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The Final Word September, 2006

John H. Giesler

A very important mission group meets at Ardmore Moravian Church led by Br. George Chiddie to fold, collate, address and sort over 1000 copies of ONWARD ten times a year. Thank you for sharing the mission news!

This issue is dedicated to the mission trips that so many of our youth and adults take part in during the summer. The Mission Society takes care of part of the expenses for some of the trips, but all of the groups contribute a significant part of the price of getting there, the cost of the food and housing and sometimes, even the tools.  There are two comments that I have heard so often.  “It is amazing how poor these people are, but how happy they are.” We in America are bombarded with the idea that happiness comes with money.  It is important that we learn that is not true.  Second, “I want to share my superior way of life, bit I learned more about real life than I ever knew.”  The experience of sharing our lives with others is perhaps the most important part of any mission trip. We are blessed by many people who sincerely want to help and they are blessed in their service.  We owe a big thanks to those who organize and lead these trips. Mark Ebert has a  tremendous ministry in this endeavor.

We are indebted to Br. Sam Gray who has compiled most of this issue.  We also thank Sheila Beaman for her “behind the desk” leadership. 

Perhaps the most unusual and most creative group was the one that went to Kathmandu, Nepal. Read what they did and the results will follow. It is a new breakthrough in mission. Perhaps the Moravian Church is on the cutting edge again!

A Cherokee parable talks about the need for good or evil. One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people… He said, ”My son, the battle is between the two ‘wolves’ inside all of us.  One is Evil.  It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good.  It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”  The  grandson thought about it for a moment and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one that you feed.” This is very wise and true!

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