Faith & Friends May/June 2026

Faith & Friends

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER

PHRASE BE is an ongoing series highlighting the dozens of everyday sayings that originate with biblical text. In this issue, we unpack:

PHRASE: My brother’s keeper.

DEFINITION: To deny responsibility for the whereabouts or actions of another.

EXAMPLE: “Don’t look at me. I’m not my brother’s keeper,” Mike responded when he was questioned by his parents.

SOURCE: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’

‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ “

—Genesis 4:9

The origin of this phrase lies in the first recorded death in the Old Testament, of Abel by his brother, Cain. Rather than answer God directly, Cain chose to lie, an empty gesture at best as God knew the awful truth.

However, if the Bible and Jesus’ words in the New Testament teach us anything, in effect, we really are our brother’s keeper. For we are all made in the image of God and whatever is done to “the least of these,” is done to Jesus (see Matthew 25:40). That’s a heavy responsibility but we are all called to show the love of God to everyone.

How? Try visiting a nursing home. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Help a neighbour. Reach out to someone who is alone. Sometimes, all that is needed is a smile to show you are your brother’s keeper.

FAITH BUILDERS

5 His Pop Rocks

Mississauga, Ont., artist donates his streaming revenue to The Salvation Army.

SOMEONE CARES

8 Dads DO Matter

Army helps Patrick thrive as a parent.

THE BOTTOM LINE

10 Seeds of Hope

12 “I’m Still Me”

16

For Pete’s Sake

And Sophie’s, too. How one couple’s love of pets turned into a rescue ministry.

22 A Place to Call Home

Faith, family and friends guided Linda Leigh on her cancer journey.

After a difficult upbringing, 13-year-old Mackenzie found a safe haven to grow at The Salvation Army.

Lawn care company partners with The Salvation Army in Newfoundland and Labrador. BE BLESSED

26 Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

When we trust God to cleanse us, we are ready to see, to experience, Him. LITE STUFF

28 Eating Healthy With Erin Word Search, Sudoku, Quick Quiz. A GLOBAL LENS

31 Building Resilience

In Rwanda, the Army enhances economic stability, nutrition and food security through sustainable practices and active community participation.

A Word Not a Sentence

Iwas puppy-sitting my colleague’s chihuahua while she was on vacation. On our first day, I was taking Madison (the dog, not the colleague) out when I noticed her harness was loose. I was fumbling with it when Madison suddenly bolted and was out of sight.

My mind flooded with panic. What if she was gone forever? I only had myself to blame.

“God, help us,” I prayed. “Madison’s just a little dog.”

I realized the only thing to do was head home. Maybe, just maybe …

Sure enough, Madison was at the door, waiting with a “What took you so long?” look on her face.

My place was not in line-of-sight of the park, and we had taken an indirect route to get there. That Madison had unerringly found her way was a testament to her intelligence—and my lack of faith.

Had Madison truly disappeared, I hope she would have found her way to Mike and Peggy Frezon, who run Brookshaven, a shelter for homeless dogs.

Peggy sees God through the rescue of the dogs who were once broken but are now thriving.

“God loves us unconditionally,” she says, “even though we’re flawed. With His help, we can face new and challenging situations, and learn to trust others and Him.”

See their story on page 16.

Elsewhere in this issue of Faith & Friends, you’ll read about Linda Leigh’s cancer journey.

“I want to use my experience as a source of hope and inspiration for others,” she says, “to show that cancer is a ‘word’ not a ‘sentence.’ ”

Ken Ramstead

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

Lyndon Buckingham, GENERAL

Commissioner Lee Graves

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray

SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS

Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF 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

Emily Pedlar

JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Rivonny Luchas

DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Giselle Randall

SENIOR EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST

Abbigail Oliver

EDITOR OF JUST FOR KIDS AND STAFF WRITER

Logan Graves CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

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) 422-6153

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

His Pop Rocks

Mississauga, Ont., artist donates his streaming revenue to The Salvation Army.

by Nathan Reid-Welford

What started as a way to give people a reason to listen to his music became a charitable challenge for pop singer Neddy. What if I donated any money I make? he thought to himself. “People would get new music, and the money would go to a good cause,” he says.

With this in mind, Neddy underwent a 30-day challenge last fall, with the royalties his music accumulated from streams on Spotify and Apple Music going to The Salvation Army.

Empathic Music

Having always enjoyed music and singing since he was young, Neddy’s first taste of taking it more seriously came in high school. Neddy recorded some songs, one of which gained traction and got him going on Soundcloud.

“That’s where it all started. I loved it and wanted to keep doing it.”

Inspired to create music that reflected what was going on in his life, Neddy began releasing melodic rap.

However, as he got older, he adjusted to a more upbeat, emotional pop style. He cites his track Thinking of You as a turning point in his musical journey.

Transforming stories from the world around him into song has allowed him to write as if he’s in other people’s shoes. This technique has been a way for him to sing about conversations he has with God, allowing him to inject faith elements into his music.

“Locked In”

A Christian who has been involved with The Salvation Army his entire life, Neddy attended Mississauga Community Church in Ontario and played baritone at music camps at Jackson’s Point Camp, Ont. But he stopped attending church regularly when he got to high school.

However, while at a low point in life a couple of years ago, he decided to dive deeper into the Bible.

“I had questions I wanted answers to,” Neddy reflects. “I wanted to make sure I was living life the way I should.”

He examined other faiths to ensure that Christianity was not just something he believed because he was born into it. This exploration allowed him to realize that Christianity felt right in his heart.

“I listened to the Bible on tape whenever I could,” he says, “at the gym, while driving to work. I was really locked in, and I’ve become a lot closer with my faith since.”

A Call on the Heart

During this time of life, Neddy connected with Joel Binner, community services director at The Salvation Army Mississauga Community Church.

“I’d always liked Joel even though I’d only seen him in passing,” he says. “I liked his energy and thought I’d get along with him. He reached out, and we just talked. I told him about my faith journey and how I’d gotten into the Bible.”

Joel remained in touch with Neddy. This mentoring relationship, along with Neddy’s experience with the church and his awareness of what the Army does and where the money goes, put Mississauga Community Church on Neddy’s mind as the end of his 30-day challenge drew near.

“I really wanted to help families in need. That was big for me,” he says. “I understand there’s lots of things that people are going through. I see that kids don’t always have supplies, backpacks, healthy lunches. I really like that the Army helps with that sort of thing.”

This call on Neddy’s heart was strengthened by his own experience as a father and rough times of his own, as well as his work with at-risk youth in schools and juvenile detention centres.

Next Steps

When Joel heard from Neddy, he was excited to see how “the phenomenal

young man with a good head on his shoulders” wanted to give back to the community.

“He’s beginning to be recognized locally for his music, and using some of his own profits to give back shows a lot about him,” says Joel.

Though happy to give away $1,000 generated from nearly 290,000 streams, Neddy really appreciated Joel’s willingness to include him in the conversation.

“He didn’t just say give us the money,” he says. “Joel was open to hearing any of my ideas of what the money could go toward. He wanted me to be involved.”

“It is our goal to honour the donor with every penny that comes through the door,” Joel explains. “But what impresses me the most about Neddy is that while he’s someone who’s working on his own next steps, finding his way as a person and supporting his own family, he still

Proud Papa Neddy with his family. “With God, anything is possible," he says

recognizes the needs of others and wants to support his community. That’s not something to be taken lightly.”

Neddy is already thinking of other ways to gather donations, possibly for back-to-school season in the fall.

God at the Centre

While working toward a child and youth care degree and continuing to release music, Neddy strives to remember that having family, faith and happiness is what being rich means. As well, he encourages himself—and others—to keep to his mantra of being humble, working hard and looking to God.

For this, he cites Matthew 19:24.

“I don’t know how to put a camel through the eye of a needle,” he smiles. “But, God does. With Him, anything is possible. That’s a big part of being humble: Accepting assistance because you can’t do it yourself.”

Did You Know?

Neddy is the stage name of Nathaniel Anderson, evolved from a combination of his Jamaican heritage and a childhood nickname—and a mistaken pronunciation in a PlayStation live chat lobby that became an inside joke.

Dads DO Matter

Salvation Army helps Patrick thrive as a parent.

by Juan Romero

Becoming a single father has been a major adjustment for Patrick; however, since day one, he has been up to the challenge with the support of The Salvation Army. Aside from raising his son, Wesley, on his own, Patrick also works full time. To ensure he can be a great parent, he attends the Dads Matter program at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa. So far, the program has helped Patrick gain confidence as a father.

An Enjoyable Atmosphere

“I like the help with raising my son,” Patrick says. “They’ve taught me how to manage my time better and take time for myself. This all helps me focus on becoming a better father.”

Dads Matter incorporates activities like cooking, games and crafts, as well as group discussions to help fathers adjust to parenthood. It also provides tips and strategies to manage children’s emotions or any other challenges they may face.

“They were there for me when I needed someone to talk to.”

PATRICK

“We talk about how to stay calm and how to comfort your child when they are upset,” Patrick adds.

The atmosphere of the program is one of the aspects Patrick enjoys. He likes playing card games and making new friendships. Patrick even reconnected with an old friend from grade school who also attends.

Amazing Support

While Dads Matter runs each Wednesday afternoon, the Bethany Hope Centre offers a variety of parenting programs throughout the week. Patrick is part of a play group in which he gets to spend some time with his son. He believes the activities are helping Wesley’s development.

“He is learning so much from watching other kids. He has learned how to crawl and how to say certain

words. He is also learning to play with other children, which is great. He is always happy.”

Looking ahead, as Wesley gets older, Patrick will continue attending Dads Matter. His priority is his son.

“Seeing him grow and learn gives me the motivation and energy to get going all the time.”

The Salvation Army has been a key part of Patrick’s journey as a parent. When Wesley was born, he was hospitalized due to health complications. During this time, Patrick found a safe place within the Bethany Hope Centre.

“They were there for me when I needed someone to talk to,” he remembers.

Patrick is grateful to the staff for all the support he has received.

“I appreciate everything they have done for me; they’ve been amazing.”

Ready to Go

Nutri-Lawn staff enjoy their breakfast before embarking on their allocated route to pick up donations (above) Mission Accomplished Staff assisting with the donated items at The Salvation Army’s Ches Penney Centre of Hope

W(inset) A Shopping We Will Go Salvation Army staff member Amy Loveless makes a grocery purchase from the funds that were donated

Seeds of Hope

Lawn care company partners with The Salvation Army in Newfoundland and Labrador.

by Janice Keats

hat do a food drive and a clothing drive have in common? Both exist to meet the needs of the community. Boyd Loveless, the owner of NutriLawn, a lawn care and weed control company in St. John’s, N.L., always believed in giving back to the

community. From the very beginning, he believed that supporting others wasn’t just an occasional act—it was a mindset.

A Global Help

What began as a food drive in 2008 soon grew into a clothing drive, and

that effort has continued to flourish. Today, it has become a fully stocked community resource known as Grandma’s Closet, filled with clothing contributions for anyone in need.

“We have been conducting an annual food drive with our customers, friends, families and employees for many years in aid of the Salvation Army food bank,” Boyd explains. “A few years ago, along with The Salvation Army, we started Grandma’s Closet at the Ches Penney Centre of Hope in memory of my grandma, Elizabeth Loveless from Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, N.L. She was a beautiful lady of faith, patience, humility, love and kindness. She loved to knit and give back.”

The Salvation Army is Boyd’s charity of choice.

“They help the less fortunate around the world regardless of race, status, gender or prequalification,” he says.

Testament to Generosity

Preparations for the event begin several weeks before the annual pickup. During this time, the office supervisor reaches out to customers well in advance to ensure they’re aware of the upcoming initiative. The supervisor will then co-ordinate routes for 20-25 employees.

“People come in to avail themselves of the clothing at Grandma’s Closet, as they need to,” says Major Rhonda Smith, The Salvation Army’s director

of spiritual care for St. John’s Housing and Community Services. “The closet items are available to the public and usually accessed via our receptionist, who gives out items when requested, or by our community and family services staff from Monday to Friday.”

Other donations arrive throughout the year, as well—monetary contributions, support from employees, generosity from the Loveless family and even handmade knitted items.

“Edith Bishop, who we didn’t know, offered to knit for us at no cost,” Boyd recalls. “This is her way of helping others and it reminded me of Grandma Loveless so much. She has knitted numerous beautiful items, and we’re so thankful for her coming into our lives. There are many people that have benefited from her free mittens, hats, gloves and wool socks.”

The efforts that Boyd and his staff put forth are incredibly rewarding, both for the team and for the community they serve. “I firmly believe that every business should have a budgeted line item to give back to the vulnerable, the community and more,” he says. “Success in business comes from people and the community we live in. What a way to say thank you. It stands as a testament to how one small act of generosity can evolve into something truly meaningful for those who need it most.”

“I’m

Still Me”

FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GUIDED ME ON MY CANCER JOURNEY.

by Linda Leigh

Iwill never forget hearing the words, “I’m so sorry to tell you that you have cancer.”

I was in disbelief. I cried and cried. I’d already survived kidney cancer 13 years earlier, and during that short phone call from my family doctor, all the emotions I had previously experienced resurfaced: shock, resentment, fear, sadness, anxiety. I was devastated.

Processing the Diagnosis

Like many, I had known someone with cancer. My father passed away from esophageal cancer, my mother survived colon cancer and friends had battled breast cancer. While I had journeyed alongside others, I didn’t have the tiniest clue of what would lie ahead of me.

The aftermath of the breast-cancer diagnosis was filled with questions. Has it spread? What physical changes am I facing? How will treatment affect me?

I started writing down thoughts and reflections that included what I was grateful for, Bible references and worship songs—all in an attempt

to reduce my anxiety and boost my mental and emotional health.

Meanwhile, I learned about breast cancer, deciphered terms and researched treatment options. I didn’t know anything about ports, chemotherapy or radiation. I relied heavily on my support network, which included family, breastcancer survivors, colleagues, friends and my church community. I was surrounded by beautiful people and experienced love in many ways.

No Hair?

For me, the first step was surgery. I had every confidence in my surgeon, who, unbeknownst to me, was a Christian.

When I sat in his office for a consultation, a picture of Jesus was on the wall. I said I was a believer, too.

“I’ll do the surgery, and Jesus will heal,” he responded.

God was putting the right people in my life at the right time and for the right reasons.

My surgery took place in August 2023, and a small, cancerous tumour was removed. The contents showed

(above) Staying Strong “It’s hard to stay spiritually strong when you feel terrible,“ says Linda Leigh

(inset) Two Hearts

Linda and her husband, Steve. “Steve has been my rock throughout my cancer journey,” she says

(left) Bell Ringer

Linda triumphantly rings the bell at Lakeridge Hospital in Oshawa, Ont. The ringing of the bell signified Linda’s completion of radiation therapy

it was aggressive, and my treatment plan immediately changed from radiation only to chemotherapy, including a year’s worth of an infusion every three weeks to help block the ability of cancer cells to grow.

When I heard the word chemotherapy, I was numb, then scared of the effects it would have on me.

At every appointment, I carried a card that had been sent to me and pondered the words of encouragement and Scripture as the drugs travelled through my bloodstream. This helped calm my anxiety. Side effects included severe diarrhea, extreme fatigue and hair loss. It could have been worse—nausea, muscle pain, numb fingers and toes—but I knew people were praying for me and was confident that God was listening.

Hair loss was a side effect I struggled with as I had a thick head of hair. I’ll never forget when, after three treatments, I noticed a clump of hair in the tub. Tearfully, I called for my husband to “get rid of it.” Then it became a daily occurrence.

I had considered shaving my head, but I just couldn’t do it. I opted for a short haircut to help ease the idea that there would eventually be no hair.

Effects of Treatment

I continued to work full time throughout my treatment to keep my mind off my illness, feel useful and fulfil my job requirements at The Salvation Army’s territorial

headquarters in Toronto. Flexible schedules and remote work options allowed me to do that. I will be forever grateful to my superiors for their accommodation, care and compassion.

Following chemotherapy, I had 20 radiation treatments, one every day, to target and destroy cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. As I lay on the table, and while beams of radiation were directed at me, I recited Scripture over and over. I trusted that God was in control of my health and weary body.

After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I believed I was healed. Then a follow-up mammogram showed cancer cells were present. We will never know if they were new or didn’t respond to treatment. The recommended next step was a mastectomy.

In September 2024, surgery was performed. I experienced a wide range of emotions. From sadness and anger to confusion and negative self-image, it took a long time to grieve the loss of my breast and process my feelings.

“God Moments”

Throughout my journey, if I’m being honest, there were times when I didn’t pray or do well at “resting in Him.” It’s hard to stay spiritually strong when you feel terrible. Cancer had become my Goliath, a huge challenge that invaded my first thoughts of the morning and last worries of the night.

“I opted for a short haircut to help ease the idea that there would eventually be no hair.”

LINDA LEIGH

Then one day, I received a card from my mother that read: “There’s a saying that God never gives us more burdens than we can bear. And if that’s true, then God must think you’re very, very strong.” I began to look at suffering in a different light and viewed it as an opportunity for intense spiritual growth.

I looked for things to be grateful for. I call them “God moments.” And there were many. A routine test showed a tumour. I had no symptoms. When my eyebrows fell out, I received a card that said: “God won’t give you more than you can handle. He might let you bend. But He won’t let you break.” A relative sent a water bottle with the words: “Keep chugging. Don’t give up.” And the list goes on.

Life Today

My experience with cancer has been

a long, winding and sometimes confusing path. I think I will always fear tests, and I pray that will ease over time. I still struggle with physical limitations in one arm, but that should improve, and I take a small pill every day to stop bad cells from growing or spreading.

And I have a great head of hair.

When I look back, I never wanted to be stuck in the dark valley of cancer. It is part of my story but not the whole story.

I’m still me—a wife, a daughter, a sibling, a child of God.

Reprinted from When God Weaves His Story Into Ours, compiled by Gladys Thompson, The Salvation Army Oshawa Temple, 2025

For more information on The Salvation Army's Oshawa Temple's Life Stories project, see Salvationist May/June 2026, pages 14-15.

Mike Frezon with a few of the inhabitants of BrooksHaven. God taught Mike and his wife, Peggy, what they could offer these homeless seniors: the very best kind of “retirement home”

ForPete’s Sake

AND SOPHIE’S, TOO.

HOW ONE COUPLE’S LOVE OF PETS TURNED INTO A RESCUE MINISTRY.

by Jeanette Levellie

“BUT HE NEEDS US.”

Mike Frezon looked up at his wife, Peggy, from a pet supply store parking lot as he patted the golden retriever they’d come to meet. Mike had seen the ad for the homeless dog the week before and had fallen in love with him. Although the rescue worker held onto the golden with a leash, the dog looked like he wasn’t going anywhere, keeping his gaze to the ground.

The golden had been on his own for some time after being abandoned, and it showed. He was skinny, had patchy fur and crooked teeth. And he was 11 years old.

“Oh, Mike,” Peggy said, “this poor guy probably has a dozen health issues. We’ll fall in love with him, and he’ll become part of our family. Then he’ll break our hearts.”

Pickup Portrait

Two Frezon granddaughters pose with three BrooksHaven dogs

But when Peggy gently tilted the dog’s chin up and looked into his big brown eyes, she saw the potential of a beautiful, loving pet. Still, she hated the thought of only having him for a short time.

Mike thought differently. “But he needs us,” he repeated.

Four simple words, but words that changed Peggy’s mind in an instant.

“Retirement Home”

“For the first time, I looked at rescuing not as what dogs could do for us, but what we could do for them,” Peggy says. “I realized Mike and I could give this scraggly, scared dog a warm, loving home and the comfort he deserved for however long he was part of our family.”

That realization proved to be the defining moment in the Frezons’ desire to rescue senior dogs. Peggy is convinced God had been preparing her and Mike by giving them hearts of compassion based on many years of raising and rescuing dogs. Early in their marriage, they had a Dalmatian and a yellow lab, and then a cocker spaniel-dachshund mix. With this golden retriever—their first senior rescue—whom they named Brooks, God began to teach them what they could offer these homeless seniors: the very best kind of “retirement home.”

Thus began what they now call “BrooksHaven,” named for that once-mangy pooch in the parking lot they took to his forever home and a new life.

Sophie’s Choice

“During our short but very sweet year with Brooks, we realized that older dogs fit perfectly with our more leisurely, senior lifestyle,” Peggy says. “Older dogs enjoy shorter, slower walks, and they take plenty of naps.”

After Brooks passed, Mike and Peggy believe God led them to adopt more senior goldens. One by one, the couple added Ike, Ernest, Pete and Sophie, all golden retrievers.

Peggy and Mike live in upstate New York on a large piece of property that offers lots of room for the dogs to run and play.

Or just sit and stare, like Sophie did.

When the Frezons drove to the rescue shelter to meet Sophie just over a year ago, they were brokenhearted to hear the conditions she’d lived in. Sophie had spent her entire life as a breeding mother in a puppy mill. She lived in abysmal

Who’s a Good Boy?

“Dogs have to trust us to help them, even if in their previous experience people haven’t been kind,” says Peggy

“For the first time, I looked at rescuing not as what dogs could do for us, but what we could do for them.”

PEGGY FREZON

conditions, with no vet visits, no proper nutrition, and no room to run and play. Her home consisted of a tiny cage stacked upon other cages. Sophie had been bred until she was too old to produce.

“We took her home and promised her she would never live in another cage,” says Peggy. “Because Sophie had never been inside a house before, she was very hesitant and overwhelmed. She hid under the table most of the time and wouldn’t eat. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, blocking the world out, afraid of everything.”

Mike and Peggy gave Sophie space and time. She loves to sit in the yard and simply look out over the

Family Affair

Mike and Peggy with three of their dogs. “We realized that older dogs fit perfectly with our more leisurely, senior lifestyle,” says Peggy

expanse of lush green lawn.

“Watching her transform was like watching the sun rise,” Peggy says. “She just filled more and more space. She came out from under the table, started running in the yard and playing with toys. I think she still can’t get over how big her world has grown.”

Sophie went from a breeding dog in a puppy mill to a certified therapy dog, bringing comfort to others.

Learning to Trust

Rescuing seniors is a way for the Frezons to help homeless dogs. It’s also become a way for them to share experiences that demonstrate God’s love for humans.

Peggy sees God in many ways through the rescue of the dogs who were once broken but are now thriving.

JEANETTE LEVELLIE

“As an author, and regular contributor to devotionals such as All God’s Creatures Devotional for Animal Lovers, it’s one way for me to use the lessons I’ve observed in these dogs to teach others about the Lord,” says Peggy. “Since most rescue dogs have gone through some degree of neglect, abuse or abandonment, they often have emotional baggage.”

Peggy explains that the animals must be brave to enter new homes and new environments.

“They have to trust us to help them,” Peggy says, “even if in their previous experience people haven’t been kind.”

Peggy sees God in many ways through the rescue of the dogs who were once broken but are now thriving.

“God loves us unconditionally,” she says, “even though we’re flawed. With His help, we can face new and challenging situations, and learn to trust others and Him.”

Peggy is amazed at how much the Lord is teaching her. She loves to share what she learns from connecting with these dogs to help others.

Mike and Peggy are looking toward the possibility of turning BrooksHaven into a non-profit in the future, which would allow them to take in more senior dogs. Their goal is to get to the place where they never have to turn down a senior golden in need.

“I can’t even imagine that,” says Peggy. “But only God knows what’s next.”

(left)

Author of five books and hundreds of published articles, Jeanette Levellie and her husband make their home in Paris, Illinois. Jeanette’s hobbies include spoiling her three grandchildren, pampering her cats and inventing new ways to avoid housework. Find her splashes of hope and humour at jeanettelevellie.com.

(bottom) Party Time Mackenzie, here with her father, Mitchell, and grandmother, Karen, at a community Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the church

AFTER A DIFFICULT UPBRINGING, 13-YEAR-OLD MACKENZIE FOUND A SAFE HAVEN TO GROW AT THE SALVATION ARMY.

by Abbigail Oliver

“It means everything to be able to support Mackenzie.”

KASSANDRA CRISTALL

Last March, a memorial service was held in the gymnasium of The Salvation Army’s Shaganappi Community Church in Calgary, with more than 120 family members and friends in attendance.

A couple of the participants inquired why the funeral service was being held there.

“Don’t you know?” was the answer. “This is Mackenzie’s church.”

A New Home

For the first nine years of her life, Mackenzie lived in 19 different places.

Throughout her childhood, her home life had been unstable. Mackenzie had never consistently attended the same school, which affected her academics and ability to make friends. She was falling behind.

Her mother, who had custody and was living in Drumheller, Alta., was facing her own struggles and was unpredictable. Mackenzie’s father, Mitchell, and grandmother, Karen, lived in Calgary, an hour and a half away.

“Mackenzie’s mom called and asked for help because she was experiencing domestic abuse,” recalls Karen. “When we heard that, we knew we had to go

and get Mackenzie and bring her somewhere safe.”

They eventually gained full custody and Mackenzie moved to Calgary to live with her father and grandmother. It was yet another new city to her, in an unfamiliar school with people she didn’t know, and she had to face the transition while navigating trauma from her past.

But one summer, while searching for summer camps that would help Mackenzie break out of her shell, Karen came across The Salvation Army’s Pine Lake Camp in Alberta. She already knew about the Army because she had gone to one of its churches as a child, so she thought it would be a good fit.

“I went every Sunday as a kid,” says Karen. “My mom and dad had four kids, they’d get us ready, and off we went to The Salvation Army.”

Support System

Karen connected Mackenzie with Kassandra Cristall, children and youth worker at Shaganappi, who welcomed her warmly. At the time, the camps were already full for the year, but Kassandra told her about all the other programs offered at the church, such as movie nights,

kid’s cooking classes and art groups. Mackenzie lit up at the idea of joining the programs.

“They came to our Calgary Stampede breakfast in the summer of 2021,” says Kassandra. “Karen told me Mackenzie didn’t have any friends, her mom wasn’t in the picture, she’d been through a lot and could really use a mentor. So, I told her to come and join us.”

Karen signed Mackenzie up for everything the church offered, and she began attending movie nights and meeting new people.

“Now, she comes to church on her own—her grandma drops her off—and she’s learning more about God and who Jesus is,” says Kassandra. “It’s really helped build her confidence.”

Since then, Mackenzie has

become a regular at church activities and events, and she’s attended Pine Lake Camp for three summers in a row.

“It means everything to be able to support Mackenzie,” says Kassandra. “I feel like God put me in her life path to help her with things that He knows I understand, because I’ve been through very similar things. It’s been an honour to mentor her.”

Support in a Time of Loss

Shaganappi Community Church has quickly become Mackenzie’s safe place, where she feels welcomed and loved, and where she has positive role models and spiritual leaders. She’s more confident, brave and independent, and has even started making a core group of friends through church programs.

Karen recalls one Sunday when Mackenzie forgot that the church service was cancelled. “I dropped her off and went shopping for a few things she needed for camp,” she says. “When I came back, she said, ‘Grandma, church was cancelled today!’ When I asked what she did, she said they let her into the art room to paint. She feels so comfortable there and everyone knows her and takes good care of her.”

When Mackenzie’s grandfather

Helping Out

Mackenzie has found a place where she belongs

passed away, the church was a critical support system for her and her family.

“Everyone is very kind and compassionate,” says Karen. “We’re just an average family. We don’t have much money. But when my husband passed away, the church helped so much, including hosting the memorial service held in the gym.”

According to Karen, Mackenzie had never experienced loss like that before. She was very close with her grandfather, and the loss was hard on her. “We were so thankful that Mackenzie had been going to church because she understood death a bit more,” says Karen. “She knew that her grandpa went to heaven.”

A World of Opportunity

Kassandra has seen Mackenzie’s growth, too. When they first met, Mackenzie struggled to make eye

Staying and Playing Mackenzie has become a regular at church activities and events

contact, but now she is able to stand up for herself and others. She has a greater understanding of kindness, generosity and leadership.

“At the beginning, these concepts were new to her,” says Kassandra. “But she’s grown so much. Sometimes at the end of our art programs, she’ll volunteer to help sort paints or clean paint brushes. She and her friends will take that initiative, and it really shows her leadership skills.”

With so many negative influences in the world for a young person, Karen is glad that The Salvation Army Shaganappi Community Church and the people who work there have been able to help teach Mackenzie right from wrong.

She’s found a place where she belongs, a safe space with trusted mentors, new friends and a world of exciting opportunities.

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

When we trust God to cleanse us, we are ready to see, to experience, Him.

by Jeanette Levellie

Most of us love to laugh. This is why we enjoy silly, outrageous movies, games and books. Laughing unleashes a feeling of well-being inside our souls. Belly laughing is even considered cathartic, which is an English word that originates from the Greek katharsis, or “to cleanse or purge.”

Interestingly, Jesus spoke about clean, purged hearts in His Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8) is the sixth Beatitude, one of eight blessings in Jesus’ first sermon.

As You Wish

In the 1987 movie The Princess Bride, the most memorable line repeatedly spoken by the farmhand Westley to

his beloved is, “As you wish.” In our modern vernacular, we’d use the phrase, “Whatever you say.” That’s the kind of heart that’s more precious to God than gold. One that tells Him, “Whatever you say.”

A heart that’s clean is a heart focused on God rather than self. Which is the opposite of how the religious leaders in Jesus’ day behaved. The things they did that appeared to help others follow God were only done to gain human praise. Common people may have looked up to them, even revered them for their piety. Jesus condemned them, calling them hypocrites (see Matthew 23:23-39).

Jesus told His followers not to copy their pretend religious leaders, who everyone thought were so holy.

If we humans can’t even manufacture pure soap, how are we going to make our own selves pure? JEANETTE LEVELLIE

Then how could anyone please God?

Who could see or experience God, if not the religious leaders of the day?

99.44 Percent Pure

A famous advertising slogan claims that Ivory Soap was 99.44 percent pure. It was a great claim for soap. Who wants to wash with soap that’s only 56 or 78 percent pure? Yet that less-than-perfect claim is the best the world can boast.

If we humans can’t even manufacture pure soap, how are we going to make ourselves pure? Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Only Jesus can remove our sin, cleanse our hearts with His pure, sinless blood and give us new life. When we trust Him to cleanse our hearts, we are ready to see, to experience, God.

I See

We say, “I see what you mean” when we want to show someone that we understand. When we need to have a serious conversation with a friend, we tell them, “I need to see you about a certain matter.” If I want to tell you that I spend a lot of time with my

cousin, Patty, I say, “I see Patty often.”

Seeing is not merely looking at someone with the sense that comes from our eyes. Seeing is to understand a person, to enjoy a relationship with them and to spend time with them.

This is what Jesus was teaching us that day about seeing God. When our hearts are pure with the cleanness that comes from believing in Jesus, we experience God. We get to live with Him. Wow.

Some of the most encouraging words in the Bible are found in Revelation 21:3, where the Apostle John shares some of his vision of the future. “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them.”

This is the life Jesus wants for us, to experience God and to live with Him.

This is the sixth article in our series on the Beatitudes, key teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7), Jesus’ first sermon during His earthly ministry. Read the fifth article at salvationist.ca/blessedmerciful.

Eating Healthy With Erin

DIJON ORZO ARUGULA SALAD

TIME 20 min MAKES 4 servings GARNISHED WITH grilled chicken

340 g (12 oz) dry orzo pasta

4 L (16 cups) water

1 ml (¼ tsp) salt

1 L (4 cups) arugula

250 ml (1 cup) avocado, sliced

250 ml (1 cup) feta cheese, cubed

cracked pepper to taste for garnish

DRESSING

15 ml (1 tbsp) Dijon mustard

15 ml (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil

MANGO SMOOTHIE BOWL

1. Boil water over high heat and add pinch of salt. Add orzo and reduce heat to medium low. Stir occasionally and cook for 9 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

2. For the dressing, whisk Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Slowly add olive oil until it emulsifies.

3. Stir dressing into orzo and add arugula. Stir to mix. Add avocado and feta cheese.

4. Garnish with cracked pepper to taste.

TIME 5 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH toast or oatmeal

1 large banana

250 ml (1 cup) yogurt

500 ml (2 cups) frozen mangos

750 ml (3 cups) ice

60 ml (¼ cup) full-fat milk

5 ml (1 tsp) honey or maple syrup

250 ml (1 cup) sliced strawberries to garnish

1. Add banana, yogurt, mango and 250 ml of ice to blender and blend until smooth.

2. Add remaining ice and honey or maple syrup and blend for 10 seconds.

3. Pour into bowl and garnish with sliced strawberries.

QUICK QUIZ

Word Search Doctor Who

Building Resilience

Local community members in Rwanda share the results of the harvest, in this case groundnuts they have grown in their garden, with Manjita Biswas from the international development department of The Salvation Army. Her visit highlights efforts to enhance economic stability, nutrition and food security through sustainable practices and active community participation.

The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda has been supporting a three-year water and livelihoods project in Rwanda. Through this project, six boreholes have been established that provide clean drinking water to more than 1,800 families in the Rwimiyaga community, who no longer have to walk up to five kilometres to collect water.

Besides the boreholes, the communities were also provided with training in agriculture, vegetable seeds and nutrition education, which enabled them to grow food, and support better nutrition and well-being for children and families.