Jorge Giraldez-Benard - 12/26/00 15:54:18 My URL:http://www.suboceansafety.org/ My Email:JGiraldezB@yahoo.com City: Miami State/Province/County: Florida Country: USA Church: First Presbytarian Church of Miami Are you a Moravian: No How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Helping the less fortunate in Nicaragua and Honduras

Comments: SubOcean Safety and Corazón a Corazón, two charitable organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life of the indigenous tribes of the Miskito coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua, have agreed to join together to launch the 1st annual "Gifts of the Magi" trip to that area. In recognition that local customs and cultures must be preserved, the two organizations have chosen "El Día de los Reyes" (Three Kings Day, or Twelfth Night), the typical time for gift giving in Latin America before the commercialization of Christmas, as the target date for this undertaking. Why the Moskito coast? The Moskito Indians are a culture that has inhabited the coastal lowlands along the Caribbean since pre-Columbian times. Initially, the Spanish tried to eradicate them; and as late as the 1980's, the Sadinista regime in Nicaragua, embarked on a program designed to destroy the Moskitos. But since most of there tribal areas are accessible only by boat, these efforts have been relatively unsuccessful and today approximately 50,000 inhabit the coastal area. While this isolation helped protect the indigenous natives from overt ethnic cleansing attempts, it has also left the inhabitants in a state of abject poverty. The area local governments have made no serious attempts to improve their lot, and there have been no efforts to provide any type of economic opportunities for the natives. In general, the land is of inferior quality for agriculture, although some subsistence farming and ranching is attempted with varying degrees of success. Historically, the Moskitos lived off the sea primarily in catching sea turtles both for food and revenue from the sale of their shells. When the turtles were labeled "endangered", this primary source of protein and revenues was abruptly taken from them, with nothing provided to replace it. Some time thereafter, the market for spiny lobster tail meat developed, the men of the tribes took to diving for lobster. As the lobster meat market boomed, fishery were improperly managed, and the lobster divers were soon diving to depths of 100 feet of water with only rudimentary scuba equipment and little, if any, training about the hazards of nitrogen narcosis and decompression disease (the "bends"). The legacy of that boom is an indigenous culture that is slowly dying. Approximately 25% of the men over 18 years old today are suffering from the effects of decompression disease: loss of equilibrium, loss of the ability to concentrate for any extended period, or paralysis. Those paralyzed have a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years after the paralysis sets in as a result of ulceration of bed sores. The plight of these peoples has largely been ignored by their national governments. In fact, lthough the area was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, governmental assistance was negligible. The two main sources of assistance were shipments organized individually by SubOcean Safety and Corazón a Corazón. Who are these organizations? SubOcean Safety, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was formed in 1994 by a professional diver to provide training and assistance to combat the decompression disease problem. It Head office is locateed in Lacombe, Louisiana, just north of New Orleans. SOS Director, Jorge Giraldez-Benard, heads the Miami, Florida branch. Since then SOS has secured and installed three decompression chambers and trained local doctors and technicians how to use them. In addition, following Hurricane Mitch, SOS delivered a barge load (about 174 tons) of relief supplies, tools and seed. Corazón a Corazón was founded in 1998 by a doctor from Dalton, Georgia (just outside of Atlanta) who became aware of the devastation wrought by the hurricane and felt compelled to help ease the suffering. Through his efforts, over 200 tons of supplies, and tools were delivered to the Moskito coast. Last year, the directors of both organizations recognized that the synergy of their combined organizations could provide more effect assistance. Central to all their efforts are the understandings that "by teaching a man to fish, one feeds him for life", and that any successful program for development must be one that respects the cultural traditions of the Moskitos. However, there is also an immediate need to provide basic necessities and medicines, particularly to those who are paralyzed and their families. Preliminary ideas for development plans for the area will be discussed with the elders of the tribes and will be implemented only with their approval and participation. Among the plans being considered are ways to provide employment for the paralyzed former lobster divers, as well as education and employment opportunities outside the lobster diving industry. In keeping with these understandings, the 1204 items will be rice, dried beans,seeds for the planting season, hammers, nails, hand saws, levels, hand planes, screw drivers, screws,braces and bits, plywood, lumber for building (regular and treated), basic medical supplies such as bandages (all sizes), gauze pads, tape, antiseptic medications, Tools may be used, but should be serviceable. All donations are tax deductible under IRS rules for donations to charitable organizations. If money is offered in lieu of food, tools or medicines, checks should be made out to SubOcean Safety, and designated Gifts. Sub Ocean Safety (504) 264-9127 (504) 264-9128 P.O. Box 834 Lacombe, La. 70445 subocean@cmq.com http://www.suboceansafety.org/ Sub Ocean Safety-Miami Branch (305) 597-1555 P.O. Box 140064 Coral Gables, Florida 33114-0064

Tom Hensley - 06/28/00 13:42:49 My Email:tom.hensley@aladdintravel.com City: Winston-Salem State/Province/County: NC Country: US 0f A Church: Mizpah Moravian Are you a Moravian: Usually How did you hear about the Moravian Church: It's a long story

Comments: The site looks great! If only the data wasn't over a year old. Please change the minister's name and update the info; it's too nice to not keep up. And greetings to all.

Linda Osborne - 06/22/00 20:59:04 My Email:lindao@ci.winston-salem.nc.us City: Winston-Salem State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: Moravian Are you a Moravian: Yes

Comments: Great idea. Loved the web page. Need to change the name of the minister. Love you guys!!!

Bonnie Aldridge - 06/22/00 04:09:45 My Email:BAldr10707@AOL.com City: Winston-Salem State/Province/County: North Carolina Country: Davidson Church: Calvary Moravian Are you a Moravian: yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: children went to playschool at Kernersville Moravian

Comments: Being raised as a Missouri Synod Lutheran, I miss having Holy Communion offered every Sunday, yet as a Moravian I am grateful that it is offered to all Christians.

Greg Belinsky - 04/21/00 18:36:42 My Email:GBELINSKY@AOL.COM City: DETROIT State/Province/County: MICHIGAN Country: AMERICA Church: SAINT STPHEN LUTHERAN, MISSOURI SYNOD Are you a Moravian: NO How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Pastor Bill Quick, Metropolitan Methodist, Detroit, (a former North Carolinian

Comments: Sounds like we have many doctrinal similarities and practices. I did not notice a statement as to "saved by grace through faith", but am hopeful that is your belief. I did notice that you practice something that I wish we "Missouri" Lutherans would do, nd that is Open Communion. Sadly, we don't, and I feel that is a slap in the face to our fellow believers in Christ. God's Blessing to you all.

Mark Olsen - 12/14/99 21:41:49 My Email:declac@yahoo.com City: Temple State/Province/County: Tx Country: USA Church: Temple Brethren Church Are you a Moravian: no How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Through the Unity of the Brethren in Texas

Comments: Just checking out some Moravian websites to see if I can find some familiar names.

Charlie Eichman - 11/22/99 18:06:19 My Email:CEichman@compuserve.com City: Bethlehem State/Province/County: PA Country: USA Church: College Hill Moravian Are you a Moravian: Oh, yes!!

Comments: I enjoyed exploring your guestbook and picking up a couple of E-mail addresses. I graduated from seminary in l951 with Ken Robinson and others...

11/14/99 12:09:07

Name: Free For Chat	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me

Comments:
Nizzawebsite. Dank für das Lassen ich Ihr guestbook unterzeichnen

Mike Jones - 05/01/99 20:22:50 My Email:voyageur398@yahoo.com City: Plainville State/Province/County: CT Church: St Dominic's/Southington CT Are you a Moravian: no How did you hear about the Moravian Church: My great grandmother was a Moravian, and I've visited churches in Bethlehem and Winston Salem

Comments: I've taken the liberty of setting us up a bulletin board and chatroom at http://clubs/yahoo.com/clubs/moraviancommunity, if anyone's interested...

Polly Applefield - 11/03/98 03:10:01 My Email:pfapple@aol.com City: Bethlehem State/Province/County: PA Church: West Side Moravian Are you a Moravian: yes, seminary student How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Covenant Moravian-Wilmington, NC is my home congregation

Comments: I like what you have done here and would appreciate any help you could offer me in building a webpage for the church where I am working, West Side Moravian. I am quite a novice at html, but am good on computers, so expect to learn pretty easily. Thanks n advance and good luck with your site.

Polly Applefield - 11/03/98 03:06:46 My Email:pfapple@aol.com City: Bethlehem

Comments:

David Creason - 10/28/98 02:27:47 My Email:redwagon@sunsix.infi.net City: Paducah State/Province/County: KY Country: usa Church: Disciples of Christ Are you a Moravian: no How did you hear about the Moravian Church: through a friend that's a genealogist

Comments: Are any of your members descendants of Abraham Creason or have the last name of Creason?

Vincent Morta - 10/16/98 07:05:51 My Email:vmorta@uwc.ac.za City: Bellville State/Province/County: South Africa Church: Moravian Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Checking international relations

Comments: I greet you with todays watchwords. I am Secretary to the Moravian Church District Two Partnership Comittee in South Africa. I want to contact other Moravian Churches to set up Partnership relations. My e-mail address is above if you need further information and interested.

10/04/98 13:56:27

Name: Bad Bunny	My URL: Visit Me
My Email: Email Me

Comments:
Nice page. Very informative. Keep it up.

Robert R. Hawkins - 09/26/98 06:54:34 My Email:HawkStar@worldnet.att.net City: New Waterford State/Province/County: OH Country: United States Church: St. Jude Catholic Church Are you a Moravian: No, obviously How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Personal studies

Comments:

William H. Nicholson - 09/25/98 06:16:56 My URL:http://www.unicom-alaska.com/~docnich/ourline.html My Email:docnich@unicom-alaska.com City: Bethel State/Province/County: Alaska Country: USA Church: Bethel Moravian Church Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: On the internet

Comments: Appreciate your site. It's neat to learn about our other brothers and sisters in the Lord. I know Brother Bill & Ruby Gibson who may or used to be active members of your church. They helped us to build our new church in Bethel, Alaska a couple of years ago. Best wishes. Pastor Nicholson

Mark and Mandy Kernohan - 09/15/98 21:09:36 My Email:mark@kernohan.force9.co.uk City: Bangor State/Province/County: Co.Down Country: Northern Ireland Church: Befast, University Rd Are you a Moravian: We are

Comments: Love the page. Keep up the good work.

Eric Vernon - 09/05/98 17:06:03 My Email:EVernon153@aol.com City: Advance State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: Calvary Moravian Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Grew up a Moravian

Comments:

Earl Shay - 04/21/98 13:22:24 My Email:earlshaysr1@juno.com City: Bethlehem State/Province/County: PA Country: USA Church: Grace , Center Valley Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Wow have I?

Comments: Greeting from us here - long time no see

Elaine Wall - 12/03/97 13:56:44 My Email:ewall@usairways.com City: Winston-Salem State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: Good Shepherd Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Member

Comments: Good Shepherd has been the back bone of my life. The love that is received in my heart from the members of Good Shepherd could never be replaced. Thank You....

Martha Stanley - 11/04/97 03:53:05 My Email:JKMJS@AOL.COM City: hOPE hULL State/Province/County: ALABAMA Country: USA Church: Pintlala Baptist Church Are you a Moravian: No

Comments: My sister, Beth Jarrell of Kernersville, NC gave me your web page site to visit. I am enjoying viewing it and delighted to see churches have a web site on the Internet. Hopefully, by doing so, it will bring more people to the Lord.

Ed and Beth Jarrell - 11/02/97 13:57:48 My Email:BJ MRT@aol.com City: Kernersville State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: Good Shepherd Moravian Church Are you a Moravian: No. How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Member.

Comments: Thanks for creating this page - it is really nicely done!

Marva Williard - 11/01/97 18:14:09 City: Kernersville State/Province/County: North Carolina Church: Good Shepherd Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Ancestors

Comments: Good job. Very interesting!

Polly Lane - 10/19/97 23:52:58 My Email:plane@HPRHS.com City: High Point State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: Good Shepherd Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: From a Friend

Comments:

Neil Doroshenko - 10/15/97 22:05:12 My Email:njdoro@juno.com City: Greensboro State/Province/County: NC Country: AMERICA Church: yes Are you a Moravian: I think so How did you hear about the Moravian Church: I don't remember

Comments: Todd and Laura--- Congrats on a job very well done. I'm impressed. Thanks for all your work!

Dianne Young - 10/15/97 14:58:29 My Email:youngd@leaders.ccl.org City: Kernersville State/Province/County: NC Country: USA Church: GSMC Are you a Moravian: Yes

Comments: GREAT JOB FOLKS!!

Todd Williard - 10/08/97 03:04:49 My URL:http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Set/3362/todd.html My Email:williard@sprynet.com City: Kernersville State/Province/County: North Carolina Country: USA Church: Good Shepherd Moravian Church Are you a Moravian: Yes How did you hear about the Moravian Church: Member

Comments: Just testing out the new guestbook. Thanks for stopping by.