The final leg of this two week journey is Hanoi. Here I visited with the leadership of Concordia Interantional School Hanoi (CISH). It’s always a joy to visit here as the staff is truly world-class, serving Christ by witnessing to the love of Christ through their care and teaching of their students. While there are strict rules that… Continue reading Concordia International School – Hanoi
Category: Partners
Detour to Taiwan
With a baptism in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a visit to the LCMS international school in Hanoi already planned, I was a bit surprised when the week before departing I was contacted by our Regional Business Manager, Sam Borgwardt. He asked if I could come to Taiwan the following week – in between my two trips. … Continue reading Detour to Taiwan
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!
Nearly New Year in Singapore
When the regional gathering came to a close, I volunteered to accompany the visiting pastor – Rev. Roger James and his wife Amy – on the first leg of their long journey home to the US. They had a nearly ten hour layover in Singapore and offered to conduct or join in worship with our small… Continue reading Nearly New Year in Singapore
Regional Gathering
Each year (as of post-Covid) the Southeast Asia Region gathers as a family. Not just called workers but spouses and children all meet up together for a time of reunion and reconnection. Each year it’s in a different location. Our first one – last January – was in Cambodia. This time it was in our home town of Medan.… Continue reading Regional Gathering
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!
You Can’t Always Get What You Want….
Quoting the Rolling Stones for Christmas is inarguably unorthodox, to say the least. But that theme (rather than the song) has been heavy and prominent in this, our second Christmas in Indonesia. Things don’t go according to plan. Sometimes you don’t have a plan. Other times you have a plan and it doesn’t matter because it isn’t going… Continue reading You Can’t Always Get What You Want….
Never Say Never
If three years ago or so someone had told me I’d soon be an expert on airports throughout Southeast Asia I would have laughed in their face. Sure, I might visit occasionally if the opportunity arose, but an expert? Ha! What are the odds of that? Still incredibly slim but, in this case, God held… Continue reading Never Say Never
Finished with Filipinas. For Now!
Today we brought our training in the Philippines to a close. The last week we’ve been in lovely Baguio, enjoying the cool climate and teaching these ladies at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Baguio. Sandra has done the bulk of the teaching each day, while I offer a closing each day reviewing Luther’s Small Catechism.… Continue reading Finished with Filipinas. For Now!
Partnering in the Philippines
The last leg of my 5-week jaunt across South and Southeast Asia is to the Philippines. As second homes go you could do far worse than the Philippines, which is good as it’s my third trip there in almost as many months. There is great opportunity to partner with the Lutheran Church in the Philippines… Continue reading Partnering in the Philippines
The Nelson Family Indonesia 