Grace Notes

Hello everyone, We are in Kazan.
Kazan is a very Muslim city. It is not Muslim like Rochester with people from the Middle East. These are Tatar people. We Visited the main Mosque yesterday and got the “hard sell” by some seminary student. I think he thought he could get me to convert, but do not worry, I am still Lutheran and he is still frustrated. The congregation here is St. Andrew. It started through the work of Lutheran Hour and is a great success story. It did not have the property fight every other place seems to have had. They just bought a building, gutted it, fixed it up, and made all the furnishings themselves. I will send pictures when I can. The pastor and his wife are very hospitable and kind. We have a girl that helps with translation. I presented at their bible class which meets on Tuesday evenings. There was a lot of discussion as this is an ‘open’ bible class. That means that people from other denominations can come and visit. There was one Pentecostal guy who I needed to correct immediately and I was hoping the Holy Spirit would come upon me like at Pentecost and give me the ability to speak fluent Russian, because to correct the guy would haved taken an eternity with a translator. Anyway. It was a long day.

Today we will go to a beach that is in town. It is near the center of the city. Kazan celebrated being a city for 1000 years just a couple of years ago. It is very modern though and reminds me a bit of Rochester or Minneapolis. It is far more calm than Moscow but again, the lines on the road are only suggestions for the drivers, u-turns happen anywhere, and the speed limit is only as fast as you can go for the traffic around you.

There are two projects that I think Grace people could do next summer. I will explain those when I get home. I believe we can do much. So if you are thinking about coming next summer for a week to do some work there should be much to do. I have asked for at least 4 projects so we can pick the one that seems the best.

We have not yet been doing the things we thought we would be doing when we left but that is how it always is. Everything changes when reality shows up.

Thank you for your prayers. We think of you often and will write every time I can get computer access. It is not like at home. I always need at least one hour to get anything accomplished.

The support we have given has accomplished much. The support we may give in the future will accomplish even more. The people here understand stewardship well. Most members tithe and some give beyond that in offerings. I am very impressed with their generosity.

More next time.

In Christ,

The traveling Heidorn’s