Today was a long day behind the wheel. From the beautiful family cabin we were loaned in Salida, I had a two hour drive back to Colorado Springs for a 10am meeting at Immanuel Lutheran, Colorado Springs. I joined them for morning worship in their chapel led by Pastor Jonathan Kern (first photo below). Then I had the opportunity to present to their midweek Bible study group. Lots of good questions and engagement by the folks in attendance.
And, true to our experience, there were several people who had connections to Southeast Asia. One man has a son living in Thailand. Another has a sister-in-law from Indonesia. Great opportunities to share about the work of the Body of Christ around the world. As I left I managed to sneak a peek at their beautiful sanctuary.
Afterwards Pastor Kern and I enjoyed lunch together at a local Mexican restaurant. It was great to share more and listen more about life, family and ministry!
Then it was a jump back in the car for another two-hour drive back to Salida. I managed to pick up Gena and the boys and together we had the opportunity to meet with the folks at First Lutheran. Pastor James Sorensen invited us to his mid-week evening Bible study. Again, a great time of sharing with the faithful there, and further discussion with one woman with a keen interest in mission work. Then Pastor Sorensen guided us to a great Mexican restaurant. He shared about the many beautiful things to do and see in the Salida area. It was a great day but a lot of miles covered, driving through the canyons and mountains of south-central Colorado. It’s nice to be driving again, something I don’t do in Indonesia!
We still get strange looks. Understandably – it’s hardly normal to sell off your life’s belongings and move to the other side of the world. But it’s only possible for us because the Holy Spirit prepared us for this and led us to it. Just as He leads others to live and work in the US. Some parts of the body are more visible and as such more easily praised and lauded. But all the parts of the body are necessary, and even congregations that consider themselves small play a role in the life of the body.
Hopefully people leave their time with us not focused on the exoticism of our work, but rather the beauty and power of our God at work in the world, in myriad ways, calling people to faith throughout his creation.
The Nelson Family Indonesia 