Drawn to Africa: A Memoir of Discovery, Resilience, and Belonging (Premium Color edition)

Across oceans and cultures, one family discovers resilience, wonder, and belongingWhy would a mild-mannered Minneapolis printer take his wife and young children on a mission to British East Africa in the years immediately after World War II? Could they revive a Lutheran printing press that had remained silent during and after the War?Drawn to Africa tells the remarkable true story of the Bolstad family, whose sense of calling carried them from the quiet heart of the American Midwest to the vast, unpredictable landscapes of Tanganyika. Their journey began with an ocean crossing and a harrowing flight aboard a converted B-17 bomber — complete with an emergency landing between Cairo and Nairobi.Once in Africa, new trials came quickly: a near-drowning in a violent whirlpool, treks through mountain forests to reach a mission hospital, and the daily challenge of adapting to life in a world so far from home. But this is more than a tale of survival; it's the story of children discovering new horizons, of friendships forged across cultures, and of a family learning to thrive between two worlds. Even after resettling in America, the pull of East Africa remained strong, drawing them back to the land that had captured their hearts -- homecomings to Africa that we'll soon experience in a planned sequel to this book. Adventurous, heartfelt, and grounded in faith, Drawn to Africa is a vivid portrait of resilience, discovery, and the enduring ties between people and place. Read more