Moving On

Today I depart for Singapore. There I will meet a visitor from the US, Rev. Dr. James Baneck. He’s the Executive Director of Pastoral Education for the LCMS, and he’s coming for his first visit to the Southeast Asia Region where I serve. After a couple of days of recuperation in Singapore (and preaching for a small Reformation worship Sunday afternoon) he and Regional Director Charles Ferry and Regional Business Manager Sam Borgwardt will all jet off to Hanoi to meet with the Head of School of Concordia International School Hanoi, Doug Grove. Rev. Ferry and Sam arrive later in the day but I’ll be there first thing in the morning when Rev. Baneck arrives.

So I pack up from my hotel room in Manila. I’m a little sad to leave this place that feels a tiny bit like home, but it’s been a good visit. The teaching on 2 Timothy 4:2 was well-received overall (nobody threw anything at me!). The Lutheran Church in the Philippines’ (LCP) procedural work in discussing and approving resolutions seems to be progressing well. Later today they’ll have their elections for officers.

I have the opportunity to talk with President Reyes briefly just before lunch and my departure. He talks about his hopes for the LCP. And he’s very kind and generous in expressing his appreciation and respect for me in my interactions with the LCP and their seminary – Lutheran Theological Seminary – where I taught back in August. He also presents me with a gift of appreciation – a bag with local chocolates and other tasty treats (which my family will enjoy). I also got a chuckle out of this – a model of the beloved Filipino traditional public transport, the Jeepney!