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The Final Word NOVEMBER, 2003

John H. Giesler

     The heat of the summer is gone. The color of the leaves is beginning. Fall is here with wonderful weather! We wish all of you had the beauty of the September we had in the southern parts of our country. We begin this issue with a major emphasis on the plans to renovate our hospital in Honduras. We are grateful to the Ardmore team that did the complete inventory of the campus so a thorough and helpful plan can be fulfilled without interrupting the crucial work of healing. Br. Mark Ebert is planning to use as many teams as possible to complete the job efficiently. This is especially important as the movement to a united Honduran Moravian Church is already bringing healing and the forces that caused the split are disappearing. I wrote the brief history on our healing ministry in Central America. I also wrote a very brief synopsis about the 11 day Trail of Tears Tour that gave us all a new feeling about our church. Br. Jack Geis and several co-travelers made an important trip northern Europe to visit our brothers and sisters there. They were very well received and shared our love with them. We have little contact with those in that area. Br. Bob Iobst helps us remember so many people and places in our prayers that it moves us to get out our atlases to see on the map where we are praying for. We are grateful to all who had a part in this issue. We also want to thank Br. and Sr. Chiddie and members of Ardmore who not only fold their hands for missions, but also fold Onward to get it to you each month. We couldn’t do it without them.

     The response to our Trail of Tears Tour was very gratifying. We learned a great deal about our church in mission long ago, but we learned that people our ancestors served have not forgotten the deeds of love and kindness. We were told many times by Cherokees and local people is several places that the Moravians were very helpful to them in the difficult years they labored. We plan to repeat the trip in 2004 and would like to take about 45 participants along. It was an inspiring tour with a great deal of fun mixed in. We have about 20 folks who are interested and will keep you informed as plans develop. Speak to folks you think might be interested. God bless you who read Onward.

THE FINAL WORD  - John H. Giesler

ONWARD is published 10 times a year, with two double issues, by the Moravian Mission Society, South, Inc. You can subscribe for     $10 per year. Changes of address and/or checks should be made out to the Mission Society, and mailed to PO Drawer Y Salem Station, Winston-Salem  NC  27108 – Attention Sheila Beaman.  Editor is Rev. John H. Giesler, 1116 Tommy’s Lake RD, Winston-Salem  NC 27105. E-mail John Giesler
 ONWARD is on the world wide web at  www.bethabara.org/ONWARD.htm