The bywords of living overseas are adaptability and flexibility. These are essential just to handle all of the changes in culture and ways of doing things one encounters regardless of where they decide to move to. They are also essentials for my unique position in the Southeast Asia Region, as I’m deployed as a regional… Continue reading First Teaching Gig!
Category: Vocation
Goodbyes
In just under two weeks we’ll celebrate our 1-year anniversary of our arrival in Medan. Hard to believe it’s been a year. Also hard to believe it’s only been a year! We’ve met a lot of people in this year, and continue to meet new folks regularly which is a joy and blessing. But there… Continue reading Goodbyes
A Social Sunday
Today was pretty social for us. Gena got to talk with her friend Hotline after worship, and was joined by Laura, an ex-pat serving with another organization here in Medan. In the evening we were able to finally meet people we’ve heard about for a long time – James and Tika. James has been serving… Continue reading A Social Sunday
Connections in Hanoi
Although I worried a week was too long for an initial visit to Hanoi, it turned out to be a very busy time! I had appointments with school staff on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus an additional counseling session with a Christian on Wednesday. The Holy Spirit put me to good use! We… Continue reading Connections in Hanoi
CISH
The campus of Concordia International School Hanoi (CISH) is twice as big as when we last visited. In the interim they completed Building B, which houses their high school students. It’s a beautiful campus tucked away on the edge of a golf course about 40 minutes north of downtown Hanoi. The school is one of… Continue reading CISH
On to Vietnam!
As we wrap up a wonderful time of meeting with fellow workers throughout Southeast Asia, we are not yet heading home. Next up – Hanoi, Vietnam. I have the privilege of meeting with leadership and staff from Concordia International School Hanoi (CISH), one of three LCMS international schools on this side of the world. They… Continue reading On to Vietnam!
Angkor Wat
Our formal programming and gathering ended Thursday evening. The Cimas arranged an optional excursion to Angkor Wat for those interested. We obviously signed up – how often do you get an opportunity like that?!?! It would require a six hour bus trip each way, with one day of exploring Angkor Wat in between. Angkor Wat… Continue reading Angkor Wat
Time in Phnom Penh
We’re staying in the heart of Phnom Penh in one of the few hotels capable of handling a group of our size while located nearby a plethora of places to eat and things to see and do. It’s a bustling, big city. It reminds us somewhat of Medan, though the feel (as a capitol city)… Continue reading Time in Phnom Penh
Off to Cambodia!
Today we leave for the first all-Asia regional retreat to be held in these parts since before Covid. There is much excitement amongst those who have been on the field and remember the last one, and we are excited to get to meet people we’ve only heard by name, seen on Zoom, or communicated with… Continue reading Off to Cambodia!
Standing Out
We’ve been in country now for nearly 11 months. I’ve learned to ignore the stares (mostly) and turned heads from locals amazed at seeing a bule (Caucasian) way out here in Medan. We have routines of a sort, places we usually go, and after a while you stop thinking about it. This is partially necessary… Continue reading Standing Out
The Nelson Family Indonesia 