In my farming career I was constantly bothered by not having enough farming help. I tried to hire Canadians and the few I did hire mostly were excellent, a few duds but mostly good men and women. I tried importing men from Uruguay and India but could not get past Immigration Canada. Finally, I hired a firm from Regina to do the paperwork as I had a man from India that was very interested in coming to Canada. After a year it seemed like there was no way he could get a Visa and I gave up trying!

            I printed off new forms and I found this fellow from South Africa. I filled out my portion of all the new forms and he did the same in South Africa. After three months of waiting he was approved! That was ten years ago! His name is Chris Koch. Now, he has turned religious on me and is the new Pastor for the Lutheran Church in Viking, Alberta. This is the letter that I wrote to him after we attended his installation service a couple of weeks ago:

            Dear Chris,

            Congratulations on becoming the new Pastor for the Lutheran Church in Viking! You know I am not a church goer but if you had told me you were coming to Canada to become a Minister, you would have never gotten out of South Africa! Having said that, I know you will do a great Job but I would like to give you a few tips. Going to church should be uplifting and fun, where when it is time to go home you feel good and have a smile in your heart. The old whiney hymns will not cut it, uplifting music and songs with a real beat bring in persons of all ages. Bev said,  “the music gets in your soul and sets the stage for the upcoming week!”

             Chris, if your sermon is longer than all the hymns being sung, you may have talked too long.

            Chris, if the children are squirming in their seats and a few old guys are nodding off, you have talked too long.

            You have a beautiful church and it is there due to the congregation and those that came before them. I was really impressed with the junoir choir. The singing and clapping was as professional a performance as I have ever witnessed. Those children are the future of the church! You and your people must make it fun for those kids to come on Sundays or any other day. One thing you have to do is feed them. The old  girl meticulously cutting the cake in one inch squares just doesn’t cut it! That size is all right for me but those young children in the choir wolfed those down without tasting them! You could feed them Rice Krispie squares, cut into three inch pieces. (only my opinion!) The kids should be making them or pizza,etc  …you are a great cook, you could supervise. Bev suggested dessert Sunday!

            Good luck Chris! I’m sure you will do a great job right where you are!

                                                                                              Yours truly,

                                                                                               Victor Hult

P.S. remember when we were having trouble with Immigration Canada with all the changing in paper work etc. etc. I told you I didn’t believe you were coming until I could see the whites of your eyes? I looked at those eyes again when I was at the Lutheran Church in Viking on August 6^th and those were the kindest eyes looking back at me!