Singapore: A Very Short History: From Temasek to Tomorrow by Alvin Tan As a history lover, one of the side benefits of working on the other side of the world is a very real need to learn a bit (lot?!) more about the history of Southeast Asia. This is a topic that was barely touched… Continue reading Suggested Reading: Singapore
Category: History
Connections in Hanoi
Although I worried a week was too long for an initial visit to Hanoi, it turned out to be a very busy time! I had appointments with school staff on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus an additional counseling session with a Christian on Wednesday. The Holy Spirit put me to good use! We… Continue reading Connections in Hanoi
Angkor Wat
Our formal programming and gathering ended Thursday evening. The Cimas arranged an optional excursion to Angkor Wat for those interested. We obviously signed up – how often do you get an opportunity like that?!?! It would require a six hour bus trip each way, with one day of exploring Angkor Wat in between. Angkor Wat… Continue reading Angkor Wat
Thanksgiving II
Our second Thanksgiving took place yesterday afternoon and evening. Pre-Covid, our language school had a habit of hosting a cross-cultural Thanksgiving experience for their students. This year, they expected 120 people to attend to learn about American Thanksgiving and get a small taste of traditional American Thanksgiving food. At least as close to traditional American… Continue reading Thanksgiving II
Lutherans in Indonesia
Before I joined the international team I would never have guessed at the number of Lutherans in Southeast Asia. While in Kuala Lumpur I had the opportunity to see two different churches that are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia (ELCM). Zion Cathedral is located in downtown Kuala Lumpur, shadowed and dwarfed by… Continue reading Lutherans in Indonesia
First Meeting – Bishop Lawrence of the ELCM
I was blessed today to meet with Bishop Steven Lawrence of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia (ELCM). He set aside not just time to meet in his office and to introduce me (and my wife, Gena) to their staff, but also to drive us 90-minutes to visit one of their ministries – the Women’s… Continue reading First Meeting – Bishop Lawrence of the ELCM
Book Review – Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
Muslims, Christians and Jesus by Carl Medearis Gifted to us by life-long Bible translators, this book offers personal insights in how Christians can meet and build relationships with their Muslim neighbors. The author speaks with confidence and experience in this regard, sprinkling the book with real life anecdotes about interactions with a variety of people in… Continue reading Book Review – Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
Book Review (Partial) – A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1200
A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1200, 4th Edition by M. C. Ricklefs Another partial book review, this time because I didn’t finish it. I barely started it, but it’s obvious it’s far more detailed and in-depth than what I need right now. While I feel I have a good, broad-brushstrokes familiarity with the major… Continue reading Book Review (Partial) – A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1200
Book Review: Introducing Indonesia
Introducing Indonesia – 3rd edition, published by the American Women’s Association, 1975 This was a short and fascinating read. Short mostly because at least half the book is a phone directory of services and businesses in Indonesia – particularly the island of Java and the city of Jakarta – that might be of use to an… Continue reading Book Review: Introducing Indonesia
Book Review – A Brief History of Indonesia
A Brief History of Indonesia: Sultans, Spices & Tsunamis: The Incredible Story of Southeast Asia’s Largest Nation by Tim Hannigan How many colons are you allowed to have in a book title? I feel like Hannigan has exceeded his limit but, then again, he’s published a book and I haven’t. So I’ll just be quiet. This… Continue reading Book Review – A Brief History of Indonesia
The Nelson Family Indonesia 