16 May 2020 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 16 MAY 2020 | Issue 6742 | $1.50

Virtual Anzac: National Youth Band Service Raymond Tuala: Brown Whisper in a System of White Noise Covid-19: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa Updates

Fincham’s Farewell Tribute

THE DI G I T AL GENERATI O N DIVIDE

Looking Back at Lockdown

Gen Zeders and Millennials

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | 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 Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Captain Jules Badger, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major

Colleen Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,

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

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

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Emerging...

Over the past few weeks we have been emerging out of an environment of lockdown into increasing levels of freedom. Life, as many of us have known it, has changed—and we are taking stock of our personal lives, our finances and our plans.

Our young people are also wondering what the future may hold for them.

The effects of lockdown on their studies, their jobs and relationships have yet to be decided. Their ability to meet with friends, attend church and youth groups is challenging, but their resilience is surprising.

Our feature this week is an opinion piece that looks at two particular generations: Generation Z and the Millennials. It highlights for us the different ways these two generations will react and respond to these unique times.

We also have a ‘spoken word’ (a form of poetry) from a young Salvationist, Raymond Tuala. Raymond’s experience with racism will be uncomfortable for many of us to read, but Christ calls us to overcome things that separate and divide us, we can only do this if we are prepared to listen with our hearts.

The territory was fully engaged in various ministries and responses while in lockdown. We look back on the wonderful work that was undertaken across New Zealand and also in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

I hope you will enjoy reading our online edition of War Cry and don’t forget to watch our film review this week, The Chosen.

Vivienne Hill Editor

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

SalvationArmyNZFTS

Jesus promised his disciples three things: that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.

@SalvationArmyNZ

G.K Chesterton

Publishing for 136 years | Issue 6742 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

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2 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Nga Whakatauki 14:12 Hē huarahi anō tērā e tika anā ki tā te tangata titiro, kō tōna mutunga ia kō nga huarahi ki te mate.

good friend rang on the last day of Covid-19 level 4 lockdown to check on how I was doing. Staunch women that we are, we both admitted at the time that things were getting a bit tougher.

My friend, back on her feet again after time in prison, commented on how lessons she had learnt inside had been extremely useful to her living alone during the nation-wide lockdown. She added, her voice rising with excitement, ‘The big difference now is, praise God, I’m free!’ At that time, she had her eye on the country’s move to level 3 and being able to head down the road to the beach, to smell the ocean and see the surfers ride. Free, indeed!

Further learning on the subject was at hand that day from my reading in Acts 5 about Peter and friends doing time in prison, an angel with attitude instructing: ‘We’re out of here!’ and then, dauntingly, that they should ‘stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this new life’. The outcome was an arrest, an official warning, and a flogging to let everyone know what was what. Peter’s focus, though, remained on who was who, with his daring declaration: ‘We must obey God rather than men’. And the Scripture

records that ‘as they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah’.

The apostle’s testimony has strengthened the nerve of many a Christian since then, like the earlyday Australian Salvationist, Captain Jessie Behrens, jailed at Castlemaine for leading open-air meetings.

The prison governor couldn’t resist saying his bit after the magistrate had committed her to his custody. The Apostle Paul, he pointed out, had instructed women to keep silent.

Jessie retorted: ‘Yes, Sir, but Paul also tells us to obey God rather than man’. She got the apostle wrong but the principle right: God’s freedom is wide-ranging—including the freedom not to be right all the time.

Jesus said to people eager to follow him: ‘If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36). That’s the good news, then and now, inside or out, and at whatever level we’re in or on.

BY COLONEL MARGARET HAY

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 3

Homemade Tomato Sauce 3½kg ripe tomatoes, chopped

Place the tomatoes, onions, garlic, sugar, vinegar and salt in a large pan.

3 onions, finely diced

Place the pickling spice in a square of muslin or clean tea towel, and tie it closed with kitchen string. Add the muslin bag of pickling spice to the pan.

8 cloves garlic, chopped 3 cups sugar 3 cups malt vinegar 2 Tbsp salt 2 Tbsp pickling spice Muslin cloth or a clean tea towel

Bring the tomato mixture to the boil and boil it steadily, stirring occasionally, for 2–2½ hours, or until the mixture is thick and pulpy. Discard the muslin bag of pickling spice.

Press the mixture through a sieve to remove the tomato seeds and skins.

Return the sauce to the pan and boil it for a further 5 minutes.

Pour the sauce through a funnel into sterilised bottles or jars while it is hot and seal them.

Tip: Store the bottles of sauce in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight until ready to use.

Source: countdown.co.nz

QUIKQUIZ

1 What international sports team are known as the Opals?

2 What is the titan arum/corpse flower known for?

3 What is having an extra finger or toe called?

4 What is the Māori word for ‘dog’?

5 What was Moses’ mother’s name?

Answers on page 22 4 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

SALLIEOF THEWEEK

Emily Bray (Wellington City Corps) At age 16, Emily Bray hasn’t let lockdown keep her down.

She’s been working as a volunteer every day at the Newtown Foodbank Hub during Covid-19 level 3, where she oversees the bread and vegetable distribution. Emily undertakes her Year 12 class work in the evenings, so she can be part of the food bank team during the day. Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Mat Badger has worked alongside Emily and says, ‘It’s been so good to see a young person so committed to the practical mission of The Salvation Army. Emily’s been a huge blessing to work with and has inspired others much older than her’.

National Youth Band Anzac Service Anzac Day 2020 was like no other, with many New Zealanders finding different and creative ways to honour our fallen heroes during the national Covid-19 lockdown. The National Youth Band of The Salvation Army was one such group of New Zealanders.

‘With all the unknowns and changes with Covid-19, it was a blessing to come together as a band, via technology, to remember and honour Anzac Day. We’re so proud of our team for following God’s leading in their lives. God isn’t limited to a building, location or plan. We can join together anywhere to bring him glory,’ says Captain Juanita Buckingham, who is Executive Officer for the National Youth Band along with husband Captain Daniel Buckingham. isappointed when the scheduled visit to D Wellington City Corps at the end of March was postponed due to Covid-19, band member Kase Walker felt led by God to put together an Anzac service everyone could participate in during lockdown. Kase put the idea to Daniel and Juanita and bandmaster Duncan Horton, who all loved the idea.

‘We wanted to empower our young people’, says Juanita. ‘So Kase and Noah Spargo pulled everything together and did all the hard work. All the credit goes to them and the team.’

Historical Drama The Chosen (PG) Directed by Dallas Jenkins This multi-season, crowd-funded series about Christ and his followers uses artistic imagination, rather than dialogue taken straight from the biblical text, to tell the story of Jesus’ ministry. Christ’s followers are featured as a peculiar assortment of characters, but Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus is a highlight.

While most movies bring an almost ethereal quality to Jesus, Roumie’s portrayal gives us Jesus in all his humanity. The Chosen has been viewed over 20 million times in 180 countries, and is currently being translated into 70 languages. Further series will be produced as crowd-funding allows. Not bad for a faith-based series produced outside of Hollywood.

You can view season one for free on apps at thechosen.tv/appor, or on this YouTube link: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwjoqDa8kUBL_ trCMU-TzEFE1Sm7kYuP6 (Reviewed by Vivienne Hill)

TOPFIVE

To celebrate Samoan Language Week, here are five beautiful Samoan words to learn (during isolation time)!

A highlight of the service was the spectacular arrangement of Amazing Grace sung so beautifully by Denae McCready—with music by Noah Spargo, Kieran Goldsack, Jonty Zydenbos and Stasson Collings.

5. Tatalo—to pray/prayer

Watch the service online | https://bit.ly/ANZACService

2. Tusitusi—writing

4. Faaaloalo—respect 3. Ta’alo—to play

WARCRY INHISTORY The Salvation Army, providing in times of need: This photograph documents a feeding programme during years of the Great Depression.

Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission

Weird of the Week: The 29 May is ‘Put a Pillow on Your Fridge’ day—go figure.

It’s celebrated in Europe and the USA to bring luck and wealth upon the house.

facebook.com/PAPOYFD

1. Olioli—joy.

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 5

THE DIGENERATI GITAL ON DIVIDE

Life has changed for us all, but have the effects of Covid-19 been different for younger generations? A ‘Millennial’ reflects on the outcomes of confinement on his generation and the generation following—Generation Z.

BY LIEUTENANT NATHAN HOLT

T

here she is, sitting in the comfortable chair next to the heater, a balled mound of human—hoodie up, blanket draped over curled legs. The dim glow of the smartphone’s screen makes the slight frown on her face barely visible. The first half of 2020 will be defined by that posture. We might as well build a statue of it and place it in the town square—not that we really have town squares anymore, not that anyone will go out to see it. They’ll all be stuck in that zombie-like gait with bodies, highlighted by that familiar blue-light glow which seems to create more darkness than light. This is what we’ve come to. These younger generations are missing the world that’s going by.

Wait… what am I saying? I’m only 37. I’m a proud Millennial. I have a phone.

I sit like that too. I can’t remember the last time I took notice of a statue. These Generation Z kids are different, though.

I knew the world before the information age. I knew what study looked like before Google. I knew the world before social media. I lived 20 years without my own phone. I know what the dial-up connection sounds like. I remember when the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song didn’t make me think about a guy pouring lemons out of a LIFE cereal box and saying, ‘Well, when life gives you lemons’. Back in my day…

Oh, no. I said, ‘Back in my day’. This lockdown is turning me into my parents.

I’m becoming a boomer!

The World(s) We Know I was born in 1983. I’m an elder Millennial (born between 1980–1994). The context of my world has been one of globalisation, relative economic stability (if we ignore the housing crash of 2008), and the emergence of the world wide web. The lockdown, for me, has been a challenge in all three of these contexts.

Globalisation happened because the world started realising that its economies, cultures and populations are all interconnected, largely due to the broad crossborder trade. Everyone has been in one big economic partnership.

I have lived a life with a fairly stable economy, but I don’t know what’s going to happen to this, after all is said and done. The internet though, that’s a trusty, solid part of my world-view. Nothing could go wrong with that. I’m all good!

The context of my Generation Z younger brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and youth group members and the kids to whom I say: ‘I remember you when you were this big’, is quite different to mine. This generation is made up of 16 MAY 2020 WarCry 7

those born between 1995 and 2010. They grew up in a world of many worlds. They are mobile and exist in a multitude of realities. You see, I saw the ‘real world’ and the ‘internet’, they just see different worlds—there aren’t two for them, there are an infinite number. They aren’t just digital navigators; they are digital natives. They speak different languages all together— I call it, ‘speaking in memes’. They exist within a variety of social networks. These are defining factors for their worldview.

During lockdown we Millennials struggled with the very things that have created the world that we understand. Most Generation Z people will feel like little has changed. Most of their worlds still exist.

The Consequential Behaviour Context creates natural consequences. You see, our beliefs are shaped by our contexts. Our beliefs are what inform our behaviours. Consequently, Millennials and Gen Zeders (that’s what I’m calling them now, k?) have different behavioural structures.

As a globalist who sees the whole world as one—well, not really one, it is more like one giant thing made up of many little things—I behave in a way that reflects my understanding that the world is quite big. We are all connected. We aren’t so different (you and I). What I do affects what others do.

I also question everything. I even question the answers you give me to the first question I asked. I deconstruct everything, always. What am I trying to achieve? Most of the time, I don’t even know. All I know is that when we discovered that the entire universe didn’t revolve around us, we were opened up to a whole bunch of stuff that we thought wasn’t possible. For example, being an American taught me that if you walk around outside with no shoes on, you’d die. Something would get you.

When I moved to New Zealand, I discovered that there is an entire people group who just don’t wear shoes. They are called ‘Kiwi’. I had to question my beliefs. If that was wrong, what else might be wrong?

THEY ALSO WANT TO BE PART OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THEY WILL PICK A PRODUCT BECAUSE IT IS ETHICAL. 8 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

The globalisation and questioning existences also led me to be very oriented to self. Interestingly, as soon as we discovered that the world didn’t revolve around us, we gave ourselves permission to act like it does. I tend to think about everything in terms of its effect on me. I wouldn’t call it selfish, but I don’t spend a lot of time saying insulting things to myself.

THEY AREN’T JUST DIGITAL NAVIGATORS; THEY ARE DIGITAL NATIVES. THEY SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES ALL TOGETHER—I CALL IT, ‘SPEAKING IN MEMES’.

What about the Gen Zeders? They don’t think globally, they think more in a multiverse kind of way. They don’t see themselves as one thing, and other people as another thing.

They don’t put themselves into categories. Instead, they seem to be insisting that no one is anything. They are threatening to completely do away with all the labels that my parents established, that I questioned over and over with no end in sight. They are the ‘unidentified’ generation. The older you are, the more you will struggle with that behavior. You’ll believe that they are destroying all the constraints and clear lines you spent your life protecting. Well, they are. They are proud of it.

If you tell them off for it, they will just say, ‘Okay, Boomer. Go back to Facebook’ (yeah, apparently Facebook is for old people… like me. I’m on Facebook). For them, it isn’t a deconstruction (that’s a Millennial thing). For them it is simply a strategy of ignoring things that we really don’t need.

They also thrive on communication rather than just questioning. They communicate all the time. I worked with a group of teenagers (not that they would label themselves that way) in an appointment I was in. This group talked all day and night. They went to school together. They all had smartphones.

They were all logged into Discord (a communications app) all day. They would message each other all the time. They always knew where every other person in that group was. They always knew what was going on. They were always communicating.

Names of Generations Gen Alpha: The newest generation to be named and succeeding Gen Z. Born between 2010 and 2025, this generation is characterised as the first to be born entirely in the twenty-first century.

Gen Z: Born between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z have

used digital technology since a young age and are comfortable using the You know what else is weird? They internet and social media. would rather have a conversation about something than just be told what the Millennials/Gen Y: 1981 to 1996, Millennials are marked by their comingzero-consultation decision is. They of-age in the ‘Information Era’. Labelled the ‘boomerang generation’ due would also rather have dialogue than to delaying rites-of-passage for longer periods, for example, leaving home conflict. Weird, eh? Other generations much later. may have a hard time understanding why people would need to know the Gen X: 1965 to 1980, a time of shifting societal values and rising divorce process by which you came to the rates. Also called ‘latchkey kids’ due to reduced adult supervision conclusion about something that affects compared with previous generations. The first generation to be crippled their lives, why a once-per-year review by student debt. It is also credited with entrepreneurial tendencies. meeting isn’t enough to satisfy a Gen Zeder. I know this is a problem with us Baby Boomers: 1946 to 1964, during the post-WW2 baby boom. The oldest Millennials, too. But, trust me, that had of the Baby Boomers turned 18 in the mid-1960s and were responsible for more to do with us just being mad about the countercultural movement that followed. everything. Gen Zeders, on the other hand, actually want to know. They want Silent Generation: 1928 to 1945, also known as ‘the lucky few’. They grew to talk. They want to have open and up under the shadow of the war and The Great Depression and were consistent dialogue. expected to be ‘seen and not heard’. They did not protest, but initiated During lockdown, I’m struggling social change. with my identity in this globalist world.

I have had to lean back on the labels We’re all using the same word to describe something very that I’ve spent my life challenging and different. To a Gen Zeder, they have a name and a story and questioning. I’ve had other questions answered which just they just want to be heard. leads to further questions. Gen Zeders will be struggling with They also want to be part of making a difference. They will a feeling of loss of face-to-face communication. They won’t pick a product because it is ethical. They will stand behind a enjoy the social media battles because true dialogue is quite brand because that brand stands for something good. They difficult in these forums. will refuse to put money in a bucket, but raise awareness and resources for the same cause from the comfort of their arm We Consume chair by the heater.

Context creates belief systems. Belief systems create behaviours.

I’d like to suggest that we Millennials would be struggling Behaviours dictate consumption. much more with a lockdown than Gen Zeders. But… maybe As a Millennial, I consume experiences. After all, that’s what every generation believes about their plight in life experiencing something is the only real way to answer many of in comparison with others. the questions I have. Millennials travel. We want to experience

the world we’ve discovered.

I also want to consume innovations and new ideas and ‘flagships’! I want to re-conquer the world!

Gen Zeders, due to their context and behaviours, have different desires in the things they consume. You see, they want uniqueness. They want unlimited. They want quick.

They want ethical.

They want to feel valued for their individuality. Let’s not confuse this with the individuality of the previous generations.

So What?

How are we all going to get through these levels of lockdown?

How is it going to change us? How are the younger generations going to be affected by all of this? Well… maybe we should all get up from the couch and talk to one of them about it. We might be pleasantly surprised.

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Extrovert, Isolated Extroverts draw their energy from being around other people. This becomes very difficult or impossible as social distancing, working from home and selfisolation become necessary precautions. While these measures have been introduced to protect our collective physical health and wellbeing, it is also important for us to consider how our mental health might be affected.

If you are an extrovert, you have probably started to notice that this isolated lifestyle is getting you down. You may have already heard some of the following suggestions, but if you are struggling, take some time to try and incorporate these tips during your week.

• Maintain face-to-face connection. Organise video chats instead of audio calls or email communication, where possible.

• Keep a routine. Don’t let yourself wallow; set a time to get up and go to sleep each day, plus observe regular mealtimes. Outside of your ‘working’ hours, make time for activities and responsibilities such as chores, exercise, prayer time, cooking or rest.

…EVEN IF SELF-ISOLATION FELT LIKE A WALK IN THE PARK AT FIRST, DON’T BE SURPRISED IF IT BEGINS TO TAKE ITS TOLL ON YOUR MOOD.

• Schedule time each day to speak with your family/friends.

When you call or video chat with them, try not to dwell on the news or the stresses of working from home—be honest if you are struggling, but look for positivity.

• Find a project or interest and see if you can do it alongside someone else. Here are a couple of examples.

• Challenge a friend to take up a craft or DIY activity at the

• Look into interactive/collaborative online gaming experiences,

• Organise a book/film club and facilitate discussions online

• Netflix Party allows multiple Chrome users to watch

same time and discuss your progress with each other. particularly ones that you can play alongside friends.

or via a group phone call.

programmes at the same time and experience the show together from their respective couches.

• Reach out for help. The disruption to your usual coping mechanisms and wellbeing strategies leads to heightened anxiety or depression. If you are feeling stressed, anxious or weighed down, tell someone or seek advice. If necessary, you can call a helpline or investigate online support portals.

Introverts are not immune to these mental health concerns, either. Humans are designed to be social beings, so even if selfisolation felt like a walk in the park at first, don’t be surprised

10 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

if it begins to take its toll on your mood. When you don’t live with family, flatmates or pets, these steps are even more important.

Keep your chin up, pay attention to your mental wellbeing and make sure you are doing everything in your power to stay healthy.

Remember, if you are stuck at home, you are doing your part to take care of the world and make it a safer, healthier place.

HEALTH CONSCIOUS Keep your work life and home life separate, even if they are in the same place.

Eat healthily.

Embrace at-home workouts. Keep your body moving and releasing those all-important endorphins to lift your mood.

Even if you don’t have at-home gym equipment, find YouTube exercise or dance fitness tutorials, or do regular stretching sessions to keep up/improve your flexibility.

As long as you are able (within given health restrictions), step outside and take advantage of fresh air and vitamin D. Source: theladders.com

TESTIFY! For a long time, Gwen Smith struggled to find meaning in the Bible and feared that God had forgotten her, but he spoke to her through a song one morning at church and she learned that his timing is perfect.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to attend church and reflect on God and his teachings. Yet, for so long, the Bible seemed unreadable, like it was withholding its message from me.

In my 40s, life became a downhill slide with severe episodes of depression— to the extent where I did foolish things where my health and safety were concerned. Then, Derek Prince visited Dunedin and I attended; all I took away at that stage was that I needed to read the Bible regularly. I was at rock bottom, so I started to do this and hoped it would lead to a better outcome. I was determined to read a chapter of Proverbs every day, almost legalistically.

Then, my daughter, who was friendly with a Salvationist in her class, asked if she could go to her youth group. She needed me to drive her, so I started attending The Salvation Army with her in the mid-80s. Eventually, I heeded the call to the mercy seat (a little reluctantly).

I had become a communicant member of another denomination at secondary school, and I had felt like that was similar and sufficient; the uncertainty of going through another step of faith only to end up like the previous time, held me back.

However, it was rewarded immediately.

Everyone was friendly and welcoming.

I felt drawn to contribute in some way, even though my fear of public speaking was never far away. The Bible became meaningful—it had life—and much of what I had heard in my early years of church attendance became familiar and a joy to come across in its context.

However, as time went by, God seemed to become distant and silent again. I

‘IT STILL GIVES ME GOOSEBUMPS. EVERY LINE SPOKE TO ME, AND TO SING IT ADDED TO THE POWER OF THE MESSAGE AND TO MY VULNERABILITY. GOD HADN’T DISOWNED ME AFTER ALL.’ had been disowned by my family of origin several decades before; a family, I was to learn through counselling, that was dysfunctional. This was quite a shock, as it was the only family I had ever known. It was strict, but not abusive in any way and there were no alcohol or divorce issues. It seemed right and proper at the time.

I wrote in large letters on an A4 page: ‘Lord, speak to me even if it is to say, “Thanks Gwen, but no thanks”’. An answer came to my plea one Sunday morning through a Salvation Army song. Many songs I knew, but not this one. I was incredulous; it felt like God was speaking to me in front of the whole congregation.

In this song, ‘His Love Remains The Same’, written by John Gowans, it says, ‘Don’t assume that God’s dismissed you from his mind, don’t assume that God’s forgotten to be kind … Don’t assume that God will plan for you no more, don’t assume that there’s no future to explore’. It still gives me goosebumps.

Every line spoke to me, and to sing it added to the power of the message and to my vulnerability. God hadn’t disowned me after all.

God still speaks through His Word.

His timing is perfect. He has given me a new family, a new outlook, a new future to pursue, health and energy in my senior years, and I find it such a privilege to be serving him through The Salvation Army.

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 11

Brown Whispers

in a System of

White Noise Raymond Tuala has something important to say. It’s confronting. It needs to be. Raymond wants us to listen.

BY JULES BADGER

Raymond is a gentle, respectful young man. He’s Samoan, a quarter Scottish and a disciple of Jesus. He loves the Lord and loves his church. And that love runs deep.

Raymond’s part of an Army—one that brings life. And that’s why he’s advocating for change. Raymond wants this beautiful ideal of ‘bringing life’ to be realised—for everyone. He wants to be part of an Army where everyone has a seat around the table—or on the flax mat.

RAYMOND WHO? Around age four Raymond started attending Mt Albert Salvation Army in Central Auckland with his parents and sister. When his parents and sister left, Raymond stayed, thanks to relationships established in children’s and youth programmes.

Raymond encountered the Holy Spirit for the first time at age 16, and embraced life as a growing disciple of Christ. Raymond is now 22, and a Salvation Army Youth Work Apprentice.

In January 2020, at Amplify Creative Arts Camp, Raymond was part of the Spoken Word major, facilitated

by Rosy Keane. The Holy Spirit worked in and through Raymond, enabling him to ‘speak his truth’ about systemic racism, and find words to express his deep love for an imperfect church.

FUELLED BY LOVE ‘I’m quite naturally an anti-establishment kind of person.

Growing up I never liked being told what to do. But loving the Sallies and staying is because I love Christ first. I want people who don’t know Christ to have a relationship with him—that’s the point of church. But that doesn’t mean that the system I exist in—the church I’m part of— isn’t flawed,’ explains Raymond.

‘I think God wants us to point out what needs to be improved so others can more easily connect with Christ.

But we must be careful not to become negative and critical and lose sight of why we want change. Loving the church doesn’t mean it’s perfect. But we can’t be blind to its flaws by that love either.’

12 firezone.co.nz 16 MAY 2020

COMPELLED TO SPEAK UP Raymond writes about racism because of his life experience in New Zealand, and in the church.

‘I’d like people to understand that racism today is nothing like the racism of 100, 50 or even 20 years ago. It’s not stopping people on the street and frisking them because they’re brown. It’s not having golly-wogs on the packaging of your marmalade—it’s not something that’s super visible anymore because it’s mostly systemic,’ he explains.

‘Most of society’s systems and practices were designed by white people and they perpetuate a white mindset—and the Sallies aren’t exempt. It’s not anybody’s fault today—no one is avidly choosing to be racist. But a lot of palangi (Pākehā) just don’t realise the place of privilege they have. They don’t understand that these systems are stacked against brown people. But we all

RAYMOND WANTS THIS BEAUTIFUL IDEAL OF ‘BRINGING LIFE’ TO BE REALISED—FOR EVERYONE. HE WANTS TO BE PART OF AN ARMY WHERE EVERYONE HAS A SEAT AROUND THE TABLE—OR ON THE FLAX MAT.

Runs Deep Written and performed live at Amplify 2020,

by Raymond Tuala

My love for my church runs deep.

16 years of watered-down Sallies juice and stale chocolates from the food bank deep.

Countless camps and sore bums from hour-long sermons kind of deep.

Timbrels, uniforms, handkerchief waving, planning meetings, volunteering at the family store, deep.

Dozens of life-long friends kinda deep.

Wearing my Amplify t-shirt to school on mufti-day because I’m so proud of my church kinda deep.

experience forms of privilege—there’s gender privilege—I’m male. Privilege is something each of us has to consider and grapple with.’

BANISHING SHAME It’s Samoan language week, and Raymond has a passionate message for other young Samoans to hear, and for all Salvationists to reflect on.

‘I can’t speak Samoan fully. I’ve started to take classes to learn. It’s been good. For a long time, there was a lot of shame around not knowing my mother-tongue. And I see this in other Pasifika communities, too. There’s shame for second- and third-generation Samoan-New Zealanders who don’t know their language, but that’s another symptom of systemic racism,’ says Raymond.

Salvationist readers will know that historically, like Māori, Pasifika children were not allowed to speak anything but English at school. We live in the shadow of that cruel reality and its toll on generations of Māori and Pasifika people. We all have a role to play in righting that injustice.

‘I want to encourage Pasifika young people who may be told they’re not brown enough, or too plastic, that there’s no need to justify your identity—no one can take your culture from you.

We’re all on different stages in our journey of understanding our cultural heritage, so travel at the pace that’s right for you,’ affirms Raymond.

Wise words for all of us to heed.

Going to camps knowing I’m working the next day and I’m going to be shattered, kinda deep. Reworking my schedule because I’ve been asked to run something the day before I have to run it.

Sticking around after people looked at me sideways because of the tattered rags I called my clothes as a kid, deep.

Going to church after my parent’s split up and the older people talked crap about me behind my back and to my face, deep.

Seeing my trans-sister turn away from faith because she was harassed and told she’d be going to hell.

Being treated like garbage, judged, and yelled at by older people in church, and still choosing to stick around, kinda deep.

Being a brown whisper in a system of white noise.

Seeing homophobia, racism, sexism, inequity, seeing all this crap and wanting change! That’s how deep my love for this church runs!

But I’m not the only one whose love runs deep for the church.

You see, there’s this older guy that I know who I really look up to, and I try to be kinda like him too.

His love ran so deep that he went from country to country doing ministry, preaching about the love of God. He hung out with homeless dudes and fed the hungry.

‘When I teach Spoken Word, I point to Wairua Tapu, the flowing Holy Spirit, bringing life and value from deep within each of us. I ask the artists to remain present and attentive to what God says and affirms through their words, and to let that ‘deep call out to deep’ as they write and perform in response to God’s prompting.’

—Rosy Keane

His love ran so deep that he trashed a church gift-shop because it turned a place of worship into a place of commerce.

His love ran so deep he had nails driven through his palms and took on the shame and sin and ugliness of the world and left it up on the cross…

You see, my love for the church runs deep, but His love, His blood, runs deeper.

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 13

History Makers: Looking Back at Lockdown

BY INGRID BARRATT

The level four lockdown of New Zealand was a moment in history that few will forget. Almost immediately, requests for welfare assistance began pouring in to The Salvation Army, which mobilised to meet the unprecedented need. We look back at how The Salvation Army became the heart of a nation in lockdown...

As New Zealand went into level four at midnight on March 25, requests for help from The Salvation Army had already escalated by a third. In response, Salvation Army centres in our biggest cities organised into super-hubs, so food could be supplied and processed in bulk.

Frontline Salvation Army staff were deployed to work in food welfare. Family store managers stacked shelves, youth workers shifted pallets of groceries and accountants packed food parcels.

Family Store trucks became a food delivery service.

Each region found creative ways to meet people’s needs. In Porirua, bread and vegetables were put outside every morning, and about 80 families picked up food per day.

‘They’re so grateful because it makes that huge difference without needing to ask for a food parcel,’ says Major Pam Waugh, Central Division Secretary for Community Ministries.

Hamilton City Corps came up with a solution outside the box by creating a drive-through food bank. ‘What has stood out for me is our amazing ability to mobilise,’ says Corps Officer Captain Jenny Collings, who headed up the Hamilton hub. ‘I’ve really learnt what our people are capable of, there was so much energy and responsiveness.’

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Texting by the thousands With social distancing in place, many of the people who needed help could not access the Army—due to a lack of internet access or phone credit. So in a brand new innovation, a dedicated text number was developed. A team was put in place from all around the country, to respond to the thousands of texts and make welfare assessments.

In Auckland, which had the greatest need, ‘it was a numbers game’, explains Northern Division Community Ministries Manager Rhondda Middleton. In the last week of lockdown, 6419 text requests came in—with a whopping 4410 in the Northern region alone. In response, 2220 food parcels were packed and distributed within the week.

During the two months of March and April, over 16,000 food parcels were delivered throughout the country, according to a report from the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit.

Perhaps the greatest challenge was maintaining the food supply to meet the demand. ‘At times food supply was running extremely low,’ recalls Major Shar Davis, Northern Division Secretary for Mission, who headed up the text initiative. ‘But as is often the case, a donation or a delivery would arrive at the

Photography: Ingrid Barratt

parent,’ recalls Vikki Stevenson, Southern Division Community Ministries Manager.

The elderly were another major group of new clients. ‘We had a lot of people who were worried about their elderly parents an hour or so away. The great thing was that as an Army, we were able to get people in their local area to check in and do their groceries for them,’ recalls Pam.

The new New Zealanders But the overwhelming trend throughout the country was the plight of migrant workers. ‘These people aren’t just working to survive in New Zealand, they’re sending money back home to support their families there,’ explains Rhondda.

For migrants, the financial strain is compounded by the language barrier—which makes it almost impossible to navigate government systems—as well as anxiety for their home countries. ‘They’re very stressed about how to feed their family in New Zealand, but they’re racked with anxiety about family in other countries,’ adds Jenny.

Jason Dilger, operations manager at Waitakere Corps, sums it up: ‘Our migrants are especially vulnerable. It really feels like God’s work’.

Life after lockdown

‘WHAT HAS STOOD OUT FOR ME IS OUR AMAZING ABILITY TO MOBILISE … I’VE REALLY LEARNT WHAT OUR PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF, THERE WAS SO MUCH ENERGY AND RESPONSIVENESS.’ right time, enabling centres to get both fresh and pre-packaged food out to the thousands in need.’

Needing the Army for the first time During this time, The Salvation Army experienced an unprecedented jump in first-time clients—many were working in low-wage industries, had lost their jobs or were on zero-hour contracts.

Other low wage earners were able to get 80 percent of their income through the government subsidy, but it wasn’t enough to make ends meet: ‘If you earn minimum wage and your budget is stretched as far as it can possibly go, that 20 percent that’s missing makes a huge difference,’ says Pam. But the need wasn’t always just financial, social support was also an essential part of the Army’s response. Sole parents who didn’t have wider whānau couldn’t get to the shops, as children were not allowed in. ‘We had a sole dad who received a food parcel and he was almost in tears because it meant he could provide for his family. Our driver who dropped off the food parcel was really affected because he was also a sole

Throughout the country, a stand-out of the lockdown response has been collaboration with the community. In Auckland, local food growers gave pallets and pallets of fresh food. New Zealand businesses and individuals donated in record numbers. The Army was able to collaborate with housing providers and other food banks, and charities shared their resources.

These new ways of working may be pointing towards a more collaborative working model in the long-term. The six Christchurch centres, for example, have been working as a single hub ever since the 2011 earthquakes.

‘We see six centres, but the public only sees The Salvation Army,’ explains Vikki. ‘We have a warehouse and someone employed who does the food pick-ups, receives deliveries, handles the food products and makes sure the food parcels get packed.’

She adds that doing welfare assessments over the phone during lockdown also had surprising benefits: ‘Our assessors are finding that people feel less pressured over the phone, so they can clearly ask the questions that address the underlying needs.’

Meanwhile, there is no sign that life after alert levels will slow down any time soon. The Salvation Army has estimated it will need $10 million worth of food over the coming year in order to continue meeting the high levels of need.

‘The next wave of redundancies will impact, and we know that people in lower socio-economic groups take the longest to recover from a recession,’ says Pam. ‘We’re going to continue to be responsive to the unknown,’ adds Jenny. ‘The challenge will be to mobilise, be creative, to be adaptive and continue to link arms with the community.’

By the time lockdown lifted on 28 April, our frontline staff were exhausted but still fighting the good fight.

As Rhondda says, it’s just what we do: ‘Even when we’re tired, there’s still a lot of laughter and joy. We are an Army and this is where we excel. We come in numbers, we do the mahi and we do it for our community.’

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 15

Samoa in Covid-19 In light of the recent state of emergency due to the measles epidemic, the Government of Samoa was quick to announce measures to protect its population.

These measures included: no public gathering of over five people; people over the age of 60 were not allowed to go out; flights in and out of Samoa would cease; cafés and restaurants would close; resorts would close; supermarkets and the marketplace would have limited hours—The Salvation Army was again looking at different ways of sharing and reaching out in ministry.

The Regional Leaders, Lt-Colonels Rod and Jenny Carey, were travelling back from New Zealand when these measures were announced, which meant as they arrived in the country things were going to immediately be very different.

For the first two weeks, the Addictions, Corps and Regional Headquarters worked from home with team meetings held via the internet. We desperately prayed that the virus would not reach the islands of Samoa and that the wisdom of the Prime Minister, in announcing the state of emergency and making these regulations early, would be just the precautions we needed to stop the virus reaching Samoa. To date there have been no cases reported in Samoa.

In recent weeks, we have kept busy providing hard copies of Bible studies, sermons, children’s activities, newsletters, etc, and visiting the congregation pastorally each week, as there is limited access to the internet unlike first-world countries. Some of our members have said it’s been years since a pastor has visited them with supplies and they have been so delighted to see us. It’s blessed us as much as it’s blessed them.

As we were unable to meet and worship together over Easter, we took Easter blessings to our church aiga (family). Each family unit received a dozen hot cross buns and a dozen eggs (not chocolate eggs for obvious reasons). We have also shared supplies with Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged because they were struggling to make ends meet.

We have been donated 100 boxes of bottled water, children’s books, hand sanitiser, educational material and have been able to distribute these along with food parcels and vouchers.

Many aiga are struggling to make ends meet due to continued unemployment, with many businesses unable to operate. The already hard day-to-day struggle to earn a living for some, has become almost impossible. But the people of Samoa are resilient and are used to relying on extended aiga to see them through.

As a nation, as villages, as a corps family, we continue to rely on God’s protection, power and provision. E lelei le Atua i taimi uma. God is good all the time!

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Keeping Covid-19 at Bay: Tonga’s Response To date, Tonga has not recorded a single case of Covid-19.

This is a relief for their healthcare system, which would be ill-equipped to manage an outbreak and the resultant strain on their resources. For this reason, the Tongan Government declared a precautionary two-week lockdown in late March and has closed its borders to all incoming flights.

Unfortunately, this left Regional Leaders, Captains Kenneth and Catherine Walker—who were in New Zealand for their daughter’s wedding—unable to fly back into the country.

As remote leaders, they kept communication with the corps officers, who were distributing food parcels, along with helppacks of soap and hand towels to promote hand washing and hygiene.

‘A number of Tongan families live hand-to-mouth on a weekly basis,’ Kenneth explains. ‘Those families who received food parcels were over the moon, simply because they weren’t allowed to go out … having someone turn up with some food was greatly received.’

The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre (ADAC) in Nuku’alofa re-opened immediately after the end of the

lockdown. However, the country still has restrictions around the size of gatherings and which locations may open.

‘The Tongan culture is very much a sociable, communitybased culture, and so not being allowed to gather or to congregate or to be with family, that’s quite difficult in itself,’ Kenneth says.

However, church services were recently permitted to resume, with social distancing of 1.5m between each person.

Cyclone Harold also caused major devastation to the island— though, thankfully, no lives were lost.

‘The tourist infrastructure on the north-western side has all been wiped out, so that’ll be a hard graft for the island to be able to rebuild, because without it, the island has lost its ability to host tourists—not that it’s doing that at the moment.’

Through these obstacles, Kenneth says that The Salvation Army in Tonga has focused on remaining a ‘visible representation of God’s love at work.

‘People trust us. They look to us for leadership … the Army steps up at these times and offers, if nothing else, confidence to the people to know that we’re there to help as well.’

Harold Causes Havoc in Fiji Tropical Cyclone Harold reached the islands of Fiji on 7–8 April 2020. Harold caused extensive havoc and destruction to the fragile islands and ravaged Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands on the way.

Divisional Commander Captain Andrew Moffat reports that around 600 homes were destroyed and many more damaged. The Salvation Army in Fiji worked closely with the National Disaster Management Organisation.

‘Evacuation centres were made operational, including those co-ordinated by The Salvation Army at our corps at Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Savusavu. A total of 120 people had been evacuated from homes that had either been flooded or damaged as a direct consequence of the torrential rain and heavy winds,’ explains Andrew.

Implementing physical distancing protocols at the evacuation centres, due to the Covid-19 threat, added another layer of responsibility and care for the officers.

Andrew reports that, ‘Captain Selesi Temo (emergency services coordinator) was in constant contact with the National Disaster Management Organisation, police and our own officers, to ensure that proper disinfecting

measures were taking place and that families were accommodated safely within our centres.’

Fiji health authorities had approached Labasa Corps Officers Majors Jeremia and Amelia Navika prior to the cyclone, to secure the corps building as a fever clinic for the area. ‘There were concerns that the tents that were being used would be blown away. Since that time, over 1500 patients have been processed through the clinic, as the Labasa area is one of the few places where Covid-19 has been present in the Fiji Isles,’ explains Andrew.

Plans are currently underway for a Salvation Army response to assist 37 families living on the outlying islands of Kadavu and Matuka, badly affected by Cyclone Harold. The local crops need time to recover from the storm damage, so the Army is working to ensure food and other goods make it out to these islands over the next few months.

Sadly, the sizable garden adjacent to the Ba Corps building was flooded and all crops lost. This was a key means of fundraising for the corps.

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 17

Part of the Whānau Colonels Melvin and Suzanne Fincham have made a profound impression during their three years as part of the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, but they will depart for the UK when world borders reopen. If the comments from colleagues are anything to go by—and they are—the Finchams have not only been well loved, but they’ve clearly loved well, too. They will be missed.

‘In a very short time Suzanne and Melvin have built deep relationships,’ says Lt-Colonel Sheryl Jarvis, Territorial Secretary for Personnel. Sheryl aptly expresses the place the Finchams hold in the hearts of many throughout the territory when she says, ‘They are us, and part of the whānau now.’

Affectionately referred to as ‘Mr THQ’, Sheryl explains that Melvin is ‘often popping around departments to check in on people and see how they’re doing’. She describes him as a man of passionate prayer, a strategic thinker and visionary. Sheryl notes that Melvin, ‘dresses immaculately, with his hair always on point!’

Role-modelling gender equality and genuine care What Sheryl loves about Suzanne is that she’s transparent: ‘What you see is what you get—she’s consistently Suzanne. She’s risen to the challenge of being a Chief Secretary who is also a married woman officer—role modelling this superbly. It’s been wonderful to see Melvin support her so fully.’

Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Director, Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson, agrees with Sheryl. ‘Suzanne is a strong female leader who mixes an ability to be a good listener who displays empathy, with being decisive and, when necessary, making unpopular decisions and standing by them.

‘She possesses a deep level of spirituality—something that is a strength in a Salvation Army officer—and has an ability and desire to engage with the Holy Spirit at an almost mystical level in prayer and meditation.’

Major Allan Clark, Territorial Secretary for Business Administration, describes the Finchams as ‘down to earth’ people who are ‘good for a laugh’.

‘Suzanne models loyal servanthood as well as strong, unflappable leadership despite significant demands and pressures.

Even with a busy schedule, Melvin always finds time to connect with people pastorally.’

Captain Mat Badger, Territorial Youth Secretary, agrees with Allan: ‘Melvin has been one of the best line managers I’ve ever had. He genuinely cares. I will always be grateful that Melvin intervened during a difficult time for our family, supporting me to function as father, husband and officer in equal measure.’

Communications Manager and War Cry Editor Vivienne Hill says, ‘Suzanne and Melvin interact with the wider Salvation Army personnel with equal care and concern. It is evident that their ability to listen to the Spirit and operate within their giftings is a hallmark of their leadership style. Many of us have benefited from their encouragement and wise words.’

Māori, by Māori, for Māori as the way forward for the Army.

Their willingness to be involved at Māori Ministry hui, Waitangi Day and other celebrations, along with their involvement on the Māori Ministry Council, has been very much appreciated. They both display a natural acceptance of people and are authentic and caring in their interactions.’

Melvin explains that ‘we learnt early on the importance of the mountain, river and whānau in Māori culture. As individuals we have our own mountain and river which reveal our English ancestry, but we can also express our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ. Our mountain is Calvary, our river is the River of God’s Grace, and our whānau the Family of God. We’ve been so privileged to engage with the extended mixture of cultures in the territory—we are whānau together. It’s been a wonderful time of learning and positive stretching as well.’

Suzanne concurs, citing the three Waitangi Day celebrations she’s attended as being particularly significant. ‘The dawn services, and Māori Ministry leading worship at Te Tii Marae— God’s presence was tangible in those spaces,’ she says.

Visits to all the islands of the territory—Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and both islands in New Zealand—have been precious. ‘Seeing ordinary people doing God’s work just where they are within the cultural contexts of the territory’s four nations has been outstanding,’ says Melvin.

Another highlight was the 2019 Encounter Congress. ‘It wasn’t just a multi-cultural event—it became an inter-cultural event—a celebration of inclusion. As a territory we were one,’ observes Melvin.

Whānau together

Lasting impressions

Ian Hutson is also chairman of the Māori Ministry Council and has been impressed to see the Finchams engage so enthusiastically in the territory’s bi-cultural journey.

‘The Finchams understand that Te Ope Whakaora—the Army that brings life—needs to see the Gospel expressed with

The success of the territory’s addiction services has left a lasting impression. ‘The many stories of people coming to faith and discovering Jesus to be their ‘higher power’ is phenomenal. I’ve been thrilled to be part of that,’ says Suzanne.

Melvin adds that ‘attending Recovery Church has done

18 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

our spirits good. It’s wonderful to see God’s grace working through the rawness of people’s lives—that’s what Christianity is all about.’

As a parting word for the territory, Suzanne goes back to the song ‘Tuhia’. ‘Tuhia ki te rangi—that’s my encouragement—keep writing God’s love in the sky. Keep claiming God’s love in the land he’s given, and on the hearts of those we pray for. As the chorus says, ‘There’s just One Love—and it’s God’s Love’.

‘I want to say thank you to the territory for accepting us into the whānau first and foremost,’ says Melvin.

‘My challenge is to keep doing mission together and be like Jesus.’

As Executive Assistant to the Chief Secretary, Selena Thompson has worked very closely with the Finchams. ‘I’m gutted to be losing a boss who has been a real friend to me. I’ve enjoyed their genuine care for all people personally and spiritually. They’re a hard-working couple who have the knack of bringing humour into the workplace at just the right moment. What an asset they have been to the territory and we have all been blessed to serve alongside them.’

Fitting words to conclude with, wouldn’t you agree?

GAZETTE Additional Appointment: Effective 20 May, Captain Janet Green is appointed Assistant THQ Chaplain pro-tem. We pray that God will continue to bless Janet as she takes up this additional appointment.

Bereavement: Lt-Colonel Ron Brinsdon (R) and Lt-Colonel Lorna Hennessey (R), of their sister Tui Norman who was promoted to Glory on Monday 9 March, from Mosgiel. Another sister Florence Brinsdon was also promoted to Glory on Saturday 9 May, also from Mosgiel. We ask you to uphold LtColonel Ron Brinsdon and Lt-Colonel Lorna Hennessey and other extended family members in your prayers in this time of not only grief and loss, but also separation from one another.

Birth: Evelyn Collette Hutson Irwin, born Tuesday 5 May 2020 (3.7kgs), to Envoys Collette and Stewart Irwin, of Petone Corps. May God bless Envoys Collette and Stewart Irwin and big brother Micah as they welcome Evelyn into their family.

‘DURING PERIODS OF ADVERSITY, EXISTING NORMS ARE CHALLENGED…’ Te Ope Whakaora, the Army that brings life, began serving God and communities in Aotearoa in April 1883, commencing in Dunedin.

By the end of that year, 11 churches (corps) had been established between Invercargill and Auckland. The following year saw 19 corps established, three rescue homes and two prison-gate ministries for work among released prisoners.

What amazing growth in such a short time—surely there must have been a large team of experienced people and the leader must have done this before! The reality is that Captain Pollard and Lieutenant Wright were 20 and 19 years old, respectively; they had picked up three helpers in Australia, and had only become Salvation Army Officers the previous November.

Two young people were given an opportunity and, with it, considerable responsibility.

They grabbed hold of the challenge and—with God’s grace and faith in him—they stepped out. As you read this, does any of it resonate with your journey? As a young person, were you given an opportunity and entrusted with responsibility despite your age or lack of experience? How did it feel? What was the impact on your life?

During periods of adversity, existing norms are challenged and found to be not as relevant for the way forward. People find themselves in situations that others around them, and they themselves, couldn’t have envisaged—like Pollard and Wright. Examples of this include times of war, when young women and men were given opportunities and found themselves in very significant leadership roles where they learnt ‘on the job’, supported often by experienced people who saw past the age of their leader.

Covid-19 is another example of adversity that is already challenging some of our norms as a nation and as The Salvation Army. Many are asking the questions: What will life look like after Covid-19? How will social interactions change? What will the new world look like? Will we simply return to our old ways or will we take this as an opportunity to change? And what does this mean for our young people who must be involved in shaping both the present and the future.

To those like myself who are older, let us encourage our young leaders. I share Moses’ words when he handed over leadership to a much younger Joshua and said, ‘Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for God goes with you, he will never leave or forsake you, do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’. And to young women and men reading this, I share Jeremiah 29:11, ‘“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”’.

Captain Gerry Walker Territorial Assistant Secretary for Mission 16 MAY 2020 WarCry 19

In this second part of this twopart series, we step back and look at the ‘grand plan’ set in place by God for our redemption.

BY VIVIENNE HILL

We left off with Adam and Eve banished from the garden after eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Consequently, they were no longer able to eat from the tree of life. Adam and Eve were now marred by sin and subject to death because of their disobedience.

Each tree has its own fruit, its own source of wisdom and its own end.

In Eden God dwelt with humankind.

Adam was created outside and brought into Eden. It says in Genesis 1:28, ‘God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it”’. The plan was for the boundaries of Eden to expand and spread out over the whole earth. This 20 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

was God’s original intention for us: that we would live with the presence of God in perfect union with one another… the perfect marriage! But one of the consequences of their disobedience was that the first marriage began to falter, when Adam blamed Eve for giving him the fruit to eat.

All was not lost; the plan for our redemption was spelled out and set in motion. Adam and Eve were driven from the garden and separated from the intimate relationship they had with God. But God’s plan would make a way for his people to enter a garden even better than Eden.

The grand plan Adam and Eve began life outside of the garden and the presence of God, but God continued to insert himself into the lives of humanity. He chose one man, Abraham, and then one nation, Israel.

He promised that if they continued to worship him and desire his presence,

that he would bless them and bring the redemption of all humankind through them to the world.

God laid out the law for Israel: the ceremonial law, the civil law and the moral law. God builds a covenant relationship with a nation. His wrath and mercy are evident throughout the Old Testament, as God preserves the lineage that will eventually bring forth the Messiah.

At a set time in history, a baby is born: Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus grows up as an observant Jew, practiced in reading the Hebrew Scriptures and attending synagogue. He fulfils all aspects of the law by living perfectly under it. His life is subject to the authority of God’s word and he accomplishes everything the law dictates.

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he, too, faces a temptation similar to Eve’s in the garden. Satan twists the word of God and suggests that Jesus use his power to

tree. We now have free access through the blood of Christ back into fellowship with God. After Christ’s resurrection, we read of a risen Christ on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:26–27, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.’

Jesus’ obedient and sinless life fulfils the ceremonial law, does away with the need for civil law, but reinforces the moral law (the moral law is deepened by Christ on the Sermon on the Mount).

Jesus goes to the Father and sends the Holy Spirit. The Church is birthed.

It says in Romans 8:4: ‘That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit’. We are now called to walk by the Spirit of God and not the flesh (our own way) ... Jesus gave us his righteousness in order to fulfil the law that always accused us. We are now free from accusation before God.

ADAM DISOBEYED AT A TREE—JESUS OBEYED ON A TREE. feed himself, rather than trust in God’s provision. He tempts Christ to take the glory offered and indulge himself, rather than wait for the glory that would come after the cross.

Eventually we see another tree enter history—the cross—and on this tree Jesus Christ is crucified. Jesus hung upon a cursed tree in our place, he freely gives his life and spills his blood for each one of us. He breaks the curse of sin and death, and all the curses pronounced in the Garden of Eden and ultimately defeats the enemy of humanity whose deception separated us from God. Adam disobeyed at a tree—Jesus obeyed on a

The battle for good and evil still plays out on earth, but the rules of engagement have changed. Jesus has extended the boundaries of paradise into the world and its wilderness, and ‘the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church’, but we are now called to take up our cross and follow Christ. Our weapons are no longer spears and javelins, but spiritual weapons: only a Christian can touch anyone anywhere in the world with prayer.

The tree in Revelation Once again, we see the tree of life appear in Scripture, but this time in the Book of Revelation. ‘Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:1–4).

ADAM FAILED AND BLAMED HIS BRIDE, BUT OUR BRIDEGROOM, JESUS, DID NOT FAIL. In this new Eden, all those who have been dealt with at the cross can drink from the river of life and eat freely from the tree of life. In John 6:53–54 it says, ‘Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day’”.

Apart from Christ we are forever cursed and separated from God, we become united with Christ in his death on a tree. We are not to take and eat what is prohibited by God (the knowledge of good and evil)—our own way, our own plans, our own salvation—instead we take and eat God’s provision of Christ.

In Revelation 22 we see a greater garden with a prolific tree of life in its center— the restoration of all things. Now, finally, humanity has the right to legitimately enjoy all things. The tree in Eden bore its fruit in its season, but this tree abundantly provides fruit every month and its leaves heal the nations—every broken heart, every divisive word, all racism, all rejection. The sin that leads to all sickness is done away with, as separation from a loving God is also done away with.

Eden held the seeds of the new creation, but it is only in the New Jerusalem that these seeds will burst forth with abundant and deeply satisfying life. We will one day enter the new Eden and experience the life always intended for us by God. Adam failed and blamed his bride, but our bridegroom, Jesus, did not fail.

Christ completed the work of the first Adam, and one day we will enter the rest we all so long for in the New Jerusalem, the city of God.

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6

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

There are no official engagements until further notice—in response to the directive from the Prime Minister.

PRAY For all corps, centres and personnel of The Salvation

Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory.

For the international Salvation Army as they respond to need in their home countries.

GIVE A GIFT THAT TACKLES POVERTY AND INJUSTICE AROUND THE WORLD GIVE A GIFT ONLINE AT JUSTGIFTS.ORG.NZ INTERNET BANKING AVAILABLE

Send us 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@salvationarmy.org.nz

Want to Know More?

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:

1 3

8 9 8 5 7 4 6 1 4 5 7 1 5 3 9 5 2 9 6 8 9 1 6 5 3 4 7 5 Each Sudoku number puzzle has a unique solution that can be worked out logically (not mathematically). The numbers 1 to 9 appear once in every row, column and 3x3 square.

G R A N T M B L N E L H C J C

M E V P I E R C E Z T A D U B

Q E O J A K O U A I R L W D G

G V P D F U S D M R Q W S E T

W E K W R A N S E Y N N H O J

H S T O M A A Y F P M H J I T

P U Z D H D N O I R P A C I D

B Y M G N I C O L A S N E J Q

K O U P F O E C E Y Y K N J B

R H G K H R H E O L E S G R C

A E H A I R S S T D N E B A V

L X L U R C E O Z A O T G I I

C X G B V T B Y X R O E T U R

D A U N A E K O G B L L L I W

M M H Y Y G R E T L C P G N P

Try to find these male movie stars of past and present that are hidden in the diagram either across, down, or diagonally, and you'll find one of them has stormed off the set and isn't there. Who is the missing star? (First and Last names hidden separately).

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

BRAD PITT CLARK GABLE GEORGE CLOONEY HARRISON FORD HUMPHREY BOGART

JIM CARREY JOHNNY DEPP JUDE LAW KEANU REEVES LEONARDO DICAPRIO

NICOLAS CAGE PIERCE BROSNAN TOBEY MAGUIRE TOM HANKS WILL SMITH

Quiz Answers: 1 Australian women’s national basketball team, 2 Being the worst smelling flower in the world, 3 Polydactyly, 4 Kurī, 5 Jochebed (Exodus 6:20).

22 WarCry 16 MAY 2020

DID YOU KNOW?

Samoa is 24 hours ahead of its closest geographical neighbour, American Samoa. You could fly for thirty minutes and go back 24 hours in time!

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 2:3

Help!

Can you show me the way to the flower?

Talofa!

To celebrate Samoan Language Week, use the chart below to teach yourself some basic Samoan phrases!

English

Samoan (pronunciation)

Hello

Talofa (Tah-lo-far)

Goodbye

Tofa (Toh-far)

Thank you

Fa’afetai (Fa-ah-feh-tie)

Please

Fa’amolemole (Fa-ah-moh-le-moh-le)

Yes

Ioe (Ee-oh-e)

No

Leai (Le-ai)

Maybe

Masalo (Ma-sa-loh)

Big/Small

Tele (Teh-leh)/La’ititi (Lah ee-tee-tee)

Quick/Slow

Tope (Toh-peh)/Gese (Nge-seh)

Early/Late

Vave (Vah-veh)/Tuai (Two-eye)

Near/Far

Latalata (Lah-tah-lah-tah)/Mamao (Mah-maow) DID YOU KNOW?

Samoa’s national spo rt kilikiti. According to is called reports, the home tea some m if they don’t provide forfeits food for the visiting enough team!

Break the Code

Learn how to count to 10 in Samoan by solving this codebreaker.

E=2+2 U=5+3 TWO:

T=9+1 A=4-2

10

5

7

6

9

4

6

1 FIVE:

1

10

8

1

V A 8

2

8

L

NINE:

I 7

3

EIGHT:

TEN:

F=4+2 I=4-3

9

7

6 2 SEVEN:

8

O N O

2

FOUR:

THREE:

SIX:

S=10-1 L=3+4

10

L U A

O=8-3 M=5-2

ONE:

V A

U

This week is Samoan Language Week, which gives us an opportunity to celebrate the diverse language and culture of one of the four countries which make up our territory. The words aso sā, mean Sunday. This is the day when most Samoans acknowledge the Sabbath each week, where they rest and celebrate their faith and family. Most Samoan businesses and stores close for the day, no long journeys are undertaken (except in emergencies) and everybody gets dressed up to go to church.

Following the service, families share a special meal known as to’ona’i (fun fact—this is the same word used for Saturday—aso to’ona’i—because that is the day on which the food is prepared).

The feast is then served on leaf platters and enjoyed in company.

As we take this moment to celebrate Samoa this week, maybe you can take some inspiration from this aspect of their culture and make the time to be with God, hang out with your family and get some malolo (rest) this week?

THINK ABOUT...

What does your Sabbath day look like? How can you make more time for rest?

16 MAY 2020 WarCry 23

‘You are doing well,’ they tell me.

I don’t even know how I feel loss can really mess… don’t hide, wear your heart.

Can you handle my tears, fears?

I know I should go to the One. Is this barrier me? Fear.

But I can’t do this on my own.

Look up!

Look to the saviour look to the creator look to your father in heaven… comfort and joy will be found in him.

BY CHLOÉ SHANKS (BLENHEIMCORPS)