January started with a delightful trip to Hanoi, following the All Asia Family Retreat in Taiwan. Gena and I were blessed to worship with our LCMS brethren in Hanoi and bring devotions to the staff of Concordia International School Hanoi (CISH). There were also times of fellowship with staff and leadership there. All of this… Continue reading Frigid January
Category: Current Events
Parenting Wins
To be a parent is to worry. To wonder. It is a broad avenue to constant uncertainty and self-doubt. In a culture of experts bombarding us every moment through television and radio and the Internet with new or time-tested techniques and products for successful parenting, it isn’t humanly possibly to engage all of them, even… Continue reading Parenting Wins
Family Gathering in Taiwan
Part of the reason our kids could join us for Christmas is because our regional family gathering happened the week after in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Kaohsiung is the southernmost major metropolis in Taiwan. And while I’ve been to Taiwan multiple times to visit our headquarters in Chiayi, this was a new city for me to visit.… Continue reading Family Gathering in Taiwan
An Early Christmas
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
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
New Year, New Responsibilities
Work on the mission field is always in flux. At times I’m surprised that, after close to a century doing ministry work in Southeast Asia we lack things that seem basic and obvious, more extensive systems to capture the work being done and connect it with previous work and future work. Part of this is… Continue reading New Year, New Responsibilities
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
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
My First Typhoon
I flew into Manila today on the heels of typhoon Kristine (although sources differ as to whether she’s a full-scale typhoon or just a Severe Tropical Storm). Whatever she was, my flight had to circle south of Manila for 20 minutes before coming in for a landing due to heavy rains and wind. Once on… Continue reading My First Typhoon
Phuket
After three days in Bangkok, it’s time to move on. The TCLC has major centers of work in three areas of the country. Bangkok is the central area of Thailand, and now we’re moving on to Phuket in the southern section of Thailand. All the logistics of travel and accommodations in-country have been arranged by… Continue reading Phuket
The Nelson Family Indonesia 