We were blessed to have time in Hanoi this past week, providing care & support to the staff and leadership of Concordia International School Hanoi (CISH). This time we were blessed to participate in several larger staff events, allowing us to have more focused time in conversation with different people.
One of these events was a social outing for the new teachers and staff who came on board for the 2024-2025 school year. It’s a big group! The largest such influx of new staff since pre-Covid. This includes a new LCMS middle school principal arrived from Las Vegas, NV with his family.
These events are important opportunities for newly arrived staff to get to know each other when their paths may not naturally cross during work hours. This in turn helps with the challenges of culture shock – even if they have experience teaching overseas, which many of them do. Every new place requires time and effort to feel at home in. Work colleagues become a vital support as sources of advice, local expertise, and just people who can listen and understand what newcomers are going through.
Although CISH employees a cross-section of Christian educators from around the world, the contingent of LCMS folks continues to grow, elevating the importance of ongoing pastoral care and support through our visits. To be able to listen to someone struggling, to share God’s Word – these blessings become even more special when they are not readily accessible. Thanks to your continued support I’m able to provide ongoing care, encouragement, and Biblical counsel to the staff and leaders of CISH. Please pray they continue to share the love of Christ in permitted ways through their daily interactions with students, families, and one another!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 