7 October 2017 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  07 OCTOBER 2017 | Issue 6677 | $1.50

Northern & Midland Youth Councils

Award-winning War Cry Spotlight on Blue Mountain Adventure Centre

On the Spot with Mike McRoberts Salvation Army Officers on the Move in January

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Ingrid Barratt Investigates

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL André Cox | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine Booth

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Major Christina Tyson | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major

Jill Gainsford

OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, $75 per year within NZ

PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

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Move those feet I can’t dance! I have a sort-of-dance my kids mock me about, where I shuffle without moving my feet. But in the list of where Salvation Army officers will be deployed next year (see page 18), I’m going to move my feet to a new mission opportunity after 16 years with War Cry. While I feel some sadness, I’m starting to be excited by the opportunity to stretch myself in a new area. I’m also excited because I know readers will be well served by the great team that will continue to work on War Cry. From January next year, the magazine will be managed by Ingrid Barratt.

Ingrid has been a writer and shaper of War Cry for seven years. She has a wealth of journalism experience, was founding editor of the New Zealand youth magazine Soul Purpose, loves sharing stories of God’s work, and is committed to the Army’s soul-saving, servant-hearted mission.

Major Shar Davis, who joined us in January 2016, will continue to write for War Cry and report on Army events and activities. But she will also provide leadership support to the Communications Department team by assisting the new Territorial Communications Secretary. Shar is a visionary, passionate about seeing the Army do and be the best it can—and she will be excellent in her expanded role.

Change is always an opportunity for growth and development, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Please pray for the team here in Wellington as we position ourselves to continue to serve God’s purposes into the future.

Christina Tyson Editor

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 134 years | Issue 6677 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

2 WarCry 07 OCTOBER 2017

Justice is the grammar of things; mercy is the poetry of things.

Frederick Buechner

Psalm 138:3 (Common English Bible) On the day I cried out, you answered me.

You encouraged me with inner strength.

Ngā Waiata 138:3 I whakahoki kupu mai koe ki ahau i te rā i karanga ai ahau: ā whakahirihiritia ana e koe tōku wairua ki te kaha.

T

he 10th of October is World Mental Health Day, but just how mentally well are we? While New Zealand is the eighth happiest country in the world, it’s an indictment on our society that we have the highest suicide rate for 15- to 24-year-olds, five times that of Britain and twice that of Australia.

In fact, our suicide rates are persistently high overall. In August, the Chief Coroner released provisional suicide statistics that reported suicide deaths had risen for three years in a row to 606 in the year ending 30 June, the worst since records began eight years ago.

The highest age group was 20- to 24-yearolds, with 70 deaths, followed by 64 in the 25- to 29-year-old and 40- to 44-year-old groups. Māori suicides were steady, but Māori still have the highest rate of all ethnic groups.

Behind these statistics are family and friends rocked with grief and left with unanswered questions and regrets. And while we may toss the word ‘closure’ around, anyone who has lost someone knows closure is over-rated at best. The bereaved are forever haunted by the terrible absence of someone gone too soon.

These absences were starkly illustrated by The Shoe Project, an initiative of the YesWeCare health coalition, which was driven by the Public Service Association, New Zealand’s union for mental health workers. Five hundred and seventy-nine pairs of shoes, a pair for every person who died from June 2015 to 2016, made their way around the country from the end of August before being displayed at Parliament last month.

There were shoes for eight children aged 10 to 14, 51 teenagers, 419 adults, and 101 older adults over 60. Farmers and farm workers were represented by 17 gumboots. Seventy per cent were men’s shoes.

The Shoe Project visits Invercargill. Photography: YesWeCare coalition.

In another awareness-raising campaign ahead of the election, a number of organisations came together for the It Matters! campaign (www. itmatters.org.nz). The organisations made the point that mental health challenges affect people across New Zealand, from the student studying away from home, to the mother with post-natal depression, to the farmer experiencing tough times.

All political parties were asked to explain how they would address the country’s significant mental health and addictions challenges, with the two areas often closely related. The organisations behind It Matters! were motivated by stories of many people who said when they needed help, it either wasn’t there, or the right type of help wasn’t available, or people weren’t yet ‘bad enough’ to qualify for it.

Marion Blake, CEO of Platform Trust (which aims to inform, shape and influence the community-based mental health and addictions service sector), was heartened that all parties ‘unanimously agreed’ New Zealand was not doing enough, with most wanting to do something. But she said, ‘The fact is that there is no simple fix or one size fits all approach.’ And while there was a lot to like about some policies, it still felt like ‘picking from a lolly scramble of solutions that won’t address system-wide issues’.

Regardless of who forms our next government, we need all politicians—as a priority—to agree to come together and work with those at the coal face to address New Zealand’s mental health crisis.

BY CHRISTINA TYSON 07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 3

ONTHESPOT Mike McRoberts We’re unashamedly fans of Mike McRoberts, not only as a favourite news reader and reporter, but for his tireless support of The Salvation Army.

Secret indulgence: Bluff oysters. I have been known to buy a pottle at the supermarket for the family and eat them all before everyone else got home. Whoops.

Celebrity crush: BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet.

I’ve had the great privilege of working alongside her in places like Afghanistan and Gaza. For someone who spends a lot of time in the most terrible places she still manages to have and show a tremendous sense of humanity.

What I'm reading: Headlines from the Holy Land

by James Rodgers is an excellent look at reporting of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. It’s an area of conflict I’ve also reported on extensively.

One thing I love: Well, I’m a keen runner. While I’d like to say I’m a ‘marathoner’, I still look a little like an old rugby player out for a long run.

I’ve run nine marathons now— many of those, including the New York marathon twice—as a guide to a blind friend of mine, Mike Lloyd. This year I completed the Christchurch Marathon in under four hours, which was a great thrill.

One thing I hate: Bad manners. There’s really no excuse for it.

Something that would surprise us about your job: Reporting from around the world is anything but glamorous.

Often we don’t even have accommodation. One time reporting in Gaza I slept on a grass verge, which was fine until the sprinklers came on at 2 am! And when covering the devastating Haiti earthquake in 2010, a family very generously let me and my cameraman sleep on their back porch.

4 WarCry 07 OCTOBER 2017

The Dance Ninety-year-old Edith Eger is one of the last remaining survivors of Auschwitz. She trained as a ballerina, but after the war became an acclaimed psychologist. Last month, she released her book The Choice, in which she recalls Dr Josef Mengele—known as the Angel of Death—sending her mother to the gas chamber. He then forced Edith to dance for him: ‘My limbs are heavy as in a nightmare when there’s danger and you can’t run away.

“Dance!” [Mengele] commands, and I feel my body start to move …

‘As I dance, I discover a piece of wisdom that I have never forgotten. I will never know what miracle of grace allows me this insight. It will save my life many times, even after the horror is over. I can see that Dr Mengele, the seasoned killer who just this morning murdered my mother, is more pitiful than me. I am free in my mind, which he can never be. He will always have to live with what he’s done. He is more a prisoner than I am.

Weird of the Week: Scientists believe it rains diamonds on Jupiter and Saturn. Methane in the atmosphere is turned into carbon by the numerous lightning storms, and NASA scientists have theorised that this creates about 1000 tonnes of diamonds a year.

‘As I close my routine with a final, graceful split, I pray, but it isn’t myself I pray for.

I pray for him. I pray, for his sake, that he won’t have the need to kill me.’

Edith's book The Choice (Rider Books) is out now.

Comedy/Drama Victoria & Abdul (PG) Stephen Frears

This Queen Victoria biopic has everything we love about British period drama—lush landscapes, elaborate costumes and insufferable social mores. But this film distinguishes itself by the sheer delight it takes in laughing at its own pomposity. Director Stephen Frears’ last film Florence Foster Jenkins also featured a silly old woman, but this is far more enjoyable because Victoria is not only keenly aware of, but relishes, being a cantankerous old fool. The friendship between Victoria and her servant Abdul, at the heart of the film, is a fascinating piece of history—not least because an embarrassed King Edward burnt all records of their relationship after her death, and it was not uncovered until 2010.

It’s a very modern examination of white privilege, but is nuanced enough to be thoroughly human.

(Reviewed by Ingrid Barratt)

1 What North Shore

suburb was called Mayfield until 1912? city is the birthplace of soapy bubble solution?

4 Which superhero hails from Paradise Island aka Themyscira?

5 How many pieces are listed for the full armour of God? Answers on page 22

800–900g boneless pork belly Salt and pepper 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 medium Granny Smith or Braeburn apple 6 dried apricots ½ cup water

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Use a sharp knife to score the skin of the pork belly at 1 cm intervals. Rub both sides with salt and pepper, then turn the meat over so it’s lying skin-side down.

Core and cut apple into eight wedges. Roughly chop the apricots.

Arrange the apple wedges down the length of the pork, and sprinkle the apricots over the apple.

Place the pork in a roasting dish, and cook for 30 minutes to make the skin crackle. Reduce the heat to 170°C, pour the water around the pork, then cook for a further 1½ hours. (Roast vegetables can be added to the dish during this time.)

2 What American

supermodel Rachel Hunter marry in 1990?

Once considered a lesser cut, pork belly has become a restaurant delicacy. This roast is a real treat.

Lift the edges of the pork, gathering them together to make a roll enclosing the filling in the middle.

Tie firmly with cotton string.

QUIKQUIZ

3 Who did NZ

Rolled Pork Belly Roast

Leave the pork to stand for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

GOODSTUFF

From Easy Inexpensive Family Meals by Simon Holst.

In news more gross than good, a survey has found that guys are a bit—errr—pants when it comes to buying underpants. The survey commissioned by UK retailer Littlewoods found that guys hold on to their undies for a grotty seven years before replacing them. And in New Zealand, a radio poll found that 15 per cent of guys don’t change their underwear every day. According to the ‘experts’ (underwear bloggers—apparently it’s a thing), you should change your undies every year.

‘Winning is the easy part, losing takes resilience.’

Helen Clark 07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 5

BY INGRID BARRATT

Dairy workers from Fiji were left to starve and had to forage for maize to feed themselves. This happened in New Zealand.

A migrant farm worker was forced to kill 300 bull calves with a hammer. This also happened here.

Construction workers from the Philippines were lured to New Zealand with adverts promising ‘$100,000 per month’ for the Christchurch rebuild. To secure a visa, so-called employment brokers may charge tens of thousands of dollars in bond.

A horrifying report last month found that 12– to 13–year–old girls were being lured by ‘boyfriend figures’ who used violence to sell them for sex. One nine-year-old girl was tied to a bed and forced to have sex with ‘clients’. This happened in an ordinary house on a New Zealand street. It is most certainly child abuse, but it is also something bigger that has grown like a cancer through every country in the world.

H

uman trafficking is modern-day slavery, dealing in the buying and selling of people. But trafficking also uses coercion and deception to dupe people into work situations where they are exploited, powerless, and unable to find their way out.

In the historic slave trade, a slave was labelled and ‘owned’.

But this new form of ownership is hidden in the corners of society, unseen and unrecognised by most of us. ‘Forget the Hollywood film version of people trafficking and exploitation,’ explains Chris Frazer, co-organiser of a recent anti-human trafficking conference in Wellington. ‘Take a look instead within your home, your office, and at what you wear. Reflect as well on the restaurant you are heading to for a meal. Exploitation of workers and people trafficking exists within our country.’

‘In terms of trafficking—slavery—yes it does exist in New Zealand,’ confirms Rebecca Miller, who heads up the work of human trafficking for Immigration New Zealand. She can’t talk about cases currently being investigated, but says the Serious Offences Unit has its hands full and ‘there’s a lot of work in this space’.

Police are also seeing a rise in the crime. ‘Modern slavery in New Zealand primarily involves worker exploitation or forced labour—often migrant workers— and is encountered in New Zealand with increased frequency,’ says Detective Senior Sergeant Warren Olsson of the National Criminal Investigations Group of the New Zealand Police.

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 7

God’s own country?

New Zealand has been slow to ‘turn over the stone’ on trafficking, admits Rebecca. Australia recently announced it will bring in legislation similar to the UK’s world-leading Modern Day Slavery Act. But in New Zealand the conversation has barely begun. It may be years before we are ready to legislate.

‘There was a perception that trafficking doesn’t happen in New Zealand. The 2009 Trafficking Plan of Action says that “there are no incidences of trafficking in New Zealand”. More recently, we’ve turned over the stone and realised that, of course there is trafficking happening here in New Zealand.

But we’re still at an awareness-raising stage,’ says Rebecca.

ONE VICTIM WAS FORCED TO LIVE ON FOOD SCRAPS, BUT DIDN’T PRESS CHARGES BECAUSE HIS EMPLOYER CONTINUALLY TOLD HIM, ‘YOU DON’T KNOW MY POWERS.’ In December last year, the first conviction in New Zealand for trafficking was a painfully typical example of modern-day slavery. Raroz Ali, a Fijian national with New Zealand residency, set himself up as a family business and ran an advert in Fiji selling a dream: working in God’s Own Country and earning seven times what they could at home.

‘They paid a lot of money upfront for food and accommodation, but once they arrived in New Zealand they were put to work [in Ali’s construction business and picking fruit in the Bay of Plenty] for little or nothing at all. They were forced to sleep in one room with no bedding—men and women together,’ says Rebecca.

‘It wasn’t until they were given the opportunity to go to church that it came to the surface.’ A church member struck up a conversation with one of the Fijian workers, and the story started to unfold. Sensing that something was amiss, the member had the tenacity to contact their MP, who then reached out to Immigration New Zealand.

It took two years and around 6000 hours to build the case against Ali, who was convicted of 15 counts of human trafficking 8 WarCry 07 OCTOBER 2017

and sentenced to nine years, six months in jail. The conviction was a huge achievement for Rebecca’s team and a game changer for New Zealand.

But trafficking convictions are notoriously difficult to get over the line. For one, they rely on the testimony of the victims, with tenuous ‘he said/she said’ evidence. ‘So much of the prosecution depends on the victim’s testimony, but they’re in the process of coming to terms with what they went through and you don’t want to re-traumatise them, so it’s a very delicate process,’ explains Rebecca.

Evidence has to be collated from both New Zealand and off-shore, meaning different jurisdictions and different rules. Then there are the layers of bureaucracy, including investigative and legal teams, Crown Law and the Solicitor General. With each step up the ladder, a case could fall over.

Tip of the iceberg ‘Whether you prosecute one or two traffickers or you prosecute hundreds, the likelihood is—always and everywhere—that you’re seeing only the tip of the iceberg,’ summed up Demian Smith of the US Embassy at the anti-trafficking conference.

Despite only one conviction in New Zealand, many more stories echo of human trafficking. Christina Stringer’s research at Auckland University found 105 people forced into exploitative labour. She interviewed a migrant farm worker who had been forced to kill those calves with a hammer— something he found ‘abhorrent’. But is this slavery, or just a horrible example of labour abuse? The toxic combination of factors that keeps a person enslaved is complex.

‘A lot of imagery around trafficking is of people in chains, but this is misleading,’ explains Rebecca. ‘Victims have freedom of movement and are living their day-to-day lives amongst us. They may not approach authorities because of debt bondage—a lot of migrants pay huge amounts of money upfront and may have borrowed something like $30,000 from family members, friends or the community, so there is a real financial loss, and stigma and shame.

‘Others fear authority—a lot fear deportation, and traffickers will use this to control their victims.’

The survivors Dr Stringer interviewed were often verbally and physically abused. One victim was forced to live on food scraps, but didn’t press charges because his employer continually told him, ‘You don’t know my powers.’ Another was told that ‘nobody’s gonna find your dead body in New Zealand’.

Debt bondage is another tool of the traffickers’ trade— victims are told they must pay off exorbitant debts before they can be freed from their labour ‘contract’. A group of Filipino nurses were lured to New Zealand before being ‘forced to sign a form on the tarmac and being bonded up to two years’. Of course, the ‘debt’ will never and can never be repaid.

Beyond immigration Most victims of trafficking in New Zealand are migrants on temporary visas. But the immigration framework has serious—and sometimes dangerous—limitations. Victims may be deported back to their home countries and right back into the hands of traffickers.

Jasjeet Singh and Raghbir Kaler were lured to New Zealand under false pretences and trafficked in the Nelson region.

They testified in court against their alleged trafficker, who was found not guilty of trafficking but convicted on lesser charges.

Singh and Kaler were turned down for residency, but say they have received death threats, violence and intimidation in India because of their testimony.

‘Under the Plan of Action, it’s a victim’s right to apply for residency if it is too dangerous for them to return home, but there are no guarantees,’ admits Rebecca.

And trafficking is not limited to migrants. New Zealandborn victims were among those interviewed by Dr Stringer.

People don’t need to be moved across country borders to be trafficked. If the horrifying story of the nine-year-old girl tied to a bed could be any worse, it is this: she was sold for sex by her own mother. This is child abuse at its most vile. But the girl was also used as a commodity by her mother to make money.

Within this framework, it is slavery as well.

In the sex industry, ‘boyfriend figures’ lure girls and ply them with drugs until they are addicted. Then they sell the girls for sex in exchange for drugs. This is also slavery.

Ultimately, the issue is not about immigration, but our increasing desire for cheap labour and services. ‘A global push for cheap labour is seeing an ongoing increase in the need for migrant workers, especially for the “3D” jobs—dirty, degrading and dangerous—that national workers won’t fill,’ says Chris.

A key—perhaps the key—to cutting off slavery at its roots is not with government, but with us. It’s with what we buy, and how businesses source the goods that we buy.

Business innovators in New Zealand are beginning to get on board with the message. Rob Fyfe, influential CEO of Icebreaker, recently gave a speech in which he admitted that

‘we actually know more about the welfare of the sheep in our business than the welfare of our people’. Businesses brave enough to ‘turn over the stone’ and stop slavery in their supply chains have the ability to eradicate slavery. They may yet become the heroes of the anti-trafficking movement.

‘Governments can’t do it alone and we’re not going to be able to prosecute ourselves out of this problem,’ says Rebecca.

‘It takes all of us working together.’

REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES Rajiv arrived in New Zealand on a student visa to enrol in a business management programme. Before courses started, he travelled to the Bay of Plenty for agricultural work, to earn money for school expenses.

His employers forced him to use fake identification documents so he could work 80-hour weeks illegally in kiwifruit orchards. Rajiv and other migrant workers feared being deported or kidnapped if they complained about the gruelling work. Rajiv’s employer refused to give him his promised wages.

After several months, Rajiv escaped the orchards and sought assistance from the New Zealand authorities.

(UN Trafficking in Persons Report 2017) The glamorous restaurant business turned to ‘hell’ for workers at the well-known Masala chain of restaurants, with locations around Auckland. Four migrant workers were promised visas, but found themselves working 11-hour days for six days a week.

They were paid about $3 an hour, and at times were not paid for weeks at a time.

In a victim impact statement, one worker described conditions at Masala as ‘hell’. He thought he was ‘getting a good job so he could secure his life in New Zealand. Instead he was overworked, underpaid and subjected to abuse by the owners. If he dared to approach [them] about pay he would get abused’.

Liquidator Damien Grant says, ‘They were able to provide exceptionally cheap food at a price the competition couldn’t match.’ Masala co-owner Joti Jain was described as the premeditated ringleader.

She was convicted on 15 charges and sentenced to 11 months’ home detention. Earlier this year, Jain skipped the country and has since had her residency revoked.

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 9

The Grief with No Name Some forms of loss come with rituals that help us through, but others are suffered silently. How can we navigate unnamed grief?

‘For years I spent two weeks feeling hopeful, and two weeks devastated. It was gruelling,’ says a woman who struggled with infertility for several years. The cycle of disappointment was made more difficult by the fact she didn’t know she was in grief.

She couldn’t name it.

In our culture, we have given labels and rituals to some forms of grief. When a loved one dies, for example, we gather together to say goodbye. We name the grief, and it helps us begin to move through (not that it ever leaves us, as we know).

Even a relationship break-up has its rituals—maybe some chocolate and a new haircut.

But other types of loss are not acknowledged or are even silenced. Singles, for example, have sometimes cruelly been labelled ‘desperate’ when they express their disappointment in not having a spouse. This can make it seem taboo to show any kind of longing or dissatisfaction.

But any unmet expectation comes with a sense of loss—whether it’s for a baby, a relationship, a troubled child, a parent that wasn’t there, a difficult marriage … We grieve for what we have not had, as much as for what we have had.

If there is no name or ritual for your personal grief then give it a name and make your own ritual. Wouldn’t it be good to live in a culture where we wailed and openly lamented? We don’t live in that culture, so we have to create our own expressions of grief. Perhaps you could write your own lament. Or you can lament through prayer—pouring your heart out to God. You can create a ceremony that will help you let go. Draw your feelings.

Sing sad songs loudly and tunelessly! Being creative is in itself a restorative process—so creating a ritual can be a life-affirming way of dealing with loss.

Name it by talking about it with trusted friends who will show empathy, not judgement. Grief makes you feel alone—but you are not alone! Your friends may not be able to take your journey for you, but they can walk beside you.

Create for yourself new expectations. There is freedom in letting go of expectations, and allowing yourself to consider a world of new possibilities. What else can you feel excited about? What other purpose and hope can you pour yourself into? It may not be what you wanted, but life is never without hope.

10 WarCry 07 OCTOBER 2017

WE GRIEVE FOR WHAT WE HAVE NOT HAD, AS MUCH AS FOR WHAT WE HAVE HAD. Timshel

by Mumford & Sons ‘Timshel’, a Hebrew word meaning ‘humans will surely triumph over sin’, is a hopeful modern-day lament.

Cold is the water It freezes your already cold mind Already cold, cold mind And death is at your doorstep And it will steal your innocence But it will not steal your substance But you are not alone in this And you are not alone in this As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand [We’ll] Hold your hand

TESTIFY! A canyoning tragedy led Ken Robertson down the path of adventure-based learning and landed him the role of manager at The Salvation Army’s Blue Mountain Adventure Centre.

It might sound cliché, but I love my job and I believe God had been preparing me for it for a number of years. I hadn’t planned on being an outdoor instructor, let alone running a Salvation Army camp specifically focused on outdoor adventure—but here I am.

I was pretty young when I came to faith, being baptised at nine years old, having grown up in a Christian family. I lived in the hostel at Dargaville High School, so for a while I lived like a Christian three days each week and four days I didn’t.

But I made a real commitment to follow Jesus when I was 15.

I managed a logging crew for 22 years, pastored a church, ran a successful flower business with my wife Lynley, and also worked as an outdoor instructor and secondary school teacher.

I’d been doing some chaplaincy at the local high school and they were running boot camps. I went on them as a parent helper as I had no proper skills. I could see the benefit of what they were doing, and knew I wanted to gain some of those skills too.

I had also been to the Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre with my kids and loved what they did and how they worked with children. I loved the adventure side—I hadn’t had much time for that myself, as I’d been focused on running our business and my job.

When the Mangatepopo canyoning disaster happened in 2008, I really felt led to go to Hillarys and support them. I knew it was going to be hard for them. I wasn’t an instructor, so I went down and did three months of training while Lynley ran the business in Ngatea, south of Auckland.

I THRIVE ON THE CHALLENGES THIS JOB PRESENTS. We ended up selling the business and I got a job as an instructor at Hillarys while Lynley got a job at The Salvation Army’s Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC) in the office.

When former manager Kent Nanninga was leaving, he suggested I apply for the job. I did, but missed out. That was a real surprise as both Lynley and I really felt God wanted us there. We thought, ‘Obviously we’re not hearing from God.’ I left Hillarys six months later and began teaching at Hauraki Plains College. Three years into that role I really wasn’t enjoying it, but I figured I was at that age where I was going to have to suck it up, get over it and stick it out till retirement. Plus Lynley said, ‘We’re not moving anymore—the only place we can move to is BMAC.’ Over Christmas we popped down to BMAC and caught up with friends and said, ‘Let us know if anything changes

here.’ Three weeks into the first term of the new year we got a phone call from a friend to say the manager’s job was up for grabs.

We would never have known about the job if it wasn’t for that phone call, because I wasn’t looking for a new job. I applied and was offered the role.

I love the adventure stuff, but I also really love business, so I thrive on the challenges this job presents.

Looking back, I can see that in a lot of ways we did hear God right, but we were a little out on the timing.

It was four years after we first felt God leading us to BMAC that we moved here. I love the BMAC mission statement: ‘helping people discover and live out their God-given potential through the challenge of adventure’.

That’s been my life’s experience and I love that I get the opportunity to help others experience that too.

Are you just going through the motions of life, tired or bored? Reaching your potential in God can be scary and exciting. To find out more contact BMAC. Sign up for a BMAC Adventure | bluemountainadventure.org.nz 07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 11

North Island y NORTHERN: Abide The catch-cry for worship at this year’s Northern Youth Councils can be found in the words of Jesus as laid out in John 15:5, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’ This was summarized in one word as the theme of our camp: ‘Abide’.

Under cover of darkness on Friday evening 4 August, 191 youth and leaders came together at YMCA’s Camp Adair in the Hunua Ranges, south east of Auckland. Everyone arrived under a clear winter’s star-filled sky for what would turn out to be an amazing weekend.

Our three main speakers for the weekend were Captain Mat Badger (Divisional Youth Secretary), Britney Marsh from World Vision, and Alex Escobar from Westgate Corps.

On Friday night, Captain Mat gave a somewhat humorous Gospel presentation with a clear opportunity to respond. Then, on Saturday morning and Sunday morning, both Britney and Alex built on the single idea that abiding in Christ is really important, because without being connected to Christ—without ‘abiding’ in him—anything we want to do for his Kingdom is futile. This thematic flow led to an amazing time of ministry and response on Sunday morning, including a challenge for those God could be calling to be Salvation Army officers in the future.

We also had key workshop presenters on Saturday afternoon, which all got rave reviews from those who attended. The first presenter was Britney Marsh, who talked about practical social justice for teens. Cain Prentice from East City Corps ran a workshop sharing practical tips on how to talk to others about God. And we also had the privilege of having Jason and Meredith Akuhata-Brown from Gisborne who came to do ‘The Sexy Talk’.

Other highlights of the weekend included our worship band ‘Besorah’ from Westgate Corps under the leadership of Nick Moffat and Lieutenant Daniel Buckingham. These guys and gals rocked, literally! Our prayer space and staging area had a huge effort put into it by a very committed design team.

Saturday activities of archery, abseiling, military confidence course, the mudslide, the high swing, and the Super Fox were lots of fun as always.

But the real highlight of the weekend was hanging out at the big Saturday night bonfire under the stars with friends, complete with an acoustic singalong that featured Jason Akuhata-Brown on blues harmonica. While this was happening, teams of people were taken away to play laser strike in a semi-close quarter urban combat zone.

Northern Youth Councils 2017 was a huge win that worked so well because of the fantastic team of volunteers who helped pull it all together.

If you didn’t make it to Northern Youth Councils this year, you really missed out. Roll on Northern Youth Councils 2018!

BY BRAM DeGAT (EAST CITY CORPS) 12 firezone.co.nz 07 OCTOBER 2017

Photography on this page: Max O'Byrne

youth councIls MIDLAND: Living for God! One hundred and fifteen enthusiastic delegates, leaders and a few corps officers turned up at Keswick Park Camp, Rotorua, on Friday evening 11 August for what was to be a fun, enriching and transformational weekend.

The youth councils theme was ‘In Him’, and each of the four main speakers came at the topic from their unique perspective.

On Friday night, Andrew McKerrow shared some of his story of finding God and his journey toward realising his place in God’s Kingdom. The grace extended to everyone by God was a major part of Andrew’s message.

Andrew’s sincerity and great sense of humour made this first session a warm and welcoming start to the weekend.

On Saturday morning, Kim McKerrow’s heart-wrenching story of brokenness, loss, grief, deep hurt, burnout and forgiveness was truly one of power, restoration and grace. Kim’s story opened the way for the next part of the weekend, a ‘tough questions’ panel where delegates could anonymously ask their toughest questions about life, faith, and God—and have perspectives offered by a panel of guests.

Saturday afternoon saw the camp empty out as everyone headed into Rotorua for ‘The Amazing Race’. Dan Popping from Grandview had organised an incredible set of challenges, detours and road blocks, making for a memorable afternoon despite a bit of rain.

Ben Maxwell, the Midland Division’s favourite Australian, brought a powerful message on Saturday evening about living lives based on who we are in Christ. Ben wonderfully illustrated his point through a demonstration using containers of clean and dirty water. This was followed by a high energy games event organised by the team from Territorial Headquarters.

Major Shar Davis brought the closing message on Sunday morning. Shar shared personal details of her story, particularly around her ‘never-again’ list. She invited people to think carefully about what the Holy Spirit is saying about you, as opposed to the lies we believe about ourselves! A literal line was placed on the floor that people could walk up to, contemplate what God was calling them to, before stepping over to new life.

Activities such as laser tag, slack line and board games between sessions meant something for everyone to enjoy. Complementing the four main speakers were other guests, with Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Kylie Tong and Territorial Youth Secretary Major Joanne Wardle adding to a memorable weekend.

Every session brought its challenges, laughter, responses and victories.

No one went away without, at the very least, having a moment that God will use powerfully in the future to draw them closer to himself.

BY MAJOR ROB COPE (DIVISIONAL YOUTH SECRETARY, MIDLAND)

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 13

THE CHALLENGE OF ADVENTURE

BY SHAR DAVIS

The Blue Mountain Adventure Centre is a unique part of the Army’s work, with more and more people discovering its worth.

Surrounded by trees and bordered by a river, just off State Highway 4, sits The Salvation Army’s Blue Mountain Adventure Centre, where learning and adventure collide. BMAC (as it is affectionately known) is located in the small rural township of Raurimu, most famous for the Raurimu Spiral train track.

Established in 1990, the centre has grown and developed over the years, adding to both the facilities and activities on offer.

Its mission statement is simple: ‘helping people discover their God-given potential through the challenge of adventure.’

Clientele include businesses, church groups, families and individuals, The Salvation Army and schools.

Schools are a reasonable portion of their bookings, although increasingly some have less money available so have to shorten their programme. Manager Ken Robertson said it’s encouraging to the team (and the budget) when new schools come on board.

Mount Albert Grammar School brought students to BMAC for the first time last month, largely thanks to the working relationship Mount Albert Corps Officer Captain Simon Stevens has with the school and centre. A former BMAC staffer and current board member, Simon knows first-hand the value of outdoor adventure as an educational and personal development tool.

Areas of adventure Thanks to its location, BMAC is able to provide a range of activities that can be tailored to suit a group’s size and purpose.

They offer caving, white water rafting, Canadian canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, alpine, mountain biking as well as an onsite high ropes course including an indoor rock-climbing wall.

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The Central North Island is blessed with a number of rivers, giving BMAC a choice of locations for some of the best white water rafting in the country. Day trips down grade two and three rivers—including a stop for lunch and a swim—are a highlight for many who go to BMAC. The centre provides fullyguided or self-guided rafting trips that include river awareness and rafting skills. Trips cater to all skill and confidence levels.

The alpine course is usually three days up the mountain, learning how to use crampons and ice axes and including a summit if possible. Campers have the opportunity to build a snow cave and sleep in it, if weather conditions allow.

… helping people discover their God-given potential through the challenge of adventure.

A five-day mountain bike camp is a new addition to the schedule, making use of staff member Dan Little’s passion for biking. This begins with a day of mountain bike training, giving staff an opportunity to assess campers’ skill levels, while providing some technical upskilling as well. A couple of local rides help with this process.

The Pureora Timber Trail provides the setting for the next two days. People bike the first half before setting up camp for the night, ahead of completing the trail the next day before returning to home base in Raurimu. It’s not all biking, though.

There’s also a rafting trip and high ropes course. ‘We thought they might be over mountain biking after three days,’ laughs Ken.

The Salvation Army offers scholarships for both youth and children’s camps.

Police Partnership Claire Wyatt is a trained counsellor and adventure therapist (who knew such a job even existed?!) and puts those skills to good use at BMAC. She runs Whānau Challenge, a pilot programme offered in collaboration with the Taumaruanui Police to provide family therapy for whānau or families who have identified as struggling with family functioning and want support.

All the families have been part of Te Whakakotahitanga, a programme to support couples that have experienced family violence. The programme was funded by a Tindall Foundation grant allocated through The Salvation Army. Funding has been approved for a second intervention programme.

Whānau Challenge includes several experiential family or couple counselling sessions, based at each family’s home and a family camp for all the families involved.

The first camp ran from 15–17 September and included four families, with eight parents and 15 children ranging in age from four months to 16 years. The families enjoyed caving, canoeing and climbing on the rock wall.

‘They played, ate and talked together about family life and difficulties they had faced. They had fun, laughed and saw each other doing things they didn’t think possible. They also took the time to admire each other’s children and each other as parents,’ says Claire.

There is plenty of opportunity for expansion, with Police saying they have at least 30 families throughout Taihape, Oakune, Taumarunui and surrounding areas that BMAC could work with.

Police also run a monthly programme down the road from BMAC, involving the centre’s staff for half a day of activities.

Koha Verandah project BMAC operates all year round and sometimes the rain is a nuisance. With no drying room for BMAC’s Koha building and very little overhead cover, when campers put their shoes on outside (as they are required to), they can end up rather wet. Plus, no one likes having to put on wet, squishy shoes! This has led staff to get working on a project to combat the worst effects of the rain.

A 3.5 metre verandah is being built around Koha that will not only provide shelter from the rain, but also shade from the sun. A drying room being built at the end of the building will also make camp life easier. Having already built a similar verandah on Autui (BMAC’s other accommodation block), the team know this improvement will make a huge difference.

Their dream would be to have a barbecue area with a pizza oven on the end, with picnic tables then located under the verandah. But that’s on hold for now, says Ken.

Internships BMAC runs an internship programme with funding from The Salvation Army’s Jeff Farm Trust. They take on people who have not had a job and may be struggling to find one. ‘We teach them some life skills and that sort of stuff,’ Ken explains.

Ideally, Ken would like to find people who are passionate about the outdoors with the view that the intern could carry on training to become an instructor through the nearby Hillary Outdoors Education Centre.

‘My dream is that we would be their family, a Christian base they could come back to,’ he says, noting the training expertise Hillary offers. If an intern isn’t passionate about the outdoors then it can be tough going for them. They begin on a start-out wage for the first six months, while being offered 40 credits of learning; this then increases to minimum wage.

Scholarships The Salvation Army offers scholarships for both youth and children’s camps. These cover the full cost of camp fees (excluding transport to and from camp). Youth and children’s representatives in the divisions have information about these scholarships and which BMAC camps they apply to.

Blue Mountain Adventure Centre is a unique part of the Army’s work in New Zealand. The best way to truly understand how life-changing it can be is to go and experience it for yourself. And who knows, you just might discover how capable you really are.

Sign up for an adventure | bluemountainadventure.org.nz

FATHER & KIDS WEEKEND 3–5 November 2017

THE JOURNEY

12–20 December 2017

THE SUMMIT

22–28 January 2018

KIDS PEAK ADVENTURE 16–18 April 2018

FAMILY WEEKEND 11–13 May 2018

THE ODYSSEY 9–15 July 2018

KIDS PEAK ADVENTURE 1–5 October 2018

MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE 7–12 October 2018

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 15

National Chaplaincy Workshop

Chaplains from all around the country gathered for the National Chaplaincy Workshop on 11–12 September at Wellington City Corps. They came from a range of Salvation Army services, including Education and Employment (E&E); Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS); rural chaplaincy; racing industry chaplaincy; and

corps-based chaplaincy.

Major Glenton Waugh, Territorial Secretary for Chaplaincy Services and Territorial Headquarters Chaplain, led the workshop. Guest padre/chaplain was Lieut-Colonel Wilfred Arnold who contributed thoughtful devotional sessions throughout the two days that were greatly appreciated.

First Place for Family Store

Many excellent speakers facilitated other sessions. Skylight Trust led training on suicide prevention, and Principal Defence Force Chaplain Ants Hawes spoke about chaplaincy among Defence Force personnel.

Russell Healey talked about his rural chaplaincy initiative, providing support for farmers and their families in Southland.

The exciting growth of The Salvation Army’s chaplaincy to the racing industry was shared by Andrew McKerrow, with Lieutenant Sheree Vemoa talking about the importance of chaplaincy with addictions clients in the Far North District.

Ample time was also given for E&E, ASARS and other chaplaincy disciplines to get together in groups.

On the Monday evening of the workshop, the chaplains shared dinner with some of the Territorial Governance Board. During the dinner, special awards were presented to chaplains who had served for 10 or more years.

Wanganui Home Show Outreach In mid-August, Wanganui City Corps had a stall at the Wanganui Home Show. What better place when the corps’ latest initiative is emergency housing?

Bookmarks were given away saying: ‘Bricks and mortar may build a house—it’s love that makes a home. We’re here to help you build a happy home.’

Large photos showed the corps family doing what they do best: prayer, worship, community ministry, LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together), kids church, free movie nights, bowls, music & movement, Christmas parade involvement, and simply having fun.

Carterton Family Store volunteers put their artistic efforts behind creating a window for the local Daffodil Festival window-dressing competition—winning first prize.

Volunteers Debbie, Murria and Sue led the team to recreate a ‘spring in Carterton’ scene complete with its own shopping precinct and a mini Salvation Army Family Store.

Mayor John Booth popped in to personally tell the store that it had won and present the winner’s certificate. The Daffodil Festival also gave the Family Store a busy weekend with lots of locals out and about.

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Passers-by were invited to guess the number of love-heart lollies in a jar. A quiz was run, with the prize of a dinner for two donated by the Grand Hotel. People could take part in a colouring competition, with the entries displayed in the Family Store and judged by the public. Information was shared about the corps’ newly refurbished building, which it will move into this month.

Award-Winning War Cry War Cry has performed strongly in the Australasian Religious Publishing Association (ARPA) Awards, recognised in four categories for the 2016 year. The conference was held in Auckland from 25–27 August, with staff writer Ingrid Barratt representing the War Cry team.

Ingrid received the gold award for Best Profile Story for her feature article ‘Ode to Joy’ on New Zealand author Joy Cowley, as well as a silver award in the Best Feature, Single Author category for her story on ‘Norm Hewitt’s Private World’.

Major Shar Davis was recognised with a gold award for Best Original Photography for a cover photo of a father and son taken paddling a waka taken at the 2016 National Māori Ministry Hui.

Judges praised Shar’s composition in ‘capturing the feelings of determination by the father and the trust of the child’.

War Cry also received the bronze award for Best Designed Magazine.

This year’s hotly-contested Publication of the Year went to The Melbourne Anglican.

However, the judges made the point that ‘despite the relativities of scale, the New Zealand publications as a whole are as good as, if not better than, the Australian publications’. New Zealand’s War Cry, Touchstone (Methodist), NZ Baptist and Tui Motu (Catholic) were singled out as worthy of commendation, ‘particularly for their design, but also for their content’.

Tribute: Lieut-Colonel Peter Savage Peter Savage entered our lives with great gusto, just as he did with many others. He and Raeline had been commissioned the Saturday before and arrived at Bishopdale Corps in January 1969 as the first corps officers. From the outset, Peter’s service was marked by enthusiasm and energy. He was an ‘ideas man’, and making these ideas a reality was a hallmark of his service.

We were to enter officer training 12 months later. Peter determined that by then we would have been thoroughly immersed in every facet of Salvation Army service—as local officers, musicians, pub boomers, and pastoral workers—and he did this by example.

This was the pattern Peter followed in every appointment.

Bishopdale was followed by Porirua, where he not only led the corps but established the Mungavin Estate Emergency Lodge.

It was while at Porirua that he was the Wellington Regional winner of the Outstanding Young Man of the Year. Other corps appointments followed at Glenfield, Nelson, Levin, Whangarei, Ashburton and Christchurch City. All would tell similar stories.

Peter was a ‘trailblazer’. In each place, lifelong friends were made.

When Peter was appointed to the training college, Michael Pressland was training principal. Colonel Pressland describes Peter as ‘larger than life, creative, caring and kind in the extreme. His life was lived at the highest level of energy, whose service as probably the best field training officer any cadet or training principal could wish for. He worked hard—sometimes far too hard—and crowded into his day more than we lesser mortals could dream of.’

Peter served for seven years as territorial public relations secretary, initiating direct mail appeals and forming Wills and Bequests. He was a founding member of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand, and gained their highest honours for many of his imaginative campaigns.

His time as divisional commander in the Midland Division saw the sharing of Peter’s inspirational personal motto: ‘Not somehow, but triumphantly!’ His posters, fridge magnets and visiting cards are still displayed and treasured by many. Peter and Raeline were founding leaders of the Officer Support Unit,

and Peter was also national chaplain to Employment Plus.

In retirement, the Savages readily responded to requests to provide interim leadership at Wellington City, Timaru and Aranui Corps.

Peter served the New Zealand Defence Force as a territorial chaplain and was for many years The Salvation Army’s senior denominational chaplain. At the time of his death he was still serving as Chaplain (Colonel) Commandant. A tribute to this was seen in the many Defence Force personnel present at Peter’s funeral.

People from all walks of life will best remember Peter for his genuine interest in them—his ‘face to face’, ‘eyeball to eyeball’ encounters. He continued his weekly community contact through ‘pub booming’ until ill health stopped him, just eight weeks before his death.

Peter’s woodworking skills saw him spend hours producing large numbers of items to be given to whole congregations and individuals. These are and will be treasured.

Peter deeply loved his wife Raeline, three children and six granddaughters. Their memories of his love, encouragement, energy and enthusiasm will continue to comfort and inspire.

Peter brought our active officer service to a close by conducting our retirement service just three years ago. His influence has impacted us throughout our 46 years of officership and will continue as yet another tribute to this amazing and unforgettable man of God.

BY MAJORS GLENYS AND TERRY HEESE

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 17

Salvation Army Serves After Mexico City Earthquake

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake caused the collapse of buildings and other infrastructure in and around Mexico City on 19 September. The epicentre was on the border between the states of Puebla and Morelos, around 120km from the Mexican capital.

The Salvation Army’s Territorial Commander Colonel Ricardo Bouzigues reported ‘tremendous damage’. More than 200 people lost their lives in the tremors, including at least 26 children who died when their school collapsed.

Salvation Army facilities were affected, with all territorial headquarters officers and cadets from the School for Officer Training evacuated because of structural damage to buildings. Nevertheless, The Salvation Army turned its attention to assist those communities most severely affected by the disaster.

The Salvation Army’s Irma Arellano Children’s Home in Mexico City was largely undamaged and became a hub for the Army’s emergency response. Initially, officers, staff and volunteers were all involved. Some of the home’s children helped by preparing sandwiches and other food packages for first responders, rescue teams and those forced to leave their homes after the quake.

Headquarters and some corps (church) buildings across the Mexico City metro area were being used as collection centres to receive donations such as food, water and blankets for subsequent distribution.

This latest emergency response came as three teams of Salvation Army officers and volunteers were already assisting with emergency disaster responses after a 7 September earthquake in Oaxaca and following the landfall of Hurricane Katia in Veracruz. This meant additional Salvation Army canteens, supplies and personnel were sought from the neighbouring USA. In Oaxaca, The Salvation Army’s emergency response is centred on the city of Juchitán, on the Chiapas coast and 100km from the epicentre of the 8.1-magnitude quake. Two emergency canteens were mobilised to serve approximately 5000 people.

The majority of these had become instantly homeless after their houses collapsed.

The Salvation Army is supporting individuals and families in cooperation with the government and partner agencies.

Meanwhile, in Veracruz a mobile canteen and two vans stocked with food, groceries and clothing were deployed in response to Hurricane Katia. Around 2000 people were being supported with emergency feeding programmes, and emotional and spiritual counselling as required.

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GAZETTE Reacceptance of Officers The Territorial Commander is pleased to announce the reacceptance to officership of the following officers, effective 11 Jan 2018: Mjrs Beverley and Gavin Baxter; Mjrs Anne and Peter Lewis; Capts Jocelyn and Paul Smith.

Appointments in Retirement THQ Officer Support Unit, effective 1 Oct: Mjrs Bruce and Elaine Vyle, Officer Support, North Island.

Resignation of Officers The Territorial Commander announces with regret the resignation of Lieuts Daryn and Jessica Bishop, effective 11 Jan 2018. Daryn and Jessica were Cadets in Appointment at Masterton Corps Plant from January 2013. Following their commissioning on 7 Dec 2013, they continued at Masterton Corps Plant as Corps Officers. Jessica also had the appointment of Director, Cecilia Whatman Oscar Programme. The couple have been Corps Officers, New Plymouth Corps, since Jan 2017. We thank Lieuts Daryn and Jessica Bishop for their service, and pray God’s blessing on them in the days ahead.

The Territorial Commander announces with regret the resignation of Capt Gaylene Harvey, effective 14 Sept 2017.

Gaylene was commissioned on 11 Dec 2004. She has served in appointments at The Nest, Hamilton; Street Outreach Services, Christchurch; Auckland Bridge; HomeCare, Hamilton; and Senior Services, Tauranga. We thank Capt Gaylene Harvey for her service as an active officer, and pray God’s blessing on her in the days ahead.

Bereaved Lt Tau Mataki of his brother, Simon Te Mataki, on 15 Sept from Perth, Western Australia. Please uphold Lts Tau and Trish Mataki and their whānau in prayer.

Lt Faleata Leha of his mother, Talavao Leha on 16 Sept from Tonga, aged 95. Please uphold Lts Faleata and Raechal Leha and their family in prayer.

Mjr Silone Collins of her mother, Merita Collins, from Tauranga Hospital on 19 Sept.

Please uphold Mjr Collins and extended family in prayer.

Mjr Ken Smith of his father, Max Smith, from Oamaru on 23 Sept. Please uphold Mjrs Ken and Denise Smith and family in prayer.

ANNUAL GENERAL CHANGE 2017 The following appointments are effective on Thursday 11 January 2018.

Reserved Appointments Appointments that require approval from International Headquarters.

THQ, Office of the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries: Mjr Glenda Bezzant, Territorial Director for Women’s Ministries and Territorial Silver Star Secretary.

THQ, Personnel Section: Mjr Sheryl Jarvis, Territorial Secretary for Personnel; Mjr Stephen Jarvis, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Personnel with responsibility for Coaching, and Territorial Privacy Officer.

Mjrs Sheryl and Stephen Jarvis will take up their new appointments with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

THQ, Programme Section: Mjr Ivan Bezzant, Territorial Secretary for Corps Mission; Capt Gerald Walker, Territorial Secretary for Social Mission.

THQ, Business Administration Section, Communications: Col Melvin Fincham, Territorial Communications Secretary (additional appointment).

Northern Division, Divisional Leaders: Capt Ian Gainsford, Divisional Commander; Mjr Elisabeth Gainsford, Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries and Divisional Secretary for Personnel.

Southern Division, Divisional Leaders: Mjr Earle Ivers, Divisional Commander; Mjr Christine Ivers, Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries (officers of the Australia Eastern Territory).

Booth College of Mission: Mjr Michelle Collins, Principal and Training Principal, School for Officer Training.

Fiji Division, Divisional Leaders: Mjr Alister Irwin, Divisional Commander; Mjr Anne Irwin, Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries and Divisional Secretary for Personnel.

International Appointments Japan Territory: Mjr Brenda Luscombe, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Programme; Mjr Nigel Luscombe, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Business Administration.

Territorial Headquarters THQ, Personnel Section: Mjrs Joanne and Wayne Jellyman, Territorial Secretaries for Retired Officers.

THQ, Programme Section, Territorial Overseas Development: Mjr Deborah Clark, Territorial Child Sponsorship Secretary (continuing additional appointment as Territorial Overseas Development Officer).

THQ, Business Administration Section: Mjr Allan Clark, Assistant Secretary for Business Administration; Mjr Sharlene Davis, Book Production Manager (continuing additional appointment as Assistant Officer, Communications).

Northern Division Mjrs Anne and Peter Lewis, Corps Officers, Auckland City Corps; Mjr Anne Lewis, Director, Auckland City Early Childhood Education Centre (additional); Lieuts Faye and Stephen Molen, Corps Planting Officers, Clendon Corps Plant; Mjrs Bruce and Marilyn Tremain, Corps Officers, Glenfield Corps and Directors, Glenfield Community Ministries, North Shore Service Hub; Lieut Janet Green, Assistant Officer, New Lynn Corps.

Midland Division Capts Brenton and Samantha Millar, Corps Officers, Napier Corps and Directors, Napier Community Ministries; Lieuts Christine and Karl Foreman, Corps Officers, New Plymouth Corps and Directors, New Plymouth Community Ministries; Mjrs Denise and Stephen Crump, Corps Officers, Taupo Corps and Directors, Taupo Community Ministries; Mjrs Carole and Stephen Scott, Corps Officers, Tokoroa Corps; Mjr Stephen Scott, Director, Tokoroa Community Ministries.

Central Division Mjr Christina Tyson, Divisional Secretary for Programme; Mjr Stephanie Herring, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Programme; Mjr Christina Tyson, Divisional Candidates Secretary; Mjr Paul Herring, Wellington Inner City Project Officer; Lieuts Fiona and Rance Stuart, Corps Officers, Feilding Corps; Mjrs David and Vyvyenne Noakes, Corps Officers, Hutt City Corps; Mjr Vyvyenne Noakes, Director, Hutt City Community Ministries; Capts Nicola and Steven Dutton, Corps Officers, Porirua Corps; Mjr Helen Knowles, Community and Centre Chaplain, Wellington South Hub; Foxton Corps, Tim Murray, a soldier of Levin Corps, has been appointed as Corps Leader.

Southern Division Mjr Kenneth Smith, Divisional Secretary for Programme; Mjr Denise Smith, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Programme; Mjr Wendy Andrews, Divisional Secretary for Personnel; Mjr Beverley Baxter, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Personnel; Mjr Alison Moody, Divisional Candidates Secretary (continuing additional appointment as Divisional Youth Secretary); Mjr Gavin Baxter, Divisional Secretary for Business Administration; Mjrs June and Michael Allwright, Corps Officers, Ashburton Corps; Lieut-Colonels Gordon and Susan Daly, Corps Officers, Christchurch City Corps and Directors, Christchurch City Community Ministries; Mjrs Graham and Lynne Medland, Corps Officers, Linwood Corps and Directors, Linwood Community Ministries; Capts Jocelyn and Paul Smith, Corps Officers, Sydenham Corps; Capt Jocelyn Smith, Director, Sydenham Community Ministries; Capt Paul Smith, Mission Support Centre Coordinator, DHQ; Gore Corps, Raewyn and Russell Healey, soldiers of Invercargill Corps, have been appointed as Corps Leaders.

Fiji Division Capt Limaina Turaga, Divisional Secretary for Women’s Ministries; Lieut Ruci Napolioni, Assistant Divisional Youth Secretary; Capts Amelia and Jeremaia Naviko, Corps Officers, Labasa Corps; Capt Amelia Naviko, Chaplain, Labasa Family Care Centre; Capts Laineta and Viliame Ramere, Corps Officers, Lomaivuna Corps; Capts Lasarusa and Limaina Turaga, Corps Officers, Raiwai Corps; Capt Lasarusa Turaga, Young Offenders Programme, Raiwai; Capts Sevanaia and Vakatoto Wawa,

Corps Officers, Savusavu Corps; Lieut Ruci Napolioni, Assistant Officer, Suva Central Corps, with responsibility for Navua Outpost; Lieut Seru Napolioni, Assisting Officer, Navua Outpost (continuing additional appointment as Divisional Youth Secretary); Lieut Ruci Napolioni, Court and Diversion Officer (Women), Suva Court and Prison.

Booth College of Mission Mjr Milton Collins, Director, Centre for Leadership Development; Capt Stuart Tong, Assistant Principal (continuing in appointments as Senior Training Officer and Disciple Formation Officer, School for Officer Training).

Samoa Capt Miriama Simanu, Officer, Planting Team.

Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS) Capt Rebecca Gane, ASARS Service Development Officer, National Office, Auckland; Mjr Russell Malcolm, National Quality Consultant, National Office, Auckland; Capt Dale McFarlane, Mission Director, Bridge Auckland.

Salvation Army Social Housing Mjr Michael Allwright, Referral Officer, Ashburton; Lieut Karl Foreman, Referral Officer, Bell Block/New Plymouth.

Officers Awaiting Appointments Mjrs Clive and Lesley Nicolson.

Officers Concluding Appointments in Retirement Mjr David Bennett; Mjrs Glenys and Terry Heese.

Officers Retiring in January 2018 Mjr Ruth Froggatt; Mjr Colin Mason.

Messengers of the Gospel—Ngā Kārere o te Rongopai—Session Northern Division: Lieuts Andrew and Maree O’Brien, Corps Officers, Manukau Central Corps; Lieuts Chantelle and Michael Bryan, Corps Officers, Papakura Corps; Lieut Sung Woo (Beany) Cho, Assistant Officer, Waitakere Central Corps.

Southern Division: Lieuts Grant and Lynda Pitcher, Assistant Officers, Nelson Tasman Bays Corps.

Messengers of Compassion—Ngā Kārere o te Arohanui—Session Central Division: Cadets Heather and Ivo Pyper, Cadets in Appointment, In Charge, Upper Hutt Corps and Directors, Upper Hutt Community Ministries.

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 19

The Old Testament book of Daniel has a lot to teach us about resolving the tension of choosing whether to resist or adapt as we engage with the culture around us.

BY CARLA LINDSEY

There’s a lot of speculation about Queen Elizabeth II stepping down. At 91, having ruled for 64 years, she’s entitled to retire! She’s the longest-reigning British monarch ever and the longest-serving monarch in the world today. By contrast, in the world of the Old Testament, monarchs’ reigns were often quite short.

When we reach Daniel chapter five, we suddenly find we have a new king.

Nebuchadnezzar has been replaced with Belshazzar. This has caused a major problem for biblical scholars as Babylonian records list all their kings, and Belshazzar isn’t there. But there’s a good explanation why Belshazzar wasn’t on the kings list—he wasn’t king.

After Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian kings followed like this: Nebuchadnezzar’s relatively long reign ended in 562 BC, and he was succeeded by his son, Evil-Merodach.

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Evil-Merodach ruled for two years (562–560 BC) and was murdered by his brother-in-law Neriglissar. Neriglissar then ruled four years (560–556 BC).

At his death, he was succeeded by his son Labashi-Marduk, who ruled for two months (May and June 556) before being assassinated. LabashiMarduk was succeeded by another of Nebuchadnezzar’s sons-in-law, Nabonidus. Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon. A lot of kings in a short period of time!

So where did Belshazzar fit? Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus. He was never properly ‘king’, but co-regent, acting as king on his father’s behalf when Nabonidus was out of town. It seems Nabonidus wasn’t liked much, so he spent a lot of time out of town, including a 10-year period in Arabia.

Time to party We read in Daniel chapter five that Belshazzar threw a party. An extravagant and excessive party with no expense spared. One thousand nobles were present, as were Belshazzar’s wives and concubines. Wine was present too—and it was perhaps this wine that caused Belshazzar to do a foolish thing.

He gave ‘orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the King and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets … and … drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.’ (5:2–4) There are three things to note here.

Firstly, Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t Belshazzar’s father, but his grandfather.

The term ‘father’ here means ‘forefather’.

Secondly, these goblets were sacred objects. They were dedicated for use in the temple of the Jewish God. To use them at a party was offensive enough, but to use them to worship ‘gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone’? Mocking God in such a way would have consequences.

Thirdly, while all of this was going on, non-biblical sources tell us the Persian army was camping just outside the walls of Babylon. The Persians had already defeated Nabonidus and some of the Babylonian armies a few days before at Sippar, 50 miles away. Now they were gearing up to take Babylon herself.

Belshazzar would have known this.

Belshazzar promised his wise men the third highest position in the kingdom if they deciphered the message. As secondin-charge, third position was the highest place he could bestow. That’s how desperate Belshazzar was to understand the meaning of this terrifying omen.

But, just like before, the wise men were stumped. This made Belshazzar even more afraid.

We need Daniel And so the Queen took control of the situation. Most likely this was the Queen mother, Nabonidus’s wife.

She knew Daniel was a great help to Nebuchadnezzar. If anyone could solve this mystery, it was Daniel.

IF ANYONE COULD SOLVE THIS MYSTERY, IT WAS DANIEL. He wouldn’t have been able to miss the vast army right outside the gate. Yet he still thought this was a good time to throw a party. Not his smartest decision!

Perhaps he thought the walls, so wide four chariots could race around the top, would never be brought down and so the Persian army would simply starve outside them. After all, Babylon always had fresh water thanks to the Euphrates River that ran through the city, and the city was so big there were plenty of crops and animals for food.

At the party things took a rather unexpected turn. ‘Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall ... The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking’ (5:5–6). Literally, Belshazzar’s ‘loins were loosened’—a polite way of saying ‘he wet his pants’. This great king who had felt so secure and was enjoying showing off his wealth to important people was reduced to a trembling heap, completely humiliated.

Already twice in the book of Daniel, the king has summoned his wise men. This time it’s not a dream the king needs help with; it’s that message left on his wall.

By this point, Daniel was in his 80s. He was probably still living at the palace, but was retired. Several kings had reigned since Nebuchadnezzar, young kings with new ideas and new people to consult. But that was about to change.

Retirement was over and Daniel’s wisdom was needed again.

Daniel was brought before Belshazzar, and from the way he addresses Daniel, we deduce Belshazzar doesn’t think much of him. Where the Queen spoke of Daniel in terms of his close relationship with Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar thought of Daniel merely as an exile, just a servant. Daniel didn’t think much of him either. He told Belshazzar he could keep his gifts and proceeded to give the arrogant young king a lecture.

Belshazzar should have known better.

He knew what pride had done to Nebuchadnezzar, yet still didn’t humble himself. In fact, he did the opposite. By using the sacred goblets, he was setting himself up against God. Where younger Daniel had been afraid to speak directly to Nebuchadnezzar, older Daniel held nothing back. He told it like it was: ‘You did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways’ (5:24).

context is needed. That was what the wise men didn’t have. So God helped Daniel to fill in in the blanks. The message was: • Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

• Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

• Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

(5:26–28) Notice that Daniel says ‘your kingdom is divided’, not ‘will be’. This disaster had already happened. The vowels in the word ‘peres’ can form the word ‘divided’, but they also form the word ‘Persians’.

Were the Persians still outside the gate? Or were they already inside the city of Babylon?

Five non-biblical sources tell us about the fall of Babylon. Each tells the story a little differently, but two tell us that as the Babylonians smugly partied the night away, the Persian army diverted the water in the river that flowed under the walls, and once it had gone down, they walked into Babylon and took her without a fight. These sources might not be 100 per cent trustworthy, but however it happened ‘that very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of 62’ (5:31–32).

And just like that there was another new king. But not just a new king. Now there was a whole new empire. The great Babylonian Empire was taken over by the Persians and the Medes … and Daniel was back in a position to again influence the king.

Read Daniel chapter 5 • What have we already learnt from the past? What could we still learn?

Belshazzar would have worshipped many gods. A lot would have gone into keeping those gods happy. But he upset one god.

The god who held his very life.

• What does Daniel tell us about age requirements for serving God?

Daniel explained what the hand had written. The wise men were probably stumped by the message, as ancient Aramaic has no vowels. To work out which vowels need to be inserted,

• How can we honour the God who holds our life in his hands?

07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 21

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 6–8 October: Her Freedom Song Conference (TPWM) 13–17 October: Fiji Officers Fellowship and Taveuni Corps 20 October: Jeff Farm AGM 28 October: Re-opening of Linwood Corps Building 29–31 October: Midland Division Visit Colonel Suzanne Fincham (Chief Secretary) 19 November: Palmerston North Corps

PRAY

Raiwai, Rangiora and Rotorua Corps; Rakiraki and Rolleston Corps Plants; Family Store staff; The Salvation Army in Denmark and Greenland.

400–600 words with one or two captioned photos.

Promotion to Glory tributes are approx 300 words. Email reports and large, high-quality jpeg images to: warcry@nzf. salvationarmy.org

INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE? For reports, regular newsletters, challenging articles and Salvation Army government submissions.

www salvationarmy.org.nz/socialpolicy

Want to Know More?

A musical expression of worship by the youth of The Salvation Army

I would like: to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

Name Email Phone Send to: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

22 WarCry 07 OCTOBER 2017

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES online:

www salvationarmy.org.nz/employment

Quiz Answers: 1 Glenfield, 2 Chicago, 3 Rod Stewart, 4 Wonder Woman, 5 Six (Ephesians 6:14–17).

Address

can you crack the code?

TH E

B I BL E

GO D S

S E R VAN TS

K IN DS

OF

T R AINS

GOO D

TO

DO

AL L

D E E DS

‘I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions.’

Psalm 119:101–102 CEV

A BC D E F G H I J K L M NO P Q R S T U VW XY Z Why did Noah have to tell off the chickens on the Ark? Because they were using ‘fowl’ langu age.

help Toco Toucan find Tina Toucan

1

Get an easy-toread Bible. Ask your parent or a kids church leader to help you.

how to read the Bible

2

Start with stories about Jesus.

These are the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Read with a friend or a parent. That way you can talk about any questions. And it’s easier to make Bible reading a habit if someone else is encouraging you.

3

What kind of light have on the ar s did Noah k? Floodlights

check out this Bible app for kids!

ey play cards Why didn’t th cause Noah on the Ark? Be the deck on was standing

4

Pray and ask God to help you understand what you read. Write down what God is teaching you so you don’t forget it.

YouVersion’s Bible App for Kids has cartoon Bible stories and activities for kids from two to 10.

Download from the App Store or visit www.bible.com/kid for more info.

What is your teacher at school like? Are they good at maths, science, spelling, art, music, sports …?

If we want to learn to play guitar, we’re not going to choose a teacher who doesn’t know how to play guitar. If we want to learn to spell, it would be silly to ask a four-year-old to teach us.

In life, if we want to know how to make wise choices and not get into trouble, we need a teacher who can help us do the right thing. And that’s Jesus!

If Jesus is going to teach us how to live then we need to spent time with him. Not just once a year or on Sunday at church, but most days.

The best way to spend time with Jesus is by reading the Bible and talking with Jesus by praying.

These are great habits to have in our lives!

Dear Jesus, I want you to be my teacher. Help me to understand what you want me to learn from the Bible.

Thank you that I can talk to you about this when I pray.

Amen.

Code Cracker: 2 Timothy 3:17, CEV adapted 07 OCTOBER 2017 WarCry 23

SAVIOUR CHRIST, in whose way of LOVE lies the secret of all LIFE and the HOPE of all people, we pray for QUIET COURAGE to match THIS HOUR. We did not choose to be born or to live in such an age:

but let its problems CHALLENGE us, its discoveries EXHILARATE us, its possibilities INSPIRE us, and its vigour RENEW us for your Kingdom’s sake.

Amen.

FROM THE 1998 LAMBETH CONFERENCE