Fall/winter 2005

Dear Friends,

Zdrastbyite!

It has been quite long since our previous letter, as we’ve been assuming that many of you knew that we’ve been back in the States since last January on a nine-month interpretation assignment. During this time we were able to see many, though not all of you. It was a great joy indeed for both of us to see old acquaintances and meet new friends as well. Our manageable itineraries have given us much time for reflection and recharging as we begin another four-year term back in Russia. Your prayers for our ministry, love, and support, which we were able to experience during our visit with you, will always be remembered by both of us. Please accept our sincerest thanks.

Our children arranged Joe’s sixtieth birthday celebration with family and close friends in Los Angeles in February. On a similar note, we attended the 100th birthday celebration of the Reverend Hoosik Shin, former principal of Keisung High School in Daegu, Korea, where Joe taught as chaplain before coming to the States. It had been almost 30 years since our last meeting, and we were pleased to see that he was still in good health at such a ripe old age. Joe was impressed at the fact that Reverend Shin is 40 years his senior and in such good health, while Joe himself feels his own aging.

ELCROS is now in a leadership transition. The former archbishop retired. The new archbishop, elected by the Bishops’ Council, will take office in December. The seminary, as of March 2005, also has a new rector. We think these changes will provide continued and improved theological education for the church.

Hannah’s ministry through the home will continue while she keeps at her Russian language studies. Many neighbor friends were so glad to see her after nine months of absence. Our car, which had been severely damaged by last September’s accident, was repaired during our time in the States, and we are relieved to say it is drivable now.

Back in the States, our son John and his wife Agnes informed us right before our departure that they are pregnant with their third child. We will soon be blessed with our sixth grandchild. Their first child, Rachel, is attending kindergarten while taking ballet lessons. She is going to perform the Nutcracker this Christmas season. Her 2-year-old younger brother Brandon is easy-going by nature, a relief and blessing for his mom and dad, and adored by everyone. During the last year John has established his own law firm with three other partners in Newport Beach, California, and we are proud to say he is doing very well.

Our daughter Ruth and her husband Mike have also been doing well. Their first son Peter is now a second grader enjoying both piano lessons and playing on his soccer team, the Tigers. Sara, their second child, is now in the first grade and really loves learning to play the piano; she is working on figuring out how to play Christmas songs by sound. Their 3-year-old daughter Samantha enjoys spending time at home with either mom or dad. Last year Ruth opened her own small business, Gigi‘s Dance Closet, in Pasadena, California, and has been doing well. Mike continues his computer programming for a small local company and has been very active at his church as an elder, just about to finish his third year.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner, and we would like to extend our seasonal greetings to all of you. May the Lord keep you, your family, and your ministry in abundant blessings of good health, joy, and happiness! Dosvidanya!

Joe and Hannah Kang
St. Petersburg, Russia

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 187