OUR RUSSIAN GUESTS

Bishop August Kruse and Dean Manfred Brockmann visited the U.S. and part of their stay was with us in Wichita. They were our special guests at the Global Mission Festival held on June 14th at Gloria Dei (you can see photos if you click on Gloria Dei's website link).

In addition to the festival, they attended services at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Haysville and were part of blessing the new worship items there.

They traveled on to Bethany Lutheran in Lindsborg and also visited Trinity Lutheran in Great Bend. It was an honor and a privilege to be their travel coordinator for this part of the trip.

Pastor Brockmann shared with me his annual report, which in addition to some sorrows, contained much joy and many successes. I will begin posting portions of his report:

Financial needs report of the Deanery of the Russian Far East May 2008

We now have 9 congregations. they are of different size, character and "vitality". We more and more realize, that there are three factors working and having effect in the earthen life of our church: 1. God 2. People 3. Money, yes also money.

As to God, I can say with Paul: "This all happens in order to show us, that we should build our hope not on ourselves but on God, who is raising the dead" (2Cor. l,9) There are so many dead to be raised in Russia, and the experience of having death and troubles and sorrows, and to wait for to "take part of the raising from the dead" (Phil 3,11) is a sign of distinction, decoration and simply honor for the church.