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  A letter from Hannah and Joseph Kang in Russia  
             
 

Summer and fall 2004

Dear Friends,

It has been quite long since we last wrote. Our long silence is simply due to our routine work at the seminary. This year the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States (ELCROS), where Joe teaches, has produced five graduates (two women and three men) again. Before graduation in the seminary’s chapel we celebrated the wedding of two of our graduating students.

For the new class, six students have been admitted, having completed three long days of entrance exams and interviews. The new academic year begins on September 27. Joe continues to teach the biblical subjects (two subjects of Old Testament and one New Testament subject for the first term). Hannah’s ministry through the home also continues, while keeping her Russian language studies going.

 
             
 

Photograph of Joe and Hannah Kang standing on either side of a wedding couple.
Joe and Hannah Kang with the Bauers, who were married in the chapel just before their graduation from ELCROS.

Photograph of a dozen or so men wearing black robes and seated in a large auditorium.
Joe Kang at the installation of Rev. Bluemcke as the second president of ELCROS.

  There was a leadership change at the seminary early this year. The Reverend Budolph Bluemcke, a German Lutheran pastor, was installed in February as the second president. Rev. Bluemcke received his theological training at a missionary seminary in Hermannsburg, Germany, and has served a parish in Kransnojarsk in central Siberia since June 1995. Early next year another leadership change will occur in ELCROS, as our current archbishop, Dr. G. Kretschmar, is planning to retire. He has been leading the church since its re-opening in 1990, at which time he helped consolidate the scattered Lutheran congregations in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. Your prayers for this leadership change will be greatly appreciated.  
             
 

As our four-year term in Russia ends at the end of December, we will return to United States for nine months mission interpretation. Our primary residence during this home assignment will be: House of Rest, 784 Santa Barbara St., Pasadena, CA 91101. Telephone: (626) 793-6434. We tentatively plan to do our mission interpretation as follows:

 
             
  January-February
March
April-May
June-July
August
September
 

West Coast
Continuing education
East Coast
Central region and other places
Vacation
Interpretation/preparation

 
             
 

It is our desire and hope to visit as many churches as possible. You may contact us through email to make arrangements for our visit.

Our five grandchildren from our son and daughter are growing very healthy. Brandon (second child of John and Agnes) has celebrated his first birthday this last March. Peter (first child of Ruth and Mike) will enter his first grade this fall. Sara (second child of Ruth and Mike) will begin kindergarten, and Samantha (Ruth and Mike’s third) has begun preschool. Rachel (first child of John and Agnes) also attends preschool. They are really a great joy and blessing to us. We are excited about possibility of seeing them more often during our home assignment.

As the season of harvest and thanksgiving approaches, allow us to express our sincerest thanks for your continuous prayers and support for our ministry in Russia. May the Lord keep you, your family, and your ministry healthy, joyful, and fruitful! Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible next year, dosbidanya! (So long!)

In Christ,

Joe and Hannah

 
             
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