I arrived safely in Nepal after a five-hour flight from Malaysia. The flight was pleasant and uneventful – my favorite kind of flight! I was able to meet up with Rev. Dr. Michael Lockwood Saturday evening. He was in another part of Nepal the previous week doing some teaching. He’s the reason I’m here –… Continue reading Nepal Arrival
Category: Culture
Packed and Ready – Sorta
Today will be my last day in Indonesia and Medan and my home for a month. I depart today for Kuala Lumpur, where I will catch a flight early tomorrow morning for Nepal. This will be my first visit to Nepal. I never thought I’d see that country but, never say never I suppose. For… Continue reading Packed and Ready – Sorta
Singapore Connections
I continue my work in Singapore, seeking to build (and rebuild) relationship with the Lutheran Church in Singapore. Relationship is a key thing at the personal level here in Southeast Asia before it ever progresses to the institutional level. However on this visit it’s a diplomacy of a different kind, welcoming Rev. Dr. James Baneck… Continue reading Singapore Connections
Angels Unawares
They shuffle into the line for lunch just ahead of me, a younger man guiding (presumably) his aging father. We make some polite conversation. The older man cannot see or hear so well anymore but otherwise seems fine aside from some unsteadiness. The younger man it turns out serves on the board of directors for… Continue reading Angels Unawares
Unexpected Opportunities
I was contacted late in September by our partner church, the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP). President Reyes wanted to know if I would be willing to come to Mindanao, the largest southernmost island of the Philippines to present teaching to their pastors gathered there for an annual meet-up. Unfortunately my schedule was booked… Continue reading Unexpected Opportunities
Okinawa Revisited
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
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
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
The Nelson Family Indonesia 