Metro Youth Network

Today is my first day back in the office since Monday, June 28th. No, I wasn’t on an extended vacation with my new bride. As many may know, I’ve was out with Band of Survivors from June 28-July 23, and then I was on staff at Central Bible Leadership Institute (CBLI) from July 30-August 8. After a much needed vacation last week, I’m glad to get things into a gear once again.

While I was at CBLI, I was challenged by the Lord to really dig into the Bible on a very consistent basis. That shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. If we want to follow Christ, we’re going to want to be with Christ, and that means spending time reading His teachings for life and following this example written there. So I recently started reading 1 Corinthians. It’s a book in the New Testament that I’ve never really studied deeply before, so I was compelled to go for it.

In short, 1 and 2 Corinthians are short letters that the apostle (a fancy way of saying church leader) Paul wrote to the church in the city of Corinth (hence the name Corinthians). While I was doing some research, I came to read a lot about what issues the church in Corinth was facing, and thus why the author (a dude named Paul) felt that he needed to write them. One of the major issues the church was facing was sexual immorality (not sexual immortality – that’s weird, and way, way different). And here’s the reason why: One of the things Corinth was known for was its 12 temples (place of religious worship), and one of them was dedicated to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The main problem was that the temple allowed prostitution in the name of religion. At one time, the temple actually had 1,000 “priestesses” that served as prostitutes. The problem was so bad and so well known to those in and around Corinth that the phrase “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality”. Isn’t that bonkers?

It’s even crazier to think about what it must have been like to live as a Christian in this setting. We’re faced with sexual immorality in tons of ways in our own day, but a religious center that actually offered a thousand prostitutes. That’s ridiculous! Even still, God’s people are called to purity, and that church was no different. They were called to uphold the plan that God has created for all people. One man, one woman in a committed marriage relationship. That’s God’s beautiful and freeing context for sex. And what sticks out to me the most is the fact that under such circumstances, Paul is able to remind the Corinthian church that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In the face of rabid prostitution, in the face of all-invasive pornography and sexual innuendos, and in the face of day to day temptation, there is a way out. Stand on the promise God’s given us in his Word: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7).

Over the course of the last several years I’ve had many conversations with friends that ended with the person saying they just felt kinda blah. You know, they just felt like they were going through a tough, dry season. And that’s something that I can easily identify with, as I’m sure you can too. Now, the first thing that immediately comes to mind to remedy the situation is to ask the person if they’ve been reading their Bible and praying enough (I mean, isn’t that always the answer?). And most times, the person will look back at me, with a sheepish look, and admit that, sure, they haven’t been reading as much as they should be. Or, they just haven’t been consistent in their prayer life as they’d like to be. Sometimes, if the rough patch has been really arduous and long, they’ll reflect back on the days when everything seemed to be as it should: they were praying for three hours a day, and devouring books of Scripture whole like candy.

Now, don’t get me wrong. “Read your Bible, pray everyday, and you’ll grow, grow grow” is as good a motto as any. And what’s more, it’s actually true. But I think there’s a bit more to it than that. It’s completely possible to read your Bible everyday, pray until you’re blue in the face, and still feel worlds away from God.

In Chosen to be a Soldier (orders and regulations for soldiers of The Salvation Army), chapter three, entitled “Living With God”, there is a section on what it means to battle against “Bogus Piety”. It reads:

“The corrective against the danger of indulging in bogus piety instead of living with God and loving Him supremely is given by the Saviour Himself. He couples the first commandment of the Law with the second one which is like it: We are to love our fellow man as we love ourselves. The Bible expresses in several ways that the genuineness of our love for God is tested by our attitude to man. God, who is love, instils into the hearts of those who truly live in harmony with Him, love of a practical kind to their neighbour.” (Chosen to be a Soldier, page 11)

When we are obedient to the Lord in an act of loves to others, we feel a rush of love course through our veins. We feel the presence of His Spirit because we have acted in the way that He desires. There is no barrier that separates us from Him, because instead of turning away from God through sin, we turn to God by mimicking God’s love for us. We have not acted in congruence with the world and its ways, but have shared in the divine nature by walking as Jesus walked. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us a, a pleasing aroma to God.”

If we want to be close to God, we have to share in His nature. We have to be like Him. We must act like Him. This is what it means to live in communion with God. It’s more than holing up in a holy commune. It means allowing your private interactions with the Spirit to transform your public interactions with people. And you can’t do one with out the other. We can’t know how to love people without continually relying on Love to fill us through prayer. We can’t understand the scandalous measures of God’s love without putting ourselves before his Word, which is the only divine rule of Christian faith and practice.” The two have to work together. Otherwise we’re left with bogus piety, a bad religion.

Just a couple of weeks ago, retired officers Colonels Dennis and Noella Phillips (pictured above with Yves Montoban, a Salvation Army employee in Haiti) chose to take a week to serve Salvationists in Haiti, where they served as Territorial Commanders for some time. They were there spending time with Officers, soldiers, and children. And as is often the case with those who travel overseas, they were blessed probably more than they thought they would be.

Through a series of three letters, Col. Dennis Phillips tried to take an account of their activities. Enjoy and be blessed! This is, at least for now, the last chapter of the series.

“The day began so nicely: an early morning swim, sweet fellowship at the breakfast table and tender good-byes with hidden tears knowing, in all likelihood, I would never see these dear people again.

Major Lamartiniere is a very caring divisional leader, and he was concerned about the travel arrangements for his officers to return to their distant corps since none of them have vehicles. So, he included as many as he could in his SUV, which – by American standards – would accommodate only five people since the third seat area was already filled with luggage. But in Haiti, the number of seats advertised by the manufacturer has little meaning, so it was no surprise that Noella was joined in the middle seat by three more women officers plus a child. Noella commented, “Well, we were in there very tightly, but it certainly kept us from bouncing around.” The Major took the other three officers and the child to a main bus terminal where they boarded the first available “tap-taps” that were going in their direction. (Note: A “tap-tap” is basically a pick-up truck with an improvised roof and benches, and we’ve seen them with 25 to 30 people jammed inside with some literally hanging on by their fingers and toes on the back bumper.) One of our passengers was an 80 year old retired officer, a widow who, along with her husband had managed to actually own a little house. It was completely destroyed in the earthquake, and she has been sleeping on the ground ever since. Yet, though I had several conversations with her during the retreat, I never heard a complaint.

We visited the rented offices of the temporary divisional headquarters which also houses the Emergency Disaster Services teams that arrive each month from all over the world. There, we ran into Major Pat Kiddoo, a USA Central officer and veteran of many disasters who was concluding her assignment as Incident Commander. We also were privileged to renew friendship with two officers from the USA Western Territory who were cadets when we served at the Western Territorial Headquarters.

As we left the safe haven of Divisional Headquarters, we had little idea of what we were to encounter en route to the home of Bob and Vickie Poff where we would stay for the remainder of our time in Haiti. The road was typical of all I have already described – full of pot holes (some of them so big they will need to build a bridge over them), dusty, heavy traffic weaving in and out, some roads were paved, others barely passable.

We were on one of the “good” roads and moving along quite well when we noticed a large gathering of people on both sides of the road ahead. In the middle of the road was a stopped sedan, and ours was the next vehicle to arrive. People were wailing and walking around the car nervously, some of them peeking and staring inside. We were stuck. Shortly, one policeman arrived and attempted to restore order and get the people out of the traffic lane. We were able to pull forward a little at a time until we were close enough to the policeman for the Major to inquire as to what had occurred. The car just before us was stopped by a thief on a motor cycle who demanded money, and when he was refused, he drew a weapon and killed both driver and the passenger. Once we were allowed to proceed, we passed the car and it was sad to see the driver slumped over the wheel, and his female passenger still in an upright position. They were dressed up, no doubt going to an important function, maybe at church. It was impacting in a very sad way. It wasn’t until later that I realized ours was the next car on the road. What might the thief had done upon seeing two white people in a vehicle. The SUV was well marked with Salvation Army shields, and we were in uniform which, in Haiti, has proven over the years to be adequate armor. Yet, the thought haunted me for a few days. Oh, it wasn’t only the SA shields on the car – our entire trip was covered in the prayers of many, for which we continue to be thankful.

Our journey continued in silence. We didn’t actually talk about it until after dinner.”

There may be more chapters to this story for Colonel Dennis Phillips at some point in the future. So check back for more. For now, though, Colonel Phillips, along with his wife Noella, will serve at the Metropolitan Divisional Headquarters for a few more months, after which they hope to be invested as much as possible at the South Bend Kroc Center.

Just a couple of weeks ago, retired officers Colonels Dennis and Noella Phillips (pictured above with Yves Montoban, a Salvation Army employee in Haiti) chose to take a week to serve Salvationists in Haiti, where they served as Territorial Commanders for some time. They were there spending time with Officers, soldiers, and children. And as is often the case with those who travel overseas, they were blessed probably more than they thought they would be.

Through a series of three letters, Col. Dennis Phillips tried to take an account of their activities. Enjoy and be blessed! Tomorrow will be the last posting in this series.

Contrasts: The road to Oro-villa (a Baptist Retreat Center) gives new meaning to the word, “arduous.” Mostly dirt roads strewn with rocks, rubble and pot holes that would challenge the most experienced driver made up the main thoroughfare from the airport to what would be our home for the next three days. Throngs of people (think – Manhattan at rush hour x 10) busily crowded the pavements severely damaged by the earthquake as vendors, shoppers and school children courageously tried to return to some level of normal life. The broken, dusty road was a challenge to navigate, and many times vehicles were barely millimeters away from crashing.

Upon arrival at Oro-villa, it was clearly obvious that a large section of the cement-block security wall that typically surrounds every property in Haiti had collapsed during the earthquake and had been replaced temporarily by corrugated zinc. The main entrance remained in tact with its imposing iron gate that, after a few loud beeps from the van’s horn, opened, and we entered a veritable tropical wonderland. Palm trees of various sorts, breadfruit and mango trees, brilliant bouganvlllia (spelling?) and an inviting swimming pool provided a beautiful setting for the Haitian officers who were gathering for their first Retreat since the earthquake. What a contrast.

On the streets, we saw the terror that remained in the eyes of those who had survived the earthquake, and the many tent cities were a loud declaration that fear still gripped this city of 3 million people. But, upon meeting with Haitian Salvation Army Officers, another striking contrast was evident. Here was a band of soldiers who had experienced unimaginable experiences that had threatened their lives and the lives of their loved ones, but they were neither looking down nor back. Their singing and their testimonies resounded with an increased faith in God, a thanks for His redemption and protection, and a determination to look ahead with faith in what they believed God had in store for them. I tried to capture the energy of their singing on a video. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but I know it will not even come close to the real thing. As they sang – with intensity and power, “No, I never, never, never will give in. No, I won’t (Hallelujah), No I won’t. For I mean to have the victory forever.” To hear their humble testimonies of how God spared them and their children was a blessing I cannot express.

Before going to Haiti, we had confided in someone that we were not sure how we would be able to bring blessing and hope to a people who had suffered so much. We were counseled to know that we did not need to worry about blessing them……..they would bless us. How true.

Our private conversations with several of them were both heart warming and heart breaking. One young man, 36 years old and single, is in charge of three corps. One of his corps holds their Sunday meeting at 6 am in order for him to arrange public transportation to the next corps. The Divisional Commander told me he is a very fine officer. He and I made an immediate connection, for 10 years ago, I visited his corps in Couyot (KOO-yo) which is the most isolated corps in the Caribbean Territory. Couyot sits atop a mountain which is the fourth mountain away from the sea. To get there required an 8 hour mule ride. So far, I am the only territorial commander to have visited this corps, and this Captain was pleased to tell me how he, a soldier then, led the song just before my message.

He has a fiancé who is an accepted candidate to enter training this year if she can pay the required US $1000. Everything else about her case is acceptable, but she only has $400 so far. Noella and I added another $100, and will probably add more to make sure she gets to training in 2010. The couple will be separated most of the next two years, and then will marry in 2012. Yes, I am determined to raise the remaining $500 to make certain she goes to training this year. (btw, Haitian cadets must report for training in July in order to take two months of English before the session begins in September, so there is little time to spare.)*

Noella and I were able to spend some good time with Major Violet (Doliber) Ezeh (EE-zay). She and her husband operate a clinic, hospital and pharmacy in Fond-des-Negres (FON-da-neg) in the southern/western strip of Haiti. She is a Central officer, and it was good to get caught up with her. She and her husband are providing hope and medical care to hundreds of people every week in their area of the country. Their facility is the only one within many miles. Some of our conversations were in the pool.

Yes, I managed to go for a good swim every day, either early in the morning or in the evening. The water was warm…very warm, and the pool was long and deep. (Not a kids’ pool by any means.)

The food has been incredible: freshly baked bread every day for every meal, tropical fruit served at its peak of ripeness. We were especially pleased that the Haitian officers were able to enjoy good nutrition and plenty of it for three days.

I plan to write up our experiences in Haiti, and when I do I will say, “Do not pity the Salvation Army Officers serving in Haiti, for pity is not what they want, and it certainly is not what they deserve. Respect them…honor them…support them. For them, just knowing that people in America care means much to them.

We emptied the four suitcases of medical and educational supplies that had been donated by officers and employees of Metropolitan DHQ, family members and friends. Actually, Captain Felix Ezeh (a doctor-optician) helped me distribute the medicines so that every officer benefitted.

Oh my, when I told Violet we had kites, I wish you could have seen her eyes light up. “Kites?” she asked. “You actually brought kites?” Then she went on to tell how much the boys in Fond-des Negres loved to fly kits…how they would make their own including the string which they would make by unraveling a “gunny sack” and tying all the strings together. “They will go crazy over real kites,” Violet told us. I wished I had brought more of them.

The youth department at Metro also gave T-shirts. I only had room for 20, and again, I wish I had taken more. They were gone in seconds.

This has been a great, great experience. And it isn’t over yet. More to come, so, stay tuned.

Denny and Noella

Blessings!

* We have received word that all of the $1000 has been raised for her to go to Training in July.