Faith & Friends November 2018

Internet Adventure

WRECK-IT RALPH P.5

Life-Changing Encounter

PARADE OF FAITH P.12

Wartime Letters

ARMY AID P.22

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

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NOVEMBER 2018

Onward, Christian Soldier

LT.-COL. JEFF SPITZIG WEARS HIS FAITH AS PROUDLY AS HIS CANADIAN FORCES UNIFORM. P.16

“ My cup runneth over.”

Recently, a curious young woman took an informal poll asking people about relationships with those in their community, wondering whether big-city living brought people together or isolated them from each other.

She was surprised by the responses she received.

“If you want a friend, be a friend,” one resident said. “If you want community, give to the community.” Another commented, “In my neighbourhood, we are very reliant on one another.” And when she asked each person if they would lend a cup of sugar if their neighbour asked to borrow one, everyone responded with a resounding, “Yes, of course!”

What about our cups? Do they “runneth over” with love toward others—all

because of the abundant blessings and joy God has given us? Are you— like countless others living in various neighbourhoods—willing to offer “a cup of sugar” to anyone with no expectation of getting anything back in return?

A cup that “runneth over” with kindness, love and gratitude toward others, for God’s sake. May this be the testimony of each and every one of us.

To learn more about the blessings God has given us, email us at faithandfriends@ can.salvationarmy.org or visit your local Salvation Army church.

Beverly A. Ivany, Words of Life May-August 2018, London, England

— Psalm 23:5 (King James Version)

November 2018

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 11

FAITH BUILDERS

5 Ralph Breaks the Internet Our hero faces his greatest challenge yet.

COMMON GROUND

8 Tea and Dignity There’s still good in the world.

12

SACRED SPACE

10 To Pray or Not to Pray What happens when they are not being answered?

FEATURES

12

COVER STORY

16

Cover photo: Courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces

22

Cavalcade of Faith

A Santa Claus parade changed Elizabeth Leduke’s life.

Onward, Christian Soldier

Lt.-Col. Jeff Spitzig wears his faith as proudly as his Canadian Forces uniform.

From the Front

As the Great War came to a close, serving soldiers expressed their appreciation for The Salvation Army.

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THE BOTTOM LINE 24 Taking the Next Step

NBA star Jonathan Bender thought his career was over, until God pointed him in a new direction.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Winter Layering

Stay warm out there! faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2018

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Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Front-Line Faith

E

arlier this year, my colleague Pamela Richardson and I motored up from our Toronto office to Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ont., to interview Lt.-Col. Jeff Spitzig, then commandant of the Royal Canadian Electrician and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) School.

We appreciated that Jeff and his staff were willing to take time out of their busy workday, but what we were unprepared for was the red-carpet treatment we received when we got there.

We were taken on a tour of the RCEME facilities, including the workshop and the repair bays. I was even allowed to clamber onto a Leopard II tank, quite a treat for this military-history buff.

But what struck me most occurred when Pamela was introduced to the Regimental Sergeant Major. The first thing she told him was, “Thank you for your service.” This simple, touching and unsolicited gesture was worth more to him than any medal or commendation, and is a telling commentary on how the military values the support they receive from the public.

Read Lt.-Col. Spitzig’s profile on page 16 of this month’s Faith & Friends.

This November marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. To commemorate it, we’ve included a number of letters from returning Canadian soldiers grateful to The Salvation Army personnel who ministered to their needs near the trenches of the Great War. Read their testimonials on page 22. Catch our review of Ralph Breaks the Internet on page 5, and go to page 8 to see how an encounter at a Tim Hortons put Jesus’ words into action for a Salvation Army pastor.

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 Susan McMillan TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

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

Brandon Laird DESIGN AND MEDIA SPECIALIST

Timothy Cheng SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER 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) 422-6120 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

FAITH BUILDERS

Driven to Distraction In Ralph Breaks the Internet, our hero faces his greatest challenge yet—one we all face every day.

by Diane Stark

Photos: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

In Ralph Breaks the Internet, Ralph and his best friend, Vanellope von Schweetz, encounter new customs, worlds and a Disney princess or two

I

n 2012, Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph introduced us to the arcade game villain by the same name. Ralph was the bad guy, but he secretly longed to be a hero. He met Vanellope von Schweetz, a glitch in her own game. Together, they saved the entire arcade.

In the sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Ralph (John C. Reilly, Kong:

Skull Island) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman, Saturday Night Live) discover that their arcade is now connected to the Internet. They enter the World Wide Web, hoping to find a replacement part to save Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush, but the pair is instantly distracted by all the Internet has to offer. They view items on the online auction site

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Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

If Jesus were here today, He might tell us to put our phones on “silent” for a while. DIANE STARK eBay, visit a trend-setting site called BuzzTube and become distracted by real-life pop-ups and online games.

They encounter Disney princesses, as well as Star Wars and Marvel characters who live in the Web. Ralph and Vanellope have a job to do, but the distractions of the Internet put their entire world at risk. Can they focus on what’s really important long enough to complete their mission and save Vanellope’s game?

Wonderful Tool or Huge Distraction?

Used properly, the Internet is a wonderful tool. We can communicate with friends and family through email and social media sites. We can buy anything we need—and many things we don’t—with a single click of a mouse. And we can satisfy our curiosity about millions of topics.

But with the Internet, it’s too easy to be “busy” all the time. We read just one more Facebook post or send just one more email. We play one more round of an online game and place one more bid on eBay. We’ve all seen families eating

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dinner together in a restaurant, but instead of talking to one another, each person is completely engrossed and distracted by the small screen in their hands.

In the New International Version of the Bible, the word “distracted” is used only once. It appears in Luke 10:40, the passage in which Jesus visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus began teaching and Mary sat at His feet to listen. But her sister, Martha,

was distracted by the meal preparations. In frustration, she asked Jesus to insist that Mary help her. Jesus’ response wasn’t what she hoped for. “ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’ ” (Luke 10:41-42).

Martha was distracted by the things that needed to be done, but Mary focused on Jesus. How often do we rush around, way too busy even with good things, only to neglect the most important thing?

“Silent” Response Putting a relationship with God

ahead of the many distractions in this world can be a constant battle.

But shouldn’t we care more about what God wants to tell us than what an acquaintance posts on Facebook?

Concentration-camp survivor Corrie ten Boom is quoted as saying, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” The distractions of this world are often much louder than God’s gentle whisper. Hearing His voice requires quiet, and our lives are so noisy. The Internet isn’t the only distraction competing for our attention, but in this world, it’s a big one.

If Jesus were here today, He might tell us to put our phones on “silent” for a while—as we will undoubtedly do when we go see Ralph Breaks the Internet at theatres this month—and spend time with our families and friends.

And Him.

Lost in (Cyber) Space Ralph and Vanellope have a mission, but will the distractions of the Internet put that mission at risk?

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Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

Tea and Dignity There’s still good in the world—and good people—as a morning at my favourite coffee shop showed me.

Photo: © Ingimage.com

by Morgan Hillier

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s part of my morning routine that day, I made my way to my favourite coffee shop for a coffee and bagel. Little did I expect to see humanity at its finest at my local Tim Hortons.

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Words Into Action While I sat in my corner seat scanning social media, my attention was captured by an elderly woman who walked in the door.

As I watched her sit down, it was

“ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”–Matthew 25:35 obvious she didn’t have much. Her clothing was torn and dirty and she was carrying a bag, probably containing all of her worldly possessions. The woman’s sad-looking face touched my heart.

As she sat there staring at the coins in her hand, I felt the need to connect with her and offer to buy her something. But before I could, an amazing thing happened.

Two ladies who were sitting across the aisle from her got up and asked if they could join her. They then proceeded to buy her tea and a sandwich.

As they sat and chatted with her, I saw an amazing transformation take place in the woman’s face and demeanour. She started smiling and laughing as the three chatted.

Before they all left, the two ladies

gave the elderly woman some money for a bus ticket and another meal.

They exchanged hugs and all three went on their way.

I don’t know if any of the three were people of faith or not but what the two women did for the third was a wonderful example of the Bible’s Matthew 25:35, in which Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”

Jesus’ words had been put into action in front of my eyes.

I came away realizing that there is still goodness in this world—but only if we make it so. Be kind to someone today, do a good deed, make a difference. Put Jesus’ words into action.

Sometimes, all it takes is a cup of tea—or, in my case, a doubledouble.

Captain Morgan Hillier is a Salvation Army pastor serving in Botwood, N.L.

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Faith&Friends

SACRED SPACE

To Pray or Not to Pray

Photo: © Ingimage.com

What happens when they aren’t being answered?

by Aletha Hinthorn

“Be alert and always keep on praying” (Ephesians 6:18).

A

lone in the darkness, with tears blinding her eyes, Jewell made a decision. “I can’t pray another prayer for Jenny.”

Dark Night’s Choice She was sick of the eating disorder that tormented her daughter, the smell of vomit in their bathroom, the arguments she and her husband had had about where to hide the food so Jenny wouldn’t have her night binges.

She wanted to divorce herself from the ugliness of bulimia and the devastation it had created in their home.

If she stopped hoping for a mir-

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acle, she wouldn’t be disappointed repeatedly. Maybe if she no longer begged God to heal Jenny, the cloud of depression she lived under would miraculously lift.

After that dark night, Jewell prayed for other people, but she never mentioned Jenny’s name.

Planting a Thought A month later, Jewell made a similar decision. She had watered a geranium with rainwater and fertilized it, yet it refused to flourish.

“You’re not going to grow?” she said to the plant that day. “OK, I won’t pamper you anymore. Out you go!” She picked up the heavy pot and stomped through the house to the garage.

As she tipped the pot, ready to dump the plant into the garbage can, she thought she heard a voice whisper, “So, you’re going to throw it out just like you did Jenny?”

Jenny? she questioned. What ... what do you mean?

The voice continued. “You threw Jenny out of your prayers. Don’t you know the sickest need more time and patience? The hopeless need more care and prayer.”

Though the words weren’t audible, the message was clear. She had abandoned her daughter at her lowest point, when she needed her prayers and support the most.

Jewell sank to the garage steps and sobbed, “God, I love her so much. I want her to be a whole person. Why, God, didn’t You answer my prayers?”

Wiping her eyes, she carried the plant back into the house. At that moment, Jewell determined to pray again for Jenny. How long? One month, two months, a year? The length of time didn’t matter. She’d pray for her as long as she had breath.

Hope, Not Hopeless Jenny’s recovery came slowly. She suffered from weakness and hair loss.

A dentist told her the enamel on her front teeth had become dangerously thin from years of purging.

“Mom,” she said, “the Bible says God will restore what the locust and cankerworm have devoured. Can I ask God to heal my teeth when I’m the one who ruined them?”

“Healing is a gift,” Jewell said. “Yes, you can ask God to heal your teeth.”

Soon afterward, the dentist began treatments to preserve the thinned enamel.

Every day was a struggle as Jenny tried to relearn normal eating patterns. Often, she slipped back into the old habit of gorging and purging.

Jewell stood by, cheering her better days, and continuing to pray through the bad days.

With encouragement, tears and prayers, Jenny worked toward physical, mental and emotional healing. One day she said, “Things are shaky for me, Mom. But God and I together, we’re going to make it. I know it! Just keep praying!”

And what happened to the geranium plant? It stands in their living room, growing, flourishing and reminding Jewell that there are no hopeless cases with God.

Visit writer and inspirational speaker Aletha Hinthorn online at cometothefire.org.

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Cavalcade of Faith A SANTA CLAUS PARADE CHANGED ELIZABETH LEDUKE’S LIFE.

by Ken Ramstead 12 • NOVEMBER 2018 I faithandfriends.ca

76 Trombones …

A Salvation Army band participates in a recent Santa Claus parade

F

or more than a century, The Salvation Army has taken part in the annual Santa Claus parades held throughout Canada in November and December. It’s a proud way to showcase the Army’s brass bands and timbrel brigades as well as spread Christmas cheer.

But for one young girl in 1981, The Salvation Army’s participation did more than that.

A Mother’s Instinct Elizabeth Leduke grew up in

Toronto with her parents and older sister. “We’ve always been a loving, close-knit family,” she says.

When she was 18 months old, however, the youngster suffered a horrific accident due to the negligence of a babysitter.

Elizabeth’s feet and legs were terribly burned due to immersion in scalding-hot water.

Worse, her wounds were left unattended for hours. She might have died from dehydration had not her mother had a premonition something was wrong with her daughter and rushed home early from a business engagement.

“The doctor told my mother, ‘If you had taken her to the hospital an hour later, Elizabeth wouldn’t be here now. Your gut instinct tonight saved your daughter.’ ” Painful Recovery Though Elizabeth was alive, she faced a gruelling recuperation.

“I was hospitalized,” she says, “and I had to relearn how to walk.”

At four, Elizabeth had to undergo skin grafts for her feet and legs at the Hospital for Sick Children faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2018

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

“ If you had taken her to the hospital an hour later, Elizabeth wouldn’t be here now.” in Toronto. Because burned skin cannot regrow, she also needed a succession of operations, so that her feet could heal and grow properly.

“It was a stressful time for the family,” Elizabeth states, “and my family were frantic with worry for me.”

Location, Location …

Despite the anxiety and worry, or perhaps in spite of it, Elizabeth’s parents were determined to attend Toronto’s annual Santa Claus Parade as they always had with the children.

“My parents packed up everything in the car, including a wheelchair, and took me and my sister to the parade,” says Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s parents found a great viewing location just in front of the city hall building. They set their daughters up in the front row, Elizabeth in her wheelchair swaddled in blankets with legs elevated.

“Mom and Dad were right behind, keeping an eye on us,” she recalls.

Parade Time The family were thoroughly enjoying the floats and festivities when 14 • NOVEMBER 2018 I faithandfriends.ca

the Salvation Army procession came into view.

Just ahead, four uniformed Salvation Army pastors, two men and two women, worked their way along the parade route, wishing spectators “season’s greetings.”

Two of them noticed Elizabeth in her wheelchair and made a fuss over the little girl.

“One of the pastors asked my sister if we went to Sunday school, but they could tell by the look on her face that she didn’t know what they were talking about,” laughs Elizabeth. “So we pointed out my parents, who came forward, and they chatted with the pastors for a bit.”

“Have you ever thought of Sunday school for the girls?” they asked Elizabeth’s parents. “Do you have a church home?”

“At that point, we did not,” says Elizabeth. “My parents had thought about placing us in Sunday school, but had never gotten around to it.

And then of course with everything that had happened, we’d been sidetracked. And so my parents replied that they would be happy to have someone contact them.”

Happy Couple Elizabeth Leduke and her husband, Neil Leduke, pose at their Salvation army church. Elizabeth and Neil met each other through the Army

The family left the parade thinking that nothing would come of the exchange, but the next day, they got a telephone call from The Salvation Army’s East Toronto Corps, which was the church situated closest to their home.

“We understand that you might be interested in having your girls come to Sunday school,” they told Elizabeth’s parents. And to sweeten the deal, they offered to pick them up every Sunday.

Both girls loved the experience and, eventually, their mother figured she should check it out herself. She sat in on a few of the Sunday school classes, and soon started attending services. Eventually, Elizabeth’s father joined them.

“And that was how my family came to The Salvation Army and to know God.”

Course Correction Being a part of The Salvation Army defined the path Elizabeth’s life took.

“God can take anything that happens in your life and turn it into something great,” Elizabeth says.

“Having faith in God is what gets you through those hard times. And while some people pull away from God when they’re going through those hard times, for me, I couldn’t have gotten through my surgeries and the loss of my father from cancer without having God in my life.”

Elizabeth met her husband, Neil, through The Salvation Army and they now have two children of their own.

“I’m thankful that The Salvation Army took part in the Santa Claus Parade that day,” says Elizabeth. “It changed the course of my life.” faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2018

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Onward, Christian Soldier LT.-COL. JEFF SPITZIG WEARS HIS FAITH AS PROUDLY AS HIS CANADIAN FORCES UNIFORM.

Photo: Pamela Richardson

by Ken Ramstead

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At Ease Lt.-Col. Jeff Spitzig in his office at CFB Borden

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

LT.-COL. JEFF SPITZIG HAS visited every province in Canada and travelled the world. He was deployed to Bosnia and Afghanistan and the Vancouver Olympics. He served a month in the bush providing security for the dignitaries at the G8 Summit in Alberta and spent five years with the Canadian Special Forces.

“Would I change anything?” asks Jeff. “Absolutely not. It’s been an amazing experience. Thirty years ago, I was enrolling as an Air Cadet, and look at me now. Who would have thought that a 14-year-old Air Cadet would one day be the commandant of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) School at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ont.?

“I look back at my successes and trials and I realize God has seen me through all of them. And, yes, there’ll be more trials and successes to come, but God will see me through those as well.”

Real Life Though born in Walkerton, Ont., and raised in Hanover, Ont., close to CFB Borden, soldiering was the furthest thing from Jeff’s mind when his mother asked, “What would you think about joining the Air Cadets?”

“I somewhat offhandedly said, ‘Yeah, sure, I’ll give it a shot.’ ” Up until that point, hockey, school and hanging out with his friends 18 • NOVEMBER 2018 I faithandfriends.ca

were Jeff’s chief priorities. But something resonated for him and, under the guidance of some mentors, he flourished in the Air Cadet program, eventually obtaining his pilot’s licence.

A visit to the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ont., whet his appetite for a life in the Canadian Armed Forces.

“I was taken with the military: its structure, the uniforms, the discipline,” he says. “I hadn’t visited other universities, but RMC clearly stood out in my mind as the place to go. So I worked for that. And through God’s grace, I was accepted to RMC as a civil engineer. Four years later, I graduated, and that’s when my real life started.”

Shared Career Like so many career soldiers, Jeff’s life followed a succession of postings, to CFB Borden for basic training, then to Edmonton and a deployment to Bosnia followed upon return by a transfer to Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Man. During this time, he met and married his wife, Charity, and the couple had four children.

“We both grew up in Christian households and Charity’s father is a pastor,” says Jeff.

Throughout his career, Jeff’s had cause to reflect on a well-known Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11:

Photo: Pamela Richardson

Band of Brothers Jeff and some of the staff at CFB Borden.

“It’s a privilege to be surrounded by such excellent people”

“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you.’ ” “God has hidden plans,” believes Jeff. “And we’ve treated our career with that verse in mind. And I say our career, because it’s very much a shared career.

“I couldn’t do it without the support from Charity,” he continues.

“She mans the home front. And it’s crucial to have that support there.”

In His Hands Another posting to Bosnia followed his time at CFB Shilo.

“I had no idea what to expect the first time I was there,” says Jeff.

“Thankfully, it was a peacekeeping tour, so it was fairly calm.

“That second time around, however, I remember feeling God’s protection.”

Returning from Sarajevo one pitchblack night through the mountains, a faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2018

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Attention!

Lt.-Col. Jeff at the formal parade at CFB Borden when he assumed command of the school

civilian driver elected to pass a car on a curve in a switchback.

“The drivers there are not like drivers in Canada,” Jeff smiles. “I have no idea how we did it, but we narrowly missed going off a cliff. Then, as a number of times before and since, it struck me, I’m in His hands. I really feel that God has been with me throughout my career.”

His Presence Another succession of tours followed, with a return to CFB Shilo, then Edmonton and after that a deploy20 • NOVEMBER 2018 I faithandfriends.ca

ment to Afghanistan.

“That was an eye-opener,” says Jeff.

An RCEME mantra is “soldier first, technician always.”

“So even as technicians, they are always soldiers first, and they engage in combat,” explains Jeff. “They can’t be naive to think that the enemy is going to leave them alone while they repair a tank, so they’re always soldiers first.”

Jeff’s close call in Afghanistan occurred when a Taliban mortar shell landed, as he says, “too close for comfort.”

Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces

“ God has been with me throughout my career.” LT.-COL. JEFF SPITZIG

“It’s precisely in those times that I felt covered by the wings of God,” he says. “I felt his presence.”

Passing Wisdom Along In 2007, Jeff was posted to the Canadian Special Forces, where he spent a total of five years. Following his time there, he was transferred to Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont., then to Toronto for a yearlong staff college course. Finally, he was assigned as commandant of the RCEME School at CFB Borden.

“This job’s the pinnacle of my career,” he says proudly. “It’s a privilege to be surrounded by such competence at every level of command, by such excellent people.”

Much like the principal or dean of a civilian school, the commandant is responsible for all of the academic courses and the training, both for the soldier students that come from across Canada but also for the training of the staff as well.

“While we’re an academic institution, we still have to maintain our soldiers’ skills,” he says.

During his tenure as commandant, Jeff strove to emulate the mentors who had guided his own career.

“I have always aimed to be present and accessible to everyone under my command, and I hope I have passed along my expertise and skill to the next generation.”

The Road Ahead Jeff’s tour at CFB Borden ended this summer. And his next “tactical bound,” as the soldiers call that step in their service life?

“For engineers, all roads lead to Ottawa, and I think that may be my final stop.”

But will it be?

“From a career perspective, there still is an itch to deploy again,” he replies honestly. “I’d like to get back to command one day. A staff appointment may be in my future right now but I do know I’ve got no plans to retire. I’m 43 and, God willing, I’ve got a good 10 to 15 years left. I haven’t thought about retiring yet.” faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2018

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

A Touch of Home This illustration from a 1918 War Cry shows Canadian troops receiving gift packages courtesy of The Salvation Army

From the Front

AS THE GREAT WAR CAME TO A CLOSE, SERVING SOLDIERS EXPRESSED THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE SALVATION ARMY.

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hundred years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent along Europe’s western front.

The Great War, as the First World War was then called, had come to a close, ending more than four years of bitter conflict.

From modest beginnings, the Canadian Expeditionary Force grew in skill and strength, eventually taking a major role in the 100 Days Offensive that brought Germany to capitulation in 1918.

But the cost was heavy. Out of approximately 625,000 Canadians who served in the First World War, 22 • NOVEMBER 2018 I faithandfriends.ca

60,000 were killed and another 172,000 were wounded.

Members of the Canadian Salvation Army had played their part during the conflict, offering aid and comfort to battle-weary soldiers. As those soldiers returned home, they expressed their appreciation on the pages of the War Cry, the official publication of The Salvation Army (now called Salvationist), for the work the Salvationists had done. Here are just a few of the letters: Tommy’s Friend While the Canucks have made a name for Canada, there is another

“ Next to a fellow’s own mother, The Salvation Army was the best friend he had.” PRIVATE M.L. COTTON unit, which, though not engaged with shrapnel and bayonet, faced the fury of the Huns, and did so much to make things as pleasant as possible for the soldiers, regardless of church or creed, rank or file. That unit is The Salvation Army, better known in France as Tommy’s friend. I could tell you of a good many instances of how they helped the boys, but I am sure that every returned soldier will back me up in saying that next to a fellow’s own mother, The Salvation Army was the best friend he had.—Private M.L. Cotton, 18th Battalion

Salvation Army was in evidence.

After the battles of the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, in which I was engaged, I can personally testify of comforts, hot drinks and lunch willingly served me after coming out of the trench. No charge whatever was made or even hinted at by anyone. It seemed to be the policy of The Salvation Army to help every soldier irrespective of race or creed and they have done a work that should be remembered for all time in the interests of the soldiers.

—Private Michael Dillon

On the Job I came in contact with The Salvation Army on several occasions during the Battle of the Somme, especially when taking up ammunition.

One could always look forward to receiving a cup of coffee and cake free of charge. Men on leave could always get a bed and meals at very reasonable prices. The general opinion of all soldiers was that they were true to the boys, and on the job.

There is still a great need for their services.—Sergeant-Major George Parry, D.C.M.

Splendid Work I have much pleasure in paying my tribute of esteem and appreciation to the splendid work done by The Salvation Army in France and Flanders, as well as in England.

Their good offices to our boys at the front was most commendable. No other organization was at all so useful in every possible way. Had we not had this valuable organization, our boys would not have been looked after at all to the extent which they were. I know of no other institution that in any way approached the splendid work of The Salvation Army. May their good work go on and prosper.

— Major S.A. McKenzie, officer commanding, 32nd Battery

Helping Every Soldier I arrived in France early in the summer of 1916. Everywhere, The

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Faith&Friends

THE BOTTOM LINE

Taking the Next Step NBA star Jonathan Bender thought his career was over, until God pointed him in a new direction.

DIYer Jonathan Bender needed to re-invent himself, and with a little duct tape, he did

J

onathan Bender sat on a park bench in Houston. It was June 2006 and life wasn’t going the way he’d hoped. Recently waived by the Indiana Pacers, the NBA team he’d played with for the last seven seasons,

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Photo: JB Intensive Trainer

by Diane Stark

Jonathan’s basketball career was over because of chronic knee pain that made playing the game impossible.

But as he sat on that park bench, watching joggers go by, he had a lifechanging idea.

The Reason Why Jonathan was born in Picayune, Mississippi. His parents—Jonathan’s mom was a cashier and his father was a cook—insisted that the family go to church every week.

“I went to church, but I didn’t really understand faith,” he recalls.

He was drafted right out of high school by the Toronto Raptors, the fifth pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.

The Raptors then traded Jonathan to the Indiana Pacers for Antonio Davis. The Pacers were hoping that 18-year-old Jonathan would step into Reggie Miller’s shoes and

“ I figured if I’m made in God’s image, surely I can make a device to cure my knee pain.” JONATHAN BENDER “I don’t think we build faith by sitting in a pew. Faith has to be experienced. It has to be tested. My faith didn’t mean much until I went through hard times.”

When Jonathan was 15, he experienced a huge growth spurt. “I shot up eight inches in less than a year and ended up being six feet, 11 inches tall.

“That’s when people started talking to me about the NBA,” he smiles.

The expectations for Jonathan’s basketball career grew to mythical proportions. He was known as the kid with a centre’s height and a guard’s game. He broke Michael Jordan’s scoring record in the 1999 McDonald’s All-American Game.

People speculated he could be the next Magic Johnson.

become their next superstar.

In his NBA debut, Jonathan scored 10 points in 13 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But after that record-setting start, he reached double figures in only one other game the rest of that season.

Jonathan played six more seasons with the Pacers, leading the team in scoring in Game 3 of the 2004 playoff series against the Boston Celtics. He was a solid rotation player, averaging just over seven points per game. But as the seasons went on, his playing time gradually declined due to chronic knee injuries. In the 2005-2006 season, he played just two games.

When the Pacers waived him at the end of that season, he was 25. “I knew going into the NBA that I had

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Faith&Friends

THE BOTTOM LINE

Photo: Jonathan Bender

a gift, but that my gift had a short shelf life,” he says.

“I knew that everything happens for a reason. I could see that God was pointing me in a new direction. I just had to figure out what that was.”

High Five With the JB Intensive Trainer, Jonathan “wanted to create something that would help people”

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Helping Others Jonathan moved from Indianapolis to Houston, hoping the warm weather would ease his knee pain.

He was sitting on that park bench, trying to figure out his next step.

“My basketball career was over, and I knew I needed to re-invent myself,” he says. “I’d always had an interest in entrepreneurship, so I thought maybe I could invent something. I wanted to come up with a business idea and a solution to my problem with knee pain, and then it hit me that I could combine them. Suddenly, I knew what to do.”

Jonathan headed to the home improvement store. He bought duct tape, ankle weights and some cables. He intended to build a device that would help people walk without pain. “Within an hour, I had it working,” he says. “I tried it on, and my pain was greatly reduced. I knew if it helped me, it would help other people, too.”

Jonathan asked his wife, Bernice,

to try on the device that resembled a weight belt with ankle braces attached to it with elastic bands.

“She laughed at me because it looked so ridiculous, but it really did help,” Jonathan says. “I figured if I’m made in God’s image, surely I can make a device to cure my knee pain.”

Over the next two years, Jonathan worked out extensively with his device, which he called the JB Intensive Trainer. In December 2009, he contacted Donnie Walsh, who’d been his general manager when he’d played with the Pacers, and was now general manager for the New York Knicks. “I told him what I’d been doing and asked him if I could try out,” Jonathan says. “I knew that if I could return to the NBA, that would prove my invention worked.”

Donnie was so impressed with Jonathan that he signed him to a contract midway through the season. Jonathan played 25 games, averaging five points a game. “Getting back was hard work,” he says.

“I really had to trust that God would help me.”

Jonathan was offered the chance to play for the Knicks again the following season, but he turned it down. “I wanted to focus on my invention,” he says. “I wanted to create something that would help people.”

Creating Hope Despite his amazing personal success with his invention, Jonathan knew he faced an uphill battle to bring it to market, but he also knew he didn’t have to do it alone. “I like to think of my faith as a muscle,” he explains.

“Just like our physical muscles grow when we lift weights, our faith muscle grows as we push toward our goals and trust God to help us. Our faith muscles get stronger in times of struggle if we don’t give up.”

In 2013, Jonathan’s invention hit the market. He became a travelling salesman, pitching his product to stores across the United States. He formed partnerships with several of them, set sales goals for himself—and quickly exceeded them. Best of all, last spring, Ayanna Newman, a girl who’d been experiencing paralysis for the last 10 years, was able to walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma, wearing Jonathan’s invention.

“My life hasn’t gone the way I expected it to, but I’ve always looked to God, asking Him to show me my next step,” Jonathan says. “Today, I am blessed to have created something that will last and is a benefit to other people.”

For more information about the JB Intensive Trainer, visit jbintensive.com.

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LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP TIME 1 hr 15 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH hearty fresh bread

1.5 kg (3 lb) butternut squash 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil 1 ml (¼ tsp) salt pinch of pepper 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter 60 ml (¼ cup) white onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, diced 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable or chicken broth 60 ml (¼ cup) cream 2 ml (½ tsp) dried thyme

1. Preheat oven to 200 C (425 F) and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve the squash vertically and remove seeds. Rub each side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn face down and roast until tender for 50 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Spoon into separate bowl.

2. In a medium pan, melt butter and add diced onion and garlic until browned, approximately 4 minutes. Add squash and broth to pan. Heat together for 5 minutes.

3. Transfer contents of pan to blender and blend until smooth. Return soup to pan.

4. On medium-high heat, slowly add cream and dried thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes.

EASY BROWNIE TIME 45 min MAKES 16 servings SERVE WITH milk

1. Preheat oven to 160 C (325 F). Line a 20 cm (8 in.) square baking pan with aluminum foil.

2. Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a medium saucepan and cook on medium-low heat until butter has melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool 5-6 minutes.

3. Slowly stir in vanilla extract and eggs, stirring constantly until batter is well blended.

4. Stir in flour and mix for 1-2 minutes. Use spatula to ensure sides of the pan are clean and mix is thick.

5. Pour into pan and bake for 25 minutes. Stick a toothpick in brownie to see if it comes out clean.

If not, continue to bake a couple of minutes more.

6. Allow to cool fully and cut into 16 squares.

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Recipe photos: Erin Stanley/veganvirgin.ca

150 ml (2/3 cup) unsalted butter 310 ml (1¼ cup) sugar 175 ml (¾ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder 1 ml (¼ tsp) salt 6 ml (1¼ tsp) vanilla extract 2 cold eggs 125 ml (½ cup) flour

Mission Toronto

THE ARMY HELPS P.5

Thanksgiving Blessings

VOLUNTEER EFFORT P.9

Voice for the Voiceless

BOB’S STORY P.24

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

faithandfriends.ca

OCTOBER 2018

Fiddles and Family MUSICIANS NATALIE MACMASTER AND DONNELL LEAHY KEEP FAITH AT THE CENTRE OF ALL THEY DO. P.18

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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.

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QUICK QUIZ 1. What are ice-gripping spikes on boots called?

2. What is the name of the disorder that makes learning math difficult?

3. What is the world’s deepest ocean trench, at 11,034 metres?

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HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Answers on next page.

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LITE STUFF

Word Search 75 Years of Casablanca J X F R A N C E C B Z K L M L A R B P E L I N I A T Z R F I R A R R E F L V E C I A P A E A P W H J A N G M Y I T K E P T I C Z N C B O C M R X T C T A H S A R H Z S F C R A B E W H T E L R I I T O A O Y O S F D B P W O R V M P N A S V S V U T E Q R A B R S K A J L P L I C O R R A S L I X L O V T N O X O L Y N I A M P I R W A F T H Q U E V L I N E S E Y S P C S T U C Q I Y A E I E R S R G B O Y Z R A A Z S T K X T M S E I V O R H L A Z W C I X I R Z L E R C J N T C O N C E N T R A T I O N C A M P U I A S T I M E G O E S B Y N I M L G V E I Y D L U D B A X A N I N N A A W E T A L U S N O C L J Z R W R N L O W B B V E E O N A I P O I H T E F ABDUL AIRPORT ANNINA AS TIME GOES BY BERGER BRAZZAVILLE CAFÉ AMÉRICAIN CAPTAIN LOUIS CARL CONCENTRATION CAMP CONSULATE COURIERS

CZECHOSLOVAKIA DIE WACHT AM RHEIN EMIL ETHIOPIA EXPATRIATE FERRARI FRANCE ILSA ITALY JAN LA MARSEILLAISE LETTERS OF TRANSIT

LISBON PLANE MAJOR STRASSER PIANO PORTUGAL RICK SAM SASCHA SPAIN UGARTE VICHY VICTOR LASZLO YVONNE

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Quick Quiz Answers: 1. crampons; 2. dyscalculia; 3. Mariana Trench.

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Winter Layering 101 Stay warm out there!

Winter can be brutally cold, but if you’re careful about how you dress, it’s easy to make the best of the season. Head to your local Salvation Army thrift store and stock up on these items.

Tank Top. Start with a simple, fitted tank top that’s long enough to tuck into your pants.

Sweater. A light sweater or pullover will keep you cozy but not too warm.

Don’t go overboard! There are more layers to come.

Furry Vest. This shaggy vest is both functional and trendy. A unique texture will make this layer stand out.

Warm Coat. Winter can be dark and dreary—jazz things up with a snazzy print. This leopard coat is thrifty and oh-so-chic.

Stockings. Wear stockings or leggings underneath your pants for extra warmth. Pick up a pair of insulated leggings for those supercold days.

(left) Anna Lee is a YouTuber by day and a vintage fanatic by night. Watch her styling videos on the There She Goes channel at youtube.com/c/thereshegoess. Find a Salvation Army thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca

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PM 40064794

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