welsfriendsofafrica.com, Author at WELS Friends of Africa

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019

Back Home to Africa

My family: Rachel, me (Heather), Mindy, John going from left to right. We are at a game park in Zambia called South Luangwa

Who doesn’t love to be home? Well, especially when you have a wonderful family such as my parents and older sister. I was born in Malawi, Africa, though I spent the first 10 years of my life in the small town of Chipata in Zambia. My father, Pastor John Holtz, worked as a missionary pastor there until he received a call to move to Malawi in 2008. I spent the rest of my school years there all the way until I graduated secondary school at age 18. Since then, I have been attending Wisconsin Lutheran College as a nursing student, currently in my third year. I have been extremely blessed to have been able to go back home to Malawi during the longer breaks to see my family and old friends.

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019

Walira Mvula, Walira Matope

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

There is a Chewa proverb, “Walira mvula, walira matope” (he who cries for rain, cries for mud). In a place where no rain falls from May to October, the beginning of the rainy season means new life and a fresh crop of food. Malawian farmers view rain as one of God’s greatest blessings; however, the rainy season presents a significant challenge for city planners trying to manage the flow of water through heavily populated urban areas.

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019

Digital Bookmobile

L-R: Pastors Matope, Chipembere and Petro serve churches located in rural areas of Malawi

Imagine for a moment that when you switched on your 52” flatscreen last Sunday to watch the Super Bowl, the screen remained blank. As your frantic calls to your cable provider meet a busy signal, now imagine steam coming out of your ears. You are missing out on the biggest sporting event of the year – not to mention the commercials, the halftime show, and the always entertaining commentary by Jim Nantz and Tony Romo.