Stories of Hope

Wayne had to lie about his name at school so his father could avoid the police finding him through the education department, because of his "freelance narcotics business" From dreadful beginnings, Wayne now has a family and a beautiful life in recovery.

Some of the most effective and wonderful people I know are not as pure and squeaky clean as you might think. But they are often hungry to be involved in helping others and this is very fulfilling and they always experience happiness and blessing.

Every year Andy, who has Parkinson's disease goes on a holiday with the salvos to Fraser Island, but this year it was cancelled. Instead we had a week at a place near the beach and people came to visit each day. In lots of ways, it was just a good.

In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne is wrongly convicted of his wife's murder. But in prison he does not allow his anger to make things worse. He stays focused and in control.

Majors Don and Eva Hill have served as Salvo officers for many years in a variety of appointments such as PNG, Longreach as flying Padres and in Drug and Alcohol rehabs. To hear the story of their love for God and for each other is heartwarming.

Lina and Bashar came to Australia fleeing the war in Syria. Lina was in a conversational English class I ran and I taught her to drive. Bashar is a terrific cook and the hospitality and resilience of this family is wonderful.

In Australia, we are insanely rich, compared to the rest of the world. But if we are not generous, we are poor in ways that are much more disastrous than not having much money.

Don Woodland has seen more tragedy and heartache than most of us could dream possible. He has supported and loved people through their toughest times for over 40 years as a Salvo emergency services chaplain.

There are over 200 million rabbits in Australia and they are a costly pest for farmers. Thomas Austin, who introduced them here thought they were just a bit of harmless fun. But, like the guys at Facebook and twitter, it has all gone a bit crazy!

To be a person of faith is in some ways to believe in magic. Like, believing for joy in terrible sadness or to hope for change in a person who seems too far gone. Is it all just hocus pocus??

Major Brendan Nottle runs the amazing Salvation Army 614 program in Melbourne. His Salvation Army story begins back in 1928 when his Grandmother was given practical and timely support by the salvos in her time of need.

I was a part of a holiday kids program one year that required me to play the role of Con the Fruiterer. It was a seriously fabulous event where the whole community at Stafford Salvos worked together beautifully. It was a peak experience.

Denise experienced a number of significant challenges with church life, including a cult that nearly destroyed her. She found some hope at the Salvos and is now a very happy Knitting Nanna living in Lismore.

The lovely Sue and I are on holidays in the Queensland outback and were surprised to learn that there is a huge amount of water below the surface of this desolate landscape. The great Artesian basin is massive and the water has some amazing qualities.

It takes a lot of love to see someone as they truly are and still accept them. It takes courage to let someone really see you, as it leaves you vulnerable. Its hard to love and be loved when we wear masks.

Paul had a really tough childhood and has struggled with addiction and identity for many years. He came to the Salvos a broken man and although cynical about religion, now works Full time for the Salvos and has a ministry with men on his fishing boat.

Most days, the lovely Sue and I go to the hydro pool and meet our new frineds, who need to be there to stay on top of their health issues. They are delightfuly vulnerable and honest and there is a fellowship of shared brokenness that is just beautiful.

Dave Eldridge AM is an icon of the Salvation Army in Australia. His work establishing the Crossroads youth network in Melbourne and the influence and respect he has with the highest levels of Government and the guy on the street is amazing.

Ashlea has had many challenges in her life, but is a caring and generous person. She loves kids and cares beautifully for people who cannot look after themselves. This is her inspiring story.

When I was 16 I joined a Salvo brass band and took my place amongst the other Men of my community. I was expected to do my part in the band and I was relied on and valued. It was a rite of passage that I've always been grateful for.

Real life human friendship can only work if we learn to be good listeners. I have been helping a friend of mine develop these skills and in this weeks episode, I share some insights I have been teaching him. The lovely Sue is helping too!

Sue Hodges is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Wellington NSW. She is a delightful woman, despite the many tragedies and challenges of her life. She now works for the Salvos and this is her inspiring story.

The loving heart of God is often expressed beautifully by people with intellectual disabilities. Today's stories are examples of this wonderful truth.

Life is unpredictable at the best of times, but lately, even more so. I ended up doing today's podcast in a bathroom! The lovely Sue and I are in isolation after a Covid 19 test, as we have mildly sore throats. Luckily, I still have my Ukulele and the test came back -ve!

In recovery from addiction, everyone stumbles along the way. For Hans, the stumbles were frequent and spectacular and required a lot of grace. But without grace, he would never have become a rock star!