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is becoming a reality. Miskito Coast, Inc. purchased the first 10,000 board feet of Honduran mahogany in December 2002. With the help of investors, almost $150,000 of startup capital has been raised. Miskito Coast, Inc. will initially buy kiln-dried Honduran mahogany lumber and hand-made solid panel mahogany doors for wholesaling in the U.S. This activity will bring in about $10,000 per month to the Mosquitia region to be divided among 140 families in eight communities. The amount of wood and wooden projects to be exported/imported by Miskito Coast, Inc. will double by the year 2005.

            Miskito Coast, Inc. is a business but it has duel goals of (a.) making a profit and (b.) facilitating healthy economic development of the Mosquitia while enforcing the concept of Christian Stewardship.

Mission Residence Usage and Charges

            The following guests will be allowed to stay at the Mission Residence up to 3 months with no charge:

v     Missionaries supported by the Board of World Mission, Mission Society, or a Moravian congregation, currently serving or retired.

v     Directors or Staff persons of the Board of World Mission or Mission Society involved in board business.

v     Special guests approved by the Mission Society

Any long-term request (for more than 3 months) will need to be approved by the Mission Society. A weekly rate of $100.00 per week will be charged.  Any person making the request may appeal to the Mission Society Directors to lessen the rate due to hardship.

Other users of the Residence, such as agency sponsored individuals or international guests sponsored by a local church, will be charged.  The rate will be $20.00 per night for each apartment. After  two persons, each additional person will be charged $5.00 per night. Children under 12 will stay at no charge.  Sponsoring groups will ensure that set-up and clean-up are done.  

President’s Message

   Hope is becoming  a reality.  I am referring to Camp Hope at Cullouden, on the Southwest coast of Jamaica.  This Moravian youth camp was founded in 1963 and closed in 2000 because it had fallen on hard times.  During its hayday, it hosted many young people, including a good number from the US during the Summers - in the early and middle 1990’s.  Last year the Jamaican PEC decided not only to restore the camp but to expand it to accommodate up to 140.  There are 66 congregations/fellowships in Jamaica with a total membership of about 8000.

   New Philadelphia Moravian has chosen to become a partner in this project and I was privileged to be on the first team to go down and work on the rebuilding effort – hopefully the first of many teams from a number of congregations here in North America.

We were housed in the manse of the Salem Congregation, founded in 1868, high on a hill in  beautiful tropical setting of Poinciana trees and Oleander bushes.  The pastor of Salem, Gary Gardner, also pastors New Hope, [on the site of the camp and founded in 1835], and Petersville.  Food was lovingly prepared by Srs. Hyacinth Jones and Kay Jameson and their native cuisine more than satisfied everyone.

   Br.Barry Colquhoune of the Jamaican PEC has volunteered to oversee the project to its completion.  He provided invaluable guidance, information, and transportation for our crew.  We built forms and poured concrete under the watchful eye of Br. Robert Brown, general contractor and member of New Hope congregation.  He agreed not to charge us for our mistakes.

   Our team leader, Br. Evon Crooks, was born in Jamaica and apart from his excellent leadership skills was able to fill us in on local customs, some of which may require independent verification.  He and Br. Barry have wisely decided to concentrate on refurbishing a portion of the original camp as a first priority.  This would allow work teams to stay at the camp – saving much travel time and expense, plus permit the camp to operate on a limited basis in 2004.  My great hope is that the full project would be completed in 2005, in time for the Worldwide Unity Moravian Youth Mission Conference, which has already been scheduled for Jamaica.

    I invite every congregation to prayerfully consider joining with us in this wonderful project. We need camp furnishings, kitchen equipment, etc., plus funds and willing hands. Br. Evon Crooks has offered to serve as coordinator.  His email and phone contacts are: crookse@rjrt.com an 336-768-2328.

   Looking forward to hearing about your involvement in Camp Hope.

Jack Geis