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
Category: Theology
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
Windshield Time
Today was a long day behind the wheel. From the beautiful family cabin we were loaned in Salida, I had a two hour drive back to Colorado Springs for a 10am meeting at Immanuel Lutheran, Colorado Springs. I joined them for morning worship in their chapel led by Pastor Jonathan Kern (first photo below). Then… Continue reading Windshield Time
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
Wrapping up February
The end of February saw a week-long series of connected trips. First to Singapore and Malaysia, then to Taiwan and then back to Malaysia. In Singapore I was blessed to lead worship with the group of Lutherans that remain there from LCMS activity a decade ago. We had a visitor with us, a gentleman who… Continue reading Wrapping up February
Grateful
This is from Gena, based on her recent experience in a rural area of Cambodia. I found myself standing in front of a small simple hut outside a village with a group of others under the intense afternoon heat of a Cambodian dry season day.. A man stood before us with his hands tucked self-consciously… Continue reading Grateful
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
Concordia International School – Hanoi
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
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!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 