A view from my tent on a cliff's edge atop Livingstonia mountain. 
The drop off is a foot or two from the front door of my tent! 

TENT MINISTRY

I'm finding out that I have one

Mind you, NOT in the traditional -- or even synodical - sense of the term.*

Instead, TENT MINISTRY is my own description of my own experience in Malawi.  Here's the best theological definition that I can come up with that best defines my tent ministry:

    I sleep in one!

Quite a mind boggler, huh?

My ministry work takes me to "far-flung" places in Malawi.  I've included a map of Malawi.  See Lilongwe?  It's not only the capital city, it's the place where we live.  With your mind's eye, draw an imaginary horizontal line cutting through Lilongwe and across Malawi.  Everything to the north of the line is "my area."  The following are some of the places I frequent:

Mzimba.  Mzuzu.  Karonga.  Chitipa.

Not an exhaustive list but they can be exhausting trips!  (Chitipa is about 560 kilometers or 350 miles one way).  

I visit these northern areas once or twice a month to "touch base" with pastors, vicars, evangelists, lay leaders and congregations.  From my work in Malawi, I now read of Paul's missionary journeys and work with a bit more understanding and feeling.  When Luke writes (Acts 14:21ff) that they traveled from place to place, preached the good news, strengthened the disciples and encouraged the people to remain true to the faith...I feel like I'm stepping in some mighty big footprints!  

Same work - different land!   Oh, this land called Malawi....

Quite the country!  Malawi is the 6th poorest country in the world
Quite the crowds!   Over 10 million people
Quite the congregations!   To a large extent...shepherdless!  (Out of 140+/- LCCA congregations in Malawi, more than 80 congregations are vacant at this time!)

Hmmm....large crowds....plentiful harvest....few workers....shepherdless sheep...

Reminds me of another place and another time.  (Matthew 9:35-38)

Despite all the obstacles and challenges we face in Malawi, we have the same compassionate

The Northern Region Called Workers Group

Shepherd: Jesus Christ!  His love is great and his mercy magnificent! (Ephesians 2:4).  Grace is truly amazing!  I'm thankful to God for the opportunities He gives me in this "Warm Heart of Africa" to speak of our Lord and Savior!  "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel..." Paul wrote to the Corinthians 9:16 and then announced to the Romans in 1:16, "...the gospel...is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."  

So when I've said Amen and the meetings are done and our discussions are ended and our visits are made and the sermons are preached and communion is received and the Bible is read and the prayers are said and hearts are encouraged, I start to head home. 

But because there are lots of kilometers and little daylight between me and home, I drive until I find a tiny spot on God's great land and pitch my tent. 

Tent Ministry.

The drop off is a foot or two from the front door of my tent! 

 Paul the tent maker (Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9) would be amazed.  (Not at my ministry --  he knows missionary work much better than I do).  He'd be amazed at my tent.  (He's never seen, nor made one -- like it!).

A Diamond* dome.  Fits as conveniently behind my truck seat as it does at the camp site.  

3 season.  
Compact. 
Light-weight. 
Efficient. 

Durable. 

It's almost 30 years old.  Yep, 30.  Do you know the intersection of Highway 100 and Janesville Road, Hales Corners?  On the NE corner there used to be a store called Sherpers. (I think the store is still there but they are not quite as close to the intersection as they used to be).  Well, that's where I bought my tent!  "Seams" to have stood the test of time!  ("Diamonds" are forever! -- hee hee.)    Ok, I admit, it sags a bit more than it used to, but who doesn't?  Tent maker Paul would have loved to have shopped at Sherpers!  Wouldn't he be impressed with our tents these days?! 

Speaking of tents, I need to pack mine again.  I'm going "up north" tomorrow.  Let's see, besides my Bible, hymnal, sermon and meeting files, it also means a sleeping bag, rope, bungee cords, tent, stakes, tarp, coffee pot, lantern, matches, flashlight ...well, you know what I mean.  After all, it's a...

Tent Ministry!

Missionary John Holtz,  

Missionary John Holtz, Mission Partner		Click image - Take a satellite tour from St. Paul's to Chipata, Zambia
July 2008 Communiqué
For St. Paul's Members: You can support Mission Partner John Holtz by including a special gift in the monthly offering envelop with the "Mission Partner" box or mail a gift to St. Paul's, labeling it "Mission Partner.