In April 2025, the local NGO Tanzania Mwangaza held an essay competition on tourism in Zanzibar. The aim was to raise awareness among young people of the potential of the tourism sector and to promote their interest in this important industry of the future. Students from 16 secondary schools took part and presented creative ideas and in-depth knowledge about Zanzibar's tourism industry in their entries. The event was accompanied by a panel discussion with representatives from politics and education, as well as other activities to strengthen youth participation. Particularly successful contributions were awarded prizes at both the student and school levels. The event took place in the presence of the Deputy Secretary of State in the Ministry of Tourism and was supported by the Moravian Church Zanzibar and numerous other partners, including our Herrnhuter Missionshilfe.

A deep well with a solar-powered water pump is currently being constructed in the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi – an urgent project given the dramatic supply situation on site. The camp, originally designed for 10,000 people, now has over 60,000 inhabitants. Hygienic conditions are catastrophic and the existing water supply is completely inadequate. In addition, Malawi is one of the countries particularly hard hit by the effects of climate change. Recurring droughts are exacerbating the already severe water shortage – the situation is extremely stressful, especially for children and women, who are often responsible for fetching water. The new well will be built on the grounds of the Light of Hope School run by the Moravian Church. With large storage tanks, ten water extraction points, a septic tank, and a trained local management team, it will provide reliable clean drinking water for many families in the camp in the future – even during the increasingly frequent dry seasons.

On June 3 and 4, 2025, representatives of provinces and mission organizations of the worldwide Moravian Church gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for another meeting of the Unity Mission and Development Board. The Herrnhuter Missionshilfe was represented by Bettina Nasgowitz from Bad Boll. The conference provided space for worship, reflection, and discussions about the common mission of the worldwide Moravian Church. Topics included agricultural development in Tobago, theological education in South Asia, refugee work in Malawi, and church renewal in Europe. Participants also discussed how best to respond to the loss of external funding from funding organizations and governments, how to strengthen unity, and the importance of theological texts in the service of the church and in the commitment to justice and reconciliation. An article can be found here. A group photo can also be found here.

The Unity Women's Desk, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, wrote on Facebook on June 6, 2025: "US$1,000 provides a one-year university scholarship; US$500 provides a one-year secondary school scholarship. In some countries, this amount covers most personal expenses for a year. In 2024, 33 of our scholarship recipients successfully completed their studies with their graduation! One of them is Nicole Lerians from Honduras. See here. Congratulations, sister, and to all the other sisters from North Carolina to South Africa, from Nepal to Honduras." The Unity Women's Desk points out in this context that its former scholarship recipients have committed themselves to working at least ten hours per year for free after completing their studies, tutoring other young women, helping with career guidance or job applications, etc. Four such graduate volunteers can be seen here.

Four organizations are currently working together to continue a successful drinking water project in southeastern Honduras (Blessings Flow Project): the local Moravian Church, the Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church in North America, the California-based aid organization One ATTA Time which specializes in drinking water projects, and now also the Moravian Church's mission organization in the Netherlands. The most important work in Honduras (distributing simple water filter systems and training local people in their use) is carried out by volunteers from the Moravian Church, including Sister Carmen James and Brother Morlin Perez. With 900 filter systems distributed to date, many serious health problems, such as worm infections in children, have already been prevented. Many people in the Honduran region of La Mosquitia still draw their drinking water from unclean rivers and lagoons. More here.

Since 1972, the third Sunday in June has been an officially recognized holiday in the US and some parts of the Caribbean, but it has been celebrated since 1910. For more details on the history of the holiday, click here. The Unity Women's Desk congratulated all fathers on this day, as did the Bethabara Moravian Church in Manchester, Jamaica, and the Sharon Moravian Church on Bunker's Hill in St. Thomas during their church services. See here and here and here. The website of the New Beulah Moravian Church in Mandeville, Jamaica, announced in advance: "Hey friends! Let's make Father's Day 2025 something special! Come join us at New Beulah Moravian Church for a service where we will celebrate fathers in a very special way." During the service at the Friedberg Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC, a specially produced five-minute Father's Day video was shown. See here.

The Zeister Missionsgesellschaft, the Dutch sister organization of Herrnhuter Missionshilfe, reported on June 4, 2025: "The 400 reprinted children's Bibles in the language of the Trio people have now arrived in Suriname and are being transported to the village of Sipaliwini. From there, they will be taken by canoe and on foot to the isolated Trio communities in the tropical rainforest on the border between Suriname and Brazil. Among the Trio, children's Bibles are read not only by children, but also by adults who never went to school. By the end of 2025, all Trio children should have access to the Gospel. Every year, the Trio hold a Bible conference where indigenous people from many villages come together. For a week, there are daily church services with music, dancing, and encounters. Another Bible conference is planned for August 2025. Take a look at the children's Bible here. Watch a video of a Trio church service here.

The Deaconess Hospital in Paramaribo is one of the most important medical facilities in the Republic of Suriname. Founded more than 60 years ago under the auspices of the Moravian Church and its mission, the facility now has 210 beds. The hospital management writes about the current economic situation: "The economic crisis and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on the financial situation of our hospital. We no longer have any reserves to carry out major maintenance or necessary (replacement) investments." The Zeister Missionsgesellschaft, the Dutch sister organization of the Herrnhuter Missionshilfe, wants to help in this difficult situation. One of its projects involves replacing the ventilation and air conditioning systems in two operating rooms. This is the only way to ensure the safety of patients, doctors, and nursing staff. The Zeister Missionsgesellschaft would like to invest $5,000 in good nursing care in Suriname. It is asking for donations. See here.

The Suriname Herald published two articles on the critical situation of the Medical Mission in Suriname (Medische Zending). On May 22, 2025, the focus was on the state's outstanding payments to the aid organization. See here. The state owes the organization the adjustment of its payments to the wage increases for July to December 2024 and the promised inflation compensation for April and May 2025. On May 29, 2025, the newspaper reported on the inadequate supply of medicines in the structurally weak tropical inland country. See here. In many places, not even the bare essentials are available. “There is a list of essential medicines that must be available in every ambulance, as well as standard medical supplies. But we don't have enough of them. This problem remains unresolved,” said Maureen Wijngaarde-van Dijk, the head of the organization.

The Paramaribo Central Lions Club has supported several projects run by the School Foundation of the Moravian Church in Suriname. Now, before the summer holidays, the club's donations have been used to fund a new project for the Friedrich Staehelin School, a primary school in the center of Paramaribo: repainting the entire exterior of the school. Some of the pupils gathered on the school steps. See here. The following message was posted on Facebook: “We, the teachers and students of the Friedrich Staehelin School, would like to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful repainting of the school. It was wonderful that the finished project could be handed over to us today. We wish the club good luck with its next projects. God bless you!” A short video can be found here.

The Gospel is now rolling on three wheels around the city of Mwanza in the northern province of the Moravian Church in Tanzania." This is what Danish missionary Bettina Poulsen writes about the cargo motorcycle that travels to several villages with the Jesus film and the accompanying image, sound, and stage technology. In May 2025, when there was a movie night in another region, everything went perfectly. On the day of arrival, which was actually only intended to test the equipment, about 60 people gathered spontaneously. They listened to the music and watched as the screen was set up. Later, on three evenings announced in advance under the theme Gospel on Wheels, between 150 and 200 people gathered in the villages. Before the film screenings, there is always choir singing and dancing by local Christians to attract attention and create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere." More in a report by the Moravian Church's mission organization in Denmark here.

The Ebenhaeser Moravian Church in Gqeberha-Bethelsdorp (until 2021 Port Elizabeth, South Africa) proudly announces the election and ordination of its first female acolyte, which was performed by Pastor P. Simon in March 2025. Some pictures can be found here.Two Facebook posts state: History has been made at the Ebenhaeser Moravian Church: “We now have our first female acolyte. God bless her! May He guide her and fill her heart with His love.” A reader wrote underneath: "Allow me to brag about Ebenhaeser for a moment. We may be a small congregation, but we are dynamite when it comes to sisters achieving male-dominated positions in the church. Ester Newfeldt is our first female acolyte. Felicia Lawack-Lambert was previously the first female brass band conductor in the BBSA (Moravian Brass Band Union of South Africa), and Kayla Hendricks was the first female composer in the BBSA, to name just a few female pioneers."

The service at the Memorial Moravian Church in Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas recently welcomed some special elderly guests: men and women who were part of the Charlotte Amalie High School graduating class of 1970. After the service, those celebrating their 55th class reunion posed for a group photo. See here. Pastor Dr. Cortroy Jarvis called out to the brothers and sisters: “It's wonderful that you have come here from different regions of the Unity Province of West Indies-East. God bless you, and may His Holy Spirit continue to give you strength. All the best!” A little later, some children from the church kindergarten were present in the church, namely those who will soon be entering the first grade of the Memorial Moravian School in Charlotte Amalie in Norre Gade – very close to the coast. Group photo here.

A Unity Creed was written in Spanish by two female pastors of the Moravian Church in Cuba and translated into eight other languages for publication. With its focus on Jesus' treatment of women and on the feminine characteristics of God, the Unity Creed was described by its authors as a women's creed. The publication of the 14 verses of the creed was accompanied by images by Gail Morris (USA) and brief information about those involved. The main motive for writing the Unity Creed was to combat domestic violence and empower victims of such violence. The Unity Creed is deliberately kept short so that those affected can easily memorize its content. A printed version of the Unity Creed, a powerful and impressive literary work that opposes misinterpretation of the Bible, is available from the Unity Women's Desk in Winston-Salem. See Facebook here.

The Moravian Church's mission organization in Denmark is reaching out to congregations with a wide range of lectures. It writes: "We have expanded the circle of those who are willing to share inspiring stories about faith, community, and the practice of our mission work. We offer visits to congregations, schools, and project groups that would like a presentation of our organization's work. It is exciting to hear how the Christian message is being spread throughout the world and changing people's lives. You can book now: Arngeir Langes (our general secretary), Janna Rabjerg Barrit (our project manager), Marie Louise Rahbek Christiansen (our economist), Lars Mollerup-Degn (our financial accountant), as well as our youth secretaries and our young volunteers and our Tanzania missionaries Mads and Janice Refshauge Jakobsen (only in January 26)."More here and here.

On June 8, 2025, the Moravian Church in Latvia celebrated Pentecost at the very spot where the Moravian Church Jērakalns (Lammsberg), the oldest Moravian Church after Herrnhut, was founded in 1739 on the left bank of the Gauja River on the outskirts of Wolmar. The church was built by Christian David, among others. Pictures here. On Facebook, it said: "The grace of God Almighty was upon us all as we celebrated Midsummer Day together in Jērakalns near Valmiera! At that hour, God not only created a clear sky, even though the meteorologists had predicted showers all day, but He also united us ecumenically with the Christians of Valmiera to praise the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus, together and powerfully! Glory be to God!" An old report tells that "at Pentecost 1739, thousands of Latvians gathered in Jērkalns, many of whom experienced a spiritual touch that drastically changed their lives and values. Tears of repentance were shed for the time they had spent without the love of Christ. Fire fell from heaven, hearts burned as the cross of Jesus was preached to them. It was a great revival."

Many Moravian congregations around the world are multinational communities as a result of flight and migration. The Geneva Moravian Fellowship in Switzerland is probably the most international congregation. It was only established in 2020 and is led by Winelle Kirton-Roberts from the Unity Province of West Indies East. The Moravian Church in Switzerland took the 5th anniversary of the Geneva Moravian Fellowship as an opportunity to dedicate several articles to this fellowship in its magazine Herrnhuter (No. 29). The articles document the amazing internal and external growth of the fellowship, whose English-language offerings in Geneva and the surrounding area have fallen on fertile ground thanks to a special spirituality. The majority of Geneva's approximately 210,000 inhabitants do not have Swiss citizenship. If you are interested in the magazine, please contact the Moravian Church in Switzerland. See here.

From June 21 to November 2, 2025, a new special exhibition dedicated to the visit of two Inuit from Labrador will be on display at Moritzburg Castle near Dresden. They were baptized by Herrnhut missionaries and then recruited to participate in a kind of human zoo. In the early 1820s, young George and Mary left their homeland with US captain Samuel Hadlock and traveled through Europe presenting their indigenous way of life and culture. In 1825, they also stayed in Dresden and Moritzburg, where George entertained the entire Saxon court with a demonstration of how to capsize his kayak on the castle pond. The exhibition, entitled Thin ice- Inuit put on display focuses on the adventurous journey and fate of the two Inuit. It also provides an insight into the current living conditions of the Inuit in Labrador. Against the advice of the missionaries, many more Inuit later traveled to Europe to perform in human zoos; most of them died in a foreign land. As early as August 12, 1747, the Moravian Church member Simon Arbalik from Greenland had shown his skills at the castle moat in Zeist (NL).