War Cry 30 Mar 2019

30 March 2019 20p/25c

WAY TO GO CELEBRITIES SET OFF ON PILGRIMAGE IN TV SHOW

THE MOTHER OF ALL THANK-YOUS

RAISING AN AUTISTIC DAUGHTER

‘CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?’

Millions show their appreciation

Mum reflects on the highs and lows

Considering age-old injustices

2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is a church and charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in over 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church

From the editor’s desk MANY people were surprised by what they saw in photos of an asylum refusal letter that appeared on Twitter last week. The Home Office assessment of an Iranian’s application, which was shared on the social media platform by an immigration caseworker, quoted Bible passages containing images of violence and then offered the verdict: ‘These examples are inconsistent with your claim that you converted to Christianity after discovering it is a “peaceful” religion.’

The immigration caseworker, who noted that converts in Iran face punishment for apostasy, tweeted that he was shocked to read ‘this offensive diatribe being used to justify a refusal of asylum’.

Others were also disturbed. The Bishop of Durham, the Right Rev Paul Butler, expressed concern ‘that a government department could determine the future of another human being based on such a profound misunderstanding of the texts and practices of faith communities’.

Though the results are not always so potentially immediate or severe, misunderstanding of religions, world views and values can have an adverse effect in all areas of life. It can lead to tension, prejudice or hostility – or it can simply mean that we miss out on different perspectives that may help us in our own lives.

The celebrities who walk and talk together along an ancient path in BBC Two’s Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome – which we preview in this week’s War Cry – have found out more about each other’s lives and possibly, in the process, life in general.

Atheist Brendan Cole suggests that taking part in the programme gave him ‘a new insight into people about their religions’. Muslim Mehreen Baig says the project was ‘about going on a journey with different types of people with different backgrounds from my own, and to learn about their beliefs and share mine’.

If we want our walk through life to have the right kind of effect, learning about others’ beliefs and sharing ours is a good place to start.

What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.

WAR CRY Issue No 7416

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Stephen Pearson Assistant Editor: Claire Brine Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101

Contents

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Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity.

The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

Printed by Walstead Grange Ltd, Southwick, on sustainably sourced paper

Your local Salvation Army centre

FEATURES 3

Step by step TV follows celebrities on a pilgrimage

6

‘Kiki has come a long way’ Raising a daughter who has autism

8

Pictures of Compassion Exhibition highlights work of Christian charity among mothers and children

REGULARS 4

News and media

12

Browsing the Bible

6

8

13 Expressions 14 Puzzles 15

What’s cooking?

Front-page picture: BBC/CTVC/SIMONA SBORCHIA

15

BBC/CTVC/SIMONA SBORCHIA

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • TELEVISION 3 The group are walking along an old pilgrimage route

Pilgrims progress E

IGHT celebrities step out on a trek of self-discovery from the Swiss Alps to Italy in Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome, which begins on BBC Two next Friday (5 April).

The personalities – including Olympian Greg Rutherford, comedian Stephen K. Amos, former Strictly dancer Brendan Cole and Eurovision winner turned politician Dana Rosemary Scallon – retrace the steps of centuries of Christian pilgrims along a section of the Via Francigena, a route dating back to the Middle Ages.

During their travels, they ascend steep, rocky paths in the Alps, seek solace by stroking St Bernard therapy dogs and admire ancient art in an unassuming Italian church.

But, as well as walking, the celebrities do a lot of talking. They are interested in more than the scenery and history.

Their pilgrimage presents them with a chance to reflect on their futures and their feelings about faith.

After retiring from long jumping, Greg Rutherford, who says he is unsure about his beliefs, considers his next career move. Meanwhile, actor Les Dennis is looking back to how his mother lost her faith. Ardent atheist Brendan Cole seeks to understand why religion matters to other people.

Some of the walkers have clear ideas about their beliefs, while others, such as

Celebrities embark on a historical holy hike, writes Emily Bright comedian Katy Brand, confess they are less sure. As they head for Rome and the Vatican, they share their views on faith while respectfully listening to each other.

Looking back on the making of the series, actress Lesley Joseph – who describes herself as a non-practising Jew – recalls that the conversations lasted for hours. ‘It was a microcosm of different faiths,’ she says. ‘There

It gave me a new insight into religions were discussions on a daily basis about beliefs, and we’d sometimes talk until two or three in the morning.’

TV documentary presenter and Muslim Mehreen Baig explains: ‘For me, this was about going on a journey with different types of people with different backgrounds from my own, and to learn about their beliefs and share mine.’

Brendan Cole reflects that he learnt a lot from the experience. He says: ‘I suppose it gave me a new insight

into people, about their religions and why they practise them, even if I don’t necessarily agree with them.’

While following in the physical footsteps of former pilgrims, the celebrities were also following them in asking big questions about life.

Over the years many Christians who have walked the route, and many who have never made that kind of literal journey, have found that their bid to discover what’s really important in life has been fulfilled in a relationship with God. And the Bible insists that such a relationship is open to everyone. ‘If … you seek the Lord your God,’ it says, ‘you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul’ (Deuteronomy 4:29 New International Version).

If we put our trust in God, we find that he is ready to guide us when we have lost our sense of direction, strengthen us when we are struggling to carry on and forgive us when we have gone down the wrong path.

Centuries of people have discovered that it’s a step worth taking.

4 NEWS AND MEDIA • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

Railway donations signal new uses for uniforms REBECCA PREECE

THOUSANDS of railway staff are donating their old uniforms to The Salvation Army after the creation of two new train companies meant that they were issued with new workwear.

More than 2,000 employees of the London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway have handed over the unwanted clothing to the organisation. Items have included trousers, coats, jackets, jumpers and ties.

The Salvation Army is removing branding from the uniforms and distributing many of them to people in need. Any remaining items will be shredded and made into carpets, insulation, cushions or stuffing for car seats.

‘This partnership enables The Salvation Army to help West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway staff to dispose responsibly of their excess uniforms, diverting them from landfill,’ said The Salvation Army’s Kirk Bradley. ‘At the same time, we are raising funds to help the vital work of The Salvation Army continue.’

Uniforms are handed over at Northampton station

AN anti-slavery coalition has petitioned the government to support the n Modern Slavery (Victim Support) bill. Signed by more than 60,000 members of the public and backed by charity Christian Action Research and Education

(Care), the petition has been forwarded to the prime minister and the Home Office.

Under the proposed legislation, all confirmed victims of modern slavery across England and Wales would receive accommodation, counselling, healthcare, a support worker and legal advice for at least 12 months after the authorities granted them the status of victims. Under present legislation, victims receive 90 days of support.

‘Without protection, support and stability, victims cannot give evidence to police and courts, meaning traffickers go free and the cycle of exploitation continues,’ explained Care senior policy officer for human trafficking Louise Gleich.

Residents take away curry skills Hamid Uddin (left) and son Mohim (right) give their masterclass

AN Indian takeaway in Braintree has given a curry masterclass at The Salvation Army’s New Direction Lifehouse, a centre which helps people experiencing homelessness.

Hamid Uddin, the head chef of the Ruby, showed residents how to make one of the takeaway’s classic dishes, bhuna chicken curry, and they were provided with ingredients and equipment to make their own.

Sharon Ralph, service manager at the New Direction Lifehouse, said: ‘We don’t just give homeless people shelter – we give them all the support they need to rebuild their lives, including housing advice and training in basic life skills. So when Hamid and Mohim from the Ruby offered cooking classes, we were so pleased.’

Salvation Army distributes food in cyclone aftermath PEOPLE in countries hit by Cyclone Idai are receiving emergency supplies from The Salvation Army.

In partnership with the Red Cross and other agencies, the church and charity is distributing emergency food packages containing maize, rice, cooking oil and beans to 500 of the most severely affected families in Mozambique.

In Zimbabwe, it is working with the government and other agencies to provide households with food and blankets.

‘This is an unprecedented disaster for this part of the world,’ said The Salvation Army’s head of international emergency services Major Chris Mulryne.

Hundreds of people have lost their lives in Mozambique alone, while 500,000 people were cut off in one of its largest cities, Beira.

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A FOOTBALL team from a Salvation Army centre for people experiencing homelessness met Ipswich Town forward Will Keane (second from left, back row) when they took part in a training session on the club’s practice pitch.

The team, made up of staff and residents of Lyndon House in Ipswich, were invited by the Championship club to play on the pitch as part of the English Football League’s Day of Action. On the day all 72 clubs held events to highlight social issues.

Lyndon House specialist support worker Stephen Gray said: ‘Football can provide a good release for the guys and the struggles they’re going through. They were all very excited, and seeing a professional footballer gives them a bit of inspiration, as well as a few tips to use on the pitch.’

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • FEATURE 5 POLITICIANS and n programme-makers from Christian broadcasting network Sat-7

explored the relationship between religious freedom and gender equality when they took part in a briefing in the Houses of Parliament.

During a panel discussion, chaired by Baroness Berridge of the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief, contributors considered the roles education and faith can play in helping women participate in societies in the Middle East and North Africa.

The event was organised by Sat-7, whose broadcasts across the region seek to tackle prejudice towards women and promote equality, covering topics such as mental health, family relationships and marriage.

MP Kate Green said: ‘If you equip women with education, economic self-sufficiency and the capacity to manage their lives and those of their families, then the whole of that community and country would thrive.’

Speaking about her experiences in her constituency of Stretford and Urmston, she added: ‘The network, the infrastructure and institutions that faith provides can give women an extra level of empowerment.’

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THE Church of England is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landings with scientific exhibitions and lectures across the country from 20 July.

The Telegraph website reported that highlights will include a replica of Neil Armstrong’s space suit, meteorite fragments and a robot-building workshop.

Andrew Stone discovers the origins of Mother’s Day CROSS the country tomorrow (Sunday 31 March) millions of people will be finding ways to say ‘thank you’ to their mums. It could be breakfast A in bed, flowers or a card. However the sentiment is shown, many mums will

be made to feel very special this Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday as it has traditionally been known.

In the same way that the name of the day has changed, its original concept has too, as the Rev Alastair Thom, vicar of St Luke’s West Kilburn in north London, explains.

‘The observance of Mothering Sunday has evolved over the centuries, and it is thought to originate hundreds of years ago,’ he says. ‘People who had left home to work elsewhere came back once a year to their “mother church”, probably the cathedral nearest to where they used to live.

‘Visiting the church would have been combined with visits to family and may have led to the tradition of children, who were often working away as domestic servants, being given the day off to see their mothers.’

As the day has evolved, the list of those who are acknowledged and thanked has broadened. Recognition is now also given to the women who have played a role in bringing up, or ‘mothering’, those who have not had a mum. Alastair believes this is a positive development.

‘It’s hard to think of a category of people more deserving of thanks and appreciation,’ he says.

But Alastair also believes that the expressing of appreciation is good for those doing the thanking on Mother’s Day, saying: ‘There is something rather fundamental about living a thankful life.’

He is right. Being thankful is a good way to approach life. But there are times when problems and difficulties make that hard to do.

In troubling times, Christians have found that they can be thankful because they can turn to God to find help. One Bible writer put it like this: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 New International Version).

Whether ours was a mum in a million or not, God offers his love and support to each one of us. Will we accept that gift today?

It’s hard to think of a category of people more deserving

6 INTERVIEW • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

‘Raising a daughter with autism hasn’t always been easy, but she brings joy’ IKI is 12 now. She loves ‘K computers, singing and dancing.

And she loves eating,’ jokes Kiki’s

mum, Olu. But while Kiki is able to enjoy these activities, there are some other day-to-day tasks that she finds difficult. She is autistic.

‘Kiki lacks social awareness,’ Olu says.

‘She doesn’t know how to make friends or read the signs that someone might want to be her friend. She takes things literally and cannot read facial expressions.

‘Communication is key because things have to be broken down. Autism for Kiki means that she is not flexible, so if our family are going to change something in the routine, she needs to know in advance.

‘For example, her older brother, Temi, goes to youth club every Wednesday and Kiki goes with her dad to pick him up. On some Wednesdays Temi doesn’t go but,’ Olu laughs, ‘at 9 pm, Kiki will still tell her dad that they need to pick him up – even if Temi is sitting right next to her.’

While Olu is able to laugh now, she explains that it wasn’t always easy. ‘When

When things weren’t going well, I would cry at night we found out Kiki had autism, I would ask: “Why, God? Why me? What have I done wrong?” There were times when things weren’t going well and I would cry at night. We went through a stage of crying to God, then praying for a miracle. We finally accepted this as God’s will and then asked him what we could learn from the situation.’

Olu says the family’s new perspective has helped them cope with what they have faced – and helped Kiki make progress.

‘Kiki is getting a bit more flexible.

Before, I couldn’t take her food shopping, but now we can go with a list, stick to the list and come back home with no incidents or tantrums.’

In the past, Olu faced some negativity when children and adults would keep their distance from Kiki in public because of

Kiki how she was behaving.

World Autism Awareness Week is, in part, about addressing such stigmas and helping people to understand more about the condition. Olu advises: ‘People need to understand that autism is different from child to child. It’s important to learn what a particular child likes and find out how you can go into their world and be a part of it with them. When Kiki wants to dance, she will ask others to wave their hands. If you respond by doing that, she’ll be happy.’

She adds: ‘Look for the positives and you will find that they outshine any of the other things about the child that may seem

to be a work in progress. For example, Kiki has difficulty communicating, but she sings a lot.’

Something that has made a huge difference to Kiki and her family is the support that they have received from the church they now attend. lu says that when they received the O diagnosis and were struggling with raising Kiki, she ‘never questioned God’s

love’ for her, but the church they were attending at the time was not able to meet Kiki’s needs.

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • INTERVIEW 7

World Autism Awareness Week begins on Monday (1 April), with the aim of increasing people’s knowledge and understanding of a lifelong disability that affects how people communicate and interact with the world. There are approximately 700,000 adults and children living with autism in the UK. One of them is Kiki, whose family found out that she had autism when she was 18 months old. Her mum, OLU, speaks to Sarah Olowofoyeku about their experience

Kiki knows now that God loves her

The family decided they had to move on, so Olu emailed a number of churches, letting them know about her family’s needs.

One church responded, and said it was willing to put things in place to support them.

A team at the church provided Kiki with ear defenders to protect her from excessive noise and set up a table at the back of the room as a ‘calm space’ where she can go during children’s sessions. Over time the church has also gathered together a group of people who can get to know Kiki, give her one-to-one support and create a routine that stays the same every Sunday.

‘The church has people who are trained with the knowledge of autism who can help,’ Olu says. ‘They are ready to learn and listen, and to try to understand Kiki.

Through the care and love shown to her, she is growing in her faith. She knows now that God loves her.

‘It’s important for churches to be autismfriendly. Instead of remaining in a dark place, parents can have a place where they can listen to positive words from God. Churches can encourage families who have children with autism, and those children can know that God loves them no matter what.’

The church also runs a support group for the families of children with additional needs. ‘We meet once a month to share ideas, talk, laugh, cry and pray together,’ Olu explains. ‘It’s a strong group and is helping everyone.

‘Because of our experience, we’re able to talk to other parents and let them know that it gets better. Kiki has come a long way. She’s very happy and she’s loved. Everywhere she goes people accept her and love her.

She does her own thing and causes happiness and joy. I’ve come to realise that this is a gift.’

8 INTERVIEW • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

‘We want people to be masters of their own destiny’

Mark Preston

Ahead of Mother’s Day tomorrow (31 March), MARK PRESTON of Christian charity Compassion UK talks to Emily Bright about caring for mums, children and their communities in developing countries

A mother feeds her baby with food provided by Compassion

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • INTERVIEW 9 Compassion UK

HRISTIAN charity Compassion UK C is providing a snapshot of life in Togo at a photography exhibition taking

place at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London. The exhibition, A Different Path, seeks to raise awareness about maternity issues in west Africa.

‘The images are a moving way to engage people,’ says Compassion UK’s head of philanthropy Mark Preston. ‘It’s one thing to hear statistics, but it’s another thing to see a photograph of a baby and a mother in their context, often with no electricity, no water and none of the basic facilities or utilities that we take for granted here in the UK.’ International was born.

The charity does not shy away from the Today the organisation supports more than realities of poverty in the developing world. two million children in 25 developing countries Compassion International was established in across Africa, Asia and Central and South 1952 by American Methodist minister Everett America.

Swanson after he travelled to the South Korean A key part of the charity’s work is its child capital of Seoul and witnessed the desperate sponsorship programme, which pairs up plight of street children.

‘He was walking through the streets one morning and saw a rubbish truck driving down one of the city centre streets, picking up black bin bags,’ Mark says. ‘He realised after a while that some of the black bags had children in them. They were street children that had died because there was no one there for them.’ supporters with children living in deprived Everett was so haunted by what he had seen communities. Sponsors donate a fixed amount that he decided to support a South Korean each month to provide for the child’s health, orphanage. He established a programme nutrition and education. More than 106,000 linking each orphan with a generous individual children are supported through the programme. who would provide education, food, clothing, Funds are distributed through 7,000 church shelter and medical care. Compassion partners, who understand the key issues facing

We take children of all faiths and none

A baby is weighed as part of Compassion’s Child Survival programme the community and which families need support most urgently. They select the children for the sponsorship programme. If those children choose to stay on the programme, they will benefit from Compassion’s support from their first year of life right through to the end of their full-time education aged 22.

Although churches play an integral role in the charity’s work, Mark is keen to emphasise that there are no religious requirements. ‘We take children of all faiths and none. There’s no expectation for anybody that joins our programme to become a Christian. But what we do is in Jesus’ name, and we do it as an act of Christian service.’

He highlights the variety of projects that the sponsorship can support. ‘The programme is diverse because we work in so many countries,’ he says. ‘It might be that the sponsorship money is used to support school fees where education is not free, or it might be that there’s a greater need for healthcare or provision of

Turn to page 10

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10 INTERVIEW • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

From page 9 clean water. It is tailored to fit a community.’

At the charity’s child development centres, children receive food and nutritional education, and are offered health screenings. The centres also provide vocational training for incomegenerating activities such as tailoring and cookery. Children are encouraged to take part in a variety of sports, including football, volleyball and netball, to boost their physical health. If they wish, the young people can also participate in faith-based lessons, which help them understand the Christian faith and how they are loved and valued by God. Supporters receive a welcome pack with a framed photo, letters and drawings from the sponsored child and project updates from the child’s community.

The community-building, child-saving work is all done by local people Mark practises what he preaches. ‘My wife and I sponsor children,’ he says. ‘We each write to our sponsored children, pray for them, and we have photographs of the children displayed proudly in our house, near our own children’s photos.’

Supporters are also provided with their own MyCompassion account, a personalised sponsorship forum that can be accessed through the charity’s website or a mobile app. This allows sponsors to write to their child, donate an additional gift (which will be passed on to the child via the church) and send birthday or Christmas cards via the app.

Sponsors even have the opportunity to visit the child that they support.

In the wake of MP David Lammy’s comments about Comic Relief perpetuating the image of ‘white saviours’, there has been considerable press coverage about whether charity projects and fundraising methods are outdated and stereotypical. For decades, doleful-looking white celebrities have pleaded for charity donations on behalf of downtrodden African communities, rather than letting the people represent themselves.

Mark asserts that Compassion is different.

He says that the charity’s strength is derived from its reliance on local knowledge and church networks, which it has cultivated over more than six decades. ‘The important community-building, child-saving work is all done by local people. I was in Ghana just two or three weeks ago and I met a fantastic Compassion Ghana team, and I would say 95 per cent of them are Ghanaian. We want people to be masters of their own destiny.’

He adds that the goal is for communities to become self-sufficient. ‘The hope is that things will improve so much in each community that we don’t need to be there any more. Sadly, we’re a long way from that at the moment.’

In conjunction with the exhibition, Compassion has launched the Different Path appeal, which is designed to raise awareness and funds for another aspect of its work. One in every twenty babies in Togo is likely to die before their first birthday, compared to

Chemine with her daughter Esse

just four per one thousand in the UK. So the charity helps vulnerable pregnant women, mothers and babies through a Child Survival programme. Measures include providing antenatal care, vaccinating babies against deadly diseases, and equipping mothers with the skills required to earn a living. It also supports some of the 43 per cent of pregnant women in Togo who cannot afford antenatal checks.

‘Mums, babies and pregnant women are going to get absolutely vital help,’ Mark enthuses. ‘We’re seeking to set up a minimum of 23 new Child Survival programmes in Togo. Funds raised will provide antenatal check-ups, nutrition and hygiene packs, counselling, emotional support and a professional birth attendant.’ The UK government has pledged to match pound for

pound all donations up to £2 million from 25 March until 24 June.

The aid programme has been running for a number of years and has already transformed lives across Togo, assisting more than 9,255 births in the past year.

One of its beneficiaries was young mother Chemine. She became pregnant at 16 after she was raped by a man living in a neighbouring town, and received no support from her relatives.

‘When I realised that I was pregnant, I was very scared,’ she has recalled. ‘The worst part of the situation was that I had nobody to share my worries with.

‘But the project takes care of my child’s health and mine too. They pay all the bills when we go to the hospital and buy all the medicine prescribed by doctors. They also

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • INTERVIEW 11 Compassion UK

Sowaye with her granddaughter Dellali

assist us with food kits and hygiene kits every month.’ Her daughter Esse is now also part of the charity’s child sponsorship programme.

Support is given to extended families too.

Grandmother Sowaye lost her daughter just a day after she gave birth to a baby girl, Dellali.

Reliant on a limited income from subsistence farming, Sowaye did not know where to turn.

It was then that she heard about a child survival intervention run by the Evangelical Church of the Christian Mission in Legbanou.

She says she heard people talking about how the programme was able to support vulnerable and motherless children, providing them with food and healthcare. She insists that without the help, Dellali would have died.

However, the help given extends beyond medical care. Twenty-two-year-old Afiavi and her husband Koffi were struggling to make

Afiavi with her husband and daughter

They assist us with food kits and hygiene kits every month ends meet on his salary as a barber. Afiavi received seamstress training so that she could earn an income too.

Many lives have been transformed since the charity was established more than 65 years ago.

But one constant which lies at the core of its work is its Christian foundation. Compassion’s strapline, ‘Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name’, makes its ultimate motivation clear.

Mark says that Compassion is inspired by the teaching of Jesus that people should love

their neighbours as much as themselves. ‘The gospel underpins all the work that we do,’ he explains. ‘It’s central to who we are.’ l The free photographic exhibition A Different Path runs until 25 April at Gallery 101 in The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London. For more information visit compassionuk.org

12 INNER LIFE • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

Prayerlink YOUR prayers are requested for Sharon, who is feeling anxious about her upcoming surgery.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their ­circumstances. Send your requests to Prayerlink, War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon­don SE1 6BN. Mark your envelope ‘Confidential’.

Becoming a Christian There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.

Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book in the Scriptures

2 Kings GAINST a background of widespread A idolatry in the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, 2 Kings focuses on the spiritual

influence of two faithful prophets, Elijah and Elisha.

Elijah had previously challenged King Ahab of Israel, and now he confronts his son, Ahaziah. He berates the king for seeking guidance from false gods (1:1–16). As with Ahab, Elijah has to flee for his life. When Ahaziah dies, Ahab’s son, Joram, becomes king (1:17).

Elijah and his successor, Elisha, make a final journey to Bethel, the centre of prophecy. En route, Elijah divides the River Jordan (2:8). Shortly afterwards, he is taken up to Heaven ‘in a whirlwind’ (2:11).

Elisha continues the miracles. A jar of oil keeps flowing, a barren woman gives birth to a child that is later raised from the dead, poisonous food is rendered harmless and 100 men are miraculously fed. Elisha heals a leper, makes an axe head float and strikes Syrian soldiers temporarily blind (chapters 4 to 6).

Such displays of God’s power are not enough to stop the moral decay of either

Key verse

‘I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a dish’ (2 Kings 21:13 New International Version)

Israel or Judah. Around 722BC, Assyria (which, from its heartland in modern Iraq, had expanded across the region) invades Israel, captures its capital city, Samaria, takes its leading citizens into captivity and populates Samaritan cities with peoples from other conquests (chapter 17). The ten tribes of Israel fall and the kingdom is no more.

In the south, Assyria forces money out of Judah (chapter 18), and an invasion is averted when an angel kills the Assyrian army (19:35). Judah, though, is living on borrowed time. When Judah’s King Manasseh

The Temple is destroyed and the leading citizens taken into captivity promotes the worship of false gods, prophets warn that Judah’s perpetual disobedience will be subject to divine judgment (21:10–15).

King Josiah carries out Temple repairs and spiritual reforms, but after his death Babylon invades Judah (chapters 22 to 23). With Jerusalem under siege, King Jehoiachin and his court are taken into captivity (24:10– 17). When the vassal King Zedekiah rebels against his Babylonian masters, Jerusalem is besieged (24:20 to 25:2).

In 587BC, Jerusalem falls. The Temple is destroyed (25:8–17). The leading citizens are taken into captivity. David’s once-mighty kingdom is no more.

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30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • EXPRESSIONS 13

QUERIES, DOUBTS AND HONEST PRAYERS

I beg to differ

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WAR CRY annual subscription Call 01933 445445 email subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk visit sps-shop.com or contact your local Salvation Army centre

HY the good and godly are downtrodden while the bad and corrupt prosper is an age-old question. The Old Testament prophets decried the injustice that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. Even back then, those in power used corruption and violence to obtain more and more land and riches.

In today’s society it seems the response is either, ‘That’s how things are and you can’t change it’ or ‘We must take things into our own hands to address the imbalance’. I see people of no faith or of other faiths taking a stand against injustice, but why doesn’t God inspire all Christians, without exception, to do the same? Surely we could all challenge society’s values, tackle economic imbalance, speak out against any number of injustices and follow it up with practical action.

I expect I am not the only Christian who feels overwhelmed by the many needs of the world. I often doubt whether Vested I can make any difference to anything. Global governmental departments, the interests make corporations, complex financial world and complicated legal matters, together with individual selfishness and change seem vested interests, make the prospect of change difficult seem unbelievably difficult.

There are, of course, all sorts of organisations, including The Salvation Army, tackling the problems that arise from our unjust world.

They are crying out for support, individually and corporately. I pray that God will grant me faith and direct my thinking and heart to give an appropriate response.

by Peter Mylechreest

ALBUM REVIEW John Williams: A Life in Music The London Symphony Orchestra Decca

CBAD a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk Twitter: @TheWarCryUK Facebook.com/TheWarCryUK

B www.salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

JOHN WILLIAMS is one of the most successful film composers of the past few decades. To celebrate his output, the London Symphony Orchestra has released A Life in Music, a collection of some of his best-known movie themes.

The album kicks off with Star Wars, which is one of those tunes that nearly everyone recognises as soon as it starts.

Almost as famous is ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, which displays Williams’s mastery of light and shade.

‘Raiders March’ from Raiders of the Lost Ark is another blockbuster theme included, but there are also quieter and more reflective compositions, such as the classical-style themes from Schindler’s List and E.T., music of great beauty that showcases the subtlety of Williams’s work.

Julie Houghton

14 PUZZLES • WAR CRY • 30 March 2019

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Desire (4) 3. Work (3) 5. Furnace (4) 7. State (9) 9. Buffoon (4) 10. Brandish (4) 11. Intended (5) 14. Small rodent (5) 15. Truism (5) 17. Published defamation (5) 18. Cattle round-up (5) 19. Minutest (5) 20. Poor (5) 23. Tart (4) 25. Stoop (4) 27. Remarked (9) 28. Dam (4)

HONEYCOMB Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Small holiday cabin 2. Catch fire 3. Machine needed for motion 4. Part of a television 5. Straightforward 6. One or the other

ANSWERS

WORDSEARCH BACK IN THE USSR CAN’T BUY ME LOVE DAY TRIPPER FROM ME TO YOU HELLO GOODBYE HELP! HEY JUDE I FEEL FINE LADY MADONNA LET IT BE LOVE ME DO PAPERBACK WRITER PENNY LANE PLEASE PLEASE ME SHE LOVES YOU TICKET TO RIDE YELLOW SUBMARINE YESTERDAY

29. Pinch (3) 30. Neat (4)

8. Piloted (9) 11. Large fruit (5) 12. Saunter (5) 13. Match (5) 14. Impair (3) 16. Floor covering (3) 21. Consumed (5) 22. Sag (5) 23. Display (4) 24. Behind (4) 25. Batter (4) 26. Obligation (4)

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Loiter (4) Implement (4) Arbiter (5) Wand (5) Comprehend (4) Title (4) Riddle (9)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

3

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Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on 3 Beatles 1 7 tracks 9 6 5 8 4 2 the grid to find these

5 8 2 1 3 4 6 7 9 Y C P I F P H H G A O Q C R G A P U 4 6 9 8 2 7 3 5 1 Z N M C F G K Q L D Q T C G V N E O 6 5 3 4 9 2 7 1 8 H P L Q L E Z Z E Q L W F V F N N Y Y L L X V N E M Q B A L N E T O N S 8 2 4 7 1 3 5 9 6 D E M E S A E L P E S A E L P D Y E 7 9 1 5 8 6 4 2 3 A V L Z H V W E F S Q J Y N S A L V Y O L L O F D H Z 9 7 6 I 3 T 5V Q B Q M A O 1 2 8 4 T L V L O M P R C G N U E T K Y N L 2 4C A 8 B 6 R 7E P 9 A 1 P 3D E 5 E R E T I R W K I M Y I R S S U E H T N I K C A B H 1 3 5 2 4 8 9 6 7 P Y E M K F S U Z X B H B M T L M S P U S Z Z W M U B L R E E V J Z K Y E B T S O F R O M M E T O Y O U G P R T E S B Z C N L J A T I N J G J Q V N R T I C K E T T O R I D E U F F N A D G B B C Z F X D X I T K D D B A C A Z S Z N R W D C G L N B R Z E W I Y H E L L O G O O D B Y E E J Z

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Lust. 3 Job. 5 Kiln. 7 Condition.

9 Fool. 10 Wave. 11 Meant. 14 Mouse.

15 Axiom. 17 Libel. 18 Rodeo. 19 Least.

20 Needy. 23 Sour. 25 Bend. 27 Mentioned.

28 Weir. 29 Nip. 30 Tidy.

DOWN: 1 Loaf. 2 Tool. 3 Judge.

4 Baton. 5 Know. 6 Name. 7 Conundrum.

8 Navigated. 11 Melon. 12 Amble. 13 Tally.

14 Mar. 16 Mat. 21 Eaten. 22 Droop.

23 Show. 24 Rear. 25 Beat. 26 Duty.

HONEYCOMB 1 Chalet. 2 Ignite. 3 Engine.

4 Screen. 5 Direct. 6 Either.

3

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5 8 6 1 4 3 9 2 7

2 6 3 5 7 4 8 1 9

4 7 5 8 1 9 2 3 6

8 9 1 6 3 2 7 4 5

9 1 2 4 5 7 3 6 8

6 3 8 2 9 1 5 7 4

7 5 4 3 6 8 1 9 2

SUDOKU SOLUTION

5 8

2 6

4 7

8 9

9 1

6 3

7 5

30 March 2019 • WAR CRY • WHAT’S COOKING? 15

"

Fruity cinnamon oatcakes

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50g medium oatmeal

25g currants, chopped

50g plain flour

15g butter

½ tsp baking powder

1tbsp honey

½ tsp ground cinnamon

3tbsp boiling water

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.

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Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Melt the butter with the honey in a saucepan over a low heat, then stir into the dry ingredients. Add the boiling water and mix to form a dough.

Dust the work surface with a little oatmeal and roll out the dough to ½ cm thickness. Using a 7cm cutter, cut 9 rounds and place on a non-stick baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes until golden.

Recipe reprinted, with permission, from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board website wholegraingoodness.com

Post coupon to SP&S, 66–78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH *Postage included. This offer applies to UK and RoI addresses only

Joyce Meyer