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Major Dave Hudson, divisional commander, Mrs. Brigadier Martie Abella, and Major Sharron Hudson, divisional director of Women’s Ministries. |
Mrs. Brigadier Martie Abella was honored recently during an Older Adult Ministries luncheon at Camp Homelani as the most outstanding OAM member of the division; she was recognized for her dedication in serving the Lord through Older Adult Ministries.
Abella was one of the founding members of senior camp in the Hawaiian Islands. She serves as the Kaneohe’s Community Care Ministry secretary, visits hospitals and nursing homes, teaches adult Sunday school, serves as Home League chaplain and is active in at least two senior centers in her community.
As a Salvation Army cadet in the Philippines, she was held as a prisoner of war in a Japanese concentration camp. After her commissioning in 1941 she began her ministry, and has never stopped doing things for her family, her corps and for her community. Retirement in 1978 barely slowed her down, and in 2005 she was recognized as one of the Outstanding Senior Citizens in Honolulu by the City and County of Honolulu.
It’s not too often that you get to meet a living legend, but you’ll know you’ve met one when you meet “Mama” Abella. Then the challenge will be to try and keep up with her!