The big event for the end of August and early September is a trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG). A legendary locale of Lutheran mission work going back 80 years, it’s also one of the most challenging places to get to, get about in, and get out of. It’s also a personal frontier of sorts.… Continue reading Papua New Guinea Arrival
Category: Travel
Balut
I nearly encountered it earlier this year in March. But an unexpectedly early departure saved me at the last minute. But this time, as giggles of delight erupted around me, I knew there would be no such rescue. This time, it was going to happen. I was going to encounter the soul of the Filipino,… Continue reading Balut
Field Trip
After a very brief time with family back in the US, I am back in Baguio, Philippines, to help teach at the start of a new academic year for Lutheran Theological Seminary. My two-week time in Baguio was only somewhat marred by last minute changes to the academic schedule, meaning classes started a week later… Continue reading Field Trip
Supporting Staff
A large chunk of my responsibilities as an Area Facilitator (AF) is to be the main connection between our deployed staff in the Region and Regional leadership as well as leadership back in St. Louis. In that capacity I’ve been involved with assisting Rev. Dr. Walter Steele and his wife Robyn, who decided to transition… Continue reading Supporting Staff
Leading in Sri Lanka
With the departure of all the executive leadership in the Asia Region, I and my colleagues Rev. Steven Mahlburg and Rev. Matthew Wood, as the Asia Area Facilitators, are tasked with holding down the fort, so to speak, as the search for new executive leadership begins. It will likely not be until early next year… Continue reading Leading in Sri Lanka
Back in the Saddle
Our family enjoyed a couple of week of R&R at the end of last month, a much needed breather and time together for which we are very grateful. But now it’s back to work. This month, work means a visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for Word & Sacrament and partnership opportunities. I’m writing this… Continue reading Back in the Saddle
Back in Baguio
Not quite as catchy as Back in the USSR, but c’est la vie. I have been back in Baguio. It’s becoming a second (or maybe third?) home for me over the past few years. This time I’m back to coordinate and assist in a training and review week for deaconesses of the Lutheran Church in… Continue reading Back in Baguio
Three Keystones
Organizations rely on a variety of tools to help maintain focus. Truth be told, I can’t remember any of the vision or mission statements created by the various companies and organizations I’ve worked for over the years. Most likely a failure on my part, given the substantial resources poured into the creation and selection of… Continue reading Three Keystones
The Good News in Schools
I wonder what type of student Jesus was. Knowing practically nothing of his youth (because first century concepts of biography differed considerably from our 20th and 21st century psychology-dominated concepts of biography), we have to guess at what that education consisted of. Training in the Scriptures leading to his welcoming into the Jewish community at… Continue reading The Good News in Schools
Necessary Evils
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
The Nelson Family Indonesia 