Sam Gray, Justin Rabbach, Betsy Miller, Christopher Valencia Amazon Moravian District Committee

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1 O N W A R D The Newsletter of the Moravian Mission Society, Southern Province February 2019 Volume XXXIX Issue 1 Musings from the Mission Society Continue Telling the Story Many times in the history of Moravian missions, new work has begun because someone was touched by someone else s story. Count Zinzendorf attended a royal coronation in Denmark, but went home carrying the story of a slave in his heart. He invited that slave, Anthony, to share his story with the folks in Herrnhut, and the rest, as they say, is history. The good news is that this history this story continues to be told. Brother Manuel, a Peruvian Moravian pastor, listened to a story about some Aguaruna tribal people in the Amazon region of northern Peru. In January 2018 he traveled to the region and heard stories about a missionary who had come to the area many years ago. This missionary had shared the story of Jesus with the people and many had believed and decided to follow Christ. The missionary promised to return, but never did. Yet, a seed had been planted. The Aguaruna people formed an Evangelical Association and looked for ways to keep the story alive, but most of the villages still had no churches or leaders who could guide and disciple them. The Association invited the Moravian Church in Peru and the North American Board of World Mission to come and meet with them. In April 2018, Justin Rabbach and Sam Gray (Board of World Mission) joined Brother Manuel Verastegui and Brother Christopher Valencia (President of the Peru Moravian Church) and traveled to the village of Bajo Canampa, on the Marañon (Cashew) River. Articles p. 2 Amazon p. 3 Amazon p. 4 Wilmington p. 5 Wilmington Sam Gray, Justin Rabbach, Betsy Miller, Christopher Valencia Amazon Moravian District Committee Twenty-five Aguaruna leaders (from the Marañon, Nieva, Domingusa, Santiago and Wawiko Rivers) attended the 3-day conference, which included presentations, discussions, worship and fellowship. As many stories were shared, the leaders expressed their desire to be part of a larger church family and they said they thought they would feel at home in the Moravian Church. During the closing worship service, Brother Justin (Executive Director of the BWM) promised that the Moravians would return! p. 6 Roger Kimball p. 7 Pray p. 8 Salmon Dinner Continued page 2 and 3

2 Continue Telling the Story And they did 7 months later! But in the meantime, Brother Christopher stayed in contact with them and shared the Ground of the Unity and the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living with many of them so that they could understand more fully what it means to be part of the Moravian story. In November, the Moravian brothers who visited in April were joined by Sister Betsy Miller, representing the Northern Province, which is the supervising province for the Peru Mission Area. a They discovered that since April the people in the village had constructed a wooden church building and Sunday School pavilion so that there would be places for the Body of Christ to gather. Justin Rabbach Attends Meeting Betsy Miller Attends Church Children Welcome Visitors Sam Gray Shares in Church Members of the existing Moravian congregations in Peru had collected food and clothing to share with their new Aguaruna sisters and brothers. These items were distributed along with Christian Education materials for each village. There were more meetings, presentations, worship services (Sister Betsy shared the story of her fishing trips with her father and pointed out some important fishing (and mission!) principles from Matthew 4), lots of wonderful fellowship, joyful times with lots of children, and a new culinary experience: eating grilled grubs! 2

3 Continue Telling the Story Manuel Verastegui and Christopher Valencia distribute books delivered from the established Moravian churches in Peru. Villagers select clothing sent from the Peruvian Moravian churches. Sam Gray, Justin Rabbach, and Christopher Valencia, share t-shirts from the Irene Musical and dresses made by New Philadelphia Moravians. Christopher Valencia baptizing believers. Nineteen Aguaruna leaders, representing 17 Amazon communities, were officially received into the Moravian Church in Peru. An Amazon Moravian District Committee was elected to work with the Peru Moravian Board on the development of the ministries in the district. The Southern Province Mission Society has helped many people (from Friedberg, Kernersville, Christ, Come & Worship, Raleigh and other congregations) travel to Peru to work with our brothers and sisters in Lima and Chiclayo. As the Amazon mission grows, there will be more and more stories to share that may touch the hearts of other people and inspire them to go well, we ll find out where when you share your stories! Bishop Sam Gray Photos by Sam Gray and Christopher Valencia Coordinated by Mission Society Committee 3

4 ANSWERING GOD S CALL THERE S A SHEPHERD IN ALL OF US On September 14, Florence, a Category 4 storm, hit the coast of NC near Wrightsville Beach as a Cat 1 storm. sustaining high winds coupled with inches of rain, pounded the coast for days causing catastrophic flooding. Over 736,000 lost power with thousands of homes affected by the submerging waters. More than 24,000 homeowners and renters received FEMA housing assistance. About 20,000 people in NC sought refuge in more than 150 shelters. Hurricane Michael added his punch to those already hurting. The Moravian Disaster Relief immediately sent out a call for volunteers to come to Wilmington and Lumberton NC to help ravaged lives. Two teams quickly assembled, going November 4 to 10 and 11 to 17. It was both a JOY---FUL and Tear---ful experience as you served those affected by the ravage of these duo hurricanes, with some places having had 12 foot high water that s over your first floor to your second. The first week team included wonderful souls from our Moravian Churches in Lititz, Pa, counties outside Philadelphia and DC, and Winston-Salem. The wonderful folks at Covenant Moravian Church welcomed us with their hospitality, providing their beautifully equipped church as our home, along with support; delicious welcoming meals; bright orange mums on our plaid clothed tables; handmade, gorgeously created Moravian Stars; and friendships we will always treasure. We teamed up with Samaritan s Purse and Lifepoint Church for our assignments. Weldon Harris did an outstanding job of planning our daily missions. The Samaritan s Purse orientation reminded us that we are God s hand by helping others while speaking His word and showing His love. We headed out with renewed faith and enthusiasm joining others who came from afar. Weldon Harris, Right The team faced horrific challenges tearing down walls, dealing with filth, garbage, piles and piles of debris, roaches, MOLD and MORE MOLD spores, wet soggy sheetrock and insulation, warped, rotted water soaked and treacherous flooring, animals right and left, and homeowners who lost EVERY LITTLE THING. Curt Nicholas 4

5 ANSWERING GOD S CALL THERE S A SHEPHERD IN ALL OF US We attempted to give those we met faith and hope and peace and love!!!! They talked about their losses but quickly added others have it worse. We listened and cried with them, working hard to restore their lives and most importantly, we gave them hugs, support, faith, and love. With the stores and restaurants open and traffic going to and fro, some areas look normal, the New Normal life goes on Janet Beck, Paul Morse, Chris Caldwell, Chuck Harmon Our volunteers bonded quickly. Having them leave was most difficult for you develop relationships in the name of Christ that you will always remember and treasure. Our 1 st team had Tom 1 and Tom 2, and the second week had Janet 1 and Janet 2. Although exhausted, we found humor in all the profound sorrow, even playing tricks on each other. Chef s for Team 1 were Brenda Watson and Marcia Philips; Team 2 chefs were Rev. Chuck Harmon and Janet Beck. The 2 nd week team came mostly from Winston-Salem, Mt. Airy, Laurel Springs, and other locations. Sleeping quarters for men and the dining area were in the fellowship hall, with the women in the administrative side. A few arrived in RVs and 5 th wheelers, and then there was Tom s green tour bus turned into an RV. Our early mornings began with breakfast, packing lunches, receiving orders, reading the Daily Text, and saying prayers. We headed out at 7 am, traveling 45 minutes to join Samaritan s Purse or other assignments. We returned when the work was completed or the team droped exhausted. You see, we don t want to stop. Article by Marcia Tabram Philips Right Don Britt, Shorty Mitchell Kathy Britt, Paul Morse, Brian Diehl, Janet Diehl 5

6 ROGER KIMBALL SERVED AS MORAVIAN PASTOR APPROX. 51 YEARS After a lifetime of service to God, others, and more than a dozen different Moravian Churches and their congregations, Roger Kimball went to be with his Lord and Savior. The Reverend Roger Wiley Kimball, 84, passed away Saturday, December 29, Roger was born on September 28, 1934 in Winston-Salem, NC to the late Thomas Alexander Kimball and Treva Rothrock Kimball. While he enjoyed hobbies like golfing and fishing, the majority of his time was spent studying his Bible, ministering to others and serving his Lord both here in the U.S. as well as abroad. His missionary work took him to Guyana, South America and St. Croix in the U.S.V.I. among other places where his faith, strength and love touched the lives of too many to count. While he served all over the world, he always called Winston-Salem home and after twenty-one years in the mission field, he returned home to pastor churches for another thirty plus years. He was an active member of Pine Chapel Moravian Church, a member, past President and Chaplain of Konnoak Hills Lions Club, and he served faithfully as a volunteer at Sunnyside Ministry for many years. He was a graduate of Glenn High School, Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Janet Meder (John). He is survived by his loving wife Mary Mitzie Pennington Kimball whom he married May 31, 1958; four children, Victoria Vicki Jane Minard (Dan), Thomas Tom Robert Kimball (Maria), Michael Mike Andrew Kimball (Carolyn) and Edward Ted Pennington Kimball (Erin); seven grandchildren, Christie (Will), Kurt, Cheryl (Joshua), Mariah (Trey), Thomas, Laura and Savanah; five great-grandchildren, Thomas, Rylynn, Jude, Caleb and Noah; three additional siblings, Ann Stafford Dillon, Don Kimball (Geneva) and Linda Jarvis (Larry). There was a celebration of his life at Friedland Moravian Church at 3:30 pm on Friday, January 4, The service was officiated by The Right Reverend Graham Rights, The Reverend James Demby, The Reverend Wayne Byerly and Brother David Berrier. Following his burial in God s Acre at Friedland, the family will receive friends. Those wishing to give memorials, please consider Sunnyside Ministry, Konnoak Hills Lions Club or Pine Chapel Moravian Church. Donations may be made to: Sunnyside Ministry 319 Haled Street, Winston-Salem NC Tel: Web: Konnoak Hills Lion Club 2681 Weymoth Rd, Winston-Salem NC Pine Chapel Moravian Church 324 Goldfloss St., Winston-Salem NC

7 PRAY EVERY DAY FEBRUARY 1. I believe; help my unbelief. Pray for Safie Braima Missionary to Sierra Leone. 2. You have turned my mourning into dancing. Pray for the Thiessens in Mexico. 3. Sunday. You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant. Pray for those suffering loss by flooding and fires. 4. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. Pray for the Teshes in Kenia. 5. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed in times of trouble. Pray for Alas de Socorro in Honduras. 6. Let us not fall asleep but stay awake and be sober. Pray for the Harrisons with Greek University. 7. The righteous are like trees planted by streams of water. Pray for Moravians in Peru. 8. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Pray for Justin Rabbach and BWM. 9. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Pray for the Sineaths in Campus Outreach. 10. Sunday. Make haste to help me, oh Lord, my Salvation. Pray for Annie B Mission at Star Mountain, Palestine. 11. In your presence there is fullness of joy. Pray for the Unity Women s Desk. 12. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving. Pray for the Hoffman s in HIV/Aids Ministry. 13. You are our father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Pray for Brian and Heather Marx with MAF, Indonesia. 14. Let us look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Pray for Jenna and Andrew Craver, pastor in Bethel, AK. 15. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you. Pray for Moravian Volunteer Resources. 16. Praise the Lord, all you nations, extol him, all you peoples! Pray for the new tribe and village in Sierra Leone, building a Moravian Church and spreading the Gospel. 17. Sunday. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Pray for Dr. Benno & Teresa Marx WA. 18. God wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. Pray for Moravian Disaster Relief in TX, NC, and U.S. Virgin Islands 19. My soul languishes for your Salvation; I hope in your word. Pray for the Moravian Clinic and Church in Honduras. 20. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Pray for the food program in Sierra Leone. 21. Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away. Pray for Allen and DeeDee Iobst in Spain. 22. Through our Lord Jesus Christ we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand. Pray for Michael and Brenda Brent in Croatia. 23. The Angel showed me on either side of the River is the tree of life with its 12 kinds of fruit. Pray for Charlie and Brenda Brent in Texas. 24. Sunday. Be merciful just as your father is merciful. Pray for Adopt-a-Village in Tanzania. 25. We even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Pray for the 16 Mission Areas and 5 Mission Provinces. 26. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. Pray for Moravian Ministers everywhere. 27. I will seek the lost, and will bring back the strayed, and will bind up the injured, and will strengthen the weak. Pray for Kevin and Charity in the Middle East. 28. Jesus said, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Pray for Ed and Barb at the Bible Seminary in Bethel AK. helengulledge1090@gmail.com 7

8 NEW PHILADELPHIA HOSTS SALMON DINNER Host: New Philadelphia Moravian Church, Missions Committee Location: 4440 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC Date/Time: Saturday March 23, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. Cost: No Charge (a love offering will be collected) You are invited to an Alaskan Salmon Dinner (Fresh Salmon directly from Alaska) at NPMC in support of the Alaska Bible Seminary. The Alaska Bible Seminary trains ministers for the Alaska Province. Ed Dehnert, Dean of the Seminary, and his wife Barb will provide an update and introduce a student at the seminary. Please RSVP to Sheila Beaman at the Mission Office at or sbeaman@mcsp.org by March 4, ONWARD 500 S. Church St. Winston-Salem, NC ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED