Faith & Friends January 2020

Volunteering to Recovery

KEVIN’S STORY P.26

Hope for the Bahamas

THE ARMY HELPS P.8

Just Mercy Movie

NOT GUILTY? P.14

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

JANUARY 2020

More in Store

WHEN A SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE WAS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE, THE COMMUNITY RALLIED TO SAVE IT. P.16

New Year New Life Every January, we start the year with the best of intentions:  Lose 10 pounds  Stop smoking  Eat healthier  Start a hobby The idea is to get a fresh start on our lives by turning over a new leaf.

But all too often, we lapse back into the same old habits.

Have you ever thought of making a resolution of the spirit instead?  Read the Bible  Pray regularly  Volunteer with a charity  Practise random acts of kindness You may be surprised at what happens next. When you get your spiritual life in order, other things naturally fall into place. You’ll live life happier, more content, more satisfied.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Not a bad way to start the year.

If you want to learn more about God’s restorative power, visit our website at www.faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

January 2020

VOLUME 23 NUMBER 1

COMMON GROUND 5 Magnetic Personalities

Are we stuck in misconceptions of our own making?

BEYOND BORDERS 8 Step by Step

After a devastating hurricane, a baseball player and The Salvation Army assist the Bahamas.

SOMEONE CARES

8

11 It Takes a Village

People with autism find their inner superpower at The Salvation Army’s London Village.

FEATURES

14

COVER STORY

16

22

Cover photo: Kristin Ostensen

26

Not Guilty

New film tells the true story of a young lawyer’s quest for justice.

More in Store

When a Salvation Army thrift store was threatened with closure, the community rallied to save it.

People Like Hannah

How could Jeanette Levellie help others find answers, when her life seemed out of control?

GOD IN MY LIFE 26 Volunteering to Recovery

A simple question changed the course of Kevin’s life.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Clean Up for a Cause

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Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Painting a Picture

W

hen artist Lester Coloma was hired by The Salvation Army in Hamilton, Ont., to paint two murals, one of them on the soon-to-be-reopened thrift store in the city’s downtown area, he didn’t know all that much about the organization. But that soon changed as, the more he painted, the more he appreciated.

One of the gigs in Hamilton was at the Army’s Paparella Innovative Arts Centre, part of Lawson Ministries, whose work deals with adults with developmental disabilities.

“As I worked on my wall murals,” he says, “it was humbling to see people work so hard to make the lives of others better.”

Lester’s second project at the thrift store was equally illuminating.

“I was surprised by how important a role Salvation Army thrift stores play in the community,” he says. “On an environmental level, Army thrift stores reduce the amount of items in the landfill, which are then recycled and reused.

“On a human level,” Lester goes on to say, “I’ve seen how thrift-store staff go above and beyond to see their clients as people first and customers second. That this store will continue to be a force in the community is a wonderful thing, especially after it almost ceased to be.”

The story of the Hamilton thrift store’s rebirth and renewal is on page 16.

Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll glimpse our take on the new Just Mercy movie, learn how a baseball player and The Salvation Army are helping the Bahamas in the wake of a devastating hurricane and see how an Army volunteer is making a difference in Toronto.

Ken Ramstead

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Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.

Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS

Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Brandon Laird SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hannah Saley DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Kristin Ostensen STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@can.salvationarmy.org Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@can.salvationarmy.org All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

Magnetic Personalities Are we stuck on misconceptions of our own making?

Photo: kulthiwat/stock.Adobe.com

by Scott Strissel

R

ecently, I heard a story about a hamster that escaped his cage.

The little girl who owned him frantically scoured the house for her pet.

After hours of searching, the girl finally found the hamster under the

refrigerator, where it had been happily hiding.

She returned her hamster to its cage, but began to notice something troubling about her pet. It wouldn’t move, nor did it eat or drink. It would just sit by the bars of the cage,

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Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

We need to break free from our cages!

But how? How do we face our inadequacies and fears? SCOTT STRISSEL hour after hour.

Finally, after fearing for the hamster’s health, the little girl, accompanied by her parents, took the pet to the local veterinarian.

The vet observed the hamster in the cage, still unmoving and propped against the bars of the cage. But when she removed the hamster from the cage, it moved around as if nothing was the matter. However, when the hamster was returned to the cage, it would once again prop itself against the cage walls.

Upon closer study, the veterinarian noticed that one of the pet’s cheek pouches was more pronounced than the other. With a little prodding and prying, the veterinarian finally discovered the reason for the hamster’s behaviour. The pet wasn’t sick at all. It had stored a refrigerator magnet in its cheek pouch!

By carefully removing the magnet, the vet achieved a quick and painless remedy to the hamster’s condition.

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Freedom As humorous as this story is, I can’t help but wonder if there is a moral to be shared here.

Are we sometimes like this pet hamster? Are we stuck to the bars of our cages, without a hope of prying ourselves free? And is that condition self-inflicted?

Have we sometimes consumed things harmful to our bodies, souls and minds? And try as we might, we can’t let go? Are we held captive to the walls of our cages, too?

What sort of “magnet” have you consumed? Is it doubts about the abilities God has given you? Is it fear of failure or rejection? Is it lack of self-confidence? Is it lies the world has told you about who you are? And have you consumed those lies, believing them until they have become the truth?

These magnets hold us back and keep us bound to our own selfimposed imprisonment.

We need to break free from our cages! But how? How do we face our

inadequacies and fears?

By confronting them for what they are—lies. We need to acknowledge that we don’t have the strength—but we know Someone who does.

The Old Testament tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified ... for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). He has also promised to give us what we need (see 2 Thessalonians 1:2-12). All we have to do is call out to Him and He

will be there.

This doesn’t mean that life will suddenly get easier, but it does mean that we will begin to tap into a power much greater than our own.

We will begin to see the things we have consumed in our hearts and minds, that hold us captive and stuck to our own cages, for what they are. When we do this, we will find the freedom God has for us, and we will see the plans He has for you and me.

Oh, and leave the magnets on the fridge where they belong.

© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

(left) Captain Scott Strissel is a pastor and divisional youth secretary and divisional candidates’ secretary in The Salvation Army’s Midland Division, U.S.A. Central Territory.

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Faith&Friends

BEYOND BORDERS

After a devastating hurricane, a baseball player and The Salvation Army assist the Bahamas.

by J ayne Thurber-Smith, with Shannon Wise

C

havez Young moved to the United States from Freeport, Bahamas, at 14 to pursue his dream of making a living at playing baseball. The fact that only a handful of Bahamians had made it into major league baseball did not deter him.

“Baseball was always my dream,” he comments. “I remember the first time watching baseball as a kid—it was a Chicago Cubs game. Alfonso Soriano hit three home runs back to back! I thought, I want to do that.

He was my favourite player because he made it look fun, and I fell in love with baseball.”

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Fair Catch Chavez Young in action

Now 22, Chavez is an outfielder for the Dunedin Blue Jays in Florida and is a Toronto Blue Jays prospect.

He was safe in Tampa on Labour Day weekend when hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm, with winds up to 295 kilometres per hour. His brothers who still lived there had to evacuate their home, taking refuge at nearby shelters.

Getting Right to Business “My brothers had five feet of water in their house, but I am so thankful they survived,” Chavez says. “They— along with our aunts, uncles, cousin—were all left without power,

Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays

Step by Step

Pushing Ahead Eight days after hurricane Dorian made landfall, Chavez boarded a ferry for the three-and-a-halfhour journey from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Grand Bahama to visit

Freeport, his hometown.

“I have supplies to take with me that have been donated from various friends and families here,” he said just before he boarded. “I will go for a couple of weeks and will do whatever I can to help. I can’t imagine what my relatives are going through.

Dorian was one of the most devastating storms to ever hit the Bahamas. I had experienced hurricanes growing up there, but nothing like this.”

With the extent of the damage in his hometown and the surrounding areas still being assessed, Chavez realizes the community has years of rebuilding ahead of them.

“I just know that we have to keep moving forward,” he says. “If you can’t run, you start with crawling, then walking, step by step. You keep pushing ahead.”

Photo: Courtesy of Chavez Young

and the water was so contaminated from an oil spill that they couldn’t even shower, let alone drink it.”

Chavez feels strongly that his platform of pro baseball is a gift from God, and he knows a lot of people look up to him. He wants to use whatever influence and connection he has to be of assistance to his homeland. He quickly set up a CrowdRise by GoFundMe page to raise $20,000, listing The Salvation Army as the benefitting charity.

“I know The Salvation Army is about getting right to business,” he states. “I trust them.”

Welcome Aid Chavez presents a cheque to local Bahamian Salvation Army pastors Majors Eugenia and Hendrik Sumter

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Faith&Friends

BEYOND BORDERS

“ I know The Salvation Army is about getting right to business. I trust them.” CHAVEZ YOUNG

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nity and I hope you will join me in supporting with a donation as well,” Chavez stated on his CrowdRise page. “The proceeds will go to The Salvation Army and directly benefit the Bahamas.

“When disasters strike, The Salvation Army is there, providing emergency assistance to survivors and first responders. The Salvation Army is serving those in need and, with your support, they can stay on the front lines of any crisis.

“Please join me in supporting the recovery efforts of my beloved home.”

Photo: Courtesy of Chavez Young

Proving and Improving Before the beginning of the 2019 season, baseball-farm.com called Chavez “the most criminally underrated prospect in baseball.”

Unfortunately for him, the Blue Jays’ major league team has so much young talent this year, he is still patiently waiting for his shot.

“I just keep on trusting the Lord, trusting myself, playing my game, staying within God’s path,” Chavez says.

The same article commented that he was “truly loved by his coaches, teammates and communities for both his work ethic and personality.”

“When I first came to America, I just wanted to get my education,” he says. “For me to be able to go to college, I needed to work hard at baseball and earn playing time. My work ethic drove me toward getting a scholarship, then toward going to a Division 1 college, then toward hopes of getting drafted. Thankfully, I got drafted, and now I need to prove myself. There’s always something to improve on and achieve.”

Supporting Recovery “I am compelled to help my commu-

Friend in Need: Chavez brings muchneeded supplies to the Bahamas

Faith&Friends

SOMEONE CARES

It Takes a Village

Photo: Kristi Plain

Children, youth and adults with autism find their inner superpower at The Salvation Army’s London Village.

Safe Haven Tessa Brydges and her mother, Heather

A

t 13, Tessa Brydges can easily memorize song lyrics, tell elaborate stories about unique characters and regularly surprise teachers with her impressive rote memory.

“I call them her superpowers,” says her mother, Heather, from London, Ont. “They are amazing gifts.”

But Tessa’s gifts largely remain hidden in social settings because she can feel anxious, uncomfortable and crave her quiet time. Tessa was diagnosed with autism spectrum

by Melissa Yue Wallace

disorder (ASD) at the age of seven.

“Growing up, Tessa had tons of words,” says Heather. “She would talk about a dog and then would say lines from a book or show. So you’d think she was talking to you until you would recognize her lines.”

Reciting lines from shows, movies and books is common among people with ASD and can be a coping mechanism in stressful situations.

Once Tessa was diagnosed, Heather felt relieved to have answers and to be able to seek treatment for

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SOMEONE CARES

Fast Fact In Canada, 1 in 66 children has autism.

her daughter. But finding help wasn’t easy. Heather felt overwhelmed looking after Tessa and her younger sister, Rachael, while her husband, Michael, travelled for work.

Hope came in the form of the respite programs at The Salvation Army London Village in December 2013.

“The relief the staff provide has surpassed anything I would expect,” says Heather. “They understand these kids and the pressures on parents. It makes me emotional just talking about it.”

Giving Families a Break Tessa began attending London Village’s Saturday program for

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Village People London Village program director Sherry Rowland working with some clients

children and youth ages five to 17 who have ASD. They participate in fun activities, trips and outings into the community. The centre also offers an overnight program for children and adults, some who have autism and others who may have a diagnosis of a developmental disability.

“It’s meant to give families a break and promote independence,” says Sherry Rowland, program director, who has worked at London Village for 34 years. “It also gives participants the opportunity to make some friends and have time away for themselves.”

During the week, the centre runs a day program for adults with develop-

“ The relief the Salvation Army staff provide has surpassed anything I would expect.” HEATHER BRYDGES mental disabilities who are looking for friendship and opportunities to learn life skills. They also have a camp for youth ages 12-17 with ASD. After participating in the Saturday program for years, Tessa attended camp for the first time this past summer.

“I love this camp,” she told her mother. “I don’t have to hide my autism here.”

Overall, London Village supports approximately 175 families in the community through its respite programs, and 50 of these families have a child with a confirmed ASD diagnosis. Families are always interested in attending more often as, with a staff-to-child ratio of 4:6, they typically get two Saturdays in a six-month block and one to two weeks of summer camp. But funding and acquiring enough qualified staff can be a challenge. Parents have also been asking about programs for adults once their children age out of the program at 18.

“Some families tell me their son or daughter has had a hard time at school or another environment because they present differently than other children and are teased,” says Sherry. “So they ask if there

are any cancellations because their child looks forward to coming to the program and doesn’t have to worry.”

Once a child is diagnosed with ASD, parents sometimes find their primary focus shifts toward helping that child, which can result in stress on their marriage, other children, work, finances and other relationships. London Village regularly makes parents aware that a chaplain is available to provide a listening ear or prayer if they are going through a hard time.

Reliable Support Today, life at the Brydges home is busy. Heather works 12-hour shifts as a clerk at the hospital and Rachael, 11, has an active social life and many friends. Heather worries for Tessa at school as she has experienced bullying and teasing in the past. But both mother and daughter have found trust and respite in the ASD programs at the Army’s London Village and are grateful for the ongoing support.

“I like the programs because I can meet all kinds of people,” says Tessa.

“I can fit in and have people who understand and are like me.”

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Not Guilty NEW FILM TELLS THE TRUE STORY OF A YOUNG LAWYER’S QUEST FOR JUSTICE.

Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

by Kristin Ostensen

W

alter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) is a young black man on death row in Alabama for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s appealed his sentence multiple times, but to no avail. The case seems hopeless—until a justice-seeking lawyer named Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) takes up his cause.

The true story of Walter’s fight for freedom is told in Just Mercy, a new film based on the bestselling book of the same name.

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Against the Odds Can Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) and Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) overturn the verdict?

Never Give Up Just Mercy takes viewers back to the late 1980s, when Walter was arrested for the murder of an 18-year-old white girl, even though he was at a church event with dozens of witnesses when the crime took place.

Walter is quickly convicted by a nearly all-white jury, and no amount

of evidence in support of his innocence can convince the courts to reverse their decision.

By the time Walter and Bryan meet, Walter is in despair. He thinks Bryan is wasting his time.

“Your life is still meaningful,” Bryan tells him, “and I’m going to do everything possible to keep them from taking it.”

“You don’t know what you into down here in Alabama,” Walter retorts, “when you’re guilty from the moment you born.”

Instead of giving up, Bryan is even more motivated to pursue Walter’s case and teams up with local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) to find the evidence they need to get him a new trial. Their search leads them to Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson), a convicted felon who gave false testimony at the original trial because of pressure from lawenforcement officers.

As the courtroom drama plays out in Monroe County—the same place where Atticus Finch defended a black man in To Kill a Mockingbird—there are setbacks along the way. Their first petition to the courts is rejected.

Bryan faces harassment from police and receives death threats. The odds are stacked against them, but no matter how hopeless things seem, Bryan refuses to back down.

“If we can look at ourselves closely, we can change this world for the better,” Bryan declares in one scene. “We all need grace. We all need mercy.”

With moving performances from both Jordan and Foxx, Just Mercy illustrates the brokenness of the American justice system in gut-wrenching fashion.

Redemption After graduating from Harvard Law School, Bryan could have had any job he wanted. So why did he choose to defend inmates on death row instead?

In an interview with PRISM magazine, the real-life Bryan explains: “For me, faith had to be connected to works—you have to do something with what you believe in some way that reflects and expresses your belief.

“Faith is connected to struggle; that is, while we are in this condition we are called to build the kingdom of God,” he continues. “We can’t celebrate it and talk about it and then protect our own comfort environment. I definitely wanted to be engaged in something that felt redemptive.”

We may not be lawyers like Bryan, but the quest for social justice is something we are all called to. As the Bible says in Micah 6:8, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (English Standard Version).

Each one of us can do our part to make the world a better place. As Walter’s story shows, it’s never too late for justice. faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

More in Store WHEN THE SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE IN HAMILTON, ONT., WAS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE, THE COMMUNITY RALLIED TO SAVE IT.

by Ken Ramstead

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Photo: Courtesy of National Recycling Operations

Opening Day Long before the official opening of the Hamilton thrift store, excited shoppers lined the sidewalk

COVER STORY

Photo: Kristin Ostensen

Faith&Friends

Happy Shopper A satisfied customer with his finds

THE SALVATION ARMY’S thrift store in Hamilton, Ont., has been an integral part of the downtown core for almost two decades.

More than a retail establishment, it had become a force for good in the community.

Through The Salvation Army’s voucher program, more than $70,000 was given to those in need to shop free of cost. Countless items were shared with those needing immediate assistance. And additional funds were raised to support the fight against poverty, as well as other worthy causes.

“We’ve been in the downtown for so long that we can see our transformative effect,” says Craig Withers, the Hamilton downtown thrift 18 • JANUARY 2020 I faithandfriends.ca

store manager. “The Salvation Army shield means something down here.”

Uncertain Future But in late 2017, the store received some devastating news that might have spelled the end of the Army’s beneficial presence in the area.

Craig was approached by the co-owners of the building and informed that they were planning to renovate and restore the heritage structure to its former glory.

That meant the thrift store would have to vacate the premises. But with a shortlist of viable retail locations in the area, available options were slim.

“The Salvation Army faced an uncertain future in the downtown,” says Craig.

Photo: Courtesy of National Recycling Operations

Amazing Offer It was at this point that The Salvation Army received unexpected help from an unlikely quarter—the landlords themselves.

“When we realized that The Salvation Army would have to move because of the renovations, we wanted to do the right thing and find a solution,” says Steve Kulakowsky of Core Urban Inc. developers.

“My partners and I are from Hamilton, and our business is in Hamilton,” Steve continues. “We care about the community; it’s more than just business for us.”

Steve approached The Salvation Army and assured them that there was no rush to move.

“They told us that they recognized how important the Army’s work in the downtown area was,” Craig says, “and that they were willing to accommodate us until suitable premises could be found.

“That was an amazing, unanticipated offer.”

Hammering Out a Plan Even with these assurances, however, weeks turned into months, and more than a year went by without a suitable location being found, despite the best efforts of The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO).

And when the ideal spot was identified, the owners turned NRO down flat.

Once again, help arrived unexpectedly.

“When we explained our predicament to our landlords, Steve replied, ‘Just leave it to me,’ ” Craig smiles.

“When we realized how perfect the location was for the Army, we approached the owners of the building ourselves with the sole intent of providing them with a new home,” says Steve. Between NRO, The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters

Staying Put Manager Craig Withers (third from right), with the rest of his staff, celebrate The Salvation Army’s continued presence in downtown Hamilton faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

“ The Salvation Army shield means something down here.” CRAIG WITHERS and Core Urban, a plan was hammered out with the owners.

Photo: Kristin Ostensen

Destination Hub Just two blocks from the old location, the new thrift store was ideally located between two central bus routes and accessible.

“We are still serving our core clientele, which is very important to us,” says Craig. “That’s why we put so much effort into keeping a location in the downtown.”

Over and above the fact that the new location is twice the size of the old store, the move came with other advantages.

“We now have a parking lot!”

Craig says proudly. “Before, cars

could not stop in front of the old store, which limited our donation base, and our NRO trucks had difficulty loading and unloading.”

A large storeroom coupled with a bright and attractive décor make this an inviting and attractive shopping destination for the discerning bargain hunter.

More Than a Deal Even before the doors opened last September, there was a long queue of people waiting to get in. Car horns honked joyfully as they passed the waiting throng.

Julie Alvey was one of those waiting patiently in line. A customer for more than a decade, she’d arranged a sitter to look after her children so she could be there for the 9 a.m. official opening.

Why is Julie a thrift-store shopper?

“It’s the thrill of the hunt,” she replies. “Finding that one item that’s just right. I love saving money and being frugal. But equally important, this store’s a way of keeping stuff out Dynamic Duo Craig with Steve Kulakowsky of Core Urban Inc., who recognized the importance of The Salvation Army’s presence in downtown Hamilton

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and helpful—and I never walk out empty-handed.”

But it’s more than just the deals.

“This store has supported some wonderful causes that serve the Hamilton community, and they do a lot of beautiful work that I am proud to support,” Jennifer says.

“On a personal level, I’ve witnessed numerous occasions where Craig has encountered people who are hungry or in want, and he has made sure that their needs were met. He exemplifies the good work that The Salvation Army does in Hamilton.”

Photos: Courtesy of Lester Coloma

of the landfill.”

After the ceremonial ribboncutting, the doors officially opened to admit customers old and new.

A celebratory cake was cut, and a Salvation Army band played joyful tunes. People thronged the aisles looking for great finds.

Jennifer Willis had been waiting for this day almost as soon as the old store had closed its doors this past summer to prepare for the move.

“I’ve always made it a point to stop at the thrift store,” she says. “I love the staff—they are so friendly

Wall-to-Wall Beauty It took a month for Lester Coloma (left) to paint the mural on the new thrift store’s exterior wall. “I wanted to reflect what happens every day at the store,” he says, “as well as integrate the historical aspect of the area, which had originally been a train station.” Lester used actual thrift-store merchandise as inspiration for his mural faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Collaborators Jeanette Levellie and Beth Gormong. “Beth wasn’t just helping me write a book,” says Jeanette. “She was experiencing the dream God had planted in my heart”

Photos: Courtesy of Jeanette Levellie

People Like Hannah

HOW COULD I POSSIBLY HELP OTHERS FIND ANSWERS, WHEN MY OWN LIFE SEEMED OUT OF CONTROL? THE ANSWER CAME IN AN EMAIL.

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T

en years ago when I began writing books, I was as excited as a kid with a new toy. But little by little, the fun faded. Now, it was a chore. Fatigue wasn’t the real issue.

Lately, I felt like a hypocrite.

All my books are inspirational, a sort of print cheerleading. “God is more interested in helping you than you can imagine.” “God’s love for you is bottomless.” “You are not alone.” I shared stories from my own life about God rescuing our family from tragedies and troubles and encouraged readers to believe God loved them.

women’s weight-loss club. The prizes were magnets with encouraging sayings on them. Everyone took the ones that said “Keep a watch, O Lord, over my mouth” and “NO is not a four-letter word.” But the ones that said “Hello, Beautiful” sat on the table, rejected. When I went home that day, I looked at my own fridge. A myriad of grandkids’ drawings, photos and Bible quotes filled the front and sides. Missing was a “Hello, Beautiful” magnet.

“Seems like all of us ladies have a hard time thinking we are beautiful,” I told my husband over split-pea

Over the next few weeks, Lin’s words kept coming to mind, nudging me like a puppy who wants attention. JEANETTE LEVELLIE True Confessions I’d developed a habit of worry over my single-parent daughter and her three kids, who lived 720 kilometres away. When I stressed, I over-ate— especially sweets—more often than I cared to admit. And I had regular meltdowns, frustrated with the challenges of caregiving for my 92-year-old mom. How could I possibly help others find answers, when my own life seemed out of control?

“No more books,” I told God. Shortly after my resignation from writing, I presented a program at my

soup that night. “I wish there was something I could do to help us like ourselves more. What fun it would be to look in the mirror and say ‘Hello, Beautiful!’ and not feel like a liar.”

Deeper Than My Messes When I shared my dream with my friend, Lin, she suggested writing a devotional book entitled Hello, Beautiful! I didn’t have the heart to tell her I’d decided not to write any more books. But over the next few weeks, Lin’s words kept coming to mind, faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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FEATURE

nudging me like a puppy who wants attention.

“OK, Lord,” I finally said. “Do You want me to write another book? If so, I need some clear direction and motivation. I have to know You’re in this, or it won’t work.”

Almost immediately, my friend Beth Gormong’s name came to mind. Beth was a great writer but she needed confidence. I wasn’t sure Beth would agree to collaborate with me. If she said no, that would let me off the hook. But she gave me an immediate “yes.”

We met every week to work on stories of how God had helped us see

ourselves through His eyes—eyes full of love. As we brainstormed, edited and revised, Beth’s self-assurance blossomed. She wasn’t just helping me write a book. She was experiencing the dream God had planted in my heart, that women view themselves the way God views them: capable and valuable.

My own security in God’s esteem for me flourished, too. I started to notice the many ways God was at work in my life, in spite of my habits and worries. What I wrote as a means to encourage others, He used to show me that His love ran deeper than my many messes.

Meet and Greet Jeanette signing a copy of her book

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Hello, Beautiful Jeanette at a recent book signing

Healing a Heart And then a few days ago, I received an email: “Hello, my name is Hannah. I am 20 years old, a junior in college and a pastor’s kid. I don’t know if you’ll read this or not, but a few months ago I bought your devotional Hello, Beautiful! in a Christian bookstore. I just wanted you to know that at the time of buying your book, I was at the very lowest depth in my life. I felt so broken and my self-esteem was shattered like I had never expected nor experienced.

You were so real in your words that it

made me feel like I wasn’t so alone in the many insecurities hidden in my heart, while also inspiring me to step out and take risks. In my book you wrote, “Dear Hannah, You are beautiful!” Every morning, at the end of every devotional, I wrote those words exactly for myself and oh, my Lord, has that done something for me. So, if you do happen to read this, I hope that it brings encouragement to your heart like you have mine. I now pass on the book to other girls who need it.”

As I read Hannah’s email through happy tears, I recalled a recent book signing Beth and I had held at a local bookstore. Hannah was shy at first when I told her about our book, one of her deep blue eyes hidden behind long blond hair. But when I showed her the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter, her face lit up with a radiant smile. I had no idea when I signed her book how God would use these simple stories to help heal her heart.

“So this is why You didn’t want me to quit writing,” I told the Lord.

“People like Hannah who need to know how You feel toward them— Your unconditional love and mercy.”

I could almost hear God laughing as His tender voice filled my heart.

“Yes, people like Hannah. And people like you.” faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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Photo: June Li

Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE

Saved to Serve: “The power of God transformed my life,” says Kevin

Volunteering to Recovery A simple question changed the course of Kevin’s life.

by June Li

R

ecovering from addiction is a long journey, and Kevin should know.

“When I first came to Bloor Central, I was in terrible shape,” he says.

“But that was six years ago. Today, I am sober and it is all because of this place.”

And all it took was a question.

26 • JANUARY 2020 I faithandfriends.ca

Familiar Refuge After years of battling a drug addiction, Kevin ended up in the hospital for nearly three months as he recovered from heart surgery.

“I was addicted to IV drugs and, unfortunately, I had a fungal infection that affected my heart because I was using dirty needles,” Kevin explains.

Serving Bloor Central’s community meals allowed Kevin to focus on others rather than his own struggles.

When Kevin was discharged, he was unemployed and had no money.

Seeking assistance, the hospital referred him to a Salvation Army food bank.

For Kevin, The Salvation Army was a familiar place. “I’ve been to jail many times in the past, and The Salvation Army had always been there for me. I knew that this time would be no different.”

Life Changer For four months, Kevin visited an Army food bank to help him make ends meet. Hopeful to make a positive change in his life, he began going to Alcoholics Anonymous and became physically and mentally stronger.

One day, he ran into Major Douglas Hammond, the pastor at the Army’s Bloor Central Corps (church) in Toronto.

“Major Douglas asked if I wanted to volunteer at their community meal program,” he says.

From that day, this simple question changed the course of Kevin’s life.

Volunteering helped Kevin escape addiction and stay sober. By serving Bloor Central’s community meals, he was able to focus on others rather

than his own struggles. Through the power of volunteering, Kevin no longer felt trapped in addiction; rather, he was connecting and building relationships with people in the community. He began to feel a new sense of purpose, make new friends and develop job skills.

“Volunteering at Bloor Central is something that is dear to me,” Kevin says, tears filling his eyes. “But more than that, the power of God transformed my life, and made me the person I am today. Bloor Central rejoices in that, and I am grateful.”

Bell-Ringer A happy Kevin takes a turn at a Salvation Army kettle over the holidays

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Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin BARBECUE CAULIFLOWER WINGS AND FRENCH ONION DIP

Recipe photo: Erin Stanley

TIME 1 hr 5 min MAKES 6 servings SERVE WITH celery sticks or tortilla chips

1 head of cauliflower 125 ml (½ cup) flour 125 ml (½ cup) corn starch 2 ml (½ tsp) baking powder 5 ml (1 tsp) paprika 5 ml (1 tsp) garlic powder 5 ml (1 tsp) onion powder 125 ml (½ cup) milk 125 ml (½ cup) water pinch of salt Cauliflower Sauce

125 ml (½ cup) barbecue sauce 5 ml (1 tsp) smoked paprika 15 ml (1 tbsp) maple syrup 30 ml (2 tbsp) coconut oil French Onion Dip

60 ml (4 tbsp) full-fat sour cream 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried onion soup mix fresh parsley to taste

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1. Preheat oven to 205 C (400 F) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Cut cauliflower into small florets.

Wash and pat dry.

3. In small bowl, mix flour, corn starch, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.

Add milk and water. Whisk together until a thin paste forms.

4. Dip each cauliflower wing in paste and place on lined baking sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes.

5. Mix sauce ingredients together.

6. Cover cauliflower wings generously with sauce, then return to oven to bake for 20 minutes.

7. Broil at 260 C (500 F) for 5-8 minutes.

French Onion Dip

1. Mix sour cream and onion soup mix well. Add fresh parsley to taste.

Holiday Surprise

Heavenly Interruption

Army Helps in Kelowna

PUPPY LOVE P.5 A SAVIOUR IS BORN P.8 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS P.19

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

Building Toy Mountain

CHRISTMAS 2019

CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN PROVIDES GIFTS FOR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN NEED. P.12

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Sudoku Puzzle

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

7 3

2 9 8

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OH MY WORD!

© J.Sanko/C. Layton, 2019

by John Sanko

Answers on next page.

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QUICK QUIZ 1. What is triskaidekaphobia the fear of?

2. In what year was the first confirmed photograph of a person taken: 1738, 1788 or 1838?

3. How many species of elephants are there?

6

faithandfriends.ca I JANUARY 2020

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Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Word Search The Raven K E U V I Q F H T N F G U W F A P R W H D V R Q N K E C N A S I E B O G K B R G I I C V H I H W X C P O H O G E E K A M E H P R H W I N D O W J Z F A T E R I P O M T T H R S S I S K E R X M P A H R A T R E T T U H S Z U Y O Z N J L P A Z B Z I H B D V C H R Q H M E P L A M P L I G H T D B E A K G N I P P A R L F O I R V A V X E B O N Y E H T N E P E N E V Y A O W R G E Q C N E U P S A D H Q N W S E M A D A M S V Z T O Q I V C P L Y A Z P I C S N I R G U E M D A M W Z K M H A Z N G B L R L O P L Y D H L N D I M M Y E M B E R K L D J Q L W W J T R V Q T K P R N A O K B H V J J Y D U M Y N W O S S C R Z G E M T A A B G I Y Q W O T L V E T A Y AIDENN BEAK CHAMBER DOOR CURTAIN DREARY EBONY EDGAR ALLAN POE EMBER GHOST IMPLORE LAMPLIGHT LATTICE

LENORE MADAM MAIDEN MIDNIGHT MIEN MORROW NAPPING NEPENTHE NEVERMORE OBEISANCE PALLAS PROPHET

RAPPING SERAPHIM SHUTTER SILENCE SOUL STILLNESS TAPPING TOKEN WEAK WEARY WIND WINDOW

30 • JANUARY 2020 I faithandfriends.ca

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. the number 13; 2. 1838; 3. two—African and Asian 4

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Clean Up for a Cause Donating to the thrift store makes a difference.

The new year is the perfect time to refresh your space and get rid of items you no longer need. Instead of simply throwing things out, donate them to a Salvation Army thrift store near you.

Here are just a few ways your donations make a difference: Thrift stores divert items from landfills.

Although you may not have a use for a particular piece anymore, it may be valuable to someone else. Last year, Salvation Army thrift stores diverted 82 million pounds of used items from landfills.

Thrift stores give back. The funds they raise support Salvation Army programs and services in your community, from food banks to emergency disaster relief. Plus, last year, Salvation Army thrift stores gave more than $6.2 million of items free of cost to people in need, and raised almost $760,000 for GoodWorks@Work initiatives, such as the Send a Kid to Camp campaign.

Donating helps you, too. When you donate to the thrift store, you’ll receive a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $25 or more.

Tijana Popovic donates to her local Salvation Army thrift store

Cleaning out cluttered closets, overstuffed bookshelves and kitchen cupboards feels great—and so does giving back to your community.

(left) Tijana Popovic is the frugalista behind A Plentiful Life, a lifestyle blog that shows readers how to live their best life on a budget.

She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

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For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.