After my time in the Philippines I flew directly to Singapore for a meeting with Bishop Lu, head of the Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS). He has been a friendly face and welcoming friend over the last few years and it was good to reconnect with him again to talk about how things with the… Continue reading An Early Christmas
Category: Culture
Orienting Change
December began with a trip back to the Philippines. Normally I don’t go there this time of year but there is a special occasion – an introductory orientation trip for a missionary new to Asia but not to the mission field. Rev. Dr. Walter Steele and his wife Robyn will be transitioning from the Africa… Continue reading Orienting Change
Reconnecting in KL
For those who live and work and travel in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is just KL. Short and sweet, despite the sprawling massiveness of the city. This is my portal to the rest of Southeast Asia and I know the airport almost better than the shape of my house in Medan. This time, because… Continue reading Reconnecting in KL
Back in Singapore
As the year winds to a close, the last two months are bereft of major commitments of time and allow me the opportunity for shorter trips. No less meaningful, but easier than long stretches are. Singapore is one such familiar quick stop. Oftentimes Singapore (like Kuala Lumpur) gets added on to the end or beginning… Continue reading Back in Singapore
Growth in Hanoi
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… Continue reading Growth in Hanoi
Teaching
The last two days have been a blur of teaching. I’ve been teaching most of my professional life in one form or another. But this is the first time I’ve taught in the mountain jungles of southern Philippines. Working with the Tagakaulo Lutheran Church of Christ in the Philippines (TLCCP). Pastor Roeske is my translator… Continue reading Teaching
A Reformation to Remember
Morning dawns hot and humid. Just like every morning in Southeast Asia. Unless it’s raining. In which case it’s hot, wet and humid. Today is sunny, and the lens of my phone is fogged. There’s a theological discussion occurring on the front porch when I make my way out with tea to wake up and… Continue reading A Reformation to Remember
Into the Mountains
The small village of San Roque is located in the mountains about two and a half hours out of Davao City. Pastor Roeske has arranged drivers who will meet us and take us there. He directs me to meet him at a local Lutheran church – Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church. It’s located on the… Continue reading Into the Mountains
Adjustments
I awoke to my alarm early in the morning, prepared to meet Rev. Roeske as planned at the airport for our flight from Manila to Davao City. But I awoke to texts from the airline telling me our flight had been cancelled, and prompting me to begin the process of rebooking. Scant moments later Pastor… Continue reading Adjustments
Samantha*
Summertime, the first week of July, 2012. Our second anniversary of my second pastoral Call, this time to the California seaside community of Santa Barbara. But we were living about 15 miles south of there in a sleepy little beach town called Carpinteria, where we were renting a house about half a mile from the… Continue reading Samantha*
The Nelson Family Indonesia 