The print shop provides confessional Lutheran materials in the Japanese language that are not available from local bookstores. The single broadcast each Sunday reaches hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in Central Asia. Requests have been presented to us from Latvia, Russia, Bulgaria, and the Scandinavian countries to increase our radio outreach. Our Lord continues to bless the open doors in Russia. Four information centers are open in Siberia in the cities of Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, and Iskitim.
Humanitarian aid is on the increase as the Russian people struggle under heavy financial hardships.
A ministry to the deaf, before and after school programs, Sunday school, and vacation Bible school bring the message of the Savior to the people. A Lutheran seminary program has been blessed with four students, and within three years, Lord willing, these men will be able to serve Russian congregations. Seven missionaries serve this field together with a number of lay volunteers. ESL classes are excellent tools for opening more doors to share the gospel. The presence of retired Prof. John Jeske, who taught at the seminary last summer, was a real blessing for the students as well as for the professor.