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The Final Word April, 2003

John H. Giesler

We welcome Br. Gordon Sommers as the interim Executive Director of the Board of World Mission. He comes to his job as one who has served the church in mission for many years. He brings unique credentials and we pray that he may be able to guide the BWM through these difficult days as we face new challenge and opportunity. We are grateful to Br. Tink Kanoy for giving us a wonderful walk through mission activity from the local church, through provincial and worldwide organizations. Every Moravian should have this experience. Br. John Arrowood has returned from another work crew experience. He gives us a new appreciation of the work of the hospital and staff in Ahuas. His earlier trip was as a dentist, but now as a medical doctor. Br. Bob Iobst gives us new ways to pray through Holy Week! Br. Jack helps tell those who missed the Mission Awareness Dinner to be aware of the tremendous impact our youth are having in doing the Gospel in many unique ministries. We found the Zig Ziglar item on the Internet. It is a powerful testimony to the missionary kids (MKs) who achieve far beyond their numbers, and the reason why.
This issue marks a big change in getting your ONWARD to you. Br. and Sr. Sam Marx have worked for twenty-two years in many aspects of ONWARD, but are now stepping down due to health concerns and the aging of their Bible Study Class. The Mission Society honored them at the dinner in February, but I want to add my personal gratitude because the Marxes were always there, doing whatever had to be done to get ONWARD to you.

You might want to add your own thanks. Their address:

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Marx
203 W Bank Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

The work will go on as the Rev. and Mrs. George Chiddie have already begun with their Sunday School class from Ardmore Moravian Church to take over this vital task. We are grateful for their commitment. Thanks George and Jean. As we finish this issue, we have just received word of the home going of Sr. Martha Marx, the life companion of Br. Werner Marx. We do not have the details at this time, but express our Christian condolences to her family.

Barbara and I will be leaving before you receive this issue for a two week visit to Nicaragua. Our daughter, Debby Pyatt will meet us for one week in Bluefields. Neither of them has been back since we left in 1969. Nicaragua has made great strides in the past four years at building a superstructure for tourism after the disastrous civil war. We look forward to being tourists on the West Coast and being at home on the East Coast. We will be there for their 154^rd Anniversary of the beginning of Moravian