Impact of Internships

July 24, 2017

Work experience. That is what most employers look at to determine if a person is a good employee candidate. For young people with limited experience, that is the challenge when looking for a first job. Internships are a very good opportunity to gain that needed work experience for young people. Many college degree programs now require internships for that reason, and to help students practically grasp what they are learning. All universities in Zimbabwe require a 1 year internship. 

This summer, four American students are involved in internships in Zimbabwe! They are following in the footsteps of Tyler, Matt and Forrest who experienced internships in Zimbabwe the last two summers. Emily, Abby and Monica were part of the ISU Navigators team this year and have remained after the mission trip for 4-5 additional weeks. Kait, a member of Hopevale Church, who has been part of their first 2 mission teams, decided to spend her whole summer break in Chinhoyi! 

Emily Jonas, who is studying Environmental Science and Agronomy at ISU, is learning all different aspects of conservation agriculture in her internship at Foundations for Farming. She has planted new tree seeds for the agroforestry nursery which Tyler Marshall helped start during his internship in 2015. To support new bee hives she planted a hedge of basil. Not only has she learned about the science behind conservation agriculture but also about the Creator who designed it all and desires to use it redemptively. She says, "One of the coolest things I have experienced and learned is how agriculture can be used as a means of racial reconciliation." Foundations for Farming is actively engaged in bringing people together in Zimbabwe for the purposes of learning God-honoring land stewardship and of redeeming relationships in a racially divided land. Another lesson Emily shared is, “Being faithful with little. Start small and be faithful with what God has given you and he will multiply what you have!”

Emily standing by Tyler's Alley Cropping Demonstration, the agro-forestry plot that Tyler Marshall (ISU intern) helped start in 2015 at Foundations for Farming.

Emily next to the tree seedlings she helped plant.

Abby Rubsam & Monica Thornton are studying Dietitics at ISU, as is Kait Rethman at Central Michigan University. In Chinhoyi they have introduced LTLA to the world of nutrition and healthy living. Kait has been conducting an observational nutrition study of elementary school children in Chinhoyi along with spearheading healthy living instruction within our ministry. Abby & Monica have come alongside her in teaching lessons from scripture on caring for your body, a lifestyle to support your immune system, gardening practices, cooking, natural medicines and drying food. They have also conducted nutrition screenings with our pre-school children and with the adults who visit our monthly clinic. From those screenings they were able to do some one-on-one nutrition counseling.

Abby, Kait, Monica with Edna whom they recruited to jog with them to promote exercise for health.

Vegetable garden that was started at the LTLA Community Center.

Abby taking measurements for the pre-school age nutrition screenings. 

An exciting development was having Prestige, an orphan discipled by LTLA, join them. She is pursuing a Development Studies degree and needed an internship opportunity for the next year. So, we have taken her on as an intern with the LTLA team in Chinhoyi and she will be able to continue all the work that these young ladies launched over the past month!

Abby & Prestige working on nutrition screenings at the LTLA clinic.

Monica, Kait, Prestige & Abby leading stretching excercises as part of their lesson on "Lifestyles to Support your Immune System." 

In reflecting on their experiences, here is what each one shared:

"I am learning that God's will always prevails. I had an idea of what we would do with the intention of being flexible to change plans if necessary. When things didn't work out as planned, I had to make new plans. In the end, it has been God leading, not me." (Kait)

"It is just as important to learn as it is to teach. I'm learning just as much as I am teaching, if not more! Especially in a new culture, we have to understand what life is like for the people here to be effective. I've learned to be humble because I don't have all the answers. At the same time, I've really enjoyed being able to practically use the skills and knowledge that I have to help people, even if only in small ways. Being here has opened my eyes to the greater Kingdom of God on earth and has made me excited for the eternal Kingdom where people from around the world will gather to worship our God!" (Abby)

"I have learned to be adaptable to culture and how others perceive things. I came with ideas and thoughts of what we could do but found out we couldn't do them. So, we needed to adjust our plan and brainstorm alternatives. I have also learned that you need to learn their culture before you can effectively teach. God is teaching me the power of prayer and His word. The believers in Zimbabwe have encouraged me more than ever through their thirst for God's word and time with Him. It is common here to pray for hours straight and sing worship throughout the day and night. I have also seen that everyone is broken and needs Jesus. God has shown me his compassionate love for the people in this world." (Monica)



It is so encouraging to see the impact of crossing cultures to learn and to serve! 

For His Kingdom & Glory, 
Mike Sulc 
Life to Life Africa