Zimbabwe had an economic meltdown in 2008, and events over the past few weeks make one wonder if it will happen again. There has been a run on essential goods, which is driving up prices and forcing stores to limit the quantities one can purchase among the items on the half empty shelves. People wait many hours in line to purchase gasoline. This is all eerily similar to 2008.
In the midst of these challenges the LTLA team has learned to hold on to their trust in God. Here are items of encouragement, interspersed with some photos:
• Numbers of orphans in the Critical Care Center have increased after dropping from 30 to 11 earlier this year. Now 21 are attending.
• Children are continuing to attend the weekly youth Bible studies in good numbers.
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| Children age 4-7 at a weekly LTLA Bible study. |
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| Children age 8-12 at a weekly LTLA Bible study. |
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| Youth aged 13-19 at a weekly LTLA Bible study. |
• Young women in the Chosen Generation (post high school ministry) are entering into early marriages in part due to the economic difficulties, but they are desiring continued discipleship.
• University college students involved with LTLA are inviting their friends to ministry activities. • Women & Men of Hope groups continue seeing 50 and 30 participating respectively, though two men from the group passed away in recent months.
• The doctor continues to faithfully treat around 25 family members every month but medicines are in short supply and increasing in cost.
• The LTLA team members have been able to model effective vegetable gardening at the Community Center and are selling the vegetables to raise operational ministry funds.
• With a special gift from Overflow Thrift Store, we employed a local builder and Chosen Generation young men to make needed house repairs to 4 homes in the community.
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| Erasmus supplying Cecil, the builder, with mortar for one of the house repair projects. |
• Arthur & Mildred Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, were refreshed in the Lord by Musa & Regina Yashim, the couple who provided them ministry training in Nigeria. They were visiting Zimbabwe recently along with a dear fellow trainee, Jesse, with whom they also spent time.
• Arthur & Mildred also were able to participate in a Caring for the Heart conference where they were ministered to by my good friends, David & Mary Bulkley from Philadelphia, PA. Arthur reported it was a great blessing to get away with Mildred and to hear Jesus speak to their hearts.
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| Arthur & Mildred Nhau at a Caring for the Heart conference with David and Mary Bulkley. |
Traveling to Zimbabwe
Thomas Gilbert, Life to Life Ministry Director in Orlando, and I arrived in Zimbabwe last night. We are excited for this opportunity to co-labor with the Life to Life Africa team during the next two weeks. Please do pray for us all as we seek to encourage one another during these challenging days to advance God's kingdom in Zimbabwe.
For His Kingdom & Glory,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa