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A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

The season of Epiphany is traditionally the time to focus on missions for the coming year. We will launch our efforts with the Mission Awareness Dinner on February 15^th at Konnoak Hills Moravian. Part of the time will be spent looking back on the successes and joys accompanying some of the various groups who made trips in 2003. I hope we will be just as exited about what is in store for 2004. 

            Stewardship is a vital part of the Lord’s work in every field of our endeavor. Sadly the economic outlook for the Mission Society is not bright, despite the recent upward trend in the market. We spent roughly $216,000 in 2003 in a number of areas: administration, maintenance of the Mission Residence, support for the BWM, partial support for twelve missionaries and their families, support for our Young Partners in Mission and Adult Short Term Mission programs, and a host of other lesser but important works. As I’ve told you before, the stock market is our principle source of income. This year we are budgeting approximately $197,000 to cover the same items.  Something has got to give! Our projection is based on an anticipated return in the market on our invested funds. If we were brutally honest, we should probably be looking at $170,000. However, we trust God and have faith He will meet our needs.

            On a more positive note, our Lovefeast Offering topped $14,000 last November, the largest in recent history. Already we have disbursed $5000 to Compassionate Hearts International for a medical project in Asia, $3000 to construct an orphanage in Kenya, overseen by Michael Tesh, and $1000 for medical needs at a clinic in Nicaragua. The balance, largely earmarked for AIDS work through the BWM will be sent shortly. Another opportunity to help spread the Gospel came about when we were able to send $1000 to help support the two young Danish missionaries working with Sam Propsom in Labrador. (I just read his marvelous February newsletter and he is already planning for two more to come for six months in the fall).  He truly is the right person in the right place at the right time. God’s man!

            There are exciting times, possibly the End Times, and we are blessed to be here and be able to participate in His plan.

 Jack Geis

EXCERPTS FROM N. INDIA

            Significance of 2003 for the Moravian Church in Leh was the completion of 150 years of Moravian work in the Indian Himalayas. It was on 23 November 1853 that two brethren, A.W. Heyde and E. Pagell from Herrnhut in Germany arrived in Calcutta with the intention to work among the Mongolians, but establishing mission stations in Lahoul, Kinnaur, Spiti and Ladakh among the Tibetans. While all other mission stations were closed in the intervening period, witness in the Ladakh region continued in spite all odds of political, religious and social unrest in the region. Today, it is the longest surviving Christian congregation among the peoples of Tibetan origin, we are humbled by the fact that scores of highly able and dedicated missionaries labored in this difficult field. As in Leh, the Word is proclaimed, thirst of the souls quenched, people served in the unction on the Lord. We are heartened that the Moravian missionary enterprise was not in vain. You, Heydes who spent a furlough-less fifty years and Pagells who died on the mission field, you labored for an eternity!

Our church continues to find people participate regularly in worship services, prayer meetings, women’s and youth assemblies; special revival camps in a village were held in July for the young and a witness through medical camp in the neighboring district was led by a visiting Southern Baptist Men medical team. With an intention to involve a larger number of people in public worship, many were assigned responsibilities in leadership over the course of the year. The Nepali speaking worship group continues to be led by Meena; currently special meetings are being held to strengthen knowledge of foundational truths. Construction of the new church sanctuary and service building was delayed as some occupants are yet to leave the area where the construction is intended. We are hopeful that this unsavory legal work will be completed early and the construction taken up in the current year.  Please do pray  with us for this facility’s early construction.

            A step ahead in the ministry in Leh was the establishment of a small recording studio.  A common language Ladakhi Tibetan rendering of the Bible will be recorded with sound effects and Christian lyrics in contemporary local spiritual melodies. We are thankful to all those who have participated in the establishment of this modern facility. Efforts of this work will go a long way in preserving the Ladakhiness of our worship and proclamation

The School continues to do well in its performance.  It set a first time ever record of producing a 10^th class matriculation result for the whole of Ladakh province. Of the 67 students of our school who appeared in the State Board of School Education examinations, there were no failures, 39 passed in first division and eight others passed with distinction level marks. The school commands the education scene in Ladakh in several spheres. There are ongoing efforts to improve our standards and update academic curricula for the kindergarten and primary section. Investments have been made on science laboratories, library, computer center and sports facilities. The new south campus of the school, being built on a five acre plot (with about 6000 square feet floor space added this year), shall provide facilities for vocational trainings, care and residential accommodation for 300 students and personnel and a college section. Lest the poorest of the poor families find the school unaffordable, we provide about 200 scholarships, roughly one-seventh of the school’s student body. There are still about 70 more students needing help.   (Elijah and Meena Gerga)