WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF ME

“Because, like Christ, Christians are to love the world and be agents of its redemption, God’s callings also relate to human needs, whether those needs are in the church or beyond it. When a Christian perceives a genuine human need and has the abilities needed for attending to it, that need becomes a spark of God’s calling to him.” (Douglas J Schuurman)

Those that have read my blog before will no doubt have picked up on my ministry and life theme – transforming lives. I am fairly passionate about the ministry opportunities that exist to partner with those less fortunate than I to bring about improvement in their circumstances.

From my earliest recollections my parents have taught me, in their living and teaching, that we are all equal, and that we all deserve the same privileges. But since this is not a reality, where there exists an obvious disparity (in opportunity, in voice, in privilege) that I exist to give priority to the poor, the marginalised, the ignored and the rejected.

I am convinced that God has grown, equipped and called me to be engaged in ministry within the humanitarian relief and development sphere. This passion and equipping has been assisted by The Salvation Army (Australia Southern and New Zealand Territories) in their willingness to support my ongoing graduate and post-graduate education and to release and support me to be engaged in humanitarian ministry. I am extremely grateful for this support.

I have had the privilege to attempt to put my actions where my mouth is on a number of occasions now. Each opportunity has served to remind me that I am a man of privilege and that whilst I can rationalise this unfairness of my privilege, a pure accident of birth and my resultant upbringing, I am not able to forget it, nor allow it to pass as an academic life-framing exercise.

So, when World Vision (Australia) offered me an opportunity to become fully engaged in aid and development work I decided that it was time for me to follow my passion and what I believe to be my calling, and make the most of my equipping. On June 3 I will remove myself from my current Salvation Army appointment and commence a new chapter of my life.

I am so very grateful for the Salvo investment in my life, but at this time there is no opportunity for me to grow my talent (Matthew 25:14-30) within this movement. I was born into The Army and have served for 23 years as an Officer and had some amazing opportunities and met some incredible people. So it is not easy to say thank you, and move away – but I believe that God requires that we each, as individuals, are accountable for our service.

This is what God requires of me (and frankly it scares me at the moment)!

AUSTRALIAN RECONCILIATION BAROMETER

The Australian Reconciliation Barometer is a landmark study which provides a detailed snapshot of the views of Australians about reconciliation and what barriers affect people from taking action.

The Barometer measures four core areas that are considered essential to progressing reconciliation - awareness, attitudes, perceptions and action - and is designed to be repeated every two years.

The research tells us that attitudes are improving, that we value the relationship and that we all have part to play in reconciling. Here are some of the key findings.

We agree the relationship is important (Indigenous 99%, Other 87%)
All Australians see the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians as important and are optimistic for the future of the relationship. There was a 99% agreement with this statement from Indigenous respondents and 87% other Australians.

We agree the relationship is improving (Indigenous 52%, Other 48%)
Both groups are most likely to agree that the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians is improving according to 49% of general community respondents and 52% of Indigenous respondents. Though contact with Indigenous people is limited results show we want to interact more.

The Apology has improved the relationship (Indigenous 58%, Other 42%)
The survey demonstrated that the Apology was important for Indigenous people and the relationship between us. Around 3 in 5 Indigenous respondents and 2 in 5 Australians believe this statement. The survey also identified that Australians believe that there should be government specific measures to address Indigenous disadvantage, though most thought that government programs to address disadvantage have been unsuccessful.

We know a lot about Indigenous cultures (Indigenous 89%, Other 39%)
The general community’s knowledge of Indigenous history and culture is fairly low. However, the research showed that around 4 out of 5 Australians believe it is important to know about Indigenous history and culture and are therefore open to learning more.

We believe past policies still affect Indigenous people (Indigenous 91%, Other 64%)
Both groups agree that previous race-based policies continue to affect some Indigenous people today. However, both groups ranked different perceived reasons for Indigenous disadvantage. Indigenous people identified external factors such as poor access to health care and education services, while other Australians identified Indigenous people as being responsible for their own disadvantage.

We believe in the special place of Indigenous people and their connection to the land (Indigenous 96%: Other 59%)

Australians believe Indigenous culture is important to Australian and Indigenous heritage. Many agreed that Indigenous history should be a compulsory part of the history curriculum in schools. However only 44% of all Australians identified that they believe Indigenous people are open to sharing their culture.

We don’t think the media presents a balanced view of Indigenous Australians (Those who think it does present a balanced view, Indigenous 9%, Other 16%)

Only 9% of Indigenous respondents agreed that the media provides a balanced view of Indigenous Australia. The survey also identified that the general community’s attitudes to Indigenous people comes from secondary sources like the media, rather than from personal experience. However, the survey found that many wanted to interact more.

We agree we are prejudiced against each other (Indigenous 93%, Other 71%)

There was strong acknowledgement, particularly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents (93% agreed), that there are high levels of prejudice between the two groups. From the other respondents 71% agreed with this statement.

We trust each other (Indigenous 12%, Other 9%)

The study revealed that levels of trust between the two groups are very low. This shows that while Australians see the relationship as important there is general acknowledgement that there is a lot of work to be done to build the quality of the relationship and how the two groups see each other.

To read the full Barometer go to www.reconciliation.org.au/baromter2010

Kia Kaha Cantabrians

In the last 24 hours there have been 23 aftershocks, including "the jolt" as it has become known. The 5.3M quake rocked the city at about 5:49pm last night. Located in Sumner the site of numerous landslides already this 'aftershock' awakened the not very deeply buried fears of Cantabrians.

I was out for dinner with the leaders of the Salvation Army when we watched with fascination, and in apparent slow motion, as the concrete slab outside their lounge room window rose and fell like a bizarre Mexican wave. The garden beds, resplendent with some kind of pink flower, seemed to bow in reverence to the staked roses that alongside them swayed as if hit by a sudden gust of wind.

It seemed like seconds, but must have been almost instantaneously that then the ceiling, the walls, the glass doors and windows seemed to bend and rise, before falling back into place with a thud. The laughter, masking the uncertainty and fear perhaps, followed soon after. Our hearts pounded as the reverberations and shocks continued like rolling thunder.

Ten minutes later another shock, laughably smaller (3.4M), interrupted us as we sat down for roast lamb with mint sauce and roast veggies. Numerous other little shakes interjected their presence into our evening before the last one for the evening (4.1M) signalled the end of the entertainment for the night.

This morning the church was buzzing with bravado: "is that the best the best the Moon Man can do?" "Bring it on, that was a pathetic attempt". But behind the bravery there is still uncertainty and fear.

With the predictions that these aftershocks could go on for years, and the results of recent surveys that say they have found a new fault out into Pegasus Bay which could go any time (raising the fear of tsunami) and of course the Moon Man - this is a city on the edge.

But despite all this there is an desire for community and a atmosphere of ingenuity that gives rise to a tangible hope that like the mythic Phoenix, Christchurch will somehow rise again.

Last Things (Again)

Many years ago, my grandfather taught me to play a brass instrument and the song that he chose for my (and my brother's) debut performance, on the eve before our family went overseas for four years, contained the words "Now is the hour, when we must say good bye..." There wasn't a dry eye in the house, and that wasn't because we were leaving!

Once again I need to say goodbye to a group of people that I have had the privilege to work alongside. The last weeks (since February 23) have been an amazing experience and mostly because I have had the opportunity to work alongside almost 1,000 people from all over New Zealand and Australia as they have endeavoured to meet the needs of the people of Christchurch.

As always there have been some great days and some not so great days. There have been some extremely grateful people and a minority that have tried to play the system. There has been much laughter and some tears. There have been many meetings, and many flow charts and budgets. But most of all there has been the privilege of using talents and abilities to serve a people hurting and in need. The opportunities of ministry and worship have been many - but it always comes at a cost.

One of the costs is having to leave a people that I have come to respect. So, thank you to all that have allowed me to be part of your life for this time, but now (or soon) is the hour when I will say good bye!

Kia kaha Christchurch.

It's Time for Some Fun

In a suburb of Christchurch, within line of sight of the leaning Hotel Grand Chancellor a public park was turned into a place of fun and screaming kids on the Saturday. There was a bouncy castle and other fun rides, women 'performing' zumba on the stage and lots of 'fare' food - deep fried dagwood dogs, candy floss and red drink.

The sun was shining, the sky was almost clear, the wind droppped - it was a beautiful day. The kids were running wild, and the parents were happy for them to do so. The Sallie Community Care Mobile Office was in prime location adding to the mayhem and the sugar levels (as Robbie Ross tends to do) by handing out lollies, chips and drinks.

As we have experienced so many times in this period of response, the reception the Sallies received was wonderful. The expressions of gratitude overwhelming.

It doesn't take much: just people being genuine and available, offering service without discrimination and with love.

Small World

Almost 31 years ago I, with the rest the Class of 1980, left Hebron High School in Ooty, Nilgiris Hills, South India (yes I am that old). These many years later and half a world away, I looked down at the people that formed the new team of Relief Workers for Christchurch and there, in amongst the many faces I didn't know, was the face of a man I remembered. Graeme and Rosemary Wallis, who live in Wellington, were amongst the teaching staff those many years ago in India - and I remember them quite well.

As the week progressed, and as we reminisced about those golden days of schooling, another man too, older and wiser than I, introduced himself to me - Dr. Bramwell Cook (Jnr), he was a Breeks Boy - he too had lived at Lushington Hall, through those gates next to the Botanical Gardens, in the beautiful Hill Country of Southern India.

I was remembering that my first dorm mother was Miss Reid had punished me with her bamboo cane (2 cuts across the bare legs) for not going to the school clinic to get my cough  medicine. We were recalling 'emergency relief' that we provided during floods that impacted Ooty and other towns. I am glad to say I don't remember being punished by Mr Wallis - but I do remember the "Hebron Hot Shots"!

It is amazing that this far away, this many years later and in this most unlikely of scenarios the tendrils of Hebron, (Lushington and Breeks - all associated schools) continue creep into my present.

Thanks Graeme and Rosemary for the week you gave us (and for the opportunity to reconnect). There have been so many non-Sallies come and join our teams in the last 5 weeks - you have all been awesome and we appreciate your support.

42 Years to Save, 42 Seconds to Destroy

I had the privilege of meeting a couple today who finished building and moved into their dream home last April. Semi-retired and looking forward to the future they were set. But then on September 4, a 42 second long earthquake destroyed the house they had worked and saved 42 years to build.

That night their house rode a wave that carried their house 10" toward their neighbours, before it slid 4" back again and settled into liquefied earth about 3" higher than it was designed to be.

Before Christmas their dream was "unofficially" written off by 3 engineers, but no one would make an official decision so they put their house back together again with rubber bandages and carpet, they barrowed out the 2' volcanoes of liquefaction that had erupted in their yard and they went out to volunteer their time to assist others through the Sallies.

Life was becoming sane again, (except for a broken house) when on February 22 their house moved again: this time 2" to the side. This quake, more violent than the last turned the inside of their house inside out and their yard was once again visited by a river of liquefied earth. On the same afternoon they picked up their furniture and belongings and headed out the door, Lyndsay got back behind the wheel of a Sallie truck and Elizabeth got back into the production line to produce food parcels.

They have been going now for a month, and they would have it no other way: "That's our family out there hurting: we can't sit in our broken house frustrated and useless - we have to help." 

Out of the Fog

The Sallie Army arrives at Hagley Park early this morning.

Christchurch Memorial

As I sit in Hagley Park, Christchurch it is hard to imagine the reason I am here (if it wasn't for the liquefaction on the ground). The Maori welcome and blessing has just concluded and we were reminded that "in unity we are one", and now in the next few minutes we will sing God Save Our Queen and God of Nations.

The atmosphere is quite electric - thousands of people have gathered on a beautifully sunny day. The sky is clear, the mountains in the distance seem to stand guard over a grieving city and a people in pain. As the Emergency Services personnel arrived the crowd stood as one and applauded their efforts, as bereaved families sat in an area set aside, there were tears and audible prayers.

Following on from 14 minutes of scenes of a devastated City, vision of crushed vehicles and destroyed buildings in the Red Zone that will be behind fences for another 6-12 months, a lone conch shell sounded to mark the beginning of a period of intentional memorial.

Moments later, thousands of people stood as one, the hairs on the back of the neck stood up, as with one united silent voice we remembered...

Christchurch has a long way to go to regain its hope, but maybe today the seeds were sown as united the city grieved and gathered.

The Flags Are Raised Today - Symbol of Hope

In the distance the now familiar sound of the rolling-roar signalled that another shake was on the way, seconds later the glass and ornaments in the restaurant began to shake, and the large commercial drink fridge that stood beside were I sat moved, worrying some that it was going to fall on me. the 4.9M aftershock was the strongest we had had for a few days.

The staff were running for the door, the locals were tentative and waiting - but in all their eyes was the familiar look of fear - the quake lasted only a few seconds and then it was past, leaving in it's wake the sound of nervous laughter from those of us gathered. As Kiwis and Aussies are prone to do: the (probably) tasteless jokes followed soon after as people allowed the tension to vent from deep within their souls.

Much attention is focused on making the city, her buildings, her roads and public places safe. It is essential that these visible forms of society, especially significant symbols such as the Cathedral and sports grounds are restored: but the spirits, the souls of Canterbury's people these are not so easily healed, these will not so easily trust again - and it is this healing to which the Sallies are tasked.

Soon (March 18) massed people will meet to remember, many will see the reality with their own eyes rather than through the lens of a camera - some will weep openly for their city and the lost, some will harden their minds to the reality and bottle up their emotions - but all will tread through the city as if through the most magnificent cathedral - in awe and reverence.

The Trust Factor

In the last few days we have had over 60 Sallies out visiting affected people and properties. Partnering with the government’s engineers and earthquake commission officials our people are the first point of contact for the affected people. Whilst the engineers and officials inspect and determine the safety of properties it is our people that are talking to the people, advising them of the services available and determining the psychological and material needs. In some cases it is the Sally that delivers the ‘worst feared news’ that a family member has been identified.


Under the New Zealand Civil Defence agreement, in a disaster the Sallies are called on to feed, and provide food for affected people. At three ‘welfare centres’ (sports ground, school, community hall) the Sallies, with catering partners, are feeding up to 1,500 people a day, whilst other personnel are providing counsel and ‘a listening’ ear to these people who have lost homes and property.

At the end of the day, after the visit information has been collated we have an army of volunteers that will deliver about 600 food parcels to those who are unable to get into our food distribution centre. That’s on top of the 250-300 parcels that are given to people that have been able to come to the centre and find food and support.

At the moment and for the foreseeable future we have a team of about 100 people out there, (not including those of us in the incident command centre) making a difference and caring for people in the most basic but essential of ways. At the end of any day numerous affected people have had a Sallie give them the time of day and offer them a moment of hope in a context of utter devastation.

Every day, but reducing, we are rocked by aftershocks – the glass, the floor and the walls shake, the locals in our team take a deep breath - and hold it, then it is gone. Someone usually makes some inappropriate joke (about the lack of laundry facilities, or the fact that their wearing dark trousers) and we get on with the work of getting Sallies out there, amongst the people.

There is a long way to go, and there is so much to do – but the Sallies (Salvos) out there should be very proud of what is happening here. The reputation of our ‘flying squads’ is unbelievable: the partnerships that are being formed will both enhance our ‘trust factor’ and demand that we be accountable to the community, but it will also increase our capacity to transform society.
People will only be influenced by those they trust!

Building Sand Castles

I saw evidence today that the people who live down the bottom end of our world have a unique sense of humour… even in the face of unprecedented destruction some people have the ability to laugh and to make the most of a bad situation.

I have heard the saying “every cloud has a silver lining”, but I have not, until today, seen someone turn copious amounts of silver-grey liquefied earth, (liquefaction) into their own personal playground. I was taking a tour of Christchurch City and the Sallies properties when I noticed two ‘lol’ moments:

• We drove up one street, not unlike numerous others that looked like a pre-school sand pit, complete with Tonka toys. Heavy machinery worked alongside men and women with shovels and wheel barrows as they worked to clear their properties and roads of the liquefaction. It looked some spoilt brat of a giant had broken a mercury filled thermometer and the mercury had flowed freely into any available space. And in amongst this hive of activity a small boy climbed to the top of a pile of the silver-grey with a board nailed on a post and with what I imagined was the same degree of satisfaction as Neil Armstrong planting a flag on the moon – the young mountaineer planted his sign at the top. On the sign were the words: “Free Sand”.
• A few streets later, in a similar street, a pile of liquefaction was adorned with large ‘sand castles’ – evidence that some frustrated Mum may have said – “just go out and keep yourself busy”.

But in contrast to these moments of ‘joy’ there are the moments of panic and fear. As we were rocked by aftershocks at fairly regular intervals during the day the people who had lived through the ‘big ones’ grabbed hold of each other, some couldn’t help crying out, others just took a deep breath and held it until someone broke the trance – people reached out to one another and supported each other.

The city looks pretty much like any war zone. As we walked through it today the smell of burning buildings still hung heavy in the air. 4 building sights still remain burial sights with undetermined numbers of dead. Street corners are manned by military personnel and hardware, police and firemen. The city - cordoned off to the public, is eerily quiet and in places has taken on an almost reverential status as machinery and men dig in silence – watching carefully, hoping, but not expecting.

Christchurch is in trouble – and they need support of just about any kind imaginable.