19 September 2020 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  19 SEPTEMBER 2020 | Issue 6751 | $1.50

Thriving, Not Just Surviving A Visit to the Archives 40 Years of the Blenheim Toy Library

Conquering Criticism Papamoa Beach Gets a Family Store!

What are you waiting for?

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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

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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Signs of New Life Spring is a special time in New Zealand, our natural beauty is enhanced by the emerging signs of new life: blossoms, ducklings, baby lambs and the appearance of The Human—Lycra-clad, rounded, with a distinctive joggle (not to be confused with a jog).

Our Pacific neighbours also have distinctive seasons, marked by changes in weather patterns and the planting and harvest seasons. Our winters are more marked and we tend to hibernate through the cooler months, and this year the hibernation has been very real.

As we emerge into spring, it is a good time for us to take stock; to reflect on our attitudes, fears and defeats, and examine what place these thoughts have in our lives and our thinking.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (MSG), it gives us a good understanding of why and how we should undertake this mindful spring clean. It says, ‘The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair.

But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ...’

As we take stock, as we take time for self-examination, may we emerge into a new season with Christ in the preeminent place in our lives.

Vivienne Hill Editor

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

Publishing for 137 years | Issue 6751 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 SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

If God is your partner, make your plans big!

DL Moody

1 Corinthians 2:16 ‘…for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.’

1 Koriniti 2:16 ‘Ko wai hoki te mātau ana ki te hinengaro o te Ariki, e whakaako ai ia i a ia?’ Kei a tātou ia te hinengaro o te Karaiti.

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n these days when the very earth is groaning and we are seeing unrest and uncertainty throughout the world, it is very tempting for us to see New Zealand as a safe little haven where we remain untouched. I think our geographic location reinforces this feeling. But in reality, there is only one safe place on earth and that is in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

We are told in Matthew 24 that the last days will be as the days of Noah. The days of Noah allude to judgements on a godless world and divine protection of a righteous man and his family. God’s means of protection was an ark, a box.

There are actually three arks in the Bible: the ark built by Noah, the Ark of the Covenant and the ark that transported baby Moses through the waters of the Nile. All three arks required acts of participation by the people involved in constructing them, but especially acts of faith.

Noah’s ark is a picture of salvation and deliverance from God’s judgements, and it was the means of preservation of the founders of the Gentiles. The ark on the Nile is a picture of God’s protection and deliverance from the judgements of humans. It also contained and preserved Moses the prophet of the Jewish dispensation. The third preservation is the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolises communion and fellowship with God and speaks of the saving of all generations. It is the

promise that God will meet with us and commune with us if we seek him. We will all need each of these arks some time in our lives.

These arks symbolise the hope of mankind, which is an enduring humanity. But all three encapsulate the ark that we enter into when we come into relationship with Jesus Christ. It is through him that we are saved from judgements.

What kind of ark should we be building for our families at this time? It is a combination of all three. We are to build in our boxes, our homes, the faith and participation required for preservation.

Just as the manna was preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, we are to collect our daily manna, the word of God, and devour its contents. We are to engage our faith, and trust that as we bring God’s presence into our homes that he will hover over and be present with us.

It is not the bricks or wood that keep us safe, nor our geographic location. It is the eternal safety that we enter into when we are in Christ. When we daily seek him and his presence, we place ourselves and our families in the ark of his eternal divine protection. Then when the storms come—and they will—the house on the rock (which is Jesus Christ) stands firm (Matthew 7:25).

BY VIVIENNE HILL

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Weird of the Week: The oldest, unchanged national flag belongs to Denmark— since 1625.

QUIK QUIZ

1 Gail Honeyman won the 2017 Costa Book Award (debut) for which novel?

2 Booker T. Washington became the first African American to be depicted on what?

3 The tea bag was introduced by which company in 1953?

Documentary The Girl on the Bridge 4 Which board game (R15, deals with suicide, sexual abuse was invented by American themes and self-harm architect Alfred Mosher reference) Butts and originally Directed by Leanne Pooley called CrissThe Girl on the Bridge Crosswords? is a documentary about suicide. It is the story 5 Who wrote of Voices of Hope cofounder Jazz Thornton’s the Book of project to document Ruth in the her friend Jessica’s own Bible? suicide; it is a call to prevent the appalling Answers on numbers of suicides page 22 in New Zealand. It’s not an easy watch, as Jazz interviews Jessica’s family and friends and deals with her own struggles as someone who is constantly contacted by young people on the brink of suicide themselves. It’s an important story to tell, and both Jazz and Director Leanne Pooley are determined to give the message that things can change. It was interesting to hear such frank discussions about suicide and it shone a light on overworked mental health services in this country. The film will be released later this year. (Reviewed

by Louise Parry) 4 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

Protecting our Heritage Seeds and Plants The Kōanga Institute in Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s largest heritage seed and plant repository. The charitable trust was founded by Kay Baxter and her husband Bob, who noticed that the wild fruit trees around our harbours, railway tracks and roads were thriving without sprays or interventions.

Kōanga’s mission is to safeguard and sustain New Zealand’s genetic and cultural plant heritage and they do this by collecting, growing, saving and replenishing our heritage seed and plant stock.

The organic seed collection has over 800 distinct cultivars, with more than 80 percent New Zealand heritage lines. The seeds and fruit trees have been collected by Kay and Bob for over 30 years, and are grown with organic and sustainable farming methods. They use permaculture design and pride themselves on the fact that the seed has not been through the industrial system, which may change the genetic make-up of seeds and soil.

Kōanga is one of the leading practitioners of bio-intensive and nutrient-dense gardening and is renowned for sharing their knowledge and seed and plant stock via their website and membership facility. They also run workshops and internships to teach regenerative gardening practices. The public can purchase seeds, plants, fruit trees, gardening material and books from an online shop.

MORE INFO | koanga.org.nz

SALLIEOF THEWEEK

Jo Ryan (Upper Hutt Community Ministries) Jo Ryan describes herself as a ‘true Upper Hutt bogan’ (she even drives a Holden) who loves Jesus, her family and her work. Jo is a financial mentor for Upper Hutt Community Ministries (CM). She oversees the Family Store one day a week, advocates for CM clients and helps those seeking welfare assistance. Jo is also a Positive Lifestyle Programme (PLP) facilitator. Major Rob Cope says, ‘Jo has a ton of local knowledge, a great heart for people, can be quite direct when it’s needed, and has one of the loudest laughs around!’

So, this is all why Jo is our Sallie of the Week!

Spiced Pumpkin Quesadillas 500g steamed, mashed pumpkin 1 Tbsp finely chopped coriander 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper, to season 8 small flour tortillas 120g feta 2 Tbsp olive oil

TOPFIVE

While our territory is in the middle of spring, China is preparing for its annual Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s one of the most important events on their calendar, so this week, we’re exploring five of the most popular Mid-Autumn Festival foods.

Spinach, to serve

In a bowl, combine the mashed pumpkin, coriander, garlic and cumin. Season to taste.

Spread the pumpkin mixture evenly over 4 tortillas. Crumble the feta evenly over the top and top each with another tortilla.

In a large frying pan, heat ½ Tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 1 minute each side, or until crisp.

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining oil and quesadillas.

Cut into quarters and serve with a side of spinach.

Source: countdown.co.nz

1. Mooncakes—the iconic MidAutumn delicacy; these cakes are decorated with Chinese characters and contain fillings such as red bean paste, egg yolk or fruit.

2. Pumpkin—in ancient China, those who couldn’t afford Mooncakes ate pumpkin instead.

The tradition has been passed down and people now eat pumpkin for good health.

3. Hairy Crab—a Shanghai specialty, these critters are rich in amino acids and protein.

4. Taro—this purple sweet potato is typically boiled or steamed.

5. Watermelon—the fruit is often carved into the shape of a lotus flower, with its round shape symbolising family reunion.

WARCRYINHISTORY

On this day in 1925, the War Cry front cover celebrated the eighty different countries where The Salvation Army’s flag was flying at the time, and sixty years of the Self Denial Appeal, while encouraging readers to donate.

Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 5

Thriving, Not Just Surviving, On ‘the Outside’

Renee says she was ‘screaming out for help’ while in the grip of a methamphetamine addiction. When she hit rock bottom and was sentenced to prison, she found herself surrounded by a community of Salvationists, who wrote, visited and helped her get through. It gave her the courage she needed to turn her life around.

BY INGRID BARRATT

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t sounds crazy,’ says Renee. ‘But I am so blessed I went to prison. When you’re stuck on that drug, nothing is going to stop you—not even rock bottom. I needed to heal because I’d been an addict for such a long time.’

Renee had struggled with addiction since she was 15 and got hooked on alcohol. But drinking progressed to meth, which took hold of her life for seven years. Renee’s lowest point was calling her brother and asking him to take on the care of her daughter, who was 14 at the time. ‘I rang my brother and I said, “Bro, I can’t pay rent, my addiction is getting out of control, I’ve got idiots turning up to the house”. My brother said, “I’ll take her”.’

Overwhelmed by her sense of grief and failure, Renee went further into her addiction. ‘I was just pining for my daughter, and knowing meth had taken over my life, I just wanted to be numb,’ she says.

Finally, she was convicted of dealing, and sent to the Arohata Women’s Correctional Facility in Wellington. But this crushing blow became her biggest turning point. ‘In jail, I just went, “I want my daughter back in my life, I want my family”. I just healed, I was a sponge, I took every bit of advice and I wanted to change.’

Finding friendship In a simple act of community, women from The Salvation Army in Blenheim— where her mother attended—began writing to Renee in jail. The encouragement from these letters helped Renee stay the course.

She is particularly grateful to Salvationist Shirley Bridle, whose letters were an ‘amazing support’, she says. ‘I just think that support is the most vital thing— majorly. Support is king. It’s hard, and I would have gone back without it.’

The Blenheim Corps Officer also contacted Major Judith Bennett, a Salvation Army chaplain, who was able to visit Renee at Arohata.

Judith has been visiting women in prison since the mid-1980s. Now in retirement, she continues to make weekly visits, offering friendship and support where possible. ‘I love these women and see them as my friends. I don’t see it as going in to help them, but just to share with them, or to cry with them if needed,’ reflects Judith.

Her main role is simply to be a listening ear, she says. ‘I just come in to the laundry or kitchen where they are working, and say “Hi”, and they usually open up and we talk about their lives and their problems, because some of them have big challenges in life.’

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‘I WAS JUST PINING FOR MY DAUGHTER, AND KNOWING METH HAD TAKEN OVER MY LIFE, I JUST WANTED TO BE NUMB.’ Judith remembers a special friendship with one woman who died of cancer, while still a prisoner. ‘I was able to visit her at the hospital and be with her when she went to be with Jesus,’ she recalls.

When the opportunity arises, Judith often reflects on Bible verse John 10:10 with women in prison, which talks about the thief that comes to kill and destroy. ‘I will say, “The bad part of us wants to destroy our lives, but Jesus has come to give us life with a purpose”.’

Judith and Renee became friends and shared their lives together. ‘We shared a lot about life, and I would encourage her that, “Hey, you know that with God in your life, he can help you”.’

Renee worked hard to overcome her addiction by attending NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings and other programmes in jail. ‘I was screaming for help while I was stuck on the cycle I was in before I went to prison. So I just decided, “I’m going to do everything I can to change”,’ she says.

Firm foundations Through Judith, Renee heard about The Salvation Army’s Reintegration programme in Wellington, which offers postprison housing. On her release, she stayed for three months in one of The Salvation Army’s one-bedroom units. These provide independence, along with a support person to help with settling into life ‘on the outside’.

This kind of work has been at the heart of The Salvation Army’s mission since the early days of the ‘Prison Gate Brigades’.

Nowadays, the emphasis is on creating foundations so that people can move on and become independent, says National Operations Manager Glen Buckner. ‘What our service does is give people a chance to breathe and take time to evaluate their lives. Many clients we work with don’t have family support in the community, so we’re walking with them to stabilise their lives so they can move forward.’

The service is currently working with around 1000 clients around the country, but every client works on an individual plan to meet their needs. This can mean anything from intensive help with clothing, food and setting up their life, to 8 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

simply being available for a coffee and a chat. ‘It’s their life and we don’t have a “one size fits all” approach, they have their own reintegration plan with their own goals to make sure the foundations are there,’ explains Glen. ‘We know our services have made a huge impact on where our clients go and what they do from here. We see a huge difference in families as well, because we work with the whole whānau.’

With the assistance of her support person, Renee was able to access help from Work and Income NZ (WINZ), get a bank account and begin moving forward. But she agrees that the key was ‘not that others helped me, but that I helped myself’.

She is honest that it was hard graft. Apart from the tangible obstacles, like struggling to get employment, Renee reflects that jail erases your sense of self-worth, making it difficult to feel part of the wider community. ‘That’s why a lot of people just immediately want to go back to jail,’ she explains.

Thriving, not just surviving But Renee decided that she would not just survive, she would thrive. She began to help others in a similar situation. ‘I would see the other girls that had just got out [of jail], they didn’t want to go out and meet people—because that’s what jail does to you. So I became their support person. I helped with appointments, showed them how to catch a bus and use the Snapper card, helped them get groceries—because that was all the stuff I had to work out for myself.’

It sparked a passion for helping others. Through her Salvation Army community, Renee started volunteering at the Wellington South Corps and Community Centre. She helped with the weekly fruit and vege co-op, and got to work behind the scenes. She also began attending Recovery Church—a weekly church service for people going through Salvation Army addictions services or who are living sober. Every week, people receive medals for days spent sober, they share their stories and there are celebrations as people graduate from the Bridge drug and alcohol programme, or the Oasis gambling-harm service.

‘At Recovery Church, they’re all beautiful people. They’ve got energy, understanding, there’s music and it’s like a celebration,’ says Renee, who is now a regular member.

Finding her place Soon, Centre Manager Lili Tuioti noticed Renee’s heart for people, and offered her a role at Wellington’s Supportive

as The Salvation Army, and has found her place being a support Accommodation housing—a service that’s unique within The to others. ‘I love it. I love them. I used to just think: “Wow, it Salvation Army. There are two six-bedroom houses in the takes a special human to work with special needs people”, but I city, which are home to 12 adults with physical and mental must be special because I love it,’ she laughs. disabilities.

Best of all, Renee has reconnected with her own daughter. ‘In ‘A lot of our residents have been there for 10 to 15 years and jail, we connected. I told her, “Tell me how you’re feeling, write to it’s their home. Their families visit them and take them out for me about how you’re feeling”, and I took it all in. We reconnected, the day, but caring for them at home is difficult,’ explains Lili. and we talk every day now. She is my rock,’ says Renee.

‘We have a programme of activities, so we might take them She is hugely grateful for the chance Lili and the team gave out to the zoo, for a walk, into town. There are people with her. ‘The Salvation Army, I love them. I love that Lili took me disabilities that require 24/7 care, but there are also people on with my history. I was just, “Wow, you guys are so awesome”,’ who are quite independent.’ she adds.

The residents are an important part of the Wellington ‘I find myself thinking, “Oh, I can’t believe that I’m doing South community—many come regularly to the drop-in centre, this”. It’s like a natural high. I’ve just been overwhelmed with and have specific jobs such as helping with the vege co-op or how much I have accomplished.’ buying milk supplies.

Renee got to know these special people as she volunteered alongside them, and If you or someone you know is struggling Lili saw the potential for a beautiful with addiction, contact The Salvation friendship. ‘Renee has a big heart for people, and she wants to serve and be Army Bridge Programme: helpful,’ observes Lili.

Whangārei: (09) 430 7500 Christchurch: (03) 338 4436 A risk management plan was put Kaitāia: (09) 408 1078 Dunedin: (03) 477 9852 around Renee and she was supervised with Kaikohe: (09) 401 2865 Balclutha: (021) 529 395 the residents for six months. After that, she was officially employed as a Support Auckland: (09) 630 1491 Ōamaru: (03) 477 9852 ext 72032 Worker, taking care of all the household Manukau: (09) 261 0887 Timaru: (027) 704 9976 tasks like washing and heating, meeting Waitākere: (09) 835 4069 Invercargill: (03) 477 9852 residents’ needs and, most importantly, ext 72031 Waikato: (07) 839 6871 being a friend.

For ongoing recovery support Tauranga: (07) 578 9329 ‘I really value them and feel part of through one The Salvation Army’s Taranaki: (06) 7574132 their lives,’ says Renee. ‘They’re just cool Recovery Churches, contact Palmerston North: (06) 353 3459 human beings, and I love making their day.

Major Bronwyn Aldersley Today, I took one of them out op-shopping, Wellington: (04) 389 6566 (National Mission Coordinator) and we love op-shopping,’ she laughs. on (09) 639 1135.

Upper Hutt: (04) 527 3373 –or– Nowadays, Renee is working for (04) 389 6566 Downtown Community Ministries, as well

‘IT’S THEIR LIFE AND WE DON’T HAVE A “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” APPROACH, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN REINTEGRATION PLAN WITH THEIR OWN GOALS TO MAKE SURE THE FOUNDATIONS ARE THERE.’ 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 9

Copping Criticism with Grace Nobody enjoys criticism. It embodies two things that humans inherently dislike: submission and feeling devalued. It can cause all of our self-doubts to resurface, especially when delivered cruelly or callously, and it usually cuts us deeper than praise can heal. When it is belittling, blame-filled and focused on personality rather than behaviours, it can destroy relationships.

Criticism comes in three forms: irrelevant, and thus ignored; destructive, at which point the problem is with the critic, not you; and, constructive, which can be a learning experience to take in your stride, even if it does initially sting. Criticism attacks our ego—or lack thereof—which makes it important to be humble when receiving criticism, but also know your own worth.

Think about the person critiquing you.

1. Are they being genuine?

2. Is their criticism fair? Should it be directed at you?

3. Is their intention to help you (improve) or solve a problem?

4. Have they criticised you in private or public? Why?

…EVERY EXPERIENCE IS A CHANCE TO GROW THICKER SKIN AND PROVE YOU CAN RESPOND GRACEFULLY.

5. Are they competing with you for anything?

6. Are their feelings hurt? (Note their body language.)

7. Are they venting? Are they prepared to listen to you?

8. Can you reach a compromise?

9. Are they respecting your right to have a difference of opinion and make your own choices?

• Classify the feedback—irrelevant, destructive or constructive— to inform your response.

• Don’t accept their word as gospel, but don’t immediately seek to discredit it either. Be honest with yourself.

• Follow up with them if there is something you don’t understand or want clarified.

10. Is this actually about you or them?

• In some cases, run their comments past a trusted co-worker, friend or family member for a second opinion.

Meditate over the criticism before you give any person more authority over you than they deserve, whether it has come from a friend, family member, colleague, boss, coach or otherwise.

When you respond, consider the points below.

• Don’t beat yourself up or dwell on the criticism. Do something nice for yourself on the day. Take a break from (social) media and its critical subtexts.

• Stay measured. Even when your heart is pounding, breathe deeply and don’t jump to your own defence.

• Listen without interrupting.

• Ask for examples.

• Assure them you will consider their criticism, but don’t respond to it until you are calm. Besides, taking time to think over what they have said sometimes provides you with a more balanced perspective.

10 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

• Thank them, apologise if necessary and take steps to act differently in the future.

Sometimes criticism is a hard truth. Other times, you can chuck it away. Regardless, every experience is a chance to grow thicker skin and prove you can respond gracefully. Through this process and by using the advice to change your behaviour for the better, you become a person who is more confident in your own value, rather than discouraged.

Source: psychologytoday.com

TESTIFY! Nick Moffat is an accepted candidate for officer training in 2021. Nick knows something of what he’s getting himself into because he’s been given so many opportunities to lead already at Westgate Corps

by Captains Dan and Juanita Buckingham. Nick’s excited about the future, and believes God places a passion within us for the things he calls us to.

I was born in Whangārei and lived there until I moved to Auckland when I was eighteen to go to university. I grew up going to The Salvation Army with Mum, my brother and sister. I’ve been in the Army since before I can even remember—my family goes back generations in the Army. As soon as I was old enough, I was involved in ministry. I started out in kids’ ministry and the music team. I also played percussion in the band.

When I was about 14, I decided I wanted my own faith—not just the faith of my parents and grandparents.

I needed to figure out faith for myself and have my own personal relationship with God. That had been developing naturally, but it was time to be intentional about and take responsibility for it. I wanted to own it.

I didn’t want my faith to be something I did just because the rest of my family did. It was a huge mindset change.

Moving to Auckland coincided with my parents separating. It was a double whammy! I had to figure out this new life apart from the giant support network I’d had my entire life, as well as dealing with a home life that looked so different because of what was happening between Mum and Dad. It was big, and it’s still a journey that I’m figuring out. But I discovered God’s faithfulness all the way through. Yes, there’s been this difficult time, but God knows all about it and provides me

I’VE BEEN EMPOWERED IN MINISTRY TO THE EXTENT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT GOD’S CALL ON MY LIFE. with the strength to get through it. He really is so faithful!

God placed amazing people around me.

Dan and Juanita have been a massive support. They’ve been more than just a family to me. They’ve also given me so many opportunities at Westgate Corps to try new things as a leader. I’ve been empowered in ministry to the extent I’ve been able to figure out God’s call on my life.

For years I struggled with what God might be calling me to. People would say, ‘Nick, God’s got great plans for you,’ and I would be like, ‘Well cool—but what are they?’ God has slowly revealed his

plan to me, and it’s emerged in stages. To begin with, I was certain I was called to ‘ministry’, and then ‘full-time employed ministry’, and now there’s been this natural transition to, ‘I’m called to be an officer’. That’s been the biggest and most significant sense of God working in me and directing my life.

I believe God gives us a passion for the things he calls us to. I’m passionate about seeing God’s work done—seeing God work in people and through them and having the joy of journeying with people. That’s been the biggest confirmation of the calling to become an officer for me—I want to do this!

Realising that God’s given me a passion—that God made me for this purpose.

I think we are the ones that put barriers up between ourselves and God. But when we put those things aside, we realise God is actually always with us.

If we embrace where we are right now as his plan—whatever we’re in the middle of—we will grow closer to Him. Then when his call changes, we’re ready to respond because our trust is strong.

His timing really is perfect!

19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 11

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

In trying to be humble, do you feel like you only ever end up putting yourself down?

Where do we draw the line between humility and low self-esteem, and how can we replace pride with truly humble confidence?

Self-centredness is not a popular personality trait. The world is quick to tear down celebrities with ego, ridicule leaders who think too highly of themselves or even mock people who express intense pride in their work. We may be in the middle of a self-love movement, where we are encouraged to celebrate ourselves, take me-time and prioritise our own goals, but that is only so long as we don’t develop a big head along the way.

While the world expects us to walk this tightrope between high self-esteem and narcissism, what does God want?

Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to stay humble—in James 4:6, it reads, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble’. However, in our attempts to shed our pride, do we accidentally fall down the rabbit hole of low self-esteem? In trying to think less of ourselves, do we risk thinking very little of ourselves at all?

A CHRISTIAN TAKE ON HUMILITY It is important to recognise the difference between humility and low self-esteem.

Low self-esteem is dangerous. Someone with low self-esteem is in a rhythm of downplaying themselves to the extent that they have taught themselves they have little or no value. They require constant reassurance and cannot help but compare themselves with their peers.

12 firezone.co.nz 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

Low self-esteem can lead to anxiety, stress or loneliness. It increases the likelihood of depression or drug and alcohol abuse, causes relationship problems and can make a person insecure in their academic or working life.

In comparison, a humble person sees the value in their words and impact, but they don’t boast, nor do they deflect praise with false humility. As Christians, we believe God created us in his own image. We are special, not because of anything we did, but because our abilities are gifts from God. As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:31, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’. Rather than dwelling on what we are not, true humility takes heart in what God has given us and recognises him for it.

Pride rears its head when we have an opinion of ourselves which is either too high or too low, and we consider that opinion to have more weight than God’s view of us. For that reason, even though it might seem contradictory, it is possible to have a problem with pride when you are struggling with low self-esteem.

Internally, if we are putting ourselves down rather than lifting God up, low

self-esteem prevents us from recognising our worth and the potential of who he made us to be.

Humility is not about devaluing yourself—it means you know and value yourself accurately. You don’t consider yourself to be the most important person in the room, but neither do you consider yourself the least important person or feel insecure about whether you deserve to be in the room at all.

FLIPPING HUMILITY ON ITS HEAD Worship leader and singer Brooke Ligertwood (nee Fraser) once spoke about her approach to remaining humble, despite having achieved great success in the music industry (including a Grammy!) with reference to a book called 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole. ‘[Chole] talks about what to do with praise as a person,’ Brooke explained, ‘and she says every time somebody gives you a compliment, she says don’t deflect it with false humility, but take it and collect it like a little flower and tuck it in your pocket and then she says at the end of the day with that bouquet, get on your knees and give the bouquet to God.’ ‘We were made to give glory, never to take it, and only you can know when that’s happening. That’s an internal stewardship thing. You can go through life and people will think you’re humble and amazing, but inside you know that you’re ferreting some of that glory away for yourself and it is slowly poisoning you.’

Just like there is a difference between low self-esteem and humility, there is a difference between pride and confidence.

They cannot coexist, because pride overestimates your abilities. It constantly requires you to justify yourself.

Yet when your confidence is rooted in faith rather than in yourself, you value God’s creation and the worth he sees in you.

Consider how Jesus lived on earth. He made bold claims with great confidence, but never to make himself seem greater. His actions put God first—be that by washing his disciples’ feet, praying in private (rather than showing off his devotion in public) or coming to earth in the first place. He died on a cross for something he didn’t do, the ultimate act of humility, demonstrating sacrificial love for the world.

Being humble is not a one-time action or a behaviour we can switch on and off. It is an attribute which influences how we live. It cannot help but stamp out low self-esteem, along with prideful behaviours like entitlement, rebelliousness, blaming others or holding grudges. When we go through the motions of acting modest without the right heart, that is false humility.

True humility sees us sacrifice our ego rather than our sense of self-worth.

In Romans 12:3–6a, it reads: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

God has created every one of us with a unique purpose as part of a much larger plan. Humility recognises that you have great strength in that purpose. We don’t disregard our role or worry that it has greater or lesser importance than someone else’s—we are content in our identity as being loved by God.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3 Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.

This Was Your Life! Preparing to Meet God Face to Face by Rich Howard & Jamie Lash

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 13

The Never-Ending Story of Archives

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

Interim Director of Heritage Centre and Archives Major Garry Mellsop explains how the artefacts and records kept in The Salvation Army’s archives shape our storytelling and accountability.

There are many treasures tucked away in The Salvation Army’s Heritage Centre and Archives. Every copy of the War Cry since 1883 is kept and bound on their shelves. Filing cabinets are brimming with historical records. There are uniforms, instruments, books, media, trinkets and artefacts—each item a puzzle piece to the story of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

‘We’ve got a collection plate that’s made out of timber from the old wharf where [Captain George] Pollard and [Lieutenant Edward] Wright landed in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, for instance. There are artefacts from our early Māori work,’ says Major Garry Mellsop. ‘There is a skin-graft knife that was used by a Salvation Army officer in India who was a plastic surgeon, and he passed that on to a New Zealand officer who was also a doctor who went to India.’

Garry has returned to the role of Interim Director of Heritage Centre and Archives, having previously worked as the territorial archivist for six years prior to his retirement. At that time, the centre was in the early stages of digitisation. In the years since, the methods of acquiring items have evolved—such as purchasing from websites like Trade Me—but, ultimately, their team relies on people to donate.

‘Stuff comes to us in two ways,’ Garry explains. ‘One, it comes by donations from people, be they Salvationists or friends. Often 14 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

families, when they are having a clear out, will discover that Mum or Dad had some connection with The Army and maybe some Army memorabilia or something that they pass on to us. And the other way is through what we call “transfers”, and that is the transferring into the archive of Salvation Army records from all the various departments, corps and social centres.’

Every now and then, they come across ‘little treasures’ that they never knew existed. One example recently arrived in the post: a copy of Salvation Music. While they already possessed

‘SOME OF THE THINGS WE RECEIVE COULD BE CONSIDERED QUITE MUNDANE, BUT TO A PERSON WHO IS TRAINED, YOU OFTEN FIND LITTLE TREASURES THAT HELP YOU TELL THE STORY.’

...THEY ALSO PROVIDE A SOCIAL COMMENTARY OF THE TERRITORY WHICH CAN BE A HELPFUL REFERENCE FOR HOW THE SALVATION ARMY APPROACHES THE FUTURE. the cassette tapes were deteriorating, and we couldn’t get the hardware to play them. Once you digitise, you have then got to have a remigration process going on into the future.’

Archives acquired its current online catalogue system in 2005; even so, Garry says they are still in catch-up mode due to time pressure, with only around twenty percent of their vast collection on digital catalogue.

The Historical Narrative

their own copy of the book, this one is of note because of its inscription to F.H. Hitchings Senior, along with his address, the year 1895 and the descriptor: ‘...one of the first bandmasters of the Sydenham Corps’. A retired officer in New Plymouth discovered it while sorting books for a book fair.

‘Some of the things we receive could be considered quite mundane, but to a person who is trained, you often find little treasures that help you tell the story,’ Garry explains.

Digitalisation There is always the consideration of available space in an archive and the question of how to manage the ongoing room on the shelves.

‘We have to get creative about it and digitising is one way of doing that, and you have to be fairly strict in your appraising processes because otherwise you will fill up in no time.’

For large items, like brass band instruments, they must be particular about what they keep—however, they do want photographs of items such as promoted to Glory boards (which contain vital corps history).

Some documents and artefacts arrive with water, fire, ink or other damage that needs to be treated or considered. Currently, Archives possess mould-covered documents that had not been properly stored in the past, and fire-damaged records which survived an arson on the hall where they were being kept. ‘The books are charred, but we can still read them.’

For these reasons, digitisation is a logical step to manage space and protect history from physical damage. However, moving from manual to online technology is not a one-stop solution, by virtue of how media is always advancing and upgrading.

‘There is still the potential for digitised records to deteriorate,’ Garry says. ‘The big challenge for us with digitisation is the lifespan of the digital media. I can remember way back when we started to migrate cassette tapes … because

There is a current, collective fascination among the general public with tracing ancestry and family trees. Garry says that the team at Archives is frequently contacted by people who want to investigate a connection between a family member and The Salvation Army.

‘It takes you down twenty different paths. Often, you’ll be researching something which will inadvertently give you the answer to another piece of research.’

One example of this was a lady who became a soldier at Te Aroha Corps and mentioned to the officers that she had a relative who wrote a song for The Salvation Army. The enquiry was passed on to Archives and they found it in a songbook.

‘What was interesting about it all was that the credit for the song, for the words, they didn’t have a name—but they just had, “written by a lassie who lived in the Dunedin rescue home”.’

The family were ‘over the moon’ because the team at Archives were able to provide a published version of the song and uncover some of her history, which revealed she had come into a Salvation Army rescue home and later married a Salvationist.

These success stories are evidence of the value in keeping detailed corps records along with War Cry copies and other documents. In addition to tracking Salvationists’ histories through the years, they also provide a social commentary of the territory which can be a helpful reference for how The Salvation Army approaches the future.

‘Having the archive is a very important part of our structure, because it plays a part in our accountability,’ Garry remarks. ‘If we don’t record our history and learn from our history, we will just keep making the same mistakes.’

Above (l–r): Collection Plate/Bowl: Made from wood taken from the Bowen Pier, Port Chalmers where Pollard and Wright landed on 27 March 1883 to commence the work of The Salvation Army in New Zealand. It was made by workmen employed by the Otago Harbour Board; Salvation Music: This copy of Volume 2 published in 1883 is inscribed by Bandmaster (Sydenham Corps) F. H. Hitchings, Blackheath Place, Dunham Street, Sydenham, 20 May 1885.

19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 15

Forty Years of the Blenheim Toy Library Blenheim Corps has celebrated forty years of operating the only toy library in Marlborough.

Their original plans to host a Saturday fair had to be scaled back, but Corps Officers Lieutenants Emma and Jacob Howan decided to rethink the event instead of calling it off.

‘We didn’t want to cancel it, because everything’s getting cancelled this year, and so it was trying to work out a way to celebrate, to connect with the families, while still making sure that we were safe and met all the requirements,’ Emma says.

On the day, they placed toys out in the courtyard for the kids to play with and provided a table of packaged foods for families to enjoy.

The corps also acknowledged the milestone during their first Sunday church service at the new time of ten o’clock, where they thanked the many people who invested in the library’s genesis.

‘A number of members of the corps at the time put in $100 each … to get this thing off the ground, and a good number of those people are still in the corps,’ Jacob says.

The library was in danger of folding near the end of last year, following the retirement of coordinator of twentyfive years, Mailene Vercoe, until a committee led by Toni Brooks put their hands up for the role.

Covid-19 kept their doors shut, but the volume of parents reaching out via

social media during lockdown affirmed the community demand for their service.

Volunteers have dedicated extra time and effort since reopening in August to ensure all toys are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before they return to the shelf, so that the library can remain open.

Jacob says they hoped these celebrations, and the toy library itself, would act as an opportunity to show the community the multitude of services The Salvation Army can offer.

‘We’ve got these young families walking in the door—how can we connect with them, rather than just providing a service like any organisation could?’

Papamoa Beach Family Store Launch The Salvation Army has commenced its mission in Papamoa by opening a Family Store in the heart of the local shopping district.

Papamoa Beach Family Store can be found in Fashion Island Shopping Centre, a location that offers high foot traffic and a wealth of parking.

Not only is the site a great retail opportunity, but it will also serve as a touchpoint for the early stages of the new Pacific Coast Mission plant. The building has been designed to include offices for Majors Peter and Anne Lewis, who are the planting officers for the Papamoa community.

‘It’s a great location, but especially now it has been set up with this facility of office space for our corps officers to work out of, I think it’s a really good coming together of corps and Family Store,’ says Midland Division Regional Family Store Manager Nigel Waters.

16 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

‘We are literally the shop window of The Salvation Army.’

Peter and Anne will immediately commence working out of their new office spaces, and the store has already attracted several volunteers, including retired officers Majors Denise and Stephen Crump.

Midland Division has been preparing to bring The Salvation Army to the fast-growing Papamoa area for four years. When this property became available in July, they grasped the opportunity to display the red shield in a prominent, relatively risk-free location.

‘Experience and, almost as importantly, my gut feeling tells me that we have been really fortunate to get this location, and I am really optimistic about the difference it is going to make to the new corps plant as well as the community of Papamoa as a whole.’

Campbells’ Chat ‘Alone we can do little; together we can do so much.’

This quote by Helen Keller written in the 1880s could also have been written in 2020. It describes what we have experienced as individuals, families and nations as we have all done our part to contain the coronavirus, cope with the changes to work, school and community and cared for ourselves and each other.

In every time of crisis or disaster we have proved that by working together we can achieve so much more as we share the workload and pressure. It’s also so much better having others to walk with us on the journey.

For many years The Salvation Army in Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa has been committed to doing mission together to care for people, transform lives and reform society by God’s power.

Mark and I are excited and encouraged to see the many ways that this is happening throughout the territory.

We thank God for all our experienced, passionate and faithful Salvationists and staff as together we achieve so much for Him. Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us that ‘two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.

But someone who falls alone is in real trouble’ (NLT).

We are committed and join you in helping to continue to strengthen and develop relationships and connections both within Te Ope Whakaora, The Army That Brings Life and with our community.

We can do so much more for God’s Kingdom together than we can separately.

NGĀ MIHI NUI, COMMISSIONERS MARK & JULIE CAMPBELL

Equity Through Sponsorship This is part two of a report on the impact of Covid-19 on Salvation Army communities around the world who are delivering education and care in difficult circumstances.

Our territory supports 51 programmes in the developing world, through the Overseas Development Department’s sponsorship programme. These include Salvation Army Child Development Schools (CDS) that are adapting to life under the shadow of a global pandemic.

‘I’m incredibly proud of this territory for its support of our sponsorship programme. While it is a small programme, the financial support it provides is incredibly valued and appreciated,’ says Territorial Overseas Development Officer Major Debbie Clark.

Debbie explains that while The Salvation Army internationally is transitioning away from individual child sponsorship to whole schools and specific community projects, many Kiwi (including entire corps) still faithfully sponsor children within our own territory from Fiji and Tonga. Which is great, but Debbie has seen the benefits of the new sponsorship system.

‘The change from individual sponsorship to whole schools and specific projects allows us to assist significantly more children, as well as empowering parents to provide sustainably for their families. This increases equity between children within the same community and facilitates better financial accountability of funds.

Previously not all children from one school or programme were sponsored, but because of the inclusive benefits of sponsorship for whole groups, essentially, they are now all being sponsored.’

Unfortunately, like many sponsorship programmes around the world, sponsorship by our territory is in decline. ‘Without our support many communities who support children in education would simply not be able to keep going,’ Debbie explains.

Keeping children safe

Keeping children from contracting Covid-19 is a significant piece of education in itself, and newsletters received by Debbie outline life for children and young people living in Salvation Army CDS, sponsored by our territory across Sri Lanka during the pandemic.

The Dehiwela CDS is home to 26 girls aged between eight and eighteen. Many of the girls are at the school because of court orders. During March, Sri Lanka was locked down and a curfew was in place. This meant the girls’ parents were not allowed to visit them, and they had to remain on the school estate the entire time.

Awareness programmes about hygiene and social distancing were arranged for the girls and none of the girls have contracted Covid-19.

The Haven and Sunshine CDS also conducted an awareness programme explaining the importance of hygiene and social distancing. Territorial leaders visited to run the programme in person, with the best part of the visit being the chocolate each of the girls received.

Waiting and washing

In Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the Matumaini School for Children with Disabilities (including Albinism) was closed because of Covid-19, with all children returning to their homes. At the time of writing the children of Matumaini await an official announcement from the government in order to be able to return to the school.

In Bangladesh, John Litu Das (Child Sponsorship Coordinator) reports that the Integrated Children’s Centre has been shut since mid-March due to Covid-19. The Salvation Army’s Bangladesh Command has distributed 2436 hygiene packs. ‘The children are using face masks and following the hand-washing formula, as well as following the social distancing rules while they eat, and during study hour and prayer time.’

Stopping the decline

So, what can we do? If we can embrace the change from individual child sponsorship to that of sponsoring whole schools and communities, we can make a greater impact and see more children thrive. So, let’s turn that decline around—it only takes $30 a month to make a difference.

19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 17

GAZETTE Additional Appointment: Captain Samantha Millar, Territorial Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Contact Person, Territorial Mission Section. We pray that God will continue to bless Sammy as she takes up this additional appointment.

Re-acceptance and Appointment: Effective 28 January 2021: Rae Evans (nee Mattsen) under the Single Spouse Officer policy with the rank of Lieutenant. Rae has been appointed as a re-accepted officer to a 12-month residential refresher course at Booth College of Mission.

We pray that God will bless Rae as she prepares for her appointment in the new year.

Corps Closure: Effective 31 October 2020: Flaxmere Corps. It is with deep regret we advise the closure of the Flaxmere Corps, Midland Division. After over 35 years of ministry in the Flaxmere community, the corps has reached the end of its sustainability. We thank the officers, soldiers, adherents and friends of the Flaxmere Corps for their faithful service over these past years and ask that you pray for the corps as it approaches its closure. A final celebration will be held on Saturday 31 October 2020.

Pro-tem Appointment: Lieutenants Heather and Ivo Pyper, following the recent closure of the Glen Eden Corps, have been made Northern Division Assistants, Divisional Headquarters. We pray that God will continue to bless Lieutenants Heather and Ivo Pyper in the days ahead.

Bereavement: Lieutenant-Colonel David Bateman and Major Allan Bateman, of their father, Divisional Envoy Graeme Bateman, who was promoted to Glory unexpectedly on Wednesday 2 September 2020, from Wellington. Graeme resided in Hawera. We ask you to uphold in prayer Lieutenant-Colonels David and Margaret Bateman, Majors Allan and Linda Bateman, Graeme’s wife Divisional Envoy Florence Bateman and other family members at this time of grief and loss. Our thoughts and prayers are particularly with Lieutenant-Colonels David and Margaret Bateman as they are serving in Papua New Guinea and unable to return home to be with family at this time, due to travel restrictions.

Major Bernie Knowles, of his sister Jan Fryer Knowles, on Thursday 27 August 2020, from Napier. We ask you to uphold in prayer Majors Bernie and Helen Knowles, along with other family members, at this time of grief and loss.

Major Marilyn Tremain and Captain Rebekah Herring, of their father and grandfather respectively, Vernon Wells, on Saturday 29 August 2020, from Auckland. We ask you to uphold in prayer Majors Marilyn and Bruce Tremain, Captains Rebekah and Matthew Herring, Vernon’s wife Doreen, and other family members, at this time of grief and loss.

ANNUAL GENERAL CHANGE

The following appointments will take effect on Thursday 14 January 2021.

Territorial Headquarters THQ, Personnel Section: Captain Pauleen Richards, Territorial Secretary for Personnel; Captain Bryant Richards, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Personnel and Territorial Privacy Officer.

THQ, Mission Section: Lieutenant-Colonel Lynette Hutson, Assistant Territorial Secretary for Mission; Captain Nicola Hargest, Strategic Projects Officer (based in Christchurch), [effective 2 November 2020]; Major Deborah Clark, Territorial Children’s Mission Secretary (full-time); Lieutenant Jonathan Whybrow, Chaplain, Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (additional appointment); Major David Moody, Keeping Children Safe Secretary (additional appointment); Captain Shaun Baker, Territorial Secretary for Chaplaincy Services and THQ Chaplain.

THQ, Communications Section: Lieutenant-Colonel Milton Collins, Territorial Overseas Development and Support Secretary (includes Sponsorship and Self Denial).

Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS) Lieutenant-Colonel Roderick Carey, National Director; LieutenantColonel Jennifer Carey, Internal Operations Manager; Captain Matthew Herring, Mission Assistant, Bridge Recovery Church, Auckland;

18 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

Lieutenant Michael Bryan, Director, Supportive Accommodation, Epsom Lodge; Lieutenant Chantelle Bryan, Mission Director, Supportive Accommodation, Epsom Lodge; Captain Rebekah Herring, Transitional Housing Officer, ASARS Transitional Housing Services South Auckland; Major Zelma Malton, Transitional Housing Missional Director, Hawke’s Bay, Transitional Housing; Major Suzanne Hay, Director, Bridge Christchurch [effective 2 November 2020]; Major Andrew Hay, Assistant to the Director, Bridge Christchurch [effective 2 November 2020]; Captain Ralph Hargest, Mission Director, Supportive Accommodation, Addington (additional appointment); Major Paul Smith, Mission Director, Bridge Christchurch and Supportive Accommodation, Addington.

Salvation Army Social Housing Lieutenant Fraser Kearse, Chaplain Support Officer, Royal Oak and Westgate, Auckland; Captain Andrew Green, Mission Tenant and Support Officer, Wellington.

Northern Division Divisional Secretary for Mission to be advised; Captain Lai Li, Planting Officer, Flat Bush Plant; Captains Nicola and Philip Mellsop, Corps Officers, Waitākere Central Corps and Directors, Waitākere Central Community Ministries, West Auckland Service Hub; Captain Nicola Mellsop, Director, Waitākere Early Childhood Education Centre.

Midland Division Major Timothy Malton, Divisional Bi-cultural Work Development Officer (based in Flaxmere); Lieutenants Heather and Ivo Pyper, Corps Officers, Whakatāne Corps and Directors, Whakatāne Community Ministries.

Central Division Captain Karen Baker, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Community Ministries; Lieutenant-Colonels Sheryl Jarvis and Stephen Jarvis, Corps Officers, Kāpiti Corps; Lieutenant-Colonel Sheryl Jarvis, Director, Kāpiti Community Ministries; Captains Benjamin and Karen Schischka, Corps Officers, Levin Corps; Captain Benjamin Schischka, Director, Levin Community Ministries; Captain Sarah Green, Corps Officer, Miramar Corps; Captain Andrew Green, Assistant Corps Officer, Miramar Corps (additional appointment); Captain Michelle Lee, Director, Palmerston North Community Ministries (additional appointment).

Southern Division Lieutenants Grant and Lynda Pitcher, Team Leaders, West Coast Mission Cluster and Corps Officers, Greymouth Corps (continuing their appointments as Corps Officers, Westport Corps).

Fiji Division Captain Vakatoto Wawa, Divisional Spiritual Life Development and Prayer Coordinator (additional appointment); Captain Taina Temo, Chaplain, Lautoka Family Care Centre (additional appointment); Lieutenants Mereyani and Ponipate Bacaivalu, Corps Planting Officers, Nausori Corps Plant; Captains Karalaini and Sekaia Rabuli, Corps Officers, Rakiraki Corps; Major Uraia Dravikula, Assistant Court and Correction Services Officer/Chaplain (additional appointment); Majors Iliesa and Litiana Cola, Corps Officers, Tavua Corps.

Tonga Region Major ‘Ana Vaea, Chaplain, Kolovai Kindergarten (additional appointment); Majors ‘Akesa and Petuliki Mosa’ati, Corps Officers, Nuku’alofa Corps; Major ‘Akesa Mosa’ati, Chaplain, Sopu Kindergarten (additional appointment); Lieutenants Selalina and ‘Eliesa Prescott, Corps Planting Officers, Vava’u Corps Plant (Selalina will continue her appointments as Regional Candidates Secretary and Regional Spiritual Life Development and Prayer Coordinator); Lieutenants Betty and Samisoni Akoteu, Chaplains, Alcohol Drug and Awareness Centre.

Samoa Region Auxiliary Captains Eric and Julie Turner, Regional Leaders and Officers, Apia Corps Plant and Community Ministries.

Booth College of Mission School for Officer Training, New Zealand Captain Christopher Collings, Senior Training Officer.

School for Officer Training, Fiji Lieutenant Faleata Leha, Training Officer (additional appointment).

Centre for Learning and Development, Upper Hutt Captain Kathy Crombie, Director (continuing her appointment as Project Manager Workforce Development, CLD); Captain Christopher Collings, Project Manager Officer Development (additional appointment).

Officers Awaiting Appointments Lieutenants Ameet and Jessica Londhe.

Concluding Envoy Service Envoys Sailosi and Salaseini Laliqavoka will conclude their appointments as In Charge, Tavua Corps, Fiji Division, and enter the School for Officer Training, Fiji, as Cadets in 2021.

Officers Concluding Appointments in Retirement at General Change Major Bernard Knowles; Major Glenton Waugh; Captain Michael McAuliffe; Captain Sharryn McAuliffe.

Officers Retiring Majors June and Michael Allwright, 31 January 2021.

Messengers of Grace—Ngā Karere o te Mana Tapu Session Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS): Cadet Emma Buckingham, Transitional Housing Mission Director, Palmerston North.

Northern Division: Cadets Blair and Lashana Dale, Corps Officers, Hibiscus Coast Corps; Cadets Eddie and Tofi Metotisi, Corps Officers, Papakura Corps.

Midland Division: Cadets Aimee and Scott Noakes, Corps Officers, Cambridge Corps; Cadet Michal Baken, Corps Officer, Grandview Corps.

Southern Division: Cadet Elizabeth Walker-Ratu and Cadet Semi Ratu, Corps Officers, Ashburton Corps.

Fiji Division: Cadet Mereani Betena, Assistant Officer, Lautoka Corps; Cadets Eleni and Rupeni Daucakacaka, Corps Officers, Taveuni Corps.

JESUS REPEATEDLY CALLED US TO CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF OTHERS… You’ve heard the line: ‘We’re all in this together’. It’s not the sole preserve of The Salvation Army, but we’ve gained a lot of mileage from it.

Our current and ongoing experience across the world and locally is indeed a ‘we’re all in this together’ kind of time. Our ‘with-ness’ in response to the pandemic, calls us out of our own separate worlds, to recognise that our own individual needs and preferences matter far less than being in community and renewing neighbourliness.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister has appealed to our sense of responsibility for one another, as decisions have been mandated ‘for the greater good’. Our Pacific neighbours have similarly faced their governments’ restrictions in order to keep the virus out. In a very real sense, we’re all in this together, and so rightly feel we can each do our part towards containment and eradication by simply adhering to what’s been called for.

Inevitably there’s a ‘chosen few’ who flex their muscles in defiance, but by-and-large we can be proud of what’s being achieved. The call to ‘take one for the team’, and to put aside our personal preferences is nothing new. The gospel call is saturated with this idea. Jesus repeatedly called us to consider the needs of others and in so doing build community and strengthen neighbourhoods. In this regard, our current reality is bringing a necessary correction to the way things have been. We can’t simply please ourselves.

As The Salvation Army, we have been humbled and grateful to be the agency through which others’ sharing has been entrusted to us. Financial and material giving from individuals, businesses and government has been phenomenal.

Additionally, we celebrate the grassroots responses that have occurred naturally out of the overflow of love for others occurring in local communities, as people rally to share what is theirs with those who have less.

It occurs to me that giving out of the overflow and putting others’ needs before our own comes naturally in some cultures more than others. Western individualisation has been the culture in which many of us have grown up. Some of us have experienced the pain of changing our ways. However, if our lives have already been immersed in the culture of a different way of being that Jesus came and demonstrated, perhaps we’re already part-way there.

The Gospel of John opens with a stunning reflection of Jesus coming into the world and includes these words: ‘The Word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes … like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish’ (John 1:14, MSG). It could be said that Jesus came to show us that indeed we’re all in this together, and by joining us here as one of us, he has shown us how important this matter is.

Colonel Heather Rodwell Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 WarCry 19

What Are You Waiting For? It’s that time of the year again— finally. Spring has arrived! Lambs and daffodils abound, and daylight saving is just around the corner.

I feel better already.

BY JULES BADGER

Even with great weather across Aotearoa during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year, 2020 has at times felt like one very long winter. Our beloved land of the long white cloud has been overshadowed by anxiety and fear, job losses and uncertain futures and, of course, illness and death. Compared with the rest of the world, we may be doing well, but there’s still unease and uncertainty for many. Will there be more lockdowns before year end? How secure is my job? What if I catch the virus? Will there be a vaccine? What hope is there of a cure? Where is God in all of this?

It’s a difficult wait as these questions linger unanswered, but waiting is part of life—a fact of life. Many of us find waiting extremely difficult, but it can also be one of life’s greatest opportunities for spiritual transformation. As Adele Ahlberg Calhoun suggests, ‘Waiting 20 WarCry 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

unearths what is in our hearts. It exposes what happens when our expectations go unmet’.

world is waiting for a different kind of spring this year—answers to even bigger questions—for hope.

Waiting on God

Expectations of spring

In her 2011 book, Invitations from God: Accepting God’s offer to rest, weep, forgive, wait, remember and more. Adele suggests:

Thankfully the changing of seasons from winter to spring happens whether we are waiting or not—whether we are ready or not. Spring arrives like it always does. Faithfully spring comes like a promise remembered and kept. And we are reminded that there are bigger forces in the world than pandemics and humankind—God is still in control.

Symbols of hope and re-birth and light and colour herald the reality that ‘this too will pass’. We will be forever changed and marked by what we discovered about ourselves as we waited for it to pass, but it will pass, nonetheless.

‘Waiting is one of God’s immensely sweeping invitations. To wait unexpectantly and with open hands requires a relinquishment of control that gets at the roots of our motivations, fears and idolatries. It is where we learn that God isn’t a genie and that happiness is not a matter of God meeting our expectations. While we wait, we can sense the naked vulnerability of trust. No matter how disciplined, organised and prayerful we get, we never outgrow God’s invitation to wait.’

I resonate strongly with Adele’s words for several reasons, but especially as I find myself leaning into the confusion of a world suffering under the weight of Covid-19. Surviving a global pandemic may well become the defining marker of our generation—the writers and recorders of history will decide. In the meantime, as the days grow lighter and longer, it feels as though the whole

The world has endured many dark winters down through history. So has the church. And yet, here we are—still.

We wait for the return of Christ just as the Israelites waited for his birth.

We wait for the kingdom of God to come in all its fullness just as the Jewish community waited for it to be inaugurated.

Calhoun points out that God is a ‘waiter’ too.

learn what it means to trust him—even, and especially, when we cannot control the outcome. Adele is right when she says that waiting for God’s promises to unfold is not ‘an act of passive resignation’ or a fatalistic ‘whatever will be will be’: ‘Waiting on God demands alertness to the present moment. It is an active stance of watchfulness—a waiting for when, not if, God will come through. Henri Nouwen suggests that active waiters “know that what they are waiting for is growing from the ground on which they are standing…

The seed has been planted… something has begun.” God is already taking what the devil would use to destroy us and turning it for our good and growth and his glory.’

‘Scripture is a catalogue, of sorts, of ways the Holy One waits for us. God waited four hundred years for the time to be right to lead Israel out of Egypt. God waited for Israel to grow in numbers and desperation, for the arrogance of Pharaoh to reach its height; the sin of the Amorites to be full (Genesis 15); Moses to be the kind of man who could lead Israel out of Egypt; Israel to become his unique people. God “waited patiently in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:20). He waited for the fullness of time to send his Son. And God still waits for us to respond to his invitation to be transformed. He does not hurry us along with force, coercion or control. God bides his time, waiting for us with open hands.’

The work of waiting There’s a lot to be learnt from waiting, especially when there is uncertainty wrapped around that waiting. Like a bulb buried within crisp winter soil waiting in darkness for spring, there are times in our spiritual lives when we are faced with the work of waiting. It can be hard.

But just as a bulb functions as a type of food storage organ full of rich nutrients during a plant’s dormancy, times of waiting can be opportunities to dig deep into the soil of God’s faithfulness and

It comes down to whether we are waiting with expectancy rather than expectation. This subtle nuance has tripped me up throughout my walk with God. I’m grateful to have finally learnt the lesson that God’s faithfulness has more to do with his long view from eternity, rather than my short-term demands and expectations of what I think he should do in my life. Adele puts it plainly when she says: ‘Expectations are what get us into trouble while we wait. We expect God to do things in a certain way: our way.

We have expectations about timing: our timing. Expectations bind our happiness to one particular end. I get this job. My house sells now. Unmet expectations are resentments and disappointments waiting to happen. The difference between waiting for our expectations to happen and waiting expectantly for this moment to unfold is huge. Being present to what is: this is what matters. What is happening here and now is important. What goes on while I wait may become the foundation for some new undreamed-of and unexpected future …

Expectant waiting requires openness to something good happening beyond our expectations.’

I’ve spent much of my life wrongly assuming and expecting bad things to happen. Childhood trauma and unprocessed grief left me believing that good things were for other people.

Suffering and hardship were therefore part of my lot in life, and at times even my faith reinforced that lie as I easily latched onto ideas like ‘taking up my cross’ and ‘suffering with Christ’. They

resonated strongly with what I knew life to be like. The idea that God might have good things in store for me has taken years to take root. Thankfully, like a bulb buried deep, this truth is finally growing and reaching for more and more light.

FAITHFULLY SPRING COMES LIKE A PROMISE REMEMBERED AND KEPT. God in the waiting Adele reveals such wisdom when she explains ‘the truth is that God doesn’t come to us in our future. God comes now—while we wait’. She quotes Henri Nouwen again who writes, ‘Impatient people are always expecting the real thing to happen somewhere else and therefore want to go somewhere else’.

Nouwen could be writing about me.

Or maybe you.

It’s taken a long time to really grasp the fact that wherever I go, there I am.

But Adele speaks profound truth when she says, ‘Going “somewhere else” can be much easier than staying where we are and waiting. But it is in the waiting that things happen in our souls.

In the waiting our character is formed.

Life doesn’t happen after our every expectation is fulfilled; it happens as we wait expectantly, with open hands and with God. Any moment can be a revelatory place rather than an empty space’.

So, what are you waiting for? And how are you waiting? Perhaps in these days of global confusion and local uncertainty, you’re finding that while you cannot change your circumstances, you can invite God to change you while you wait.

Perhaps like Adele you may even find that this strange season we are all in ‘can seem either like a senseless waiting game or else like waiting in the wings for God’s grace and presence to help (us) live a very difficult present … Waiting is that holy place where my heart can be converted, my character honed and hope focused’.

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WHAT ROOM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENTER?

Crossword

Can you name the body parts in the picture below? Use your answers to fill in the crossword.

‘Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies.’

A MUSHROOM

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19–20

Walnuts resemble a brain. Walnuts are nicknamed ‘brain food’ because of their high content of omega-3 fatty acids which support brain function.

Slicing open a tomato reveals multiple chambers which mirror the structure of a heart.

Tomatoes are full of lycopene, which lessens the risk of heart disease.

Celery stalks look like bones.

They are full of silicon, which is good for bone health.

Leafy green vegetables look like a venous system.

Leafy greens can improve our vein health through vitamin K. They also have vitamin C to help circulation.

Connect the dots Carrots, when sliced down the middle, look like an eye.

They are filled with betacarotene/vitamin A, which is crucial to preventing eye diseases, and lutein which helps to protect our retinas.

FUN FACT TECHNICALLY, THE BRAIN NAMED ITSELF.

God designed our bodies, and he knows what is best for us to eat. In the beginning he planted the original gardens with an abundant variety of beautiful fruits, vegetables, nuts and herbs and the ability for them to reproduce via seeds. He did this for us.

But maybe God—the great designer and artist—also has a wonderful sense of humour, and gave us some hints within the design of these various fruits and vegetables as to what body part they most benefit (take a look at the examples to your left, and you’ll see!).

Our diet in the Western world has been influenced by food that is man-made.

This week, can you consume more of the naturally grown foods that God designed for us? Just like a petrol-powered car cannot run on diesel, don’t put fake food into a creation that God designed to be fuelled by fruit and vegetables.

I WONDER...

Can you think of any other foods which resemble the parts of the body which they benefit?

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