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EL SALVADOR—Regional Commander Major Donald Wilson had some unfinished business to complete before he and his wife moved to their new appointment.
On Jan. 6, Wilson sent out a request on behalf of the Usulutan Corps. The corps needed silverware for their feeding program. Although money had been set aside for this purpose, an emergency plumbing problem had depleted the fund. The corps members were bringing their personal forks, spoons and knives, then taking them back home.
Wilson appealed for $200 to purchase the utensils.
By Jan. 7, Wilson had received two e-mails. One was from two workers at the Lawrenceville (Ga.) Corps contributing $100. The second e-mail read: “On behalf of your friends at Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, I would like to pledge the other $100 to fulfill this final request.”
In less than 24 hours the need was met.
ESTONIA—The Salvation Army’s rehabilitation work in Estonia has experienced a re-birth. Captain Daniel Henderson—regional commander, Estonia Region, Finland and Estonia Territory—reports they have between 10 and 15 beneficiaries a day. One member is a graduate after completing a nine-month course, and four men are ready to complete six-month programs. Three clients have become adherents at the corps and the graduate has enrolled as a soldier.
Henderson attributes their success to prayer support.
The students generate income for the program by working in the Army’s Hope House Social Center. They assist in the homeless feeding program, perform janitorial services and sort and distribute donated clothing to those in need. They also cut, load and deliver firewood.
Many people have become regular customers—especially elderly people who prefer the program’s hand-cut wood and delivery service. In 2011, for the first time, the Hope House Center is budgeted to raise 50 percent of its own support.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS—The Salvation Army is now active in 122 countries with the addition of the Turks and Caicos Islands, approved by General Shaw Clifton on Jan. 1.
The region is comprised of 40 islands and cays with eight of them inhabited. They are located east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola.
The islands are under the supervision of the Caribbean Territory.
Captains Matthew and Rebecca Traylor, from the USA Southern Territory, have been development officers since 2008.
MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE and UGANDA—General Shaw Clifton announced on Dec. 22, 2010, that The Salvation Army’s Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda commands would each be upgraded to territory status as of March 1.
With 8,000 senior soldiers, more than 1,000 junior soldiers, 71 active officers, 35 corps, 13 outposts and 57 recent new openings, the work in Malawi continues to flourish.
A team of 52 officers leads the work in Mozambique in 40 corps, 60 outposts and four daycare centers, assisted by almost 4,000 senior soldiers and more than 1,000 junior soldiers.
Uganda currently has more than 7,000 senior soldiers—with more than 1,800 converts, adherents and recruits—almost 7,000 senior soldiers, 75 corps, 60 officers and 24 cadets in training.
