Renowned Christian author of the book “Hearing the Voice of God”, Anesu Masvaure was the Guest of Honour at Victoria Haihambo’s launch of the book “Hold On” in Namibia recently.
Speaking during the launch in Oshakati, Namibia, Masvaure redirected Victoria to Jeremiah 29:11, which says “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
She revealed that she got to know Victoria in July 2024 when her sister’s daughter Ruvarashe Miti, asked to send her bio to Victoria – an entrepreneur, for a Share Your Story talk show.
“So I scribbled my bio and sent it on WhatsApp. On 13 July 2024, I was on her show and she asked me if I could send copies of my book to her so that she could sell them in her bookshop. I agreed and grabbed the opportunity. Citing 1 Chronicles 12:32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
“On 31 August 2024, here I am in Oshakati, Namibia. I am in Namibia because life is dynamic and inevitable. We are living in a difficult environment. We need to be strategic and agile in decision-making. Life is full of painful scenarios, what we need to do is ‘Hold On’ to our faith, beliefs, goals and vision and assignment or purpose which God created us for,” Masvaure said.
Masvaure gave scenarios when an only child is electrocuted and dies on the spot. She cited a situation when a father is murdered a few meters from their house. She alluded to a scenario when a single mother died of COVID-19 and another one when a husband divorced his wife, while she was praying for reconciliation and the husband died.
She talked about breast and prostate cancer, HIV, and other life challenges that are devastating.
Masvaure added that the book is more than just a story. She said it’s a legacy, a celebration of her husband’s life, and a testament to the enduring power of love.
“May it bring comfort to those who have experienced similar losses and inspire others to cherish every moment with their loved ones. As I look around this room, I see a community that has come together to support you, to uplift you, and to celebrate your strength. May you continue to feel the warmth of their love and the power of your resilience.
“In closing, I offer these words: May your book be a blessing to all who read it, may it honor your husband’s memory, and may you continue to find solace in the love that surrounds you. Congratulations, dear Victoria,” she added.
The author said one of the most profound lessons she learned is the significance of showing up.
“Crafting a book demands unwavering dedication, and self-publishing requires a profound investment of one’s emotional, physical, and financial resources. Every creative deserves unwavering support and recognition; therefore, whenever the opportunity arises, I make it a point to stand in solidarity with my fellow authors.”
Victoria said the idea for the book titled Holding On: Love, Care, Loss, and the Journey Forward was born after the passing of her late husband, Palipawa Paulus Haihambo.
“This book became a way for me to channel my thoughts and experiences onto paper and served as a form of therapy. I was still in the denial stage of grief when I came up with the title. Some of us might be aware that grief has stages— denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, these stages don’t always happen in a set order; they can occur in any sequence,” she said.
Holding On is a fictional book, but much of it is drawn from her own life experiences and from the stories of other women who have faced the grief of losing a spouse.
Before the book was even released, it received significant media attention, including interviews on Good Morning Namibia on NBC TV, Jambu FM Radio in Cameroon, NBC National Radio, and Energy 100 FM.
She wrote the book to raise awareness about navigating grief and to help people understand that it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s also okay to practice self-love during mourning.
This book, Holding On: Love, Care, Loss, and the Journey Forward, is a reflection of the love that was shared, the care that was given, the journey of navigating loss, and moving forward with the memories of a loved one while finding a new normal in the journey of life.
