At the Moravian Vocational Training Centre (MVTC) in Mbeya, Tanzania, a hands-on training course on solar photovoltaics was held in late April for instructors from various vocational training centers. The goal was to strengthen their technical and practical skills in the field of renewable energy and to pass this knowledge directly on to the next generation. The training was conducted by Tanzania Mwangaza (TAM) with support from the Urbis Foundation and Herrnhuter Missionshilfe. The sessions were led by experienced trainers Dr.-Ing. Matthew Matimbwi and Fadhil Ally. Six instructors from various Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) participated. In addition to technical know-how, the focus was on the exchange of experiences and practical solutions. The newly acquired knowledge is being directly incorporated into VTC curricula and opens up new perspectives for young people in the field of sustainable energy supply and modern vocational training.

The Board of World Mission (BDM) of the Moravian Church in America continues to support the Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as partners there begin the long-term recovery effort following Hurricane Melissa—the storm that devastated the islands last October and partially destroyed more than a dozen Moravian Church buildings. The leadership of the Moravian Church in Jamaica is currently working with several engineering firms to develop repair and reconstruction plans for the congregations affected by the disaster. Although much work and coordination still lie ahead for the members, this planning phase marks a crucial step in shaping the ongoing reconstruction process in the coming years. The need for further aid is considerable. $100,000 in hurricane relief funds has already been transferred. More here.

On its long journey from the U.S. across the Pacific to East Asia, the cargo ship NordPacific (see here) delivered a container of relief supplies to Cuba. The voyage began at the port in Savannah, GA, traveling down the Savannah River to the Atlantic Ocean, then around Florida into the Caribbean Sea, and finally to Mariel, Cuba, 40 kilometers west of Havana. On May 17, 2026, the Cuba Foundation of the Moravian Church (Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation) posted on Facebook: "We are pleased to report today on the completion of an important stage of our relief effort! Our most recently shipped container has finally arrived at its destination and been successfully unloaded. Here are just a few photos for now." The cargo ship was also carrying additional containers of relief supplies for Cuba that had been sent by other charitable organizations.

May 22, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Medische Zending – Primary Health Care Suriname in Paramaribo, Suriname. Although it is no longer an organization of the Moravian Church, it grew out of the Moravian Church’s mission work in the vast tropical interior. And the Moravian Church continues to play an important role in the organization at all levels. In almost all the places where it operates today—mostly along the major rivers through the rainforest—there used to be a Moravian mission station. An anniversary poster here. View the anniversary logo featuring the traditional motto Special care with a heart for one anotherhere. To mark its anniversary, Medische Zending is offering free HIV/AIDS testing to people at all 58 of its clinics in Suriname on May 15, 2026. Its slogan reads: Get tested! It’s not over yet! A poster here. Visit the website of Medische Zending – Primary Health Care Suriname for more information here.

Medische Zending – Primary Health Care Suriname reported on May 20, 2026: "We have successfully trained six new malaria microscopists to strengthen malaria prevention efforts. The certificate ceremony took place following the completion of an eight-month intensive course. Although Suriname was officially declared malaria-free on June 30, 2025, vigilance remains important due to cases imported from neighboring countries. Well-trained malaria microscopists therefore play a crucial role in early detection, rapid treatment, and prevention of malaria. The course content included: identification of malaria parasites, malaria screening, laboratory work, quality control, and general public awareness. We thank instructors Maikel Fede, Astrid Huur, and Uselencia Esajas for their expert guidance and dedication throughout the training process." Some photos here.

Bethlehem Moravian College in Malvern, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, evolved from a teachers’ college founded in 1861 in Bethabara, Manchester, by the Moravian Mission. Since then, the institution has placed special emphasis on early childhood education and care. On Facebook, the vocational training center wrote on May 12, 2026: "At Bethlehem Moravian College, we recognize that many people working in the field of early childhood education are unable to completely give up their careers to begin full-time studies. To address this gap, we offer a Bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education as a part-time program. Paula Forbes, a graduate of this program, shares her experiences with this educational model in a short video. See here. Apply today—preferably online."

The Mbozi Province, which was separated from the Moravian Church in Tanzania’s Southwest Province—which had become too large—in 2021 due to its growth, now has a bishop from within its own ranks. On May 10, 2026, Julius Thomas Sikana was ordained as a bishop of the worldwide Moravian Church in Mbozi, with all other provinces of the Moravian Church in Tanzania in attendance. His election by the Provincial Synod had already taken place on October 8, 2025. Dozens of guests from politics, civil society, and other churches attended the ceremony. A video of the ordination service on a meadow, where a large stage and a giant tent had been set up, here. As is customary in Tanzania, several men’s, women’s, children’s, and mixed choirs participated in the service. The event, which lasted a good six hours, was streamed live by Baraka TV. There are 141 congregations and a total of 100,220 members in Mbozi Province.

Given that the next synod of the Eglise Morave Burundi will take place in 60 days, Pastor Manassé Irutingabo, secretary of the Department of Evangelism and Prayer, called for 60 days of prayer beginning on May 17, 2026. He shared the following prayer requests with church members via Facebook: “1. Pray for the success of the synod in light of the upcoming elections, for a peaceful synod, and that God will provide the church with leaders who will move the church forward. 2. Pray for the synod delegates from the individual congregations, that they may bring peace to Bujumbura. 3. Pray for the guests from abroad who are participating in the synod, that they too may find peace.” Pastor Manassé Irutingabo reminded everyone that the synod begins on July 17, 2026. The days until then are short, he said, so it is important to turn to God in prayer so that He may guide the church. See here.

A special Mother's Day service was held on May 10, 2026, at the Bethabara Moravian Church in Newport/Manchester, Jamaica; the service lasted a good two hours. See here. The invitation posted on Facebook read: "A warm welcome to our Mother’s Day service! On behalf of our church congregation, we warmly welcome each and every one of you to this special opportunity for worship and celebration. Today we thank God for all the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and motherly figures whose love, strength, prayers, and sacrifices enrich our lives anew every single day. Remember this: In the eyes of the world, many women are mothers, but to their families, they are the whole world. May God strengthen, guide, and richly bless all mothers today and always. We pray that this service will lift up the hearts of mothers."

On May 17, 2026, a special—and particularly loud—worship service was held at the Bethabara Moravian Church in Newport/Manchester, Jamaica, which was also streamed live to homes. See here. The service, which lasted just under two hours, was celebrated together with children in school uniforms from the schools affiliated with the congregation. There was plenty of singing and music, as well as a skit performed by the children. The singing was not from books; rather, as is customary in the congregation, the lyrics were projected onto a screen. The two schools (Bethabara Primary & Junior High School, founded in 1846, and the Bethabara Infant School, founded in 1863) are located right next to the church grounds. Not far away, a vocational training center was established as early as 1861, which is now the renowned Bethlehem Moravian College. Paul Silwamba, a theologian originally from the Moravian Church in Tanzania, serves as pastor of the Bethabara Moravian Church.