2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR CRY • 9 February 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 ‘I DON’T care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.’ So sang the Beatles in 1964. But 55 years later it would seem many people hope that money can at least help their romance. Spending on Valentine’s Day exceeds spending at Easter. By the end of Thursday (14 February) millions of pounds will have been handed over for food, flowers, confectionery and those allimportant cards. However, for some people, Valentine’s Day will go unmarked. Unless, of course, their parents step in. According to research by Royal Mail, almost a fifth of parents will send their child a Valentine card, worried that their son or daughter will feel rejected if they do not receive one. It is natural for parents to want to protect their child from feeling rejected or from suffering any emotional or physical pain. It is not only parents who have this instinct. The vulnerability of children often prompts adults to provide care and security for them. That is why Emmanuel Jal’s story in this week’s War Cry will horrify many people. Born in southern Sudan, Emmanuel was trained to fight as a soldier when he was only eight years old. In his interview, Emmanuel describes the mental and emotional traumas he endured even after he escaped from the army. Emmanuel is now in his thirties, but last week Sky News reported on the present situation that children are facing in South Sudan. The UN is concerned that children are still being recruited to join the 19,000 who are already with various militia in the country. Today Emmanuel works to improve the lives of those who have been affected by war, particularly focusing on children who are at risk of returning to the military. Our hope must be that he, and the charities he works alongside, will succeed in eliminating this appalling mistreatment of children.
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 7409
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 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
Contents
Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@sp-s.co.uk Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Secretary for Communications: Lieut-Colonel David Kelly
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
Amour the merrier Why millions of cards are still sent on Valentine’s Day
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Disarming Duplo Lego Movie returns
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Recovering relationships Counsellor reflects on helping couples in need
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‘I didn’t want to die’ The experience of a child soldier
REGULARS 4
News and media
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Browsing the Bible
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Now, there’s a thought!
14 Puzzles 15
What’s cooking? Front-page picture: Shutterstock
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