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Volume 25, No. 11

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The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory

July 9, 2008

Major Frank Duracher

Sherah Alaimo (upper right) conducts a staff meeting with some 15 Katrina caseworkers at the Army’s Community Recovery Center. The caseworkers help manage home reconstruction projects for over 2,000 New Orleans families.The Army’s Community Recovery Center (right) includes office space for some 15 Katrina caseworkers managing home reconstruction projects for over 2,000 New Orleans families.

A work in progress: Rebuilding a city and a ministry

By Major Frank Duracher
Southern Spirit staff

Approaching the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s death march past New Orleans, La., Salvation Army officials in the Crescent City are pleased with the rebuilding progress made thus
far. They also realize there is still much to be done. “The whole city has been wondering: What does recovery look like?” said Major Michael Hawley, (then) New Orleans area commander. “Would the tax base be strong enough to sustain the city? Would educational and administrative infrastructures be solid enough?”

Hawley added that considering the scope of the damage to the city, three years of recovery work represents a fraction of what needs to be done. Still, there are many positives, and Hawley points out that The Salvation Army continues to play a vital role in bringing
New Orleans back to life. “With all we’re doing to help thousands of families, first with disaster
relief, then recovery, and finally rebuilding – don’t forget that we’ve also concentrated on literally resurrecting Salvation Army programs and ministries here in southeast Louisiana,” Hawley continued.

>Continued »

Page 3
Ministry to the Marshallese

Pages Six & Seven:
Honored retirement

A work in progress: Rebuilding a city and a ministryContinued from above Continued from above.
The Citadel Corps was reopened in October 2006 after a 13-month absence. Within the past year, the Center of Hope building began accommodating its original shelter ministries for men, women and families. The New Orleans Advisory Board and Women’s Auxiliary have been functioning and growing for some time now. And the adult rehabilitation center is slated to be rededicated and reopened this fall. The Army in New Orleans is partnered with a dozen other agencies in helping families through a process which Hawley calls “the four R’s” – rebuild, recover, rehabilitate and reoccupy. To that end, the Army opened a recovery center, with a staff of about 16 case managers who counsel a number of families assigned to each. At present there are some 2,060 family home projects aggressively moving toward completion. “We are helping people restore their lives,” said Sherah Alaimo, the Army’s community recovery director for the five parishes surrounding the city. Alaimo’s staff provides three major components to their recovery ministry for the families: case management, emotional/spiritual care and community projects. “The Salvation Army is completely focused on rebuilding homes for the indigent, the elderly and disabled of our community,” Alaimo said. “Clients who were once desperate for housing are now able to begin recovery. We will keep working with those clients to provide sustainable homes that are energyefficient and affordable.”
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Springdale, Ark., Corps takes first steps toward opening ministry to Marshallese The Springdale, Ark., Corps in late April hosted what is believed to be the first worship service for people from the Marshall Islands in the Southern Territory. Marshallese, Spanish and English speaking believers gathered to worship, sing and dance for the Lord in three languages. The vision for the service began several years ago while Commissioner Phil Needham was Southern territorial commander. After a casual conversation with an officer from the Western Territory, Needham began to form a vision of an outreach to the Marshallese and began working with the Intercultural Department to turn the vision into reality. An estimated 8,000-10,000 Marshallese people reside in Springdale. Many Marshallese serve as Salvationists in their own country. Among the 57 Marshallese who attended the meeting many were Salvationists in the Marshall Islands, including a former corpssergeant-major and the daughter of an officer. During 2007, Major Fernando Martinez and Sergeant Moses Billy Raj visited Springdale and met with Captain Alejandro Pedraza, corps officer, and Major John Birks to discuss a prospective ministry to the Marshallese people. Major Henry Gonzalez, then Arkansas-Oklahoma divisional commander, was also involved in putting the ministry together. Captain Mithem Clement of the USA Western Territory was invited to the Springdale Corps as the special guest. Captain Clement is Marshallese by birth and serves in the Hawaii Division and Pacific Islands Division. Clement delivered an inspiring message in both the English and Marshallese languages as he challenged the entire congregation to “Get out of the boat! As God’s people we are challenged to leave the safety and comfort of the boat and enter thestorm. Don’t worry – if we keep our eyes on Jesus – we can do great things.” Many people in the congregation took the challenge and stepped forward in prayer. Following the service, Clement met with the Marshallese who were present as he and Birks, AOK multicultural ministries secretary, assessed needs, interest and potential support of a new opening in Springdale. A door-todoor visit was made to a Marshallese community where interest in a Marshallese corps is high. Clement and other Salvationists met with Springdale Mayor Jerre Van Hoose to discuss how The Salvation Army could address the needs of this growing population within the community. The discussion included ESL and citizenship classes, hosting public meetings, parenting classes and possible medical and housing assistance. As the meeting ended in prayer, Mayor Van Hoose expressed his gratitude “for the wonderful service The Salvation Army has given this community. We are honored to have you here in Springdale.”
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Lt. Colonels David and Martha Mothershed receive their retirement certificate from Commissioner Max Feener. Lt. Colonels David and Martha Mothershed By Dan Childs Southern Spirit staff
Lt. Colonels David and Martha Mothershed celebrated 31 years of officership together, gathering with friends and family at a retirement dinner at the Gwinnett Marriott in Atlanta. Commissioner B. Gordon Swyers presided over the program and Commissioner Max Feener presented the certificate of retirement. Lt. Colonel W. Edward Laity, the Mothersheds’ training principal, and Sergeant Durai Pandithurai recalled their long friendship with David and Martha, and their children, David, Deanna and Tina, each participated in the program. David Mothershed served as territorial business administration secretary in his final appointment. He had served previously as territorial financial secretary for 13 years and as territory property secretary for three years. Martha Mothershed serve in several appointments at THQ, including multicultural ministries secretary, moral and ethical issues secretary and in special services in the Finance Department and Women’s Department, where she served in her final appointment as Silver Star secretary/special services. David and Martha Mothershed were enrolled as Salvation Army soldiers on the same day – Nov. 16, 1956. However, Martha was in the city of Manzanillo in her beloved native country of Cuba while David was being enrolled in Tampa, Fla. Martha is the daughter of Cuban Salvation Army officers Moises and Ernestina Suarez. She and her sister Miriam (Musgrave) witnessed the revolution led by Fidel Castro and the subsequent fall of the Batista regime in 1958-59. The Suarezes were able to get their daughters out of Cuba and into Tampa. David and Martha soon began dating and were married in 1961. They were accepted as candidates for the 1962 session but decided to wait until David completed college. After he earned his degree, he began a career as a structural engineer, and they began raising a family. But years later they again experienced the call to officership and set out on a new journey. After they were commissioned with the Companions of Christ in 1977, they served in corps in Sand Springs, Okla.; and Melbourne, Fla. Divisional staff appointments in Florida, Georgia and Texas followed, and in 1992 they were appointed to territorial headquarters. In retirement, they will reside at 241 Cathey Lane, Lilburn, GA 30047. Back to top

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Volume 25, No. 11

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