LSCC FAMILY AT WORK IN RUSSIA

After last-minute setbacks, the Hanges have begun reaching children, students in Moscow

SEPTEMBER 2009

By Pam Wilbur

Houston, Texas. Not exactly on the way to Russia.

However, it was one more stop on the faith-filled journey the Hange family has embarked upon. Tim and Karen Hange and their four children left in August to begin a ministry to children and college students. But the departure was anything but smooth.

At the last minute, Russian officials decided that their adopted children, Anastasia and Evan, would have to enter the country using their Russian passports. However, those passports had expired. Was God saying “nyet” to the family’s plans?

What would seem like an obstacle for most became an adventure for the Hanges. They left their farewell party and headed straight to Texas. Although most of their visit would be spent at the Russian Embassy in Houston, it was also the first time the children would visit the beach.

Against the odds, the family quickly obtained the passports and boarded a plane a few days later. The LSCC family’s dream of serving as missionaries in Russia had begun.

In Moscow for more than a month now, their typical day begins with Karen and the kids taking a trolley ride to a bus stop, then walking to Hinkson Christian Academy where she teaches fourth grade. Hinkson primarily serves the children of expatriates in Moscow.

Tim takes a train from the south side of the city to the northernmost tip – about a one hour commute – to teach at the Russian-American Institute. By 6 p.m., everyone is usually back home.

Much has fallen in to place, such as Karen finding a job at the academy and the furnished apartment they are leasing from another missionary family. Yet much is left to be done. The institute is still seeking a license to offer accredited courses. But Tim was surprised to find out that despite that setback, over half the students have said they would rather get jobs and wait for the school to be open than to transfer somewhere else.

Tim hopes to connect his students with children at the Sapaschok orphanage. According to the Russian Ministry of Education, the chances for a successful life after leaving an orphanage are slim. It is Tim’s hope that with the help of students from the institute, the children’s odds will improve. He is also hopeful that he will be able to travel to Sapaschok when a team from LSCC arrives in November on a short-term mission trip.

Although eager to completely immerse themselves in their work, the Hanges have been advised by their mentors to remember what is most important.

“They said that we really need to devote most evenings and weekends together, or we will not survive the first year as a family,” Tim said.

In order to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive, the Hanges participated in a rigorous training program at the Mission Training International in Colorado. It helped to equip them to learn how to minister together as a family.

Call to Action
There are several ways to support the work of the Hanges in Russia.

Join their prayer team.
Respond to special e-mail requests for needs at the orphanage.
Sponsor an informational gathering for the Hanges when they return to Kansas City in the summer of 2010.

You can learn more about all of these opportunities at: www.russiareflections.com.

Pam Wilbur is a member of Lee's Summit Community Church.