I haven’t belonged in a church in nearly three years. That’s a strange feeling, to be a wandering worshiper without roots in a congregation. It’s acceptable and I can deal with it. Our whole family has to varying degrees. God the Holy Spirit is good and his love remains palpable even when we aren’t firmly… Continue reading Tenebrae
Category: Current Events
Stateside!
After two long days of travel, we’ve safely made it to Phoenix from Medan! Monday we flew from Medan to Singapore, with a five-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur. We arrived in time to grab a quick dinner and go to sleep. The next morning we were at Changi International Airport in Singapore to board our… Continue reading Stateside!
Before We Arrive at Your Congregation…
I know what some of you are thinking. You’re coming here for money. How do I know this? Because I sat in the pew for more years than I was in the pulpit. I remember having all sorts of people come to the various congregations I was a part of. And it was always obvious… Continue reading Before We Arrive at Your Congregation…
Home Service Planning
This month we’ll start the long trip back to the US for our first Home Service. The trip will span three days and take us from Medan to Singapore to San Francisco and then finally Phoenix. Finally in the sense of that’s where we’ll be based for our time in the US. But our travels… Continue reading Home Service Planning
Wrapping up February
The end of February saw a week-long series of connected trips. First to Singapore and Malaysia, then to Taiwan and then back to Malaysia. In Singapore I was blessed to lead worship with the group of Lutherans that remain there from LCMS activity a decade ago. We had a visitor with us, a gentleman who… Continue reading Wrapping up February
Fear
There was a murder in our neighborhood last night. My colleague JP had just taken his 6-year old son Isaac to the bathroom. I was left at the outdoor table with Lin, Isaac’s 10-year old Cambodian neighbor buddy. We are out on a lunch together while our wives are away in the villages doing ministry… Continue reading Fear
Rarely Bored for Long!
As Christmas came and went I thought January and February were going to be pretty quiet and uneventful months. I’m constantly looking for ways to be useful in my duties here and the prospect of not having ways to do so laid out in advance tends to make my palms sweat. I should quit worrying! The… Continue reading Rarely Bored for Long!
Gathering!
This week was more than a little unusual. It was our second-annual Regional Family Retreat. All the workers from the entire region (along with their families) convened together for fellowship, Bible study, and updates from LCMS headquarters. Last year it was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This year, it was held in Medan, Indonesia! Rev. Matt & Kali Wood, our… Continue reading Gathering!
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
Teaching in the Clouds
Today as I concluded my teaching, I emerged to find the clouds settling on the hill where the seminary is perched. It’s beautiful here!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 