Tag Archive for: Malawi

CAMM helps address healthcare challenges in Africa

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The need for affordable and adequate healthcare is a hot topic for all countries. The Central Africa Medical Mission helps alleviate the need in Malawi, Zambia, and most recently, Kenya. Why is this need so great? Is the healthcare need the same in every country?

Kenya

There is minimal free healthcare in Kenya. If you are sick, the cost for a general consultation is about $14. If surgery or more treatment is needed, and the patient cannot pay, then they may go without care or try and raise funds from their community and family. Recently, CAMM held a four-day medical clinic just outside of Nairobi, Kenya, to do basic health screenings including blood pressure, blood sugars, cervical and breast cancer screenings. We saw many chronic conditions that patients had been suffering through due to the expensive healthcare in the country. With CAMMā€™s help, the care we provided was free and the cost to CAMM and our Lutheran partners during our short-term medical was about $17 per patient. We pray that those afflicted with illness and disease can find some healing with the therapy and medications received.

Malawi

Thunga Clinic in Malawi

CAMM has been operating the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi since 1970. Staff travel to four rural villages for a day of clinic each week. The clinics focus on providing Christian counseling and education, HIV testing and treatment, malaria treatment, wellness checks, immunizations for children, prenatal care, and treatment of other minor injuries or illnesses. The cost to each patient is about 60 cents, and the cost to CAMM to provide care is about $2.92 per patient. A huge challenge for Malawian patients is medications. One of the main reasons patients visit the CAMM clinics is that they have the medications readily available. Most medications, including antibiotics and blood pressure meds, cannot be found at government run pharmacies. What a blessing that God has provided CAMM with the care and medications the Malawian patients need at an affordable cost.

Zambia

Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre

The CAMM Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre, a permanent clinic in Zambia, has been in existence since 1961. It provides preventive health services and outpatient care as in Malawi. In addition to those services, the clinic staff deliver babies, treat patients for HIV and tuberculosis, and do home visits. CAMM is also able to provide the care for the many diabetic patients in the region who cannot receive treatment at the government clinics. The care CAMM offers to each patient arriving at Mwembezhi is free, costing CAMM about $4.94 per patient.

With Godā€™s blessing and healing hand, the clinics in Zambia and Malawi saw over 70,000 patients in 2023 and saw over 1,400 patients in Kenya during the four-day medical camp in February 2024.

Written by Angela Sievert, Central Africa Medical Mission chair.

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Reflections on Malawi

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ā€œYou need to be patient!ā€ This is a common phrase used by parents or teachers but what is true patience? During my July visit to Malawi and Zambia with Vickie Walther and Gary and Beth Evans, I was blessed to observe the amazing patience of Central Africa Medical Missionsā€™s (CAMM) clinic patients. Our trips focus was to learn about the Lutheran Mobile Clinic (LMC) in Malawi and Lutheran Mission Rural Health Centre in Zambia to better serve our supporters. I am excited to share a few of our amazing experiences with you.

Clinic each day truly started the night prior when Violet Chikwatu, the nurse in charge, and Lusungu Mwambeye, Clinic Administrator, prepared bins of necessary medical supplies and medications. Each morning, the Lutheran Mobile Clinic staff in Lilongwe loaded the ambulance. On the way to the village of Suzi, we picked up additional staff and completed the 1.25-hour drive to clinic. The dirt roads were an adventure in the ambulance. I celebrated the wonderful driving skills of Vincent who navigated traffic in Lilongwe and the bumps and turns of the roads to the villages.

Upon arrival at Suzi, our staff efficiently set-up the clinic in the church buildings and courtyard while patients were listening to a devotion under the trees from a church elder. The mothers waited in line patiently to have their little ones weighed via a scale hanging from a tree outside of the clinic. Beth Evans and I wandered in the crowd to identify any patients who needed to be moved to the front of the line due to severe illness. The Clinic started and ran smoothly and efficiently. I kept thinking about myself headed to a doctorā€™s appointment in the US and how I would have been frustrated if taken a few minutes late from my scheduled appointment. These patients had traveled many hours by foot to get to our clinic, waited patiently for clinic to open and then proceeded calmly through each step of clinic (triage, immunizations, doctor visits, pharmacy, etc.). I witnessed a man with severe asthma being assessed and treated by our staff. He was able to leave clinic with the necessary asthma medications for the days ahead. Another former patient with a leg wound came to share with Beth his gratitude for her medical care as his wound was now fully healed. A baby with febrile seizures was seen by Violet and Beth who determined the baby required a transport to a local hospital for additional interventions. Our back-up ambulance transported her there while the other staff cleaned up clinic and took the main ambulance back to Lilongwe. What a blessing to have our two ambulances so this could all happen! the Lutheran Mobile Clinic served 250 patients in five hours at Suzi that day.

Patients waiting in line to be helped

There was no chaos and the staff and patients were calm throughout the whole day. It was a true blessing to observe!

The next day started in the same way at Lilongwe with loading of the ambulance and picking up staff on the 45-minute drive to the village of Mwalaulomwe. So many mothers and babies were waiting and listening to the devotion when we arrived. After devotion, clinic was again up and ready to see patients with ease. Within an hour of opening, three babies were identified as potentially having pneumonia. The ambulance was able to transport them safely to the local hospital. We rejoiced that the mothers were able to connect with our staff and receive the necessary triage at our clinic along with transport to the hospital. I again thought about patience. How long had these babies been ill?

What if clinic was not open that day in Mwalaulomwe. As a mother, I am grateful for urgent cares and medical clinics open 24/7 near my home for my daughters. I am thankful God supported these mothers during their infantsā€™ illnesses and connected them to our medical staff for appropriate medical care and transport.

Words cannot express how thankful I am for the opportunity to travel to Malawi and Zambia to see our clinic staff in action and the patients served. I rejoice in their patience as they waited for care to nourish their body and soul. Please reflect with me this month the words of Romans 12:12, ā€œBe joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.ā€ The Central Africa Medical Missionā€™s focus of Christ-centered healthcare supporting gospel ministry occurs every day through the support you provide with prayer and donations. Thank you for your support!

Written by Stacy Stolzman, development director for the Central Africa Medical Mission.Ā 

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New and old brooms

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The difference between new and old brooms is summarized in a proverb. ā€œThe new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners.ā€ The meaning is that while youth brings energy to a situation, people with experience bring more knowledge.

A fresh set of eyes helps you see things youā€™ve overlooked or grown accustomed to. The Africa Regional confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) gathering in Lusaka, Zambia this month brought together both new and old WELS mission partners. The former brought fresh perspective and energy. The latter brought experience and encouragement. The exchange was invaluable for all.

A Practical Conference
The agenda presented real-life ministry struggles before the delegates. The first presentation addressed the pros and cons of church-run businesses. One of the ā€œnew broomsā€ represented at the conference was the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ – Kenya (LCMC-Kenya). Its president, Rev. Mark Anariko Onunda, delivered a paper on this topic. He wrote, ā€œOur churches are poor and the poverty of the church workers leads to a crisis of the spirit.ā€ Generally speaking, African pastors are poorly compensated by their members, due to various factors. Many African pastors operate small business ventures to help support their families. Some are more skilled at managing their time and money than others.

The first community of believers chose seven deacons to manage the financial affairs of the church. They left the apostles free to give their attention to prayer and the ministry of the word (Ac 6:4). Rev. Onunda noted that skilled laypeople can run church businesses well and pastors can concentrate on the spiritual needs of their flocks.

Training Shepherds

One Africa Team Leader Rev. Howard Mohlke led a Bible study on Christian service, both private and public. The number of organized African congregations is much higher than the number of ordained clergymen available to serve them. Many view the term ā€œpastorā€ as a title of respect rather than as a calling to serve. Rev. Mohlke noted that the word ā€œpastorā€ is a verb that means “to shepherd.” The shepherdā€™s job is to care for the needs of the sheep. All Christians have the gifts and responsibility to personally serve one another as members of Christā€™s body. Some Christians have been called to serve in public ministry on behalf of the congregation. The essence of their work as public ministers is the same as that of all Christians. It is a humble, Spirit-filled service that focuses peopleā€™s attention on the gospel of Christ.

 

The Lutheran Church of Central Africa-Zambia (LCCA-Zambia) is one of the ā€œold brooms.ā€ One of the WELSā€™ oldest gospel partners in Africa has Rev. Davison Mutentami as its president. His presentation touched on the kind of training needed for a healthy church. In his words, ā€œAfrica has been invaded by prophets and preachers from all walks of life. Africans have been invaded by teachings that are likely to deny them a chance to receive the true message of salvation by grace.ā€ Many churches are led by people with no formal or informal Biblical training. Several African governments are considering legislation to require that pastors obtain a degree from an accredited institution.

 

But training should not be limited to members of the clergy. One size does not fit all. There are many local church leaders who would benefit from training tailored to their needs and abilities. The curriculum of many Lutheran seminaries is a treasured heritage to be sure. However, there are other practical skills to learn that will benefit both pastors and their congregations. One of the delegates, a layperson, made the following insightful comment.

ā€œTheological educationā€™s purpose isnā€™t to turn a man into a gospel minister, but to help him do gospel ministry.ā€ That kind of training will certainly result in a healthy church.

A Laypersonā€™s Perspective
An accountant by trade and a former treasurer of the LCCA-Zambia, Mr. Zororai Shoko delivered the fourth presentation. He very effectively demonstrated the need for financial accountability and transparency in the church. Mr. Shoko made his case by citing examples from both the Bible and recent case studies. He wrote, ā€œwhenever a person in power ā€“ especially the power of handling finances ā€“ tries to avoid transparency and accountability, the Church is in danger.ā€

When Mr. Shoko served as the treasurer of a local congregation, members asked to borrow funds from the general offerings. He refused, even though this had been standard practice in the past. Some congregations did not have bank accounts, but offerings were handled single-handedly either by the treasurer or the pastor. This lack of checks and balances has damaging consequences for the pastor and the church. According to one study, in 2019 Christian organizations were estimated to have lost $68 billion due to fraud. In the same time frame, donors were expected to give $60 billion for worldwide mission work.

Part of the reason for low offerings is a spiritual problem, but another is the lack of accountability. Fiscal malfeasance is endemic in the government. Nevertheless, Mr. Shoko remarked that ā€œpeople expect more from the church than from the government.ā€ The solution to these problems is simple. The church must establish clear procedures for counting, depositing, and accounting for funds entrusted to them. In the absence of such procedures, sinful human beings will take advantage of the opportunity. Mr. Shoko shared this final anecdote: A thief was asked if he would give up stealing. His reply? ā€œNot if they remain so careless.ā€

Prayer Requests
Delegates from each of the seven synods attending the CELC Africa Regional meeting presented a brief history of their church bodies. They also mentioned requests for prayers. May I ask you to join me in praying for our African brothers?

  • The Lutheran Church of Cameroon: pray that God end the current war that has led members from seven congregations to flee the region
  • The LCMC-Kenya: pray that God will relieve the current famine and grant peaceful relations between various ethnic groups in the country
  • The LCCA-Malawi Synod: pray that God will empower the leaders of the congregations and the synod as a whole to use offerings in a transparent and accountable way
  • Obadiah Lutheran Synod (Uganda): pray that God will help them train church leaders and build up their church bodyā€™s infrastructure
  • The LCCA-Zambia Synod: pray that God will grant pastors the courage to serve under extremely difficult circumstances and give the church body spiritual growth
  • All Saints Lutheran Church of Nigeria: pray that God grant church members spiritual maturity
  • The Lutheran Church of Ethiopia; pray that God grant more faithful leaders and financial stability for the church
  • Christ the King Lutheran Church of Nigeria: pray that God bless the church bodyā€™s leadership to serve both God and the members faithfully

May God bless the efforts of both new and old brooms to sweep souls into His Kingdom everywhere!

Written by Rev. John Roebke, world missionary in Malawi, Africa.

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Now I Believe

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Written by Missionary John Holtz for his Mission Partner Newsletter ā€“ appears on the One Africa Team blog. To learn more about the One Africa Team and their outreach efforts, subscribe to their blogs atĀ www.oneafricateam.comĀ or follow their Facebook page atĀ www.facebook.com/OneAfricaTeamWELS/.

I didnā€™t know what he meant.

I heard his words, but I didnā€™t grasp his message. I wondered what he was really saying. What was the meaning behind the words? Was he even talking to me? Or to someone else? Or was he just talking to himself? Three times he repeated the same thing:

ā€œNow I believe.ā€

I was a bit uncertain about his words because I had just walked up to him. His name is Bright Pembeleka. He is the pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Blantyre, Malawi. Heā€™s been serving in the public ministry for 13 years.

Bright Pembeleka graduated from the Lutheran Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia in 2005

We both had come to the same place: the mortuary. We were collecting the body of a Lutheran Church member. Pastor Pembeleka has been there before. Many times.

As a pastor he knows the routine all too well when someone dies: visiting the family, preparing the sermon, leading the worship, saying the prayers, conducting the burial service. But this time was different. Powerfully different. Life-changingly different.

This time he would not wear the robe of a preacher but the cloak of grief. The Lutheran member who passed away wasnā€™t just a church member, the person was his own daughter. Edina was 21 years old. Just 21!

Itā€™s not supposed to happen this way! But it did.

Watching one coffin after another being carried out of the mortuary and being placed into waiting vehicles reminded me once again: The old must die. The young can.

We waited while the embalmers did their job. Sensing an opening in the conversation, I risked asking Pastor Pembeleka what he meant by what he said, ā€œNow I believe.ā€ His explanation came freely, though heavily – it didnā€™t just land in my ears, it settled in my heart.

“I have officiated at a lot of funerals. I did so because it was my job. It was part of my work. But now it is happening to me… now is really the first time I know what it means to grieve. Now I am the one experiencing the pain. Now I know the heart-ache that others have talked about.

Now. I. FEEL.ā€

His eyes were reddening with tears. His voice was cracking with sorrow. His heart was breaking with pain. The cloak he wore was both dark and heavy.

Now I believe.

Grief seized him and gripped him. He and his wife and children would now be the ones to weakly stand, then kneel beside the pile of fresh dirt. Even fall upon it.

Maybe youā€™ve been there – waiting at the mortuary. Visiting at the funeral home. Walking the path to the grave. Placing a wreath of flowers. If so, you understand. If not, you likely will. Because sooner or later death touches the ones we love.

Malawi National Pastors at the Funeral

The cloak is dark and heavy.

Pastor Pembeleka would be at the funeral, but this time he wouldnā€™t be leading the service. His brothers in Christ would. Fellow servants and seasoned preachers. A band of disciples who gathered, supported, encouraged, prayed and rallied around their grieving brother and family.

Some of whom have buried their own children. They know. They have experienced. They understand. They FEEL. They believe.

They gave what they had, and what they had was what was needed most: the Word of God. After all, it had something to say to Pastor Pembeleka, his wife, his children and everyone there. It has something to say to you who werenā€™t. At a Christian funeral, GRIEF isnā€™t the only cloak worn on such days! So is the robe righteousness. The mantle of Godā€™s grace. God has draped his people with a love that seizes and grips and doesnā€™t let go.

In death there is life! (John 11: 25, 26)

Most fittingly, Pastor Eliya Petro chose and preached on the assuring words found in Johnā€™s first letter, ā€God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has lifeā€¦ā€ (1 John 5: 11, 12). Edina has life because the Son has her!

A chorus of Lutheran women, uniformed in purple and white, confidently sang that truth again and again as they walked in a long double line to the funeral house, ā€œSheā€™s in the hands of God, yes, sheā€™s in the hands of God.ā€

She isā€¦ because Jesus has conquered death!

She isā€¦ because Jesus lives!

She isā€¦ because Jesus has taken away her sin!

Pastor Pembeleka, you and your brothers have taught your congregations well. The people, whether sitting in the pew at church or sitting on the ground in a graveyard or kneeling close to the pile of dirt, have heard the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ from you. Week after week, sermon after sermon, service after service, funeral after funeral. Look around, dear brother. The gospel has done miraculous and marvelous things!

The people are expressing the very faith that God has given them. They are sharing the good and comforting news of Jesus with you and your family when you are the one grieving, the one paining, the one sorrowing, the one experiencing. They are serving you, standing with you when you are the one feeling.

Thank you, Pastor, for showing your humanness. Your frailty. Your need. Thank you for sharing your pain and your sorrow and your tears. When we are weak, then we are strong. (2 Corinthians 12: 10)

Now I believe.

In my weakness and Godā€™s strength,

Missionary John Holtz, Malawi

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A Most Blessed, Christ-filled Christmas from Malawi

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Written by Missionary John Holtz for his Mission Partner Newsletter – appears on the One Africa Team blog. To learn more about the One Africa Team and their outreach efforts, subscribe to their blogs at www.oneafricateam.com or follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OneAfricaTeamWELS/.

I just have to smile. After all, itā€™s Christmas time! Itā€™s the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I just have to smile.

I just have to chuckle, too. Christmas is also a time that I do.

Hereā€™s why: at Christmas time my family and I display some of our nativities in remembrance of our newborn King. When setting them up and seeing them displayed, my mind immediately recalls the time I once bought a CrĆØche in an open air market here in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Whatā€™s so funny about that?

Picture this: Mary and Joseph and Jesus, some shepherds, the Wise men, a star,1 a cow, a couple of sheep, a donkey or twoā€¦

and a hippo.

My Nativity Scene Hippo celebrating the season

Ok, granted, it is Malawi. It is Africa. And hippopotami are abundant here. And to top it all off, it is a very different culture from the USA. But a nativity scene hippo? Hmmmā€¦ maybe this explains a few things.

For years I always pictured that Joseph was wide-eyed in amazement because of the birth of the Baby. Now Iā€™m wondering if his eyes were like saucers because he was a bit worried and astonished that the three-toed, barrel-shaped beast with the beady eyes, big mouth, and bad breath was meandering just a bit too close to the manger.

We all love to sing Silent Night and we seem to think that all was indeed calm, but now I doubt if it was really all that quiet. I mean if

the cattle were lowing,
the sheep were baaing,
the donkeys braying,
and now the hippo gets a bit edgy and chimes in with its snorting, grunting, bellowing and blowing, then maybe the Baby was crying after all with the noise!

And yet we faithfully and confidently proclaim ā€œNo crying He makesā€ when we sing Away in a Manger. Yikes! Strange thoughts run through my mind! I just have to chuckle. I guess itā€™s fun to have fun with it. Gives a lighter side to the very important and monumental fact of Christmas:

The INCARNATION!

The ā€œten dollarā€ word that means God became Man. The second Person of the Trinity, True God, became the ā€œfirst-born among many brothers,ā€ True Man! (Romans 8:29).

Born to die!
Died to live!
Descended to earth so that we might ascend to Heaven!

That means we can sing Joy to the World with gusto all year round if we want! We have untold, incalculable, immeasurable, even indescribable joy not just on the 25th of the last month of the year. That gives us reason to worship every day of the year!

And worship we do. All around the globe Lutherans are worshiping this Christmas season. Which brings up something to ponder again at this time: Lutherans worship in different cultures and different cultures worship in different ways. Lutherans in fellowship worship in different ways. Even at Christmas.

The instruments played in your church may not be the ones in ours. Dancing choirs may be common place here, but not there. Your congregation dresses one way, but they do so very differently on the other side of the world…or maybe even on the other side of town.

There really wasnā€™t a hippo in the stable on that first Christmas in Bethlehem, but it didnā€™t seem to bother the marketer much that he included one in the nativity set he sold me. I walked away with a good deal and a good deal to ponder each Christmas in Africa: there are many differences at Christmas time in Malawi compared to an American Christmas in Wisconsin. Here are some:

  • No snow! While you may be singing ā€œIā€™m dreaming of a white Christmas,ā€ we are opening up our umbrellas because itā€™s the front end of the rainy season.
  • Decorations? There are a few but there are probably more in one Wisconsin Walmart than in the whole country of Malawi.
  • Iā€™ve never seen a Christmas tree set up in a Malawian house.
  • Strings of lights framing houses? Are you kidding? Most houses donā€™t have electricity hooked up and the ones that do donā€™t have power most of the time anyway.
  • The most common and most favorite Christmas meal in Malawi seems to be chicken and rice.
  • I have never seen or heard of a Living Nativity in Malawi enacting the Christmas story. (Maybe itā€™s because itā€™s too difficult to get the hippo to cooperate).

Plenty of differences, but there are also similarities:

Godā€™s people gather for worship.
Sins are confessed and songs are raised.
The Word of God is preached.
The Bethlehem Story is pondered.
Gospel news shared.
Fellowship enjoyed.

The Babe in the manger is honored with humble gifts and worshiped with happy voices. I just have to smileā€¦ at the absurdity of it all. There are many things more surprising than a hippo in a Nativity set! Imagineā€¦

A God in love with us!
A night sky of angels exploding in song!
Shepherds who seek!
A virgin birth!
A believing husband-to-be!
God becoming Man!
A leading star!
Wise men who followed and those who still do!

And there still are missionaries who live in far off lands who, at Christmas time, still set up trees, decorate their houses and string lights even though thereā€™s little power. Some still display nativity setsā€¦ with or without a hippo. On behalf of the Lutheran Mission in Malawi, have aĀ most blessed Christ-filled Christmas!

By: Missionary John Holtz – Malawi

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Reformation Rain

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Written by Missionary John Holtz for his Mission Partner Newsletter – appears on the One Africa Team blog. To learn more about the One Africa Team and their outreach efforts, subscribe to their blogs at www.oneafricateam.com or follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OneAfricaTeamWELS/.

It doesnā€™t rain in October in Malawi. October is an oven preheated to broil. The sun is intense. The heat blisters. The ground hardens. Rivers dry and the lakes recede. It never rains in October in Malawi.

But to everyoneā€™s surprise, showers fell on the 29th of October. People are still talking about it. ā€œHey, did you hearā€¦?ā€ That was the very day that most churches in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Malawi Synod (LCCA-MS) were celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

A Mother Nature mistake? A global warming mix-up? Climate change chaos?

Orā€¦the gift of God?

I prefer the later. After all, if God controls ALL things, then doesnā€™t He also have command of the weather? Interestingly, as the rains pounded the roof and streaked the windows during the worship service at Our Good Shepherd in Mzimba, the liturgist Pastor Milton Nyirenda was reading the Scripture lesson:

ā€œAs the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread from the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.ā€ (Isaiah 55:10.11)

Like lightning, it struck me: it was raining more on the inside of the church than on the outside! Not because there was a hole in the roof, but because the LORD was showering His people with His grace!

Women’s Choir from Madalitso, Malawi

A raining of the life-giving gospel message. An unending downpour of good news in Jesus. A surprising cloudburst of love and forgiveness. This rain had already started to fall in the Garden of Eden and has continued to this day. 500 years ago Martin Luther got soaked. On the 29th of October 2017, so did we. On that day in Mzimba, and throughout Malawi, Godā€™s grace in Jesus was proclaimed, preached, taught, received, shown, sung and danced! Even drawn and colored!

The picture at the beginning of this post shows some of the northern region ladies coloring Lutherā€™s Seal or Coat of Arms. We studied the meaning and Scripture truths behind each of the five components that make up the Seal:

  • The black cross
  • The red heart
  • The white rose
  • The blue sky
  • The gold ring

Lutherā€™s ā€œlogoā€ proclaims his faith and theology and ours as well. Isnā€™t the cross not only the central message of Scripture, but also central to our lives? Arenā€™t our hearts alive in Christ and beating with His love? Arenā€™t we, saints dressed in the white robes of salvation, place delicately in a joyous white rose of hope? With a firm resolution, hasnā€™t Jesus promised His second coming? And donā€™t we, with eager expectation and with our spiritual eyes to the skies, look forward to it? Isnā€™t Godā€™s love more precious than gold and as unending as a circle?

A resounding YES to each one! With Jesus being the Answer to each question, every one of them falls upon us like rain: cool, refreshing, invigorating, motivating.

No wonder the Lord included verse 10 in Ephesians chapter 2: ā€œWe are Godā€™s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Apparently God must have been quite busy prior to the 29th of October because on that day His people were actively doing the good works He prepared for them:

Structures were erected.
Tarps were hung.
Food was prepared.
Guests served.
Dishes washed.
Hospitality was extended.
Offerings were given.
Shut-ins were visited.
Songs were sung.
Gifts were shared.
Children were taken care of.
Cups of cold water were given to thirsty people.

But there was not a greater work done that day than what God was doing for us by raining down His Grace in Word and Sacrament. Vicar Frank Mukhweya preached his sermon using the theme that was previously chosen and used by all the other LCCA-MS called workers who stood in the pulpit that day. It was the same text that is imprinted on the special Reformation chitenje (skirts) that the LCCA-MS had designed and made for this significant occasion: Chipulumutso chichokera kuchisomo (We are saved by grace).

The text was preached, the Lordā€™s Supper was received and God tipped the water jars. His people were doused. And if you ever wonder what the weather will be like the next time you go to your church, just open up your Bible to Ephesians 2:1-10. No matter the day or the month, there you can count on Reformation rain.

By: Missionary John Holtz – Malawi

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A Hidden Gem, Malawi, Africa

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Itā€™s a travel clichĆ© describing an intriguing place that is little known and seldom visited.Ā  These ā€œmust-seesā€ are often not seen because they are off the beaten track in ā€œout-of-the- wayā€ places.

But they are worth the effort. Those who stumble upon them feel as though theyā€™ve found, well, a hidden gem.

There are a few of them in Malawi, Africa.

Now there is one more.

This one, however, is not a place, but a person. Her name is Amanda E. Artz. She is the new Administrator for the Lutheran Mobile Clinic (LMC).

The Central Africa Medical Mission Committee (CAMMC) first ā€œstumbled uponā€ her when they received her application for the position.Ā  AsĀ Christians, however, we know it was not a mere ā€œstumbling upon.ā€Ā  This did not happen by chance.

God had His hand in the whole process!

Amanda saw the ad from CAMMC at her church1 (By the way, an Africa-size thank you, Pastors,2 for including the announcement in the bulletin!).Ā  God then stirred in Amanda a desire to ask questions and eventually apply for the position.Ā  God then moved the committee to select her.

What God ordains is always good.3

So here we are now in Malawi ā€“ and in particular at the Lutheran Mobile Clinic ā€“ so very blessed because God has ordained that Amanda be here!4

God has given us a kind, compassionate Administrator who is a good listener and hard-worker.Ā  Sheā€™s eager to learn and ready to take on challenges.Ā  Respectful, dutiful and humble. Ā Active church goer.Ā  Bible Study participant. Accomplished musician.

A hidden gem.

In case you might be interested in the work of an LMC Administrator, Amanda gives us peek into it:

ā€œAs clinic administrator I attend clinic each week, keep track of the day to day and monthly finances and financial transactions, manage payroll, manage clinic, house, dog, and vehicle maintenance and schedules, stock and inventory house supplies, maintain regular communication with each member of the staff, hear and attend to staff requests and concerns, manage staff employment documents, participate in planning landscaping and gardening projects, request and attend meetings as needed with businesses and organizations in Lilongwe, Ā pay the bills, submit payroll taxes, pension and life insurance payments, and various other duties as needed and as necessary.ā€

So if you assumed that youā€™d always find Amanda in her Lilongwe home office, sorry, you just wonā€™t. Ā On any given day sheā€™s ā€œoff the beaten track in out-of-the-way placesā€ doing what LMC Administrators do and being found where LMC Administrators are found:Ā  the rural villages, government offices and health care facilities.

But be forewarned:Ā  if you are going to find her, you may just need a 4 X 4 Land Cruiser to do so.

As you might well imagine, living and working in a developing country like Malawi brings not only unique joys and adventures but also its challenges.Ā  Amanda humbly yet confidently begs your prayers.Ā  For what specifically can you pray?

Iā€™ll let Amanda answer that:

ā€œPray that in the thick of the daily stresses of living in Malawi, the people representing the Lutheran Mobile Clinic are clear displays of Christ’s love.Ā  Pray that in everything we say and do, and in our interactions, approaches and executions of tasks big and small we are fit ambassadors to those who don’t know God as well as those who do.Ā  Pray that we remember we are involved in something much bigger than any one of us and that we always re- member our Father is watching and interested and eager to help.ā€

Well said, Amanda.

Yes, to be ā€œa clear display of Christā€™s love.ā€

A sparkle off a precious Stone.

An eye-catching ray of light off a polished Jewel.Ā  The glint off a discovered hidden Gem.

Is not the Kingdom of heaven actually likened unto a Hidden Treasure and a Pearl of great Price? (Matthew 13:44-46)

Is not Jesus, our resurrected and living Easter Surprise, also THE HIDDEN GEM?

Even though the Lord has revealed Himself in Holy Scriptures as the Pearl of Great Price, not everyone finds it.

Even those who have, at times, take it (Jesus) for granted. (Forgive us, Lord!)

While Amanda was contemplating the question whether or not to apply for the position in Malawi, she had other questions rolling around in her mind:

Will I fit in?

Can I do the work?

Should I give 3 years of my life to this venture?

What will I do for a job when I return to the States?

These questions circled around her heart like vultures around a dead animal.Ā  But Amandaā€™s mother kept focusing her on Jesus.Ā  Amanda appreciatively recalls that her motherā€™s (Mary) most frequent response to her concerns was:Ā  ā€œTrust in the Lord.ā€

Just what Amanda needed to hear.

And just what she did.

So when the plane landed at Kamuzu International Airport on 22 November 2016 one of the passengers who disembarked without a return ticket was Amanda E. Artz.

We are glad ā€“ and blessed ā€“ because she was.Ā  For those of you in the States, yes, Amanda is now a bit ā€œoff the beaten trackā€ and a bit ā€œout of the way.ā€Ā  But for the Lutheran Mobile Clinic in Malawi, it has been worth all the effort to get Amanda on field.

Oh, by the way, did you notice that Amandaā€™s middle name starts with an ā€œE?ā€

Maybe you guessed it alreadyā€¦

Emerald. : )

Amanda Emerald Artz.

A hidden gem.

___________________________________

By: Missionary JohnĀ Holtz,Ā Field Coordinator, Malawi

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There Are No Crocs in Malawi, Africa

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Feeling a bit warm?
Any hot flashes?
Think you have a fever?
Temperature a tad high?

Whatever you do, donā€™t go into the river to cool off your body, ESPECIALLY if youā€™ve recently made enemies with anyone from the Sena Tribe in Malawi. I repeat, donā€™t go into the river!

Hereā€™s whyā€¦.oh, but first a little backgroundā€¦

The Sena people live in Southern Malawi. They are nestled in an area known as the Lower Shire. The temperatures in the Lower Shire reach scorching highs. Not only could you fry the proverbial egg on a sidewalk, you could also cook the bacon and make yourself a steaming cup of coffee before youā€™d be able to say ā€œturn down the heat in the Shire kitchen.ā€

Well, ok, maybe itā€™s not quite that hot, but you can certainly leave your long underwear in Wisconsin and your mittens in Minnesota. But, heed the warning: if you are feeling a bit toasty, donā€™t take aĀ dip in the river, or it may just be the last one you ever take.

Hereā€™s whyā€¦

Some people in the Sena tribe have been known to use magic to first of all cause you to feel extra warm so that you do go down to the river to cool off; and thatā€™s when they get you.

Or better said, thatā€™s when IT gets you.

By using charms, these irate and vengeful Sena are able to send a giant crocodile to grab you, pull you under, death-roll you ’til you suffocate and drown andā€¦

You are no more.

Scared?

Well, ok, maybe not. Odds are that you arenā€™t anywhere near the Lower Shire and it is most likely that you havenā€™t ruffled any feathers of any person from the Sena Tribe. Perhapsā€“and most significantlyā€“ you donā€™t even believe that anyĀ Sena, cranky, or otherwise, can do such magic mayhem anyway.

Even though youā€™re not shaking in the skin of your bare feet, many Malawians are. Because they do believe it! Many are deathly afraid of being cursed and witched; many are superstitious and fearful about others using magic and medicines against them.

Whoā€™s out to get me?

WHATā€™S out to get me?

Questions and fears like those lurk in the back waters of their hearts like frightening reptiles in Malawiā€™s rivers; and so they hang a charm, offer a sacrifice, call upon dead ancestors, dance a dance, or swallow some medicine. All in an effort to ward off evil.

And crocodiles.

But know this:Ā  though the Malawian culture often embodies such issues, Godā€™s Word boldly speaks to them, too.

And, consequently, so does Patrick Goodson Master.

Patrick is an Evangelist in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa Malawi Synod. Heā€™s not an ordained pastor, but he does all the work of a pastor except for one thing: distributing the Lordā€™s Supper. Hence the title, ā€œEvangelist.ā€

Patrick completed his classroom studies at the Lutheran Bible Institute (1993-1995), but he never did go on to finish his Seminary training.Ā  Nevertheless, the lack of a diploma for his wall never meant a lack of love for the Lord. His gift to minister to Godā€™s people has actually been fanned to flame over the years.

God has given Evangelist Master an opportunity to serve in the Lower Shire. Though he himself is from the Lomwe tribe, he has been among the Sena since 1995. It was ā€œway back thenā€ that the Mission Board of the LCCA-MS called him to serve congregations in the sun-drenched areas of the Lower Shire called Chikwawa and Nsanje.1

Twenty one years later he is still serving: still sharing the gospel truths, still preaching Christ crucified, still teaching salvation by grace, still assuring the Sena that there indeed is a river into which they need not be afraid to go.Ā ā€œThere is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.ā€ (Psalm 46:4).

A dip into Godā€™s refreshing waters of grace does wonders for the soul!Ā  And that gives Patrick a mighty refreshing message!

And so, after all these years, Patrick is still faithfully serving, not only congregations, but his family as well.

And it hasnā€™t been an easy road.

Still isnā€™t.

Patrick and his wife Betty have a daughter Beatrice who needs constant special care and attention because she suffers with epilepsy.Ā  It is absolutely vital that they live nearby to medical facilities. By Godā€™s grace, they do. There is a hospital within an easy bike ride and it offers the proper medicine and doctor care that Beatrice needs.

No, it hasnā€™t been an easy road. And, itā€™s as if their faces bespeak the difficulty of it.

The Masters also have had to endure the pain of losing not one, but two children already. God has called to his eternal home Besten and Lusiya at the tender ages of 3 and 4.

Life hasnā€™t been peaceful.

But the river has.

ā€œFor this is what the LORD says:Ā  I will extend peace to her like a riverā€¦as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort youā€¦ā€ (Isaiah 66:12,13).

Peace extended.
Comfort given.

Our LORD has spoken. And, He still speaks. To Patrick. To Betty. To the Sena. To all of people of every nation, tribe and language.

To you and to me.

Worn out with your own striving to earn Godā€™s favor? God refreshes with the assurance of His love.

Feeling fatigued with regret over past mistakes? The LORD invigorates with the promise of His mercy.

Weak with the problems of life? Christ fortifies with His own strength.

Drowning in despair over your own sinfulness? Jesus rejuvenates with forgiveness.

Feeling the scorching heat of life? The hot temps of temptation? The furnace blast of Satanā€™s ridicule?

Go down to the river that God provides in Christ. Step into the cool waters.

Thereā€™s peace. Thereā€™s gladness. Thereā€™s blessing. Ā And as Patrick will assure you and any Sena person who will listen to the news about Godā€™s river in Christ,

There are no crocs.

By: Missionary John Holtz
Malawi, Africa
_________________________________________
1. Patrick Master serves the following congregations: Diwa, Chizilo, Livunzu, Makanga, Tengani

 

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It’s no fish tale!

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Thereā€™s something fishy going on at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Malawi.

Fish

In a wordā€¦Aquaponics! Aqua-what?

I know. Thatā€™s what I said, too. I tried looking up the word in my American Heritage Dictionary and itā€™s not even in there! Well, ok, itā€™s understandable ā€“ the copyright is 1976.

But now-a-days, the word and the system are growing in popularity.

Aquaponics. It can be defined simply as growing fish and plants together for food in a constructed ecosystem.1

But at the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI)?

I thought the LBI is for Malawian and Zambian men who are interested in becoming full time ministers of the gospelā€¦for ones who study Greek and Hebrew and learn how to preach? And besides that, even though our Lord Jesus ate fish,2 (not soĀ sure if he ate all his veggies!) didnā€™t he call Peter and other disciples away from the lake, boats, and nets to become fishers of men?

Then why Aquaponics at the LBI?

Consider the country of Malawi itself. It is a developing country rated consistently one of the poorest (often THE poorest) in the world. It is oftenĀ battered by droughts and floods. Population, huge, land mass, small. Much of the soil is depleted of nutrients. Fertilizer is crazy expensive. Despite huge Lake Malawi, fish even more-so! Hunger season knocks on many doors in January, February and March ā€“ every year.

Oh what a blessing it would be to have fish and fresh vegetables for a meal!3

For some, Aquaponics could turn that dream into dinner.

But it doesnā€™t happen overnight. It takes time for the system to get up and running. Or literally, GROWING!

In order for that to happen, this is what has to happen: the water from the fish tank, which contains waste products from the fish, has to be pumped into the grow beds that contain gravel but no soil. Bacteria that break down fish waste and turn it into plant fertilizer then has to develop in the gravel. The plant roots grow into the gravel and help clean the water that has to be pumped back into the fish tank.3

Aquaponics system

End result? Fish and veggies that can be eaten and/or sold!
However, Dr. Robert C. Anderson,5 Professor of Biology at Wisconsin Lutheran College and founder of the Aquaponics program at the school, will tell you that the fish and the greens are not whole of it. There really is much more to Aquaponics than just Chambo and ā€œChinese.ā€4

ā€œThe goals of this outreach effort are enhancing food security, developing Christian leaders as trainers and creating opportunities to share the Gospel in a broad range of communities.ā€6

And thatā€™s why it has now come to the LBI.

The students and others now are equipped with the training and knowledge of this breakthrough technology. This program serves as a ā€œtest caseā€ for Malawi. If it is the Lordā€™s will, He can open up the doors ā€“ and the fish tanks and grow beds ā€“ of opportunities as He sees fit!

Dr. Anderson was keen to offer this Aquaponics program to the LCCA-Malawi Synod as a tool to offer Christ-centered community development that will assist with food security and meet the other goals as well. He submitted his proposal to the leadership in the LCCA- Malawi Synod and they accepted.

Dr. John Werner and Erin Nitz at the LBI aquaponics system

Dr. Anderson was unable to travel to Malawi to set up the program, however, two others were able to do so over the 2016 Christmas holiday break: Dr. John Werner and Erin Nitz.7

Dr. Werner is a Professor of Biology at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He has been teaching at WLC since 2012. Three of his classes include Genetics, Micro-Biology and Bio-Chemistry. Now he can add Aquaponics to his list! And he now has the teaching experience of an open air classroom under the trees and in the mud in Malawi! With the fish in the tank and the seeds in the beds, Dr.

Werner is both thankful and hopeful: ā€œThe time I have spent in Malawi has truly been an exceptional experience. God has blessed me with the opportunity to meet and appreciate the dedicated missionaries and their families, the hard-working LBI students, and the gracious workers at the institute. It is my hope that the knowledge I have shared and the aquaponics system we assembled will be a blessing to the LBI and all the people they serve.ā€

Erin Nitz is a third year WLC student majoring in nursing. She is working in the Aquaponics lab at the school and has taken on this Aquaponics venture in Malawi for class credit. Erin was born and raised in Malawi and not only that ā€“ she even lived for 8 years on the LBI campus! So Erin was delighted to have the opportunity to set up this program in her own ā€œback yardā€ and visit her family8 at the same time. Now that the two week project is all in place, Erin shares these thoughts as the teaching program winds down in Malawi:

ā€œBefore formally proposing the Aquaponics initiative in Africa, some of the most important advice given to us was to find individuals locally who would lead the project. As promised, the significant success of the project thus far is largely due to those individuals who have the humility to learn, the motivation and skill to work, and the respect from their community to lead. The first fruit harvested from this initiative has been the revealing of God’s powerful blessings of leadership within the LCCA. It is our prayer that God uses that leadership not only for the spread of aquaponics in central Africa but for the spread of His kingdom.ā€Ā 

So now if you do hear of something fishy going on in Malawi, you know that itā€™s actually trueā€¦

Itā€™s no fish tale!
________________________
Sharpening my fillet knife,
Your Malawi Missionary Partner,
John Holtz

  1. Aquaponics: Incorporating Small Scale Aquaponics into Education, document by Zachary Pappenfuss, page one.
  2. Luke 24:36-43
  3. ā€œThe main purpose of the fish is to provide fertilizer for the high yield of produce; fish generate supplemental income when they are harvested.ā€ (Excerpt from ā€œSpecific Parameters for the Aquaponics Program in Malawi,ā€ the working document compiled by Dr. Bob Anderson and Ms. Erin Nitz; page one)
  4. The fish that do well in Aquaponic systems is Tilapia, or as it is called in Malawi, ā€œChambo.ā€ These fish can handle a broad range of temperatures. The vegetables that can grow well in these systems in Malawi are Chinese Cabbage (known locally in Malawi as just ā€œChinese,ā€ spinach, lettuce and rape (green leafed vegetable related to the broccoli and turnip family). Herbs also grow well. The LBI students planted Coriander, Basil and Thyme.
  5. Bob Anderson has set up an International Aquaponics Lab at WLC and has set up an Aquaponics program at Grace School and Church in Grenada.
  6. Lutheran Aquaponics Project Proposal Submitted to the Lutheran Church of Central Africa ā€“ Malawi from Dr. Robert C. Anderson, October 17,2016, page 1.
  7. They set up the program in Malawi from 27 December 2016 ā€“ 08 January 2017. They also set up the same program in Zambia form 09 January ā€“ 20 January 2017.
  8. Erinā€™s parents are WELS missionary Paul Nitz and his wife Susan. Siblings are (from oldest to youngest) Henry, (Erin), Reuben, James, Joel and Frances.
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How can we thank God enough?

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How can we thank God enough?1

Paul asked this question only to highlight the answer:

We canā€™t.

If we could put a spiritual stethoscope on the two short but gospel-sweet books that the Apostle wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, weā€™d hear a heart beating oh-so strongly and ever-so steadily with thankfulness.

Why?

Because God was clearly at work in these peopleā€™s lives.Ā Paul could see ripe fruit on the Thessalonian ā€œtrees.ā€Ā Paul was overwhelmed at Godā€™s hand of blessing on his work of ministry.Ā  Like air bursting out of a pin-struck balloon, Paulā€™s Love-struck heart exploded with thankfulness!

malawi

Malawi

Mine, too.

For the very same reason: Like Paul, I am dumbfounded and awestruck at the evidence of Godā€™s love in His people. One of many missionaries left staggering at the experience of it all isā€¦.me.

In fact, it happens to me every furlough.

Let me explain.

Every two years or so, WELS missionaries and their families have an opportunity to return back to the good ā€˜ol USA, to the land of chocolate chips and choices. Two months later they pack those tiny morsels of Nestle goodness, choke out tearful goodbyes and board a plane.

Long layovers in airports and longer rides in aircrafts have a way of giving a person time to reflect on the question that keeps coming up in their minds: What just happened? Looking back on a two month furlough seems like a 60 day blur. Yes, what DID just happen?

Well, what really happened wasā€¦God. God ā€œhappened.ā€

In other words, God was active in His people with His grace, mercy and forgiveness, and in turn, those very people were active in their faith and life. I witnessed again what had the Apostle Paul beaming with joy: Christ-filled people doing Christ-like things:

Acts of love.
Expressions of kindness.
Words of encouragement.
Words from the WORD.
Like a steady stream, Godā€™s grace flowed freely from His people with…
Offers of help.
Generous gifts.
Abundant prayer.
Bountiful meals.
Blessings of grace.

Each work a fruit of faith. Each person a 21st century Thessalonian.

ā€œWe always thank Godā€¦for your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.ā€2

ā€œWe ought always to thank God for youā€¦ because your faith is growing more and more and the love every one of you has for each other is increasingā€¦ā€3

Paul had his myriad reasons to thank God and I have mine. After every furlough, even though I already know the answer (we canā€™t!) I have the same questionā€¦ā€œLord, how can I thank you enough forā€¦

Our families? Though we disrupt their routines, they welcome us with open arms; they feed us, house us and put up with all of our packing and unpacking, moving in and moving out, our comings and our goings. Lord, we see that dads, moms, brothers, sisters and extended family are there for us because You have been there for them.

My wife? Lord what did I do to deserve such a person as my life-long companion and mother to our children? Oh, thatā€™s right, not a thing. Mindy, you are a gift from Godā€™s hand. Thank you for walking hand-in-hand with me on this mission journey.

My children? Rachel and Heather, you consider me as DAD #2. Iā€™m overjoyed that your #1 Father is your Heavenly one. No dad could be prouder (or more thankful).

Christian friends of Rachel and Heather? You are an answer to prayer. I could list your names but you know who you are. Mission kids sometimes wonder where they fit in, so many thanks to you who befriend them and give them time and space to do that. We are grateful for you being there when mission parents canā€™t. Did I already tell you that youā€™re an answer to prayer?

Friends? They adjust already-crammed schedules and juggle already-filled time to spend a few moments or a few days with us. Lord, even though we tell them, these special people may not even know just how important they are in our lives.

Our brothers in the gospel ministry? What a privilege to sit in a pew on furlough and hear solid Biblical preaching and teaching. Thank you, brothers, for your hard work and faithful ministry in your congregations. We appreciate the well prepared meals of grace on Sunday mornings. We are weekly uplifted and eternally grateful!

Congregations which request a mission festival preacher and/or presenter? Thank you for allowing us time in your church and Fellowship rooms. The meals you prepare, the banner you display and the offerings you give ALL speak of your passion for Christ and His mission.

The Board for World Missions and office staff? All of you together make for a great team. You keep your finger on the pulse of world missions and your heart on the people being served. Thank you for everything from rental cars to furlough housing. You take great care of Called Workers.

Malawi Mission Partners? If I could invite you all over for a meal in the Warm Heart of Africa, I would. It would be wonderful, not only to eat with you but get to know you. If we donā€™t get to sit around a dining table in Malawi, we will in heaven. I look forward to the banquet.

Administrative Committee members? Many WELS people may not be aware of the extent of your work ā€“ or your love. Your work day extends past business hours and your love extends beyond Americaā€™s borders. Because of you we are blessed. Africa-size thanks.

Former Missionaries? Because you faithfully plowed fields and planted seeds in mission lands years ago, we can water what was sown. We thank Jesus for your many years of faithful service in His Harvest fields. Letā€™s have coffee and share stories!

Schools? God has guided mission kids to go into a variety of callings, from medicine to military to full time ministers of the gospel. The USA is filled with opportunity for good education. Special thanks for schools such as Bethany Lutheran College, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary that keep the most important the most important: Christ!

*Ā Written by Missionary John Holtz, Malawi, Africa

  1. 1 Thessalonians 3:9
  2. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:3
  4. For a recent article on NPH see Forward in Christ magazine, September 2016 issue, page 26.
  5. For a recent article on MLP see Forward in Christ magazine, Bonus Issue Every Neighbor Every Nation WELS Missions and You, page 30.
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A shining star

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This monthā€™s focus: Rev. Robert Maxwell Mulinga

PelƩ

Ronaldo

Messi

Drogba

Zidane

Beckham

Mulinga

Quite a list of names. Even if you are not an avid football (aka soccer) fan, you may have heard some of these ā€œgreatsā€ in the sport. If indeed you are a football diehard like much of the world and particularly Africa, youā€™re looking at the list, scratching your head and wondering, Mulingaā€¦who is this Mulinga? On what team? From what country?

Ok, youā€™re right. That name Mulinga shouldnā€™t be there. It doesnā€™t belong with the players on that list above.

But it might have been.

BWM-Malawi-Malinga-350Had Mulinga from Likwakwanda, Malawi pursued his dream to become a footballer, perhaps he would have been among the shining stars. After all, heā€™s got theĀ perfect build, the light feet, the raw talent and the fierce determination to be a player.

Ah, but God had different plans for him.

The Lord of the Church took Mulinga off the pitch and put him behind the pulpit.Ā Rather recently, in fact.

Ordained on 15th November 2015, Mulinga hit the ground running. But instead of finessing a ball up and down a football field, heā€™s moving up and down the roads and paths in his new field of ministry: heā€™s a full time pastor in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa! He is busy serving two congregations, Kamoto and Magwira, in the Southern Region of Malawi.

Mulinga finds the work of gospel ministry both intriguing and challenging at the same time. Ironically though, this ā€œfootballerā€ doesnā€™t have to ā€œfootā€ it anywhere! He can ride a motorcycle!

He comments:Ā ā€œCongregations are very far from one another. It is a very big challenge to serve them within a day if you go there by foot. But now I thank God that the people in the WELS have supported us with the motorbikes. Now itā€™s easy to serve the congregations. Itā€™s easy to visit the members in the area and in the hospitals. I praise God for that.ā€Ā Ā Ā Ā 

In addition to the TF 125 Suzuki two-wheeler, Pastor Robert Maxwell Mulinga has many other reasons for which to praise God and to thank you in the WELS. Two of the many physical blessings and gifts are these: a computer and a solar unit.

Like many other Called Workers in the Lutheran Church of Central Africa in Malawi, Pastor Mulinga has received a computer for his ministry work. He says that he really appreciates it because itā€™s useful to him for keeping information and statistics about the congregations and for sending messages to other pastors and people.

Thatā€™s where the other blessing comes in real handy: the solar unit. Pastor Mulinga can keep his computer and phone charged up. By the way, this solar unit is not just a pocket-size panel with a flimsy gooseneck lamp to light a desktop. Itā€™s a system for the entire house: roof top solar panels, inverter, battery, wiring and bulbs in every room. The works! Pastor Mulinga and his family love it.

ā€œItā€™s easy to study during the night!ā€Ā  he smiles.Ā  Ā 

Since heā€™s currently not on any synod boards or committees, he can devote his time to his congregational work. Heā€™s in the pulpit every Sunday and with the members during the week.

Ah, yes, but he still loves football!Ā He treasures a few pictures that unfortunately have weathered and faded and been water damaged but still these keepsakes remind him of his days on a team.

His teammates had various nicknames for Mulinga. One was ā€œDangerman.ā€ They also called him ā€œAkwaā€ after a famous Nigerian footballer. They even likened him to a strong and immoveable stump that stubbornly remains in the ground even after a fire has swept through a field. Good memories for Mulinga.

To be sure, the Lord took Pastor Mulinga out of football, but He didnā€™t take the ā€œfootballā€ out of Pastor Mulinga. He watches it and at a young 30 years of age, he even plays it. Pastor Mulinga enjoys keeping track of the scores of his favorite teams and records of his favorite players.

But he highlighted that heā€™s also learning how important it is not to keep score at other times: such as when a person has sinned against him.Ā Wouldnā€™t you agree that itā€™s way too easy to keep a record of wrongs? Isnā€™t it tempting to keep score and then try to even it?

With that temptation hanging before him, Pastor Mulinga also keeps a favorite Bible story before him: the story of Joseph. Joseph is a type of Christ. With Godā€™s love and power, Joseph was able to do what could only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit:

Forgive.

Pastor Mulinga writes:

ā€œItā€™s a favorite story of mine because it teaches me not to keep grudges with other people. It teaches me to forgive others instead of keeping a record of the wrongs they have done to me.ā€

Cross out the tally marks. Crumple up the stats. Throw away the scoresheet. Toss out the ā€œwrongā€ records. In fact, donā€™t even start to keep one.

Forgive as Christ has forgiven you.Ā A powerful message to preach. A practical one to live out.

When we do hold out the Word of Life, as a child of our loving Father and sibling of our Savior Brother, no matter our name or calling, on the playing field or off, we really areā€¦

A shining star.1

Sincerely,

Pastor John Holtz

YourĀ Malawi Mission Partner

____________________________________

  1. Philippians 2:12-18
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