January 13, 2016
As we begin 2016, our hearts are full of gratitude to the Lord for the generous support through you that continues to sustain the work of Life to Life Africa. Maita Bassa! Thank You! We are starting the year on good financial footing to share God's love with very vulnerable children, young people, women, men and elderly in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. The outcome we pray is that even more will enter into an abiding relationship with Christ Jesus so they can experience everlasting hope, here on earth and for eternity.
Prayer
On Monday this week, the LTLA team in Chinhoyi began the ministry year with a day of prayer committing themselves and the ministry to our Sovereign Creator as they meditated on Psalm 139. They prayed for rain as southern Africa is facing continued drought. While praying God answered as can be seen in this photo with the water ponding in front of the triplex at the LTLA Community Center. (Proper drainage for that area is an item on our project list.)
"We are still praying for rain. It is the only thing that will save us." That is the quote from the deputy agriculture minister in a Zimbabwe newspaper today that was reporting the death of thousands of cows due to the drought. Please continue praying for God's mercy in bringing rain as Zimbabweans call to Him for help. May they truly turn to Christ in faith and find the well spring of living water. (John 4:14)
Please also continue praying for Arthur and for the team member that he is counseling. This team member continues to struggle with life issues. Praying and meditating on Psalm 139 led this team member to pour out his heart to Arthur. May he experience deep soul healing from the Wonderful Counselor.
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| Ponding Water from Monday's Rain at the LTLA Community Center |
Simba
This week Simba's dream of going to college was realized! He has been admitted and is pursuing an automotive engineering degree from Harare Polytechnic, a technical college in the capital of Zimbabwe. We rejoice with Him and are thankful that the Lord has enabled us to influence and help Simba achieve this milestone. He has faithfully served on the LTLA team since 2012, so the Lord has equipped him through this experience to labor for Him at Harare Polytechnic and beyond.
Arthur told me, "He lost his mother when he was still young and his father abandoned him which led to his aunt (mother’s sister) to take him in. Because the aunt is unemployed, she came to LTLA looking for assistance as she was struggling to look after Simba. They joined our food distribution and medical aid program when he was starting secondary school. At that time we shared the gospel with him and he showed interest in knowing Jesus. Later on he gave his life to Christ and joined our high school discipleship group. He stood out as a young man who delighted in the scriptures."
He did well in most subjects and only lacked a stronger score in English to continue to college. His aunt did not have the finances to help him improve his English through tutoring and did not have the finances to send him to college. At that time he joined the LTLA "Chosen Generation" discipleship group for post-high school young people trying to find their way. "We could see his heart for Jesus and people," said Arthur, "so we invited him to join us in our evangelistic thrust in the neighborhood. Eventually we invited him to do ministry at the Chinhoyi University of Technology with us and God gave him relationships with college students even though he was not a student. We are convinced that he will continue to labor for the Lord as he goes to Harare Polytechnic."
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| Simba by the Dormitories at Chinhoyi University of Technology |
LTLA assisted him with English tutoring and is now assisting him to realize his dream of a college degree. Thank you for playing a part in Simba's development through your gifts to Life to Life Africa!
Joyfully in His Service,
Mike Sulc