WHAT YOUR CLOTHES SAY ABOUT YOU MAX’S STORY: BIPOLAR IS NOT THE END HELP FOR HOMELESS MUMS

JONAH: WAS THERE REALLY A WHALE? FIREZONE: DO YOU ‘LIKE’ ME? CROSSING CULTURES IN NZ

Mental ChurchHealthandthe

FAITH IN ACTION | 14 May 2016 | Issue 6642 | $1.50

Kia ora

salvationarmyNZFijiTonga

@salvationarmynz

salvationarmynzft

salvationarmy.org.nz

WAR CRY The Salvation Army Te Ope WhakaoraNew Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory

FOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL André Cox

TERRITORIAL COMMANDERRobert Donaldson

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Major Christina Tyson

GRAPHIC DESIGNLauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson

STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh

CONTRIBUTORSKris Singh (music reviewer)

PROOF READING Major Jill Gainsford

OFFICETerritorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 384 5649 Fax (04) 382 0716 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry

SUBSCRIPTIONSSalvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0768 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org$75 per year within NZ

PRINT MANAGEMENTMakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

PAPERNovatech is an environmentally responsible paper manufactured under environmental management system ISO14001 using FSC® Certified, Mixed Source, ECF pulp from responsible sources and legally harvested forests.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

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

Publishing for 132 years

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6642Please pass on or recycle this magazine

Read War Cry online with Issuuwww.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

02  WarCry 14 May 2016

19

05

04

BIBLE VERSE

Hebrews 3:12 Contemporary English Version‘My friends, watch out! Don’t let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.’

Ngā Hiperu 3:12‘Kia tūpato, e ōku tēina, kei noho te ngākau kino, whakaponokore i roto i tētahi o koutou; kei whakarērea te Atua ora.’

WISE WORDS

Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.

Paul Tillich

09

20

Avoiding the TopicMy first job for War Cry was interviewing John Kirwan about his book on parenting and child and teenage mental health. A year and a half later we’re returning to the subject of mental health. That’s perhaps a long time for such a significant issue, but it’s a huge topic where it can be hard to know what to say.

And that has been a problem in addressing issues of mental health. In society and in our churches we can avoid the topic, because we don’t know what to say. This isolating experience hurts those who are ill and those who aren’t, leaving us vulnerable to a lack of understanding and sympathy.

Two comments Kirwan made stuck out to me. The first was that the most important thing is to be available to listen. The second was to see the person. If someone breaks their leg, or gets the flu you don’t tell them to harden up, or that it’s made up, he said. You see a person and that they’re sick and need help.

It reminded me of a scene from Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables where Bishop Bienvenue welcomes the newly released prisoner Jean Valjean to his home. Having been rejected by society for his criminal record the shocked Valjean asks why Bienvenue accepts him so openly.

‘You need not tell me who you are,’ Bienvenue replies, ‘This is not my house; it is the house of Christ. It does not ask any comer whether he has a name, but whether he has an affliction. You are suffering; you are hungry and thirsty; be welcome … Your name is my brother.’

This Sunday is also Pentecost when Christians celebrate the moment the Spirit of God filled Jesus’ followers, confirming what he said, that God was alive and living with us.

The response of those followers, filled with the power of God, was to head to the streets spreading the exciting news of God’s love, in many different languages.

It’s appropriate then that one of the stories in this issue is about people at Hutt City Corps reaching out to the Chinese community in their own language. Being somewhere you can’t speak to people can be hugely isolating. It’s a reminder that God asks us to join his plan that sees past boundaries to see people and offers a listening ear, a helping hand and good news.

Robin Raymond

15

INGRID BARRATT

What does your favourite t-shirt say about you? Even if you’re not into fashion, your clothes have a story to tell,

says the 2016 Ethical Fashion report.Released in April, to mark the anniversary of the

Bangladesh factory collapse that killed 1136 garment workers, the report is an annual review from Baptist World Aid on ethics in the Australian fashion industry. It’s significant to Kiwis because the industry in Oz is largely mirrored in New Zealand by main street brands.

Bangladesh’s garment industry is just one example of extreme exploitation, explains Gershon Nimbalker, advocacy manager of Baptist World Aid: ‘Let’s pretend for a moment your favourite t-shirt was made in one of Bangladesh’s garment factories. Western companies love Bangladesh factories because they’re so cheap. But how do they keep costs down? They underpay their staff, they neglect safety conditions, and occasionally they use child labour.

‘But [your t-shirt] didn’t begin in Bangladesh. Fifty per cent of the cotton used in these factories comes from Uzbekistan, where the cotton industry is run by the dictatorial government … forcing tens of 1000s of children as young as seven years old into the cotton fields. Profits stay high and costs stay low.’

The good news is that consumer power is working, according to the report. By demanding our fave t-shirts or clothes are made ethically, we’re seeing stunning results.

Since the report began three years ago, 30 per cent more companies are tracing their suppliers—a jump from only 49 per cent to an encouraging 79 per cent. Twenty per cent more companies are tracing their raw materials, and the number of companies paying over minimum wage has risen from 11 per cent to 32 per cent. Of course, that still means almost 70 per

cent are grossly underpaying their workers, but it’s important to celebrate this significant progress.

We are in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight, and this week people are celebrating the movement by drinking literally thousands of cups of Fairtrade coffee. The Fairtrade brand has been a huge success story, showing that consumers do have the power to demand ethical products, especially in the food industry.

With its easy-to-use grading system, the Ethical Fashion Report is giving us the same power in the clothing industry. And its findings show you don’t have to pay big bucks to shop more ethically.

Perhaps surprisingly, some prestige brands gained less than impressive scores: such as Macpac (a shocker at D+), Peter Alexander (C+), Tommy Hilfiger (C), Karen Walker (C), and Hush Puppies leading the rear with an F.

Many budget brands out-scored their designer counterparts: honourable mentions go to Cotton On (B+), Supré (B+), Kmart (B) and Jeanswest (B)—as well as big brands Adidas and Reebok who have turned their practices around to score an A-. Most impressively, mainstream shop Zara was one of only six brands to get an A.

This Fairtrade Fortnight, 6–22 May, is an opportunity to reflect on the difference we can make by choosing to buy ethically. The Fairtrade logo is still the leading symbol in helping us shop ethically. But as we set our gaze beyond the symbol, and learn to make conscious decisions in all our shopping, we really, truly, can change the world.

‘You and I can be part of transforming the global system that entrenches and maintains poverty, sums up Gershon. ‘Above all, “be love” and end poverty.’ That’s what your favourite t-shirt can say about you.

Let’s Talk | 03

04  WarCry 14 May 2016

Christian LifeAccidental Saints Nadia Bolz-WeberPerhaps the most shocking thing about Lutheran Minister Nadia Bolz-Weber is not that she swears (a lot), but how brutally honest she is about life as a Christian and a pastor. Bolz-Weber understands humans are messed up vessels that God chooses to use. In Accidental Saints she contrasts Bible stories and readings from Lutheran liturgy with personal stories to highlight moving truths about God’s mercy and grace. Above all, she demonstrates in an honest and uplifting way how God works through ordinary people—racists, invalids, babies and tattooed, angry, ex-addict pastors—to reach a broken world. (Convergent Books)

SportThe Beginner’s Guide to NetballMaria TutaiaThe latest in a series of ‘beginners guide to’ books using Kiwi sporting celebrities, this book captures the passion and dedication Maria has for the game. Having played over 100 games for New Zealand, she knows a thing or two about netball. She shares her own journey, as well as the basic skills every netballer needs, no matter their position. The book delves into the origins of netball, how the game works, what gear you need and the all-important rules of the game. Full of photos, diagrams and glossaries throughout each chapter, it’s a beginner’s book that would be helpful to anyone wanting to learn. (Random House)

PopThis Is What The Truth Feels LikeGwen StefaniGwen Stefani’s brand of hip-hop inspired pop has lost none of its edge in the ten years since her last solo record The Sweet Escape. This Is What The Truth Feels Like is a heart-on-the-sleeve record that explores a lot of personal themes and ideas. While The Sweet Escape took bold experimental steps in the vein of Missy Elliot, Truth takes a more conservative refined approach. Stefani’s quirky vocal delivery is tempered by the strength of her melodic hooks, and combined with the deep basses, finger snaps, synth stabs and effects, Truth is a great representation of her style. A great return to form for the singer, and worth checking out.

WorshipChildren of GodPhil WickhamWorship heavyweight Phil Wickham is back with his latest release Children of God. The album’s songs are well crafted and highly polished in their production. Wickham’s knack for writing a great hook is here in full force and Children of God is full of lyrically and spiritually rich songs. Opening with a rework of a hymn, ‘Doxology/Amen’ eases the listener into a comfortable, mid-tempo record driven by four-on-the-floor drum grooves and lush synth hooks. Wickham’s vocals are powerful and commanding, with ‘Wide Awake’ really showcasing his great range. This record has some application for churches, but it should be enjoyed equally as a great, catchy Christian pop album.

GenreFlorence Foster JenkinsStephen Frears / PG (Coarse language)This bio-pic of infamous 1940s socialite Florence Foster Jenkins is a delight, playing homage to mediocrity and vanity, and loving every minute of it. The film opens when Jenkins has inherited enough wealth to fund her dream of operatic singing—she has the means to enlist society’s best pianist and best tutor. But can she sing?

This film proves that delusions of grandeur—and laughing at those with delusions of grandeur—didn’t begin with American Idol. In fact, Florence sold out Carnegie Hall and became a best-selling recording artist, as crowds flocked to howl at her pitchy performances.

Meryl Streep is, as always, the perfect mimic and captures Jenkins’ questionable talent perfectly. Streep must have had a blast, and brings a sense of joy and warmth to her performance. But her character comes across as more of an indulged socialite, than a woman with the courage of her convictions.

The film’s real surprise is Hugh Grant, who—dare we say it—outshines even Streep as Jenkins’ foppish actor-come-upwardly-mobile-husband. At first, we meet a man who has bagged himself a rich wife, and who keeps his own apartment and a mistress. But Grant’s character St Claire unfolds with layers of warmth, dedication, and absolutely determined loyalty.

It’s hard to completely embrace a story that makes a laughing stock of the main character. And some may feel uncomfortable with the morality, which prefers shades of grey to black and white.

But the film lets the audience decide whether Jenkins was a sweet, tragic figure, or a silly socialite—and whether the film itself is a homage to the lady, or in on the joke.

Bookshelf

Playlist Reel News

To win a copy of So Good They Can’t Ignore You, tell us about the best job you ever had.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 30 May.

GIVEAWAY

Love to a Whore’s Daughter winner is: Mary Popping

VocationSo Good They Can’t Ignore YouCal NewportCal Newport gets straight to the point in his book: the long-held belief that you should ‘follow your passion’ is flawed, and can actually be dangerous advice to take. After making a strong case against passion, Carl explores how people end up loving what they do. The book is full of real life stories of organic farmers, venture capitalists, screenwriters, freelance computer programmers and others whose own experiences help to cement the ideas that Carl is putting forth. It is a clearly written, easy-to-read book that will help people find a fresh way to live a full and rewarding life. (Grand Central Publishing)

At his lowest point, even hospitals and mental health units refused to see Max as he was too out of control. He describes himself as ‘a basket case’—violent, suicidal and falling apart through multiple addictions and serious mental health issues. Today he’s a completely different man, helping others through his experiences.

Failure is not FatalBy Robin Raymond

Feature | 05

No lightIt was after that Max really hit rock bottom. He got carbon monoxide poisoning while on the fishing boat. He was taken by helicopter to hospital in Invercargill and almost died.

‘I didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was dark and cold. I checked myself out of hospital the next day and was back at the boat in my surgical gown trying to claim my catch.’

His behaviour was so out of control the inpatient mental health unit at Southland Hospital could not cope. It evicted him and he was trespassed from all Southern District Health Board properties.

‘I was a basket case—suicide attempts. At Christmas 2014, I realised I wanted to go to rehab. I got in touch with a guy called Joe Oxley, a man with the patience of Job who works in the mental health field in Invercargill, and he managed to get me up here [to Christchurch] to rehab in May.’

A second chanceWanting to go was a huge step, he says. In the past he’d been an honest addict at times, opening up about his issues. And he wasn’t numb about what he was doing—he felt bad, really bad at times for what he’d done to others. But his addiction and his pride had always kept him from really wanting help, he says.

Initially, it seemed little had changed the second time round, and within two weeks Max was on a behaviour report. Going through rehab was tough, but this time it was the start of a huge change in his life.

‘Things get worse before they get better, because you go into detox and rehab and all of a sudden the haze starts to clear. What you have done and who you are, your self-awareness increases but you don’t have the tools to deal with it and that’s when you have a hard decision to make, “Do I want to engage with my rehab or do I just want to tick some boxes”?’

In addition to his rehabilitation programme, he began attending recovery church and then Sydenham Corps. It was there he found a profound and startling thing when he walked into church.

‘All of a sudden I felt calm. All the usual physical manifestations I had of anger and concern were gone—my blood pressure was down, and I wasn’t sweating or tense. That feeling began to stay with me longer and longer. At first I would walk a block and it was gone, then it was two blocks.’

His anxiety began to ease, he began to feel less angry or prone to lashing out, he says. Then one day he was getting really wound up and found himself thinking, ‘Maybe God wants me to take some time out.’ He was shocked. It wasn’t something the old Max would ever have thought, but it was another step on a gradual journey to Christian faith. Along the way, Max was inspired by the examples of faith he saw in other corps members and Salvation Army staff, and strengthened through reading and finding answers to his intellectual doubts, particularly in the books of former atheist Lee Strobel.

I f I’d met you a few months ago, we wouldn’t have been able to talk for this long,’ Max leans back in his chair at the Sydenham Corps Community Ministries house and gestures to a nearby sliding door. ‘I’d have been sitting by that door so I

could escape —and doing this,’ he says as he gestures, shaking and fidgeting. We’ve been talking for about half an hour. We talk for another hour-and-a-half.

It’s another small sign of how much life has changed for Max since he turned up at The Bridge programme in Christchurch a year ago, broken from years of alcohol and drug addiction, failed attempts to stop, and living with bipolar disorder.

Getting awayOriginally from Auckland, Max worked as a chef and in hospitality most of his life. He was good at his job, too. Even when he began using alcohol and drugs he was still good; a high functioning addict, at first. It was also an easy way to feed, and cover up, his addictions, as he used the industry to travel from place to place and kept moving jobs. ‘I could go to work and put a mask on. I worked a lot in management of restaurants and bars. Working with the people was a challenge and a thrill and there was easy access to free alcohol and drug connections.’

There were warning signs early on, picked up by people close to him. But like most, Max’s addiction sneaked up on him.

‘Thinking back, I know the first time I drank, I drank more than everyone else, but I didn’t think about it. Everyone else was aware of it but me. I couldn’t sit with myself and I didn’t want to be around others. The only alternative I saw was using.’

His addictions and mental health meant he began to burn through jobs. He travelled to Japan and spent some time teaching English, but he also sank further into his addictions.

‘As a foreigner I didn’t have to talk to people if I didn’t want to and that helped me to isolate, to drink by myself, drug by myself, and if I wanted connections everybody wants to know the foreigner.’

He had some good times and married a Japanese woman, but finally through his addictions and wild behaviour his marriage brkoke down. ‘Things came to a crossroads 12 years ago and I returned to New Zealand broke and broken.’

Everything goes SouthBack home he tried to pull his life together, but soon headed back to his favourite haunt of Queenstown. He worked on the ski fields, in Te Anau and trekking on the Milford Track, but with old haunts came old habits.

‘I was back into using very heavily. It was escalating out of control. Psychologically, I was a basket case. My head was a mess. I was running out of places to work and to go. I was at the end of my tether.’

He drifted to Invercargill, working in the meat works, then to Stewart Island. But there he ‘fell apart’ through drugs, alcohol and the isolation. He moved on, becoming a fisherman in Bluff, working hard and working his way up to a management role.

‘Again, drugs and alcohol and mental health got in the way and I ended up in the Salvation Army Bridge programme in Dunedin.’

It was a chance for a fresh start, and Salvation Army Captains Andrew Moffatt and Lindsay Andrews in particular did a huge amount for him, he says. But in the end, although Max knew he needed to be there, he did not want to be there. And as soon as he checked out he went straight back to his old job.

Things get worse before they get better, because you go into detox and rehab and all of a sudden the haze starts to clear.

06 | WarCry 14 May 2016

Slowly, he says, God began to use him, even in unlikely situations. ‘People started to trust me to do things. [Captain] Brenton [Millar] called me one day and said, “There’s a lady up the road in a wheelchair, could you go and help her?” I thought, “Why are you calling me?” I was amazed that people were trusting me.’

A surprising homeOne of the biggest changes came at The Salvation Army’s Addington Men’s Hostel, Max says. When he first left the Bridge programme he had sworn he would not move into the hostel—it was a place of last resort and his pride would not let him. Finding himself with no other option he checked in—for one night before he moved out again. But, after three days living in his car, Max finally swallowed his pride and went back.

Although he still wasn’t keen he found ways to give back there, to learn and grow, and although he’s moved out of the hostel into a flat on site, Max has remained involved with the hostel. He’s begun helping to run a peer support group on Tuesday nights and helping other clients.

The Tuesday night group also came up with the idea of a quiz night for the men at the hostel. Max ran the first one earlier this year and it turned out to be surprisingly popular, he says, drawing six teams of four. At the end of two hours of quizzing there were three teams tied for first, but they were all having too much of a good time to care, he says.

‘The guys that turned up, I wouldn’t have thought they would have come. One guy never talks to anyone, unless you talk to him. Never. He came up to me afterwards, stopped me and said, “Thanks for doing the quiz night.” Since then, he’s stopped me three times to ask about the next one.’

I spend a lot of time around people in early recovery. I get a thrill out of seeing them succeed and in seeing them come back if they have fallen off.

The days you can changeHe’s using his chef skills to help with meals including cooking the Sydenham Corps community Christmas dinner last year. He also trained in peer support, completed the 10-week David Riddell ‘Living Wisdom’ course, the Salvation Army ‘Men on a Mission’ course and did a first aid course. They’re all things that help build him back up, he says.

It has been hard getting past his past, the things he did and the people he hurt, but today Max tries to look forward. He has good mental health support and tries not to judge himself on the things he did that he can’t change. Instead, he’s focused on the days he can change and on using his experience in a positive way, to help others.

Today, Max’s buzz comes from volunteering at the Sydenham Salvation Army and in studying mental health and addiction support at Christchurch Polytechnic, paid for by The Salvation Army. The course helps him better understand his own recovery, but he is also working to become an addictions counsellor and pass on his knowledge and skills.

‘I spend a lot of time around people in early recovery. I get a thrill out of seeing them succeed and in seeing them come back if they have fallen off.’

Everybody’s recovery is different, Max says, but for him, he tries to take each day at a time. While it’s a useful tool for others, he personally doesn’t count the days he’s been sober; instead, being pleased to have made it through yesterday and focusing on today and tomorrow. He has a word for the year, this year it’s ‘persistence’, and he carries a notebook with him everywhere he goes.

‘In this book I write four goals for every day. Every day I do something that stimulates my mind, something physical, something social, and something spiritual. They’re small measurable goals and before you know it you’re achieving things.’

He’s inspired by a quote from Winston Churchill: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it’s the courage to continue that counts.’ And gratitude is important, he says.

‘Every night before I go to bed I have a gratitude prayer, and the last thing I do before I go to sleep is I thank God for all the people who have loved me and I have loved and things I’m thankful for.’

He knows he will never get rid of his cravings—there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t think about benzodiazepines. And he still has doubts about his faith at times. Ultimately, though, he can’t deny what has happened in his life, how much he has changed and the peace faith has brought him.

‘I went to give my testimony and I tried to write a list of people to thank. I gave up because there wasn’t enough paper. I made a list of organisations that helped me and so many of them were faith-based. If they hadn’t turned up, and turned up in the order they turned up, I wouldn’t be here. There’s no coincidence.’

And while life is not always easy, it’s immeasurably better. ‘What makes it all work is faith. Without that, all these tools

are just a short-term fix. I have done all the courses, but without faith it will come apart. Things are tough some days, but I have supports and faith. For me, my value is determined by my goals each day—and today I have worthy goals.’

Feature | 07

08 | WarCry 14 May 2016

LIFESTYLE

Guide For Dinner Party PhobesThere are those rare people who love to throw a three-course dinner party, complete with cloth napkins. For the rest of us, the idea makes us break out in hives. So, how can we learn the art of offering hospitality, without the stress?

For those of us who are dinner party phobic, it’s helpful to remember that My Kitchen Rules is not real (we have it on loose authority that it’s scripted and chefs work in the background). Here’s how to throw a dinner party that is not only genuine, but enjoyable for everyone.

Make it about others: The MKR version of hospitality is all about putting yourself on show. But true hospitality is about others. If you keep this in mind, it will help you stress out less about your ‘performance’ as a chef, and focus on being welcoming, friendly, and helping people feel at home.

The food is just the excuse: One of the biggest myths is that a dinner party is about the food. People don’t come to your house for the food, they come for connection. So remember that food is just the excuse—if cooking is not your thing, order fish ‘n’ chips, buy a cooked chicken and salad, get pizzas or have a pot-luck.

Keep it within budget: Don’t cause yourself financial stress by buying up large on expensive ingredients. Create a budget you can afford and stick to it. Don’t be afraid to ask others to provide drinks or dessert.

It’s okay to be introverted: If you’re not naturally outgoing, you can feel pressure to keep up with louder guests. Hey,

no need! Let everyone be themselves. To reduce anxiety, it’s okay to think through some

conversation openers, or ask people about themselves. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by conversation, retreat to the kitchen for a bit.

Accept, don’t reject: Real hospitality is about our attitude to others. Jesus modelled hospitality as an openness to all people, offering empathy without judgement. Being Christ-like has nothing to do with your house or the food you eat, and everything to do with making others feel loved.

ENVIRONMENT

How to Reuse Plastic BagsNo matter how much we try to use alternatives, plastic bags seem to make their way into our lives. Here’s some quirky, creative ways you can reuse them.

Make Plarn: Yes, it’s a thing—plastic yarn. You can make this yourself by flattening plastic bags and folding them lengthwise six times. Cut off the handles and the bottoms. Now, cut into inch-sized widths. You’ll have loops of plastic you can tie together using loop knots. Roll up into a ball and you’ve got plarn. If you’re crafty you can crochet or knit these into all sorts of things like re-useable tote bags.

Fuse plastic: Fused plastic is like waterproof fabric, and can be used in similar ways. Take between 4–6 plastic bags, and cut off the tops and bottoms. Place the bags between two pieces of baking paper, larger than the plastic. Set your iron on low, or synthetic setting, and iron over the tracing paper, keeping the iron moving all the time. The plastic will melt and fuse together. You can use it on its own or as a waterproof lining for fabric—to make things like toiletry bags and baby bibs.

Make your own decals: You can even make your own iron-on decals, which you can iron onto fabrics for things like cushions. Using two plastic bags together, cut out the shape you want to use—simple letters or images work best. Use the same technique as above, but replace the bottom layer of baking paper with your fabric. Hold iron in place over the layers of plastic and baking paper for about 20 seconds (making sure it doesn’t burn the paper!).

Winter-proofing: Protect your small outdoor plants from frost at night by covering them with bags and tying the handles tightly around the pots (be sure to take the bags off in the morning!). Wrap your car’s side mirrors in plastic so they don’t ice up.

Make parachutes for action figures! Need we say more?

Give to a good cause: If all else fails, give your plastic bags to a play centre or your Family Store, so they can reuse them.

Penne with Bacon and BroccoliPasta makes a great base for many quick and easy meals—you can be in an out of the kitchen in 15 minutes or less with this dish! | Serves 2–3

250–300g penne or other ‘short’ pasta2 Tbsp olive oil1 medium onion, peeled and diced4 rashers of bacon1 large head broccoli½–1 tsp saltPepper to taste¼ cup pasta cooking water, if required ½ cup parmesan cheese

While pasta cooks, heat 1 Tbsp of oil in a medium frypan. Add onion and cook for 2–3 mins, stirring frequently, until onion has softened. While onion cooks, cut bacon into pieces 1 cm wide. Stir into pan and continue to cook until bacon is lightly browned.

Cut broccoli into small florets, add to pan and stir-fry for 1–2 mins longer. Pour in cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer sauce, stirring occasionally until broccoli is tender, adding a little pasta cooking water if mixture looks dry. Then remove from heat.

Drain cooked pasta, then return to cooking pot. Add remaining oil and stir gently to mix through. Add sauce and grated parmesan to pasta and toss everything together until evenly mixed. Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.

From Fast & Fantastic Food for Family & Friends by Simon and Alison Holst www.holst.co.nz

When hospitality becomes an art it loses its very soul. Max Beerbohm

TestifyCindy Watters is The Salvation Army’s first ‘mission in place coordinator’, living and working among community housing developments in Hornby, Christchurch.

We have three parts to the street: 10 houses overseen jointly by Housing New Zealand, The Housing Foundation and The Salvation Army; Abbeyfields for retirees who want to be in a community; and rent to buy houses for low income earners. There’s about 35 or 40 people, but that’s growing.

My job is to build relationships and a close community atmosphere.

I have volunteered with the Army on and off for 30 years and I worked in market research until three years ago.

I was getting sicker and sicker and no one knew why. I was diagnosed three years ago with Hepatitis C that I got from a blood transfusion 30 years ago. I got into an experimental drug trial and within two months the Hep C virus was gone. The doctors wrote on my file that it was a miracle, because there was no way the drugs could have worked in that time.

I volunteer at Hornby Community Ministries and run a craft group showing men and women how to repair clothes. We make blankets and cot sheets for the hospital neo-natal unit and do repairs for the Family Store.

On the street I try to visit everyone regularly and if they have a need they come and talk to me. We run street barbecues and

did carol singing at Christmas. At each house after we sang they joined us to go on to the others round the street. We finished by singing at Abbeyfields—it was so much fun.

We’re already building links with people in nearby streets. Some have been invited by people in the street to events, which is good because we want to welcome the community in.

I started a mums and babies’ group and I’d like to start other programmes, but its listening and finding the needs first. We want people to up-skill to a level where they become independent of this place.

Some folk here come from really disadvantaged backgrounds and have tried to struggle through. To see the changes in them now, see the pain lines

disappear from their face and see them smiling and happy, is amazing!

We had a barbecue here—one person came from a horrible area and they sat here quiet and withdrawn. Two, three months later, they were chatting and smiling. The kids next door never talked with anyone, now their parent is asking what we did because they talk with us.

We have one young mum who’s very, very shy. She’s just started coming to the mums and babies’ group. To have her come with people she doesn’t know and accept that’s where she wants to be is a big step. It doesn’t seem big, but it’s growth.

None of these people have monetary wealth, but no matter their background I believe they’re as important to God as I am.

Q&A

Should I make the first move online?

I’m a single Christian woman and have been thinking about online dating, but I feel uncomfortable ‘making the first move’. Is it okay to be pro-active?

Online dating is one of the main ways to meet people in the 21st Century, but for Christians, it can be a confusing world to navigate.

One of the biggest myths is that women shouldn’t make the first move—which comes from a belief that men are the natural leaders of a relationship. Whatever your beliefs about godly leadership, there are flaws to this idea. Women often see themselves as the passive recipient of relationships, and this will make it virtually impossible to meet someone online. Plus, it’s a very disempowering belief!

Instead, think of a relationship as a healthy balance of give and take. You may send the first message; he responds; you respond … eventually you may meet face to face. There will be plenty of opportunities to see how the relationship develops.

Even in a small community like New Zealand, you will probably be navigating hundreds of profiles online—if you don’t make the first move, you may be overlooked simply because of sheer volume. In fact, studies show that women who make the first move online are twice as likely to get a date!

A godly approach to online dating is not so much how you begin, but how you conduct yourself in the process. So here’s a few do’s and don’ts:

• don’t string someone along because you’re enjoying the attention

• don’t let your heart get ahead of the relationship

• do protect your heart, at least until you’ve met in person …

• do meet in person! Don’t wait too long, as you’ll become more attached

• don’t let attraction be your motivator—this is not Tinder! Find out about their values and attitudes

• do pray for your online connections, listen to God’s voice and practice discernment

• do keep yourself safe—beware of those who will overstep your boundaries.

Congratulations on empowering yourself in your search for love—but hold it lightly and keep giving it back to God. He knows all your needs and he loves you.

FoodbankTHE

PROJECT

Quickly, easily and securely donate food at foodbank.org.nz

Help The Salvation Army feed Kiwis in need

Lifestyle | 09

Let’s TalkI would like:

to explore what it means to follow Jesus

information about Salvation Army worship and activities

prayer for the following needs:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

Please post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

BY INGRID BARRATT

Suffering in SilencePastors are far more likely than the general population to have depression, according to recent research. But there are still many misconceptions about mental health within the Church. This silent suffering has inspired the inaugural conference ‘Mental Health and the Church’, to be held on 14 June.

About a quarter of US pastors (23 percent) say they’ve experienced some kind of mental illness, while 12 percent say they received a diagnosis for a mental health condition, according to 2013 LifeWay Research findings. That’s compared to a national average of around seven per cent. Perhaps even more telling is that pastors very rarely let their congregation know about their struggles with mental health.

And there’s no reason to think New Zealand church leaders fare any better, according to Willow Creek Association New Zealand executive director, Alan Vink, who is co-convening of the Mental Health and the Church conference. ‘It wouldn’t be overstating it to saying that pastors are bleeding on the roadside. Depression and anxiety is everywhere,’ he says.

The very high expectations that pastors and church leaders, including corps officers, bring to the job—coupled with inevitable disappointments—can be a potent mix: ‘[Pastors] come out of Bible college with great theology and theory, but when they hit the turf they suddenly face things they have not had been prepared for—like looking after the church finances, conflict with their board, people that don’t like them, compliance issues …

‘Pastors say, “I thought I was just going to love people and teach the Bible.” Expectations are high and there’s disappointment after disappointment. When it’s emotionally difficult, and you get more and more depleted, depression inevitably sets in.’

The Salvation Army better equips its officers than many other churches, adds Alan, ‘but it definitely also happens in the Sallies’.

Dr Andrew Darby, the clinical director of adult mental services at Waikato DHB, will be speaking at the conference specifically to pastors struggling with depression of some kind. The conference will be held on 14 June, 9 am–4 pm, at Windsor Park Baptist Church in Auckland.

Windsor Park Baptist is at the forefront of churches in New Zealand working in the area of mental health. In the early ’90s, the church began ‘Equip’, providing mental health services within the community. Equip now has a staff of 75, and has contracts with three Auckland DHBs.

‘We began really as a response to community need,’ says Equip CEO and conference co-convener Naomi Cowan. ‘If we’re really

Find more Cartoons by McKerrow on www.facebook.com/cartoonsbymckerrow

SUDOKU

Each Sudoku number puzzle has a unique solution that can be worked out logically (not mathematically). The numbers 1 to 9 appear once in every row, column and 3x3 square.

QUICK QUIZ

1 What international position has Helen Clark been nominated for?2 What New Zealand born actor is now starring on Grey’s Anatomy?3 What is the Highland Boundary Fault?4 What is the collective noun for parrots?5 How many Grammys did Prince win?6 What is the tagline for this year’s Red Shield Appeal?7 Which celebrity did Sonny Bill Williams invite via twitter to play for the

NZ 7’s?8 What is the process called when gas converts into liquid?9 Who is the inventor of Coca-Cola?10 What bird served as miracle food for the Israelites?

6 3 1 22 7 8 9

58 9 1

5 14 8

7 22 9

4 5 8

639184752415267893728359164382976415571423986946815327867531249254798631193642578

Quick quiz answers: 1 United Nation’s Secretary-General, 2 Martin Henderson, 3 Where the Highlands and the Lowlands meet in Scotland, 4 A pandemonium, 5 Seven, 6 Help us catch Kiwis falling into danger, 7 Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 8 Condensation, 9 John Pemberton, 10 Quail (Exodus 16:11–13).

Difficulty Hard

10 | WarCry 14 May 2016

embracing the message of Christ, then the Church has to be safe place where people can come at a point of distress in their lives.’

One of the aims of the conference is to help church leaders better support people with mental health issues within their congregations.

But the Church can often be a scary place for people with serious mental health issues, explains Naomi. At times, they can even be at risk of spiritual abuse: ‘When someone is unwell, they can appear to be spiritually seeking. So it’s easy to wade in and get a faith commitment, when that’s not really what they want. This can cause a power imbalance and even feelings of spiritual abuse.

‘Sometimes churches can care too much and disempower people. You may pick up people’s decisions for them, and create dependency, when it would be better for them to make decisions themselves.’

Church culture has come a long way from the days when many Christians believed that mental illness was the result of sin. But there are still subtle misconceptions that can be very damaging. One is that mental illness is purely spiritual and can be ‘prayed out’.

Rather than being condemned by God, mental ill health may even be a blessing in disguise, Naomi says: ‘It could be God using your body to tell you that some changes are needed.’

Mental illness is not a sign of spiritual weakness, agrees Alan: ‘Whatever type of illness we suffer from, we are whole human beings. If you have an illness or dysfunction in one part, it affects all the parts. So, yes, mental health is spiritual—it’s also emotional and physical. Where one ends and another begins, no one knows.’

Christians may feel that if they have the ‘joy of the Lord’ they shouldn’t suffer depression—but Naomi stresses that mental health is a medical issue that may need a medical diagnosis. ‘We need to take away the “should”—“I should be happy, I should be joyful.” No one is happy all the time.’

An issue that still carries a stigma within the Church—and culture itself—is suicide. Amanda Christian, a psychologist specialising in suicide, will be speaking at the conference about how churches can be better informed about the issue, and how to help people bereaved by suicide.

‘Suicide is a trajectory,’ explains Amanda. ‘It begins way back. People are at greater risk of suicide if their risk factors are high, and their protective factors are low. Then they have a trigger like a relationship breakup. Most people won’t suicide after a relationship break up, but that might the end of a long trajectory for someone.’

Risk factors can include feelings of being a burden to family, friends and society; a tolerance for pain and injury; not communicating their distress; a feeling of being overwhelmed and that there is no way out; and a personal crisis such as a big family or financial issues. All these things can lead to ‘psychache’—an unbearable psychological pain.

Protective factors include ‘helping seeking behaviour’—knowing where to seek help, communicating that you are distressed, a supportive family and good coping skills.

Faith communities generally provide excellent protective factors, and can become a place of healing. But if someone feels ostracised and unaccepted, the Church can become a serious risk factor.

In addition to people at risk of suicide, Amanda stresses that many more people in our faith communities are bereaved by a loved one’s suicide. ‘There are feelings unique to those bereaved by suicide,’ explains Amanda. ‘As well as severe grief, loss and the sense of disbelief that comes with a sudden death, the bereaved by suicide deal with guilt, blame, anger, shame and isolation.

‘In social situations, they’re not only dealing with their own grief, but with the shock and horror of other people. So people will isolate themselves. It’s important to help people talk about their loved one’s suicide, so they can express their feelings and move towards healing.’

Alan sums up the role of the Church as simply being a place where people with mental health issues can receive some tender, loving care: ‘It is an illness and when you’re ill you need some TLC. You need people who understand you and will be a companion on the road with you, without any expectations put on you. At times, the Church needs to be a hospital.’

Are you at risk?HERE ARE SOME EARLY SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE SUFFERING DEPRESSION:

If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms—especially the first two—and they just won’t go away, you may be suffering from depression.

• You feel hopeless and helpless.

• You’ve lost interest in friends, activities, and things you used to enjoy.

• You feel tired all the time.

• Your sleep and appetite has changed.

• You can’t concentrate, or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult.

• You can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try.

• You are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual.

• You’re engaging in more reckless behaviour than usual.

Source: www.helpguide.org

If this is you, don’t wait—go to your doctor and ask for help. Talk to a counsellor or psychologist, and tell people such as your corps leader, so they can help. You can also learn some self-help techniques at www depression.org.nz

Close Up | 11

‘How do I like thee? Let me count the ways’ … to misquote a famous poet. It couldn’t be more true today, when the number of ‘likes’ we get on social media can easily define us.

The currency of likesWe all know the feeling: you put up a status on Facebook or put a photo on Instagram and then you wait for all the hundreds of likes you’re going to get. But they just don’t come. Some likes slowly trickle in, but you thought that selfie with your tasty-as eggs on toast was going to break the internet it was that good.

You start thinking, ‘Was it a dumb photo?’ ‘Did I accidentally share it in a weird way that nobody else can see it?’ ‘Is no one online now?’ ‘Is my photo not as good as [insert friend’s name here]?’ ‘Does everyone hate me?’ ‘Are eggs not on trend anymore?’ ‘Should I have put a reference to some sort of meme?’ ‘Did I use too many egg emoji?’

Sure, our reactions may not be that over the top every time, but if we’re honest, social media likes do make us feel pretty good. Likes are the currency of social media—proving that we’re popular, funny, successful, smart. Did I mention popular?

And so when the likes don’t start flooding in, we can feel a little bummed.

Shandri Brown spoke about this at Amplify this year—talking about how we can get caught up in likes and finding our self-worth in how people interact with us on social media. Shandri shared about how we often go looking for affirmation, validation and acceptance through social media when we already have it from the one who matters most!

by Vanessa Singh

HOW much doyou ME?

Shandri challenged us to stop pursuing what we think we need, and accept God’s love and affirmation, which we already have.

Easier said than done right? It’s a hard process to let go of wanting to feel accepted and validated by our peers. It’s natural to want to belong, have friends and good self-worth —but it can become dangerous when we get so caught up in wanting these things that we start looking for them in the wrong places or going to extremes to get them.

So what are the dangers and how do we move past them?

False affirmationWanting to belong and feel accepted is totally normal. And it’s not a new phenomenon. But social media has just given us one more area in which to feel either accepted or rejected.

Social media encourages us to feel validated or affirmed by how many likes or responses we get on a post. The problem with this is we often start changing who we truly are, putting the best ‘image’ of ourselves up or going to extremes to try and receive affirmation through likes. We start defining who we are through online interactions, instead of having our online presence complementing who we truly are. It’s nice to be ‘liked’ online, but it’s even nicer knowing you’re liked in real life.

What can we do instead?We need to stop seeking affirmation through false means like retweets and likes—we need to look to the Bible and its truths. Sure, it’s nice to have people tell you they like you, but how much better is it to read and understand that the God of the universe loves you (not just likes you), will never leave you (even when you put up a grumpy status) and considers you his child (not just a Facebook friend).

ComparisonIt is so easy to compare ourselves to others. Back in the day you would have to go to someone’s house, their school assembly or chat to their mum to be able to compare your accomplishments, belongings and awesome nun chuck skills with someone else. Now, thanks to social media, we can do that from the comfort of our own homes!

But seriously, how easy is it to see someone else’s posts and think they are so much better than us or have it so much easier than us? What we’ve got to remember is that social media allows us to edit our image and present what we want others to see. Like Steven Furtick says: ‘The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.’

What can we do instead?For starters, be real. If you struggle and get bummed out by looking at other people’s awesome posts, don’t do that to others with your posts—be real and put a balance of awesome and average. Second, put your blinders on. Like a horse pulling a carriage, we need to put up our blinders to focus on what’s important (not what’s around us) and keep moving on the path God has set out for us.

JealousyWhen we compare, we often become jealous. This might be jealousy of someone else’s appearance, lifestyle, possessions, work, talent, or whatever. An easy way social media fosters jealousy is by comparing how many likes one person gets, or even by looking at who likes what. It’s easy to feel jealous if you notice one person liked another status or photo but not yours. Social media is often a popularity contest and can make us feel pretty stink about ourselves. We end up having a lot of frenemies—people we pretend are our friends but our attitude towards them (or their attitude to you) is a totally different story.

What can we do instead?If it’s too much, seriously, take a break and get off Facebook. Start trying to be happy for others—especially when they accomplish stuff, or something goes well for them. That is

Start trying to be happy for others—especially when they accomplish stuff, or something goes well for them. That is good news!

14 May 2016 WarCry | 13

good news! The Bible tells us that part of truly loving is to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Actually do it.

And always remember, someone else is looking at your life and wishing they were more like you. Be grateful for what you have and who you are.

LonelinessOne of the saddest outcomes of social media is loneliness and isolation. You’d think having the ability to connect with more people than ever before would stop those feelings, but often it actually encourages them. Social media is great at reminding people that you weren’t invited to something by seeing a photo with all your friends hanging out and realising you’re not there. Or checking out someone’s friends list and realising you have

half the amount. Social media makes us think we’re connected to more people but in reality these ‘friendships’ are often surface level, not authentic and pretty flaky.

What can we do instead?We need to be forming real relationships with people, not just convenient, online, stalk-them-to-know-what’s-going-on-for-them

Social media makes us think we’re connected to more people but in reality these ‘friendships’ are often surface level, not authentic and pretty flaky.

friendships. Social media is a great way to connect with people and keep up to date, but spending time face to face, hanging out and sharing life together is when we’re most authentic and feel most connected. We need to make sure we’re being intentional with our friendships and investing in them both online and offline.

Mother Teresa summed it up like this: ‘The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.’ Sometimes social media sucks and makes us feel pretty crappy. Sometimes it’s awesome and makes us feel good about ourselves and those around us. As Christians, we need to continually remind ourselves that no matter how many likes we get on Facebook, we are loved. And no matter how isolated we feel, we are never alone. Let’s help others to know and feel the same way!

It’s a bit of a tradition in New Zealand that partway into the year, young people (and older if you’re into it) give up food for 40 hours in order to raise funds for those in need around the globe. It’s usually pretty challenging, but so rewarding in the end!

This year the 40 Hour Famine is running from 10–12 June. If giving up food ain’t your bag, there’s heaps of other options as well. And this year, World Vision is encouraging people to take up the ‘One Weekend One Backpack’ challenge, in which you live out of your backback for the 40 hours, as a way of remembering the Syrian refugee crisis.

What’s that about?The 40 Hour Famine has always been about living in someone else’s shoes and this year is no different. This year, funds will support children and families affected by conflict in Syria.

The situation in Syria and neighbouring countries has put more than 6 million young lives at risk. That’s more than the entire population of New Zealand.

These children have experienced things that no child should—they have lost their homes and family members, and witnessed horrific violence. They are also missing out on many things that children need in order to grow—an education, interaction with other children, and safe homes.

That’s why the challenge is to dedicate 40 hours to help our global neighours by raising crucial funds to help restore the things they’ve lost—education, a sense of security and safety —and give them the chance to be kids again in child-friendly spaces.

BackpackingIt might be hard to imagine cramming a lifetime into a backpack the way so many refugee children have had to. But the ‘One Weekend One Backpack’ challenge helps us understand a little of what it’s like to lose almost everything, if just for a weekend.

There are no rules with this challenge but here are some helpful tips to guide you:

• Find a backpack. Take a look around your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen. If you had to leave today, what would you take with you? Medicine? Food? Water? Photos? What could you leave behind? What could you not live without?

• Pack something to keep warm, something to eat, four litres of water, something to remember home by and something to communicate with.

• Don’t forget to pack any medicines you’ve been given by a doctor, glasses or important things you really need!

But remember, you must be able to fit it in your backpack!

So ... get involved!Sign up to be part of the 40 Hour Famine and get all the info you need at worldvision.co.nz

Decide what you’re going to go without this year, or what your challenge for the 40 hours will be. There are lots of options—from food to technology to talking. We reckon the ‘One Weekend One Backpack’ challenge is an awesome way to get involved!

Once you’ve decided what challenge you’re going to do, go out and find people to sponsor you. Sponsor yourself. Do some extra jobs to raise some funds too. Every little bit counts!

It’s up to you how you’ll get involved, but whatever you do, take the time out to thank God for all he’s given us and the opportunity to serve others.

Check out worldvision.com for more 40 Hour Famine resources, including posters, organiser guides, stats and information, fundraising tips and a Bible study series.

Armies Playing in Harmony for Vulnerable Children

A group of Christchurch children got a chance to play with some of the country’s best brass band players in a programme bringing music to vulnerable children.

The pupils from the Christchurch City Corps Just Brass programme joined the New Zealand Army Band to get tips and play together as part of a school holiday programme for Just Brass, which works with children from two primary schools.

Just Brass Christchurch tutor Bruce Roberts said the children spent the morning with the band at Burnham Military Camp, near Christchurch, and enjoyed a social outing in the afternoon. ‘The children were excited to have this opportunity to play with the only professional brass band in New Zealand’, he said. They also split up into sections and received expert tuition from the Army band members.

Based on a successful Australian programme of the same name, Just Brass Christchurch began in 2014 and tutors up to 40 pupils from Shirley and Mairehau Primary Schools.

Each is loaned a brass instrument and music book and gets free weekly music lessons. Once a week the pupils from both schools have a band practice at Christchurch City Corps, playing in one of three bands depending on their ability and experience.

The schools help choose pupils for the programme and many come from families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford music lessons, or have learning difficulties, Bruce said. On one occasion, when Bruce went to pick up a child for their first lesson the child was hiding under a table.

‘I crouched down looking under the table and talked to him about

Just Brass. I said to him, “If you play a brass instrument you won’t have to hide again,” and he came out with a big smile on his face and away we went.’

The aim for Just Brass is far more than teaching music. It also aims to instil the children with a sense of purpose through the discipline of daily practice and through the social engagement with fellow students and tutors at band rehearsals, Bruce said.

‘The tutoring and mentoring of these young lives is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to the many disadvantaged children in our community, not only to teach them the skills of playing a brass instrument but because they are our children, our responsibility and our future.

‘I was talking with one child and the deputy principal said, “These guys are mentoring you. They’re giving you mentoring that will set you up in life”.’

Just Brass is in its third year and now has brothers and sisters of original members joining the programme, which gives opportunities for the whole family to get involved, Bruce said.

This has also helped the tutors in their aim to build a strong group of friends, who support each other. And the schools have noticed a distinct Just Brass identity, Bruce said. In one case last year, a Just Brass pupil was nervous about leaving a group exercise for their lesson in case their group fell behind.

‘While they were away the other Just Brass kids in the class went and helped the group finish. That’s what we’re about, building skills of empathy and looking after each other.’

Challenged to be Fair

Kiwi Salvationists are being challenged to join people around the world to spread tea, coffee and the fair trade message next week.

The Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) has challenged New Zealand Salvation Army centres and Salvationists to join it in taking part in the World Fairtrade Challenge on Tuesday, where people around the world are encouraged to see how many cups of Fairtraid certified tea and coffee they can share with others.

SPPU Principal Advisor Major Campbell Roberts said staff from the Unit will be giving out cups of Fairtrade certified coffee and tea to clients and staff at the South Auckland Community Ministries centre for the day and discussing fair trade issues.

The event is an international awareness raising effort by the Fairtrade Foundation. The foundation works with farmers and workers in the developed world to provide them with a fair price for their products. And to provide money for investment in social, economic and environmental development in their community, such as educational and medical facilities.

Unfair trade and exploitation of workers is a major driver of poverty internationally. Supporting fair trade was a natural part of the SPPU and Salvation Army message, Campbell said.

‘For the Social Policy Unit this whole area of fair trade is crucial to how we see things and I think in terms of social justice internationally fair trade is a very good start and we want to do anything we can do to encourage that.’

Although the unit already provides Fairtrade tea and coffee to people who come to its offices, the challenge was a chance to reach a wider audience, he said.

‘It’s trying to create some sort of social environment that’s promoting and expanding the message of Fair Trade.’

The challenge comes in the middle of Fairtrade fortnight, the annual awareness raising campaign from the Fairtrade Foundation, which runs from 6–22 May.

Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand CEO Molly Harriss Olsson said the foundation was celebrating 10 years in New Zealand. Fairtrade New Zealand’s work in the Pacific has included building classrooms, bringing clean water to homes, providing access to healthcare and fixing infrastructures such as roads in nations like Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga, she said.

There are more than 40 Fairtrade certified brands in New Zealand and in 2014 Kiwis spent $89.3 million on Fairtrade products.

Our Community | 15

Whangarei Recovery Church Turns 20

The Whangarei Corps Recovery Church celebrated our 20th birthday this year with a camp at Mt Manaia attended by 47 adults and 30 children. Majors Brent and Marlene Diack joined us with their team of 25 from Manukau Recovery Church and two congregation members Neville and Neil from Auckland Bridge Recovery Church. Our invited guests Commissioners Alistair and Astrid Herring and retired Captains John and Beryl Billington lead our meetings, bringing with them vast experience and a strong presence of the Lord and His works

throughout The Salvation Army.We began on Friday night with a Recovery Church service where

we welcomed, Captains John and Beryl, the first officers appointed to Whangarei Corps Recovery Church and John brought his testimony. Lieutenant Jenny Koia and volunteers Alesha and Kylie organised children’s events that made sure the children were well catered and cared for.

On Saturday morning we had a fun morning of fishing, hiking, swimming and relaxing. The afternoon activities were coordinated by Alesha and involved team events, including tug of war, a treasure hunt, swimming and kayaking.

We celebrated our birthday on Saturday night with a dinner and worship led by our recovery band. One of the highlights was Beryl Billington awarding special clean-time Sobriety Badges. One of our congregation, Keith Dickens, received a 40 year badge. Neville Blowers from Auckland Bridge Recovery Church received a 30 year badge and Janeane from Manukau Recovery Church got a 30 day badge.

John and Beryl gave us a history lesson on the beginnings of Recovery Church, which included the marriage of Salvation Army philosophies from William Booth and the Bible, with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous inspired by the Bible and spiritual awakening.

Colleen Poynter presented a gift from us to John and Beryl to honour their service and testified about how Beryl led her to the Lord. On Sunday we had a great meeting where we were blessed with the children bringing an item and a great message on grace from Commissioner Alistair. The weekend came to a close with many testifying of the hope and joy in their hearts. Thanks and blessings to all who were involved.

By Gary Codlin

Help for Homeless mums

Pregnant women facing the risk of homelessness are being offered a roof and support in a new initiative in Auckland.

The Mothers and Babies House was opened by The Salvation Army’s Epsom Lodge Supportive Accommodation in January. Epsom Lodge Women’s Services Coordinator Jo Ralston said they decided to open the house after getting an increase in pregnant women or women with new born babies contacting Epsom Lodge needing help. When a property became available late last year they decided to create a supportive service.

Many women find themselves pregnant without the access to the resources that they need. Though the need to secure a safe home is paramount, these pregnant women can often find themselves stuck, unable to get work as they are viewed as a bad risk employment wise, and whilst pregnant the child receives no extra support from Work and Income New Zealand, Jo said.

Many, having made the courageous choice to keep their baby, also recognise they want to do things differently, better, even break the cycle and be a strong healthy mum with support to bring up baby well, she said.

‘A lot of the mums I have had contact us have struggled with finding safe homes. They’re staying on couches, or there’s a lot of alcohol or drugs around.’

The main lodge was not equipped for babies and having the dedicated house enabled Epsom Lodge to provide a safe space with dedicated services.

The house is not long-term accommodation, but aims to give the women a chance to get used to being a mum, and get confident and ready to move back into a safe space in the community.

At the moment there are three mothers in the house and they have had no shortage of inquiries, Jo said.

The mothers live independently in the house, but Jo and other staff work with them closely and offer support. In addition to support from Epsom Lodge, the service aims to work with community groups to help the women prepare for being a parent, Jo said. All the women are required to attend community parenting groups or classes and plans are put in place to find the most appropriate groups to give them the best support.

Mikayla, who is 21, was the first woman to move into the house in January and her daughter Ayla was born in March. Mikayla came to Epsom Lodge after a fight with her mother, which meant she had to move out and needed a safe place to stay.

‘I was seven months pregnant and homeless at that point. I was going, “Oh my gosh, what am I going to do.”’ Fortunately, a friend’s mum recommended Epsom Lodge and she contacted Jo.

For Mikayla, this is her first time living away from home, which was scary at first, but the support of Jo and the lodge has been helpful. And she’s been on hand to answer questions for another first-time mother in the house whose baby was due at the end of April.

‘It’s good to have the independence and moving out of home has helped me mature a lot. It’s not always fun, but it was a good idea in the long run.’

Another woman at the house said having the home was like ‘a huge weight has been lifted off after the huge struggle to find somewhere’. After such a stressful experience she said she now feels like ‘there is so much help.’

16 | WarCry 14 May 2016

GAZETTE

AppointmentEffective 26 April: Mjr Neil Adams, Assistant Officer, DHQ, Central Divison.

Salvationist Studies Offered Worldwide

A world first initiative is offering people the opportunity to study for a Masters of Theology with a Salvation Army focus from anywhere in the world.

The new degree has been jointly designed by staff from Booth University College and Tyndale Seminary, both in Canada. The course will allow students to gain a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) specialising in Salvation Army studies and is the first of its kind in the world, Booth University College President Dr Donald Burke said.

It will be on offer from September this year and will be available completely online to allow students worldwide to take study as distance learners.

The course will combine the expertise of staff from Tyndale’s well-established Masters programme with those from Booth University College, who will bring a Salvationist theological perspective and ministry expertise.

Dr Burke and Tyndale Seminary President Dr Gary Nelson signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the course at a ceremony on Tyndale’s campus last month.

Dr Nelson said Tyndale is honoured to be partnering with Booth University College on the unique degree.

‘We are working together to advance a mission that will be

stronger than either institution might achieve on its own by offering an accredited MTS degree with a distinctive focus on Salvation Army Studies.’

Booth University College is a Christian university run by The Salvation Army and open to all members of the public. Based in Winnipeg, it offers courses ranging from Business Administration, Psychology and Social Work to Religious studies.

It was founded on the idea proposed by Salvation Army founder William Booth that the Army should have a ‘university of humanity’ and began life as the Catherine Booth Bible College in 1982. It changed from being solely a Bible College to offering a wider range of courses in 2006, and in 2010 it was officially recognised as a university. Lifelong Salvationist Dr Marjory Kerr will take over as the University’s first women president later this year.

Strong Support for Fiji

Kiwis have been generously supporting Fijians and The Salvation Army’s work repsonding to Cyclone Winston.

The Salvation Army’s Fiji Emergency Appeal has raised over $355,000 to help the people of Fiji after the cyclone hit on 20 February.

Fiji Divisional Commander Major David Noakes said the damage had been huge, with 43 per cent of Fijians having lost their homes or seen them badly damaged and he was moved by the generosity of people supporting the appeal.

‘We’re delighted with the response, it’s a wonderful response. I think it underlines the deep connection between the countries in this territory—those roots run very deep.’

In addition to funds there were also donations of items that were sent to Fiji. Salvation Army New Zealand Family Stores donated bedding, Southern Division donated Grab and Go kits and hygiene products and World Vision donated tarpaulins and cooking equipment. Westgate, Whenuapai and Tahatai Coast Schools donated desks and chairs, while businesses have also been chipping in with goods for those affected. Kmart, Farmers, Ezibuy and Mr Vintage all donated clothing, while Kmart also donated tarpaulins and sleeping mats. Crown International shipped all the items for free and also donated containers for the relief work, in an effort which saw the company donate about $100,000 worth of work and items.

Territorial Public Relations Director Shane Chisholm said he was really grateful for the huge response and the variety of donations.

‘I’m delighted with the fantastic response from New Zealanders, both in donations of money and goods. It’s been a tremendous effort.’

Funds from the emergency appeal helped cover a range of work across the country, David said. Eight Salvation Army emergency response centres went to work during and immediately after the cyclone and the Army has been working in the cities of Savusavu, Tavua, Ba and Rakiraki, and 26 villages spread across the Ra Province, and the islands of Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Moturiki.

During and after the cyclone many Corps and centres were used as emergency shelters and in the initial recovery stages the Army provided food, water, tarpaulins, health kits, seeds to replant crops and other supplies. Salvationists cleared sections, helped with building and provided trauma counselling and a psycho-social support programme for school children.

Although the intial emergency and relief work from Cyclone Winston would be winding down in the next few months, the Army was still playing an important role in on going life and emergencies in Fiji, he said.

‘We’ve had flooding after the cyclone and last week we had a tsunami warning and we had all of parliament, the MPs and the staff down here at the centre, because we’re their designated emergency evacuation centre.’

Our Community | 17

… ask God to breathe life into you by his Holy Spirit.

Wellington has been my home now for over 10 years. In that time I’ve grown to love the harbour and coastline (especially for fishing), the amazing cafes and the city’s vibe and culture. I’ve even grown to love Wellingtonians and the way they doggedly defend their beloved capital. But there’s one thing I haven’t fallen in love with. (Two if you include the Hurricanes Rugby team.) It’s the wind!

Boy can it blow a gale. Several years ago I lost a shed, fence, TV aeriel and 5 trees in once such storm.

This week the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday, thanking God for the gift of his Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

“When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force, no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks…” Acts 2:1–2 (The Message)

Wow, what an amazing event. How cool it would have been to have experienced the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit! Pentecost brought change. Now, God wasn’t just coming upon his believers as he did in the Old Testament. Now, God wasn’t just living among them as with Jesus. Now, God was coming to live and make his home in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God’s people were no strangers to wind representing God‘s Spirit. When God created Adam from the dust it says “he breathed into Adams nostrils the breath of life and he became a human being.” When Ezekiel saw a vision of the Israelite Army lying in a pile of dead men’s bones, he prophesied, ”Come from the four winds, Come breathe. Breathe life on these slain bodies”. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up like a mighty army. In John’s Gospel, when Jesus appeared to the disciple’s after his resurrection it says he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

All this got me thinking. What would happen this Pentecost if every Soldier, Junior Soldier, Adherent and friend cried out to God to be filled with the breath of life? If at every church service, home group, prayer meeting and social service centre, people experienced the full force of the wind of the Spirit filling them with love and life?

We wouldn’t be like lifeless Adams, an Army of dead bones, or a bunch of frightened disciples. We would have the breath of Life! We would be an Army that brings life!

Well, I believe it’s happening. But we want more. So today as you read this, why not pause for a minute, quieten your heart and ask God to breathe life into you by his Holy Spirit. Then as an act of faith, stretch out your hands to the heaven, throw your head back and breathe in the biggest breathe of Life you can!

Breathe on me breath of God / Fill me with Life anew / That I my love what thou dost love / And do what thou wouldst do.

Lieut-Colonel Rod CareyTerritorial Secretary for Programme

LEADERSHIP LINKS

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

Crossing CulturesHutt City Corps and Community Ministries have been working together across languages with a mission to help support migrants in their community.

In a downstairs room by a couple of table tennis tables, a group of about 30 people are discussing how to talk on the telephone. Sitting in small groups of four or five, the mainly Chinese group are working through basic phrases over cups of Chinese tea and Danish pastries. This is lesson eight; the others have ranged from introducing themselves, to ordering McDonald’s, or what class organiser Wai Phang Wong describes as ‘survival skills’.

It’s the first half of a weekly meeting set up by Wai Phang and his wife Swee Chan Phang, a combination of English language lessons and church service. On the wall of the room is a mural with the quote ‘We exist to bring people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.’

Upstairs, English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher Mike Carrington also refers to the quote as he prepares for his first ESOL class of the day. The trio head up a range of programmes and events for migrants, especially Chinese migrants. It’s a three-pronged approach, helping with English lessons, but also helping them find roles in the community and build relationships with each other, other Kiwis and God.

They’ve helped ESOL students volunteer in the corps Family Store and organised celebrations for the corps and community to celebrate traditional Chinese festivals. In turn, the ESOL students have been invited on church camps and into corps members’ homes.

It started with Mike’s ESOL classes back in 2011. He was hired by Community Ministries as a literacy and numeracy teacher, but it soon became clear ESOL classes were a bigger need in the community. A nearby class was closing down and they asked if Mike would set something up.

He’s had people from Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Samoa, Somalia, Iraq and Syria to name a few, but the largest number are Mandarin or Cantonese speakers mainly from China. Wai Phang, who is the corps accounts manager, is a Malaysian born Chinese speaker, so when they started they advertised in Chinese restaurants and the students have just kept coming, Mike says.

Mike runs classes every day and has 40–50 students, but breaks the group down into small groups depending on their

18 | WarCry 14 May 2016

skill level. It’s easier to teach, but it also helps to build stronger relationships among the group.

The course is funded by Community Ministries, but students pay $10 a term (the equivalent of $1 a time if they attend each class).

‘The reason we do that is because people turn up more when they’re paying for something and it’s easier to plan classes if you know who’s going to turn up.’

In his advanced class the students are laughing as Mike breaks open the board game Life for a different, fun lesson. ‘Patient’ is a popular word the students use for Mike—‘He’s a patient teacher,’ they say. They also like the atmosphere he brings and the small classes. One lady who has been coming with her husband for three years, says they tried another class, but it had too many people, all at different levels, and they enjoy the chance to work closely with a teacher.

Freedom is another word she uses, that is echoed by other class members. ‘I think I’m lucky, before we never spoke in English, but if you live here you must, need, to learn English. I think if you can’t speak English you can’t do anything here. Now I can go to the hospital, the library, the bank by myself, and not need my child to help me. So I have freedom—but just a little, so we keep learning.’

Many of the Chinese who come along to the classes are retired and have followed their children to New Zealand often to help care for their grandchildren. Other classes often have funding based on students finding work, or similar goals, while Mike is free to just teach and help his students find a place in Kiwi society.

This was also a driver for Wai Phang and Swee Chan when three years ago they decided to start hosting Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festivals. They invited anyone from the corps or community who was interested to join for a pot-luck meal and the lure of food, friends and celebration proved very popular. The celebrations include a short message of the gospel and the cultural significance of the festivals, and some guests entertain by bringing and playing their traditional Chinese instruments. The Chinese group have been invited to corps church camps and they have held two Kiwi meal evenings where the group visited different corps members’ houses, stopping at one for an entrée, one for a main course and one for a dessert.

The relationships built, particularly at camps, were important to helping spur the meal, Mike says, and it was very special for the group to be invited into peoples’ homes.

Wai Phang and Swee Chan decided to start their Thursday service about a year and a half ago along with a Tuesday activity morning every two weeks.

‘Before we had this, they didn’t know each other, they were stuck. Some didn’t go out of the house, they would just cook a meal, take the grandchildren to school and pick them up, so it was an opportunity to get them to open up, make friends and also to share the gospel,’ Wai Phang says.

Often, Swee Chan says, they will see people just hanging out in the nearby mall during the day, because they are lonely. After encouraging some of these people to attend Tuesday or Thursday meetings they have made friends with each other.

While Mike offers the formal classes, with text books and assignments, Wai Phang and Swee Chan’s lessons are more informal. Having something in Mandarin or Cantonese is important for some of the members, who don’t have enough English for Mike’s lessons. The English lessons get them in, but the main point is taking the opportunity to introduce them to the gospel, Wai Phang says.

Thursday’s service mixes basic English lessons for everyday life, with kids praise and worship songs in English to introduce simple words and phrases, and a Bible verse translation with a time to discuss the verse in small groups.

While the Thursday group is split half and half between Christians and non-Christians, most of the Tuesday group are non-Christians. The activities range from a table tennis competition to an outing to the local fire station where they got to play with the equipment and had a talk from a fireman, and another where they picked wild vegetables along the banks of the Hutt River.

It’s not just been good for the Chinese community—Wai Phang and Swee Chan say it’s encouraged them that there is always an opportunity to share their faith and the many different forms that mission can take.

‘It’s given us a lot of confidence. We were coming to church and that, but having a ministry to be involved in is such a privilege to be so thankful to God for.’

It’s also been an encouragement to people in the corps of what they can do for mission, Wai Pang says.

‘We say to them, “You don’t have to go to China to do mission”.’

Before we had this, they didn’t know each other, they were stuck.

… having a ministry to be involved in is such a privilege to be so thankful to God for.

Mission Matters | 19

The book also refers to real places that we know existed. And, most significantly, Jesus seems to have taken Jonah literally when he said that ‘as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’ (Matt 12:40).

Further to that evidence, would you believe that people actually have been swallowed by large fish and survived! In 1891, James Bartley was swept off the whaling ship he was working on. Fifteen hours later the crew harpooned a whale and to their amazement, found Bartley in the whale’s stomach, unconscious but alive. Bartley did lose his sight and was bleached because of the experience, but he did survive.

So then, what are the problems with reading Jonah literally? The first one that springs to mind is the fish. While a handful may have survived a whale’s belly, the chances of it seem highly improbable!

But the fish is not actually the biggest problem with taking the book literally. There are several other puzzling things. Firstly, the book claims that walking across Nineveh would take three days, but ... Nineveh was only five kilometres in diameter. You’d have to be going pretty slow to make that a three day walk! Perhaps the three days was allowing time to stop and preach on the way, or maybe it included the greater Nineveh area?

Secondly, Jonah refers to the King of Nineveh, but Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The king who reigned there was the king of Assyria, not Nineveh. Nowhere in the book of Jonah is there any evidence for a king of Assyria.

Finally, the conversion of the whole city of Nineveh to Jonah’s God seems unlikely, and isn’t documented in any Assyrian records. However, we’ll come back to this point when we look at chapter four, where we’ll see that because of the superstitious nature of the Assyrians, we can’t rule out their conversion.

Getting swallowed by a fish—but not really!If Jonah isn’t to be taken literally, what are the other options? Well, we could read it as an allegory or as a parable. The most famous allegory is Pilgrim’s Progress. If you are familiar with that story, you know it is a fictional story in which everything represents something else much deeper than what you see on the surface. It is about Christian, who is on a pilgrimage to the celestial city, carrying his back pack (his burden). He meets Mr Worldly Wise and Legality, and is tempted to settle in the village of Morality on the way.

If we were to read Jonah similarly, then maybe Jonah is really disobedient Israel and being swallowed by a fish represented Israel’s punishment for not preaching to her neighbours. That’s one option.

Might we read it as a parable? Jesus told many parables: short

In the first of a five part series, Carla Lindsey examines the book of Jonah. Here she asks, ‘Was there really a fish?’ and other important questions.

If you attended Sunday school as a child you are probably familiar with the Old Testament story ‘Jonah and the Whale’. Or … was it Jonah and the big fish?

Well that’s just one of the many debatable points that we find in the book of Jonah. But whatever you call that giant creature that swam in the sea and swallowed Jonah, you are probably quite familiar with the story. Jonah was sent by God to deliver a message to the people of Nineveh, but instead he jumped on a boat and headed in the opposite direction. When a storm came up at sea, Jonah was thrown overboard where he was swallowed by a large fish—who spewed him back up on a beach three days later. Yuck! The story was both disgusting and exciting. It was an action packed tale that was larger than life.

A very fishy taleBut as adults, what do we do with such a story? A story, which, by the way, is about much more than a bloke who survived being swallowed by a whale. In fact, the ‘fishy’ aspect of the book is really just a small part of it.

We’ll see, as we work through the book of Jonah over the next five issues, that the book is a well-crafted narrative, with considerable depth to it. It’s a story about relationships. Particularly Jonah’s relationship with himself, his relationship with others, and his relationship with God.

But you can’t ignore that fish! So let’s address it right at the beginning of the series and then put it to bed!

Did Jonah really get swallowed by a whale and survive? I mean … really? It does sound a little far-fetched. Do I have to take the story literally or are there other ways of understanding it? Do I lack faith if I don’t believe it? Do I lack common sense if I do? Daring to ask these questions can be quite unsettling, but for many people they are very real, and so we need to be open and honestly discuss them.

No doubt the people reading this will have a range of views on the book of Jonah. From those who have only ever considered the story literally, to those who have only ever considered it a made up story, and those who don’t know what to make of it! And that’s okay. There is room for everyone in this discussion.

Let’s weigh up the reasons for and against literal and non-literal interpretations of Jonah.

Getting swallowed by a fish—actually!We’ll start by taking the book literally. That is: Jonah was an actual person who survived being swallowed by an actual fish. This is the oldest and most natural way of reading the book.

In fact it’s only been in modern times that people have questioned this way of seeing it. The vivid way the events are described, particularly in chapter one, read as if they really happened. Jonah’s existence is supported by the mention he gets in 2 Kings.

Jonah is known as the ‘reluctant prophet’. He really didn’t want to do what God had called him to …

Part 1 of 5

20 | WarCry 14 May 2016

works are mostly poetry. Jonah, however, is mostly prose. Jonah is a narrative—a story—not a poem. That changes the way we read it.

A closer inspection reveals that the other prophetic works mainly comprise a message from God, which the prophet had to deliver. But in Jonah, the message he had to deliver was only eight words long: ‘forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown’. Actually, in Hebrew, the message is only five words long! Jonah is about much more than the message itself.

An even closer look reveals that the other prophets gave messages to the Jewish people, but Jonah’s message was for foreigners, the Assyrians in Nineveh. While some other prophets did occasionally prophesy about other nations, there is no evidence to suggest that these prophecies were ever given directly to the people they were about. This is another unique feature of the book of Jonah.

Jonah is also rare among the prophets as he is mentioned outside of the prophetic books. In Jonah 1:1 we read that Jonah was the son of Amittai, and in 2 Kings 14:23–27 we find a prophet of the same name with the same father. This reference in Kings places Jonah in the reign of Jeroboam II, from 795–753 BC.

During this time, the Assyrians—who had been a threat to Israel’s borders and who had taken a tribute from Israel—had lost some of their strength. This background helps us understand why Jonah wasn’t keen to deliver a message to Nineveh. The Ninevites were his enemies. They had been oppressing Jonah’s people. Why would he want to do anything for them—let alone give them a special message from God!

Herein lies the tension that we find inside the book of Jonah. And herein lies the tension brewing inside Jonah himself. He was caught in a dilemma. How could he possibly deliver a message that might allow the Assyrians to repent, when any loyal Israelite would want them to be punished by God? After all, they deserved to be punished! Yet God called Jonah to go to them. And he did … not immediately, but he got there in the end.

Jonah is known as the ’reluctant prophet’. He really didn’t want to do what God had called him to, and—as we’ll see in the next issue—he took deliberate steps to avoid doing what God asked of him. Even when he did finally get to Nineveh he still wasn’t too happy about it!

He’s certainly not the poster boy for prophets. He made mistakes, he was cranky and he thought he knew better than God. That’s what I like about him. He wasn’t perfect, but God still chose him and trusted him to do something that would make a difference.

earthly stories that had a spiritual meaning. Could it be that the point of Jonah wasn’t about actual events, but was really about a simple spiritual message that lay behind the story? When we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, for example, we don’t look for proof that the beaten up man really existed. It doesn’t matter if he did or not, that’s not the point. The point is the message the story contains: treat everyone as your neighbour.

A story can be filled with truth without being literally true. Could that be the case with Jonah? Perhaps it was also a story that, like the Good Samaritan, meant to challenge the way we think about people who are different to us?

Perhaps the message of Jonah was simply that God cares about non-Jewish people too! These certainly are important messages contained in the story, and they are not impacted by whether we take the story literally or not.

Does reading Jonah as an allegory or a parable work? Well, not perfectly. If a book is an allegory, usually it’s obvious that things in it represent something deeper. But that is just not the case with Jonah. Unlike Pilgrim’s Progress, reading Jonah as an allegory involves a lot of guess work in order to work out what represents what. And if it is a parable, it is a very unusual one. Usually parables are short and simple, with one obvious message. By comparison, Jonah is not short and there is not one obvious message, but rather many that can be taken from it.

What is Jonah really saying?Where do we go from here then? Both literal and non-literal ways of seeing the book of Jonah have problems. Was there really a fish? In the end the answer is … we don’t know. Maybe there was. God is a God of miracles. God could have sent a fish along to swallow and spew up Jonah. But did he? And does it matter if he didn’t?

We could spend the next four issues debating the existence of Jonah and the whale, but we are not going to! Because in the end the message behind the story is what really matters. ‘The teaching value of a story does not necessarily depend on its historicity,’ says Old Testament scholars Lasor, Hubbard and Bush.

More important than asking if there was a real fish, is asking: ‘what is being communicated in this book?’. Or, ‘what was so important about it that it was included in the Bible?’ and ‘what do I learn from it?’

Let’s focus on these questions as we move forward, and leave to the side the questions that will have to wait until we get to heaven to find the answers to. Let’s concentrate on the whole book, not just one small debatable point within it.

If the book is not really about a fish, then what is it about? Who is this Jonah and what’s the story behind him?

The reluctant prophetIf you take your Bible and flick through the four major prophets and 12 minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament, you will immediately notice that Jonah is unique. He is unique in several ways, but the one that stands out after a flick through, is that the other prophetic

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Why do you think God chooses imperfect people?

How do people today avoid following their calling?

What do you think is a healthy way to address questions like, was there really a fish?

Soul Food | 21

PRAYER FOCUS

Please pray for: Wellington City, Wellington South, Westgate and Westport Corps, Wellington Youth Services, and The Salvation Army in Malawi.

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries)

20–31 May: Visit to India Eastern Territory to view overseas development projects (TPWM)23–25 May: General’s Consultative Counsil (TC) 27 May–7 June: Governance Review visits to India Western Territory, Sri Lanka Territory, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory (TC) 11–13 June: Southern Division Governance Board Visit

Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries)

20 May: Jeff Farm AGM22 May: Dunedin City Corps25–30 May: Tonga Visit 11–13 June: Southern Division Governance Board Visit

CALENDAR

MAY

13–15: Women’s Camp (Lower South) / Southern Division13–15: Mother and Kids Weekend / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre15: Pentecost Sunday16–19: Five-year Officer Review / Booth College of Mission16–20: Officers Retreat (Spiritual Life Development)18: Spiritual Day / Booth College of Mission18–22: SpiritSong Rehearsal Camp / Silverstream Retreat Centre20–22: Kids Camp (Southern) / Southern Division 22: Youth Unite Event / Central Division30 May–2 June: Brengle Holiness Institute for Local Leaders / BCM

JUNE

4-6 June: National Māori Ministry Hui / Omahu Marae Hastings20–23 June: Ten-year Officer Review / Booth College of Mission

JULY

5–8 July: Foundations for Chaplaincy / Booth College of Mission9–15 July: The Odyssey Adventure / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre

Words of LifeMay to August Available NowThe latest edition of The Salvation Army’s daily devotional is available now from Salvationist Resources. The theme is ‘The Purpose of Prayer’.e: mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org or p: (04) 382 0768.

To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES online: www salvationarmy.org.nz/employment

1–4 July 2016, Queen Salote Hall, Taufa’ahau Rd, Nuku’alofa with guest leaders General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Wellington South Corps 1891–2016Celebrating 125 years in the Newtown Community26–28 August 2016Come and join us to honour the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future as we look to transition from our current facilities to a new multi-purpose complex. Events include an opportunity to mix and mingle, and participate in community outreach, a dinner, a concert and Sunday worship. With guest leaders Commissioners Robert and Janine

Guest Leaders: Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson

Register your interest: e: wellingtonsouth.corps@gmail.com

INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE?For reports, regular newsletters, challenging articles and Salvation Army government submissions. www salvationarmy.org.nz/socialpolicy

The Salvation ArmyNATIONAL MĀORI MINISTRY HUIOmahu Marae Hastings

The Māori Ministry Strategy Plan is called Te Ōhākī to connect the strategy with the ōhākī of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection and at the time of his ascendancy to His Father, Jesus beseeched his disciples: “Therefore go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Come along and join us in our celebration. Nau mai, piki mai, whakatau mai rā, Tihei mauriora. Contact Tau Mataki for more info: Phone 021 703 728, Email: tau_mataki@nzf.salvationarmy.org or Patricia Mataki: Phone 021 478 273, Email: patricia_mataki@nzf.salvationarmy.org

PLAN TO BE THERERegister Today! Forms available from your Corps Officer or Centre

THE SALVATION ARMY NEW ZEALAND, FIJI & TONGA TERRITORY

4–6 June 2016

With guest speaker Dame Claudia OrangeResearch Fellow at Te Papa Tongarewa and renowned

New Zealand historian with a focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Kids TimeTalent QuestTino Rangatiratanga Update

Māori WorshipHāngī

Whakawhanaungatanga

22 | WarCry 14 May 2016

Fun4Kids | 23

read it‘Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ’ Matthew 4:19 (NLT)

let’s talk The Jesus fish is probably the earliest symbol that Christians used to identify themselves as followers of Jesus. The Greek word for ‘fish’ is ichtus, and this works as an acrostic for:I = Jesus (Iesous)CH = Christ (Christos)TH = God’s (Theou)U = Son (Uio)S = Saviour (Soter)Many of Jesus’ earliest followers

were fisherman, and Jesus told them that he would teach them to fish for people instead. What he meant was that he would show them how to bring people into God’s kingdom.When the Romans were looking to harm those who followed Jesus in the first centuries after his death and resurrection, Christians used the fish mark around their meeting places. It’s said that if a Christian met a stranger on the road, sometimes the Christian would

draw one part of the fish outline in the sand. If the stranger drew the rest of the fish then both of them knew they could safely talk about Jesus together.These days we don’t have to keep our love for Jesus a secret, but it’s also important that we do whatever we can to introduce people to Jesus.

let’s prayDear Jesus, thank you that you love me and that you understand that sometimes I make mistakes. Thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to stay close to you every day. Amen.

12

3

45

6

7

ANSWERS: 1: Wash hands; 2: Poison; 3: No cellphones; 4: Hospital; 5: Slippery floor; 6: No photography; 7: Exit

salvationarmy.org.nz/now

SOUTHERN DIVISION: Invercargill, 7pm, 13 July / Dunedin City, 7pm, 14 July / Sydenham, 7pm, 15 July / Blenheim, 6pm, 16 July.CENTRAL DIVISION: Palmerston North, 7pm, 18 July / Hutt City, 7pm, 19 July.MIDLAND DIVISION: Napier, 7pm, 20 July / Hamilton City, 7pm, 21 July.NORTHERN DIVISION: Glen Eden, 7pm, 22 July / East City, 7pm, 23 July / Whangarei, 5pm, 24 July.