This weekend I was invited to a celebration. A graduation, no less, for the Concordia Special Needs School in Macau. This school was founded years ago by LCMS workers in Macau as the only school devoted to children with a wide range of physical and mental challenges. While there are other such schools now, we… Continue reading Celebrating Children
July 4 Overseas
Summer is a popular time for independence. Of course the USA celebrates on July 4. Singapore celebrates on August 9. Indonesia celebrates theirs on August 17. Malaysia celebrates on August 31. Independence is a big deal, and it’s an exciting moment in a national identity to celebrate. This July 4th I was once again not… Continue reading July 4 Overseas
International Life and the Joy of Visas
Living overseas is a fascinating thing in nearly every respect – historically, culturally, linguistically, logistically. You learn so much more than you ever anticipated, and you’d better learn it, because your continued viability overseas depends on you learning and following some very specific rules. Passports get you in and out of your home country. In… Continue reading International Life and the Joy of Visas
Retreat – Day 3
The final day of our time together in Wittenberg. It’s gone quickly, but we’ve seen and experienced a great deal. Today we saw St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, where an amazing collection of artwork is assembled, and where I trust many an impressive sermon has been delivered – we even heard one from our fearless… Continue reading Retreat – Day 3
Retreat – Day 2 (Wednesday at Wartburg)
Today was field trip day. We were up early (including breakfast) for a 3.5 hour drive from Wittenberg to Wartburg Castle. Yes, that Wartburg Castle. Where Martin Luther was taken after being ‘kidnapped’ for his own protection by Frederick the Wise. Apparently Wartburg Castle was also part of the inspiration for the famous Newschwanstein Castle… Continue reading Retreat – Day 2 (Wednesday at Wartburg)
Retreat – Day 1
We began again with breakfast at the Old Latin School. Have I mentioned that German breakfasts are THE BEST BREAKFASTS IN THE WORLD?!?!? I became convinced of this while visiting friends over 20 years ago in Ulm, and I’ve never changed my mind – or had reason to even consider changing it. Don’t get me… Continue reading Retreat – Day 1
Meetings – Day 2
We concluded our leadership meetings today. We didn’t finish everything on the agenda – ha! – but we did finish the time we had allotted to do so. More work to be done in the future, but good still has been done. Good news includes we are finishing the year almost exactly on budget target,… Continue reading Meetings – Day 2
Meetings – Day 1
It doesn’t feel like Sunday, yet it is. We had worship this morning which was very good, and normally that would help anchor my sense of time and date. But we’ve been so many places in the last nearly three months that even this is not enough to fully secure my sense of time. Breakfast… Continue reading Meetings – Day 1
In Wittenberg – I Think!
I’m a bit groggy still. The nine hour flight from Phoenix to London, and another two and a half hour flight to Berlin, then a short night’s rest before being up and headed to the train station to ride to Wittenberg has left me a bit addled in the head. More so than usual even,… Continue reading In Wittenberg – I Think!
En Route to Wittenberg
Gena and I will leave this evening for Wittenberg, Germany, where we’ll join the entire Asia team for our annual gathering. It will be a time of learning and discussion and fellowship. There will also be two intensive days of leadership meetings beforehand that include five of the Asia team plus our interim Regional Director… Continue reading En Route to Wittenberg
The Nelson Family Indonesia 