A letter from Joe and Hannah Kang in Russia
May 2010
Dear Friends,
Privet, dorogai druzia (Greetings, dear friends)!
Student choir rehearsal at the end of the semester.
We do hope that this short note finds you all well, in good health and in strong spiritual growth. By the time this letter reaches you we will be back in the States for a brief visit, for our visa renewal and summer break before another extension program beginning August 11. Right now our first- and second-year students are in the middle of their semester end exams while the third-year students take their graduation exams. On the grounds seminary workers are busy mowing the rapidly growing grass. The long severe winter gave into a short struggling spring and then turned quickly into the warm summer weather with lingering white nights. It is amazing for us to see how quickly the trees are wearing green leaves right next to the Neva River, which is full of life.
Laying-on-of-hands and blessing during ordination service.
Following our previous letter, this one brings you more exciting news. An ordination of Lena Bondarenko, who has been working as Joe’s interpreter and teaching assistant, took place. While working as Joe’s interpreter Lena has completed the four-year extension program for a Diploma in Theology. Joe supervised her diploma work. Since she has a doctoral degree in English, her theological studies were much easier. As mentioned earlier, Joe’s teaching in biblical subjects is steadily being handed over to her, and by the fall of 2011 she will be in full charge of his biblical teachings. The seminary faculty made a unanimous decision to recommend her ordination to the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States (ELCORS). This recommendation has experienced many long debates and even oppositions, not because of her qualifications, but simply because of her gender. After many written letters, phone calls and meetings, the outgoing Archbishop Edmund Ratz finally decided to ordain her on Friday, May 21, probably as the last of his laying-on-of-hands and blessing before his departure in June for good. Lena’s sincerity, deep Christian commitment, and strong sense of call will certainly make an enormous contribution both to the seminary and to ELCROS.
Lena Bondarenko preaching after her ordination.
Another piece of exciting news is the coming of Dr. Herman Waetjen and his wife, Mary, to our seminary to teach in the summer extension program this August. Their long-awaited visit means a lot to us because Herman was not only Joe’s adviser for his doctoral dissertation at San Francisco Theological Seminary some 30 years ago, but also the one who guided us to our challenging ministry in Russia after the perestroika. Although Herman has long been retired, he has been very busy with his writings, the Gospel of the Beloved Disciple in 2005 and a recently completed book on Romans. We are extremely excited to have them both here in St. Petersburg even for such a short period of time, despite their busy post-retirement schedules.
In this season of growing, we pray that the Lord of life keep you, your family and your ministry strongly nurtured for abundant seasonal fruits.
Dosvidanya (Bye for now)! In Christ.
Joe and Hannah
The 2010 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 195
