Hi all! As I struggle to catch up on our blog updates, please be aware. I’m going to start posting current updates. At the same time I’m going to be back-filling posts from last month. By back-dating these posts (to keep the continuity of the blog as a whole somewhat logical) you might not get… Continue reading Upkeep Issues
Category: Writing
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
A Reformation to Remember
Morning dawns hot and humid. Just like every morning in Southeast Asia. Unless it’s raining. In which case it’s hot, wet and humid. Today is sunny, and the lens of my phone is fogged. There’s a theological discussion occurring on the front porch when I make my way out with tea to wake up and… Continue reading A Reformation to Remember
Into the Mountains
The small village of San Roque is located in the mountains about two and a half hours out of Davao City. Pastor Roeske has arranged drivers who will meet us and take us there. He directs me to meet him at a local Lutheran church – Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church. It’s located on the… Continue reading Into the Mountains
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
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
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….
Long Time Gone…
Literally. And not just here! I was away from home for over half of April. Fortunately my family was able to join me for a significant portion of that! In fact, I flew from Hanoi directly to Okinawa, there to meet my family arriving the following day. I had a trip planned to Okinawa and… Continue reading Long Time Gone…
Seka
I arrive in the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo. I don’t speak either of the two major languages here though there’s a fair amount of refined as well as rudimentary English here. As I do in Indonesia and everywhere else I travel to on this side of the world I rely on ride-hailing services… Continue reading Seka
Edi Long Hair
The pier we emerge onto at Lake Toba is a small, unassuming stone affair. Large, volcanic stone mortared together, layer upon layer out of the calm surrounding water and leading to land. Two young men sit hoping for customers for their water-craft tourist experiences. I pause to talk with them. With only a month of… Continue reading Edi Long Hair
The Nelson Family Indonesia 