Philippines Update

THE Salvation Army in The Philippines is increasing its collaboration with other agencies to provide help to the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan who need the most urgent assistance. Much of the 54 tons of food, water and medical supplies which have been gathered in Manila is still waiting to be transported to Tacloban for distribution across the Island of Leyte, but the first truckload of supplies – enough for 550 families – is expected today.
A 'cluster coordination system' has been set up to ensure that all agencies are working together, and The Salvation Army is working within the system, attending 'cluster' meetings that address logistics, health, food, shelter, non-food items (NFI) and protection.

The programme of support to people evacuating from Tacloban Airport is continuing to assist up to 1,000 people every day. At cluster meetings the potential for human trafficking was highlighted as an immediate concern, so a registration facility has been set up in a tent at the airport, with The Salvation Army given a tent next to this at which it will provide refreshments and sandwiches.

Thanks to arrangements made through a partnership with The Salvation Army USA, the Chief Executive Officer of the Christian Medical and Dental Association of the USA (CMDA), Dr David Stevens, arrives in Manila on Friday with a team of four colleagues. By start of next week they hope to join forces with Salvation Army medical staff on Leyte.

The emergency response team in Tacloban is currently identifying the areas for its first big distribution. Consideration is also being given to an additional food project for the areas outside of Tacloban that haven't received support. With transport continuing to be a major issue, enquiries are being made in Cebu to purchase food and other items, along with a truck to transport the supplies to Leyte. A warehouse owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be used for storage – a vital element in the process.

For the people who remain on Leyte, shelter is a great concern. There is currently nowhere to obtain tarpaulins which can be used to waterproof damaged houses, so The Salvation Army is looking at ways to bring in roofing sheets that could provide a simple, longer-term solution.

A video clip containing information about The Salvation Army's typhoon response, produced by International Headquarters employee Gary Rose, has been published on YouTube. Go to sar.my/haiyanvideo to view the video, then share the link with colleagues and friends. Also, follow and share the latest news and photos via Twitter (@TSA_IHQ), Facebook (sar.my/facebook) and Flickr (sar.my/flickr).

Philippines Typhoon Update

LONDON, 18 November 2013/IHQ/ – SALVATION Army emergency personnel in the typhoon-hit city of Tacloban, The Philippines, and other devastated areas in the Visayas Islands are seeing signs of hope emerge as relief goods, medicines and other aid starts to reach the people. The Salvation Army is continuing to provide essentials, and is working in conjunction with local authorites and other agencies.

While The Salvation Army's Social Services Department coordinates the preparation and transport of relief goods, Major Reynaldo Magat (Central Philippines Division) and Damaris Frick (International Emergency Services) are leading a team of officers and Salvationists in Tacloban. They are collaborating with other agencies and preparing for the actual distribution of goods. One of the main priorities is to find storage facilities, and viable options are being explored. Personnel from The Salvation Army's Visayas Islands Division are spearheading relief operations in other affected areas.

The Salvation Army's response goes beyond the provision of emergency supplies. In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan many people still need medical assistance. The medical services in the affected areas are unable to cope and have requested external support. The Salvation Army has been asked by the authorities to work in the Baybay area in partnership with the District Hospital.

The Salvation Army in The Philippines has medical personnel, and they will work with medical staff from the Christian Medical and Dental Association of the USA (CMDA), whose participation has been arranged through a partnership with The Salvation Army USA. The Chief Executive Officer of CMDA, Dr David Stevens, will fly to The Philippines this week to lead the first team and assess needs.

Together, medical personnel from The Salvation Army and CMDA will identify which medical supplies and equipment are required, looking to purchase as much as possible in The Philippines. The project will also look to bring in other medical personnel – where possible, from The Philippines – and a vehicle will be purchased to assist with transport of staff and all necessary supplies to Baybay and other areas.

The transportation of large amounts of relief supplies continues to cause concern. The Salvation Army is still waiting for cargo space to fly 54 tons of food, water and medical supplies from Manila. Other possible transport methods are still being explored, and John Graham, a trustee of the Propeller Club of Manila, has offered one of its vessels to transport goods and equipment to Tacloban on 29 November. The Propeller Club of Manila is a maritime institution that also trains young Filipinos for seafaring jobs.

Until the supplies arrive, the Salvation Army team in Tacloban continues to find other avenues of service, most recently by providing meals and counselling to people waiting to evacuate Tacloban by air or sea. Damaris reports: 'The number of people waiting for evacuation is slowly decreasing,' but she believes that this will be a useful ministry for at least a few more days.

'We're only giving out water and sandwiches – it's very simple,' she adds, but with the understanding that this basic act is a vital help to desperate people. She reveals that since the Salvation Army team began their ministry at the airport they discovered that, in the days immediately after the disaster, two people died at the airport because of the lack of food and drink.

Away from Tacloban a response is also under way to support evacuees as they arrive at the airport in Cebu and at Villamor Airbase in Manila, where The Salvation Army was one of a number of organisations that greeted thousands of people who had survived the typhoon. The demonstration of love and concern was overwhelming. After feeding the survivors, they were led to first aid or counselling areas.

Up-to-date information and full details about how to make a donation can be found on the new Typhoon Haiyan Appeal page: sar.my/haiyan
Also, we will be taking up an offering on Sunday at Marion Corps to support this appeal.

The Philippines

You will have seen the devastation that the super typhoon has caused in the Philippines. 10,000+ people have died, hundreds of thousands are displaced and many are in trouble. This includes some of our own Salvation Army people, with at least four Corps in the devastated area.

 

The Salvation Army has already started to help those that are affected. Already $100,000 in food supplies are being prepared for distribution, and, obviously, more will be done. Damaris Frick, a friend of mine from IES is leaving for Manila today to assess the best ways that we can work and the worldwide Salvation Army is banding together to support whatever needs to occur.

 

Our territory will be making a financial contribution to the relief efforts.

 

We have also launched an appeal which can be accessed via www.salvationarmy.org.au

Thanks everyone. Let's keep praying for Colonels Wayne & Robyn Maxwell - the territorial leaders of The Salvation Army in the Philippines (Australians!), the people they work with, and most of all the people they will need to support following this disaster.

NSW Bushfires

As the bushfire crisis continues in NSW it has been good to hear of the way that God is using organisations like The Salvation Army to help. It was also good to hear testimony of God's faithfulness and protection on Life FM last night. A news release has been put out by The Salvation Army in Sydney:

To read more go to:

http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/News-and-Media/news-and-media/The-Salvation-Army-responds-to-NSW-Bushfires/

We're back

OK... I was sitting in our Hymns of Praise service this afternoon and realised that there hadn't been a log entry since we went on holidays - about 4 weeks ago.

Sorry.

It's been a great rest. Coming back, I have really appreciated the work of our church's great leadership team in our absence. I also recognise that God is always at work, regardless of whether we are or not.

While we've been away there's been some challenges in our church. We sadly recognise the promotion to glory of Vonne, Sue and Edith. Few of us will foget Vonne's message recently about acceptance in the church and how she has felt loved and not judged. Many of us would remember Edith's prophetic words. She once stopped me in a newsagent at Marion Westfield to testify about one of her visions!

We also welcome some new people into our church that have started coming over the last few days. I'm chuffed that they, too, are speaking of welcome and acceptance. One new lady at our service today was talking about her return to a Salvation Army service after her first encounters while her grandfather was a bandmaster at Norwood.

So, my take aways today are:

God is always at work.
We have a great church leadership team.
Welcome and acceptance, belonging and loving, trump anything else in bringing people closer to God and wholeness.

Election 2013

Well tomorrow is the day. Over 15 million Australians will go to the polls to elect their representatives for the next parliament. We also elect half the senate again. And then we wait to see who has the numbers to form a government.

While we would all have a preference, and while we would all, I'm guessing, wish that even our preferences changed a few of their policies, we still are expected to make a decision. One helpful article out of Perth today might help...

http://www.watoday.com.au/comment/religion-and-politics-is-like-icecream-and-manure-they-dont-mix-20130905-2t6ij.html

Syria

With mounting tensions in Syria, the National Council of Churches have this week released the following statement:

At this crucial time, the people of Syria and the Middle East need peace not war. Weapons or military action can not bring peace to Syria is the firm conviction of Middle Eastern Church leaders meeting this week in Amman, Jordan.


The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) expresses concern for the people of Syria and condemns the use of chemical weapons. “This crime needs to be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted.” said the Reverend Tara Curlewis, NCCA general secretary. “External military intervention will only increase the suffering of the people and increase the risk of escalating sectarian violence”

The people of Syria want peace not war. They are calling for a negotiated political solution. The people of Syria need world leaders to support non violent actions to ensure security and peace.

Curlewis added “We call on the Foreign Minister the Hon. Bob Carr to engage with the leaders of the USA and Russia at the G20 leaders meeting to identify each countries contribution to a political process towards peace and justice for Syria.”

“A significant contribution Australia could make would be to be part of a process that identifies ways to starve the fire of war and reduces the flow of deadly armaments at this time.”

The NCCA joins the call of the World Council of Churches, Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury for dedicated prayer and work for peace in Syria, with a particular emphasis on Saturday, September 7.

Old Hymns and New Transformations

During our Hymns of Praise service today, Laurie introduced us to his favourite song. The lyrics of the chorus say:

O the peace my Saviour gives
Peace I never knew before!
And my way has brighter grown
Since I've learned to trust him more.

As we sung this song I was struck by the dual thought - this song is around 100 years old, but it couldn't be truer that it is today. We see, everyday, people transformed by the peace that comes from a relationship with God.

I think through the encounters that we've had through Marion Salvation Army this week. I can't say too much, so as not to contravene people's privacy. But what I can say is that we've had a Mum at her wits end find peace in prayer in our chapel. We've had a soldier (Defence type) find some peace through the counsel offered, helping with traumas he suffered years ago. We've seen an elderly man come to seek peace from God after years of habitually taking himself into trouble. We've seen another man that has come through a tragic car accident last week, and the loss of a friend, seek solace through our ministries because of the relationships he has here - and we pray that will leave to finding God's peace.

The final verse finishes this thought well:

Now I'm trusting every moment
Nothing less can be enough;
And my Saviour bears me gently
O'er theplaces once so rough
O the peace my Saviour gives...

 (Lyrics  by Francis Augustus Backmer, 1855-1930)

Growing Healthy Corps Consultations

The Growing Healthy Corps Network is growing. Some of you would recall the consultation that was held at Marion back in August 2007, when Rev Dr Paul Borden and a team came to our Corps to help us identify some prescriptions designed to help us to fulfil the great commission as we moved forward.

There has been mixed success, I should say, in how we have gone. To this end, I've resolved to review the prescriptions and see where we can pick up the ball again.

In the meantime, I've now had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the fence, as a consultant team member. With three others I've spent the last four days at Parafield Gardens Salvation Army Corps in Adelaide helping to identify strength, concerns and prescriptions to help them move forward. It feels like a very scriptural thing to do, to help other parts of the body to reach their potential. We need Corps in Parafield Gardens to help fulfil the commission of the church to make disciples in the same way that we need to be doing our thing at Marion.

It reminds me of why our church even exists. We are there to shine God's light in Adelaide's south so that others will join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. We intend to do this so that we become the multi-congregational, multi-campus, multicultural Corps that we believe we have been called to be. In doing so we pray that we will see 1% of our local city join us as worshipping disciples. We'll ensure we are on track to help people KNOW God (transform lives), GROW in God (make disciples), SHOW God's love (care for people) and GO in God's service (reform society).

Election 2013

I'm not going to give up any of my specific opinions on the policies of the parties, or where people should vote in the coming election. That's not my place. Each of us needs to consider the policies and practices of the parties for ourselves and then decide on who would be a) the best representative for our electorate, and b) who will best lead the country if they form government.

To assist people in this decision, two helpful tools/ resources have been released that I commend to your consideration.

Firstly, The Salvation Army have made a series of statements available, on a range of issues. Check them out at:

http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/Who-We-Are/Publications-reports-submissions/Reports--Submissions/Statements-for-the-Federal-Election-2013/

Also, the ABC have compiled a "Vote Compass" which allows you to compare your personal views with the views of the major parties. You can undertake a survey that will show you which of the three major parties are closest (on the whole, as a generalisation) to your personal views. It also gathers reliable data (the current survey sample is over 850,000 people - much bigger than the landline polls that are published in the press) that shows the views of the general population. Check it out at:

http://www.abc.net.au/votecompass/

For the record, the vote compass also told me that I was a social liberal and from the economic left... but that wouldn't surprise any of you!

Brengle Summary

So Brengle is over for this year. It was a great experience, with a great 'session' of officers and a challenging time for all involved.




The program kept us going - up to 6 sessions a day for the ten days, with a few good breaks in between, including a Sabbath Saturday and a Silent Retreat Sunday to make for a different, but refreshing, weekend.



The programme, in summary, looked at Holiness in the Everyday, The Holy Spirit and Leadership, Prayer and Biblical Foundations for Holiness. The speakers were of international calibre and top quality.



So... now back to applying it at home...   In the meantime, I was blessed today to receive a note from a fellow attendee that highlighted the effect that Brengle can have in your life. He finishes (he's a poet) by saying:   And every day from then to now, and 'til we see the One Who draws us in, past masks and pride: the Father's only Son. His truth has truly set me free, his grace has touched my soul. His service is as life to me, for he has made me whole. (R Spiller, 2013).

Brengle Day 8

Over the past eight days we've continued to look into the subjects of prayer, holiness and faithful living.

Today's sessions started with a prayer concert. This is like an old time Salvation Army prayer meeting except that it goes for a lot longer and has a range of stations where you can join in. These included a space for praying Scripture out loud, a space for intercession, a space for confession, areas where people focussed on thanksgiving, an area where music played and activities around topics such as grief and healing.

Another highlight has been the downtime. This afternoon, with a few hours up our sleeve, some of the delegates enjoyed time together on the Great Ocean Road, one of my favourite parts of Australia.

Brengle day 3

This day has been full already with four speakers presenting on different topics. Perhaps the standout experience so far has been a session called "Moments of Grace".

In this session, each delegate to the Brengle Institute has 10 minutes to share their story. Highs, lows, everything in between, with an aim to seek the moments of transformational grace that have impacted them - or the ones that they are still looking for. After dinner tonight we are heading back into the room for another 7 such stories.

In the meantime we've been hearing about holiness in the Bible, spiritual disciplines and care for the soul and the purpose of intercession.

This last topic leads me to the one thought I'll leave on here today:

In Rev 5:8 we are reminded that the prayers of people are incense before God - they please him, they 'smell' good, they are part of worship. In Rev 8:3-5 we are told of how John saw an angel take two powerful ingredients - the fire of God and the prayers of the saints - to do some pretty dramatic and powerful things on earth. Worth noting.

Brengle day 2

Today we have been blessed by a range of speakers who have stretched our minds in different ways.

Colonel Janet Munn spoke to us about the partnership that we have with God that is prayer. Majors Geoff and Kalie Webb spoke about the foundations and myths that underpin so much of what people speak into the subject of holiness. There was a time with Majors Donna and Stuart Evans about the impact that holiness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will have on our leadership.

Finally, and perhaps best of all, after lunch we met in small groups to unpack a lot of what we had heard and read. A big topic of conversation was the ongoinig difficulty that some Christians have in living in grace themselves, and then protraying grace to others.

The journey continues...

Brengle Day 1

Today the 2013 Brengle Institute began in Geelong. This is an annual seminar named after Samuel Logan Brengle that is held in many countries around the world. It is attended by Salvation Army officers by invitation, usually just once during their officership and this year it is my privilege to be a part of the experience.

The opening address was given by Colonel Peter Walker who chose to talk through sections in the Bible where God asks people to remove their shoes. A strange topic, perhaps.

But think about it:
Moses is asked to remove his shoes so that God can be physically close to him, as he was on 'holy ground'.
Joshua was ordered to remove his battle shoes as he approached Jericho - it wasn't his battle to fight.
The Kingsman-Redeemer in the book of Ruth removed his shoes to sacrifice his rights before another that was more worthy.

And so on...

Culturally we are different to the Hebrews; we use other means to show intimacy, trust and sacrifice. But they are worthy themes and a good way for us to start our thinking at this year's institute.

The High Council

Posts at the moment are a little sparse due to events like Officers' Fellowship, Furlough and the upcoming Brengle Institute. It would be amiss, however, if we didn't note the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army underway at the moment in the United Kingdom.

This council has been convened with the sole purpose of electing the 20th international leader of The Salvation Army. It's gathering was necessitated by the sudden retirement of General Linda Bond a few months back.

The High Council must meet in the UK and is comprised by constitution and law of all active Salvation Army Commissioners from around the world and all Territorial Commanders and Territorial Presidents of Women's Ministries regardless of rank. There are over 110 members of whom around 60% are women. About 1/5 are from Africa and 1/5 from southern Asia. The rest are a spread of nationalities with heavy American and British representation.

Australia is represented by Commissioners Jan and James Condon, currently Territorial Leaders in the Australia Eastern Territory, Commissioner Aylene Finger, and Colonels Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, currently Territorial Leaders in the Philippines Territory. Our Territorial leaders, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd are also present.

The candidates for General have been nominated this week by the Council. They can technically nominate any active officer, meaning that there are around 17,000 potential candidates for the office! However, tradition dictates that they will nominate from among their own membership, and this is reasonable as these are the people with the experience in leadership necessary for the role.

The Council has nominated:

Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (The Netherlands - currently TC in Norway)
Commissioner James Knaggs (USA - currently TC in USA Western)
Commissioner Andre Cox (Swiss - currently Chief of the Staff, International Headquarters)
Commissioner Barry Swanson (USA - currently TC in USA Eastern)
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder (USA - currently TC in Kenya West)

For profiles on each of the candidates visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2013

Today (Friday), UK time, the Candidates will each be required to address the Council and answer a series of questions predetermined by a select committee. Following this time (which may stretch into tomorrow or later) voting will commence. To be elected, one of the candidates must receive 2/3 of the vote on any of the first three ballots. After each ballot, the person with the least votes will be removed from the ballot paper. If the election makes it to a fourth ballot only a simple majority will be required for election.

Diversity of ministry

I was musing, as you know,  last week, about the diversity of ministries that our church is offering to the community. It somewhat flies in the face of being a 'simple church' but it demonstrates our capacity, with God's help, to reach people that he brings across our paths.

To emphasise that we have just today over 100 seniors raising money for water wells in Tanzania while listenting to Scottish music in our hall.

At the same time we have well over 200 people shopping up big at the weekly garage sale.

And... we have over 500 families this week connecting with our Glenelg centre through the Great Jetty Road Treasure Hunt. For more information on that event go to http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1383&c=17390. This is proving to be a great way to showcase our services and open the doors to our local community.

Also - a heads up that on August 4 we will be hosting Rahab ministries at our 10am, Seacombe Gardens congregation. For more information on Rahab, go to: www.rahab.com.au

We are blessed to be able to continue our focus on shining God's light into southern Adelaide so that others join us disciples, so that they can know God, grow in God and then go in God to show God's love themselves.

A day in the life...

I am fully aware that so often the great ministries of our Corps are performed in unspoken ways, and quite often people simply aren't aware of the scope or the depth of what God continues to do through Marion Corps.

Today was a day when I had cause to sit back and think for a moment about just how much God continues to use the people connected with this place.

Throughout the day there have been such a variety of interactions. We've had people complaining to us about the brothels in our neighbourhood, and we've been able to make fresh links with Rahab, a ministry to sex workers, to seek assistance. There are women being trafficked and abused in our area and we can do something. We've had further interaction with our court chaplains who are using our doorways workers to support their clients. We've had people planning away, getting ready for the launch of our Celebrate Recovery program in a few weeks time - a programme that specialises in brining recovery to people in addiction.

We've had a man from our Munchiez van in today because of the relationships he has built; he has just lost his wife and it was through our doorways team, with the help of a shop volunteer, that we've been able to set him up today with emails and other aids that will help him during his time of grief. We've had the opportunity to minister through a funeral service for a man in his sixties who lost his life in a car accident, and whose wife is still under hospital care since the tragedy occured.

We've had people seeking emergency assistance and others coming in to volunteer. We've had people in today preparing the prayer newsletters and others that are helping organise kids to go to a youth camp, starting on Monday.

We have a great church that continues to shine God's light in Adelaide's south through numerous means - every day!

Coming home

It's fitting that this is post 601 - starting a 'new hundred' now that I start another period back at Marion Corps.

Many people have been asking me about coming home. How am I travelling? Has it taken much adjustment? In some ways it has been quite a shock - not least of which has been experiencing the Adelaide cold after a few months of African heat.

In other ways, nothing has changed. The mission we undertook in Mali is the same that we undertake here in Australia. The call that is on our lives to save souls, grow saints and serve humanity is the same here as it is in Africa. The need to know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to change the world is ever present.

Perhaps the symptoms of the needs of people are different. Perhaps the scale or the severity is different. The resources for the mission are certainly different. But the mission itself is the same. We are always in the business of shining God's light so that others may see what we do and give him glory - and, we pray, join us as disciples.

Mali 21

Yesterday we completed our mission... almost. It was the final distribution day at Sogoniko, where we assisted another 90 households with items to help them during their displacement. The 265 households that we have worked with in this way represent thousands of individuals (just yesterday, one household had 40 members, one 35, another 34 and another 29!).

We were ably assisted by seven great assistants from Sogoniko Corps, including the Corps Officers, Lts Joall and Ella (who incidentally complete five years service today and are promoted to |Captain).

It was hot (so what's new) and there were a few obstacles to overcome (not least of which was a lack of power at the Corps), but we got there in the end. I think the hardest part was recognising the number of displaced people that we haven't been able to help. In Bamako alone there are 9000 households that are looking after displaced people, totaly between 75,000 and 77, 000 individuals that need help either to stay, or eventually return home to the north.

From now until Thursday when I start the long journey home (I don't actually arrive in Adelaide until late Sunday night - via Paris, London and Dubai) we still have much work to do. There is some remaining stock that we need to sort, there are reports to write and there is the never ending bookkeeping to finalise.

Mali 20

It was a very proud moment for me on Sunday when the Regional Commander of The Salvation Army here in Mali asked to make an announcement during the meeting at ACI Corps. He proceeded to tell them of the intention of the Marion Corps in Australia to buy each Corps in Bamako a generator. There was spontaneous applause from the congregation and a few African-style celebratory hollers as well.

It was also a very nervous moment. I was aware that the money hadn't actually arrived yet - and that one typographical error by myself or the bank could have sent the money anywhere into the ether.

Thankfully, the first deposit of two made it into the Regional account yesterday. Today a member of The Salvation Army here in Mali was out getting the best price on generators and we hope to purchase them tomorrow. I will bring home photos for the Corps newsletter, of course.

It should be noted that Marion have been very generous. We anticipated raising around $1200 USD for the purchase of three basic generators. The Corps gave almost $3000 USD.

Because there is extra we have been able to upgrade the model of generator to a type that automatically cuts in and out according to the available public electricity supply. We have been also able to put aside some money for fuel. AND the Region are going to buy their first LCD projector for regional training events.

Thank you Marion. Your generosity is going to bless the people of West Africa for many years to come.

Mali 19

So it's Saturday. Day off? No, unfortunately. Apart from checking the football scores from home (where it is almost Sunday), and noting that the mighty Bombers have won their 9th game for the season going into the bye, it's paperwork day.

I know this is a dry subject, but the reality of deployments is that most spare moments during the day are taken up with some sort of work, and like anywhere else/ anything else in The Salvation Army, there's a lot of paper to go with it.

So since breakfast I've been glued to the laptop. The sort of things we have to produce include weekly reports to IHQ on our activities, team safety and security and the progress against our project goals. We have to perform cash reconciliations weekly, because all of our transactions are in cash. We have to scan all accounts and all receipts to send back to our donor territories. We have to write assessments on new potential projects and reports on the projects that are already approved and funded. We have registration forms for beneficiaries and wage/ HR forms and contracts for each of our staff and our casual helpers. There are agenda and minutes from meetings to be read or contributed to. All pretty much the same as in any other part of the world (except sometimes handwritten and in different languages - in this case, almost all in French).

So that's my day. I only mention it so that it's a little clearer as to the realities of life on the job. We aren't always out and about saving the world or seeing the sights. Some days were stuck in the office (or at the kitchen table) trying to provide an account for how we're doing it all. And by blogging about it, I get a break from writing this week's IHQ report!!

Sad

Every now and then, when you work in developing countries, you see something that is just sad.

Today we were driving along and we witnessed an accident. That's normal. I think I see one every day on the roads here.

But this one stood out. A young boy, perhaps 7-8 years old, was knocked over by a motorbike while he was begging on a street corner. In his tin there were a few coins and a few biscuits, which all fell out on to the road.

 As he scrambled up, a friend helped him to the side of the road. Then all the traffic started moving despite him. His biscuits lost and crushed under cars. His coins - well I hope he was able to get them afterward.

While none of this is out of the ordinary for Bamako - there are many beggars, there are many accidents, there are many sad stories - this one stood out to me today. You could see the hurt as the boy got up, you could see the sadness as he lost his biscuits. I could feel my own sadness and helplessness as we were moving the other way.

All of this took about 10 seconds - but it will remain with me.

Mali 17

Today was one of the days when the rubber hits the road.

After weeks of preparation, today was the first distribution that we conducted of household items to displaced people. Keeping it deliberately small, so that we could iron out bugs in our registration and distribution systems, we assisted 40 families today. It was a good thing, as first thing this morning we discovered that our truck was indisposed... and we were moving things in a small van instead. For those in Adelaide, it's like Christmas Cheer, except that we have to buy every item, move it across town (twice in some cases), find where the beneficiaries are now staying (most of them are with host families), register them and then do the handouts - and all through multiple tranlaters (the tribal languages from the north are different to those here in the south).

Over the next two weeks we hope to assist around 275 families in this way (I should point out that the family sizes here are huge - we have three families listed with over 40 in the family!!). They will receive blankets (believe it or not), mats, cups, cutlery, a cooking pot, a serving pot and ladle, mosquito nets, buckets, jerry cans, water purification tablets and the like. We also provide a small amount of cash to assist with transporting goods.

The sad thing is that we are limited by time and budget. So that these distributions, by a number of NGOs, are coordinated, we all receieve an allocation of names from IOM to assist. When we do, we are able to see their whole database. In Bamako alone, at the moment, over 77000 internally displaced people are registered, in 9000+ family units.

Our 275 families are but a small drop in a very large ocean. But it makes a difference to that 275 and we pray for the other groups that are also assisting so that between us we make a big difference.

Mali - ACI2000 Corps

This morning we went to church. This is not unusual for most, and certainly not for us. Even as we walked past the new turkish mosque on the way nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But having said that, church here is Mali is out of the ordinary for a number of reasons.

In the first place we are worshipping as a minority group. While Malians, especially in the south, are a moderate people and very tolerant, they are primarily a Muslim people. Around 95%, in fact. Compared to 2% Christians. Most of the time you don't really notice the difference - except on a Friday when our driver vanishes for two hours to go to Mosque. Or on a Sunday when you raise some strange looks as you walk to church with a Bible in your hand.

Secondly, there is no permanant home for our church here. The Corps did have a building but it was so badly built that the foundations gave way and it is unsafe for them to use. For the last few months the Corps has been meeting under a tin roof (very hot when it's over 40 degrees anyway) propped up behind the RHQ offices. It leaks in the rain; not that it matters - you can't hear anything under the roof while it's raining anyway.

Church is a lot longer than at home. Usually between 2.5 - 3 hours, of which at least 1 - 1.5 hours is the sermon. And it's not a story telling time like at home. Sermons here are loud - usually yelled - and the speakers are turned up so that there is very little that is clear, even to people that understand a lot of French! But it's effective - there are new people at church every week. This week they had a new lady who came for the first time after hearing the new radio show that the Region have started broadcasting. And there are people responding every week to the message. Even today, three people put up their hand to say that they want to become Salvation Army soldiers.

So amid the heat, the flies, the smell from the rubbish dump down the road, and the unique speaker system, we worship. There are some rules about worship here. You must dance. You must jump. You must bring your offering to the altar. You must respond hallelujah every time that the leader calls out (which is around 20 times per worship service). You must clap. It's all very different compared to Marion... but perhaps it wouldn't hurt for there to be a bit more dancing, calling out and jumping at home...

Mali 15

Today I saw the way that God will always change our plans and move things so that they work as they should.

We had just finished our last soap making workshop in a place called Bako-Djikoroni. We had received word that there was a parcel to pick up in the area of Niamana where we conducted the first workshop. As we had finished early we went to receive the parcel.

We arrived at Niamana and were directed to a lady's house. For some reason the person that was escorting us (who spoke less French than I) didn't tell the lady why we were there. So she thought that we had just come for a pastoral visit.

She explained to us how she was ill. She certainly was - two weeks ago I met her and she was the life of the party. Today she can barely move. She explained that she had high blood pressure and had suffered stress and headaches ever since the conflict started.

She told us how shocked she was when, in her home near Timbuktu, she heard gunfire for the first time. She also told us how she had fled, sent by her husband, who has stayed behind. She hears news from home very rarely. Sadly, on Friday she had some bad news - her youngest brother had suddenldy died. She cannot be in her home town for the funeral.

As I listened to her, and spoke with her, it was evident that she was suffering greatly. It was also evident that we were meant to be there, to keep her company for an hour or two, to listen to her story, to appreciate her pain and to pray for her health. She did finish her story by declaring God's care for her and her trust.

Turns out that the parcel that we were to pick up finally came when another lady saw us there and went to fetch it. It was a shirt that had been made to say thank you to me for the time we came and ran the workshop. To be honest, it's not normally a shirt I would wear. But I will, occasionally, thankful for the lady who made it and grateful that I was able to give her some time today - even if by accident.

Shopping... sort of

So it's a little different sometimes when you are working overseas.

At home, if we were looking for water purification tablets (not that we'd need them) in large supply, we would ring a wholesaler and have a delivery date arranged.

No such luck here.

This morning I spent a few hours being driven from chemist to chemist buying one or two boxes at a time. Our hope was to build up our supply to add a box to each of the kits we are providing over the next two weeks for displaced people - 275 boxes are required.

Today's expedition netted 61 boxes from 17 chemists. Back on the road tomorrow  ;-)

Kassela

Today I was able to escape the big city for a drive to the town of Kassela. It lies around 1 1/2 hours SE of Bamako on the road that takes you to the Burkina Faso border.

As we left town I felt quite at home. The landscape was reminiscent of the north of SA or the south of the NT. Very red dirt. Small mounds of rock. Sparse, but dark green, vegetation. Arid but beautiful, and ironically not that far from the mighty Niger River.

The objective was to see if we could start a community gardens project in the area. Unfortunately it is not going to be possible. The cost to benefit ratio, alone, makes it prohibitive and we had to admit that there was insufficient research done before we had arrived. Further, there was no available land that was both affordable and farmable for the local people.

This was a little disappointing. Of the 500,000 displaced people, 28,000 are in this province. Food security was an issue apart from the conflict and is only getting worse.

We will continue to look at other ways of assisting, but for now it's back for a quiet night in town, ready to go to our next workshop tomorrow at Bako-Djikoroni.

Gratitude

During the week we spent some time at Niamakoro, just south of Bamako.

We were running another workshop for the displaced women. This time we assisted 27 of them with training and equipment to start their own businesses.

Apart from the very physcial work of moving hundreds of kilos of gear that needed to be distributed, it was great to spend time in this community. It was great to hear more stories, including one lady who testified that we were her 'answer to prayer'.

Then, in true African style, we witnessed a dance. They started circling and hollering and waving their hands in the air as they repeatedly sang, "Merci, Merci, Merci". Then they broke into another song as some of the ladies took centre stage in the middle - solos if you like. It finished with a great singalong as the ladies thanked us for what we had delivered.

In truth we are only intermediaries. The materials have been purchased thanks to Canadian donors. The goods have come from local markets. The training has been done by local Salvationists. All that we do is bring the three together.

The gratitude of people in places like Mali teaches me so much. They have, realtively speaking, very little. They live in conditions that no-one in Australia would accept. There is no money. There is little health care. There is high food insecurity. Water is a problem - in one northern town (Gao) this week there was no water. Heat is a problem.

But they are a grateful people. And I feel embarassed again by the sense of entitlement so prevalent at home.

Mali 11

This morning I had a quick look at our South Australian divisional newsletter and saw that this blog rated a mention... so I thought it was about time I made another entry.

One of the key parts of our project in Mali is to provide some material items to displaced people that have fled the northern regions with nothing. Some of the stories are tragic - people without their children, people without their parents, wives without their husbands, all running away from a conflict which is still simmering away.

The process is complicated, unfortunately. In this day of highly coorindated humanitarian responses, we work alongside a range of other agencies to avoid duplication of services. In this case it means that one NGO (IOM) have become responsible, alongside UNHCR, for registering all of the people that are displaced - all 500,000 of them.

When an organisation like The Salvation Army wishes to help these people, we indicate how we can help and give an anticipated number of beneficiaries we can assist to IOM who then give us the names of those 'next on the list'. This also ensures that assistance is provided according to need rather than via any form of discrimination on the part of an assisting organisation.

This can be confronting for some of our Salvationist helpers. Almost 100% of those that we are assisting are muslim. They are from the north where Islamic separatists have operated. They are from other tribal groups, some of whom have been accused of sympathising with the conflicting parties. None the less, they need our help and we will help them.

To add to the difficulties, the lists we have been given by IOM only have phone numbers. So... at the moment we have a few faithful helpers (who speak the right languages) making hundreds of phone calls to offer assistance to these people. We are hoping that this all comes together by the 10th of June when we have our first big distribution day.

Please pray for this process. Pray that we reach the people we need to find, that they can come to the distribution centre (we are providing a cash reimbursement of their travel costs) and that this can be a bridge for the fledgling Mali Salvation Army into their country.

Mali 10

Fadimata was a lady that I met during the week. She is a proud and incredibly resiliant and strong woman. I left her with a tear in my eye after she generously shared her story - and then thanked me for listening!

I won't share too much... I'm hopeful of publishing her story in a Salvation Army magazine coming your way, soon.

Fadimata is a mother of 7 from the fabled city of Timbuktu. She fled there in the middle of last year during the Malian war, not for fear of the militants, but fearful of the Sharia law being introduced by Islamists in the north.

When she fled, she took with her 7 children. I should add that she is a widow. She did this by herself. The eight of them walked 25 kilometers to where the Niger river intersects the Timbuktu-Bamako highway. They then joined 40 others and 'sailed' in wooden canoes for four days to reach the city of Mopti. From there they recieved assistance for the rest of the trip to Bamako where they are currently staying in a Catholic conference centre as guests of two incredible nuns I also met during the week.

I can't imagine my two children walking 25 kilometres in 40+ degree heat. I can't imagine spending four days in a wooden canoe on a massive river with crocs around us. I can't imagine doing this as a persecuted minority (Fadimata is Christian) fleeing sharia law.

I should add that all she left with is a bottle of water for her children. No food. No clothes - she wasn't able to get either until she got to Mopti.

My hero of the week is this widow from Timbuktu. Thank you Fadimata.

Soap

One of the first projects that we have off the ground involves teaching women to make soap. Today was the first day of the first training class in an area known as Niamana, just south of Bamako.

We travelled to the Catholic Retreat |Centre there, which is playing host to the classes. 18 families were represented in this first class, from towns such as Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal - all hundreds of kilometers from home and driven out by war.

The aim is not just to teach soap making, thus saving their family money and also improving hygiene, but to give them a skill that they can take home to start a business. We are also given them the start up equipment and their first batch of ingredients to get started. Even before they return home, they will be able to create an income stream for their families.

Over the next three weeks we will be teaching 60 women displaced to the areas south of Bamako city this skill.

Mali 8

Today could not have been more diverse, and I think I need to blog just to process some of what has happened. None of it was overly dramatic, but nonetheless...

Earlier today two of us attended a general information meeting for the humanitarian actors in Mali, facilitated by UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). There was some hard news. Children in the north are being pressed into the armies of the insurgents. Some girls have been trafficked into this country from Burkina Faso as prostitutes, possible for the soldiers in the north. Some soldiers from Chad are reported to have been hurt, possibly killed, in ongoing fighting. Cholera is spreading south from the warzone towards the peaceful south. Menegitis and Measles are also on the rise.

Access to these areas for humanitarian actors continues to be a problem. Services, including simple medical services, are not in good supply. Food security will hit crisis point in the region of Kidal and the northern part of Mali's most famous province, Timbuktu, very soon.

After this we went to market. You've not been to Bamako unless you've been to the smelly, dirty, chaotic, overcrowded, crazy markets. I feel alive in places like this. People's everyday work in the downtown of the city.

We were there to prepare for next week when we are starting vocational training workshops, including soap manufacturing classes. Paying for and taking delivery of warehouse portions of shea butter (1.2 tonnes), perfume (61 Litres) and coconut oil (1260 Litres) make for a lot of work.

That's where things became comical. We arrived at our store room with our goods to await delivery via another truck of some of the other materials we needed (cilicate, caustic soda etc). Around 6pm we found out that the truck had broken down across town and that it had an open back (where people could potentially help themselves). So in our car (a small 4WD), we drove to start a shuttle service to retrieve what we could. As I'm loading caustic soda bags into the car (and managing to burn my arm because we had two sets of gloves between 6 workers) others were trying to make room in the store.

The storeroom is another story again. The local Salvation Army region recently purchased the building for their headquarters and for the ACI Corps. Unfortunately, the building has started to fall down, so they've had to abandon it while they wait for the builder to come back and repair it. One of the officers is praying that it doesn't fall on us while we are working!

It's a strange job I have. Within a day I'm wrestling with the idea of helping children forced into the hardest and most offensive of situations, then rescuing perfume and caustic soda from broken down trucks. Bed time.

Mali 7

Coordination is something that we need when we are working with complex issues and many actors are invovled.

For a number of years now, when there is a major conflict or disaster that attracts UN agencies, NGOs, government actors and others to assist, a cluster coordination system is put in place. There are, at it's peak in any scenario, around 9 clusters that cover: sanitaiton and health, shelter, water, food security, protection, child protection, general information, security & civil/ military actions etc.

As part of our engagement in the humanitarian work in Mali, we are registered with three clusters: shelter and non food items, protection and the general information cluster. These groups meet weekly under the leadership of an UN agency and coordinate the work between agencies to maximise assistance, avoid duplication and direct the work. They are also great opportunities to meet with other workers in the field and learn from each other.

Mali 6

Just at the moment we are relighting the candles in our living area and hoping that they last long enough until we go to bed. It's 38 degrees, 9:15pm at night and there's been no power since around 7 pm. This is the third power cut for today.

And yet we actually have power in this part of Bamako. Not everyone can say that. Similarly, this morning we had the water company doing works outside our accommodation. As incovenient as it was... we actually have water much of the time and we can do down the street to buy bottled water to drink.

Experiences such as a few months in a country like Mali bring you back to earth.

This afternoon, among the many people I met in Niamana (south of Bamako at a Catholic retreat centre) were people from the Taureg tribes of the north, from places like Gao and Timbuktu. One had taken a bullet through the nose during the conflict. Others had sent their families away from the conflict on motorbikes or in the back of trucks while they walked the hundreds of miles from Timbuktu to Bamako. They are among the 500,000 people displaced by this conflict - 300,000 of them still in the country and just under 200,000 of whom have fled across the borders to Burkina Faso, Sengal or Niger.

I am a blessed person from a blessed country. I pray I never forget that.

Mali 5

Today we took a break from IES work to go to the local Corps. First it was a trip to ACI2000 Corps where I was the guest preacher. I was prepared for translation into French, but didn't realise that I would also be translated into Bambako. Working with two translaters can ruin your train of thought, not to mention making your message really long if you're not careful.

The meeting at ACI2000 was a typical Salvation Army meeting, except that much of the congregation enjoyed dancing to everything, and everyone danced forward for the offering.  The hall was outdoors - their original building is not safe enough to meet in. We were under an iron-roofed shelter with generator power. And it was hot. By the time I got up to speak the theromometer on the platform clock (yes there was one) was reading 40.7 Celcius. And that was before 11 in the morning. It was dusty, too, with the Niger's red dust blowing around us.

In the afternoon we went to Sogonoko Corps where we had an official welcome to our team. Again I was asked to speak, this time just in response to the welcome message. I tried to keep it short becuase there was also an introduction to the Region's annual theme, and another Bible message from the regional commander. If I thought it was dusty in the morning, it certainly was this afternoon as we met in the Corps hall which is next to a trucking depot.

As an observation on African culture - timing is less important that an event. This afternoon we were an hour late in starting the meeting, and even then sat around waiting for a generator (there was no power in the hall due to an outage - a regular occurance). But no-one was phased. All that mattered was that the people had gathered and we were welcomed. When doesn't matter. Just the event. There's a lot to learn in that for us Westerners.

I was impressed by how much this small region has grown in only five years. The three Corps that gathered for the combined welcome meeting are quite obviously vibrant and growing. They are assimilating the gospel well with the vibrant music, drum and dance culture of the Malian people.

Mali 4

Ok.. the number might be wrong, but I'm not sure where I'm up to.

We are staying in Bamako and enjoying (?) the crazy heat. The house we are staying in is very nice, however power is often off and today we have no water supply. This is creating some team humour as we discuss toilet protocols etc. Air France managed to lose our luggage, which arrived 48 hours after we did.

During the week we have met with some great people at the OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid) and UNDP (United Nations Development Program). We've recieved good updates on the security situation and been able to establish our role within The Salvation Army region here.

The Salvation Army have only been in Mali for 6 years. Given that it is a country that is 95% Muslim, you would think that it has been hard going. However there are already three Corps in Mali and two in Burkina Faso. Also, an outpost has started in Chad! There are six officers, four in Mali and two in Burkina Faso. There are also candidates and cadets, but they are sent to the Congo for training and then usually to another country to learn more about The Salvation Army (e.g. Congo or Zimbabwe) before returning to Mali to work. The first of these 'returned' officers is due back next year and will make a big difference to this small region.

They are very entrepreneurial. The local women's ministries team have opened a small supermarket to raise money for their work!

We will learn more tomorrow about the Corps when we visit. I am preaching at ACI2000 Corps in the morning and then we are to attend a welcome meeting for our team at the Sogoniko Corps in the afternoon.

To sum, it's been a fun couple of days as we settle in. Our flexibility has been tested as we accustom ourselves to the African way of timing things, telling stories and building relationships. We are hot, sweaty and dirty, but managing to keep good spirits. Thank you for your prayers.

Mali 3

Monday is an important day in the Programme Resources Department at IHQ. This deparment includes the Editorial, Literary, Emergency Services, Health and Development teams from The Salvation Army's head office.

Each Monday morning they gather to pray together. This is in additional to the General's prayer meeting on a Thursday. The Monday meeting is obviously more intimate and this morning was no exception.

We were blessed to be led by a Ghanan officer. In the room were Salvationists from the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Ghana and India. There was a good spirit as we prayed for the people we serve in various projects, for our team that is heading out to Mali and for those that provide the support back here in London.

From there it was down to business for our team. There are four of us initially, however Damaris (from Germany) is only with us for a week as we get started. Otherwise I am joined by Carolynn from Canada and Kati from Finland. The three of us will be living and working together in Bamako and have a great opportunity to support the ongoing work of The Salvation Army there. Today we were individually briefed on our roles and then brought together for the first time to look at both the aims and budget of the project.

Tomorrow is our travel day and on Wednesday we will be starting to meet the people we will be working with on the ground. This time of preparation has been very quick, but it will be enough to get us started (we believe).

Mali 2

Or London 1, as the case may be.

Today I was blessed to be standing before one of the great Cathedrals of the world, Westminster Abbey. There was much to see, even though it was closed to sightseeing (being Sunday) and even though I showed up between services.

From the outside it is an imposing ediface. As you walk around there are many statues, images, windows, architectural features, notices and a good view of Parliament Square all to keep you interested.

Two things stood out to me.

The first is that this is a church of tradition that has been around through the ages. Yet on the front of the Abbey (at the northern end) are new statues representing recent martyrs. I was quite struck that the building would have such recent additions. I was also struck by the diversity of those depicted, and especially those that were coupled in the middle over the doors: Martin Luther King, Oscar Romero & Dietrich Bonhoffer. I have loved the stories of these three men for years; if you don't know their stories - check them out. Very much worth the time and effort to learn who they were.

The other thing that struck me was that there was a prayer carved into the stone of the church, just below the modern martyrs.

It reads:

May God grant to the living grace
To the departed, peace
To the church and the world, peace and concord
And to us sinners, eternal life

Amen

Mali 1

Well folks, I can safely say that this is the first blog I've written from 38,000 feet. Thanks to new technology on Emirates A380s I am writing to you from over Ankara, Turkey as I head to the UK this morning.

The point of being in London is to be briefed before heading to Mali, West Africa on Tuesday afternoon.

Mali has been a troubled nation over the last year or two. For a long time Taureg ethnic tribes in the north wanted a separate state. Islamists got hold of this sentiment and joined with the Taureg to launch an incursion through Mali early last year. Once they got a foothold in the north they dumped the Taureg and went their own way, trying to establish Sharia in what is usually a moderate, secular (although predominantly Muslim) country. The French arrived last January to help their former colony and have settled things down again. Just this week the United Nations have agreed that from July 1 they will send peacekeepers to help also. This will hopefully enable the July national elections to proceed.

In the meantime over 500,000 people have been displaced by the conflict. They are mostly from the north, but living in the south. Unlike other disasters, they aren't in camps - they are mostly staying with other people. But nonetheless there is not enough work or income to sustain this.

Even without a conflict, Mali needs help to develop. One in 10 children die in infancy, the second highest death rate in the world. Only one fifth of adults are literate. The average age in the country is only 16, with 48% of the population under 14 and life expectancy around 50 years. A once proud and rich empire built on gold, sand and river trade (along the Niger river) has been decimated by colonisation, military dictatorships and recently civil war.

Please pray for Mali. Please pray for The Salvation Army which has only been active there since 2007. Please pray for our regional commander Major Ntoya. Please also pray for our international team as we settle in this week and try and work out how we can best help.

Ascot Park

With sadness, but also gratitude, we said farewell today to the staff at Ascot Park as we prepare to leave the centre on Tuesday (30/4).

Trading in the shop ceased last Friday in preparation for the closure. It is a sad financial reality that we couldn't continue to sustain the losses being incurred at the Centre.

We are grateful for the work of Wendy, Ray and Tryntje in the early days, working hard to set up the shop. We are grateful for the work of Helen who has managed the shop over the last 17 months. We are thankful for the team of volunteers that have worked hard to create a sense of community and care through the centre. Countless people have been served, not only clothes and bric-a-brac, but also love.

We are thankful to God for the fruit that has been borne in Ascot Park and look forward to where he leads our church next.

ANZAC Day

Next week, on Thursday, is ANZAC Day.

The day itself is the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915 - 98 years ago now. While the Gallipoli campain was a military debarcle, it brought together the Australian people for the first time since federation into one body. The spirit of those troops, embodied in courage, determination and 'mateship' came to become part of the psyche of the new nation.

On ANZAC Day we stop to remember and reflect on all those that have served our country in war and peace. We think of the veterans, the service personnel and those that have loved and lost them.

Our Corps continues to support ANZAC Day by serving breakfast to the thousands at the Glenelg dawn service and by providing the musical support for the Brighton dawn service. Look out for our musicians and our service teams.

The dawn services of ANZAC Day have their origins in a soldier's routine still observed in the Army today. The half-light of dawn can play tricks on a soldier's eyes and so it became a favourite time for enemy attacks. Soldeirs in defensive positions were therefore woken up in the dark, before dawn, so that by the time the first grey light crept across a battlefield they were awake, alert and ready at their weapons. This stance, known as 'stand to' was repeated at sunset.

After WW1, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landings at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to, or ceremony, became the common form of ANZAC Day remembrance during the 1920s.

Maybe, if you haven't been before, this year you could attend your local dawn service. They do not celebrate war - far from it - they commemorate the fallen and affirm the pursuit of peace. They celebrate courage and comradeship while thanking those that have served our people. There are also public prayers for peace and for our nation.

Check out the RSL website for times and locations around the state:
http://www.rslsa.org.au/customdata/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_main&ItemID=2488&OrgID=1113&count=1

Brighton Dawn Service: Arch of Remembrance, Brighton Jetty, April 25 at 6 am
Glenelg Dawn Service: Moseley Square, Glenelg, April 25 at 6 am

Boston

There is nothing that makes sense about destroying an event so positive as a marathon with violence.

There is nothing that makes sense about upsetting the final mile of an event dedicated to healing and supporting the lives of those from Sandy Hoak.

There is nothing that makes sense about bringing darkness to something that by its very nature brings out the best in people - endurance, victory, personal achievement, faith, goals, community, fitness, love.

There is nothing that makes sense when people, including at least one child, are killed randomly

But, as always, there is God:

God is there in the first responders that run to the disaster and help.

God is there in the marathon runners, depleted by an endurance event, that line up to give blood to others.

God is there in the gatherings that are already organised and occuring as people support each other and pray.

God is there in the people that are expressing solidarity with the runners and spectators - even committing to run the race next year in defiant support.

God is there in the police that have left their spring holiday break to come on duty and assist, and the Massachssets National Guard who have stood up for duty.

God is there in the training and expertise of medical personnel providing care and healing.

God is there in the crys of people who will not stand for this atrocity.

God is there in the suffering of families, present, available, crying with them, hurting with them.

The darkness in this world has not overcome the light yet, and it won't.

Red Shield Appeal Launch

MINING billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has shown how you do philanthropy at the big end of town: put a million bucks on the table and challenge everyone in the room to match it.

And when the room is full of some of the country's richest and best-connected business people, meeting that challenge is a matter of pride.
So it was that The Salvation Army kicked off their 2013 Red Shield Appeal with a tidy $2 million from one high-powered Sydney lunch on Thursday.

(Report from today's Sydney Morning Herald)

That's a great way to kick off the Red Shield Appeal as we prepare for the main day next month.

For us, it's a chance to volunteer, to give, to support those struggling in the community though relatively small contributions of time and money. We may not be able to throw a million dollars on the table (so to speak) but we can give two hours of time, put on some good walkers or take up a post at a shopping centre. If you are interested in helping, make sure you register with our church or your local Salvo's centre.

Living life

I have had the privilege of conducting many life ceremonies for people. Dedications, weddings and funerals are the most common. In the time that Angela and I have been at Marion there have been 23 dedications, 22 weddings and 47 funerals.

The latest funeral was for Jorgen, a Danish national who emigrated to Australia a number of years ago. He'd lived a life and a half it seemed. He played ice hockey into his 70s. He drove everything from motocross to B doubles, including tanks. He'd been in the navy and the armoured corps of the army. He'd lived in Denmark, Gaza and Australia. He'd loved, he'd lost, he'd celebrated, he'd missed out, he'd won. He was part of many community groups.

What stood out to me was his incredible way of living. Even with cancer, he'd lived. Even after his divorce, he lived. Whatever happened, he lived.

When we are a people that are forgiven, loved and blessed as we are, how is it that we miss out on living? Today take an opportunity to consider how you live life, and maybe think about how it's time to get on with living!

Teamwork

Yesterday, in both services, Angela spoke to us about Teamwork.

This morning, as with everyday, I'm seeing it in action. It's worth noting what makes the ministry around here tick!

Vicki has brought in the delivery from the bakeries, while Iris is getting the money ready for the bank. David is cleaning while Simon is opening the shop. Greg is sorting out vouchers for the Community Services team while Judith is setting up her office. Angela is preparing for playgroup, while I attend to some administration. Jenny is cutting up some fruit and veg and Kim is catching up on some research. And that's just the people that I've seen so far.

The Salvation Army in Marion exists to shine God's light in Adelaide's south so that others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. We do this in a number of ways that transform lives, care for people, make disciples and reform society. The only way it is possible is when everyone plays their part - the teamwork!

Marion Festival

Marion Celebrates. This is the name of the biannual multicutural festival held in our City.

This year we were again part of the celebrations as Deb Strapp coordinated a team that presented our Corps through a stand at the festival. Information and advertising were on hand so that people could hear about our activities. More importantly, some of our Corps members were there - the best advertising we have - to witness and to speak to the community.

Thanks for your efforts everyone.

ACOSS Calling on Parliament to make changes to Newstart

Australia’s community welfare sector gathering in Adelaide today will make a united call for a $50 increase in the single Newstart Allowance payment in this year’s federal Budget.

ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie will tell the peak body’s National Conference that the much needed increase is urgent and must be funded in this last Budget before the federal election if we are serious about dealing with the worsening level of poverty in our country.

Dr Goldie will tell the gathering that, "One in eight people are living in poverty in Australia, including one in six children - this is an indictment on our nation.”
"People who are out of paid work and on the lowest payments are among those at highest risk. The Newstart payment continues to fall further behind pensions because it's indexed only to the Consumer Price Index instead of wages.
"In last week's indexation increases people on the Aged Pension received an $18 a week increase whereas people on Newstart only received a $2 a week increase. The single rate of Newstart remains $35 a day.
"The difference between the payments is now $150. Newstart hasn't been increased in nearly 20 years. Now is the time to correct this record.
"In recent years we've seen changes to tighten eligibility for the Disability Support Pension force as many as 70,000 more people with disability onto the low Newstart payment. And recently more than 80,000 single parents and their children were dropped to the same payment and lose between $60-$100 a week.
"This get tough approach to the vulnerable members of our community has simply got to stop.
"The parliament has the most compelling responsibility to act now and urgently - business, unions, economics and tax experts, employment experts as well three parliamentary committees, the OECD and UN monitors all agree."

Welcome to the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury

GENERAL Linda Bond, international leader of The Salvation Army, has sent messages of welcome to Pope Francis I and to the Rt Hon and Most Rev Justin Welby, who will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England, on 21 March.

To Archbishop Welby she wrote: ‘The Church universal faces great challenges as we seek to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and so I want to assure you that Salvationists stand with their Anglican sisters and brothers in the cause of Christ. God bless and keep you and grant you wisdom, courage and strength.’

In her message to His Holiness Pope Francis she said: ‘My prayer is that God will give you physical and spiritual strength, as well as holy courage, so that you might stand firm as a true soldier of Jesus Christ. God bless and keep you always and grant you his peace.’

This release is available through the news section of www.salvationist.org

Ross & Doris show the Spirit of the Founder

Great news to share today.
At the seniors rally currently being held at Tea Tree Gully Corps, Majors Ross and Doris Lewis have been presented the "Spirit of the Founder" Award for their joint contribution to seniors ministries through our Corps.

Their award notes not only their long term leadership of the Pioneer Companion Club, but also their pastoral ministry, their Bible Study leadership and the launch of a worship service (Hymns of Praise) targeting seniors. All of this beyond retirement and into their octagenarian years.

Apparently, despite their unique contribution they were unaware that Major Jennifer Cloke was talking about them while she was reading the citation!

A very special moment for very special people. Congratulations Doris and Ross.

Opinion

Most people have them. What's humbling is when people seek your opinion.

We need to congratulate so many of our team who fall into this category. In recent days Angela has been part of a Disability action group for The Salvation Army's South Australia Division. Greg has been asked to review policies for the territory. Brad has been contributing the Divisional planting strategy. Kerryn and Julie attend a doorways round table. Catherine has been asked to help while some school chaplains are away.

We don't take any of these opportunities lightly. They are part of our building of the Kingdom as we are able to shine God's light into situations, as we are able to express our values and weave them into policies and action plans.

Margaret and Gwen

It was with sadness, but joy, we had the privilege of celebrating the life of Margaret Williams yesterday. Margaret had been a part of our church since 1989 when she moved to Adelaide from Melbourne.

Margaret was known to us all for her smile, her love of children and her faith. She had worked in children's ministries for many years, and pioneered the SAGALA movement at Seacombe Gardens. She had been a member of the Four Fold Fellowship - a group dedicated to Salvation Army scouting movements and using them to reach young families.

It is also with sadness and joy that today we remember Gwen Kilpatrick. Gwen was promoted to glory this morning aged 101! Gwen had been a member of our church since its inception. In Salvation Army terms she was one of the original soldiers placed on the Corps roll.

Gwen had a great sense of humour, and even of late her family mention that she would be joking around with the great-granchildren. What great memories to have.

This week we are praying for the Williams and Kilpatrick families. We rejoice that we knew two great women of faith. We celebrate their promotion to glory.

Meeting the press

There's been further great opportunity for us to stand up for people in our community this week, through the press.

Next week the Messenger will be running an article, in preparation for the upcoming federal election, about the concerns identified in the electorate. Primary among these (at 70% of respondants across our two local electorates) is the increased cost of living.

A number of factors have contributed to this. We all know that things cost more - but then again, our wages have gone up. So what's making the difference. In our area we know that people are unable to get affordable housing, that changes to the single parenting payment and the increase cost of utilities are among the biggest issues.

To be able to articulate these for the community, using the voice that our church has, allows us to contribute to the reformation of society and is a key part of our advocacy and care for people.

The dark side of the Clipsal 500..

... and many other major events

The reality, as highlighted even during the London Olympics, is that major events provide great opportunities for both good and dark things to take place.

Our social justice co-ordinator, Bev, writes:

The high octane fuel is pouring out, the engines are loud & roaring, rubber is burning , road tar is melting & the air is electric - yes it is Clipsal.
The fun & excitement, watching & listening to the petrol head rip up the road as the crowd roars. The rock bands take to the stage ( even KISS, now maybe I am not that old after all ) & the side shows bring in the dollars. Whilst the Adelaide City Counsel watch the money & people pour in as they rub their hands together in delight.
However there is a dark side to this sporting event & that is what I want to ask those who will be attending to please watch for & report if you see it.

With adds like "young petite Asian women in the state for only 3 days" we are alerted to the realization that trafficking of people in to the state for the s#x trade is taking place. If you see anything that makes you wonder if this is taking place PLEASE make the call. You will never know whose live you could set free from this terrible darkness.
To report suspected human trafficking call 131 AFP ( 131 237) or report a crime at www.afp.gov.au

The first step to reforming society is awareness. This is something to be aware of in Adelaide.

Dedication

This is the best word that I can think of to describe the events of yesterday at Marion Salvos.

Angela spoke to us on the challenges of dealing with criticism. Part of handling criticism is having a broader perspective, including both our identity in Christ and our dedication to Christ.

We had the opportunity to share in the dedication of a child. Aton is the beautiful baby daughter of Acout. Acout chose yesterday to stand before our congregation and declare her intention that this lovely daughter be raised influenced by her faith. She promised, so far is she is able, to keep her from poor influences and that should Aton choose to offer for God's service as an adult, that Acout would be fully supportive. These are big promises of dedication.

Last night we witnessed the installation of our new Divisional leaders, Lt Colonels Ron and Robyn Clinch. They weren't just welcomed into a new job. They were dedicated to God's purposes and set apart for the task of spiritual leadership within our state. It was great that this happened before a big crowd in the city that included community and religious leaders from our city.

Community meetings

Part of the Corps Officer's key responsibilities is to be visible in the community. This is achieved, in part, by meeting key community figures on a regular basis to discuss matters affecting the community and how we can work together.

Today Brad met with Alan Sibbons at his electoral office. The conversation included Aged Care Packages, mental health programs, the new wetlands on Oaklands Road, grafitti and vandalism prevention, the upcoming election and, of course, the Red Shield Appeal. Alan has generously donated space in his electoral newsletter to promote the appeal, and has, himself, been an appeal chairman and collector for us.

To be fair, we have also had phone conversations with his electoral opponent, Cory Wingard, who I'm sure we'll get to know better over the next few months.

It could be suggested that it is up to every Christian to act as a concerned citizen and engage in their community. We want God's Kingdom to be extended and we want its influence to pervade our communities so that others are freed, others are saved, others can join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. Take the chance to become involved. Start with your neighbours, maybe your local club and attend local meetings when they are held. Be the salt and light in Adelaide's south (see Matthew 5:13-16!).

Kimberley Ashmore

We've been able to share the news on Sunday, and through Facebook, but we should also let our blog readers know that Kimberley is on her way!

Kimberley Ashmore will be joining us at Marion Salvation Army, starting from February 24 as part of her trianing experience. She is a cadet from The Salvation Army's Catherine Booth College in Melbourne, preparing for her commissioning and ordination, and for her future service, as a Salvation Army officer. It is anticipated that she will be commissioned and ordained in December this year.

As part of her training, Kimberley will spend a month on placement at Bramwell House, our Domestic Violence service in Adelaide. During this time she will be at Marion Corps on Sundays for our worship services. She will be giving her testimony when we introduce her to the Corps on Feb 24.

Then from Good Friday through to the Red Shield Appeal in late May, she will be full time at the Corps. Kimberley will work alongside Brad, Angela, Deb and the rest of the staff on a range of prescribed activities that will help her to experience Corps life in preparation for potentially leading a Corps herself (maybe even next year).

Please make sure Kimberley feels welcome when she arrives in Adelaide next week.

Feedback

At our Corps we are grateful for feedback. Good news is encouraging and tells us the things we should sustain. Disappointing news helps us to work on things that must change. In the business world it is called Continuous Quality Improvment. For the rest of us it's simply about growing.

Of late we've had a bit of both. Two feedback forms from our Sunday services have said that people have felt welcome and that, in one case, a newcomer thoroughly enjoyed the service. We have had  a volunteer help us to create an idea for a portable support office. We've had a Community Support Services client today cry with thanks as we've been able to help him to a new home - with all of the stuff he's been carting around the streets.

We've also had the sad and disappointing stories. Via Facebook feedback our centre was criticised for not helping a man through our shop in the way that we should have. It could be demonstrated that our staff didn't have all the information they needed to make a good judgement in this case. However, if someone has left our centre without feeling supported and dignified, cared for and encouraged, then we haven't met our own value standards.

We thank everyone who gives us feedback. We continue to struggle with the good and the bad.

Adelaide Casino expansion

In 2013 Adelaide‘s SkyCity Casino has been given the go-ahead to double its number of poker machines to 1,500 and to introduce card-based cashless gambling facilities.

There is no onus on the casino to add any additional measures to help prevent problem gambling.

These new casino additions obviously have great appeal to the South Australian Government who will benefit financially from the increased income from the gambling taxes. This is something they will be keen to maximise in the face of dropping general and GST revenues for the state.

Ross Womersley (Executive Director of the South Australian Council of Social Services) says that the government has "concrete boots on, in relation to responsible gambling policy, because they’re… so reliant on gambling revenue". $40 out of every $100 in gaming machines comes from problem gamblers.

And while the income to government may increase in the short term the cost to both treasury and to community long term has clearly not been calculated.

One impact will be the increased demand placed on the limited Gambler's Help services in Adelaide, and the emergency relief programmes such as those operated by Marion Corps' Community Support Services.

Please pray about how you might respond to an issue such as this, and pray for our team as they continue to serve the people of South Australia that find themselves in need.

Discovery Bible Studies

On Wednesday night some of our leaders went out to Adelaide Congress Hall to hear Steve Addison speak. Steve has been in ministry for over 30 years including church planting and significant discipleship programs. He currently has two books to his credit. It's worth checking out his work at www.movenetwork.org

This particulary night he helped us to workshop sharing our faith, and using a Bible Study method called "Discovery" where each person tells the story to each other from memory (this takes homework before hand to know the passage), then answers a few questions:

1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people?
3. What does this passage ask you to do?
4. What will you do this week as a result of reading this passage?
5. Who will you share this passage with during the week?

It's a simple way of sharing the Bible together that is natural and conversational and can be used anywhere, in any group, without any resources (except your memory). Have a go and see what happens.

The Salvation Army Flood Response

Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) staff and volunteers have been deployed to 11 designated evacuation centres and continue to provide vital services to those affected by the floods. As of Monday afternoon (28 January), more than 120 Salvation Army volunteers had provided in excess of 4405 meals.

The SAES teams are currently engaged at Bundaberg, Gladstone, Warwick, Murgon, Ipswich, Goodna, Gympie, Carindale and Tweed Heads. SAES teams from Townsville and Rockhampton have been on standby to assist in Bundaberg. Other teams on standby include all south Queensland SAES teams, and teams at Ballina, Lismore and Casino in North NSW.

The Salvation Army encourages anyone impacted by the disasters or traumatised in any way who requires emotional support to contact Salvo Care Line on 1300 36 36 22 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Health Check

Today I had a health check. One of those big ones. Every five years the Army makes you have them.

Apparently I'm fit to keep serving. It's good to know.

Got me thinking about our current church series: "How To...". This Sunday Deb is talking about how to feed ourselves. This is an important part of staying spiritually healthy. This is an important part of ensuring that we are fit for service.

I'm looking forward to Deb's messages this Sunday.

Courage

Sometimes we are inspired by the courage we see in families around us. Of late, the courage of two families has been astounding.

The Smith family lost their son and brother, Paul, suddenly - possibly through foul play - in Vietnam last November. Over the past few months of shock, diplomacy, mystery, and confusion the Smith's have shown incredible courage and faith while trying to bring their son's remains back to Australia and find out what happened.

Last Friday we were blessed, honoured and privileged to have been able to share in the memorial service for Paul, held at our Seacombe centre. The courage of the family continued as they not only organised this occasion, but then led the service through and spoke about their loved on.

That same evening, tragedy struck another family.


Over the last eighteen months, we have all been inspired by the courage and determination of young five-year-old Micah Cuthbertson and his battle with cancer. Late on Friday night Micah lost his earthly battle with that awful disease. We claim with overwhelming joy the truth that Micah now lives with Jesus.

Both the Smiths and the Cuthbertsons will continue to value and require our prayers in coming days. Please remember them, and perhaps approach today with renewed courage and faith yourself.

Bushfires - The Salvation Army response thus far in Tasmania

The Salvation Army have been active across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in recent days, assisting in the ongoing response to the devastation caused by fire in those states. Much of the focus, of course, is on Tasmania. Today, the following statement has been released by The Salvation Army' Hobart Headquarters:

In response to the bushfires affecting Tasmania and other communities across the country, The Salvation Army has launched the Disaster Relief Fund to assist affected people to cope with the significant loss sustained due to these fires and further fires that may follow during the next few weeks of extreme fire danger.

The Salvation Army is currently on the ground in Tasmania, working across three emergency response sites providing financial and emotional support to people evacuating homes caught in the fires. In the coming days, The Salvation Army will assist several thousand people with food, financial assistance, clothing and counselling. To date, The Salvation Army has provided approximately 4,500 meals to those affected by the bushfires. Salvos Stores in Tasmania are also providing goods at no charge to people affected.

“Many people have had to evacuate their homes and didn’t get the chance to take anything with them. By providing emergency financial assistance, we are able to assist them to purchase personal items that they need immediately,” said Captain Craig Wood, Divisional Communications and Fundraising Secretary for The Salvation Army Tasmania.

“We will continue to support communities affected for the long-term as experience tells us the recovery from such disaster can stretch over many months, and for some it may take much longer,” he said.

The Salvation Army is also actively involved in the emergency response to bushfires affecting Victoria and South Australia with emergency services teams already responding to five major fires since the beginning of 2013.

Donations made to the Disaster Relief Fund will assist The Salvation Army respond to the current emergency situation in Tasmania and other areas affected by bushfires, as well as supporting the response to other disaster situations that may follow as the country prepares for ongoing hot weather and extreme bushfire risk.

Restating the vision

We had a great opportunity at both campuses yesterday to restate the vision. By that I mean that we had a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the dream that we work toward at our Corps.

Marion Salvation Army will be a multi-campus, multi-congregational, multi-cultural church that serves all generations. We will do this by shining God's light in Adelaide's south so that others join us as disciples of Jesus Christ.

This will mean that we reach at least 1% of our community with the gospel.
This will mean that we have a seamless discipleship process that takes people on journey from their initial contact with our church to a point where they know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to serve.
This will mean that we will be leading activists and a leading voice in the areas of social justice and social seervice.
This will mean that we are a sending church and a giving church, offering people and resources to support the work of the kingdom.

This will mean that we are in for a great year!

2013

A New Year.

Happy New Year!

2012 is a year that we will look back on with gratitude. God has been with us, and has been seen at work among us.

Personally, I can look back and see the way that God has kept me safe. He has provided amazing opportunities in Nauru, South Africa and Uganda. He has helped us here, locally, to continue to shine God's light and we are seeing others join us as disciples regularly.

As Samuel did in 1 Sam 7:12 we can now place a marker (he called it an 'ebenezer') to remember God's help and guidance. But such a marker only serves to remind us that his help is for the future also.

So as we head into 2013, we also do so with gratitude.

Already we are grateful for the service providers that we have worked with, this week, to support a man into his first housing in 6 years. We are grateful for the people that are cleaning our centres and providing services to help us (you won't believe how good the carpets at Seacombe have come up). We are grateful for the team that are continuing behind the scenes to finish off Christmas programs (the last of the toys, the last of the decorations and so on).

And we are grateful for the way God will lead us on toward that dream of a multi-campus, multi-congregational, multi-cultural church that serves all generations in our area. That dream of a church that reaches at least 1% of the cities of Marion and Holdfast Bay. That dream of a church with a seamless discipleship program from initial contact with our people through to Knowing God, Showing God, Growing in God and Going to serve in God.

It's going to be a great 2013.