I have learned and maintained over years of experience in a variety of vocational fields that meetings are a necessary evil. At best they accomplish some imperfect good. At worst they are a perfect waste of time. I like to think this attitude is not evil in itself, though I’m sure there are folks who… Continue reading Necessary Evils
Category: Theology
Take Your Sandals Off Your Feet…
These were God’s Words of love and warning to Moses in Exodus 3:5 as Moses approached the burning bush. God’s plan had worked – the burning bush attracted Moses’ attention. Then God spoke to Moses, warning him that coming closer would be harmful, and instructing him in how to show the proper respect and honor… Continue reading Take Your Sandals Off Your Feet…
Blessings in Baguio
On February 28th I winged my way eastward, from Medan to Kuala Lumpur and on to Manila. There I met my colleague, Rev. (and soon to be Dr.!) JP Cima. JP and his family have served in Cambodia for the past seven years after spending a decade working in Vietnam. But through the middle of… Continue reading Blessings in Baguio
Homeward Bound
My flight from Asia to the US was: Medan to Kuala Lumpur to Singapore to Chicago to Ft. Wayne. But tonight as I started back towards Asia my route is a bit longer. Tonight I flew from St. Louis to Chicago. Then tomorrow morning bright and early I fly Chicago to Los Angeles to Tokyo… Continue reading Homeward Bound
Renewing Old Connections
My wife was born in Papua New Guinea where her parents served in LCMS missions. I’ve been hearing their family stories about that formative decade overseas for over 30 years now, 20 of them as part of the family by marriage. And one of the recurring characters in those stories were their teammates on the… Continue reading Renewing Old Connections
Frigid-er January
When I passed through immigration control at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (first time I’ve gone through immigration there), the immigration officer asked me where I was headed. When I told her Ft. Wayne, she made some sort of exclamation which I took effectively to mean thank-goodness-I’m-not-there-because-it’s-colder-than-Chicago. She was not incorrect. I arrived on the… Continue reading Frigid-er January
Orienting Change
December began with a trip back to the Philippines. Normally I don’t go there this time of year but there is a special occasion – an introductory orientation trip for a missionary new to Asia but not to the mission field. Rev. Dr. Walter Steele and his wife Robyn will be transitioning from the Africa… Continue reading Orienting Change
Reconnecting in KL
For those who live and work and travel in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is just KL. Short and sweet, despite the sprawling massiveness of the city. This is my portal to the rest of Southeast Asia and I know the airport almost better than the shape of my house in Medan. This time, because… Continue reading Reconnecting in KL
Growth in Hanoi
We were blessed to have time in Hanoi this past week, providing care & support to the staff and leadership of Concordia International School Hanoi (CISH). This time we were blessed to participate in several larger staff events, allowing us to have more focused time in conversation with different people. One of these events was… Continue reading Growth in Hanoi
Teaching
The last two days have been a blur of teaching. I’ve been teaching most of my professional life in one form or another. But this is the first time I’ve taught in the mountain jungles of southern Philippines. Working with the Tagakaulo Lutheran Church of Christ in the Philippines (TLCCP). Pastor Roeske is my translator… Continue reading Teaching
The Nelson Family Indonesia 