The final trip of the month and the first trip of October was to Okinawa. In partnership with LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, I journey twice a year to Okinawa to provide Word & Sacrament service and pastoral care to LCMS military personnel and their families. They are served also by Rev. Dr. Daniel… Continue reading Okinawa Revisited
Author: mrpaulnelson
I've been blogging for over twenty years on one platform or another, and my favorite topics are cross-sections of faith and culture and everyday life. I'm an ordained minister with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - among other things. Welcome!
Teamwork in Taiwan
The near-final trip of September was to the regional worker gathering in Chiayi City, Taiwan. Each year all the workers (but not spouses or children) gather together. It’s a time for training and updating as well as sharing what is going on in the region. It’s a mix of meetings, worship, and unscheduled time for… Continue reading Teamwork in Taiwan
Singapore Salvaging
You can see the heat and humidity in Singapore. It hangs over everything, seeps into everything, drains energy and melts ice cubes at a pace that constantly astounds me. Walking just a few steps, not even a city block in a city where blocks can come up short before you know it, walking just that… Continue reading Singapore Salvaging
Heavenly Hanoi
As parents you aren’t supposed to have a favorite child. I can honestly say I don’t. Many parents admit reluctantly in the passing of time that they did or do. It’s in our nature to have favorites, to resonate with the frequency of certain things and places and people more closely than others. So I… Continue reading Heavenly Hanoi
Baguio Wrap Up
A few final pictures of my students in Baguio these past couple of weeks. These are brand new first-year students to the seminary. Nelson (taking the photo) is coming into the ministry after a career in business. Romel, Mateo and Romar spent some time as farmers before the Holy Spirit’s Call on their lives became… Continue reading Baguio Wrap Up
Book Review: Looking for the Prehispanic Filipino
Looking for the Prehispanic Filipino by William Henry Scott The Amazon link above is to a previous edition of the book. I’m not sure if the newer edition (2022) is only available in the Philippines, but it likely was a fairly small print run. This is a collection of essays, most of them academic in… Continue reading Book Review: Looking for the Prehispanic Filipino
Teaching in the Clouds
Today as I concluded my teaching, I emerged to find the clouds settling on the hill where the seminary is perched. It’s beautiful here!
Book Review: Prehispanic Source Materials
Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History by William Henry Scott The link above to Amazon is actually the previous edition of the book. The one I just finished is a 2022 reprint from his revised (and slightly updated) 1984 edition. As I travel I like to learn more about the places I… Continue reading Book Review: Prehispanic Source Materials
Jeepney
One of the most distinctive memories I have from my first visit to the Philippines back in March is the Jeepneys. Most countries in Southeast Asia have a form of traditional transportation in addition to more modern taxis and buses. In Medan where we live it’s the becok, a motorcycle or bicycle-powered transport for either… Continue reading Jeepney
Pre-Worship
This morning I am blessed to attend St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Baguio City, a member congregation of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines, a partner church body in full altar-pulpit fellowship with the LCMS. I arrive at 8:30am for the Bible study which, typical to Southeast Asian culture, doesn’t really start until 9:00am. Pastor… Continue reading Pre-Worship
The Nelson Family Indonesia 