students became jackets, boots and backpacks for 750. In the Bag Igloolik students (from left) Alannah Rose, Henry and Sylver Robert Attagutaaluk show off their new Joe Fresh backpacks
COVER STORY AlariaqJoycePhoto:
2022 I Friends and the Weston family, who are long-time supporters of the Army. In her original pitch, Colleen only asked for clothing for her class, but that soon changed with Joe Fresh on board. “They said, ‘We have the resources, Colleen. Dream bigger.’ ”
faithandfriends.ca Faith &
Made for Walking Winter boots were a popular item on distribution day
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“It came together really well,” says Major Margaret. “That’s team work—it took a lot of people to be able to pull off what we did.”
“The response was really, really joyful,” she says. “Now, when I’m walking through the schools or passing by the playground, I see kids wearing a brand-new jacket and boots. You feel like you’ve done something good.”
Seeing the pieces fall into place was an incredible experience for Colleen.“Itwas an amazing feeling,” she recalls, “this moment where it felt like everything was possible. We could dream big and people were going to try to make it happen.
Something Good It took six hours and many volunteers to pull off that distribution day in Igloolik last September. But for Colleen, the results were more than worth the months of effort.
Looking back, she sees that email to The Salvation Army as a tiny “act of faith”—a small action that started something amazing.
“This project became so much more than what I expected or asked for,” she says. “It puts a little bit of hope in your soul.”
“When you’re dealing with the realities of living up North, you can’t help but wonder, Is this place forgotten by the rest of Canada? ” she continues. “And so, to realize that people do care, even if they’ve never seen the kids’ faces or been in the community themselves, people care about what’s going on up here and the quality of life the people have— that was awesome.”
COLLEEN CHAU
The project was a full-circle moment for Colleen, who was once on the receiving end of assistance from the Army. “My mom took English classes at The Salvation Army after she came to Canada, and I got a new backpack through a backpack drive,” Colleen notes.
“It was an amazing feeling, this moment where it felt like everything was possible.”
Finding a way to get all those things to Igloolik was a tall order—one that was enthusiastic ally embraced by Baffinland Iron Mines, whose chair, Bruce Walter, is a member of the Army’s National Advisory Board.
But The Salvation Army’s Belkin House and a dedicated caseworker changed John’s life.
A Roof Over His Head In 2020, John was working as a dishAs “Luck” Would Have It Top of the World Belkin House’s caseworker and chaplain Andy Cuong Hy (left) with director of community development Alvin Chong
“God has a master plan for each and every one of us when we least expect it, says Alvin Chong, direc tor of community development at Belkin House. “And John is a great example of that.”
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ONCE LOST AND ALONE, JOHN FOUND HIMSELF, THANKS TO THE SALVATION ARMY BELKIN HOUSE IN VANCOUVER by Ken Ramstead One can’t help but be impressed with John today. He is holding down a steady job and has a place to call his own in Vancouver. However, a year and a half ago when he re-entered Canada, all he had—literally—were the clothes on his back.
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washer at a restaurant in Las Vegas. But when the global pandemic hit, the restaurant shut down, and John lostThateverything.fall,heslowly made his way from Las Vegas to Seattle. Eventually John made it to the U.S.-Canadian border, where—“with just enough documentation”—he made his way back into Canada, but with nowhere to go. That was when the border offi cials recommended The Salvation Army.“Iwas homeless, so I reached out and contacted Belkin House,” John says. “I was told that, normally, the waiting list was very long. However, as luck would have it, I got a bed rightWhileaway.”he was at the shelter, John applied to the Army’s Personal Development Plan (PDP) program.
“And as luck would have it again, Belkin House took a chance on me and accepted me into the program,” smiles John. As a PDP resident, for the next 18 months, John would have a roof over his head, an assigned caseworker, and a program to help resettle back into Canada. From Uncertainty to Stability But now what? John was assigned a PDP case worker and chaplain, Andy Cuong Hy.“My focus when he came into our program was for John to obtain employment, save money and find housing,” Andy explains. “One month turned into two and I realized that he needed some handhold ing. But he was open to that and was appreciative that I was taking a pro active part in his homeless situation.” “I didn’t know if I makewouldit.”
JOHN Sharing a Moment
“This is a great story of someone who, if they get the right support, can really thrive in a beautiful way,” says Andy (left), here with John
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Andy also assisted John in creating and posting a resumé (that had very little work experience) on some job-search websites. Very soon, John received a query from a local restaurant. Lacking interview experience, he again sought Andy’s guidance.
“John’s a great story of someone who, if they get the right support, can really thrive in a beautiful way,” saysJohnAndy.takes a long and reflective pause.“Iknow I’ve used the word ‘luck’ a lot, but I truly believe ‘Someone’ was looking out for me. That ‘Someone’ led me safely through these past couple of years to end up at The Salvation Army, a faith-based organization, and to Belkin House, where my caseworker was a chaplain who genuinely cared.
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Andy helped John obtain a provincial ID, referral to medical assistance, enrolment in a life-skills and employment training program.
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“Thanks to Andy’s help, I was able to get some culinary arts and barista training, which prepared me and gave me valuable skills for a new career path,” John says. “I even got a new pair of work shoes!”
Faith & Friends
“He told me to practise in front of a mirror, to be myself and be hon est,” John says. “I forgot about the practising in front of a mirror part but did the interview anyways. By some luck, the café hired me!”
The University of British Columbia’s job board posted an opportunity in the food services department. Soon after starting work at the café, John decided to apply for the position. “I went through the application process and sent my resumé in,” John says. “By some luck, they hired me.”For the first few months, John jug gled two jobs to make ends meet, but soon a position opened up that offered full-time hours and bet ter job security. This helped ease the difficult decision to leave his first gig. In October 2021, just 12 months into his residency at Belkin House, John applied for a rental spot.
“I look back at all the great pro grams Belkin House offered and the financial literacy workshop that helped me get my finances in order,” he says. “Luckily, I now had a sta ble job and financial statements to support my housing application. I moved in November 2021.”
“What I’ve been through over the past couple of years is not ‘luck,’ it’s God’s plan. It would be great if my story gives hope to others.”
Giving Hope “When the pandemic hit and I was stuck in the United States with just the clothes on my back, I was lost and I didn’t know if I would make it,” John confesses. But he did, thanks to The Sal vation Army and some caring individuals such as Andy and Alvin.
Faith
& Friends FAITH BUILDERS StudiosReleasing/AmazonArtistsUnitedofCourtesyPhoto:
On June 23, 2018, a junior soccer team and their coach entered the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand. Because of sudden, heavy rainfall, the cave flooded and the 12 boys—aged 11 to 16—and their 25-year-old coach became trapped inside.
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A MomentMiracle
Running Out of Time Out in theatres in July and streaming on Amazon Prime Video in August, Thirteen Lives tells the true story of the rescue mission. An international operation began with divers from around the world travelling to Thailand to help. But for nearly two weeks, heavy rains prevented the divers from locating the boys. Finally, on July 2, two Brit ish divers, John Volanthen (Colin Farrell) and Richard Stanton (Viggo Mortensen), found the group alive, perched on an elevated rock four kilometres from the mouth of the cave.Divers delivered food and medicine to the boys while a rescue plan was formulated. It was decided that expert divers would train the boys to use diving masks so that they could breathe underwater while the divers escorted them out of the cave.
Not sure if prayer works? Just ask the rescued soccer team in Thirteen Lives. by Diane Stark
Humble, Heartfelt Prayer For 17 straight days in the summer of 2018, reporters told us that these Happy Days Director Ron Howard (right) at work with the cast of Thirteen Lives Deep, Dark Rescue
The attempt to bring the soccer team home was an international operation
StudiosReleasing/AmazonArtistsUnitedofCourtesyPhotos:
26 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 I faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends FAITH BUILDERS
Then the worst happened: a Thai Navy diver drowned, highlighting the danger of this mission.
The experts came to the sobering realization that it might not be pos sible to bring all of the boys home. They worried that the diving masks might leak or the boys—unused to being underwater for such long periods of time—might panic. Either scenario could cause the deaths of both the boys and the divers.
Updates on the nightly news grew worse with each passing day. One report said the water the divers had to swim through was so muddy that it was like swimming in coffee, and they couldn’t see anything. Another quoted one of the divers as saying that he’d never dove in conditions that bad, even with only professional divers, let alone young children with no experience. The quality of the air in the cave decreased, making a successful rescue even less likely, and more rain was expected. Would the divers be able to rescue the boys before time ran out?
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
More than 100 divers assisted in the Thai cave rescue. More than 10,000 other people—first responders, soldiers and
James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”Ourprayers matter. Sometimes people think, “I couldn’t do anything to help, so I just prayed.” But praying is doing something. It’s ask ing the God of the universe for His help. God loves us and He wants us to bring our concerns to Him. Small miracles and even big ones often start the same way: with a humble, heartfelt prayer.
(left) Diane Stark is a wife, mother of five and freelance writer from rural Indiana. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith.
JAMES 5:16 divers were attempting something that couldn’t be done. But news reports rarely consider the divine. The truth is that God cares about what happens to us, and He is active in our lives. He can—and does—still make miracles happen.
waited for news. All too often, watching the nightly news can make us feel hope less. When that happens, we have two choices. We can feel angry, fearful or depressed about the state of the world—or we can ask God to change it. We might think that we can’t impact a situation on the other side of the world, but that’s not true.
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forWeriskingtecttheirandwereWeworldButrepresentatives—weregovernmentalsoinvolved.millionsofpeoplearoundtheplayedanimportantrole,too.watchedthenewsreportsandmovedtoprayforthe12boystheircoach.WeaskedGodtointerveneonbehalf.WeaskedHimtopro-themandthediverswhoweretheirownlivestosavethem.mighthaveevenaskedforpeacetheboys’parentswhilethey
3. In separate bowl, mix quick rolled oats, brown sugar, flour and either solid coconut oil or cold unsalted butter until crumbly.
5. Bake on the middle rack for 35 minutes.
4. Mix together in large bowl and add salt and pepper to taste.
StanleyErinphotos:Recipe Eating
2. Combine basil, parsley, kale, olive oil, garlic, lemon, Parmesan cheese and goat cheese in blender and mix until smooth.
Blueberry Mixture L (4 cups) blueberriesfrozen 75 ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup 22 ml (½ tbsp) fresh squeezed lemon juice 5 ml (1 tsp) cinnamon pinch of salt Crumble Mixture 250 ml (1 cup) quick rolled oats 75 ml (1/3 cup) brown sugar 125 ml (½ cup) flour 125 ml (½ cup) coconut oil or unsalted butter 200 g (7 oz.) bow tie pasta 500 ml (2 cups) fresh basil 250 ml (1 cup) fresh parsley 250 ml (1 cup) fresh kale 60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil 2 garlic cloves, peeled 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice 60 ml (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese 45 ml (3 tbsp) goat cheese 250 ml (1 cup) diced bacon salt and pepper to taste Healthy With Erin
2. Over medium-low heat, combine frozen blueberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt. Stir occasionally for 15 minutes or until it thickens.
4. Grease a 22 x 22 cm (9 x 9 in.) pan, add blueberry mixture first and top with the crumble mixture.
1. Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F).
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28 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 I faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends LITE STUFF EASY BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE HERB AND KALE PESTO WITH BACON PASTA TIME 50 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH ice cream TIME 20 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH grilled or roasted chicken
1. Bring lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package.
3. Cook bacon in pan and drain fat.
5. Garnish with additional basil and cheese, if desired.
faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • 29 www.kevinfrank.net©LOVEHEAVEN’S SHOPTHRIFT FrankKevinby SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2022 Faith & Friends INSPIRATION FOR LIVING Thai Cave Rescue 13 LIVES P.25 Nikoleta Curcin TRUE TO HERSELF P.12 Not Doing Without ARMY TACKLES HUNGER P.5 NUNAVUT TEACHER PARTNERS WITH SALVATION ARMY TO PROVIDE CLOTHING FOR HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS. P.16 in the North Hope • inspiring true stories of hope and salvation • practical resources that will rejuvenate your spirit • uplifting articles that you can share with friends Subscribe Today Visit faithandfriends.ca/subscribe or call (416) 422-6119 today! Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Sudoku Puzzle 1 7 9 6 4 6 9 4 9 2 6 8 1 5 7 5 1 6 5 1 4 3 2 6 3 4 7 5 8 9 1 7 4 6 3 2 QUICK QUIZ 1. What does the texting abbreviation “WFH” mean? 2. Which star received a total of four Academy Awards during their lifetime, the most for any performer? 3. What team won the 2022 Super Bowl by a score of 23-20? QuickQuizAnswers:1.workingfrom home;2.KatherineHepburn;3.Los AngelesRams. 157928634 638541279 492637815 349785126 876219543 521463987 263194758 985372461 714856392
Back-to-school time is here again, and your local Salvation Army thrift store is ideal for organizing your pens and pencils in a thrifty, nifty jiffy!
Step 2 Now, flatten your material, and use chalk to draw a pattern onto the material. I placed my pens and pencils on the wool scarf to gauge the dimensions I needed for my DIY pencil case. You’ll want to add 3 centimetres to the top and bottom. Make sure you have enough width to accommodate a three-fold for the case.
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30 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 I faithandfriends.ca Faith & Friends Case Study
NIFTY THRIFTY
Step 1 Source a second-hand treasure at your local Salvation Army thrift store. This can be a wool sweater, wool scarf, denim or anything else made from thick, durable Washmaterial.your secondhand find. If it’s wool, you’ll want to felt it by washing it in hot water.
Supplies Needed: Thrifted sweater, scarf or scrap fabric, scissors, ruler, chalk, two buttons, needle, thread, Mason jar lid.
Organize your supplies the “write” way with this DIY project.
Step 3 Once you have the rectangular shape drawn out, add a circular shape to the top and bottom. These circles will be the flaps at the bottom and the top of your case. (Note: I made the top slightly longer than the bottom to make it clear what was the main opening for my case.)
(left) Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.
Step 5 Next, use the chalk to mark where the button opening will be. Cut the holes on the top and bottom flaps. Then, use the chalk to mark where the holes will be on the top side piece, and cut the holes.
That’s it! This is now how your pencil case will look.
Step 6 Sew buttons onto the lower side piece that has no buttonhole. There will be a button at the top and Oncebottom.you’ve stitched the buttons, then you can pull the buttons through the holes in the top side piece. Pull the button through the bottom flap.
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Now, all you need is to add your pens and pencils to your case, and close the top flap.
Step 4 Cut out your case. Now you can pin the case together. Fold the sides—the left side over the middle, then the right side over the middle. Fold the flaps over and pin them.
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40064794PM For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.
