We were very excited to be invited to present to three classes of high school students at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, CA. Orange is a suburb of the sprawling Los Angeles metropolis and our experience at OLU was nothing short of eye-opening and incredible. OLU has an entire missions program. Interested students can… Continue reading Orange Lutheran High School
Category: Life
Back to Base
We finished in Minnesota and after dinner with a friend and former colleague, headed back to Arizona. Our travel was fantastic and we’re so glad we got to see everyone we did. It never feels like enough time, but simultaneously it seems like an eternity. Traveling is rarely just a matter of distances, it also… Continue reading Back to Base
Mission Central
We drove all day Monday from Chicago to Mapleton, IA. We were hosted by the wonderful Kaftons, whom Gena and I were privileged to stay with three years ago as we were just starting out on this adventure. This time they hosted Gena and I as well as the boys, providing a wonderful meal and… Continue reading Mission Central
St. John Book Club
Apologies right off the bat – we all forgot to get a picture of this! But we were blessed to join Pastor Dan Kletke and his Book Club from St. John, Canon City. While they have read a wide variety of books over the years together, most recently they read Ministering Cross-Culturally, a book Dan… Continue reading St. John Book Club
Tenebrae
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
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…
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
Baptism!
My parish congregations in the US were predominantly comprised of retirement age folks and beyond. I did far more funerals than I could have ever imagined realistic, but only what seemed like a handful of baptisms (and fewer weddings!). So baptisms are an exciting thing for me still. Which is good, because James was excited for his… Continue reading Baptism!
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!
Tastes of Home (Sort of)
You meet a lot of people overseas. Part of this is due to being a foreigner and in Indonesia and particularly in Medan, locals are fascinated by orang putih atau bule (white people or Westerners) because it’s not a major tourist city and there are so few of us. Another reason for meeting people is the natural… Continue reading Tastes of Home (Sort of)
The Nelson Family Indonesia 