Indonesian culture is a very neighborly and communal one. Emphasis is placed on togetherness in many different forms rather than individualism. While this is shifting as Western culture is increasingly available via media and the Internet, communal consideration is still paramount with the family standing at the center of it, as God intended. So when… Continue reading Pesta di Rumah!
Category: Partners
Continuing to Build
It was warm today. When there’s no cloud cover and the sun shines more brilliantly than perhaps anywhere else on earth, it’s hot. Steamy hot. And yet we made our way home through the market as usual. And as usual, the men gathered in the shade provided by a small tarp sat huddled around the… Continue reading Continuing to Build
More Guests
Overlapping Deaconess Rein’s time in country but missing actually visiting with her was Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Rev. Charles Ferry. He visited with us on his way further westward to assess the situation in Sri Lanka, which has been troublesome to say the least. Our workers there, Rev. Steven Mahlberg & family, are safe… Continue reading More Guests
Out of Town/Country/Hemisphere Guests
It’s been a busy week. Sickness for most of the family capped it off, but there were some great moments in between! We were blessed to have Deaconess Sandra Rhein in-country to meet with Rev. Wood and the hymnal committee working on the first Indonesian Lutheran Hymnal. Undoubtedly a productive meeting (though because I’m nowhere… Continue reading Out of Town/Country/Hemisphere Guests
Goodbye Jimmy
That’s Jimmy, our first pet in Medan. Kind of anticlimactic in many ways. We didn’t pick him out, he picked us. We rarely saw him, except when we’d inadvertently open a cabinet door he was hiding behind. We joked about the parties he would throw when we were away from the apartment, but he was… Continue reading Goodbye Jimmy
He Is Risen – Everywhere!
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! This truth stands in human history. In geography and history and time and place, witnessed and attested to. And it is true whether we are gathering in the United States or Europe or Indonesia. The same Lord is one Lord raised from the dead as proof his… Continue reading He Is Risen – Everywhere!
Drinking from a Firehose
It’s hard to believe we arrived in Medan two weeks ago. Although we feel so inadequate in terms of language, we’ve learned so much in such a short time. Like this post’s title, we’re at times overwhelmed by the process of learning a language and a culture as well as how to function in life… Continue reading Drinking from a Firehose
Earthquakes & News
Apparently two rather strong earthquakes hit Sumatra yesterday. Some damaged buildings as well as injuries and some deaths. Devastating locally, but here in Medan we didn’t even feel it or notice it. The earthquake was centered in West Sumatra which is roughly 400 miles away from us. No damage or injuries here in Medan. We’re… Continue reading Earthquakes & News
Good Mooooorrrrnnniiinnnggggg Medan!
Hello and good morning from Medan, Sumatera, Indonesia! We arrived safely on our flight from Jakarta yesterday evening. We may not look terribly excited in the photo but we are – just weary as well! The sig behind us, as we exit the airport terminal in Medan, means Welcome (at least we think it does!)… Continue reading Good Mooooorrrrnnniiinnnggggg Medan!
Quarantine Day 4
Because they counted the day of our arrival in Indonesia – Wednesday February 9 – as our first day of quarantine even though we spent most of that day in the air – today is our last day of quarantine. The quarantine hotel informed us yesterday that sometime after 8am today we would be tested… Continue reading Quarantine Day 4
The Nelson Family Indonesia 