As I’m moving between countries it’s always wonderful to take time to stop and see friends. Passing through Singapore I was able to catch up with this scurrilous group. In Kuala Lumpur I always make time to see James, the young man I baptized and now provide some mentoring to. Over the past few years… Continue reading Passing Through
Category: Change
Philippine FORO #2
I’ve mentioned FOROs here before. No, it isn’t an acronym. It’s a Spanish word for forum or meeting. Yes, I have to capitalize it. People above my pay grade have made that decision. Life goes on. The name doesn’t really matter, though. Voted on in convention three years ago, the FORO model started in the… Continue reading Philippine FORO #2
Another School Year
A good chunk of my life has revolved more around the ebb and flow of academic year than calendar years. Between my own somewhat elongated educational endeavors, then working in and around universities for close to 20 years, my internal clock was pretty well attuned, and my ears would prickle not at the approaching season… Continue reading Another School Year
July 4 Overseas
Summer is a popular time for independence. Of course the USA celebrates on July 4. Singapore celebrates on August 9. Indonesia celebrates theirs on August 17. Malaysia celebrates on August 31. Independence is a big deal, and it’s an exciting moment in a national identity to celebrate. This July 4th I was once again not… Continue reading July 4 Overseas
International Life and the Joy of Visas
Living overseas is a fascinating thing in nearly every respect – historically, culturally, linguistically, logistically. You learn so much more than you ever anticipated, and you’d better learn it, because your continued viability overseas depends on you learning and following some very specific rules. Passports get you in and out of your home country. In… Continue reading International Life and the Joy of Visas
Retreat – Day 1
We began again with breakfast at the Old Latin School. Have I mentioned that German breakfasts are THE BEST BREAKFASTS IN THE WORLD?!?!? I became convinced of this while visiting friends over 20 years ago in Ulm, and I’ve never changed my mind – or had reason to even consider changing it. Don’t get me… Continue reading Retreat – Day 1
Meetings – Day 1
It doesn’t feel like Sunday, yet it is. We had worship this morning which was very good, and normally that would help anchor my sense of time and date. But we’ve been so many places in the last nearly three months that even this is not enough to fully secure my sense of time. Breakfast… Continue reading Meetings – Day 1
It Is Finished
We brought our home service to a conclusion yesterday with Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. Relatively in our old back yard of Phoenix, Crown of Life have been partnering with us since we first began in 2021, and it was a great note to conclude a fantastic home service with.… Continue reading It Is Finished
Last, But Not Least
The last stop on our Midwestern tour, and the last stop of our busy travel saga that started April 18, was Grace Lutheran in Oak Creek, WI. We were blessed to visit with them five years ago as we were just starting our preparations for deployment overseas, and they’ve remained gracious partners and friends all… Continue reading Last, But Not Least
Our Savior, Excelsior
This morning we visited with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota, a suburb of western Minneapolis. We were able to visit with them mid-week two years ago, and they have been faithful partners so we made sure we could be there on a Sunday this time. I had the honor of preaching on Pentecost… Continue reading Our Savior, Excelsior
The Nelson Family Indonesia 