Faith & Friends September 2021

God’s Timely Reminder

Support, “Every Time”

Army vs. Illiteracy

THE BUTTERFLY P.10 CARING PORTRAITS P.12 BRIGHTER FUTURE P.22

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

SEPTEMBER 2021

STUNT PERFORMER NEIL DAVISON BRINGS FAITH TO FILM. P.16

Rolling With the

Punches

True or False?

It’s a common test in schools everywhere.

The answers to some questions are clear and well known.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. True.

Frogs are mammals. False.

But other times, it’s harder to know what’s true, especially when it comes to our deepest questions.

I have a purpose. True or false?

God loves me unconditionally. True or false?

Jesus once told His followers, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We may not have all the answers, but God does.

If you want to learn more about Jesus, the source of all truth, visit our website at www.faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

September 2021

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 9

COMMON GROUND

5 Escaping the Pain of the Past

Kyle is achieving goals and realizing dreams he never thought possible.

GOD IN MY LIFE I

8 A Piece of the Puzzle

What began as fun turned into a chore.

GOD IN MY LIFE II

8

10 The Butterfly

God surprised Jeanette Levellie with a wee reminder of His faithfulness.

God’s Timely Reminder

Support, “Every Time”

Army vs. Illiteracy

THE BUTTERFLY P.10 CARING PORTRAITS P.12 BRIGHTER FUTURE P.22

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURES

12

STUNT PERFORMER NEIL DAVISON BRINGS FAITH TO FILM. P.10

Rolling With the

Punches

COVER STORY

16 22

Support, “Every Time”

Two families share how The Salvation Army provided care during their time of need.

Rolling With the Punches

Stunt performer Neil Davison brings faith to film.

A Brighter Future

A Salvation Army literacy program is writing a new chapter.

FAITH BUILDERS 25 Big Screen, Bigger Ideas

New documentary deals with spirituality, sci-fi and why stories matter.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz.

22

NIFTY THRIFTY 30 Back to School on a Budget

How to thrift kids’ clothes.

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Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Taking Direction

W

hen staff writer Giselle Randall was assigned to write a profile of Neil Davison, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to relate to this adrenaline-driven stunt performer who crashes cars and plummets from cliffs for a living.

“Neil’s all about strength, speed and balance,” she smiles. “He pushes himself physically, while I’m more of a ‘curl up in a comfy chair with a book and a cat’ kind of person.”

Giselle drove to Neil’s home for the interview, and he took her on a tour of his custom-built gym/studio.

“I was impressed,” she says. “Neil has a big garage that he’s transformed into a training studio, with a climbing wall and big crash mats.

On the second level, the railings are removable so he can practise falls. The main room is equipped as a fight floor, where Neil can choreograph fight scenes and film them to make sure they’ll work on set.

“When filming a movie or TV show, the director has the big picture, and it’s Neil’s job to bring the action to life, while keeping people safe,” she continues. “He just needs to do his best with his part of the story.

“It reminds me that God knows the big picture,” Giselle concludes, “and I just need to do the best I can with the part of the story that’s mine.”

Neil’s story is on page 16.

Ken Ramstead

4 • SEPTEMBER 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

Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Kristin Ostensen STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

Escaping the Pain of the Past With The Salvation Army’s help, Kyle is achieving goals and realizing dreams he never thought possible.

by Linda Leigh

A

s a child of an addict, Kyle learned early on that he had to take care of himself to survive. For years, he never received the attention he deserved, or the resources needed to overcome his intellectual learning disability. When he finally broke away from the chaos and abuse, he reached out to The Salvation Army for help.

“I had no role models,” says Kyle, 24. “The Salvation Army were the first people who said they would help me and actually did.”

Stealing Food to Avoid Hunger Kyle’s parents divorced when he was

seven. He lived with his mother, who was a landscaper, but when she became addicted, everything was drug-motivated.

“Mom had a successful career and was the nicest person in the world until my stepfather, who was an addict himself, introduced her to painkillers after a back injury,” says Kyle. “The drug use escalated and, before long, drugs were a deadly attraction.”

Kyle’s life quickly became one of instability, fear and abuse. Rent was never paid on time or in full, so the family was evicted and homeless on many occasions. Drugs were chosen

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Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

over food, and he was consistently belittled for his learning disability.

“We never had more than a box of Kraft Dinner or a loaf of bread in the house,” says Kyle. “I was always told I wasn’t smart. I went to nine different schools, and my shame prevented me from settling in. I never learned to read or write.”

kill him.

“Drugs were the only thing that mattered,” says Kyle. “I couldn’t change that.”

One day, Kyle was blamed for the family chaos with these words: “I wish you had never been born.”

He had reached his breaking point.

It was time to leave.

“We never had more than a box of Kraft Dinner or a loaf of bread in the house.” KYLE At 13, Kyle worked odd jobs to help fill the kitchen cupboards and have untattered clothes to wear.

When he wasn’t working, he was told to steal food if he wanted to eat. So, he did. Meanwhile, Kyle’s parents resorted to any means necessary to feed their habit. This included writing fake prescriptions, robbing pharmacies and lying at emergency room visits.

The Breaking Point Chronic addiction resulted in new and destructive behaviour by Kyle’s mom. She often hallucinated and kicked in his bedroom door at night.

He fell asleep, wondering if this could be the night that she would

6 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

“I called my biological father, who lived in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Kyle. “Our relationship was never healthy, but I had no other place to go. I asked for help and was soon on a plane.”

In 2017, Kyle moved in with his father on a temporary basis. His goal was to be self-sufficient. He had worked enough to pay his father rent and awaited his disability grant from the government to help with financial costs.

“When my money ran out, my father felt I was taking advantage of him, so he asked me to leave,” says Kyle. “I was in tears.”

Kyle called a taxi to go to a shelter in Gander, N.L., where the shelter

staff recommended that he call The Salvation Army for emergency housing support.

What Do You Need?

“The Salvation Army said they could help with emergency housing and food,” says Kyle. “I soon had a bed, a couch, a toaster, a microwave and groceries. It was such a good feeling.”

Danette Hicks, The Salvation Army’s housing support worker, became a role model for Kyle, one that he didn’t want to let down.

“Danette supported and celebrated every one of my successes,” says Kyle.

Kyle went to school for more than two years and never missed a day. Teachers poured their efforts into Kyle, teaching him to read and write, which gave him a huge boost in self-confidence. With 14 refresher

courses and 36 credits under his belt, he graduated from Grade 12.

“I learned after my first month of school that I was capable of anything,” he says.

Kyle has since obtained his driver’s licence and enrolled at the College of the North Atlantic. In a few short months, he will receive his certificate in comprehensive arts and social science. He gives much credit to his tutor, Dania, and The Salvation Army. Both have reminded him that while life may not be easy, anything is possible.

“I got lucky finding The Salvation Army,” says Kyle. “I can’t believe I am alive today, where I’ve come from and how far I’ve made it.”

Kyle’s goal is to enrol in the Canadian Armed Forces and be a firefighter. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives.

A Winning Duo Danette Hicks, The Salvation Army’s housing support worker, became a role model for Kyle

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Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE I

A Piece of the Puzzle What began as fun turned into a chore. Would we ever find the solution to this mystery?

Photo: Pranav/stock.Adobe.com

by Jeanette Levellie

T

“

his looks amusing,” I told my husband, Kevin, holding up a jigsaw puzzle box I’d purchased. “Put the picture together.

Then solve the whodunit,” I read. On the box’s cover was the depiction of a murder scene. Several suspiciouslooking people gathered around the victim’s desk, littered with clues. A bloodstained typewriter. An antique dictionary. A barely decipherable note. Kevin agreed that it looked like a fun way to spend a few evenings doing something other than watching TV. That night, we dumped the 550

8 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

pieces out on our card table and began assembling the border. After 15 minutes, we looked up at each other. My husband’s eyes showed the same confusion I felt.

“Wow, this is tougher than it looks,” I said. “Some of these pieces look like they have straight edges, but it’s hard to tell.”

We plugged away until our necks ached, managing to finish only half the border that first night.

“I have a feeling the picture on the box and the finished puzzle aren’t the same,” I said.

Success Over the next several nights, we pieced together more of the picture, confirming that the box indeed had a different picture from the puzzle. I felt misled, deceived. Our “fun” little way to pass the time had turned into a gruelling chore.

“How can we figure this out when

spot, we looked at each other and sighed in relief.

Well, I sighed in relief. Kevin smiled in satisfaction.

If the Piece Fits …

“That was too much like real life,” I said. “When you graduate from school, you think you have a plan for

Night after night, we persevered. Although frustrated by the lack of direction, I was determined to master this mystery. JEANETTE LEVELLIE we don’t even know what we’re looking for?” I demanded.

Kevin was undaunted, however.

A sparkle in his eyes hinted that he enjoyed this kind of challenge.

“Well, a few items are the same, Jeanette. The note and the typewriter, for instance. All that’s missing are the suspects.”

Night after night, we persevered.

Although frustrated by the lack of direction, I was determined to master this mystery. Several times during the process, we asked God to lead us to the exact piece we needed to fit into a certain spot. When we found it, we shouted, “Praise the Lord” or “Hallelujah!”

On the final day of the project, we had to rely only on shapes. The last 20 pieces were solid black. When I tucked the last one safely into its

your life. Then you realize your picture doesn’t fit with reality, and you have to work and sweat to fit all the right pieces in their proper places.”

“But if God gave you the blueprint for your entire life when you were 18 or 22, how could you ever learn to trust Him?” Kevin countered. “God knows what the final picture will look like, even if we don’t. And He always helps us when we ask.”

I thought of the words of King Solomon: “Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out” (Proverbs 16:3 Good News Translation). I had to agree with Kevin. Trusting God one day—or one hour—at a time always leads to more peace than our best do-it-yourself plans. He’s smarter than we are and He knows exactly where each piece fits.

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Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE II

The Butterfly When I had to move Mom to a nursing home, God surprised me with a wee reminder of His faithfulness.

by Jeanette Levellie

“Y

our mom is beautiful,” said the text from Genettia, the director at the nursing home where my mother had recently moved. Attached was a photo of my 94-year-old mother sitting in her wheelchair under a tree.

On her hand sat an orange-and-black butterfly. Mom’s face shone with childlike wonder.

A New Life Five weeks earlier, Mom had fallen in her assisted-living apartment and broken her pelvis. Before the doctor released her from the hospital, my husband, Kevin, and I discussed a permanent living arrangement. With an increase in falls over the past year, we agreed Mom needed to relocate to a facility that provided 24-hour care.

It was a heartbreaking decision to place my mother in a nursing home. Hundreds of my prayers over the last few years were pleas that Mom would never have to need this type of care. Although the rehabilitation and nursing centre was clean, bright and close to our home, I wrestled with feelings of guilt … until I received that photo.

10 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

Butterflies hold a special place in my heart. They symbolize rebirth. Hope.

God’s love at work. I’d often used butterfly sightings as cues to pray for someone who needed a new job, a new home or a new life.

Looking back over the previous weeks, I thought of all the times a nurse or physical therapist had gone the extra mile to help Mom adjust to her new environment. On several occasions, I’d received a phone call from a nurse to inform me of a new medicine they’d started giving Mom, or to report on her progress. She was receiving superb care.

As I gazed at Mom’s happy face in the photograph, my anguish lessened. And then I noticed the shirt she wore.

The fabric was covered with butterflies.

Thank You, Lord, for Mom’s new life.

Butterflies Are Free “I wrestled with feelings of guilt … until I received that photo,” says Jeanette Levellie of the image the nursing home staff sent her

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Support, “Every Time” TWO FAMILIES SHARE HOW THE SALVATION ARMY PROVIDED CARE DURING THEIR TIME OF NEED.

by Melissa Yue Wallace 12 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

There to Help Major Pauline Gruer-Caulfield (left) and Liz Colley provided a warm welcome

F

rom May 2020 to May 2021, 5,883 people received assistance from The Salvation Army Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto. Their community and family services offers a food bank, emergency assistance with clothing and household items, immigrant and refugee referrals, an English conversation café, a seniors’ luncheon and community kitchen, and Christmas assistance. Unfortunately, several activities had to be put on hold or amended due to COVID-19.

“The pandemic brought an increased demand on our food bank,” says Liz Colley, community and family services manager, noting

February 2020). “The pandemic was an opportunity to truly exemplify our mission to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in our community.”

Here are just two of the many examples of how The Salvation Army provided care during a time of need: “Don’t Worry” Fleeing turmoil and increasingly violent protests in their home country of Sudan, Tariq Duffuaa, his wife, Areej Adam, and their children arrived in Canada in July 2019, feeling uncertain about the journey ahead.

“ The pandemic was an opportunity to truly exemplify The Salvation Army’s mission to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in our community.” LIZ COLLEY a 48-percent rise in the number of families seeking food assistance each week from the first quarter of 2021 compared to the four months prior to the WHO’s declaration of the pandemic (November 2019 to

“We were most worried about our kids and how we would feed them,” says Tariq of his sons, who are four, six and 10 years old. “Before, we lived a financially good life because my wife was a doctor and I was an faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER 2021

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Advice and Warm Words “Every time we went to The Salvation Army, they greeted us with a smiling face,” says Tariq Duffuaa (left), pictured here with his wife, Areej Adam, and their children

accountant. We were good.

“But then we lost everything.”

To get by, the family stayed in shelters and received support from community organizations, including Yorkminster Citadel.

Tariq’s family was able to transition from a shelter to an apartment.

Since most of their money went toward rent, having regular food and clothing assistance from the Army lifted a huge burden.

“My kids needed many items such as winter clothes and boots, which are very expensive,” says Tariq.

“Even gifts at Christmas … The Salvation Army surprised me about that. It meant a lot to us.”

The family has applied for permanent residency in Canada and hope 14 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

to one day become Canadian citizens. Areej has been studying English and is preparing to work as a physician.

“Every time we went to The Salvation Army, they greeted us with a smiling face, asked us about our situation, and gave us advice and warm words: ‘Don’t worry, everything will be OK. We support you here,’ ” says Tariq. “Every time, every time.”

Beyond Food Support Risikat and her family came to Canada from Nigeria in 2018. At the time, Risikat’s son was only 18 months old and she was pregnant with her second child. Despite having university degrees in economics

and accounting, Risikat and her husband, Mukaila, struggled to find meaningful work.

The family lived in shelters as Mukaila found employment as a personal support worker. Eventually, they were able to move into an apartment and sought help from the Army during the transition.

“We were paying $1,850 for rent, so most times, we had to manage with whatever was left,” says Risikat.

“Sometimes we would miss out on things such as groceries for the kids.

“There’s always a difference in the house after we visit the Army food bank because we get a variety of things, options of cereals, and snacks that the kids like. Everyone is happy.”

She also recalls the joy of receiving Christmas gifts and vouchers to purchase seasonal items at grocery stores and the Salvation Army thrift store. But what touched Risikat’s heart the most was when the Army was present during a time of tremendous grief.

“I lost my daughter last year,” she says of her two-month-old, who

never left the hospital. “The pastor at that time, Major Pauline Gruer-Caulfield, was always calling me. We prayed together, she gave me words of encouragement and provided plenty of resources to help me with the grief.

“It was so wonderful to have that spiritual and mental support.”

Risikat participated in Pathway of Hope, the Army’s one-on-one case-management program, which helps individuals set goals for themselves and supports them as they take action steps to improve their lives. Through the program, she received help with her resumé, gained newfound confidence and graduated in March 2021. When she mentioned how challenging it was to look for work without a computer, a church member donated a laptop.

Within a week of setting it up, Risikat was hired and felt grateful that she could contribute to the family’s expenses.

“Now, I’m working from home and we can buy anything we want at any time,” she says. “My family is happy and we are comfortable.”

(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. By writing, she finds meaning in amplifying the voices of people who don’t often have their stories told. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children. faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER 2021

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Rolling With

the Punches STUNT PERFORMER NEIL DAVISON BRINGS FAITH TO FILM.

by Giselle Randall 16 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

NEIL DAVISON HAS CRASHED cars, plummeted off cliffs and been engulfed in flames. He has fought superheroes, monsters and mutants.

He’s died a thousand deaths in countless movies and TV shows.

But before filming every heart-stop-

ping scene, there’s always a moment when the stunt performer’s alone with his thoughts.

“What am I doing? Why am I doing this?” he thinks.

“Then I tell myself, I’ve prepared for this, I have the skills for it, we’ve faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER 2021

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Photo: Giselle Randall

One-Two Punch Neil Davison choreographs a fight scene in his home gym

Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

“ The kind of people who become stunt performers like to find the edge and push themselves. I like it when the stakes are high.” NEIL DAVISON done everything we can to make this right. We’re on!

“You put all those thoughts aside and focus on where you have to be in a few seconds. Because you have to go all in. You have to be 100-percent committed.”

For one stunt, those “few seconds” meant running at top speed, smashing through a third-floor window and landing on the fire escape outside—with no net or safety harness.

“I had to get on that fire escape, or I was in trouble,” Neil says. “But the kind of people who become stunt performers like to find the edge and push themselves. I like it when the stakes are high.”

Taking a Risk Neil grew up on a farm outside of Peterborough, Ont., with one older brother.

“I often credit Scott with my career,” he says. “We were always getting into mischief, trying out 18 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

crazy ideas. Usually his ideas, but he’d give me the honour of going first. I got used to bumps and bruises.”

Neil started gymnastics in high school and went on to compete at the national level while on the varsity team at Toronto’s York University. After graduating with a degree in education, he taught French and physical education at a school in Toronto, where he met his wife, Claudia.

Although he enjoyed teaching, he missed the challenge of gymnastics.

So he called a former teammate, who had done some stunt work for film.

“At first, it was just for fun on the side, a way to keep using my physical skills,” Neil says. “Over the course of a few years, though, it was evident that maybe I should chase it. But we had just moved out of the city and bought a house, and we had three kids. It was a risk.”

Photo: Giselle Randall

Ready to Roll “Being a good stunt performer is about intelligent courage,” says Neil

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

When they met, Claudia was a member of The Salvation Army, but Neil hadn’t been connected to a church in several years. He found the Army welcoming and down to earth, and Claudia’s faith was inspiring.

“She was on that solid foundation,” he says. “She could see how rewarding stunt work was for me— she said I was a different person when I was doing stunts—and she encouraged me to go for it. She’s a risk taker in a different way.”

20 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

Action!

One of his first roles was on Mutant X, a sci-fi series with a lot of acrobatic fight action. While it was gymnastics that led Neil to stunts, he quickly started martialarts training, and became a black belt in Taekwondo.

“If you want to stay in stunts, you’ve got to keep expanding your skills,” he says.

Along with martial arts, Neil’s other skills include high falls, rappelling and wirework, and stunt

The Driver Neil prepares to crash a car for a movie scene

driving. He has fought at the edge of a cliff, flown on the outside of a helicopter and raced cars in adrenaline-pumping high-speed chases.

Injuries are just part of the job.

“There are always bumps and bruises and scrapes,” he says. “I had a broken toe for about a year once because I kept performing when I was already banged up. Things physically going ‘wrong’ is what we do.

You check yourself over, make sure you’re OK, and then you get up for take two.”

As a stunt performer, Neil can either play a character or be a stunt double. In the movie 300, he played several of the silver-faced Immortals, as well as some of the Persian infantry, and is killed by the King of Sparta in a pivotal scene. In Shazam!, he was onscreen just long enough for his character’s head to be ripped off.

These days, he can also be found co-ordinating stunts, working to bring the script to life.

“In the beginning, it’s a bit of a puzzle,” Neil says. “That’s part of the fun—solving those problems so that we create a reality that looks great on screen but keeps everybody safe.”

Setting the Scene Neil attends a Salvation Army church in Peterborough, Ont., and his faith is an important part of his life.

“I rely on my faith, but I don’t throw myself into things, thinking, God’s got me,” he says. “Being a good stunt performer is about intelligent courage— I don’t feel like I take foolish or irresponsible risks. But I still find strength in knowing that God is there for me and cares about me.”

Trusting God also helps him face the challenges of the film industry.

“It’s an adventurous field quite aside from the physical risks we take,” Neil says, “whether that’s encountering injury, of yourself or someone else, or long periods without work. The rollercoaster of this business is its own stunt.”

But even more importantly, Neil’s faith is grounded in his confidence that God is at work in the world.

“God’s got His plan, and that plan is going to play out regardless of what you or I do—we’re on that ride,” he says. “Things will happen along the way that we don’t have control over, but the scene is set. And we can rest in that, we can take courage in that.” faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER 2021

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

A Brighter Future IN A WORLD BUILT UPON WORDS, A SALVATION ARMY LITERACY PROGRAM IS WRITING A NEW CHAPTER.

by Heather Matondo

I

n our everyday lives, words are all around us—a road sign, a prescription label, even the article you are reading right now. But how often do we think about the number of words we read, or how often we type or write words to communicate with others?

The Right to Education For many of us, reading and writing are second nature. What would 22 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

life be like if we couldn’t read or understand the words we see?

Globally, the literacy rate currently stands at approximately 86 percent, meaning 14 percent of individuals worldwide struggle to understand words. Put into perspective, 781 million adults are unable to read and write, and 250 million children are failing to acquire basic literacy skills.

September 8 has been declared by

the United Nations as International Literacy Day. The day was established in 1966 to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights. It’s an opportunity to celebrate literacy while also reflecting on the literacy challenges around the world.

One of the ways that we can increase the overall literacy rate is by providing a solid educational experience for children. This will give them the skills and tools they need to complete school, further their education through college or university and even apply for a job, so they can live successful, independent lives.

Education is a human right, but not everyone is receiving or has access to education that will provide them a solid foundation in literacy.

Photos: Joel Johnson

Portraits in Literacy The Salvation Army Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program recognizes the educational importance of teaching children reading and writing skills.

Some of the highest rates of illit-

eracy are in sub-Saharan Africa, with two thirds of illiterate individuals being female. In Liberia, the literacy rates are among some of the lowest in the world, at 48.3 percent.

There, the Brighter Futures program is currently providing opportunities for children and youth to receive a high-quality education at four Salvation Army schools.

While the focus is on education, equality for girls is also important and the program ensures that the same number of boys and girls receive assistance for schooling.

Here are just a few of those being assisted by The Salvation Army around the world: Arpita was born in Ranjangaon Ganpati, in India. Both her parents are illiterate, and there is no school in her village. After being given the opportunity to attend Fariyabag Boarding School in Ahmednagar, Arpita is now doing well at school with her studies. Her parents are happy to see her in such a wonderful place where she is being equipped to be successful in life.

Page Turner (top left) In Sri Lanka, a boy experiences the joy of a good book Two Readers (left) Girls in Kenya navigate the world of words faithandfriends.ca I SEPTEMBER 2021

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Onel was placed in the care of The Salvation Army Swedlanka Child Development Centre in Sri Lanka due to the neglect that was happening at home. Before going to the home, he had never attended school. At age 12, he now attends school every day and enjoys learning.

Rasika is 12 years old and comes from a difficult home where she experienced abuse. At five, she was brought to a Salvation Army child development centre in Sri Lanka. Her behaviour was very challenging for the teachers and she would often act out. The teachers suspected she had difficulty seeing the board, but even receiving her first pair of glasses did not have much effect on her behaviour. It was then discovered by the teachers that she was illiterate.

With regular counselling and extra help at school and the centre, she is now able to read and write.

“Forever Free” Everyone deserves the right to be able to communicate freely in a world that is built upon words and the right to a high-quality education that will provide them a foundation of literacy. When individuals are empowered with the ability to read and write, they gain personal dignity and self-worth.

American writer, orator, social reformer and former slave Frederick Douglass said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

“The Salvation Army promotes the importance of literacy,” affirms Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of The Salvation Army’s international development department at territorial headquarters in Toronto, “recognizing that when one is given the skills to read and write, doors of opportunity are opened—breaking the cycle of poverty.”

We can all play our part in raising awareness about literacy and providing the freedom for everyone to have the opportunity to communicate through the world of words.

How Can You Get Involved?

Become a monthly donor for the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program. Currently, more than 2,600 children and teens in eight countries are being supported through education programs (salvationist.ca/ brighterfutures). Donate to the Gifts of Hope education program (salvationist.ca/gifts-of-hope).

(left) Major Heather Matondo is the sponsorship co-ordinator for The Salvation Army’s international development department at territorial headquarters in Toronto.

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Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

Big Screen, Bigger Ideas New documentary, The Science-Fiction Makers, deals with spirituality, sci-fi and why stories matter.

by Kimberly Kakegamic

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cience fiction is a form that plays on the imagination and uses current developments to speculate about what things might look like in the future or, in some cases, the alternative past,” states Dr. Michael Boyce, vice-president academic and dean of Booth University College in Winnipeg.

What makes this statement unique, however, is that it was made via a recent documentary titled The Science-Fiction Makers (the second film in the Faith in Imagination trilogy). Dr. Boyce, along with an impressive panel of experts, appears in the 90-minute film written and directed by Andrew Wall.

The feature documentary

examines the Christian sciencefiction sub-genre and three writers that played a role in its emergence— C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), Victor Rousseau Emanuel and Madeleine L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time).

“Science fiction doesn’t naturally have a spiritual element,” continues Dr. Boyce in a follow-up interview about his appearance in the film.

“The focus is usually more on the physical world and using science as a way of progressing humanity.

But there was this small pocket of writers who used science fiction to try and explain something about their understanding of Christianity.

That’s what the film is about.”

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Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

Novel Response Dr. Boyce wasn’t actively pursuing the chance to appear in a feature documentary. The opportunity came somewhat “out of the blue.” He had met director Andrew Wall at a film festival where he was presenting the first film of the trilogy, The Fantasy Makers. A subsequent phone call and few discussions later, “I told him if I can help in any way with the making of the second film, I will. The next thing I know he’s encouraging me to be on camera,” says Dr. Boyce, who appears throughout the film.

Many of his more expansive insights focus on Victor Rousseau.

Rousseau, who grew up Jewish but was later influenced by Baptist teachings, wrote in a variety of genres during the first half of the 20th century, including science fiction.

26 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

“Stories Matter” The conventioneers at the San Diego Comic-Con would definitely agree with Dr. Michael Boyce’s simple but profound statement

One of his best-known novels, The Messiah of the Cylinder, tells the story of a man who is frozen in suspended animation for 100 years. The man awakens to an entirely different society devoid of religion and family (a “dismal dystopia” is how Dr. Boyce describes it in the film), and then proceeds to try and bring Christianity to the world. “Rousseau wrote it, really, as a response to other science-fiction novels that left out religion and spirituality.”

Unique Experience Generally, an obscure novel such

“There was this small pocket of writers who used science fiction to try and explain their understanding of Christianity. That’s what the film is about.”

DR. MICHAEL BOYCE

as The Messiah of the Cylinder might be found in a university course grounded in critical readings of historical science fiction and fantasy. A documentary like The Science-Fiction Makers brings it to a wider audience. This is something Dr. Boyce appreciates.

“As academics, we don’t often get an opportunity to present ideas in as accessible a way as a documentary,” he says. “We try and we want to, but it isn’t always easy.” A film like The Science-Fiction Makers provides that opportunity. It also shines a spotlight on stories and storytelling,

something that touches all areas of life.

“Stories matter. I am constantly telling my students that. The documentary gave me a chance to talk about that, in the context of science fiction and Christianity, outside of the classroom. It was a different experience, a unique experience.”

The Science-Fiction Makers can be viewed on Super Channel (a streaming channel through Amazon Prime).

Reprinted from Booth UC Connect, Summer 2021

(left) Kimberly Kakegamic is a communications specialist at Booth University College in Winnipeg. She is also a children’s book author and occasional singer and actor.

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Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin SAUTÉED ONION AND GARLIC PRAWNS

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

TIME 20 min MAKES 2 servings SERVE WITH pasta

20 large prawns in shell 250 ml (1 cup) red onion, diced 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter 4 garlic cloves 10 ml (2 tsp) lemon juice 325 ml (1½ cups) water 5 ml (1 tsp) vegetable seasoning

1. Heat pan over medium heat and add onion, olive oil, butter, garlic and lemon juice, and cook for 5 minutes.

2. Add water and vegetable seasoning to pan and allow onion to break down for another 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

3. Add prawns and cover with lid. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the shells turn pink.

LEMON HERB LINGUINI TIME 10 min MAKES 2 servings SERVE WITH prawns

200 g (7 oz.) fresh linguine 60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil 10 ml (2 tsp) lemon juice 10 ml (2 tsp) dried basil 2 ml (½ tsp) red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste fresh parsley to garnish

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1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and return to pot.

2. In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, basil and red pepper flakes until combined.

3. Toss pasta in olive oil mixture.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Plate pasta, arrange prawns on top and serve with fresh parsley.

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

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9 2 3 8 1 7

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8 5 3 6 2

3 2 1 9 4 5 8

2 8 5 4 3 6 1 7 9

7 4 9 8 6 2 5 3 1

3 1 6 5 9 7 2 8 4

5 2 3 4 1 7 9 6

© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. Wonder Woman; 2. Dalmatian; 3. Mexico.

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OLYMPIC DIVER STEELE JOHNSON IGNORED THE “WHAT IFS?” AND FOCUSED ON THE “WHY NOTS?” P.10

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Diving Right In

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CALVARY P.26

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SUMMER 2021

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Beyond Disability

ARMY HELPS RABIN P.10

I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

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Refugees Turn Corner

OUT OF THE PAST P.22

Faith&Friends

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1. What superhero’s secret identity is Diana Prince?

2. What black-and-white dog breed is associated with firefighting?

3. What country is home to the city of Tijuana?

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Back to School on a Budget How to thrift kids’ clothes.

30 • SEPTEMBER 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

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eptember is back-to-school season and whether the kids are connecting virtually or in the classroom, they need to start the school year off right. It always feels great to have a new outfit, and if you have a smaller budget—or you are just a smart shopper—thrifting at a Salvation Army thrift store is a great option.*

Back-to-school shopping at a Salvation Army thrift store can allow your kids to get higher-end items for less. Quality clothing will last longer and stand up to all of the school fun! *All items pictured have been thrifted from a Salvation Army thrift store.

Know Your Size Measure your kids before shopping, including their feet.

Save the numbers as a note in your phone.

Brand New? When you find a brand you don’t know, look up their size guide online and compare with the measurements.

Mix and Match Try to find complete outfits; don’t simply purchase what fits. Pants, shirts, jackets and shoes will ensure you have multiple outfit options.

Set a Budget If your kids go with you, let them know the budget. They’ll be surprised how many pieces they can get at a Salvation Army thrift store!

Wishing Well Ask your kids what they would love to find. Having a wish list is always a great idea.

(left) Tijana McAllister is the frugalista behind A Plentiful Life, a lifestyle blog that shows readers how to live their best lives on a budget. 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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For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.