Faith & frıends Inspiration for Living January 2006 www.SalvationArmy.ca Going Ape Over King Kong Dying to be Thin Anorexia on the Web Grit and Grace Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher keeps his eyes on the goal Buck Naked Faith
If you would like to fnd rest for your soul, mail the coupon on page 31, visit our website at www.salvationarmy.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1P4 Running On Empty? Do you feel emotionally exhausted? Is your life spinning out of control? Do you struggle to stay motivated? Does work feel like an endless treadmill? When the pressure becomes unbearable, you can turn to God to refresh your spirit. Regular prayer and Bible study will give you the spiritual energy you need to get through the day. Jesus encouraged his followers: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-ftting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message).
January 2006 Volume 9 Number 1 page 28 page 18 The Slow Goodbye 18 Getting ready for a trip. Packing light. Going home … A son struggles with his parents’ advancing Alzheimer’s God’s Saving Miracle 28 After a devastating series of events, Lawrence Chakwesha left everything he owned to begin a new life in Canada Grit and Grace 10 He’s a tough hockey player who’s not afraid to proclaim his belief in God. Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher keeps his eyes on the goal features If you would like to fnd rest for your soul, mail the coupon on page 31, visit our website at www.salvationarmy.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1P4 January 2006 January 2006 Faith & friends friends | 3
M ichael Scofeld is a desperate man in a desperate situation. If you’ve seen the new TV drama Prison Break, you’ll know what I mean. Michael’s brother, Lincoln, has been wrongly convicted and is now facing the death penalty. With no other options, Michael hatches an elaborate plan. He holds up a bank to get inside the prison where his brother is being held, but not before tattooing his torso with blueprints of the jail. His goal? Break out and prove his brother’s innocence. The idea of breaking into prison is a radical concept, but it is not unprecedented. As human beings we are imprisoned by hatred, fear and self-centredness. To show his great love for us, God voluntarily broke into the human condition as a man named Jesus. Although innocent, Jesus paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross to set us free from our sins. Only He could loose the chains that bind us. He, too, bears the marks of that sacrifce on His body. Love can drive people to extraordinary lengths. In this issue of Faith & Friends, read about Mike Fisher, a hockey player with grit and grace, or Patrick Bulloch, a Salvation Army ofcer who helped desperate families after Hurricane Katrina, or Lawrence Chakwesha, who moved to Canada to start a new life. When you’re finished, say a prayer and allow Jesus’ love to break into your life and liberate you. —Geof Moulton, editor Missi on Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith. Faith&friends is published monthly by The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London England EC4P 4EP William and Catherine Booth Founders John Larsson General Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan territorial commander Lt-Colonel Ray Moulton editor-in-chief Geoff Moulton senior editor Timothy Cheng art director Brandon Laird senior graphic designer Lt-Colonel Marilyn Moulton assistant to the editor-in-chief Linda Leigh proofreader Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from Today’s New International Version Phone (416) 422-6226 Fax (416) 422-6120 Website www.salvationarmy.ca E-mail [email protected] Subscription for one year, including shipping and handling Canada $16.50; U.S. $21.50; Foreign $23.50 Phone (416) 422-6112 [email protected] All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 Prison Break We Want Your Feedback Six months ago Faith & Friends unveiled its new digest-sized format. Since then, we have received many positive comments on the fresh design. If you have ideas of how we can make the magazine better, write to us at [email protected] or call (416) 422-6226. 4 | Faith & friends January 2006
Faith Builders 6 King Kong Returns 6 He may look cute and furry, but he’s got a horrible temper. After 72 years, the giant ape leaps back onto movie screens everywhere Someone Cares What About Bob? 8 Patrick Bulloch witnessed God’s healing in the midst of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction as he provided meals to desperate families Beyond Borders Forgiving Those Who Trespass Against Us 14 A terrifying attack, a boy left for dead and a surprising lesson in forgiveness God In My Life A Prescription for Faith 16 Motivated by God’s love, pediatrician Stephen Noseworthy believes that every child deserves the chance to be healthy Hot Topics Dying to be Thin 21 Hundreds of pro-anorexia websites share tips and tricks with young readers. Should we be worried? Lite Stuf Recipes, Crossword, Quick Quiz 24 Sacred Space Buck Naked Faith 26 It’s often painful to take an honest look at ourselves. Bernard of Clairvaux’s four stages of love can deepen our understanding of self and God departments January 2006 Faith & friends | 5
S eventy-two years later, Kong is still king of the jungle. While the 1933 version of King Kong has long captivated audiences with its creepy awe-inspiring terror, the 2005 remake, helmed by Academy-award winning director Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings), brings the rampage to even higher levels of destruction. Going Ape Set in the 1930s, King Kong tells the depression-era story of Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), an out-of-work actress from the world of vaudeville. Her luck appears to change when she meets Carl Denham (Jack Black), an overly ambitious filmmaker struggling to make a name for himself in New York. Denham leads his team of flmmakers and explorers to the mysterious Skull Island to investigate the legend of a giant gorilla named Kong. When they arrive, the team discovers that the island is a massive jungle where creatures from prehistoric times have been protected and hidden for faith Builders King Kong Returns He may look cute and furry, but he’s got a horrible temper by John McAlister 6 | Faith & friends January 2006
millions of years. As the explorers search for the mighty Kong, they soon become the hunted as the giant gorilla and dinosaurs swipe and bite at their every move. But then beaut y meets the beast. Captured by Kong, Darrow manages to soothe the ape long enough for him to be captured by the rescue party, led by Jack Driscoll (Academy-award winner Adrien Brody), a New York playwright who has fallen in love with her. With Kong captured, Denham sees his chance to make it big. He ships the giant gorilla back to New York and commercially exploits him by putting him on display. Enraged by his imprisonment, Kong breaks free from his bondage, rampages through New York and recaptures the beautiful Darrow. The Monster Within While we don’t have to worry about giant gorillas destroying our cities, we should take care not to underestimate the threat of a real monster. It’s not popular to talk about it, but sin is a harmful presence in our lives. Like Kong, destructive behaviour often stems from our desire to be loved. The giant gorilla’s attraction to Darrow highlights a deep human need for relationship. When that love is stifed, a darker side often emerges. We lash out in anger and try to fill the emptiness with self-indulgent and harmful activities. The media often treats sin as a spectacle, exploiting sex, violence, material excess and abuse for our amusement. We may think that we have control over the situation—after all, it’s just entertainment. But when we treat sin lightly, we quickly get caught up in violence, sexual immorality, addiction and other destructive behaviours. Like Kong, our desires can quickly get the better of us. Christians aren’t perfect, but they have discovered a better way to live. They understand that our deep need to be loved can only be fulflled through a relationship with Jesus. When we turn our lives over to Him, He helps us control our emotions and love others in healthy ways. Don’t let the monsters of anger, addiction or lust break free from their shackles and destroy your life. Replace your anger, emptiness and fear with God’s love. When love is stifed, our darker side often emerges. We lash out in anger and try to fll the emptiness Jack Black and Adrien Brody tremble at the sight of the giant gorilla Photos: Universal Pictures January 2006 Faith & friends | 7
I t is December 1995 and the streets are alive with distinctive jazz music, the kind known only to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. My wife and I are on our honeymoon after a short 10 month engagement. I gaze into the eyes of my beautiful bride as we sip cofee at a sidewalk café in front of the Cafe du Monde. Flash forward to October 2005 as I stand in front of a Salvation Army canteen truck on Canal Street, New Orleans, serving hot meals to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The sound of jazz music is now drowned out by the sound of helicopters, sirens, trucks, hammers, saws and whistles. The jazz players on street corners are replaced by workmen from diferent countries and nationalities. The Sheraton Hotel where I stayed during my honeymoon is surrounded by security guards wielding guns. The smell of fresh coffee and benyettes (a type of donut) is gone and I am accosted instead with the aroma of sewage and rotting trash. Despair and destruction still lingers in the air. As soon as the Salvation Army canteen truck parks on Canal Street, a steady stream of workers flood our doors. A few residents return to the city to examine what’s left of their SOMEONE Cares What About Bob? I witnessed God’s healing in the midst of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction as our Salvation Army canteen provided meals to desperate families by Patrick Bulloch 8 | Faith & friends January 2006
dwellings. Out of the corner of my eye I notice a lady sitting in a car crying. Her husband is standing in line waiting to be served. When I approach her, she tells me that they have lost everything. The watermark on the walls of their house indicates that the food level reached eight feet. They have no relatives, no money and no place to stay because all the shelters are full. Their gas tank is empty and so, it seems, are their lives. The only thing that keeps them going is the six-month-old baby curled up in her mother’s arms. The husband returns with meals, snacks and water. He asks me for contact numbers for F.E.M.A. (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and emergency housing. In the midst of their despair, I share a word of faith. I tell them how Jesus lifted me from the dark angry waters of drug addiction and set my life on solid ground. In the chaos and uncertainty of that moment in New Orleans, we share a prayer together. The husband calls emergency housing where, to his surprise, there is an opening in Lacombe, LA, for the following night. I give them money for gas. If all else fails, they can at least spend the night in a warm car. During those two weeks, our canteen serves hundreds of meals. It’s the last day, and we have 10 meals left. As we prepare to leave, a truck pulls up honking its horn. Before I can get out of the canteen, a man named Bob is at my window, asking for prayer. I notice a badge around his neck that reads “New Orleans Sherif.” “Is there something in particular I can pray for?” I ask. He responds: “I’ve been working 16 to 18 hours a day, trying my best to keep peace in this city, and the people I am trying to protect are calling me a thief.” I look into his reddened eyes and see that he desperately needs rest. As soon as I start to pray, this man of authority breaks down sobbing like a baby. I pray that God will clear away his stress, worry and anxiety. I finish with a promise from Scripture: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Before Bob leaves, he takes all 10 meals and distributes them to the workers in his truck. It occurs to me that if God can work a miracle out of the destructive state of my life, then He can also transform lives in the midst of New Orleans’ devastation. I realize that I am a part of His healing work during these two weeks in the disaster zone. So what about Bob and my other contacts in New Orleans? They are in the hands of the Father who promises that He will never leave them nor forsake them. As for me, my New Orleans experience has changed me in ways I will never forget. Captain Patrick Bulloch is a Salvation Army pastor in Somerset, Bermuda. Last October, he spent two weeks in New Orleans assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina. Captain Patrick Bulloch (left) with the emergency disaster team in New Orleans January 2006 Faith & friends | 9
10 | Faith & friends January 2006
I f a n y o n e ta l k e d a b o u t t h e Ot tawa Se n at o r s d u r i n g t h e long hockey-less winter of 2004-05, they would have been referring to politicians, not players. Thankfully, to the relief of die-hard fans everywhere, the hockey-playing Senators returned to the ice last September. Back with a three-year contract was Mike Fisher, a centreman who has already played all fve of his professional hockey years for Ottawa. Originally from Peterborough, Ont., Fisher says: “Ottawa feels like home to me now.” Ottawa obviously thinks Fisher belongs there also. In 2004 he was nominated by the Ottawa Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifes the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Europe Bound In late 2004, after the National Hockey League Players’ Association and its owners failed to reach a satisfactory agreement, North American arenas sat deserted and Fisher travelled to Switzerland to keep his hockey skills intact. “I had never been to Europe before,” he says, “and I enjoyed it. Almost everyone spoke English so there was no language barrier. There were a couple of Americans on our team and Canadian coaches. It was good, fast hockey. It’s a different style of play than the NHL since the ice surface is wider. Some of the players aren’t quite as big, so the game wasn’t as physical, but the skill level was high.” Fisher refused to worry about the possibility that his dream of a lifelong career in the NHL was in jeopardy. “I had to make the best of a bad situation,” he says. “I put my faith in God and trusted that He had a plan mapped out for me. I didn’t know anyone when I first got to Switzerland, but thankfully God put people in my path to encourage me. I met some godly friends through Athletes in Action. I found a great church and visited an older Christian couple on a regular basis. “I had to make the best of a bad situation. I put my faith in God and trusted that He had a plan Phot mapped out for me” o: Freestyle Photography/OSHC GritandGrace Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher keeps his eyes on the goal by Jayne Thurber-Smith January 2006 Faith & friends | 11
“Living in Zurich was a different pace for me, not as busy as the travel schedule I had been keeping. It was a nice change and an opportunity I may never have again.” To finish off his time in Europe, Fisher had the opportunity to join Team Canada for the 2005 World Championships in Austria for his first national team experience. Back to Canada When the Ottawa Senators team reunited for the 2005-06 hockey season, it maintained many of its core players, along with the addition of Dominik Hasek and Head Coach Bryan Murray. “We have an exciting young team, with a chance to win the Stanley Cup,” Fisher says. Our coach demands a lot from us, but he’s fair and I really enjoy playing for him. I want to contribute to our success.” Fisher thinks the changes the NHL made for the new season won back many fans who may have tried to replace hockey with other interests. “Everyone likes a high-scoring game, and the NHL is making it possible to have more scoring opportunities,” says Fisher. “The refs are harder on the clutching and grabbing that used to hinder breakaways, so the game loosens up.” He also approves of another adjustment—seeing more net and less goalie. “The goalie pads can only be 11 inches wide now, and the size of their gloves and blockers is reduced.” Fisher was more than ready for some other changes. “In our European league they had tag-up ofsides and no red line, which we’ve now changed to here.” In 248 career games with Ottawa, Fisher has recorded 48 goals and 52 assists for 100 points. He recorded career highs with 18 goals, 20 assists, 38 points and 74 games played during the 2002-03 season. He’s looking forward to more career highs this year. Unfortunately he was sidelined early in the season, due to a separated shoulder from a hard hit during a game. After resting it for two weeks he was back on the ice, good to go. Faith On Ice One of the NHL’s most outspoken Christians, Fisher admits that the lifestyle of hockey can be a challenge to his faith. “Maintaining a godly testimony is never easy,” he says. “Being on the road a lot is hard, but at least there’s not as much partying as there used to be among the players. I’ve been in the game long enough now that the guys know what I’m about. I room with my teammate Brian Pothier when we’re away, who is also a strong Christian. We’re accountable to each other. “The ups and downs of the season, especially with injuries, force me to trust in God no matter what. I know that God is in control and I need to maintain a good attitude through it all.” In order to keep his attitudes right, Fisher tries to maintain quality time with God every day. When on the road, he makes time for Bible study and prayer with Pothier. “I need to keep on my toes spiritually,” he says. “I must get into the Word to be fed. Also my cousin Warren has been a great spiritual mentor to me over the past few years. He lives here in Ottawa with his wife and kids so I see him often. Photo: CP/Miles Kennedy 12 | Faith & friends January 2006
“I enjoy reading Christian books for further biblical insight. Recently I’ve read The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren, as well as The Sacred Romance by Brett Curtis and John Eldredge.” Fisher attends a church close to his place of work, Ottawa’s Corel Centre. “I grew up in a Brethren church but now I attend Kanata Wesleyan, along with my teammate Chris Neil,” he says. “What’s inside the church matters more than the label.” Just as he leaves his career in the Lord’s hands, Fisher is leaving his personal life there also. “Right now I’m single,” he says. “I’m just patiently waiting for the Christian girl who God wants me to be with. I’m trusting Him and believing that He will put her in my life when the time is right.” As if his hockey career didn’t keep him busy enough, Fisher is also moderate chair for Roger’s House, a cancer care facility named after fellow Christian and former Senators coach Roger Neilson who passed away two years ago. He’s assisting in the fundraising to complete the building project. He also assists with hockey camps for Hockey Ministries International, and every summer hosts a golf tournament for Youth for Christ. On top of his charity work, Fisher’s also been able to share his faith closer to home—with others in the dressing room. “I wait to see where God’s working and try to be there for the guys,” he says. “We all have so many issues to deal with in pro hockey that it’s helpful to see what the Bible says about handling things. I just want to be a light for the Lord.” “Everyone likes a high-scoring game, and the NHL is making it possible to have more scoring opportunities” January 2006 Faith & friends | 13
Forgiving Those Who Trespass Against Us A terrifying attack, a boy left for dead and a surprising lesson in forgiveness by Michael Coren T he following is one of the most significant stories I have ever heard. If its moral and morals were followed by the world’s governments, leaders, businesses and citizens the entire universe would change immediately, and change for the better. It was 1974 in Miami, only a few days before Christmas. A 10-year-old boy named Chris Carrier stepped off the school bus, his head filled with thoughts of the presents he was going to receive from his parents. Or maybe, just maybe, from Santa Claus. As the small, trusting boy walked toward his home a man approached him. “We’re arranging a surprise for your dad,” he said. “Could you come with me and help?” Chris loved his dad. He got into the truck with the nice man. After a few minutes of driving the man told Chris he had to look at the map and check directions. Chris nodded his head. And then, suddenly, Chris was on his back and the man was on top of him, slashing at him with an ice pick. The thrusts did not hurt as much as shock the boy. The same questions, drenched in terror, smashed into his mind. Why was this happening, what did the man want, where is my dad? As suddenly as the attack started it stopped. Silence. The man seemed almost apologetic, and then drove on until he and the fear-frozen child reached the Everglades. “Get out of the truck and I’ll call BEYOND Borders 14 | Faith & friends January 2006
your father and tell him where you are,” said the man. The boy got out, walked a few yards and then sat down on a rock. The man followed, then turned away. As he did there was the loudest crack the boy had ever heard. And then blackness. Chris Ca rr i e r h a d b e e n s h o t through the head. The bullet entered his right temple and exited through his left, leaving him blind in one eye. Dazed and semi-conscious, this starving, bleeding little boy wandered around in the wilderness for almost a week. It was on Boxing Day that he was found, 120 km from his home, and returned to his father. It was, of course, a miracle that Carrier survived. The medics found that not only was the boy shot and stabbed but his body was also covered with cigarette burns. The police had a suspect but did not have proof. They believed that the abduction, torture and attempted murder, was committed by someone who had worked as a nurse for Chris Carrier’s aged uncle but had been fired for drinking. The case was forgotten and Carrier learned to live with the injuries and restore his life. The scene moves to 1996 and Chris Carrier is a 32-year-old bookstore owner, married with two children and very happy. Suddenly he receives a telephone call from a police officer who worked on the case two decades ago and has never quite let go. He explains that the man has been found and has confessed to his crimes on tape. He is in a North Miami Beach nursing home, blind and wasted. A pathetic wreck of a man. His name is David McAllister and he is 77. He will not be charged because of the statute of limitations. Chris Carrier drives to the nursing home, gets out of his car and walks to the room of his persecutor. He stops. Then enters. “I am the boy you tried to kill,” he says. The man says nothing. Then a pause. Then this from Chris Carrier: “I forgive you.” And he has and he does. He visits David McAllister every day, cares for him and reads to him from the Bible. “I have everything, he has nothing,” says Carrier. “I no longer see the man who hurt me, just a figure near death who has nobody.” So what are we to make of this? Simple. Justice is paramount, but in a world where so many of our policies and actions are infected by violence we need to hold up Chris Carrier as a torch of inspiration. “As we forgive those who trespass against us.” Not new, but still revolutionary. Forgiving Those Who Trespass Against Us A terrifying attack, a boy left for dead and a surprising lesson in forgiveness by Michael Coren Michael Coren is a broadcaster, author and speaker. Visit his website at www.michaelcoren.com Dazed and semi-conscious, this starving, bleeding little boy wandered around in the wilderness for almost a week January 2006 Faith & friends | 15
M y toughest challenge is finding a diagnosis quick enough to be able to save a life,” says Stephen Noseworthy, resident pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. “Even when we do discover what’s wrong, sometimes there is nothing that can be done. Unfortunately, medicine doesn’t have a cure for everything.” Steve recalls one traumatic incident when a desperate mother rushed through the doors of the emergency department with her 11-year-old son. The boy was in a comatose state. The day before, he had been full of life. Doctors and nurses worked frantically to save the boy without success. “This is where my job is difcult,” admits Steve. “You do everything you can, and the end result is tragic.” It is days like these that he turns to his faith for answers that can’t be found in a medical textbook. Steve was raised in Bishop’s Falls, a small town with a population of nearly 4,000 in central Newfoundland. His dad was postmaster at the local post ofce and his mom stayed busy raising seven children. As Christians, his parents were very involved in their local Salvation Army church. Steve was a good student, and dreamed of becoming a cardiologist. In Grade 10, he considered full-time ministry as an officer with The Salvation Army. But as he progressed in his studies, Steve discovered he could minister to others through his vocation as a doctor. After four years of university in St. John’s, Nfd., Steve graduated with a degree in biology. He then took a detour from the medical feld to focus on religious studies for one year. “It was my most rewarding year of university. During this year my mind was opened to possibilities for my future.” Steve then applied to medical school. “I look at medicine as a calling,” he says. “I believe God gave me the abilities to help GOD IN My Life Motivated by God’s love, pediatrician Stephen Noseworthy believes that every child deserves the chance to be healthy by Linda Leigh A Prescription for Fai th 16 | Faith & friends January 2006
improve people’s health and quality of life.” After four years of medical school, Steve continued his education in the feld of pediatrics. “This decision came to me as a result of working at the Salvation Army’s Camp Newport in Northern Ontario for four summers. I realized how important kids were. I felt I could make a diference in their lives.” He returned to St. John’s and studied pediatric medicine and is now an emergency room specialist for pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital in Ottawa . Wh e n h e graduates in 2006, Steve will return to the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s where he will be the only pediatric emergentologist in the province. The good thing about pediatrics is that most stories are success stories. “I’ve seen many kids who come in very sick, and walk out of the hospital several days later as if nothing was ever wrong,” says Steve. “Children are very resilient.” Steve recalls a child with Angelman Syndrome, a neurological disorder, who had a severe allergic reaction to latex. “I was able to save her life. Nothing heroic on my part, I just did what I was supposed to do. Knowing that something I did that changed a potential nightmare into a happy ending makes all my training worthwhile.” Between emergency room shifts, Steve continues to study Christianity. The book A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren has helped him grow in his faith. “I have learned that Christianity is not about rules and church structures, but about your relationship with God, and how you are showing the world God’s love. “My career is not my life,” Steve emphasizes. “I think of medicine as a medium to influence other young people, especially teens and young adults. To be honest, I spend more time thinking about Christianity than I do about medicine. “I want to show others that you can be a Christian and a professional in society. Both work together to influence the lives of others. It’s a great way to fill your life with purpose. “I pray everyday that God will help me make the right decisions regarding my patient’s care, and I believe He’s guiding me every step of the way.” “ Christianity is not about rules and church structures, but about showing the world God’s love” Steve Noseworthy with a young patient January 2006 Faith & friends | 17
T h e S l o w Goo d b y e Getting ready for a trip. Packing light. Going home … by Phil Callaway 18 | Faith & friends January 2006
C omedy was not my first choice. I wanted to be strong and good-looking. I wanted to have girls talk about me in front of my back. But I discovered early in life that the gals weren’t looking for a sense of humour. They wanted solid, chiseled features. And money for snacks. I had neither. So my dad tried to console me: “Poverty is hereditary,” he said. “You get it from your children.” A sense of humour is, too. I got it from my dad. For the most part, comedians come from one of two backgrounds: severely depressed or extremely happy. There is seldom middle ground. I grew up in a family where laughter was a staple. Where my parents loved each other and loved their children. My earliest memories are of Mom reading Winnie the Pooh to me and Dad hiding in darkened rooms waiting to scare the living daylights out of me. Each of our three children has at some point experienced me pulling back their collars and sneezing down their necks. I got the idea from my dad. The older I get, the more this sense of humour is coming in handy. Mom and Dad lie in separate beds in the same hospital now, not quite knowing where they are. Each time I visit they ask me about it, so I explain it to them like it’s the first time and the lights come on, then quickly fade. I once asked my dad the secret to their lengthy marriage and his eyes twinkled. “Senility,” he said. It was funny back then. But now the two old lovers are saying a slow goodbye to this earth, surrounded by children who love them and nurses whose sweetness surprises me at times. Looking for Dad the other night, I found him slumped in a chair, tears streaming down his cheeks. “It’s alright, Victor,” said a slender young nurse, placing a gentle arm about his shoulder. “Hey,” I joked to her, “he’s already taken.” Dad crossed his eyes and pushed his false teeth out at me. The phone woke me one morning. It was Dad. “Someone stole my pants,” he said. “Where’s my billfold? Can you bring me some money?” I told him I was loaded, I’d be right over. “Hurry,” he said, “I’m going to see a movie.” My father hasn’t stepped inside a movie theatre since becoming a Christian 60 years ago. By the time I arrived he had been out riding the range with Roy Rogers and the two were planning on roping cattle together. Seeing me, he said: “What are you doing here? Don’t you work?” Some doctors call it dementia. Others, Alzheimer’s. None of us dreamed it would come to this. Yesterday, my mother—a woman I have seen share her faith with leatherclad bikers, the girl who led me to Christ when I was a lad—was convinced that God had abandoned her. I was stroking her white hair and singing: “Jesus led me all the way,” when this spiritual giant of a woman, who Some doctors call it dementia. Others, Alzheimer’s. None of us dreamed it would come to this January 2006 Faith & friends | 19
stands less than five feet now, interrupted. “No he didn’t,” she said indignantly. “You mean Jesus?” I asked, “When did he stop?” “Last Wednesday.” And she was serious. Doubts come and go. But tonight she is listening to beautiful hymns on a CD player she can’t operate and smiling with her eyes closed. “Tell me about the kids,” she says. Dad is concerned that he has misplaced the keys to the car—a car that no longer runs. I tell him they’re around here somewhere. I’ll find them, don’t worry. I can’t believe I’m lying to my dad. Surely they have manuals for this kind of thing, but I’m learning as I go. I’ve brought along a book and I read it to my mother out loud. It is the same tattered copy of Winnie the Pooh that she read to me when I was four. “How cold my toes … tiddly-pom,” I sing, using a tune she taught me. I’m tough. I don’t cry easily. But as I leave tonight, I take part again in this grand role reversal, whispering goodnight to the woman who tucked me in with a thousand goodnight kisses. “God bless you,” I say. “He does,” she smiles, “He gave me you.” Then she motions my daughter Rachael to her bedside. “Bernice loves you,” she says. “Say it after me so you’ll never forget: ‘Bernice loves me.’ ” Rachael smiles and wipes a tear. Dad is seated in a nearby chair, getting ready for a trip, he says. Going back to Ontario where he spent his boyhood. Gonna see the tall oak trees and swim in the Elora Gorge. He smiles as he tells me this and I wonder if it’s not the most profound thing he’s uttered in years. We’re all getting ready for a trip, aren’t we? Packing light. Going home. Outside, Rachael wants to drive. I can’t believe she’s already 16. “Will you visit me when I’m old?” I ask, wiping tears and fumbling for the car keys. She smiles her agreement. “I need a hug,” I say. She leans close. Ah yes, I can feel a sneeze coming on. The two old lovers are saying a slow goodbye to this earth, surrounded by children who love them Phil Callaway is a popular speaker and author. Visit him online at www.philcallaway.com 20 | Faith & friends January 2006
HOT Topics H er name is Ana. She presents false promises of empowerment, control and perfection. In return, she demands attention, emptiness and starvation. The subject of artwork, poems, prayers and Internet communities, she is also the cause of heartache, hospital visits and even death. A few years ago, while volunteering in an eating disorder clinic, I was introduced to Ana and her equally dangerous sidekick, Mia. One patient, whose skin barely stretched over her protruding bones, cried continually about her “betrayal of Ana.” At first, I thought she was alluding to the name of friends or patients—I later learned Ana and Mia were the personifed versions of her illness. Dying to be Thin Hundreds of pro-anorexia websites share tips and tricks with young readers. Should we be worried? by Ashley Elliott Pictures of skeletal models are posted to inspire others to anorexic behaviour January 2006 Faith & friends | 21
A n or e xi a a n d b uli mi a ar e d a n g er o us e ati n g dis or d ers t y pifi e d b y a n o bs essi o n wit h w ei g ht l oss, di et a n d dist ort e d b o d y i m a g e. A n or e xi a is a r ef us al t o e at, w hi c h r es ults i n d a n g er o us w ei g ht l oss. uli mi a is “ p ur gi n g” f o o d b y v o miti n g, e x er cis e or f asti n g. h es e l et h al c o n diti o ns ar e g ai ni n g m e di a att e nti o n a n d a c ult-li k e f ol l o wi n g, wit h t h e s p otli g ht f alli n g o n oll y w o o d’s r ail-t hi n st ars. o- a n or e xi a w e bsit es hi g hli g ht ti ps o n g etti n g t hr o u g h a d a y o n as littl e f o o d as p ossi bl e, a n d pr o m ot e a n or e xi c m a ntr as s u c h as “ n ot hi n g t ast es as g o o d as t hi n f e els.” “ hi n s pir ati o n” is als o a f e at ur e of t h es e p a g es — pi ct ur es of s k el et al m o d els p ost e d t o i ns pir e ot h ers t o a n or e xi c b e h a vi o ur. At first gl a nc e, t h es e w e bsit es s o u n d l u di cr o us; h o w e v er t h e y ar e g ai ni n g p o p ul arit y at a n al ar mi n g r at e. h es e sit es t y pi c all y t ar g et y o u n g f e m al es wit h t e n d e nci es t o w ar d o v er- ac hi e vi n g, all- or- n ot hi n g t hi n ki n g, p erf e cti o nis m a n d c o m p etiti v e n ess. M a n y pr o- a n a w e bsit es dis g uis e t h e ms el v es as s u p p ort gr o u ps or gl a m ori z e t h e ill n ess b y c alli n g it a lif est yl e c h oi c e. nli n e c o m m u niti es oft e n s pri n g u p ar o u n d t h e sit es, t a p pi n g i nt o y o u n g p e o pl e’s y e ar ni n g t o b el o n g. Si g ns a n d s y m pt o ms of a n e ati n g dis or d er A n or e xi a: dr o ps w ei g ht t o a b o ut 2 0 % b el o w n or m al r a n g e d e ni es f e eli n g h u n gr y x ercis es e xc essi v el y e els f at wit h dr a ws fr o m s oci al acti viti es uli mi a: m a k es e xc us es t o g o t o t h e b at hr o o m i m m e di at el y aft er m e als e a ts h u g e a m o u nts of f o o d, b ut d o es n't g ai n w ei g ht us es l a x a ti v es or di ur etics wit h dr a ws fr o m s oci al acti viti es A p ers o n’s cri es f or c o ntr ol, acc e pt a nc e a n d l o v e ar e oft e n r e pl ac e d wit h dis or d er e d e ati n g 2 2 ai t h & frie n ds J a n u ar y 2 0 0 6
S o m e w e b p a g es f e at ur e c o m m a n d m e nts s u c h as “ A n a’s e e d,” listi n g r ul es a b o ut di et, b e h a vi o ur a n d t hi n k i n g. h e t er mi n ol o g y is e eril y si mil ar t o t h e e n o m m a n d m e n t s, r ei n f orci n g t h e f a ct t h at t h e m o v e m e nt is tr e at e d b y m a n y as a ki n d of r eli gi o n. ofil e d b y i m e m a g a zi n e , pr a h Wi nfr e y a n d ot h er i nfl u e nti al m e di a o utl ets, t h e pr o- a n a sit es h a v e cr e at e d a m or al p a ni c i n s o ci et y. h e a d v a n t a g e t o all t h e att e nti o n is t h at m a n y e bsit es ar e b ei n g s h ut d o w n. ut t h e s p otli g ht is als o dir e cti n g t h os e pr o n e t o e ati n g dis or d ers t o visit t h e sit es. S o m e als o f e el t h e m e di a b a c kl as h is cr e ati n g i ncr e as e d s oli d arit y i n t h e pr oa n a c o m m u nit y. “ h e m or e t h e y f e el li k e w e —‘t h e ot h ers’ — ar e tr yi n g t o s h ut t h e m d o w n, t h e m or e u nit e d t h e y st a n d,” s a ys Alis o n ar l o w, a li c e ns e d ps y c h ol o gist a n d s u p er vis or of cli ni c al tr ai ni n g at t h e e nfr e w e n t er i n o c o n ut e e k, Fl a., a r esi d e nti al f a cil it y t h at f oc us es o n e ati n g dis or d ers. M e di c al e x p erts a gr e e t h at t h eir c a us es f or a n or e xi a a n d b uli mi a r u n d e e p. A p er s o n’s cri e s f or c o ntr ol, acc e pt a nc e a n d l o v e ar e oft e n r e pl ac e d wit h dis or d er e d e ati n g. M a n y s u ff er ers w h o f e el o ut of c o ntr ol i n ot h er ar e as of t h eir li v es tr y t o ass ert c o ntr ol t hr o u g h stri ct di et a n d w ei g ht l oss. ut t h os e w h o f e el t h eir li v es w o ul d b e b ett er if t h e y c o ul d j ust l os e t h os e e xtr a p o u n ds e n c o u nt er s e v er e h e alt h pr o bl e ms as t h eir w ei g ht b e gi ns t o pl u m m et. ysi c al e ff e cts i n cl u d e s e v er e d e h y dr ati o n, br ittl e b o n es, h air/t e et h l oss, f ati g u e, di g esti v e ail m e nts, h e art tr o u bl e a n d ki d n e y f ail ur e. Fr o m a hristi a n p ers p e cti v e, it is e m pti n g t o writ e- o ff e ati n g dis or d ers as b ei n g a l ac k of f ait h. ut li k e a n y m e nt al ill n ess, e ati n g dis or d ers r e q uir e m e dic al i nt er v e nti o n. If y o u k n o w s o m e o n e w h o s uff ers fr o m a n e ati n g dis or d er, d o n’t j u d g e t h e m or f orc e t h e m t o e at. his will n ot h el p , b ut will i nst e a d c a us e t h e m t o wit h dr a w e v e n m or e. S h o wi n g y o ur fri e n d u nc o n diti o n al l o v e a n d s h ar i n g t h e f ait h y o u h a v e i n G o d will h el p t h e m i n t h eir rec o v er y. h er e ar e m a n y hristi a n c o u ns el ors w h o s p e ci aliz e i n e ati n g dis or d ers a n d ar e w ell- e q ui p p e d t o h el p t h e s uff eri n g. It is e as y t o ass u m e t h at t h os e wit h e ati n g dis or d ers w o ul d gi v e a n yt hi n g t o b e w ell, s o it c a n b e fr ustr ati n g w h e n s o m e p e o pl e d o n ot e m br a c e r e c o v er y. I n t h es e c as es, w e m ust r e m e m b er t o tr e at t h os e w h o h ol d t h es e pr o- a n a vi e ws s eri o usl y a n d ur g e t h e m t o s e e k m e dic al tr e at m e nt. A n A n or e xic e e d I b eli e ve i n o n tr ol, t h e o nl y f orc e mi g ht y e n o u g h t o bri n g or d er t o t h e c h a os t h at is m y w orl d. I b eli e ve t h at I a m t h e m ost vil e, w ort hl ess a n d us el ess p ers o n e v er t o h a v e e xist e d o n t his pl a n et, a n d t h at I a m t ot all y u n w ort h y of a n y o n e’s ti m e a n d att e nti o n. I b eli e ve t h at ot h er p e o pl e w h o t ell m e di ff er e ntl y m ust b e i di ots. If t h e y c o ul d s e e h o w I r e all y a m, t h e n t h e y w o ul d h at e m e al m ost as m uc h as I d o. I b eli e ve i n a w h oll y bl ac k a n d w hit e w orl d, t h e l osi n g of w ei g ht, r ecri mi n ati o n f or si ns, t h e a b n e g ati o n of t h e b o d y a n d a lif e e v er f asti n g F or m or e i nf or m ati o n a b o ut e ati n g dis or d ers a n d c o nt act n u m b ers, visit w w w.s o m et hi n g- fis h y. or g J a n u ar y 2 0 0 6 ai t h & frie n ds 2 3
lite Stuf Recipes Oriental Ramen Salad Crunchy noodles and crisp greens combine for a quick and delicious salad. To make this salad a meal, simply add sliced roasted chicken breast and mandarin oranges. Ingredients 30 ml (2 tbsp) butter or margarine 85 g (3 oz) package dry oriental-favour ramen noodle soup, with seasoning packet 125 ml (½ cup) sliced almonds 150 ml (²⁄³ cup) evaporated milk 150 ml (²⁄³ cup) vegetable oil 45 ml (3 tbsp) white vinegar 30 ml (2 tbsp) granulated sugar 625 g (20 oz) romaine-radicchio salad greens 4 green onions, sliced diagonally Method Melt butter in large skillet. Add crumbled ramen noodles and nuts; cook, stirring constantly, until noodles are golden. Remove from pan; cool. Place evaporated milk, oil, ramen seasoning packet, vinegar and sugar in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Combine salad greens, noodle mixture, green onions and dressing in large bowl; toss to coat well. Serve immediately. Serves 8. Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta Shrimp, garlic, and pasta make an unbeatable combination served with crumbled feta and capers. Ingredients 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil 1 medium red or green bell pepper, cut into strips 1 clove garlic, fnely chopped 60 ml (¼ cup) white grape juice 250 g (8 oz) raw small shrimp 60 ml (¼ cup) sliced ripe olives 280 g (9 oz) linguine, cooked 200 g (7 oz) refrigerated pesto sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, lightly warmed 60 ml (¼ cup) crumbled feta cheese 15 ml (1 tbsp) capers Method Heat oil in large skillet. Add bell pepper and garlic; cook for 2 minutes. Add white grape juice and shrimp; cook until shrimp are pink. Stir in olives. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Toss with pesto in medium bowl. Serve topped with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and capers. Serves 4. 24 | Faith & friends January 2006
From Who Put My Life on Fast-Forward? © Mary Chambers and Phil Callaway Copyright www.crosswordsite.com. Used with permission. 1. strap; 4. and; : ss cro A ossword Solution r C 7. coo; 8. emu; 10. aroma; 12. pupil; 14. memo; 16. none; 17. youngster; 19. religious; 23. open; oah; 26. binge; 27. adore; 28. odd; 29. tar; N 24. 1. scamp; 2. tore; n: w Do 30. sea; 31. maybe 3. roomy; 5. depot; 6. ruler; 9. mines; 11. mooring; 13. unsound; 15. unft; 18. tepid; 19. robot; 20. lends; 21. sooty; 22. there; 25. Arab Across 1. Belt 4. As well as 7. Dove sound 8. Large fightless bird 10. Fragrance 12. Student 14. Brief letter 16. Not any 17. Child 19. Devout 23. Not closed 24. Ark builder 26. Spree 27. Worship 28. E ccentric 29. Sailor 30. O cean 31. Perhaps Down 1. Rascal 2. Ripped 3. Spacious 5. Storage centre 6. Sovereign 9. Hidden bombs 11. Berth 13. Defective 15. Unsuitable 18. Lukewarm 19. Automaton 20. Gives a loan 21. C overed with ash 22. At that place 25. Middle Easterner Challenge C rossword Quick Quiz 1. Which daughter of Zeus was the cause of the T rojan War? 2. What is the perfect score in a game of ten pin bowling? 3. Who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ghandi? 4. What year did the “ Black Sox” scandal rock the World Series? 5. Which great jazz musician had the nickname “Satchmo”? 6. Who led the frst expedition to circumnavigate the globe? ingsley; 4. 1919; en K B oy; 2. 300; 3. Sir r T elen of H 1. 5. Louis Armstrong; 6. Ferdinand Magellan January 2006 Faith & friends | 25
SACRED Space We smile at the story because we know how painfully difficult it is to be exposed for who we really are, to take an honest, deep look at ourselves and our relationship with God. We have learned to cover up our loneliness with activity, our emptiness with busyness and our relationships with trite phrases and self-talk. Eric Sandras in the whimsically titled book Buck Naked Faith takes an honest look at how Christian faith can become stunted and self-centred. “Bible memory verses memorized out of context or warm fuzzy rhetoric from wall plaques won’t cut it any longer,” he writes. “We are not to add-on God to our story but rather be welcome participants in God’s larger story—His redemptive story for His world.” Sandras’ point is that traditionalism, empty religion and rules alone do not satisfy. People today are longing for real relationship with God and others. Deep within us is a profound need to be heard and understood. We don’t come to know ourselves through endless introspection. Rather, we learn about ourselves by knowing and being known by others. Authentic relationship with other human beings is only possible when we are rooted in an authentic relaAfew years ago my wife paid an impromptu visit to her former piano teacher, whom she respected highly. Many years had passed since they had last met. A disheveled woman answered the door, then quickly retreated and returned with a lovely but obviously dated photo, saying: “This is what I really look like!” Buck Naked Faith It’s often painful to take an honest look at ourselves. Bernard of Clairvaux’s four stages of love can deepen our understanding of self and God by David Ivany 26 | Faith & friends January 2006
Traditionalism, empty religion and rules alone do not satisfy tionship with God. The two go hand in hand. Bernard of Clair vaux, a monk and mystic of the 12th century, described four stages of love that illustrate how we can free ourselves from selfsh thinking and fall more deeply in love with God. 1. I love myself for my sake This first stage of love comes instinctively. It’s part of our fallen human nature. From the cradle to the grave, we look out for number one, take care of business and do unto others before they do unto us. The media is full of stories of exploitation, greed and violence, all advanced in the name of ego. In order to truly love God and others, we must let go of our selfsh desires. 2. I love Jesus for my sake In this second stage, we begin to look outside ourselves and acknowledge God’s power. But the end result is still selfish: we love Jesus because He gives us stuf. We’re infected with values of the society, and worship technology and money. We believe because it gives us leverage, status, social and business contacts, the promise of Heaven, prosperity, health and success. Unfortunately, when God doesn’t “come through,” we quickly lose interest. This fckle, shallow faith in a “gimme God” doesn’t last. 3. I love Jesus for Jesus’ sake Bernard’s third level constitutes a paradigm shift. By taking time to be still, we can truly experience God. The birth of a child, the summit of a hiking trip, the funeral of a departed friend … these events, euphoric or traumatic, focus our attention on our Creator and Redeemer, who is truly worthy of praise and honour. When we choose to love God and His truths, regardless of what we receive, we free ourselves from the prison of self. It’s the faith that allowed a Holocaust victim to scrawl on the wall of a Nazi prison camp: “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in God, even when I do not feel His presence.” 4. I love myself for Jesus’ sake This final stage of love is truly the “promised land.” As the Apostle Paul says, in God “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). When we are passionate about God, we lose our preoccupation with self. We move intuitively to the rhythms of something beyond us. Be rn a rd d e s c r i b e s t h e branches of a fruit tree which, when connected to a life-giving vine, produce fruit. They don’t grunt and strive, but, because they “abide” in the vine, they naturally produce buds, blossoms and fruit. Likewise, in our relationship with Jesus, we can allow the seeds of faith to grow within us as we abide in Him. Grow in the knowledge of a God who knows you intimately. Fall deeper in love with Jesus—loving Him with heart and mind and soul, and loving your neighbour as yourself. Take an honest, deep look at yourself and your relationships. Don’t be afraid to be exposed before a loving gracious God who created you with purpose and possibility. January 2006 Faith & friends | 27
God’s Saving Miracle After a devastating series of events, Lawrence Chakwesha left everything he owned to begin a new life in Canada by Nathaniel Ogilvie O n Saturday, July 19, 1997, the devil signed for my death,” says Lawrence Chakwesha. That was the day he was shot in the back and left for dead. Lawrence was living in Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe, with his wife, Holly, and their two young children. After picking up Holly from a church meeting, Lawrence stopped of at a nearby store to buy bread. While Holly went into the store, Lawrence waited for her in the car. After a few minutes, he saw a youth running through the parking lot. Seconds later, someone opened the car door on the passenger’s side and pointed a gun at him. Lawrence tried to get out of the car, but he was shot in the back. “As I staggered to the pavement, and blood gushed from my body, I started to black out,” says Chakwesha. “I called out to God and asked Him to save me. I wasn’t prepared to leave my wife and young children without a husband and father.” When an ambulance arrived, the paramedics began arguing about what had happened rather than attending to Lawrence’s wound. “I gained enough energy to let them know that they would be responsible if I were to die on the street,” he says. As they transported Lawrence to hospital, the ambulance was pursued by police, security agencies and the press. The following morning the newspapers published a report of the incident, outlining Lawrence as a dying suspect who had a girlfriend in the car. “Doctors and nurses were told not to attend to me because the police told them I was a dangerous man with weapons,” says Chakwesha. “But the information of my shooting travelled very fast since it happened during the daytime.” People from seven Salvation Army churches in the city and Lawrence’s workmates confronted the police and demanded that he be treated. “The hospital unlawfully demanded $3,000 in cash up front before admitting me,” says Chakwesha. “They refused payment by cheque from the chairman of the company I worked for until he raised the cash.” For four and a half hours, Lawrence bled without receiving medical attention. “I could hear doctors standing over me, debating whether I was dead or alive,” he says. While he lay dying, his wife was taken away from him and questioned at the central police station. 28 | Faith & friends January 2006
Fortunately, Lawrence experienced a miracle that day. The bullet entered through his back and exited through his chest, missing the heart and vital organs by inches. No ribs were broken and no arteries torn. The lung, which shrank to give way to the bullet, came back to its regular position after fve days. “A s t h e d o c t o r s a n d nurses were not permitted to touch me, God sent an of-duty nurse who once fellowshipped at our church to rescue me,” says Chakwesha. Finally, the doctors agreed to treat Lawrence, and decided to give him a blood transfusion. “I refused because I could die at any minute,” he says. “I whispered that they give me water instead. Within a few hours I had enough blood to survive. Then I had a very successful surgery to remove the blood clots in my body.” After a week and a half, Lawrence was pleading with his doctor to let him out of the hospital because he had fully recovered. “God truly heard my prayer in that parking lot,” says Chakwesha. In spite of Lawrence’s effor ts with the police to have his shooting incident addressed and have the perpetrator brought to justice, nobody was arrested. The police ofcers who frst arrived on the scene were transferred and the file was thrown from officer to officer. “My records at the hospital disappeared,” he says. “I was entitled to insurance for injury but I lost out for lack of medical records.” After seeing no progress, Lawrence’s brother—who had an influential position in the army and the governing political party—tried to intervene. But he was threatened when he got involved. I n Zimbabwe, Lawrence was extensively involved in the work of The Salvation Army. He was the corps sergeant major (the chief layperson) at his church, sat on advisory boards and Lawrence, Holly and their children attend The Salvation Army in Hamilton, Ont. For four hours, Lawrence bled without receiving medical attention. “I could hear doctors debating whether I was dead or alive” January 2006 Faith & friends | 29
planned Salvation Army conferences. During his day job, he was the area manager of a retail company in charge of two provinces. “In extreme frustration I sold my house, clothes, car, dogs and everything I owned,” says Chakwesha. “But I had no idea what to do or where to go. So I prayed and asked God to guide me and tell me what to do. Then one day I woke up and decided to buy tickets for my family to travel to Toronto, Canada. I knew nobody in Canada—I just bought tickets and left. My hope and faith rested solely in God. We arrived in Toronto in July, and then moved to Burlington and then Hamilton, Ont.” Lawrence is thankful for his new life in Canada. He now has a permanent job, a new car and a house. Not only that, he maintains that the snow has improved his health. “My mind is totally renewed,” he says. “I hope for more progress. I thank God every day for Canada.” Lawrence is very appreciative of the love and support his family has received at Mountain Citadel, the Salvation Army church they attend. “They have made life much easier for us,” he reflects. “Their love to us is unbelievable.” The Chakweshas’ pastor, Major Lloyd Boone, returns the kind feelings. “I have seen the Chakweshas move from their early years in Canada in a state of great need and adjust rapidly to a new culture to responsible employment and into a home of their own,” he says. “They have worked hard and have displayed a deep faith in the provision and care of God for them. It’s wonderful to see their children involved in the youth ministries. The Chakweshas are a joy and delight to have in our congregation.” Lawrence doesn’t doubt God’s love for him and his family. He has faced significant challenges, but has also experienced God’s peace and protection. “I have learnt that when you face problems, you should never ask God: ‘Why me?’ The devil wants to use that as a tool to separate you from God. In all situations remain steadfast and put your trust in God. Remain where God’s hand can reach you. Don’t wander away.” Missing Persons The Salvation Army will help search for missing relatives. Send information to the Family Tracing Service Office, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4. Mark envelope “Inquiry.” Addresses will be forwarded to the inquirer only with permission of the person being sought. For more information, call Family Tracing at (416) 425-2111. DINGLER, René. Born 1948 in Inning, Germany. Mother’s name Rosa Josepha. Last contact 1980. Mother inquiring. MONTGOMERY, Rose. Born 1941 in Glasgow, Scotland. Mother’s name Mary. Last contact 1984. Brother inquiring. SMALL (STEWART), Kevin James. Born 1958 in Gunnedah, Australia. Mother’s name Margaret. Last contact 1974. Brother inquiring. SMITH, Anne. Born 1941 in Glasgow, Scotland. Mother’s name Margaret. Last contact 1995. Brother inquiring. 30 | Faith & friends January 2006
Steps to a Christian Life Admit your need of forgiveness For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Believe in Jesus Christ Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Commit yourself to God and live for Him In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). I want to: ❏ accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and learn about being a Christian ❏ learn more about The Salvation Army ❏ connect with a local Salvation Army church (or fellowship corps) ❏ receive information about Bible study material ❏ ask for prayers for me and for ________________________ ❏ tell you I am praying for your ministry Return this coupon to: Faith & Friends The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Boulevard Toronto, Ontario CANADA M4H 1P4 (416) 422-6112 [email protected] ❏ su bscribe to Faith & Friends at its annual price of $16.50 (includes GST) [U.S.A. $21.50, foreign $23.50] Please print Name Address Town/City Prov/State Postal/Zip Code Phone ( ) E-mail ❏ Send my Gift Subscription of Faith & Friends to Name Address Town/City Prov/State Postal/Zip Code Phone ( ) E-mail Send a gift card ❏ Yes ❏ No Payment: ❏ Cheque ❏ Money Order (Payable to Faith & Friends) ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard Name on the card Card # Expiry / January 2006 Faith & friends | 31
180 degrees: I came home one day and when I saw what my wife was doing with another guy I knew the marriage was over. I always thought that when you got married, said your vows, that you’d stay together forever. She didn’t think so. It’s a long fall to the streets, but it can happen so quickly. A shack with a view: Crack and alcohol—they helped deal with the pain. I lived in the tent city in Toronto. For being homeless, I had beautiful lakefront property. Everyday at my shanty there’d be a party and we’d look across the water at the city. But it wasn’t a good life. I was becoming a hard person. After 18 months I knew something had to change. I met a guy from The Salvation Army. Joseph Nowlan: 45, cook A new home: Over the last few years the Army helped me fnd an apartment and jobs. They stood by me when I was in hospital for shoulder surgery. They helped me get clean and they helped me fnd God. They cared so much for me that I started to care for them. Now I cook at church every Sunday ... it’s my way of giving something back. www.SalvationArmy.ca