Step into the Light

The first signs of spring are emerging: spring bulbs are in bloom; the birds are positively rowdy (see page 6 for the reason why); and we are no longer going to work in the dark. The promise of warmer weather, evening barbecues and beach strolls is firmly in sight, tempered by upcoming frosty mornings and polar blasts.

September is also Mental Health Awareness month and our territory’s Flag Publications is releasing Jules and Major Mat Badger’s book, When the Light Goes Out, which tells the story of Jules Badger’s mental breakdown and the impact on her marriage, children, family and ministry. You can read an interview with Mat and Jules on page 8. Our regular readers will recognise their names, as both have written articles for our territorial magazine and Jules is currently a writer on staff.

There are few people today who have no awareness of the broad topic of mental distress, particularly in this post-Covid era. But one positive outcome is that mental distress is more acknowledged and understood. Families, workplaces and churches are increasingly educating themselves on mental wellbeing, as they seek to support people in their families, workplaces and congregations.

Jules and Mat generously share their story as they unpack the complexities and challenges of mental breakdown, and the slow and painful journey to wholeness and freedom.

We are also entering the New Zealand election season and, in this edition on page 20, you are invited to read an article by members of the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) raising awareness of the issues that will impact the 150,000 people The Salvation Army assists in a year. SPPU’s aims are to present the pressing issues that have negative effects on individuals and whānau (families) and encourage our readers to ask the big questions of their representative politicians. Your vote is important, and being informed and voting strategically will ultimately shape the focus of the next government.

On a lighter note, there is a Father’s Day children’s activity on page 34 and a poem (page 24) to mark the coming of the spring season.

Vivienne Hill, Editor