Turning the Tables
Tribute to a Father
The Story of Esther
BEING HUMBLE P.22 MATTHEW’S MOMENT P.5 HEBREW HEROINE P.10
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
MAY/JUNE 2022
Music
Man
THROUGH 50 YEARS, DOUGLAS BURDEN’S FAITH HAS RUNG TRUE. P.16
h P oto:
rD azen
/stock.Adobe.com
TROUBLED TIMES
It can be hard to read the news some days. Even when tragedy is far away, it still feels close. Our hearts break for those who are suffering. We have a natural, human impulse to mourn with those who mourn. Though it may not always feel like it, God understands our sadness. The Bible describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3 New Living Translation). Even in our darkest hours, God is with us and He loves us. When we comfort those who mourn, we embody His love and bring healing to our world.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4
As 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (New Living Translation). To learn more about the comfort only Jesus can give, visit our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 2 • MAY/JUNE 2022 I faithandfriends.ca
May/June 2022
VOLUME 25 NUMBER 5
SOMEONE CARES 5
Tribute to a Father Son’s initiative helps hundreds of people in need at The Salvation Army.
BETWEEN THE LINES 8
13
A Lifer’s Journey New book is a testimony to God’s persistent life-saving presence.
REAL HEROES 10 Miracles Never Cease
God uses a Hebrew orphan to save His chosen people.
FEATURES
13 Turning the Tables
Tribute to a Father
The Story of Esther
BEING HUMBLE P.22 MATTHEW’S MOMENT P.5 HEBREW HEROINE P.10
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
MAY/JUNE 2022
Music
Man
16
THROUGH 50 YEARS, DOUGLAS BURDEN’S FAITH HAS RUNG TRUE. P.16
COVER STORY
25
22
For Such a Time
The camping retreat Diane Stark had looked forward to seemed to be a bust. Why was she there?
Music Man
Faith in God and love for The Salvation Army run deep for the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Douglas Burden.
Turning the Tables
A chance discovery humbled Patrick Humble but made him better in the process. FAITH BUILDERS 25 A Purpose in the Pain?
In Father Stu, we see how God can use our struggles and mistakes for good.
Cover photo: Fred Cattroll
LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin
Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search. NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Wax Eloquent!
How to turn regular candles into different shapes. faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
•3
Faith&Friends
FROM THE EDITOR
Turning Loss Into Beauty
W
hen Matthew Gordon lost his father, Ken, in 2017 due to a tragic automobile accident, it could have sent him on a sad, destructive spiral of grief. Instead, he and his mother, Lorna, set out to commemorate all that was good about Ken and his life. In her turn, freelance writer Melissa Yue Wallace set out to commemorate their remarkable story, and in the process discovered all that was good in the mother and son themselves. “Lorna and Matthew are very kind people,” says Melissa. “I remember how open Lorna was with me. She shared details of what it was like during the worst moments when Ken was struggling with his addiction. Her emotions were real and honest. It sounded awful, but at the same time, it spoke of the love that Lorna had for Ken— forgiving, persistent and unwavering.” That love helped transform Ken into the compassionate family man he was at the time of his passing. “I’m so glad he was able to overcome his demons,” says Melissa. Today, Lorna and Matthew help others in their community, honouring Ken’s life and memory in the process. “It’s amazing how both Lorna and Matthew were able to turn such a sad loss into something beautiful,” concludes Melissa. Lorna, Ken and Matthew’s story is on page 5.
Ken Ramstead 4 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.
Faith & Friends is published bimonthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY
Pamela Richardson ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR
Kristin Ostensen MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA
Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST
Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR
Giselle Randall, Abbigail Oliver STAFF WRITERS Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131
Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
Tribute to a Father Nova Scotia boy’s initiative helps hundreds of people in need at The Salvation Army. by Melissa Yue Wallace
Then ... Ken Gordon (second from right) was a true family man
T
en-year-old Matthew Gordon’s life changed forever when his father, Ken, was killed in a highway traffic accident in 2017. Ken was checking the cargo in his truck by the side of the road when he was struck by another vehicle. Weeks after his death, Matthew and his mother, Lorna, who live in Tantallon, N.S., continued to grieve and sort through his things.
“Always Help” “My father’s clothes were sitting in bags and not going anywhere, so I asked my mom where we could donate them, and she suggested The Salvation Army,” says Matthew. The family, including Lorna’s three children from her first marriage, put up posters to ask the community for donations to their clothing drive in honour of Ken. The response from the community
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
•5
Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
was overwhelming, with strangers dropping off clothes at the family’s doorstep and packing the family’s trailer. “It’s a great feeling to have community support and we plan to keep doing this to let his memory live forever,” says Matthew, now 15. Over the past five years, Matthew’s annual campaign has helped hundreds of people at The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope through clothing and donated gift cards. He and his mother also volunteered to help during a Christmas meal and were able to meet some of the recipients. “They’re just like other people who deserve a chance, and because of the campaign, they’ve gotten new clothes, they’ve gotten to go to job interviews, and they’ve gotten jobs,”
he says. “Some own their own house now and they’re doing great. “It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, you should always help people.” A Different Life Lorna chose The Salvation Army for a reason. Her husband was an alcoholic and was only able to overcome his addiction through their support and interventions such as Alcoholics Anonymous. “He would go to The Salvation Army to talk with the men that were in the shelter,” she says. “He needed to be near other men who were like him and know that he felt safe going there.” Lorna loved her husband’s willingness to help anyone, his kind-hearted nature, humble spirit, and the fact that—even though he was six feet two inches tall and 320 pounds—he was “a gentle giant.” “His struggle with alcohol was the worst demon I’ve ever seen in a person,” says Lorna. “I didn’t even realize he had an alcohol problem when I first met him.” ... And Now Lorna Gordon and her son, Matthew. To celebrate his father’s 59th birthday this year, Matthew filed a name to start his own non-profit. The Ken Gordon Society will help individuals who are homeless in the community to move forward in a positive way
6 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
“It’s a great feeling to have community support and we plan to keep doing this to let his memory live forever.” MATTHEW GORDON Lorna describes the tough times watching Ken drink, get sick, seek help and then repeat the cycle. She felt powerless as she worked three jobs and cared for her children. It wasn’t until 2013 when a major health issue and the threat of losing his family for good forced him to sober up. Ken was sober for three years and nine months and a true family man before he died. “It was a different life for us,” says Lorna. “We did all the family adventures and were living a good life … then it was gone.” Lifeline to God After Ken’s death, a friend invited Lorna to a church in Halifax. At first, she adamantly refused. “When Ken died, there was no God. I was so angry,” she says. “I yelled and cursed for six months because I wanted to know why He would take Ken when we were finally in our happy place.” She eventually relented and scoffed, at first, when the young pastor spoke about death and dying when he had not experienced it himself. “Then, my heart warmed up, and I felt I was being loved by God right
there in that moment,” she says. “I felt accepted, not judged, and the church became more than my family … it became my lifeline to God.” Today, Lorna helps others by organizing free grief counselling sessions at a local community hall. Going National In 2017, Keith Reardon, a senior vice-president at Canadian National Railway (CN) in Ontario learned about Matthew’s campaign and garnered support from staff. Last year, he presented him with a cheque for $14,450 for the Army. CN’s future plans include taking Matthew’s campaign national, collecting clothing donations from coast to coast. “It warms our hearts that this young man, who is struggling with the loss of his father, has done something so utterly incredible to remember him by,” says Rebekah Brounstein, residential manager at the Centre of Hope for the past six years. “Folks that come to the shelter, because they’re homeless, don’t often come with anything. With Matthew’s help, we’re able to give them what they need.”
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
•7
Faith&Friends
BETWEEN THE LINES
A Lifer’s Journey Hank Dixon’s story is a testimony to God’s persistent life-saving presence. by James Read
B
y his own account, as a 19-year-old drug addict, Hank Dixon and an accomplice broke into a house and ransacked it, tied up the man who was there and beat him. Within an hour, the man was dead. As a result, Hank was convicted of seconddegree murder and sentenced to life with no hope of parole for 10 years. When he was released in 1985, the prison officer discharging him said, “You’ll be back!” And Hank did return—but as a chaplain, not a re-offender. Page Turner Details of Hank’s prison conversion and of his two decades as a prison chaplain are recounted in vivid detail in A Lifer’s Journey. In the pages of the book, there are stories of his dramatic first encounter
8 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
with Jesus while a convict in prison, of his subsequent relapse into drugs and unbelief, and his recovery. There are engaging stories of his years as a prison chaplain, rubbing shoulders with inmates and prison guards. We learn that the angels are not all on one side. We read of inmates who are honest, kind and self-aware as well as those who are deceitful and cruel. We read of chaplains who courageously speak the truth and speak it in love, and of chaplains who belittle inmates, alienate staff and exaggerate their own success. We read of prison riots and suicides, and of lives (like Hank’s own) that are turned from darkness toward light. Birth of a Bond Among the most heartwarming stories of God’s surprising grace
is the story of Hank and Brian. As Hank said in his sermon at Brian’s funeral: “The first time I met Brian, it was in a small basement apartment in Edmonton. He was on the other end of a .38 revolver jammed into the back of my neck. His first words of greeting were not the warmest for the beginnings of a friendship. In a clear, powerful, no-nonsense voice, he declared, ‘Edmonton City Police. Don’t move. You’re under arrest.’ ” Unlike many cops, Brian “stepped in to offer a measure of compassion and act with an integrity I did not expect.” Not just once and not just for a short span of time. Ex-con and retired cop developed a close 38-year-long bond. God Is Present Compelling as these stories are, Hank’s book is not just made up of stories. Hank also intends the book as counsel for those who want to be—those who, like him, are called to be—prison chaplains. It’s not easy work, he says. “In the midst of
all this, watching the destructive claws of a prison culture and environment strip men of dignity, self-respect and any sense of security, a chaplain stands for the most part powerless, unable to do very much.” What sustains him or her? Well, for one thing, says Hank, “theology matters.” The prison chaplain needs a theology that is robust enough to understand failure as well as victory, according to Hank, and a theology that can cast a light on self-deception and self-justification. As A Lifer’s Journey shows, the Bible can disclose truth to those living behind bars, and life behind bars can shed light on the Bible. What Hank Dixon does with the gospel story of Jesus’ journey to Emmaus with two of his disciples after His Resurrection is worth the price of the book (see Luke 24:13-35). And at the heart of that story in which Jesus was present long before He was recognized, Hank finds the central good news message that, invoked or not, God is present.
(left) Dr. James Read is the recently retired executive director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg and a recipient of the Order of the Founder, the Army’s highest award.
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
•9
Faith&Friends
REAL HEROES
Illustration: Rivonny Luchas
Miracles Never Cease When a wicked schemer plots to kill every Jew in the Persian Empire, God uses a Hebrew orphan to turn the tables and save His chosen people. by Jeanette Levellie
10 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
W
hen our daughter was born, my husband, Kevin, and I decided to name her “Esther,” after two women who influenced Kevin as a young man. And we loved the biblical account of the Hebrew heroine, Esther. From 486-465 BC, King Xerxes, monarch of the Persian Empire, ruled over 7.5 million square kilometres and 50 million people. Many Jews resided within the king’s 127 provinces. Among them, in the capital city of Susa, lived a Hebrew orphan, Esther, and her guardian, Mordecai. After King Xerxes deposed his queen for insubordination, he sent commissioners into every province. “Bring every beautiful young maiden to my palace, so I can choose a new queen,” he ordered. Esther was among those chosen to meet the king as a prospective new bride. Because Mordecai had warned Esther not to reveal her background, she kept quiet about her Jewish roots. The king picked Esther as his queen. Brave Decision Although Mordecai was overjoyed that his adopted daughter now sat on the queen’s throne, he wanted to continue to watch over her. Every day, Mordecai walked up and down
in the king’s outer courtyard, hoping to gain news of Esther. One afternoon Mordecai heard of a plot hatched by the king’s second-in-command, Haman, to kill every Hebrew in the empire. “You must go to the king and beg him to reverse this edict,” he told Esther. “But it’s against the law to simply walk into the king’s inner court without an invitation,” Esther said. “If he doesn’t want to see me, I could be sentenced to death.” After telling her that she and all her family would also perish, Mordecai continued, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Esther listened to Mordecai’s warning and told him she would visit the king. “If I perish, I perish” were her final words as she said goodbye. Courage and Faith After fasting for three days and nights, Esther put on her royal robes and approached the king, who welcomed her into his throne room. Esther smiled calmly, inwardly rejoicing that God had spared her life. “What can I do for you, my queen?” Xerxes asked. “I’ll give you anything, even up to half my kingdom,” King Xerxes promised Esther. What a temptation. Yet Esther chose
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 11
Faith&Friends
REAL HEROES
“If I perish, I perish.” ESTHER to follow the plan God had given her during those three days of fasting and seeking Him. She invited Xerxes and Haman to a banquet. During the meal, the king repeated his promise to give Esther whatever she wanted. “Just come dine with me again tomorrow,” he said. After Xerxes’ belly was full of food and wine the next day, he again asked Esther what he could do for her. She broke into sobs, telling Xerxes of Haman’s plot to kill her people, the Jews, throughout the empire, and confessing that she herself was a Jew. Realizing that Haman had tricked him into signing the edict to annihilate every Jew in his kingdom, Xerxes left the room in a rage. He then ordered Haman’s execution, gave Haman’s estate to Esther and promoted Mordecai to his second-in-command. Grateful and relieved, Esther’s people established the holiday of Purim, a three-day celebration to honour her courage and faith. Miracles Then and Now Esther is the only book in the Bible that doesn’t mention God directly.
12 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
Yet we see His hand at work in every detail. He arranged for Esther and Mordecai to live in Persia. He turned Xerxes’ heart to choose Esther as his new queen. He placed Mordecai in the right place at the right time to hear about the plot to kill the Jews, so he could tell Esther. God showed Esther exactly what to do when she fasted and prayed for three days. And He used Esther to save His chosen people throughout the vast Persian Empire. As I read Diane Stark’s story of how God placed her in a troubled girl’s life “for such a time” (see following story on page 13), I recalled when He used our own Esther to change a life. During a low time in Esther’s life, her friend, Connie, texted, “Happy news! I committed my life to Jesus. I wanted to thank you especially,” she said, “because you were instrumental in my salvation.” Neither Diane nor Esther might feel like they did as much as Queen Esther to bring about a miracle, but that’s not how God sees it. Whenever we say “yes” to Him, God positions us to change lives through the love of Jesus. The best miracle of all.
Faith&Friends
FEATURE
For Such a Time
THE CAMPING RETREAT I HAD LOOKED FORWARD TO SEEMED TO BE A BUST. WHY WAS I HERE?
Illustration: Rivonny Luchas
by Diane Stark
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 13
Faith&Friends
FEATURE
I
Illustration: Rivonny Luchas
felt almost giddy as I packed. The following morning, I was leaving for a weekend camping retreat with the elementary-aged children from my church, where I’d be chaperoning six little girls. That may not be everyone’s idea of a fun weekend, but I’m a former teacher who left the profession to be a stay-at-home mom, so I miss hanging out with little kids. Plus, the retreat’s theme was courage and our children’s pastor, Sue, would be speaking on many of my favourite Bible stories: David beating Goliath. Noah building the Ark. And Esther, who became queen to save the Jewish people. After, each chaperone would do an activity that illustrated the lesson. Challenging Assignment As I was packing, I saw an email from Sue telling me that another little girl had signed up for the retreat. The more the merrier, I thought—until I read the message from the little girl’s mom. “We adopted Sarah two years ago,” it said. “She was in a terrible situation before coming to us, and she still 14 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
bears many scars from her past.” The email gave a long list of Sarah’s fears. “This is her first time being away from home, and she may have a lot of anxiety,” her mom warned. My heart broke for little Sarah. “God, I’m going on a camping trip in the woods with a little girl who is afraid of bugs and the dark,” I prayed. “Please help both of us.” Disappointing Trip As I pulled into the church the next morning, I saw a woman with a little girl who had tears streaming down her face. Clearly, Sarah didn’t want to go on the trip. “Definitely going to need Your help, God,” I murmured. Thirty minutes later, I was sitting next to Sarah in the church van, ready to go. She had stopped crying, but whenever I tried talking to Sarah during the two-hour drive, she didn’t respond. That afternoon, Sue told the story about David and Goliath. The activity that followed was a fun one and I was excited to gather my seven girls together to talk about courage. But the moment we sat down,
Sarah spotted a spider and took off running. “Watch the girls,” I called to one of the other chaperones as I took off after Sarah. When I caught up to her, she collapsed in my arms, sobbing about the spider. I hugged her tightly and murmured comforting words. When she calmed down enough to return, small-group time was over. The same thing happened that night when Sue talked about Noah. Sarah got scared, ran off and, by the time we got back, the lesson was over. It was clear that Sarah needed one-on-one attention and I couldn’t chaperone the other girls while caring for her. Sue split my small group among the other chaperones, and Sarah became my sole responsibility. Although it was clearly the best choice, I was disappointed. This weekend just wasn’t at all what I’d hoped it would be. The Right Path The next day, when Sue shared the story of Esther, I was sitting in the grass outside the shelter, Sarah in my lap. “Esther’s people were in danger and God made her queen for such a
time as this,” Sue told the kids. “God put her in that position so she could save her people.” For such a time as this. I’d always loved the phrase. It reminds me that God puts us in certain situations at specific times for His purposes, even when it’s not clear what that purpose is. I hugged Sarah and prayed that God had a purpose in us missing every lesson on the retreat. That night, Maggie, one of the teen chaperones, asked to talk with me. “I’m graduating soon, and I’ve been torn between several career paths,” she said. “But after watching you and Sarah all weekend, I know now.” She smiled. “I’m going to become a social worker so I can help kids like Sarah. “I was supposed to work this weekend, but God wanted me here,” she continued. “Just like Esther, God has a specific purpose for me. He needed me here this weekend so He could show me what path He wants me to follow.” “Maggie, I’m so glad you came this weekend,” I said, “and I’m proud of your decision.” She smiled. “I was here for such a time as this.” I hugged her and realized that we both were.
(left) Diane Stark is a wife, mother of five and freelance writer from rural Indiana. She loves to write about the important things in life: her family and her faith. faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 15
COVER STORY
Photo: Fred Cattroll
Faith&Friends
16 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
Music Man
FAITH IN GOD AND LOVE FOR THE SALVATION ARMY RUN DEEP FOR THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA’S DOUGLAS BURDEN. by Ken Ramstead
“MUSIC RUNS THROUGH my life,” says Douglas Burden, bass trombonist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and faculty member at the University of Ottawa. “I’ve heard music since I was in the womb and, later, the musically driven services of Salvation Army churches: Singing, of course, the clapping of hands, worship teams. Music, music, music. “And with that is the textural and lyrical aspect of the communication of the gospel. Using music as that communicating instrument.”
The Right Stuff Douglas’ parents, Henry and Enid, were Salvation Army pastors, and the family travelled to various postings in southern Ontario as he grew up. “But the one thread that went through all of their ministry is that they were very musical,” recalls Douglas. “My father was an instrumentalist and a singer, my mother a lovely singer and pianist. They were active in worship teams and songsters [choirs], either as members or in a leading capacity.” faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 17
Faith&Friends
COVER STORY
Photo: Steve Nelson
In Demand Douglas Burden has conducted Masterclasses throughout Canada and the world, including at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, McGill University in Montreal, Beijing Conservatory of Music and The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen
As a youngster, then, Douglas was naturally drawn to music, but he was an extremely shy young boy. “Liking music and performing music are two different things,” he explains. “It’s like writing a speech versus standing up in front of 2,000 people and actually delivering that speech. It goes from a cerebral to a performance element, and that took a while to evolve.” However, one of the beauties of The Salvation Army, and certainly in Douglas’ years growing up, was the opportunity and the platform to learn how to perform—morning and evening church services, outdoor worship services, Salvation Army band performances, concerts. “Some people saw my eight-yearold potential,” says Douglas. “I was put up as a soloist. “I was absolutely scared stiff,” he smiles. “But I happened to be in the right place at the right time, with the right instrument.” 18 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
An Important Call Douglas started out playing the cornet. Why the cornet? “I was a very small young boy at that time and holding the cornet was something I was able to do well.” Fast forward seven years, and Douglas was a teenager living in London, Ont. “A very famous Salvation Army bandmaster by the name of Bram Gregson became aware of me and, as I reached the age of 15, the senior band was filled with great cornet players, but they only had two trombone players.” Bram told the boy, “You’re going to play trombone now. Here’s the trombone.” “And that was it!” laughs Douglas now. With the help of his high school music teacher, he made the transition and became proficient, so much
so that he attracted the attention of famed Salvation Army bandmaster Norman Bearcroft, who was reestablishing the Army’s Canadian Staff Band. “I was a young bandsman at Hamilton Temple in Ontario at the time, and Norman heard me playing in a rehearsal. “The phone call asking permission for me to join the band went to my
father, not to me,” Douglas laughs. “Which, in hindsight, was the right way to do it where a 15-year-old was concerned!” On to Ottawa That opened the door to other opportunities, including a scholarship at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.
Photo: Colin Traquair
School Days Douglas has taught at the University of Ottawa since 1975. “I hope to continue teaching for a few more years after I retire from the National Arts Centre Orchestra”
“I happened to be at the right place at the right time, with the right instrument.” DOUGLAS BURDEN
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 19
COVER STORY
Easy Rider Douglas’ interests are not limited to music. During the summer months, he enjoys touring on his Honda Goldwing and playing golf. He’s also a keen military history buff and his reading interests span from Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood to Patrick O’Brien and C.S. Forester right through to Barbara W. Tuchman and Margaret MacMillan
Even with the scholarship, there was no way Douglas’ parents could have afforded the room and board and transportation. The Salvation Army in Rochester generously allowed Douglas to stay with them. In lieu of rent, Douglas worked 10 hours a week at the community centre. As a first-year university student, he was asked to play a concert with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Soon, every time they needed a bass trombone, they requested Douglas, and he parlayed that into a full-time position. From the Ear to the Heart “When you’re on stage playing with a wonderful orchestra and 2,000 people give you a standing ovation, it’s easy to let that go to your head,” 20 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
says Douglas. His Christian faith and Salvation Army roots help keep him humble. “And not grow too big of a head! “Even in my earliest years as a performing professional, that helped me stay grounded,” Douglas continues. “I wasn’t looking at the audience, I wasn’t looking at the lights, I was doing my job. I was committed as a Christian to a talent that had been given to me, and it was mine to develop and to bless others through.” Douglas likes to recall an old saying: “You can leave The Salvation Army, but The Salvation Army never leaves you.” “The Salvation Army has a rich heritage of developing musicians, composers and music, and facilitating the printing, production and
Photo: Keith Braye
Faith&Friends
“I was committed as a Christian to a talent that had been given to me, and it was mine to develop and to bless others through.” DOUGLAS BURDEN
distribution of that music.” At the church he attends, the music pastor asked Douglas to select some appropriate Army tunes for their services. “What I chose spoke to many people,” he recalls. “Parishioners came up to me afterward to tell me how moved they were. The Salvation Army music-making element of linking the lyrics and the words to the melody wasn’t just tickling the ear; it was going through the ear to the mind to the heart.” Paying It Forward This summer, Douglas plans to retire from the National Arts Council Orchestra. “I’m in my final season,” he smiles. Douglas would have retired earlier had it not been for the pandemic. While the National Arts Centre Orchestra has continued to perform during COVID-19 on a digital basis, through livestreaming and Masterclasses, something was missing for
Douglas. “I want to play in front of a live audience again rather than just kind of slink away, head down, tail tucked between my legs.” Douglas has taken advice from colleagues who have retired ahead of him and he’s worked hard to stay physically and mentally fit, as well as watch his diet. And he has a lot to look forward to. “I have a wonderful wife, but the number of hours that a professional musician has to practise is incredible, and Wendy’s been a ‘practise widow’ for too long. It’ll be great to spend more time with her.” Douglas is also looking forward to spending time with his five grandchildren. “I want to invest in their future— bringing them to museums and hockey games, sharing experiences and such—the way my Salvation Army family, friends and mentors invested in my own future back when I myself was young.” faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 21
Faith&Friends
FEATURE
(right) Patrick Humble is the community services director of The Salvation Army Connection Point and Resource Centre in Langford, B.C., in Greater Victoria
22 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
Turning the Tables
A CHANCE DISCOVERY HUMBLED PATRICK HUMBLE BUT MADE HIM BETTER IN THE PROCESS. by Ken Ramstead
A
s the newly minted director at The Salvation Army’s Victoria community and family services in British Columbia, Patrick Humble had just settled into his office and was going through his predecessor’s case files when he came across a folder that stopped him in his tracks. “You don’t often see my last name,” says Patrick, “and when you do, it’s because we’re related. But this was my family. I was in that folder! How could that be?” Welcome Help Growing up, Patrick was a thirdgeneration member of The Salvation Army. Though his family was not well off, summers were spent at Salvation Army camps, “and we still had a tree bursting with gifts every Christmas,” Patrick recalls. The youngster never questioned how his parents were able to afford it.
“My brother and I just thought they said no all the time so that they could save up and help us where it mattered,” says Patrick. As Patrick discovered while going through the old Salvation Army case files, “unbeknownst to me, The Salvation Army was helping my family out because we were barely making ends meet.” Later, when he was in his teens, Patrick found himself on his own after his brother moved out of the apartment they were sharing and the landlord was forced to evict him as he was under age. The Salvation Army stepped into Patrick’s life yet again. A friend who worked for the Army helped him find an affordable place to live, and more. “He got me a better job than the one I had,” says Patrick. “And got me some clothes, provided food for my cupboard, furniture—everything I needed to start on my own. That was huge to me.” faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 23
Faith&Friends
FEATURE
A Different Point of View In 1997, Patrick started working for the Army at a local shelter. He moved on from there to legal aid, then progressed to client services and pastoral care, which led to other roles around the building. Returning from a hiatus, he applied for a management position and was accepted. After a few years, he was hired on as director. It was on his first day that Patrick saw the folder. As he pored over the old files and records, he saw his life in an entirely new and disorienting light. Confidentiality Rules “I was embarrassed, I was confused, I was a little angry,” confesses Patrick. “What is going on? How could I not know this?” As it happened, the office supervisor was the same person who had helped the younger Patrick to get on his feet with a new apartment and job. The two had known one another for more than 30 years. “I went to him and slammed this folder down on his desk,” Patrick says now, a little sheepishly. “What’s this all about? Why didn’t you ever tell me this?” Patrick’s friend calmly looked at him and answered simply: “The rules of confidentiality. It was none of your business.” “Why did he have to be so good at his job?” laughs Patrick now. 24 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
Wounded Healers That chance discovery was careeraltering for Patrick. “Sometimes you have a client who you’re trying to help and they’re lost, defeated and feeling like there is no help, no one to help them and no one to understand what they are going through,” he says. “You don’t understand,” they often tell him. “I kind of do,” Patrick replies. “My name’s in the file drawer, too. Let’s work together and help you.” Patrick occasionally lets a client sit in his office chair while he sits on the other side of the table. “At any moment, the tables can be turned,” he explains. “That was a humbling thing to realize. “It’s important to be able to share as much as possible with clients— not the full details, but just enough to let them know that we’re not this big, pompous group who are here to save you because you’re in trouble. We’re all wounded healers, and we all have a responsibility to each other. We’re a community. We weren’t meant to do it alone. “And so having that background is interesting,” he continues. “Being able to empathize with people in the place they are in has only helped in my job. It’s helped me be a better leader, a better listener, a better person and a better Christian. “It’s been an interesting journey!” concludes Patrick.
Faith&Friends
FAITH BUILDERS
Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
A Purpose in the Pain? In Father Stu, we see how God can use our struggles and mistakes for good. by Diane Stark
F
ather Stu, in theatres now, tells the true story of Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg), an agnostic, hard-living amateur boxer who changes his life in a radical way. After an injury ends his boxing career, Stu moves to Los Angeles to become an actor. When fame and fortune are harder to come by than he’d anticipated, he gets a job in a grocery store. When he gets arrested for driving under the influence, his
equally agnostic and hard-living father, Bill (Mel Gibson), bails him out and wonders if his son will ever grow up. While working at the grocery store, Stu meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Sunday school teacher who won’t date him because he doesn’t attend church. Hoping to impress her, he starts attending services and even gets baptized. One night, Stu is seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. When he
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 25
FAITH BUILDERS
Photos: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
Faith&Friends
Two-Wheeled Trouble Stu is lucky to be alive after a motorcycle accident almost kills him
Sign From Above? Against all odds, Stu becomes a priest
wakes up in the hospital, Carmen is there, praying over him. Stu knows he’s lucky to be alive, and he begins to re-evaluate his life. A priest from Carmen’s church (Cody Fern) tells him, “I think God saw something in you worth saving, but it’s up to you to decide what you’ve got to offer.” Amazingly, Stu decides to become a priest. Not long after he is ordained, he begins to notice a strange weakness in his legs. He is diagnosed with a rare, progressive muscle disorder with symptoms similar to ALS. The diagnosis rocks his entire life. The other priests
26 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
express concern that Stu’s infirmity will prevent him from fulfilling his duties. Stu wants to give up, but his father won’t let him. “A man doesn’t lose when he gets knocked down, but when he won’t get back up,” Bill says. Watching his son change his life has softened Bill’s heart toward God. As Stu’s disease progresses, he needs crutches to help him walk and then he is confined to a wheelchair. But he continues with his prison ministry, telling the inmates that God cares about them and will never give up on them. Eventually his
“A man doesn’t lose when he gets knocked down, but when he won’t get back up.” BILL
condition deteriorates further, and Stu must move into an assisted-living facility. Will he be able to continue his ministry despite his health issues? Will he learn that while God never causes our suffering, He will help us find purpose in it? Fully Equipped When Stu’s health began to fail, people—including himself—doubted if God could still use him. Thankfully for Stu—and for all of us—that’s not how God works. The truth is that everyone has something that could seemingly disqualify them from serving in God’s kingdom. It might be a physical or mental illness, a past mistake or a personal struggle such as addiction. In fact, those things about ourselves that we think are the most disqualifying are often the very parts of us that God can use most easily. The Bible gives many examples of God using imperfect people. David was a murderer and an adulterer. Rahab was a prostitute. Jesus called James and John “the sons of thunder” because they had anger issues. Peter denied even knowing Jesus but later became the rock on which the early
church was built. God used them, and He can use us, too—not in spite of our deficiencies, but often, because of them. Our life experiences can make us more empathetic to another person’s pain and help us relate to them. Father Stu once said that he was actually thankful for his illness because it led him to shed the pride he’d struggled with for most of his life. His disease caused his body to fail him, but that same disease made him uniquely qualified to lead others to the Lord. He found purpose in his pain. When others see that God has redeemed our past mistakes, they understand that He can do it for them, too. God can use our pain and our struggles for good. Suffering is never fun, but if we let Him, God will help us find purpose in our pain. Viewer Advisory Father Stu contains some salty language and adult situations, but the redemptive message of the film is valuable and uplifting.
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 27
Faith&Friends
LITE STUFF
Eating Healthy With Erin FISH TACOS TIME 15 min
MAKES 4 servings
SERVE WITH roasted spiced corn
15 ml (1 tbsp) coconut oil 4 snapper fillets Salt to taste Pepper to taste ½ head of cabbage 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil 5 ml (1 tsp) apple cider vinegar 1 small lime 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh parsley 250 ml (1 cup) cherry tomatoes 1 avocado 30 ml (2 tbsp) mayonnaise 5 ml (1 tsp) hot sauce of choice 8-10 soft corn tacos
1. Melt coconut oil in a skillet that has been pre-heated on medium-high for two minutes. 2. Salt and pepper fish to taste. 3. Fry fish for 2½ minutes on each side, and then break into pieces. 4. Dice cabbage and add olive oil, vinegar, lime and parsley. Lightly salt to taste. 5. Dice tomatoes and slice avocado. 6. Mix mayonnaise with hot sauce. 7. Warm tortillas on a pan. 8. Add toppings.
ROASTED SPICED CORN TIME 35 min
MAKES 4 servings
SERVE WITH fish tacos
Recipe photos: Erin Stanley
4 corn cobs 15 ml (1 tbsp) avocado or olive oil Salt to taste 5 ml (1 tsp) paprika 2 ml (½ tsp) chili powder Black pepper 5 ml (1 tsp) fresh lime juice
28 • MAY/JUNE 2022
I faithandfriends.ca
1. Preheat oven to 190 C (375 F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Carefully cut the cobs of corn in half lengthwise. 3. Brush corn with oil and salt lightly to taste. 4. Bake in oven for 25 minutes, then broil for 2-5 minutes until slightly browned. 5. Mix paprika and chili powder together and spread on the cobs of corn. 6. Sprinkle lime juice on top.
Turning the Tables
Tribute to a Father
The Story of Esther
BEING HUMBLE P.22 MATTHEW’S MOMENT P.5 HEBREW HEROINE P.10
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
MAY/JUNE 2022
Music
Man
THROUGH 50 YEARS, DOUGLAS BURDEN’S FAITH HAS RUNG TRUE. P.16
Subscribe to Faith&Friends
• inspiring true stories of hope and salvation • practical resources that will rejuvenate your spirit • uplifting articles that you can share with friends
Visit faithandfriends.ca/subscribe or call (416) 422-6119 today!
Sudoku Puzzle
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
7 4 1
QUICK QUIZ 1. What does the texting abbreviation “ICYMI” mean? 2. What is tofu made from? 3. What Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb was discovered by archeologist Howard Carter in 1922?
5
6
3 3
2
5
3
1
2 9
4
3
8
4
9
6
7 7
7
1
2
9
6
6 1
3
© www.kevinfrank.net
HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank
Answers on next page.
4
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 29
Faith&Friends
LITE STUFF
Word Search The (Not So) Secret Garden T
J
P
A
Z
T
I
L
L
E
R
B
O
F
L
N
O
T
H W
X
V
S
D
X
Y
J
E
O
S
R
G
S
O
F
D
S
V
D
Z
H G
G M
G O
T
F
G
R
A
I
E
G
E
I
X
D
O
X
V
U
T
P
A
E
A
N
X
T
S
K
L
F
X
T
V
S
A
S
P
E
R
E
N N
I
A
L
S
B
O
S
R
E W O
L
F
U
E
U
I
G
T
N
E
P
A
F
K
V
L
T
U
E
L
P
A
L
T
E
A
R
C
I
H
I
W R
O D
M N
B
L
V
L
R
G
P
F
A
L
O
I
O O
T
S
U Q
E
I
T
T
N
J
T
L
R
N
G O
C
I
H
C
R
Q
G C
H
R
I
F
C O
T
K
E
U
N
E
I
K
S
A
N
R
E
S
R
L
H
P
R
L
V
G
D
T
Y
T
T
U
E
G
R
A
F
T
I
N
G
E
J
P
R
U
N
I
N G
N H
B M
T
H
N
Z
S
R
T
O
P
S
O
I
L
W H
S
J
Y
C
G W
E
U
H
J
X
N
W O W M
L
E
A
F
B
L
O W
E
R
W A
T
E
R
I
N G
C
A
N
T
Y
U
O
S
D
S
W O
R
R
A
B
L
E
E
H
W O
R M
S
U
S
B
F
O
X
O
I
Y
I
R
G
W J
A
W O
U
F
Y
AERATOR ANNUAL AUGER BOOTS COMPOST EARTH FERTILIZER FLOWERS GLOVES GRAFTING HERBS HORTICULTURE
IRRIGATION LEAF BLOWER MOWER MULCH ORGANIC PERENNIALS PLANTING POLLINATION PRUNING SEEDS SHEARS SHED
30 • MAY/JUNE 2022
T
SHOVEL SPRINKLER SUNHAT THATCHING TILLER TOOL TOPSOIL TROWEL VEGETABLES WATERING CAN WHEELBARROW WORMS
I faithandfriends.ca
T
Quick Quiz Answers: 1. in case you missed it; 2. coagulated soy milk; 3. King Tutankhamun. 2
8
7
4
5
9
6
3
1
9
4
6
3
2
1
5
7
8 2
1
5
3
7
6
8
4
9
6
2
5
9
1
3
8
4
7
4
7
9
6
8
5
1
2
3
8
3
1
2
7
4
9
6
5
3
9
8
1
4
2
7
5
6
5
6
4
8
3
7
2
1
9
7
1
2
5
9
6
3
8
4
Faith&Friends
NIFTY THRIFTY
Wax Eloquent! How to turn regular candles into different shapes.
Y
our home is your sanctuary and needs to be treated as such. Changing just a few little things could add a unique touch to how that space looks. Candles, which you can purchase at your local Salvation Army thrift store, have been a craze over the past number of years, and uniquely shaped ones will add that special something to your place of comfort. Supplies Needed: taper candles, warm water, cutting board, container to soak the candles in, and a rolling pin or glass jar with a smooth surface. Step 1 Heat some water until it is warm. Soak candle in water for 15-20 minutes or until candle is easy to manipulate. Step 2 Flatten mid part of the candle with rolling pin or glass jar, or bend the candle if you are looking for that effect. Step 3 Start twisting or bending until you get the desired shape (twist or bend gently so that the candle doesn’t snap). Step 4 Let the candle sit for a few minutes until it hardens.
1
2
3
4
(left) Osareme David Dom-okoebu is a content creator and a creative expert for The Salvation Army. He creates content on Instagram (@_reme_) centred mainly on thrifted menswear. He also shares how to be stylish without breaking the bank. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.
faithandfriends.ca I MAY/JUNE 2022
• 31
PM 40064794
For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes.
