On 07 October 2023, the terrorist organisation Hamas from the Gaza Strip attacked Israel and caused massacres in the surrounding Israeli towns. Israel responded with air strikes and commando actions in the Gaza Strip. The war situation in Israel/Palestine is keeping the whole country on tenterhooks after Israel officially declared a state of war. The Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center of the worldwide Moravian Church between Ramallah and Birzeit, is far away from the actual war action. However, the closure of the West Bank, solidarity strikes by Palestinians and the uncertain situation on the roads led to a brief suspension of work. After two days of closure, work resumed on 10 October. Especially for the children and young people with disabilities, this daily routine is important in the face of fear and violent images. "We have to stand by their side in this difficult time" says Ranya Karam, the director of Star Mountain. She herself has difficulty reaching Star Mountain from her home in East Jerusalem and is therefore currently working from her home office. We thank the staff at Star Mountain for their service and pray for peace in the region.

Lesinda Cunningham, director of Elim Home, a Moravian Center for disabled in South Africa near the Cape of Needles, shared her team's plans for the 60th anniversary of the facility's founding in 1963: "We are planning a number of events from 12 October 2023 to celebrate our 60th birthday, including devotions, a march from Palm Haven to Elim Home, a carnival with drumming, a barbecue with market stalls and a special celebration service at Elim Church of the Moravian on 15 October 2023. Over the past decades, our Elim Home has been supported by wonderful people who have helped us fulfil our mission: caring for permanently severely mentally and physically disabled children. By God's grace, we overcame many trials and tribulations as well as serious illnesses of those in our care." More here.

The gynaecologist Luzia Illiger has been working in the hospital of the Moravian Church in Isoko, Tanzania, for more than 2 years. In her newsletter, she regularly reports on her time in Tanzania, the challenges, the successes but also the failures. This issue deals with topics such as alcohol consumption, sex education and the Tanzanian school system. The complete newsletter here.