Happy Christmas to you all

I hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With my departure from New Zealand in just over two weeks, and all the packing, cleaning, organising etc to be done I am taking a break from blogging. Maybe to be picked up again in the new year, once established in my new location at Preston, (just outside Melbourne) in Australia.

So until we meet again. Insha'Allah.

Detours are a Problem

I knew my ultimate destination, and I knew the roads to get there, but as I came round the corner I saw the fluorescent 'DETOUR" sign that preceded a barricaded road, the only way I knew to get to my goal was closed! Momentary panic ensued - a decision needed to be made. I didn't know the roads that the detour arrows led me down and I was not comfortable with the change of scenery, let alone the change of roads.

My road trip experience has parallels for me in the spiritual dynamic of the church. I think that many people (Christians) want concrete direction, some want decisions made for them, many want the church to tell them what to do, to wear, to say, to work at and to think. They want to know not only the ultimate destination but what roads to take and a guarantee that they are safe, open and dependable.

These people, usually fundamentalists, can come unstuck when the dynamic, messy and undependable reality of society and relationship collide with their neat, controlled, predictable spiritual Rubik cube.

Life is full of unexpected detours which can throw us off track momentarily, or if we have no foundation upon which to negotiate our own re-alignment they can throw us off track permanently.

In cultural terms this could find some clarity in the idea that for a 'modern', spirituality is a series of decisions - controlled, predictable and rational, (like colour coded squares rotating on a rigid and unforgiving framework). For a 'post-modern', spirituality is a 'journey' which has a specific destination but a flexibility that finds detours not annoying and panic inducing, but exciting and possibly opportunities to learn.

Despite this 'clarity' it is impossible to label moderns as fundamentalists, and post-moderns as liberals - it's not a matter of culture, and it's not a static state that defines us for eternity. Perhaps it's a matter of personality, genetics or contextual necessity.

I have the privilege of interacting with people of numerous denominations, faiths and belief systems. I don't have the luxury of absolutes, in fact I have not found many to exist. What I need to know is my destination (and I know that) and the non-negotiables of the journey (love - for God and others).

What frustrates some people is that I refuse to give them concrete answers. (I can't do the cube!) I'll tell them what I believe God reveals, I'll share my own experience, and that of others I know and read and I'll love and accept them as best I can, as I believe Jesus would: but then the decision, the journey is up to them.

Respected Leaders

Respect demanded is Dictatorship!

At a recent leaders event I was reminded that respect (and loyalty) must be earned. It's only my opinion, (as are all the comments on this blog) but I think that leaders that demand respect, 'because I'm the boss', are frightened people. Their fear finds its genesis in the knowledge, and their observation, that they do not have the substance of character, experience and relationship to influence without exerting and abusing the power of their position, or appointment.

I operate in an autocratic community, and I accept that there is a certain amount of military-style leadership, but that does not give me, or my leaders, the right to demand unconditional respect and uninformed loyalty .

Show me a track record that reveals you care, show me your life, show me you understand (even if you don't agree), and show me that my individuality matters - and I'll listen to you, I'll respect you and I may even follow you.

A Multicultural Veneer

It would appear that there are two categories of adopted Citizen in New Zealand. First, those that with right hand raised to heaven and left hand holding the Christian Scriptures swear the Oath of Allegiance: to be faithful to the Queen, to observe the laws of the country, fulfil the duties of citizenship, and do so with the help of God. Second, those that declare the Affirmation of Allegiance: declaring their allegiance to the Queen, their commitment to observe the laws of the country and to fulfil the duties of citizenship. (Are there really two classes of citizen?)

Approximately half the people in the room swore on the Christian Scriptures, and called on the help of the Christian God. The allegiance to the Christian God was not obscure, it was explicit. But amongst these candidates for citizenship were Hindu's, Muslims, Buddhists and probably adherents of other religions.

If we have a mandate for multiculturalism then we must be willing to respect and honour the cultural foundations of others - and that includes their faith and religious allegiances. Why were the Hindus not allowed to swear on the Bhagavad Gita, or the Muslims on the Qur'an? Is this an innocent Cultural Christianisation, an unspoken (and unforced) expectation that many who do not really understand the English adhere to because that's what you do to be a Kiwi?

Given that there is obviously a choice: Swear by the Christian God on the Bible or Affirm your commitment by your own will to be a good citizen, why do we only allow the pronouncement of allegiance, and call for help to one God.

If we are serious about celebrating cultural diversity, and accepting all cultures into our family then why does there appear to be an agenda for a dominant christo-centric citizenship? (Interesting that both the most recent past Prime-Minister (Helen Clarke) and Prime-Minister John Key affirm their atheism publicly and loudly - and yet, like all those present at the ceremony sing a prayer to God in the National Anthem.)

Personally, I believe that the Creator, the God of the Christian Scriptures is the One True God, but I am never going to have the opportunity to influence another if I demand an allegiance to my faith and culture as a prerequisite to a relationship of trust. Multiculturalism is messier (and more exciting) than that and demands respect for all cultural mores not just the ones that I feel comfortable with.

A Veneer of Relevance

After eight years in New Zealand, Sandy's ESOL student, a refugee from Jaffna in Sri Lanka, and her three oldest children became 'Kiwi' citizens at a City function last night. It was a fascinating event that made me think about relevance and multiculturalism.

Here were about 400 people and their guests: people who obviously came from a multitude of cultural backgrounds. Many wore their first nation dress which revealed their religious and national heritage. There were middle aged parents in sari's and sarongs with teenagers in jeans, hoodies and jelled up hair styles.

The majority were middle aged and younger and English was obviously not their heart language. But we walked into the theatre to the sound of a pipe organ playing music written centuries ago in Russia or Austria, the dignitaries processed in with robes and chains of office, the opening greeting, done in English, with the obligatory and somewhat insincere Maori greeting, was delivered at break-neck speed that was difficult for an Aussie to follow, and the last item of entertainment was a young lady playing a violin solo, (again a piece written for a foreign culture, centuries ago).

I wonder, if at this celebration of acceptance and citizenship there was any effort to connect with the people, any effort to engender an atmosphere of joy and celebration - or if it really was, as it appeared to me, all about upholding tradition, order and procedure at the expense of valuing humanity, individuality and culture.

It made me remember that I've been to churches like that! They look great, they sound professional, the leaders look impressive and convey confidence - but please, don't be an individual, don't expect to be 'spoken' to in a language you understand and remember, we maintain the dignity and order of the occasion at all costs.

My second observation, a Multicultural Veneer is to come...

Sacred Space

I have never found it easy to 'be still'; to imagine that my (self-appointed) agenda and priorities are not so important that I can't put them aside for a few minutes and stop. I've read the biographies of numerous 'world changing' heroes, most of them apparently managed to make time to shut out the world for a while each day and still change the world.

I know it's important to put everything and even everyone aside for a few minutes and refocus on the Source of my existence and on the occassions when I manage it I always feel better, ready to be a world changer. But the 'excitement' of opening new emails, informing facebook status, massaging budgets, completing HQ administration expectations and preparing the next powerpoint are so powerfully magnetic - surely they are the most important and whorthwhile uses of my time today!

When I do manage to drag myself away from the 'tyranny of the urgent' one of my favourite places to go is Sacred Space. It's an Irish Jesuit based cyberspace sight that guides my reflection, and informs my spirit. It provides a guided mediation for each day and if you're really keen it offers techniques for meditation, reflection and contemplation. Check it out, I find it helpful - most of the time.

Energised to Party

Recently a well known, and controversial, Christian Church leader in New Zealand announced that he was in the process of purchasing land in the middle of one of the north island cities. The land he says was to be set aside to build a 'holy city'. It will be a 'walled city' a protected place where children will be educated in a christian environment, not in the secular public school system. It will be a place exclusive to the members of the church who are willing to sell up and move in.

It will be a safe place to live, protected from the evils of the world: a place that will provide all the needs of the people: it will have its own shops, gyms, banks, schools - people who live here will lack for nothing and require nothing from the wider society. It will be a city governed by the church leaders according to the principles of the Bible, or their interpretation of it.

This is an influential church, led by a charismatic leader, with thousands of adherents around the country and there are already reports of people ready to sell-up and move into this exclusive, protected inner city fortress.

I wonder sometimes if I read a different Bible! I don't see or hear Jesus modelling an agenda that speaks about a craving for protectionist exclusivity. I don't see Jesus barricading himself away from "the real world" as a lifestyle. Sure, he took time out, but only to re energise himself to attend another party with the 'sinners' or to remind himself that his focus was 'others'.

I admit there have been times as a father that I would love to have locked my family and friends away from the pressures and confusions of society - but that's not what the Jesus model of 'in the world, but not of the world' is all about, is it? And frankly, I think that being barricaded away with any group of like-minded people with little, or no, interaction with people of different opinions, lifestyles and beliefs would drive me crazy.

And yet, I think many churches comes dangerously close to recommending that its members separate themselves from 'the world'. And many Christians, (including Salvos) become so church-centric that they never attempt to cultivate non-christian friends, or they lose contact with friends from their previous 'worldly' life, or they become so busy with the 'church' that they become completely irrelevant to, and out of touch with 'others'.

If Christianity, as we have heard so often, is all about relationship - then it cannot be exclusive and protective: it must be open, frustrating, joyful, confusing, empowering, painful, engaging, messy and amazingly unpredictable. That's sounds more like life (and a party) to me!

Demonising Others

Like some other bloggers recently, I have been wondering about continuing to blog. I don't want to read for the sake of it, likewise I don't want to write for the sake of it. So I haven't put fingers to keys for over a week.

But this morning I received a well known international Christian aid agency's periodical that caused me to be angry, frustrated and concerned. The magazine reports on the agency's current projects most of which are fantastic responses to disasters, both humanitarian and natural. But the not so subtle message on every page is the persecution of Christians, predominantly by Muslims. The underlying, and unapologetic foundation of the agency is their Christian faith and I do not have a problem with that. (One of the reasons I am engaged in this work is my response to Jesus' call to meet the needs of others.)

But, in my opinion, the centrefold goes over the top. It is a collection of quotes by well known Islamic Extremists claiming a priority for the Islamisation of the Western World through migration and birth rates. The quotes, probably pulled out of context, speak of this agenda as being the only agenda of all Muslims.

I have two problems with these kinds of publications:

1. Aid and Development should not be delivered with any requirement for faith commitment. An agenda to disseminate an obvious bias against people of any other faith is both dangerous and anti-Christian. To imply that this religion's agenda is the eradication of all 'others' is unhelpful - and I would think counter intuitive to the aim of any agency to alleviate the suffering of those impacted by disaster.
2. I could come up with a list of quotes by Christian Extremists that would be equally as frightening. Some of the comments made by world leaders and self proclaimed Christians are equally as inflammatory. White 'Christian' Supremacists who seek to assassinate leaders because of skin colour are surely as frightening.

I find myself increasingly angry at the apparent agenda of some Christians to demonise all Muslims and assigning them the blame for all global ills. I think there are probably as many scary Christian extremists we need to be wary of, and let's not forget that history records that there have been some pretty horrific acts carried out in the name of both God and Allah.

The Other Side of Death Valley

My overwhelming experience of Rwanda, and her people, is that whilst they have passed through the deepest of death valleys, they have and are climbing out - together. The people refuse to be defined and destroyed by the hatred and fear that has left a permanent scar.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken.
We are perplexed… but we don’t give up and quit.
We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.
We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.
(2 Corinthians 4:8,9)

I'm not suggesting it has been, or ever will be any easy journey for people to put aside the fear invoked by memories of past betrayal, distrust and pain. But there comes a time, when for the sake of a future, people of different beliefs and cultures must be willing to look for common ground upon which hope can be built. Rather than perpetuate and celebrate the discontinuities that exist between all humanity - claim, celebrate and develop the small but powerful similarities.

Rwanda is, I think, a thumbnail portrait of the world. The labels are different, but more and more we are allowing the labels "Christian" and "Muslim" to define and separate us. And in the process of gaining supremacy more and more innocents are dying.

The future of our world may well be in the willingness of the members of these two 'superpowers' to honour one another. It begins with genuine dialogue (not pre-planned lecture), it will include justice and it is underwritten by a committment to forgiveness.

Religion & Reflection

It can take time and distance to reflect and sort through lessons learnt!

As I heard the stories of betrayal by friends, family and church and I saw the evidence of the complicity of the Christian church (and other faiths), I was once again reminded of the saturating seduction of power. The things people will do, or not do, to protect reputation: the betrayals rationalised so as not to get involved and words carefully chosen and spoken to sanitise and desensitise.

The accounts of the church's involvement in the 100 day Rwnada massacre reveals that at best the church turned a blind eye, ignoring the murder; at worst it became a partner in the mechanics of genocide, all so that the church would be protected.

I wonder sometimes if we are so busy protecting our religion, and our God, that we fail to protect humanity (and not just in Rwanda).

I believe I know and have a personal relationship with the living God. But at the moment when protecting my faith, or my religion, becomes more important to me than accepting, loving, protecting and honouring humanity - of whatever race or religion - that is the moment that I lose the right to claim faith.

We're on the Move - Soonish

That day in the year that is marked on all Salvo Officer's calendars has come and gone and 'Salvo Santa' left a couple of parcels under our tree. On opening our parcels we found the confirmation that come January 8, 2009 we are on the move back to Australia.

Our new home will be in Preston, Victoria (just outside the city of Melbourne) where Sandy and I will be responsible for The Salvation Army Preston Corps (church). As well as heading up the leadership team at this suburban church Sandy will be joining the staff team at The Salvation Army's Officer Training College as a Lecturer, and I will be developing a new role as an Overseas Development Consultant.

But that's all in January of next year - until then we continue at the most exciting Corps in New Zeland, The Meeting House - Mt Albert.

Stand Up Against Poverty

From October 17 to 19, people all around the world will be invited to Stand Up and Take Action, to be a part of the growing global movement determined to stamp out poverty and inequality.

Last year, more than 43 million people all over the world stood up and spoke out sending a clear and powerful message to governments: Keep your promises to end poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Waitangi

One of, if not the most significant event in New Zealand history was the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on the 6th of February 1840 (don't quote me on the year, please). On that day the British and Maori agreed to live in peace as one nation. From this comes the national priority of bi-culturalism and the intentional effort of cultural inclusivity.

So yesterday I had the privilege of walking the 'sacred' grounds of Waitangi, the place where the treaty was signed [http://www.waitangi.net.nz/]. It is one of those places that I believe to be 'holy ground'. As you walk through the rain forests filled with silver ferns and hear the bell birds singing and the brook rushing by you can't help but feel that something special happened here.

People speak softer, and behave reverently as they walk through the doors of Te Whare Runanga - the fully carved Maori Meeting House, which is representative of all Iwi (regional tribes) in New Zealand.

Holidays are great opportunities to look around, and in these last few months before returning home to Australia, (more about that next week!) I am taking the opportunity to see everything I can and reflect on the last three years here.

Almost Done

It has been another amazing journey to Rwanda and one that I will remember for a long time to come.

It is not often that we get an opportunity to return and see the results of work done in the past - to see the buildings and the pumps is fantastic, but more than that the chance to renew contact with the people and see that their lives have been changed for the better - that's what makes it worthwhile.

So tomorrow afternoon I begin the journey home. Thanks to those that again supported me on this journey, to those that gave money to purchase resources for the people of Gituro, and to those that have read and commented on my journey.

Kiyunze

We rocked and bounced along a dirt road for about two hours this morning as we travelled to the village of Kiyunze.

Just after the genocide in 1994 The Salvation Army was assigned to help this village recover from the effects of the 100 day murderous, destructive rampage. As well as the thousands that were killed in the area, houses, shops, warehouses, wells and crops were destroyed. The Salvation Army assisted the people of this remote village with roads, bridges, water, food and houses.

Today there is a dynamic corps in the village and the Sallies are well respected and recieved. We spent the afternoon talking with some of the locals and checking the condition of the water supply and houses.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Just outside Kigali, in a valley surrounded by markets and houses lies the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Opened in 2002 it serves to remind Rwanda and the world of the horrific results of genocide.

Surrounding the building are 14 large sealed concrete bunkers, (each 6m deep, 4m wide and 10m long). These mass graves contain the remains of 258,000 people – men, women and children that were murdered in and around the city of Kigali. But just down on the next terrace more concrete graves have been dug to house the remains that continue to be found.

The Memorial is divided into three sections: the bottom floor circles rooms that display the skeletal remains, the torn clothes and hundreds of photos representing the 1,000,000 that were killed. As you enter the outer ring you follow the story of a peaceful, united Rwanda through the ethnic division and hatred that resulted in horrific torture, mutilation and death. You are reminded of the complicity of some in the church, the ignorance of the international community and the utter impotence of the United Nations.

Upstairs one display outlines the stories of genocides throughout the world and reminds you of the potential of humanity to be completely depraved, whilst the second display shows large images of children, from 8 months to 8 years, and under the faces of the innocent their last words, their favourite foods, and how they died are recorded.

This Memorial continues to be a sobering reminder to the nation and the world. But as I left the building and walked through the bookshop I noticed a T-Shirt with these words on the front that reminded me that we have not learnt:

Gituro Village

18 months ago there were 70 families living in tarpaulin and mud huts on a barren hill-top, walking 6km twice a day to collect stagnant filthy water.

As we drove down the familiar dusty, potholed path spontaneous applause broke out in the vehicle as we saw shiny roofs glinting in the sunshine. A ‘three street’ village has appeared, gardens are growing, children are playing. This is the fulfilment of what was only a paper dream for me – and without wanting to sound proud, it is deeply satisfying.

Today there are 70 adobe brick 4-room houses with attached pit latrines fenced by green succulent plant fences. The nearby water bore and hand pump still works and is the gathering place for about 20 people gathering water and washing clothes. A brick community centre and a Salvation Army officer’s house stand on prime land a short distance from the village.

It was an emotional and amazing privilege to return to the village where I spent 5 weeks. I was able to meet the people and hear the stories of the way in which the project has changed and enhanced their lives. To meet the children and have them sing to me again was a rare and exciting opportunity.

The community centre is administered by The Salvation Army and as well as being a training facility for adult literacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, weaving and sewing it is home to the church. Today, (12 months after opening) the two officers administer a church that has: an average Sunday attendance of 140 with 45 Senior Soldiers, 48 Junior Soldiers, 44 Recruits, Junior and Senior Home Leagues, a choir of 18 and weekly prayer meetings and bible studies.

Gituro is a vibrant, happy, clean and hope filled village.

LOVE is the difference

“If I speak in the language of the beneficiaries but have not love, I am only a well dressed agent.

If I have a gift for the work of community transformation and can negotiate hidden agendas, and if I have all knowledge and access to resources that can move mountains, but have not love, I am just an NGO.

If I deliver everything promised and in the process completely exhaust myself, but have not love, I gain nothing. I can build the best houses, and dig the deepest wells, but if I have not love, and I do not offer dignity and respect I am only a service provider.”

© Daryl Crowden 2008

Peace Baskets

One of the major influences of peace and reconciliation has come through the women of the country. In a desire to bring and maintain peace and reconciliation women put aside the emotive and divisive labels of Tutsi, Hutu or Twa and began sitting together to weave baskets. In the process the shared their lives: their pains, their hopes and dreams and they found a commonality that brought them together as people and that began a process of transforming the society.

These baskets (‘Agaseke’ in kinyarwandan) are distinctive and unique to Rwanda and have become known as ‘peace baskets’ and symbolise “Escorting Each Other Along the Path of Peace”. The basket features on the Coat of Arms of the country and represents hope for a future that is peaceful and united.

The country and her people are well on the way to this reality. Today’s Rwanda is a modern day Phoenix: whilst the ashes remain as a reminder of destruction they also serve to point to renewal and reformation. Beauty has risen and is rising from the ashes.

The Salvation Army too, is a image of the transformation of a country and people. In the past fourteen years, since the genocide the Army has been established and grown in the country and spread to Burundi. Today there are 8 Corps (churches), 2 Outposts, 1,200 Senior Soldiers, 900 Junior Soldiers, 1,000 ‘Other’ adult Members.

The newest corps (‘living church’ the regional commander called it) is in the village of Gituro, which was the site of the emergency projects which began last year, and there are plans underway to open 2 outposts in the area soon. Over 100 people attend this church for worship with over 20 adults and 16 children becoming full members.

Today The Salvation Army Home League in the village of Gituro continues to be engaged in the process of peace and reconciliation, as well as income generation, by making and selling peace baskets in their community, and building foundations of healthy community with their neighbours.

Reconciliation

As I write there are drums banging, people singing and shouting, balloons and party lights shining in the distance – an exuberant party is happening just down the road, (and I haven’t been invited!)

But it’s not a party; it’s a political party gathering because tomorrow there will be a national election. It’s compulsory for all adults to vote here, and from the people I have spoken to, they are looking forward to it. There is an atmosphere of expectation, hope and peace – people are happy.

Some of this hope comes from the events leading up to this election. Like the bible precedence, all families were told that they must return to their village of birth and there register as citizens of the Country. But this time there was one major detour from previous registrations.

In the past people have been identified by their cultural heritage – their National Identity Card marked them as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. But this year this divisive categorisation, a catalyst for one of the worst mass genocides in history, has been outlawed and people are no longer being classified by heritage but rather claimed as Rwandan’s.

This apparently small change is a powerful message in the continuing process of reconciliation and a source of rejoicing and partying.

Rwanda Revisted

On Friday I take off to return to Rwanda for a few days.

It's been 17 months since I was working in the community of Gituro (remember the images opposite?) and I have heard that much has changed. My understanding is that following the completion of the building of latrines and the completion of the water pump and platform that there are now 70 houses and a community centre completed.

Whilst in Rwanda, (ostensibly to attend a workshop of International Emergency Services Team Leaders in Kigali) I will be returning to Gituro where I will have the opportunity to revisit the people and the programmes.

The question for me centres around the sustainability and relevance of the projects that The Salvation Army has implemented. Have they resulted in transformed and improved living for the people, and have they been delivered in a manner that has been sustainable by the people within their context and without the necessity of outside aid?

I'll let you know.

Exclusive Memberships

In the last few weeks I have been reminded of the danger of pursuing membership (Senior Soldiership) for the sake of it. I have been reminded that in celebrating one group of people, we are in danger of isolating others and creating a hierarchy of belonging.

When we are perceived to be chasing after members (soldiers) for the sake of it, and hold them up as the ultimate prize we simultaneously assign value to the level of engagement that a person has to the movement - we create an in-group and therefore by (unconscious and unintended) design we banish others to an out-group.

'Jesus didn't want to create an in-group which could banish others to an
out-group; Jesus wanted to create a come-on-in group, one that sought and
welcomed everyone' (Nigel Livingstone).

I did not covenant with God to enrol Soldiers! My Calling and my Covenant with God is "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". My Covenant is to create "a come-on-in group" where all people belong and are valued and accepted equally.

I'm not saying we don't celebrate people willing to commit their lives to being Soldiers, and that we don't challenge people to become Soldiers: but we don't do it to the exclusion of other members of our churches, and we don't do it in a way that makes others feel second class at best and out-siders at worst. (Soldiers are just one part of the body of Christ!)

Changing Religions

My radio (accidentally) found a Christian radio station the other day and I was reminded that almost every time I tune in to religious radio or see some of the Christian TV adds, I want to change my religion to become Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu - anything but what I'm hearing.

'Jesus didn't want to create an in-group which could banish others to an out-group; Jesus wanted to create a come-on-in group, one that sought and welcomed everyone' (Nigel Livingstone).

I’m not suggesting that all religions are the same and that it doesn't matter what you believe, that truth is relative; and I am not advocating a kind of "all-religions-are-equally-true relativist/pluralist tolerance. I am saying that because we are Jesus followers and because we believe Jesus is true, and that he accepts all people in love, kindness and grace, we should do the same.

Pharisees believed they were special, the elect, and the elite. They wouldn't associate in any way with non-Jews and they didn't understand the difference between acceptance and approval, so in case they be accused of approving of other religions they refrained from loving or accepting people who were part of other religions (as well as members of their own religion that they felt were sub-par).

To show love and acceptance of people is not to approve all they believe or do. To show disapproval of other religions, and belief systems by withholding love and acceptance may be orthodox Phariseeism and it may even be modern, Western, colonial Christianity; but it was not the practice, or the model, of Jesus Christ.

According to Macquarrie (Transforming Mission, p.483), there are seven formative factors in theology: experience, revelation, Scripture, tradition, culture, reason - and dialogue with other religions.

I consider myself a generously orthodox Christian; I don’t believe I am above Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and others, in fact if I reflect Jesus then I am below them as servant. I am their neighbour, their brother.

Jesus didn't come to start another religion to compete in the marketplace of belief systems. If anything, I think he came to end standard competitive religion (which Paul called 'the law') by fulfilling it. Not, like too many religions, a place of fear and exclusion, but a place where everyone can find a home in the embrace of God.

Now What

Included in the goals for the visit of the Meeting House (Mt Albert Corps) team to Sri Lanka was:

1. the hope that the members of the team would be informed and transformed by the reality of life and ministry for the members of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka and those to whom they minister. Whether it was through the Tsunami Recovery programs, the orphaned children at The Haven, the elderly residents at the Eventide Hostel or the youth at the Camp - we wanted to see (and experience as best we could) life as it really is.
2. the intention to introduce them to a country and people that they would fall in love with and want to partner with. By looking into the eyes of a person whilst hearing their stories we are in danger of becoming companions in their journey.

It is rewarding to know that these goals (and others) have been achieved. We have been back three weeks now, the physical awareness that we travelled somewhere has gone, but the emotional ties remain. The team, and the Corps, are planning ways in which they can continue to partner with the people they met in Sri Lanka.

It is also encouraging to know that the feelings that this visit was worthwhile are not just held by those of us that went, but by the leadership of Sri Lanka as well. In a recent conversation the following acknowledgement was received:

I take this opportunity to thank you and the team members, the corps that supported and the division and New Zealand Territory for their love and willingness to help us generously. I am sure this will help in strengthening relationship between the two territories in the future.

I am once again convinced that one of the best ways to transform a life is to immerse it in the reality of another culture, and to sit eye to eye and share another's journey.

Home

After non-eventful flights the Team are home and settling back into the Kiwi time zone and catching up with family.

Thanks to all that took an interest in our journey and those who left comments, we appreciated it.

All Over Bar The Flying

Today marks the end of our Lanka 08 adventure. We spent the morning and lunch with Territorial Leaders debriefing the journeys that we have had the privilege of undertaking over the past three weeks.

Amongst the topics was a discussion about deinstitutionalisation. There is no doubt that over the past 80 years or so, since the Army has been running children’s homes, there have been many children who, with no other alternative have received a home and a hope because of our institutions.

There are only a small number of children in Army institutions that have no family to support them, the rest have some family, but these lack the resources to supply adequate education and nurture. (There are waiting lists of people asking the Army for their children to be accepted into care.)

But there are hints of a government policy which will force a move away from institutional care and so the question is what happens when, or if, institutions are forced to close. (This is not a near future issue.)

The Army has already begun a family sponsorship program whereby families receive resources to help them care for children at home – it is small scale at the moment, but successful. Could this be a solution for the future? There are some interesting discussions and decisions to come.

Another issue that lies heavy on the Leadership’s hearts is the need to provide psychological support for the preschool children and remand girls that are part of The Haven clientele. This is a unique institution with a complex population – there are many ways in which it could be better, but all are held captive to resources, mainly finance.

To employ a professional psychologist would cost only about US $5,000.00 per year, and whilst this sounds like such a little, it is beyond the budget restrictions of the Territory at this time. But the position (I believe) would make such a huge difference. Imagine being able to sponsor this ministry! (Interested? Talk to me, or to the Sri Lanka Territorial Social Service Secretary directly.)

So, in about 12 hours we will be in the air, just leaving Sri Lankan airspace. The adventure will be over, but the transformed lives (ours) and the encouragement given will remain.

Dehiwela Reunion

We only have another day here in Sri Lanka, but today was a special day for the Dehiwela Girls Home, and we were privileged to be part of it. The Matron, Captain Rohini Hettiararchchi, with the support of her team, organised a reunion of the current girls (50) and the ‘Old Girls’ (73).

Opened in 1936 the Girls Home has been home to hundreds of girls over the years, including three women who, having given their lives to God and the Army, have risen to the rank of Colonel in The Salvation Army, alongside these women, many are serving in Churches all around the island.

We were met at the gate by five beautiful little girls who placed garlands around our necks, and then the Hewasi Band, (drums, flutes, tambourines and horn) led us down the driveway and into the Chapel. It was an overwhelming welcome: the honour they paid us was undeserved but awesome.

We led the first session and following a talk about the Maori Kete and Pounamu by Major Gay we had the girls and women doing an aerobics workout to the action song, “From your head to your toes, you’re special”. Ian followed this up by wowing the crowd with his Chemical magic once again.

After lunch the current girls went inside with the Gill, Gael and Gay to do some craft whilst Ian and Daryl led the Old Girls in some games. As usual the games were serious business, and the rough play would have got any international soccer player yellow carded.

The atmosphere at this institution is fantastic. The place is clean and the girls obviously happy and well cared for. The theme for the day was “God loves you, and you are special” – no one, including our team left in any doubt of that. It was a great way to finish the adventure.

Angulan Tsunami Camp

Angulan is a community located between the sea, approximately 100 meters away and a tidal lagoon. 40 families, most with small children, have been living in this temporary camp, situated on the local government school grounds for three and a half years.

The families in this area have been, and are, in two-room wooden shacks that were built around January 10, 2005. The front room is used as the kitchen and food storage area the back room as the bedroom and living area.

When we visited the camp it had been raining heavily: the grounds were muddy and the rubbish had been washed all over the camp. Residents reported being in 8 inches of water over night – and the sanitation overflowing into the living areas.

Whilst all have received a grant from the government (two instalments equalling NZ$ 6,250.00) to build a new house; the land that they can afford is over 25km in land – and they are fishermen, dependant on the sea and their boats for the small income they can attract. Going 25km in land, to new areas where there is no power or water supply is not the most appropriate solution for these people, but with an impending forced eviction from the camp, they have few other options.

The grant has not been enough to purchase the land and complete the building of houses so some are still living in the shacks, whilst their new house remains incomplete. Others have had enough to complete the house but not to pay for the electrical wiring or connection of mains power.

The Salvation Army has been working with this community for two years and during this time has provided funds to aid in the wiring of houses and connection of power. However, the available ‘tsunami’ funds are exhausted and the Angulan camp is not a priority.

Despite this lack of funds The Salvation Army is finding funds to help these victims. Each house wiring and connection costs approximately Rs. 28,000.00 (NZ $345.00) and so far they have been able to help a number of families.

From funds made available by a donor in New Zealand (members of The Salvation Army Faith Factory in Waitakere) we have been able to accept the application of five more families, and over the next few weeks they will be able to move from this stagnant, smelly ‘temporary’ home into their new houses.

Thanks to those that made this possible – it was our privilege to represent you today.

It's Gael's Turn

The last member of our team to write a report in this last week is Gael, and she says...

Greetings from sunny Sri Lanka. Although by the time you read this we will be touching down in Auckland.

Thursday
We picked up our many bags and walked next door to the Training College where we met nine cadets and the training principal, Major Lapena. We spent the day sharing about the wordless book, flannel graph stories, memory verses, puppets and played Bible quiz tic-tac-toe with them. They all joined in enthusiastically and their puppet plays where a delight to see.

After taking twelve meters of wincyette in my suitcase it was great to see them making up their flannel graph boards. They also took with them individually created sock puppets and wordless bracelets. They were a lovely bunch of young people who had a great love for the Lord. They were heard to say about a few mistakes we had made, that ‘we were as old as their parents. It was very hot and we were probably tired’.

It was great to sit down together for lunch. They must have learned a few things because they asked the Training Principal if they could use some of the ideas on the ten day crusade they were leaving for on Saturday.

Friday
Daryl and Ian went to paint at Rajagiriya boys home while G, G and G went shopping for supplies. We made our way through puddles, people, tuk-tuks, cars, trucks, buses and motor bikes with whole families on. We did really well considering the roads in Sri Lanka are chaotic.

We joined up for lunch at the home and did a programme with the boys. They enjoyed balloon stomp, but not as much as Ian and the Manager (Major Shelton) who continued on for quite some time after the boys had finished. Again, the sock puppets we made with them were a great hit.

Saturday
G, G and G were not looking forward to their three hour journey to the Teenager’s camp at Rambukkana, but after a breakfast of roti brought by Major Nihal we climbed aboard and set off. Driving on Sri Lankan roads has to be seen to be believed, we haven’t worked out if there are any road rules, with a lot of honking of horns everyone moves, turns, stops, passes and yet it seems to work. This time we had Major Nihal driving so it was a much smoother ride. We did our normal programme including a marvelous drama that somehow got lost in translation and had Gay throwing a tantrum three times instead of once. I think the last time was for real. We finished with games which were completely out of control.

Sunday
We took the meeting at Colombo Central Corps where we met an amazing ninety-six year old retired Colonel. We then went up stairs for a youth meeting. In the afternoon we shopped until Ian dropped.

Monday
We went to Swedlanka boys home which was a one and a quarter hour drive from Colombo. The boys sang for us and played flute, guitar and drums. They were really good. There was a lovely family atmosphere and they joined in enthusiastically with the games. The boys were really pleased to each receive a new pair of black leather school shoes bought with the money raised by The Meeting House (Mt Albert Corps).

Tuesday
In the morning at Rajagiriya eventide hostel we met the retired men and ladies who live there. It was nice to be the young ones for once. We sang songs, Ian shared his testimony and we did craft with them. After a beautiful lunch, we went next door to the Boy’s Home to paint their chapel.

I can’t believe this is our last week in Sri Lanka. It is a beautiful country and we have learned a lot form the Salvationists here. They have so little yet their hearts are so big and they share so much with us.

SwedLanka

Today’s activities found us driving about an hour north of Colombo to Kochikadi where, located down narrow corrugated dirt lanes, hidden amongst the coconut trees is the Swedlanka Boys Home.

The Salvation Army inherited the home from a Swedish organisation a number of years ago and today 18 boys between 7 and 18 live here. It is a small compound, but well maintained and happy.

We had the privilege of conducting a program with the boys and then playing games and sitting under the trees in the ‘cool’ of the evening singing songs to a guitar and drum.

Earlier in the afternoon, thanks to funds raised by The Meeting House in Mt Albert (Auckland), we were able to buy each boy a new pair of black leather school shoes and a tin of polish, Kiwi of course.

Colombo Central

Colombo Central was alive with sound and enthusiasm this morning. As the buses thundered past, dodging tuk-tuks and pedestrians with hands on horns it was difficult to hear ourselves think at times - but despite the chaotic environment in which the Corps is situated about 75 people met in worship.

The brass band played with passion and power, managing to drown out the bus horns, and the worship band got us marching around the hall. Ian preached and the rest of the team participated in the worship time.

Following the service, Manu (in the hands of Major Gay) introduced the youth to Maori culture and language and helped us think about the qualities of life that should best be sought after.

The afternoon was spent doing the circuit of souvenir and other shops in preparation for our return to family and friends... look out Aotearoa there is a herd of elephants, in all shapes and sizes, on its way.

Rajagiriya to Rambukkana

After spending the morning finishing off the painting of the exterior of one building at Rajagiriya we had the privilege of leading the boys (23 of them from 6-18) in a fun programme. The opening act of "balloon stomp" proved to be an event that would match any gladiatorial event, Ian and Major Shelton starred as the final combatants.

Ian presented his 'wordless book' in chemical form by turning water black, red and then back to white. The boys were enthralled by the 'chemical magic' and then loved the opportunity to turn socks into their own personal puppet creations. It was a great day.

Yesterday it was another early start as we headed back up the Kandy-Colombo road to Rambukkana and The Salvation Army's Camp and Conference Centre. We were going to conduct the afternoons activities at the Territorial Teenagers Camp - 84 young people, plus leaders. After a worship time we had some fun running around the hall together and then the amazing drama of Joseph and his amazing coat was presented.

For its first outing it proved to be an amazing comedic hit (although it wasn't supposed to be as funny as it turned out). Gael, playing the part of Joseph delivered a passionate and energetic performance, Gay threw three amazing tantrums as Pharaoh, Gill kept the drama together and tried to keep the others on track whilst Ian's portrayal of Jacob, the Baker, and a Slave Trader left the audience pleading for more.

This excitement however came no where near the total chaos of the games session that followed. With young people spitting water into glasses, throwing balls and limes at each other and picking on Ian, whose Sinhala has increased three fold, the afternoon declined into total anarchy very quickly.

It was a great day and one that we, and probably they, will not soon forget.

Training College

We spent the day at The Salvation Army's Training College today facilitating a workshop on Children's Ministries. There are 9 cadets in two sessions at the moment and they are quite a creative group of people.

As you'll see from the photos they took to the puppets (thanks to the donors in NZ) and presented some very good displays - a lot better than we do. We experimented with making sock puppets and paper fold puppets - there were some interesting creations - it was fun.

We have also been able to teach how to make and use flannel graph boards and stories and leave each cadet with a board, made by themselves. (Getting the 4'x8' sheets of hard board from the shops, 2km away, back to the College was a job left to Daryl and Captain Christopher and is a story for another day - let's just say it felt like a long walk and carrying a board that size and dodging vehicles and pedestrians could be an interesting extreme sport.)

The Cadets leave on Saturday for a 10 day campaign so the workshop was a timely event and appreciated. We all had a fun and educational day!

Gay Roberts Says...

Four hot, sticky Kiwi’s (and one equally hot, sticky Aussie) have just negotiated the pot-holes, traffic and people that constituted our walk back after a wonderful but exhausting day at the “Haven”, a home that encompasses, mothers & babies, toddlers and girls on remand all under one roof. However, I’ll tell you about that later because you want to hear about the entire past week! How are we supposed to condense the frenzied and varied activity of the past seven days on to one tiny page?

This time last week we were down in Hikkaduwa – Tsunami territory but also Sri Lanka’s sunshine coast. We experienced a little of both worlds - ask us about the resorts when we get home! We visited housing projects and villages, participated in community activities, observed a mobile health clinic with an amazing Doctor, and bumped along countless kilometres of dirt track in the back of indescribably uncomfortable vans! Every bone in our somewhat aging bodies has been realigned but it was worth every excruciating pot-hole! We saw the realization of hope and renewal. We experienced something of the resilience and determination that is enabling people to stand on their feet and enjoy life again and something of the organisation and teamwork that goes into helping that process – a real privilege!

We visited Dixon and Indrani, a couple that lost all three of their children and I particularly remember the grandmother who was distraught and guilty because the water had forced her to let go of one of the children. As a grandmother myself I could not imagine recovering from such a trauma. When we called on them Dixon was away fishing (he has only been able to return to it fairly recently) and Indrani was out with the new baby (great news!) She cried again as she told us how she still felt responsible for the little one she had to let go but now they have their new home (last time Daryl was here they were still living in a tent) and the new baby has given them purpose again. We climbed back into the van, disappointed not to have met Indrani and Dixon, but with a sense of awe and gratitude to God for answered prayer.

We arrived home very exhausted on Saturday evening then left at 5.30 next morning for the three and a half hour drive to Hewadiwella Corps (we can all pronounce it really well now!) The corps people appear out of nowhere from the surrounding countryside and disappear into it again just as quickly afterward (the officer walks through paddy-fields and mountain tracks for up to 2 hours to visit them!). We shared their meeting and had fun with their lovely children but it was over far too quickly!

We hope you’ve seen the elephant-riding photo’s on the web-site and recognise the progression from sheer terror to ‘I think I’ll be OK if I just hang on tight enough’ on the faced of those involved.

The school, Sunday School and prayer meeting on the tea plantation were the high-lights for the following day. The simple joy on the faces of the children and the gentleness of these poor people in such a remote mountainside village is something we will not easily forget.

A day off in Kandy brings us back to today, the ‘Haven’ and our current satisfied exhaustion. Today we have cuddled babies, created chaos (Ian and Daryl are real experts at that) and saw some very impressive card-making. It was a very rewarding day and we were relieved to find a much more organized and happier home than we had been prepared for. We were surprised to be shown into a cute little Montessori pre-school where the little ones go for a daily programme. The pre-schoolers spent all afternoon playing with the play-dough Ian had made for them and their teacher was delighted by the resources we were able to leave with her.

Our minds are so overwhelmed by all we’ve seen, heard and experienced and it is very frustrating to try and share it with you in this way. We wish you were all here experiencing it with us. Thank you so much for you support. We are so aware that it is your generosity that we are sharing with others in all sorts of ways here.

God is very Good.

From Elephants to Tea Estates

This week, and our second in Sri Lanka, began at 4:30am (Sunday) as we boarded the Van for the three hour trip to Hewadiwela Corps. Located in the hill country this corps is one of the oldest (of 42) in the Island.

It was our privilege to share in worship, and mine to dedicate a baby and preach. The hall, situated amongst the trees and built on a rock, was filled to capacity – the timbrels played and the people sang and greeted each other with the Maori, KiaOra.

After lunch we headed out to Pinnawela, the sight of the world famous Elephant Orphanage which is home to about 120 elephants at the moment. Gael and Gay bottle feed a calf before we joined the throng and headed down to the river to watch the elephants parade down the road to have a bath. All before Gill, Gael and Ian rode elephants and Ian shared a shower with an elephant.

Monday we travelled up through the hill and cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, to the Hunnasgiriya Tea Estate where The Army has begun a ministry amongst the children of the workers. 150 children, all Tamil – some Hindu and some Christian - were waiting to greet us and we didn't keep them waiting for long before we had them singing “From my head to my toes, I’m special” and chasing all black balloons around the room. The puppets made a well received entrance and Gael used the Kiwi to talk to the children about being special.

After removing the leeches from Gael and Gay, we headed off to conduct a Sunday School (on Monday) and to lead a short meeting and prayer meeting in one of the village houses. Hunnasgiriya is located about 800m above sea level, 30 minutes from the nearest town and is home to about 300 families and a tourist hotel, complete with golf course - all surrounded by beautiful rugged rock mountains, covered in mist and tea shrubs.

Today we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy markets before heading back to Colombo to resume our program at the Institutions in the city.

Women's and Children's Societies

We conducted our first program yesterday afternoon.

About 7km in land from the coast there is a new village inhabited by Tsunami survivors: amongst these families there is one Christian lady who invited The Salvation Army's Community Capacity Development (CCD) team to visit and assist her in building community amongst the people in the new village. (A "Society" in this context is just a group who gather for fellowship, encouragement and learning.)

Since this invitation a Women's Society has commenced with 40-50 women attending weekly and a Children's Society, with 27 in attendance yesterday.

We arrived to find all these women and children waiting for us: seated on wooden benches and on the ground in an open field surrounded by cinnamon bushes on two sides, coconut plantation on another and houses on the fourth - a water buffalo and a couple of dogs joined the back of the group.

We were greeted by three beautiful young girls doing a cultural dance for us, before we entertained them with a puppet show, and attempted to teach them an action song before splitting the children away into their own group. Gill, Gael and Gay introduced the ladies to the delights of card making, whilst Ian and I played "under-over", "cat and mouse" and poison ball with the children.

The program came to a climax with the presentation of prizes, by the team, for a Vesak Lantern competition that had been organised by the CCD team.

And that brings to an end our visit to the tsunami affected community work that is being done in the South East. On Sunday we head in land for a few days, up toward Kandy, the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela and programs at schools in Kandy and Rambukkana and meetings at Hewadiwela.

About Photos

Thank you to those that have made comments, and are following our progress. The team are grateful for them.

To those who have asked: If you are wanting to see photos better, you can click on the photo on the right (at any time) and follow the link to "look at photos in new window" and then click on the "darylcrowden's photostream" link on the right. Here you can download photos and make comments on them.

Today we are off to do a children's program and a women's craft class in a Tsunami affected community. The Puppets will make their debut, Ian will be playing his guitar and Gill, Gay and Gael teaching the women to make cards. The we are leading a prayer meeting in the community at the request of the people.

We will also be observing the work of the mobile clinic in Galagoda, the village where the Army has built 101 houses, a Community Centre and a Vocational Training Centre.

It's about 32degress, 75% humidity and blue skies. The ocean looks rough but inviting and the sand is golden.

First Impressions

Having lived and worked in Sri Lanka, and in some ways coming back to my ‘second home’ it is always interesting to travel with people that are seeing the country for the first time. So here’s the first impressions of two of the team, Gill and Ian Scoltock:

The contrast between Singapore and Sri Lanka was striking. Singapore- huge concrete jungle , Sri Lanka – roads full of crazy drivers, honking horns, overloaded tuk tuks, Mum, Dad and kids all on one moped, cows on the road side, street stalls, shops in crumbling buildings, soldiers with guns, stifling heat. We love it.

Everyone smiles and makes you welcome, and can’t do enough for you even though they have so little. Today, our first day at Hikkaduwa/Galle was very special. The devastation caused by the tsunami is still obvious, but there is a lot of reconstruction going on.

We visited the homes of some people who had received help though the Salvation Army’s Livelihood Programme to establish or re-establish small businesses. One lady makes beautiful bags from a certain part of the coconut palm. The process involves boiling fibres for three hours, dying them, then sewing them into intricate designs and finally constructing the hand bags. On the day of the tsunami she was out and came home to find water right through the house and all of her possessions gone. The Salvation Army provided big pots for the boiling process and cupboards for storage. She now has a thriving business, which provides for herself, her daughter and grand child. We heard many similar stories about personal losses of the local people. Nine hundred small projects have been helped so far.

This afternoon we were “honoured guests” at a volley ball tournament between teams of school children, all of which had been affected in some way by the tsunami. It was great to see the kids having fun on the very beach which had caused them so much pain.

We value your continued prayer support as we are finding it hard to sleep in the heat and suffering from information overload.

Introductions

Today started early for most of us - although it didn't have to. Our minds were still operating on NZ time so early in the morning Gay and Gael were up drinking tea on the balcony and listening to the sounds of the rest of the area waking up.

We began the day with the Leaders of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka: they shared their dreams and challenges and introduced us to the work of The Army here. It was fantastic to hear that despite the political and other challenges of the country at the moment there is a very positive optimism about the people and the ministry. "It is a good time to be the Leaders in Sri Lanka", said Colonel Lalzamlova the Territorial Leader.

After a tour of the Army's headquarters and a briefing on the program with our in country liaison, Major Nihal Hettiararchchi, we shared lunch with the leaders, (see photo) before the keys to the vehicle were handed to Daryl and we ventured out to but the materials and supplies we need to fulfil events in the expanding program. (Gill, Gay and Gael already have an extra days activity on Saturday when they will attend a District Women's Rally and conduct the Craft session.)

Its been a good day and all are well and happy - not even driving on Colombo roads with Daryl driving has dampened the spirits so far. But tomorrow is an early start and a three hour drive (80km) down to Hikkaduwa, the centre of the Army's Tsunami Recovery work in the South West.

Arrived and Well!

We have arrived! After a trip that seemed to take much longer than it should have, the team has been united at The Salvation Army's Training College in Colombo.

Gay Roberts arrived without too many hitches: she got caught in a checkpoint for "a while" on her way in from the airport - one wonders if they knew who was in the vehicle. She had a great time in Hong Kong, even if she got a little lost a one stage - thanks to a map she received before her departure. The rest of us arrived this morning after a night in Singapore - and we were not stopped once by security.

So after a light lunch we ventured out to the shop (Arpico Supercentre) to buy a few supplies, and are now having a break before heading out for some dinner.

It was 26degrees (C) and about 80% humidity when we arrived at 8:00am this morning, so the Kiwis are noticing it at the moment.

I hope to get some photos up soon, so keep watching and thanks for your interest. If there is anything you want to ask any member of the team please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get them to respond to you - as long as we have a connection.

We're Off

Saturday morning, 9:30am we'll be at Auckland airport and hopefully there will be no hicthes as we board our Singapore Airlines flight. We'll be travelling through Singapore, and after an overnight stop, courtesy of the Airline, we'll head out of Singapore and arrive in Colombo about 8:15am local time. (For those following us from New Zealand, Sri Lanka is 6.5 hours behind you.)

Our first scehduled event is on Monday morning when we'll meet The Salvation Army's leadership and have lunch together.

Hopefully soon after that we'll begin letting you know what we've done, and how the team are reacting to all the new sights, smells and sounds - watch this space!

The Schedule

The Team's schedule can be found by following this link. (Click on the Map of Sri Lanka)

We'll keep you up to date as best we can via this site. We leave Saturday morning from Auckland...

Mission Priorities

An email this morning caused me to again question what the priority of my life and ministry is! I am, and have been a minister of religion for over 20 years and I love what I do, (most of the time).

But sometimes, (only sometimes), I think that my ministry priorities and those of my church are diametrically opposed. 20+ years ago I made a covenenant with God "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". You see my priority, and my passion, is the total transformation of lives - not the perpetuation of a membership group.

For me that means running 'the amazing race' of their lives with individuals. It means coming alongside a person at the place they call 'home' and, with their invitation, becoming a partner in their race - eating, arguing, crying, laughing and playing with them. As we race together I hope that they see in me a Source of energy that is exciting, risky and empowering - and as a result I am able to introduce them to the Source of life and their Creator.

I want to introduce people to Jesus and walk them through the citizenship process of the Kingdom: if in that process they choose to become members of my church - that's fantastic, I will encourage and celebrate it - but that's not my ministry priority!

The "first purpose of my life" is inviting people to be members of God's family!

New Team Members

Thanks to the generosity of a private donation we are able to afford to take four new team members with us to Sri Lanka. These individuals are experts in singing and dancing, and are especially effective with children's ministry - they will be an invaluable addition to the program.

Best of all they have requested that they be counted as 'real missionaries' and so they have committed the 'rest of their lives' to Sri Lanka. They will be initially assigned to the Training College in Colombo where they will work with Cadet Officers, but they have said that they will be available to 'special' on request.

At the first team building meeting last weekend their was mixed reactions. One team member (Gay) was extremely exuberant and offered to pay for her new partner to have a change of wardrobe - whilst other team members were a little more reserved, the indications of strong bonding in the team are good.

We wish them well as they, and the rest of the team work together on their song, drama and dance routines.

How Can I Help?

When disasters strike, and images of suffering appear on our screens, people often ask, "How Can I Help?" A helpful guide and outline of the process has been prepared by the New Zealand Council for International Development.

Sri Lanka Team

We had the privilege of hosting General Eva Burrows for Easter this year. During her time with us she was the guest at a fund raising dinner (Sri Lankan Banquet) for 70 people. A total of $900 was raised and will be used to purchase materials and resources to use, and leave, in Sri Lanka.

Photo: (Left to right) Major Gay Roberts, General Eva Burrows (Rtd) Ian Scoltock, Gael Laughland, Gill Scoltock, Major Daryl Crowden.

Meeting us, and facilitating our visit in Sri Lanka are Majors Nihal & Rohini Hettiararchchi who have been friends for a long time. I grew up with these officers and have come to repect their leadership and friendship. We are in safe and competent hands.

The schedule is almost confirmed and will be posted on this site soon (for those who have asked). We will value your support and prayers as we travel and learn from our engagement with the people of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka 2008

The Meeting House (The Salvation Army - Mt Albert) Mission Team are counting down to their departure for Sri Lanka on June 28.

Amongst the five members of the church travelling to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean are two teachers, a nurse/community worker, and two Salvation Army officers.

During our time in Sri Lanka we will be conducting training programs at childrens homes, an orhpanage (pictured), schools, attending a camp for teenagers and engaged in development and support ministries in tsunami rehabilitation areas.

Look out for more information and updates.

God Caused the Cyclone to Punish Those That do Not Believe and Follow

During a session at High School last week my daughter was asked to discuss the big question: "Where is [the Christian's] God in Myanmar?" "Where is God in the earthquake in China?" One of the responses was that God used the cyclone as punishment and warning. (An opinion I do not share!)

It's a question asked in one form or another after every natural disaster, or whenever some one we love is diagnosed with illness, or injured in an accident. It's not a question asked only by the athiest or the 'trouble maker' who sees an opportunity to debunk Christianity and God. Although 'they' do love the opportunity.

Unless I am really strange then Jesus' Followers like me ask the question too. How can God allow that much pain and suffering? Where is God? I have my own answers, but I do wonder:

If God is the 'creator, preserver and governor', if God is the architect of the weather, and the earth, then didn't God create the cyclone and the earthquake? Isn't God ultimately the cause of the chaos, the deaths, the injuries, the grief and pain? And if that's true then why?

The discussions at shool did not attempt to answer the huge question of why? But some of the things that were said included the opinion that God is in the gifts of money that are given, God is in the people that respond. God is experienced in the faith, hope and love that are evident in those that give water and an outstretched hand.

The school discussion may not have satisfied all questions, (but then academics haven't got the answers either), but the overwhelming response was that in the storms of life, God is there - often through friends, family, and even strangers who make themselves available to reach out to others.

Scary Relations

So you don't get on well with your neighbours? You're not really very good at making, or keeping friends? You are too shy to introduce yourself to any one, let alone a person of the opposite sex?

Don't sweat it! A British scientist just told me (via the BBC) that within the next 40 years Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be sufficiently advanced to be able to 'birth' robotic partners and friends. You will be able to design a robot that is sufficiently like you, or has the personality and physical attributes that you want in a partner. These 'humanoids' (my word not his) will be so human that they will be able to satisfy all physical (yes, even that!) and emotional needs.

And perhaps scarier still is this man's opinion that by this time humans will be so used to this interactive technology that we will not think it weird to engage in a physical relationship with these creations, so much so that we will use the phrase "some one" rather than "some thing" when we refer to them. (Interaction with a robotic dog or dinosaur is already nothing unusual for our children!)

This seems to me to be the ultimate in selfish individualism - the final solution to broken community and the ultimate catalyst for virtual community. Not too long ago it took 'a village to raise a child' soon we can leave it up to our AI partners, teachers and nannies. It makes some of the science fiction movies (such as Spielberg's AI, or Columbus' Bicentennial Man) seem not so far fetched.

Humanity is created for realtionship and community - just because we find it hard to relate; just because it's hard to live together; just because I'm shy - doesn't mean we should settle for another 'man-made' replacement. This is scary...

LESSONS FROM THE RED SHIELD APPEAL

People want to tell their story! I am humbled by how many times complete strangers told me their stories as they gave a donation. Some of the stories were pretty intimate too.

Whilst I am happy to be available to hear the stories, and thrilled that people still esteem the Sallies enough to know they can trust us, it also means that there are a lot of lonely people out there who just need someone to listen. They didn't want much, just a few minutes of our time, and a non-judgemental listener.

Once it was family, community, church that cared and listened, today, more often than not we pay professionals (psychologists, counsellors, life coaches) to do the same thing. Whilst I have nothing against these professionals, I think that if we need to reclaimed the importance of family (and friends).

One Story:

As I stood in my flouro yellow high viz Red Shield vest, my bucket silent but pleasantly weighty, I pretended not to watch and listen as a man, pointing in my direction knelt down to his two young boys. As he dug in his pocket for his wallet, and fished out two notes, he spoke to them about their grandpa.

"That guy is from the Salvation Army", he said. "Do you remember I told you your grandpa was in the war? Well he was hurt real bad, and it was a Sallie man that picked him up and carried him to a hospital where he was saved. The Sallies did amazing things for people in the war".

With big eyes and timid smiles the boys came to me, placed their donation in my bucket and taking a little Red Shield "thank you" sticker from me they walked away proudly wearing their stickers on their shirts.

I don't really like making those first moves to set up the collection point (especially when it’s wet and cold). But people like that, and the opportunity to listen make it worth while.

Scary Christians

Opinionated, influential Christians scare me!

I heard the other day (yes it is hearsay) about an internationally recognised christian evangelist and teacher who preaches that the 'mark of the beast' is not bar codes, nor 666, nor even secret script embedded in Microsoft windows, it's Muslims.

Apparently, he announces that a 'good Muslim' wears symbols on his forehead and wrist and these mark him as an Anti-christ. (I seem to remember the Christian Scriptures advocating that Jews were to wear these same symbols of allegiance.) He goes further and suggests that any Muslim that is not intentionally seeking the destruction of non-believers, is in fact a 'bad' Muslim.

This kind of preaching scares me, I believe it is not only inflammatory but wrong, and I reject it!

Too often people sprout ill informed, biased opinions grounded on stereotypical, politically motivated agenda. Their pronouncements aim to inflame emotions by perpetuating and celebrating differences, of which there will always be multiple, rather than seeking and encouraging the common ground.

It would seem to me that this agenda of 'division' is itself anti-christian. Didn't Jesus seek to unite and include? Even when people opposed him ('Anti-Christs') he identified them and then sought to include them - accepting them as they were first and attempting to transform them by relationship.

I have some amazing Islamic friends: people that I respect, trust and honour. People that are open to dialogue, men and women for whom acceptance, love and peace are life scripts.

It's easy to have and declare an opinion - it's much harder to have and develop a relationship. If I'm serious about influencing people (and proving that my faith relationship is worth having) then I need to stop talking and start being a friend.

When Prayer Doesn't Work!

This has been an horrific week in New Zealand. A 15 year old went missing over a week ago and today the authorities are speaking to a 'person of interest'. A 13 year old, on her way to school, (in our neighbourhood) disappeared and was not missed for a week!

Then, 10 young people from a local Christian College were swept up in a canyoning accident which ultimately claimed the lives of 6 students and their teacher.

As the news swept the nation people prayed. Parents prayed that their children were not amongst those involved, and I have no doubt that the students prayed that God would save them, and yet 7 died.

To say, as some have, that four were saved because they prayed seems a little insensitive to me. Does that mean that God didn't listen to those that died, despite their prayers, or that God listened more to the parents of those that survived: or does it mean that they didn't pray 'right'. (How many thousands of Christians suffer, go hungry, are lonely, die each day - despite the fact that they ask God to get involved and make it different? Does God not listen to them? Or are they not praying hard enough?)

Don't get me wrong I am thrilled that some survived and I have no doubt that God heard their prayers, and even that God acted to provide for their escape. But I don't think we can say that God saved just because of prayer! I think there is more involved!

Could it be that God has a lot more information than we do - that our vision and understanding are finite and narrow - and that God doesn't always act in the ways that we dictate, or even as we understand compassion and love?

The amazing thing is they prayed! That's always the best and right thing to do.

The Party's Over...

The motivators and educators have spoken ... The leaders have cast their vision... the bands have played... the victory has been claimed! So now what?

Hundreds of people responded to the various challenges presented over the week. People promised to change the way they live, their priorities, their motivations, and their ambitions - but today they're back home and (if any thing like me) they are playing catch up and dealing with the realities of their present.

So how do we make sure the exciting, potentially world changing intentions of the moment are not lost in the tyranny of the urgent and the demands of the present?

Perhaps one way is through accountability!

Most times our decisions are made in private and because they are, we can pretend it never happened, we can pretend even God was too busy to listen, and let's face it we can ignore God! But what if we told one other person of our decision and by doing so asked them to keep us accountable, gave them permission to help us live up to that change?

Personal transformation happens best when we submit to and live in community - because a community of integrity presupposes a commitment to accountable relationships.

Just Action

Dunedin is the magnet that will draw 275 delegates to The Salvation Army's annual 'Just Action' Conference. Together the delegates will explore the possibilities for 'Freedom from Injustice'. But as I prepare myself to lead a workshop on global injustice, I am forced to ask a few questions like:

What is development? If our globe is unable to sustain the existing levels of requirement - that is where the minority have everything they need, and most of what they want and the majority fight to survive - what happens if the powerless and marginalised - the poor - do develop to the economically privileged level of material requirement. Does that just hasten an ecological Armageddon? If so, should we, the church, the Army, be committed to development?

Other questions come to the surface too: what benefit is globalisation - and to whom? what is community?

It's just one of the questions I'd like to ask at my workshop.

Easter with General Burrows

It was obvious that The People’s General had not lost her passion for people as she moved amongst those gathered, greeting and affirming each person in turn. She sang in language with the Zimbabweans, reminisced with the Sri Lankans and the Scots, told stories of Salvationist ‘heroes’ in China – and each person felt like she had been there just for them.

The number of people attending the Easter meetings at The Meeting House in Auckland grew as people left each successive event inspired and challenged by the words of General Eva Burrows (Rtd).

Together those who attended were led on the familiar Easter journey from the garden - where wills conflicted - to the empty tomb. But each person left with a challenge reverberating in their hearts – if Christ was not raised, then there is no gospel, there is no eternal life, there is no freedom – what we do and are is senseless – “but there was a resurrection!”
A highlight of the weekend was the dinner to raise funds for the Sri Lanka mission team. Over seventy people paid to hear the General speak of her experiences as the International leader of the Army. Those gathered sat spellbound as she recalled audiences with heads of state; embarrassing moments with African Kings and alcohol; engagement with the poorest and champions of the poor (Mother Teresa); moments of panic in airline mishaps; and times of thrill in worship and fellowship.

Regardless of who you were you could not help but be inspired by this unique woman of God – and by the way in which God spoke through her – as if to each person individually.