As we mark Remembrance Day again this November, many of us will pause and reflect on the sacrifice of those who fought for peace in times of war.
Peace is not a given in our world. It must be pursued and maintained, on a global scale and in our own lives.
But the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6).
When He was born, angels announced His arrival to a group of shepherds saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2:14).
And before He died, Jesus told His followers, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
The world may not always be peaceful, but when we put our trust in Jesus, we need not fear. He is always with us.
Photo: vetre /stock.Adobe.com
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27
learn more about how Jesus can give you peace, visit our
The
You’ll notice a new contributor in this month’s Lite Stuff. Jonny Hawkins is a Christian and full-time cartoonist whose work has appeared in more than 900 publications since 1986, including Reader’s Digest, Parade, Guideposts, Air & Space and The Medical Post. He estimates that he has drawn more than 50,000 cartoons, and he has created 90 page-aday cartoon calendars that have sold more than a million copies. His comic feature, Everlaughing Life, is now appearing in Faith & Friends, and his new comic strip, Zoolies, has just been syndicated by Tribune Content Agency—after 33 years of trying!
“I hope these Spirit-lifting, stress-relieving cartoons will put a smile on people’s faces,” Jonny writes.
We are honoured to spotlight his work along with John Sanko’s Oh My Word! and Kevin Frank’s Heaven’s Love Thrift Shop.
Thunder Rosa graces our November/December cover, one of the premier professional wrestlers behind All Elite Wrestling’s growing popularity. A remarkable athlete, she is not shy about her faith and the very personal impact The Salvation Army has had on her family. Find out why on page 16.
Elsewhere in this issue of Faith & Friends, you’ll see our look at the new Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile movie, and you’ll read about Allen “Al” Cameron, a member of The Salvation Army who was honoured for his services during the Second World War.
Ken RamsteadTo 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) 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
All you need to do to get a feel for how much Al len “Al” Cameron means to the Army Navy Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) and the community of Moose Jaw, Sask., in general is take a look at some of the people who showed up for his 97th birthday party this past May.
“Different Lives” Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tolley and MLAs Tim McLeod and Greg Lawrence were just a few of the dignitaries who stopped by to honour the Second World War veteran during the come-and-go gathering at the ANAVETS club.
The festivities were a natural fit, not only because of Al’s legacy as an airman during the Second World War but as an honour for an ANAVETS veteran when so many of those who fought in the war are passing on, says president Don Purington.
“They fought, and they gave their lives,” he says. “Us being a veterans’ club, when I started five years ago there were 23, and now they’re fad ing off and fading off. That’s why this is so special. We should have done it a couple of years ago, but then trou ble hit with COVID, so now it’s time to start recognizing these gentlemen more than we do. If it wasn’t for Al and the veterans, we’d be living different lives.”
Stunned and Grateful Al was joined by his children, Brett Cameron from Halifax and Cindy Gummeson from Nanaimo, B.C. Both made the trip to be part of the festivities, which came as a complete surprise to Al himself when they arrived earlier in the week.
“They came all that way, and I had no idea,” Al says as folks milled
about, stopping to offer congratula tions and have a chat. “It’s absolutely nice to be able to see them again.”
Al himself thought he was just stopping in for a visit at the club, but was regaled with “Happy Birthday” the moment he, Cindy and Brett walked through the door, with “97” balloons joined by signs and streamers honouring his birthday.
“I was stunned,” Al says with a smile when asked about his reac tion. “I’m deeply grateful. But this is fantastic.”
“It’s Not Just Me” It was hard for Al not to become emotional when a special gift was unveiled during the party— it was only a few months ago that Al received a special certificate, commemorative pin and letter acknowledging his Second World War service from the Canadian government, and he made the decision to have the awards displayed in the ANAVETS clubhouse.
The club unveiled the special matte-style mounting plaque that will hang in the building for every one to see.
“If it wasn’t for Al and the veterans, we’d be living different lives.”
On top of his service, Don felt hon ouring Al was fitting just because of the kind of person he is.
“You could go to any room and if you feel out of place, if Al’s there, he’ll make you feel like you’re in place,” he says. “He has that kind of aura around him; he’s a special, special man. And there’s not enough we can do for him or any of the vet erans. Just doing this is a good start, a good recognition.”
Salvation Army pastor Lieutenant Lester Ward also delivered greet ings for Al, a longtime parishioner at the local church. Lieutenant Les ter made special mention of Al’s singing and engagement in the services as well as his position as a valuable part of the Salvation Army
community.
Longtime friend Arlene Ayles was happy to see the ANAVETS putting such effort into honouring Al, especially in his later years.
“I know Al is so honoured when the Army Navy Air Force Veter ans do things like this for him,” she says. “It’s really touching to see that, because it makes him feel so spe cial. And I know for us it feels like we can’t do enough, not just for Al but all the veterans, but it’s nice to be able to do something like this for such a wonderful man.”
To learn more about Al’s war service, visit salvationist.ca/ honouring-a-veteran.
Reprinted from Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday. com, May 22, 2022
Clara Preete has been knitting items for the Melfort community in Saskatchewan for 24 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital couldn’t accept her toques in 2021, but The Salvation Army did
As a regular attendee at The Salvation Army since she was 16, Clara Preete’s faith in God taught her to look beyond herself and think of others. For 24 years, she has knitted mittens for the Army’s Christmas hampers. She’s also made toques for newborns at the Melfort Hospital in Saskatchewan for 12 years.
Asked what she hopes for the people who receive the mittens, Clara responds from her home in Melfort.
“I hope their hands will be warm!” she laughs and then goes on to say,
“I also hope people who come to The Salvation Army will realize what God can do for them.”
During each Christmas season, Clara’s knitted items are included in Salvation Army hampers on request and also placed at a display table for anyone to take on the day they pick up their hamper.
Clara first learned to knit at school in Grade 5.
As part of a class project, Clara and
her classmates knitted 25-centimetre (10-inch) squares that were assembled into blankets for the Red Cross, and then sent to serving soldiers.
It was her first venture into knitting for a good cause, but it certainly would not be her last.
“One of my neighbours came over and taught me how to knit socks,” says Clara. “Then she taught me how to read patterns and make mittens, and then I got my own patterns.”
With a large family on both sides, Clara found joy in making and gifting items for those whom she loved—“baby outfits, mitts, socks and scarves.”
“You won’t find a pair of mittens knit with more love than the ones Clara provides,” says Salvation Army pastor Major Rick Robins who, together with his wife, Major Jennifer Robins, led The Salvation Army Melfort Circuit with Nipawin and Tisdale until recently.
“We’d see people wearing them when they’d come into the thrift store and around town. People love them.
“For many, it reminded them of the ones their grandmother or great-
Boxed With Love
“Clara is such a special lady and we are so thankful for her knitting ministry,” says Major Jennifer Robins
grandmother made for them and brought up fond memories. They’ve all been very grateful that someone has thought to make something for them.”
Clara has since had to slow down the number of knitted projects she can make due to health issues, but her faith in God continues to give her strength each day.
“God has been with me through many situations in my life and I rely on Him to pull me through,” she says. “Without Him, I don’t know where I’d be.”
(left)
Melissa Yue Wallace is a journalism graduate and freelance writer who is passionate about helping people in need and encouraging the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children.
Iwas sitting at the dining room table in front of my computer, pretending to work. Boxes and furniture were all over the place, as the house was in the middle of being repainted and redecorated.
The disarray mirrored the state of my heart and soul. While I seemed to be working, I was Googling ways of committing suicide so that my family wouldn’t find me. No one
knew how desperate I was feeling— and I didn’t even know how to express it.
I was determined to end my life. I just couldn’t take the pain anymore.
I grew up on a farm in a rural community, the youngest of four sisters, three foster sisters and one brother.
My life was overwhelming and there was nowhere to turn. Could anyone help me?
It was a Christian home and my parents tried to make sure we knew about Jesus. But the relationship with Him was often missing, instead becoming something more legalistic and rules-oriented. The message I accidentally received was that I was bad at my core.
While we lived below the poverty line, my parents did their best to provide for us children. We had clothes to wear and food to eat, and we knew that our parents were always there for us.
However, because it was a large family, there were moments in time when we were left with people my parents trusted, but didn’t know they couldn’t. As an adult, I have learned that the word precious means “not to be treated carelessly.”
Unfortunately, as a child there were those who chose to treat me carelessly, and I experienced sexual abuse at the age of three, at five and again at 11 with other incidences in between and following.
I suppressed those memories for a long time.
The abuse, combined with poverty, childhood bullying and feeling isolated and alone, caused me to leave home at 16. My leaving had nothing to do with my mother and father. Looking back, I realize I was emotionally wounded but didn’t grasp its impact.
Moving away to nearby Kingston, Ont., I tried completing my high school education, but dropped out and started working. I returned to school when I was 20 and, by the age of 23, I was getting married.
By this time, I had stopped attending church, and I had no interest in God. My father, knowing this, agreed to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day—but only if, in return, I would promise to go to church for a year after I was married. (That was the legalistic, rules-oriented part of my upbring ing.) As any daughter might, all I wanted was to have my father walk me down the aisle. So, I agreed.
I kept my promise. Right after the honeymoon, I started going to church.
Thankfully, God has a way of working things out for the best. Despite my father’s misguided pressure, I encountered God’s love.
When my daughter was three months old, I was feeling overwhelmed.
I’d started to attend a women’s Bible study on Thursday mornings. One day, I found myself alone with my pastor’s wife and their daughter, whom I had known since I was a youth.
As we were praying and I held my
own daughter, something stirred me to ask them if I could pray for myself. They both immediately responded, “Of course.”
“I don’t think I can take care of my daughter on my own,” I prayed aloud. “I need Christ.”
In that moment, we bowed our heads, and I gave my heart to Him.
A year later, as I was working on my behavioural science diploma and was driving home from school one evening, all of the abuses I had suffered as a child surfaced, like a videotape playing in my vision. I had to pull over. In a searing moment, all the pain that had taken place in my life flashed before my eyes.
While I had come to God, I hadn’t
met the Holy Spirit yet. I still didn’t really know how to lean on Him to receive healing and, despite my best attempts, the next year brought me to that crisis moment in front of the computer.
As I looked for ways to end my own life, I knew that whatever I was going to do, it would be done the next day.
At that moment, my daughter, who was then two years old, came up and put both of her little hands on my leg. She looked up into my eyes and I looked down at hers.
It was then that I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say, “Rachel, God would never want you to do that.”
It was as if the two of us were
having a private conversation in the dining room.
“God,” I responded, “if You would never want me to do that, that means there must be a way out. You have got to get me out of where I am.”
The next morning when I woke up, I was still in the same situation I had been in the night before, in the same circumstances, with the same feelings—but there suddenly was hope. Hope dispels darkness, and it brought new vision to my eyes.
At that moment, I started to understand the Bible, to really grasp what it was saying to me. It was as if the Bible was suddenly speaking to me and bringing healing.
And so began a journey of under-
standing and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. I finally realized how much Jesus loved me, how He had gotten rid of all those rules and reg ulations and traditions that had negatively affected me in my child hood and youth.
With the support of some family, friends and my church family, God began to heal and restore.
I’ve never been the same since. It’s been a constant, transformational journey. I would never say that it has been easy, but it has been filled with God’s love, joy and peace.
Life isn’t always easy. Are you worried about yourself or someone else? Contact The Salvation Army’s Crisis/Hope Line at 905-522-1477 or 1-855-294-4673, or visit hopesalive.ca.
(left) Rachel “Rae” Quirt is the director of discipleship and care with The Salvation Army’s Encounter Church in Lower Sackville, N.S., as well as a therapist working with Archway Counselling in Truro, N.S. Her greatest joy is to minister God’s love, bringing healing and restoration to those she encounters.
“God, You have got to get me out of where I am.”
RACHEL QUIRT
“But he’s a crocodile!” Mrs. Primm says to her young son, Josh, when he begs her to keep the huge reptile that they’ve discovered bathing and singing in their attic.
Josh has struggled to fit into his scary new environment since he and his parents moved to New York City. But when he comes across Lyle the crocodile, Josh’s life takes a joyous turn. Lyle proves to be a faithful and kind friend, helping Josh adjust to life in the Big Apple.
“Mom, he’s harmless,” Josh reasons. “All he does is sing and eat caviar. And he wears a cute scarf!”
Mr. and Mrs. Primm finally allow
Lyle to stay. He becomes part of their family, even helping clean the house and entertain the kids in the neighbourhood. But their mean neighbour, Mr. Grumps, thinks Lyle is a nuisance. The persnickety man schemes to have Lyle trapped and taken to the zoo.
Will Josh be able to rescue his best friend? And even if he manages that miracle, will Josh be able to convince Mr. Grumps that Lyle is not a threat, but a loveable, essential member of the neighbourhood, even though he’s a crocodile?
If this story sounds familiar, it’s because Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, Sony Pictures’ newest animated family
musical, is based on the beloved children’s book by Bernard Waber. Perhaps your parents read the Lyle series to you, or you read it to your kids or grandkids. Now you can experience it on the big screen.
Juno-winning and Grammynominated Canadian singer Shawn Mendes makes his film debut as the voice of Lyle. Winslow Fegley (Spin ning Gold ) plays the young Josh Primm and Constance Wu (Crazy Rich Asians) is Mrs. Primm. In the atres now, this film’s perfect blend of adventure, music and fun is sure to delight audiences of every age.
Same Kind of Different Friends come in various forms. We may be tempted to avoid others who are different from us in how we look, the culture we grew up in or the way we talk. The story of Lyle reminds us that differences can benefit our community and our world.
• Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the latest in a series of live action/CGI adaptations of children’s books, including Paddington, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Christopher Robin.
• Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo who penned songs for The Greatest Showman, collaborated with Shawn Mendes on the score for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
• The real impetus behind Mr. Grumps’ hatred of Lyle is his cat, Loretta. (But even if you’re a cat person, you’ll enjoy this movie!)
Jesus welcomed everyone who sincerely requested His help. Their differences didn’t deter Him from relating to them. He ate with sin ners, healed lepers and even forgave the thief who hung on the cross beside Him. Jesus’ love for others was inclusive, not limited.
When we welcome as friends “the least of these” (see Matthew 25:40) who may look and act differently than we do, we remind others of Jesus, the Best Friend Ever.
(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 jeanettelevellie.com.
She’s a Shoe-In! Thunder Rosa (Melissa CervantesRobles) volunteered at The Salvation Army’s annual Shoe-In event, which helped provide new shoes and socks to more than 2,000 elementary schoolchildren in need in San Antonio, Texas
MELISSA CERVANTES-ROBLES, OR Thunder Rosa to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) fans, is a fighter. In March of this year, she won the AEW Women’s World Championship title in a vicious steel-cage match. At the age of 35, Thunder Rosa’s fierce competitiveness in the ring has made her one of the leading lights of AEW ’s Women’s Division.
But she’s an owner as well as a fighter. Her Mission Pro-Wrestling is an all-female show. In addition to her wrestlers, Thunder Rosa strives to hire women in all areas involved in produc tion: commentators, announcers, designers, camera women, photographers and ticket takers.
Kettle Challenge
Thunder Rosa and nationally syndicated radio personality Billy Madison compete with their respectively decorated kettles to see who can raise the most funds for San Antonio families in need
A real girl’s girl, Thunder Rosa has a heart for supporting women in a sport that up until recently was a male-dominated one.
In Time of Need
Thunder Rosa also has a heart for The Salvation Army. This year, Mission Pro-Wrestling has hosted various wrestling events to help raise money for the San Antonio Salvation Army’s after-school programs in Texas. Their show in April was titled “Living on the Edge.”
“For kids living in some parts of the city, you sometimes can feel like you’re living on the edge,” Thunder Rosa says. “You never know if you’re going to get in trouble, or if being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get you into things that you
never thought that you would get into. I want to make a difference in those lives.”
Thunder Rosa’s connection to The Salvation Army goes back to when she was just Melissa. Before becoming a professional wrestler, she was a professional social worker, working with at-risk young adults struggling with mental illness, sub stance abuse and other issues.
“Even before I became a social worker, I helped with homeless families in the San Francisco Bay Area,” she says. “It was tough for them. Very few organizations had apart ments for families, and waiting lists were long. I met one kid who had problems with mental illness, as did his father. He and his dad and brother had just been evicted, and they needed someplace stable.
I called The Salvation Army and they were able to find a place for that family. There wasn’t a lot of red tape to go through—they just wanted to help people.”
In addition, Thunder Rosa is thankful for the Army’s alcohol and drug detox programs from which some of her friends have benefited. The Salvation Army also helped her mother out in a time of need.
“Years ago, my mother was homeless at one point,” she says. “She suffered a heart attack and when she got out of the hospital, she had nowhere to stay. Thankfully, The Salvation Army in San Diego had a month-long housing program for
people just out of hospital. I talked to them, and they let my mom stay there for two months. I don’t know what would have happened to her otherwise.”
Thunder Rosa grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, until moving with her family to California when she was 17. She remembers living through hard times as a teenager, the hardest being when both her parents lost their jobs at the same time. Had some of her teachers not provided tuition and book money, she would not have been able to stay in school. After surviving coming from
Terrific Trio Thunder Rosa, Salvation Army Major Rob Webb and comedian Cleto Rodriguez at the kickoff for the Army’s Christmas kettle campaign
“Thunder Rosa also has a heart for The Salvation Army.”
JAYNE THURBER-SMITHPhotos: Courtesy of The Salvation Army San Antonio, Texas
nothing, she wants to help those who have nothing.
“I don’t do fundraising for per sonal recognition,” she says. “It comes from the bottom of my heart. I helped out with charities even before I became famous. I always volunteered when I could, bring ing my husband and son along with me, so we could give back. That’s just
In April, Thunder Rosa defended and retained her Women’s World Championship belt against Nyla Rose in the main event of AEW’s Battle of the Belts II
“From the Graveyards of Tijuana” Thunder Rosa’s “Day of the Dead” face paint represents many things at once: rebirth; triumph over personal and family tragedy; and honouring, celebrating and fighting for the memory of dead loved ones
me; I try to see the solution, not the problem. I’m a giving person and want to make a difference. Winning the AEW championship now allows me to do a lot more for more people. Having that belt helps me shine light on the projects dear to me. I hope to encourage others to help someone in need.”
Her “Thunder Rosa” ring name is a
tribute to Thunder Road, a rehabili tation centre for teenagers where she worked while training for her future wrestling career. Her “Day of the Dead” face paint, a nod to her Mex ican roots and the annual festivities of the same name, represents rebirth and triumph over tragedy. Win or lose a match, just enjoying being in the ring after where she has come from is a true triumph, and she looks forward to a bright future.
“You have to continue to push yourself, continue to try different things,” she says. “If you don’t, you don’t really live life. AEW encourages me to pursue my dreams in and out of the ring.”
Thunder Rosa believes that right now she is where she should be. In
July 2020, when she was at a cross roads in her wrestling career, she asked God for patience and wisdom. As she was praying, she got the phone call she was hoping for, that AEW had a contract for her to sign.
“I believe in prayer, especially when I am in need of clarity,” she says. “As you develop as a per son through the years, things keep changing. When I’m having trou ble dealing with something, I have good spiritual friends to tell me I just have to leave it up to God. The other day one of my friends texted me a reminder to put God first and told me to read this verse every time I’m struggling:
“ ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.”
(left) Jayne Thurber-Smith is a wife, mother of four and freelance writer from Nova Scotia who presently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She enjoys tennis, horseback riding and reading.
“I try to see the solution, not the problem.”
by Ken Ramstead
Actress Dawn Wells of Gilligan’s Island fame once said, “Kindness can have a ripple effect. I’ve seen it. It feels good to leave a room happier than when you came in.”
The late actress’ words came back to me the other morning.
I’d just left my doctor’s office in an irked mood. The diagnosis was unclear but the prognosis was tests, tests and more tests.
Tests, I thought to myself on the subway ride home. It’s OK for doctors to want to do tests. I’m the one that’ll have to book time off work to get them
A LATE-MORNING COMMUTE TAUGHT ME HOW ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.Photo: moodboard/stock.Adobe.com
done. Deadlines don’t wait for doc tors’ tests.
(Yes, I think like that.)
My mood was not improved as I ascended to the street-level platform. Instead of a few morning stragglers waiting for the bus that would take me back to work, more than two dozen people were there.
I overheard someone saying she had already been waiting 15 min utes and it seemed as if the next bus would not arrive for another half an hour.
That’s just great, I fumed to myself. I’ll have lost the entire day at this rate!
I wasn’t alone. The waiting crowd had started muttering to themselves.
The loudest mutterer was a young man in a Hawaiian T-shirt who was pacing the embarkation platform, talking on his cellphone.
“Of course, the bus hasn’t arrived!” he said. “Buses are never on time! I’ll have to take a taxi because I can’t be
late. What else can I do? I was sup posed to have enough time to pick them up and get there before the appointment. Why does this always happen to me?”
The man’s anger was infectious. People along the platform were becoming agitated, trying to figure out ways to get home, to get to work, to get to appointments. The atmo sphere on this sunny day had turned dark.
At that point, our bus rolled to the platform. After the final passenger had debarked, the bus driver stepped out. I expected someone uncaring about the wait he had inflicted.
My thoughts couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“Guys, I am so sorry for the delay you have all been through,” he told us. “Of the three buses on this line, one broke down and the driver reported sick on the other. I’m afraid I’m all there is for the moment until the late afternoon.”
“
That’s just great, I fumed to myself. I’ll have lost the entire day at this rate! ”
KEN RAMSTEAD
He responded courteously to every passenger’s inquiry. “That store is right on this route.” “I’ll get you as close to your destination as I can.” “Don’t worry!”
Unfailingly cheerful, he answered a few more questions and then announced, “If you can all get on, I’ll get going as fast as I can. But first,” he smiled, “I need to respond to a call of nature. I’ve been driving for four hours without a break!”
By the time we were on the bus and leaving the station, the bitter mood had lifted. People were smiling, and the happiest person seemed to be the Hawaiian T-shirt guy, who had alerted his parents, waiting for him at a stop further down the line.
“Don’t worry, Ma. We’re on our way. This driver’s been great. He’s doing all he can, and we’ll be there soon.” Turns out they were going to an important doctor’s appointment for his ailing father.
His relief was palpable when his parents got on the bus at their stop, and I even vacated my own seat and stood so that they could sit close together.
By the time I got to my own stop, I was smiling, too, as our cheerful bus driver and our cheerful passengers continued on their way.
We all know the sayings dealing with bad apples spoiling the bunch
and ill winds blowing nobody good. But before that, the Bible had already turned them on their head. Biblical expressions of people leading and inspiring by example are many, up to and including Jesus.
For three years during His min istry on earth, Jesus preached the Word of God. He not only healed the sick, the blind and the lame but even worried about whether His followers had enough to eat! Thousands flocked to hear His com passionate words and came away uplifted in spirit by His example. Jesus’ most famous parable is about the Good Samaritan who helped a man that was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. He ends the story by telling His listeners, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
This is reflected throughout the New Testament. “And let us con sider,” says the writer of Hebrews, “how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25 English Standard Version).
I have no idea if the bus-driving encourager was a Christian, a per son of another faith or even had no faith at all, for that matter. All I know is that, wittingly or not, he affirmed for me how one person’s good nature had a ripple effect on an entire busload of passengers.
The question you asked [in Juanae Crockwell’s article about Mary Prince Day] is a profound one (“Emancipating My Thoughts,” July/August 2022). It certainly resonated with me. Your question makes me think of how blessed I am to be free. Free to worship, free to express myself, etc. So many people do not have this privilege in so many parts of the world.
I think I can do so much more with my freedom. Perhaps use it to work on a much better version of myself. I can also use it to make meaningful changes that will have powerful impacts on the people that I meet. Most of all, I will use my freedom to become closer to Jesus. To seek God first and, as it is written, all other things will be added to glorify God. I wonder how free we are as individuals? Many of us are, to some degree, enslaved by our experiences and some happenings in our lives in one way or the other. Thank you for such an interesting question.
What struck me was Patrick Humble’s comment about sitting on the other side of the table [as a former Salvation Army client] (“Turning the Tables,” May/June 2022). A place we all could be but for the grace of our God. I’m fairly new to The Salvation Army’s Connection Point Church in Victoria. I feel so loved and accepted by everyone. Pat is so easy to talk to. I see him sitting in the hallway at times just to ask a person how they are, what can he do. And, of course, serving them coffee, tea or whatever they need. Humble, caring, generous are just a few words to describe his love and caring of all who come in. God bless you, Pat, today and all the days of your life for His glorious service.
—Arlene Holland
Wonderful to read what you have done [with regard to Angela Rafuse’s pet adoption organization] (“Pet Project,” July/August 2022). I’m sure you put many seniors’ hearts at peace knowing there is someone out there to help them find new homes for their little angels. I have two cats so I know how important it is to realize there are folks like you. God bless your efforts —Envoy Jean Cohen
“Can I Do More With My Freedom?”
—Daveka Howell-Parkes
Standing His Ground Ed Ostermeier finds fulfilment in volunteering to help others
by Melissa Yue Wallace
When the church that Ed Ostermeier was attending closed down in 2001, he and his wife began praying about where to go next. While living in southwestern Ontario, his wife’s cousin, who lived in Alberta, unexpectedly phoned them and suggested they try a Salvation Army church.
“I thought, The Army does a lot of good things to help the underprivileged, who have always laid heavy on my heart,” he says. “So, we decided to try it.”
After attending a few services, Ed decided to become an official member of the church and has been volunteering with the Army since.
“Best thing I ever did.”
Throughout the year, Ed stocks shelves in the food bank, packs groceries and sometimes delivers hampers.
“When they need me, I’m here,” says Ed. “During the Christmas season, I’m here every day, packing boxes with items that come in from donations.” He also serves as a kettle volunteer, and has helped to recruit and co-ordinate volunteers.
After retiring from his 26-year career as a custodian in Grey County, Ont., with the Bluewater District School Board, Ed and his wife moved to Collingwood, Ont., in 2015 and became part of The Salvation Army Collingwood Community Church. The Ostermeier family includes three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
“A few years ago, two of my granddaughters stood at the kettle with me at a grocery store,” he recalls. “We had a fantastic time acting silly, doing a little singing, and people really enjoyed it.
“Helping others brings fulfilment and I hope my family knows that all the work I do is for the Lord.”
Captain Rob Hardy, who together with his wife, Captain Micheline, were appointed to Collingwood Community Church in 2020, says volunteers are essential to keeping ministries going, especially due to the issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We found that not having enough people on our kettles affected every thing, because funding from the kettles goes toward family services, the food bank and emergency relief,” says Captain Rob. “Without volunteers, we can’t do what we need to do.”
Ed recently became the corps sergeant-major, the top lay person in an Army church, and serves in street ministry. On Monday nights, he sits on a bench in front of the church with his Bible and speaks with any body who wants to talk or who may need advice.
“Ed is a man of God, and he loves people, but he hates the attention— he truly does,” laughs Captain Rob. “Yet his love for the Lord pushes him, and that’s why he can do what he does and how he can speak to people on the street.
“It’s inspiring to witness.”
“When they need me, I’m here.” ED OSTERMEIER
TIME 45 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH steak or chicken
6 slices bacon
450 g (1 lb) frozen scallops (defrost ahead of time in cold water) butter fresh parsley
1. Preheat oven to 220 C (425 F).
2. Slice bacon in half horizontally and again vertically.
3. Wrap bacon around scallops and pin with toothpick.
4. Lightly grease baking pan with butter.
5. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn scallops over and cook for another 10 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and garnish with parsley.
TIME 50 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH chicken, steak or bacon-wrapped scallops
450 g (1 lb) sweet potatoes (3 large or 4-5 small)
225 g (½ lb) apple
2 cloves garlic, diced
675 g (1½ lbs) brussels sprouts
75 ml (5 tbsp) olive oil
15 ml (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar
5 ml (1 tsp) honey
5 ml (1 tsp) dried thyme
2.5 ml (½ tsp) coarse salt
1 ml (¼ tsp) black pepper
1. Preheat oven to 220 C (425 F) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Peel sweet potatoes and apple, slice into cubes and place in bowl. Add garlic.
3. Slice brussels sprouts in half, discarding end of each sprout as well as any wilted or discoloured leaves. Add to bowl with sweet potato, apple and garlic.
4. Add olive oil, vinegar, honey, thyme, salt and pepper to small bowl. Whisk and pour over brussels sprouts, sweet potato, apple and garlic. Mix well to cover evenly.
5. Spread on baking sheet pan and cook for 20 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 15-20 minutes, depending on how crispy you want the brussels sprouts.
A W E R C E O O S B D A X T C A F P S S Y T A C U O A G D T E X A S G A
T Q T M T J G Z P E G N O J R T C I U V N R A E I A V E O O T X O R R N A J T Y O N D R M K N D R A W O H T R Y U S G P P A J E E N D D P N R B T M J A I E H F N Y S A Y R N A O A
M R S P O C K Y N R N P I D B U O L Y V J N U N I L S D E Y C O O T M L D R A N O E L S D I A B E E B N M S S O F T K I T T Y R C D L N N O A T A U W X B C P L B H X S L G E D T A E K A C E S E E H C P U O I W L E R C O M I C B O O K Z Q I C N H E S T T Y L R E V E B R D W D A E A H Z R C A L T E C H Q I U N I V E R S E E L E S L I E W I N K L E L R T W Y K M A R Y C O O P E R A N E D A S A P
Give your ho-hum glassware some much needed pizzazz.
Vaseswith interesting shapes and colours have piqued my interest lately as they can be used to elevate your space, and they are also great conversation starters. I thrifted this vase from my local Salvation Army thrift store for $2. Since they are usually priced under $10, I definitely got this for a steal! I thought it would be a great idea to upcycle this vase and give it a more interesting look.
Note: This project is best done outside because of the strong smell of the paint.
Supplies Needed: Glassware/vase of your choice, spray paint and cardboard.
Step 1 Place glassware on cardboard.
Step 2 Spray glassware with paint and let dry for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3 Go over areas that need to be covered and let dry for another 15-20 minutes. After the waiting period, you should have an awesome new vase.
There you have it: a new vase that is unique and your own for under $20. The spray paint I used for the project cost me only $10, and I went with a colour that is a little bit muted and natural, which fits with my space perfectly.
(left) Osareme David Dom-okoebu is a content creator and a creative expert for The Salvation Army. He creates content on Instagram (@_reme_) centred mainly on thrifted menswear. He also shares how to be stylish without breaking the bank. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.
