If the Shoe Fits ...
Finding a Father
HELPING THE ARMY P.8 AN OPEN DOOR P.10
A Mentor’s Wisdom
“DON’T QUIT” P.22
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PHIL CALLAWAY PRAYED FOR “HELP” THAT HIS SON AND DAUGHTER-INLAW WOULD FIND A BABY TO ADOPT. P.14
Finding Ezra
Feeling Washed Up? A woman once met a young girl while walking along the beach. The girl was picking up washed-up starfish and tossing them back into the sea. “Why are you wasting your time doing that?” the woman asked. “There are thousands of starfish. You can’t throw them all back. Does it matter?” The girl held up a starfish and said, “It matters to this one.” Are you feeling stranded, defeated or “washed up”? Like the starfish, we matter to God. He sent Jesus into the world to save us and show us how to live full lives. “ He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength.” —Psalm 147:3-5 (The Message)
T o begin a relationship with God today, visit our website faithandfriends.ca, contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ont. M4H 1P4, or visit your nearest Salvation Army church.
June 2021
VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6
FAITH BUILDERS
5 A New Hope
Flora & Ulysses teaches that there is a (super) hero in all of us. COMMON GROUND
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8 If the Shoe Fits …
Salmon Arm community steps up to support Salvation Army ministry. FEATURES
If the Shoe Fits ...
Finding a Father
HELPING THE ARMY P.8 AN OPEN DOOR P.10
A Mentor’s Wisdom
“DON’T QUIT” P.22
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
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PHIL CALLAWAY PRAYED FOR “HELP” THAT HIS SON AND DAUGHTER-INLAW WOULD FIND A BABY TO ADOPT. P.14
Finding Ezra
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COVER STORY 20
An Open Door
How a DNA test was the missing piece to Tina Mitchell’s family puzzle.
Finding Ezra
Phil Callaway prayed for “help” that his son and his wife would find a baby to adopt.
Stories of Serving
The Salvation Army Prince George Community Church provides comfort, hope and friendship. GOD IN MY LIFE 22 A Mentor’s Wisdom
She taught me an important lesson, both for my faith and my life. LITE STUFF 26 Eating Healthy With Erin
Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search. NIFTY THRIFTY
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29 From Drab to Fab
Restyle a humble socket plate into a work of art.
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FROM THE EDITOR
Crossing That Bridge “
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person’s story is the bridge that connects the past to the present and the future,” believes Major Tina Mitchell. This is why she felt compelled to tell her own story of adoption and highlight the process of finding her birth parents. “Historically, stories have served as vehicles to convey messages,” she says. “While only a tiny minority of children and families are touched by adoption, as a symbol of identity and belonging, adoption speaks to everyone. And adoption stories are read eagerly by people relieved to discover that others feel the same.” Telling Major Tina’s story fulfilled many needs: the need to discover the reality associated with the mysteries of her origin and an incomplete birth certificate; the need to search for her natal heritage; and the deep need for the connection of physical resemblance. “I wanted to fill in the gaps in my life so that I could pass this information on to my own children,” she says. “While it was emotionally difficult to walk through that open door,” Major Tina continues, “I had to overcome that fear and begin the search in order to live the rest of my life without regret. It was important for me to put my story into a written narrative as a way to pass on to others the courage to possibly consider this adventure for themselves.” Major Tina’s story is on page 10. Elsewhere in this issue, see how a mentor taught one young woman a lesson that changed her life, and discover how one man gave his “sole” to the Army.
Ken Ramstead 4 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
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
FAITH BUILDERS
A New Hope Movie teaches that there is a (super) hero in all of us.
Photos: Courtesy of Disney+
by Diane Stark
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lora & Ulysses, streaming now on Disney+, is a children’s movie based on Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Award-winning novel by the same name. “Born Anew” Flora Buckman (Matilda Lawler) is only 10 years old, but she already describes herself as a cynic. An avid reader, one of Flora’s favourite books is called Terrible Things Can Hap-
pen to You. And something terrible has happened to her. Her mom, a romance novelist (Alyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother), and her dad, a struggling comic-book writer turned hardware-store manager (Ben Schwartz), have recently separated. Flora lives with her mom, but they have a strained relationship, and she wishes she lived with her dad. One day, a quirky neighbour is vacuuming her lawn and accidentally
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sucks up a squirrel. Flora hears the commotion and hurries to help. She performs CPR to resuscitate the little guy and then decides to take him home. She names him Ulysses after the brand of the vacuum cleaner that sucked him up. That night, Ulysses types a message on Flora’s mom’s computer: “Squirtel. I am. Ulysses. Born anew.”
Can Flora overcome her cynicism and allow this unexpected hero to help her fix the broken pieces in her life? Feeling Super Superhero squirrels only exist in the movies, but ordinary people with special gifts and talents are everywhere. Some of us have the
Flora believes that every superhero has a purpose, and she is determined to help Ulysses find his. Unexpected Hero That’s when Flora decides that Ulysses’ vacuum cleaner incident has turned him into a superhero. Not only can Ulysses spell (sort of), he can fly and has super strength, too! Flora believes that every superhero has a purpose, and she is determined to help Ulysses find his. She soon discovers that he has a real knack for helping people, including her. The little squirrel brings something into Flora’s life that she’s never allowed herself to feel: hope. But when her mom decides that Ulysses’ odd behaviour indicates that he has rabies and calls animal control to take him away, Flora stands to lose her only true friend.
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wonderful ability to read other people and intuitively know how to help them. Others have a way of making another person feel loved and accepted with just a simple smile. Some people are sacrificially generous with their time and money, and others use a talent, such as cooking or being great with kids, to serve others. These abilities might not seem like superpowers, but they are granted to us by God for a specific purpose. He wants us to use our talents to help others and show them His love. When Flora was sad about her family’s problems, she said that people often look to the skies for someone to save them, and she felt
Salvation Army Media Wins 14 Awards
that Ulysses was sent to save her. But the more time she spent with him, the more she realized that she could help people, too. “The best part of having a superhero around is how you start to feel like one, too,” she says. A Hero in All of Us Flora’s words can be true for us as well. Spending time with kind and generous people could inspire us to be more thoughtful ourselves. Good deeds can often be contagious and helping another person can remind us that there’s always a reason to feel hopeful. In today’s world, there are a lot of reasons to feel cynical. One look at the headlines can make us feel apprehensive about the future. Like Flora, we might look to the skies for Someone to save us. While God does save His people, He often uses other people to do it. We don’t have to have superpowers, either. We just need to reach out and love people using the gifts that God has given us. Doing that makes each of us a superhero.
The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory’s magazines, website (Salvationist.ca) and digital media won 14 awards at the annual Canadian Christian Communicators Association ceremony this spring. The CCCA (formerly the Canadian Church Press) has 68 members, including individuals and representatives from publications of mainline, Catholic and evangelical churches. The awards are judged by accomplished secular journalists and academics. Faith & Friends received four awards for articles published in 2020. Tricks of the Trade, a profile of magician Sawyer Bullock in the March issue, won second place in the Biographical Profile category. Dennis Jones’ drawings for October’s Best Breakfast, Quarantined, secured third place for Original Artwork. The December Jacob’s Bell Front Cover/Page also won a third-place nod, as did May’s Ordeal in the Operating Room, for Feature Layout and Design. Our sister magazine, Salvationist, received seven awards. Salvationist.ca took home two and our marketing and communications department received a well-deserved first place in the Marketing Campaign category for its COVID-19 national campaign: “Everyone Needs an Army.” Check out all of our winning entries online.
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COMMON GROUND
Photo: Cara Archer
Faith&Friends
If the Shoe Fits … Salmon Arm community steps up to support Salvation Army ministry. by Melissa Yue Wallace
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or the third year, the owner of Kintec Salmon Arm, an orthotics and footwear company in British Columbia, collected shoes for distribution through community services at New Hope Community
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Church. “The idea was to try to find different ways to give back to the community, and shoes are what I know, so it all just kind of fit,” says Graham Archer. As an extra
Saved Soles Graham Archer poses in front of the shoes he collected for The Salvation Army in Salmon Arm, B.C. David Byers, community services director for the past 19 years, says he was amazed by the number of shoes that Graham brought in. “He had to bring them in two different trucks because there were so many,” he laughs
incentive to his campaign, Graham matches each pair with a one-dollar cash donation. In 2019, he collected 170 pairs and, in 2020, that number increased to 349 pairs. “It’s great to have com-
“ It’s always been my passion to give back when I can.” GRAHAM ARCHER
munity support,” says Graham. “We doubled the amount we collected, so we’ll see how many shoes are out there in 2021!” Since moving from Port Coquit-
lam, B.C., to Salmon Arm in 2018 for a change in lifestyle and to escape the corporate world, he and his family have enjoyed being a part of a smaller community and have involved themselves with several charitable organizations. “It’s always been my passion to give back when I can,” he says. His 10- and 13-year-old daughters have developed a similar spirit of generosity, choosing to collect donations instead of presents for their birthdays. Graham hopes this small effort of collecting donated shoes will make a difference to people in need in some way. “It’s just one little thing that will allow people to get to the next step in their lives, whatever that may be,” he says.
(left) Melissa Yue Wallace is a journalism graduate and freelance writer who has a passion to help people in need and to encourage the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Through her writing, she has raised awareness and funds for earthquake victims in Haiti, orphaned children in South Africa, vulnerable families in Paraguay, people affected by leprosy in India, as well as local organizations in Canada. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children.
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FEATURE
Family Reunion Majors Cecil and Tina Mitchell (left) meet Bernie Cormier and his partner, Lola Ogden, for the first time
An Open Door HOW A DNA TEST WAS THE MISSING PIECE TO MY FAMILY PUZZLE. by Tina Mitchell
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always knew I was adopted. There were no secrets in my family. As an infant, two incredible members of The Salvation Army, William and Laura Moulton from Burin Bay, N.L., took me into their home. I lived most of my life believing God had a special plan for my life 10 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
because they had chosen me. I always prayed that, one day, I would meet my birth parents. My adoptive parents—now deceased— had encouraged me to find my biological family since childhood. As I grew older, married and had children of my own, I became more
inquisitive about my birth parents. I had many unanswered questions: I wanted to know where my ancestors were from, find out more information about my genetic makeup and obtain a health history. While I believe that deciding to trace a birth family is an individual decision, I was hesitant and spent many years contemplating how this decision would impact other lives as well. It’s critical to have a proper support network in place before setting out on this journey. The Adventure of a Lifetime Through my own research using government adoption records, I was fortunate to track down my birth mother’s family, the Yetmans from Bay Roberts, N.L., about 15 years ago. Sadly, I learned that my birth mother, Margaret Rose, had been tragically killed by a drunk driver when I was four years old. This gave me a greater desire to find the missing piece of the puzzle: my biological father. That proved to be a time-consuming and difficult process. My birth mother, unable to care for me properly as a young, unwed woman, had placed me for adoption without a word to anyone of my birth father’s name. Approximately 10 years ago, a colleague suggested I register with an ancestry DNA company, which
might provide some links to my past. It was time to walk through the open door from God. Little did I know that swabbing my cheek could result in family connections across Canada, some with Indigenous roots. I truly began the adventure of a lifetime. An Extended Family In January 2020, I received an email claiming a significant DNA match had been made. Even though I did not have my birth father’s name, my DNA was matched to one of his sisters who had registered with the same public DNA bank. It was the missing piece that I had long been waiting for. I had been connected with an aunt on my father’s side. I also received numerous notifications of DNA matches, all stemming from the community of Stephenville, N.L. It seems I had hundreds of second, third and fourth cousins— an entire extended family. Getting to Know Each Other Of a family of six boys and six girls, Bernard Cormier was the only living brother of my Aunt Hazel, and he had had no idea I existed. Receiving support from my husband, my newly found aunt and my half-sister, God gave me a peace and a strength to telephone “Bernie” with this news. Bernie’s sister had informed him already of the possible match, and faithandfriends.ca I JUNE 2021
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FEATURE
Connected Hearts “Adoption is a wonderful way to start a family,” says Major Tina, here with her father, Bernie
that one of his daughters was willing to submit her DNA for confirmation. He was shocked and surprised, but happy. I assured him that I had hoped and prayed that discovering a daughter he never knew existed would not be upsetting to him or his family. “My darling, it is going to take more than this to upset me!” he lovingly replied. I was struck by this comment. I’ve often said the same thing on numerous occasions. The conversation was lighthearted and enjoyable. We laughed over the 12 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
similarities in our voice expressions and looked forward to chatting again soon. Within a couple of weeks, a DNA match with his daughter revealed we were half-sisters, confirming Bernard Cormier was indeed my father. His daughter telephoned him with the news, and I talked to him again later that evening. His immediate acceptance was heartwarming and it brought tears to my eyes. Sensing my tears, he asked, “Are you OK?” “Yes,” I replied. “My tears are tears
of joy when I realize God’s grace and faithfulness throughout all my life and especially in this moment.” We both agreed that the events of the past were all a part of God’s perfect plan and that we would spend the rest of our lives enjoying getting to know each other better.
who look like me. When my father and I first embraced, it was an instant family connection, and a sense of comfort and belonging. There was a remarkable resemblance, and why not? I was looking at my own flesh and blood.
I now know what it is like to walk into a room full of people who look like me. TINA MITCHELL A Gift From God With my husband, Cecil, I reunited with my father and his partner, Lola Ogden, in Newfoundland and Labrador in July 2020 during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was thrilled when the provincial government granted me permission to travel there for this long-awaited reunion. It was an amazing experience meeting both the Yetman and Cormier families, the highlight of my life. I now know what it is like to walk into a room full of people
Finding my biological family has truly been a gift from God. I have a beautiful new family. My life is now complete. Today, nearly one year later, my bond is strong with both families. We speak with each other regularly, we text and visit frequently, and we thank God for allowing us to have found each other after 50 years apart. Adoption is a wonderful way to start a family, and I am blessed to have had this life chosen for me.
(left) Major Tina Mitchell is the corps and community ministries officer at The Salvation Army’s Cedarbrae Community Church in Toronto. faithandfriends.ca I JUNE 2021
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COVER STORY
Finding Ezra
WHEN I PRAYED FOR “HELP” THAT MY SON AND HIS WIFE WOULD FIND A BABY TO ADOPT, I HAD NO IDEA THAT GOD WOULD TAKE ME SO LITERALLY. by Phil Callaway
“ARE YOU CATHOLIC OR Mormon?” people sometimes ask when they discover my wife, Ramona, and I have been blessed with 13 grandkids in five years. “Neither. We’re exhausted,” I reply. “And very, very happy.” Of course, no one is more spent than parents who wander about the house saying things like, “Why is it
that the people who want to go to bed have to put the people to bed who don’t want to go to bed?” They do this with a sluggish smile, remembering in their better moments that these kids arrived with God’s fingerprints all over them, and that each has a story, some more intriguing than others.
(left) Holding On Ezra on a “walk” with his parents (right) Where’s Ezra? Ramona and Phil Callaway with 12 of their 13 grandchildren
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Home at Last Raelyn and Jeff Callaway with their new arrival, Ezra
Offering a Chance In July 2019, our son, Jeff, and his wife, Raelyn, received the call they’d longed for. Quickly, they arranged babysitting and drove three hours to a restaurant, anxious to meet with the adoption worker and a very pregnant mother who was searching for a family to love her baby. But as they talked, flags were raised. Red ones. Unsavoury friends. Drug abuse. Impending prison. Believing love that doesn’t make you just a little bit crazy is no love at all, they said yes. “We have three biological kids,” says Jeff. “But we believe God wanted us to adopt.” Raelyn agrees. “My sister, Mya, was adopted from China. So adoption has always been something that’s on our hearts.” As the due date neared and the papers were signed, more questions surfaced. Most weeks, Raelyn faithfully drove six hours each way for prenatal appointments. Twice, the mother didn’t show up. “Could you be there when he’s born?” she asked one day. “I have no one.” 16 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
Raelyn held her hand and said yes. Day Eight My daughter-in-law coached and prayed and celebrated when the precious little guy finally arrived, all short, dark and handsome. Jeff held him every chance he got. Photos were sent to family and friends, cheerleaders and babysitters.
“ All I heard was, ‘Baby. Hospital. We have to go.’ I freaked out.” JEFF CALLAWAY
“Pray,” Raelyn begged. “The mother is angry. And high as a kite. They keep calling security.” A nurse confided: “He’s the most addicted baby we’ve ever seen in the NICU.” Jeff and Raelyn stayed at a nearby
hotel, and learned how to administer doses of morphine every four hours. Though the mother was headed for jail, she kept threatening to take her baby back. By law, she had 10 days to revoke her consent. And on day eight, she did. Devastated and numb, Jeff and Raelyn returned home. Before they arrived, we removed a colourful welcome-home poster we’d worked on with their kids, who were five, three and two. They couldn’t understand. Nor could we. Three days later the birth mom
begged them to take him back. They did. Ten days later, she again revoked her consent. Unbearable Heartache A Walmart parking lot may not be the holiest place on earth, but it was a cathedral that day. Ramona and I stood in a puddle of shattered dreams, arms around our dazed and heartbroken children, crying like little kids, and me praying my favourite prayer: “Help!” Jeff prayed the same words I’d faithandfriends.ca I JUNE 2021
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prayed for their almost-son, “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.” You try to shield those you love from unbearable heartache. Yet sometimes you’re surprised at their resilience, grateful they’re an improvement on you. “Let’s Go” Nine days later, the phone buzzed. A teen had given birth. She wanted her baby boy placed in a Christian home. In the country. One with siblings. “You guys are our only option,” the lady from the agency smiled. “It was the most insane moment of my life,” says Raelyn. “We were in the middle of harvest. I was cooking supper for 10 guys on the crew. The van was loaded with kids and enough food for an army. I called Jeff but the cell coverage was bad.” Jeff laughs. “All I heard was, ‘Baby. Hospital. We have to go.’ I freaked out.” When Raelyn jumped from the 18 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
van, she yelled, “There’s a baby waiting. Let’s go.” One Year Later Like eager kids on Christmas morning, the two rallied family to babysit and took off. “We were so excited,” recalls Raelyn. “A social worker sent us a picture. He had the cutest cheeks.” With the birth mom eager to leave the next morning, they were asked to name him. “I just happened to bring a list of baby names we liked,” says Raelyn. The birth mom was peaceful, kind and grateful. As they talked, she said, “I can’t believe I found you.” They pulled out the list. “Would you help us name him?” Jeff asked. Her eyes scanned the baby names and stopped. “I love that one, too,” she said. “Ezra.” A judge would reject the adoption twice and offer the birth father the opportunity to contest it. He didn’t. “We were called to this together,” says Jeff. “We were on the same page. We didn’t fear losing him.”
Surrounded by Love Ezra with some of his brand-new family. From left, Andrey, Sophia, Ezra, Myah, Claira and Macy
One year from the day we stood in that Walmart cathedral, Ezra’s adoption was finalized in court. “Help” Today, as we visit, six-year-old Sophia feeds him, comforts him and soothes him with loud country music. Macy, aged three, dresses him funny, and shows him how to hold a kitten. Claira, four, is convinced that her brother came straight from heaven via the front door. It’s hard to disagree. Jeff and Raelyn are not naive enough to think that all will come up roses from here to eternity. But they believe God never calls us with-
out equipping us, and they have a message for those who are hunkered down, waiting and hurting and praying and hoping: Don’t give up. “God’s schedule seems so much slower than mine,” Jeff admits. “But all along, we clung to the seemingly ridiculous notion that He was working even this together for our good. So we just tried to take the next right step.” As for what they would tell adoptive parents, the two say in unison: “You’re awesome!” As Grandpa, it is my duty to bounce this laughing little boy on my knee. “This is the way the Ezra rides ….” And, suddenly, I’m laughing, too. You see, Ezra is the Hebrew word for “help.” When I prayed for “help,” I had no idea God would take me so literally.
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FEATURE
On Duty Terra Laflamme, community ministries supervisor, is just one of the amazing volunteers and staff who daily meet the needs of the most vulnerable at Prince George Community Church
Stories of Serving THE SALVATION ARMY PRINCE GEORGE COMMUNITY CHURCH PROVIDES COMFORT, HOPE AND FRIENDSHIP. by Melissa Yue Wallace
O
ne evening last winter, Salvation Army pastor Major Neil Wilkinson noticed a car parked in the lot of the Army’s Prince George Community Church in British Columbia. It was cold and late, so he tapped on the window and met John.* Prior to moving to Prince George, John lived in a small community in northern British Columbia. Facing dwindling job prospects, he packed all of his belongings and drove to the city to look for work. Unfortunately, opportunities passed him by, and he could not afford housing. But he preferred the comfort of living in his vehicle to staying in a shelter. 20 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
“John’s immediate concern was whether he could sleep in his car on our lot,” recalls Major Neil. “He didn’t need anything, only permission to use our property.” In response, Major Neil gave him an electric heater and an extension cord from the thrift store and plugged it into the church, so John could stay warm and safe without running his engine at night. To this day, John and Major Neil continue to get to know each other, and John keeps watch over the church building at night. “Sometimes the kindness of Jesus that we show is honouring the choices people make while loving
unconditionally,” says Major Neil who, along with his wife, Major Crystal, have pastored at the Prince George Community Church for 10 years. The ministry serves people of all ages through its thrift store, food bank, recycling depot and other programs. The following are stories of how the Army brings hope to people such as John who come for help. S.O.UL. Mate When Sonya,* 15, first came to the Army, she didn’t have many friends.
to fill her days, so she came to The Salvation Army to explore volunteer opportunities. Beth now spends three days a week volunteering in the food bank, repackaging bulk food items for distribution to people in need. “Even though I don’t get to see the faces of the people that we are supporting, I find so much joy in knowing that the work I’m doing is changing lives. Best of all, the Army makes provisions for my disability so that I can serve every week.”
“Sometimes the kindness of Jesus that we show is honouring the choices people make while loving unconditionally.” MAJOR NEIL WILKINSON She came from a broken family with a father who had abandoned her and her mother. She joined the Army’s S.O.UL. (Serving Only U Lord) dance group, where she not only found God but also a creative outlet for worship and family. “It’s fun and gives me something to do,” she says. “Sometimes, life is really hard and my friends at S.O.UL. help me cope.” Life Changer Beth* retired early as a health-care worker after suffering with her own health concerns. She suddenly found herself lacking meaningful activities
Not Just Words The Army has walked with David* through many seasons of life. “The difference with The Salvation Army is that they care about you—not just with their words,” he says. “It’s great to be able to meet with the chaplain, talk about the stresses of life and find support to make little changes.” After years of regular visits, this January marked the first month he didn’t need to visit the food bank at all. But he still keeps in touch with the Army to let everyone know how he’s doing. *Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy. faithandfriends.ca I JUNE 2021
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GOD IN MY LIFE
Photo: Анастасия Семашко/stock.Adobe.com
Faith&Friends
A Mentor’s Wisdom She taught me an important lesson, both for my faith and my life. by Joyce Starr Macias
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watched the elderly woman step off the bus, gripping the handrail tightly as she balanced a large canvas bag with the other hand. I was too far away to help her but close enough to notice that her midcalf length skirt didn’t quite cover the prosthesis that substituted for
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her right leg. She was a retired missionary who did nursing-home visitation for my church, and I was a new Christian who was eager to serve God. I was happy, although a little apprehensive, when she invited me to go to one of the services with her.
Sleepy Prayer “It’s so easy, and two or three others will join us,” she told me. “You can pass out the song sheets, and we’ll sing a few familiar hymns. I’ll give a short message from the Bible, and then we’ll visit some rooms.” It didn’t sound simple to me. Though I was 30 years old, I had no church background at all. The “familiar hymns” that everybody else knew were brand-new to me.
every resident I visited would be sound asleep. Total Failure That happened at the first room. One bed was empty, and the woman in the other one was out like a light. Breathing a sigh of relief, I placed a pamphlet on each nightstand and tiptoed out quietly. Not so in the next room. A heavyset man with a shock of white hair
I prayed all right, but I prayed that every resident I visited would be sound asleep. JOYCE STARR MACIAS I was sure I’d enjoy helping during the service, but the thought of talking to residents in their rooms scared me to death. The woman went with me the first two or three times and introduced me to residents she already knew. But a few minutes later, she gave me a smile, handed me some Christian literature and pointed down the hall. “Don’t forget to pray before you go into each room,” she counselled. And then she was gone. I prayed all right, but I prayed that
was very much awake. “Well, who are you?” he asked gruffly as I walked in. I told him I was part of the group that held weekly Christian services at the facility. “Christian, huh?” he said. “Well, I’m Jewish.” I stuttered a bit as I wondered what I’d say. But I didn’t need to worry since he started talking again right away. “So you’re a Christian, eh?” he began. “What do you know about the Old Testament?”
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Reluctant Missionary Joyce Starr Macias, taken around the time that she had become a Christian
Now I really started stuttering. “Not much,” I admitted. I explained that I was new at all this because I had become a Christian just a few weeks earlier. “Right now, I’m reading the New Testament for the first time. But I’m sure I’ll get to the Old Testament soon,” I said. “Don’t you know that the Jesus you believe in was Jewish? The New Testament wasn’t even written back in His time,” he growled. “You come back and see me after you learn what’s in the Old Testament.”
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Muttering something like, “God bless you, sir,” I rushed into the hall, feeling like a total failure. I don’t think I even left him anything to read. Never Give Up I was nearly in tears as I told my mentor what a terrible job I’d done. But, instead of scolding, she spoke words of comfort and encouraged me to keep coming back. “Don’t quit when God is calling you to serve Him,” she said. “Trust in Him, keep studying your Bible
and ask Him to teach you what you need to know.” I took the Jewish man’s advice and began to immerse myself in my Bible, devouring it every day in addition to doing Sunday school lessons and attending services every time the church door was open. Although I kept going to the nursing home service, I purposely avoided the Jewish man’s room. And when I finally tried to visit him again, he wasn’t there. I wasn’t too surprised at that since he was able to get around on a walker and had friends and family who often took him out. But due to my husband’s job change, I moved to another town a few months later without ever seeing the Jewish man again. However, his challenge and my mentor’s support gave me the encouragement I needed to continue visiting care facilities in other towns. At one point, I led weekly services in three different facilities and wasn’t scared at all to chat with the residents at the services or in their rooms.
I find it amazing that God can take the little bit we offer Him and miraculously grow it into enough to help meet the needs of others. It reminds me of the miracle Jesus performed when He fed 5,000 men and their families by multiplying a young boy’s small offering of just five barley loaves and two fish. Luke 9:16-17 records what Jesus did in this way: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.” The leftover pieces filled 12 baskets. It was God’s same miracle-working power that enabled a brand-new Christian and a physically challenged retired missionary to touch people’s hearts with a message of hope. And He is still doing the same thing for those who will persevere in whatever task He leads them to perform. As my mentor told me, “Don’t quit when God is calling you to serve Him.”
(left) Joyce Starr Macias is a retired newspaper reporter who lives in Apache Junction, Arizona, with her husband, Everett, who is a deacon at their church. As a freelance writer, her stories have been published in numerous Christian magazines and short-story collections.
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Faith&Friends
LITE STUFF
Eating Healthy With Erin LEMON BASIL HUMMUS
Recipe photos: Erin Stanley
TIME 15 min MAKES 3 servings SERVE WITH warm pita or naan bread
30 ml (2 tbsp) olive or avocado oil 1 garlic clove, diced 5 ml (1 tsp) dry chives 15 ml (3 tsp) lemon juice 60 ml (¼ cup) fresh basil 400 ml (14 oz.) chickpeas 125 ml (½ cup) water 5 ml (1 tsp) paprika salt and pepper to taste olive oil to garnish (optional) paprika to garnish (optional) basil to garnish (optional)
1. Heat oil over medium heat in frying pan and add garlic, chives and lemon juice. Cook until garlic is soft and fragrant. Stir in basil and cook for 2 additional minutes. Set aside. 2. Set aside 30 ml (2 tbsp) of chickpeas for garnish. Remove shells from rest of chickpeas by squeezing the bean until shell slips off. 3. Add shelled chickpeas and ingredients from frying pan to blender. Use spatula to get remaining oil in pan in the blender. 4. Add water and blend for 30 seconds or until smooth consistency is achieved. Add more water if consistency isn’t smooth or it is too thick. 5. In same frying pan, toast chickpeas for garnish for 2 minutes on each side. Sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper to taste as they toast. 6. Place hummus in bowl and add toasted chickpea garnish, paprika and olive oil (optional).
RASPBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE TIME 5 min MAKES 1 serving SERVE WITH oatmeal or fruit salad
250 ml (1 cup) milk 125 ml (½ cup) frozen raspberries 1 banana 4-5 ice cubes 15 ml (1 tbsp) chia seeds 30 ml (2 tbsp) granola raspberry garnish (optional)
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1. Blend milk, raspberries, banana and ice until smooth. 2. Sprinkle chia seeds on top and allow to sit for 3 minutes. 3. Add granola and raspberry garnish (optional).
Mayor Gives to Army
THE RIGHT THING P.26
Gerry’s Story
HERE TO HELP P.12
Making a Difference
ACTS OF LOVE P.10
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
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Sudoku Puzzle
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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QUICK QUIZ 1. What is a baby hedgehog called? 2. What Middle Eastern country was once known as Persia? 3. What golfer won the 2020 Masters Tournament?
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© www.kevinfrank.net
HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank
Answers on next page.
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Faith&Friends
LITE STUFF
Word Search Row, Row, Row Your Boat F
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CANOE FAERING FERRY FREIGHTER GALLEON GONDOLA HIGGINS HOVERCRAFT HYDROFOIL INFLATABLE JUKUNG KAYAK
KETTUVALLAM LANGSCHIFF LONGSHIP LUGGER PADDLE PINNACE PIROGUE PONTOON RAFT SCHOONER SKIFF SKIPJACK
28 • JUNE 2021 I faithandfriends.ca
STEAMER SUBMARINE TANKER TJOTTER TRAWLER TRIMARAN TUGBOAT UMIAK WEIDLING XEBEC YACHT ZILLE
Quick Quiz Answers: 1. A hoglet; 2. Iran; 3. Dustin Johnson. 7
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Faith&Friends
NIFTY THRIFTY
From Drab to Fab Restyle a humble socket plate into a work of art.
W
ho knew socket plates could make great frames for either art or photos?
Supplies Needed: plastic socket plate, Mod Podge, sponge brush, tissue paper, acrylic paint, stamps or photos, cardboard. Step 1 Source a plastic socket plate. I chose plastic since it would be easy to decoupage paper to the surface. Step 2 Decoupage the surface of the socket plate using pieces of tissue paper and Mod Podge. This doesn’t need to be perfect as creating a texture helps give the DIY frame personality and texture. Allow to dry. Rub paint and foil on the surface to create a personalized finish. Once done, add a coat of Mod Podge and allow to dry.
Step 3 When the decoupage and paint have dried, trim the edges of your socket plate and cut out the openings. You now have your frame! Step 4 Next, you’re ready to choose either your images, photos or art for the frames. Use scrap cardboard for the back of your frame. Trace the socket plate on the cardboard, cut out the cardboard then tape your art or photo to the cardboard. You may need to fiddle a bit to make sure the placement works with the openings in your frame. Step 5 Brush Mod Podge on the back of the socket cover, then place on cardboard. Allow to dry. Step 6 To display your socket plate, you can either glue magnets to the back to feature on your fridge or add a wire for hanging on your wall.
(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.
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