Pastor Linda,

I really like this picture taken recently at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong. These 4 Batak students were performing for "Family Night." All four are my Cucu (Batak for grand daughters).

From Left to right:
Rev. Dewi Sri Sinaga, in her first year of a doctorate program so she can return and teach at the Sumatran Seminary. She is completely supported by our good friend, Linda Giesy of Huntington Beach, California.
Tio Sihombing, graduate of the Deaconess School where I teach each year. An orphan, she will be ordained a deaconess next summer. She is in her first year in the LTS M-Div program. She is preparing to join the staff of the Deaconess School. We have supported her through the International Student Fund.
Rev. Wilda Simanjuntak, will graduate this June with a M-Div and then take over the administration of the Library at the Seminary in Sumatra. She was supported by the International Student fund all the way through seminary.
Rev. Benny Sinaga, who will also graduate this June with a M-Div and has been supported all through the Sumatran Seminary and the Hong Kong Seminary. The youth of St. John's contributed to her first year's expenses. After graduation she will join the Sumatran Seminary's faculty in New Testament and Feminist Theology.

Pastor Jerry

Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Retired President, PLTS, Berkeley, California
ELCA Global Mission Volunteer
Affiliate Faculty, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong
Affiliate Faculty, STT-HKBP Seminary, Sumatra, Indonesia
Guest lecturer, Balige Deaconess School, Sumatra, Indonesia