We began again with breakfast at the Old Latin School. Have I mentioned that German breakfasts are THE BEST BREAKFASTS IN THE WORLD?!?!? I became convinced of this while visiting friends over 20 years ago in Ulm, and I’ve never changed my mind – or had reason to even consider changing it. Don’t get me… Continue reading Retreat – Day 1
Category: Life
Meetings – Day 2
We concluded our leadership meetings today. We didn’t finish everything on the agenda – ha! – but we did finish the time we had allotted to do so. More work to be done in the future, but good still has been done. Good news includes we are finishing the year almost exactly on budget target,… Continue reading Meetings – Day 2
Meetings – Day 1
It doesn’t feel like Sunday, yet it is. We had worship this morning which was very good, and normally that would help anchor my sense of time and date. But we’ve been so many places in the last nearly three months that even this is not enough to fully secure my sense of time. Breakfast… Continue reading Meetings – Day 1
In Wittenberg – I Think!
I’m a bit groggy still. The nine hour flight from Phoenix to London, and another two and a half hour flight to Berlin, then a short night’s rest before being up and headed to the train station to ride to Wittenberg has left me a bit addled in the head. More so than usual even,… Continue reading In Wittenberg – I Think!
En Route to Wittenberg
Gena and I will leave this evening for Wittenberg, Germany, where we’ll join the entire Asia team for our annual gathering. It will be a time of learning and discussion and fellowship. There will also be two intensive days of leadership meetings beforehand that include five of the Asia team plus our interim Regional Director… Continue reading En Route to Wittenberg
Our Savior, Excelsior
This morning we visited with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota, a suburb of western Minneapolis. We were able to visit with them mid-week two years ago, and they have been faithful partners so we made sure we could be there on a Sunday this time. I had the honor of preaching on Pentecost… Continue reading Our Savior, Excelsior
Mission Central
It was a light journey from Des Moines to Mission Central. Just a couple of hours through the greening fields and pastures. Corn is just coming in. Temperatures are increasing. Strong rains visited the Midwest a week ago, but the people here seem OK with it, knowing the corn is in the ground, and most… Continue reading Mission Central
Empty Nests & New Friends
Sometimes it doesn’t work to gather with a congregation interested in a visit. Sundays are, of course, popular days. Midweek days are much more difficult as pastors and congregational leaders worry there won’t be a big enough crowd to justify a visit. We’ve learned over time that the number of people present is a secondary… Continue reading Empty Nests & New Friends
Changing Time Zones
We’ve entered the third and final phase of our on-the-road home service visits. We started in Southern California, migrated to the Pacific Northwest, and now have made our way across the country to Chicago. We’re officially a little road-weary at this point. Still happy to be on the move and sharing with congregations and friends… Continue reading Changing Time Zones
Trinity ~ Bend, OR
Our final stop in the Northwest was at Trinity in Bend, OR. Trinity is a century old church and school that recently accomplished a major building program, resulting in a massive new space for worship as well as their senior high classes. Pastor Caleb Adams invited us and I was able to share a brief… Continue reading Trinity ~ Bend, OR
The Nelson Family Indonesia 