Port Moresby is the administrative capital and largest city (population estimated to be nearly 400,000) of Papua New Guinea. As such, it attracts a general attention and acts as a magnet for those all over the country looking to improve their life. As a port city it has attracted both positive (commercial) attention as well… Continue reading Port Moresby
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!
Connections
Six years ago Gena visited Papua New Guinea with her father. It was the first time they returned to PNG after departing in 1983 for the US. During her visit, while at an outstation in the Highlands, Gena was befriended by Bella, a 16-year old PNG girl. She tried to teach Gena some pidgin, the… Continue reading Connections
Papua New Guinea Arrival
The big event for the end of August and early September is a trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG). A legendary locale of Lutheran mission work going back 80 years, it’s also one of the most challenging places to get to, get about in, and get out of. It’s also a personal frontier of sorts.… Continue reading Papua New Guinea Arrival
Fun With Progress
I apologize for being absent here so long. As happens frequently, the site I use to host this blog makes tweaks to their platform from time to time. Sometimes these are merely cosmetic updates. Other times more core features are updated or changed about. Like logging in. For the past month I’ve been unable to… Continue reading Fun With Progress
Balut
I nearly encountered it earlier this year in March. But an unexpectedly early departure saved me at the last minute. But this time, as giggles of delight erupted around me, I knew there would be no such rescue. This time, it was going to happen. I was going to encounter the soul of the Filipino,… Continue reading Balut
Field Trip
After a very brief time with family back in the US, I am back in Baguio, Philippines, to help teach at the start of a new academic year for Lutheran Theological Seminary. My two-week time in Baguio was only somewhat marred by last minute changes to the academic schedule, meaning classes started a week later… Continue reading Field Trip
Supporting Staff
A large chunk of my responsibilities as an Area Facilitator (AF) is to be the main connection between our deployed staff in the Region and Regional leadership as well as leadership back in St. Louis. In that capacity I’ve been involved with assisting Rev. Dr. Walter Steele and his wife Robyn, who decided to transition… Continue reading Supporting Staff
Leading in Sri Lanka
With the departure of all the executive leadership in the Asia Region, I and my colleagues Rev. Steven Mahlburg and Rev. Matthew Wood, as the Asia Area Facilitators, are tasked with holding down the fort, so to speak, as the search for new executive leadership begins. It will likely not be until early next year… Continue reading Leading in Sri Lanka
Adventures
When we were recruited to join OIM back in 2021 and discussions of where we might be placed in Asia were underway, very early on Medan, Indonesia was a front runner. My boss had lived and worked there for four years. There was another LCMS family already stationed there. We’d have some support locally. And… Continue reading Adventures
Back in the Saddle
Our family enjoyed a couple of week of R&R at the end of last month, a much needed breather and time together for which we are very grateful. But now it’s back to work. This month, work means a visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for Word & Sacrament and partnership opportunities. I’m writing this… Continue reading Back in the Saddle
The Nelson Family Indonesia 