Cabin #1
Named For: Rupert Nelson
Born: 1931
Died:
Mission Field: Thailand
Rupert Nelson grew up in a strong Christian farm family in the Dell Rapids area. In addition to learning many
valuable farming skills, he greatly enjoyed other out-of-door activities. His spiritual horizons were expanded
during his years at Sioux Falls College and the First Baptist church in that community. After military service,
Rupert earned a Master's degree in agronomy and later did some seminary work.
His wife, Delores Kop, came from a large Chinese family living in Honolulu, where she had a growing desire to
become a missionary. She eventually found her way to Sioux Falls College where she met Rupert. They were
married in 1956 in Ellendale, North Dakota, because South Dakota prohibited interracial marriages. The South
Dakota law was eventually changed because of their marriage. After some teaching experience she studied home
economics to better equip herself for agricultural mission work. They were appointed by the Board of International
Ministries in 1962 as agricultural missionaries to northern Thailand.
In reflecting on his ministry, Rupert identifies his tour of duty in the Korean War, where he saw many starving
people, as a life-changing experience. "God told me I could do something about conditions like those," he said.
The Nelsons worked with the Karen tribe in northern Thailand which resulted in many positive changes. The home
base for much of their work was the Center for the Uplift of the Hill Tribes at Chiang Mai, a school that seeks to
produce Christian leadership with competence in agriculture and crafts. It also stresses Biblical understanding and
Christian commitment.
By cross-breeding native pigs and sheep with counterparts from the United States and Australia, they created
livestock that produced more meat and a higher quality of wool. They also introduced terrace farming on the
mountain slopes, a method that protects the soil from erosion. Over the years, Rupert has also introduced fruit
trees, coffee bushes, and other methods of land care, including the development of small irrigation systems.
Dee has specialized in weaving and the use of wool, as well as encouraging Karen women to add new vegetables
and fruit to their limited diets. She also served at the New Life Center in Chiang Mai for nine years teaching sewing
and handicrafts. The Center is a home for young women threatened with sexual exploitation.
"When we first arrived in Thailand there were only 700 or 800 Karen members of the church," Rupert said.
"Now there are over 15,000 members, and other tribes in the northern mountains have shown similar growth.
When people are able to produce enough food to feed their families they are able to support their churches."
They retired from International Ministries in December, 1996, after 33 years in Thailand.