Dear LTLA Friends,
I am sharing with you below the answers to questions that I posed to Arthur Nhau and Shelton Nhundu, asking them to reflect on this past year of ministry and to look forward to the year ahead. Arthur Nhau is the LTLA Director in Chinhoyi and leads our Training Ministry. Shelton Nhundu leads our Community Ministry effort in Chinhoyi.
It is a joy for me to co-labor with these two dear brothers in the Lord. Thank you for your support that makes it possible for me to do so!
Reflecting on the Past Year of Ministry
For what do you give God praise?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- Protection from Covid-19 for our team and those to whom we minister.
- Re-establishing good connections with those whom we disciple.
- 4 boys and 3 girls received Christ in our ministry to youth.
- Good bonding as a family during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- The following people gave their lives to Christ: Smolley Mangezha, Anna Madzuramende, Enia Matope, Serivina Mushipe, Plaxedes Tembo, Diaries Tembo and Rudo Goto who was a prostitute.
- We helped 56 families become self sustaining over the past several years.
- We now have opportunity to minister to 56 new families.
What was the greatest challenge?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- Planning ministry activities with the Covid-19 lockdowns and changing restrictions throughout the year that were sternly enforced.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- The Covid-19 restrictions prevented us from meeting with people, which disrupted our evangelism and discipleship efforts. The economic impact of the pandemic has especially affected our ministry to men as our numbers are now low due to the effects of depression and many searching for work outside of Chinhoyi.
What was the primary thing that God taught you?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- That He remains God who can be trusted regardless of our circumstances, so my focus needs to be on He who does not change, not on my constantly changing circumstances.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- The need for love and commitment. As the saying goes, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." I needed to love the team and the people to whom we minister. They needed to see I am committed to them, just as Jesus displayed his commitment to the disciples as he appointed them to be with him.
Anticipating the Coming Year of Ministry
What are you learning from God as you start this new year?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- To keep my focus on God so I do not miss what He is doing rather than being preoccupied by the distractions of life.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- I am reading in Isaiah and Isaiah 40:28-31 summarized the theme that God is sovereign and powerful. This turbulent world can be overwhelming but I am finding renewed strength from the Lord.
What are you trusting God to do in & through your team?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- That the six trainees will deepen in the convictions that God is impressing on their hearts.
- For the trainees to finish strong with their ministry training this year and for open doors to launch them into effective ministry after their training.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- To help us in our outreach to men in the community.
- For fruitful ministry with those making a living of collecting recyclables at the landfill.
- For us to continue developing in knowledge and skill to grow a good harvest of vegetables to feed people and support the work of our ministry.
What specifically can we be praying for you and your team?
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- Empowering of God's Spirit to help me prepare the trainees for a lifetime of laboring in God's harvest fields.
- Strength, health and freedom from distractions for the trainees to finish their training prepared to labor for Christ.
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- Fruitful outreach in seeing men trust and grow in Christ.
- Effective discipling efforts with all the ladies listed above who received Christ last year.
- Bountiful harvest of vegetables, which will be a source of food as well as income for our ministry.
- That I continue growing in intimacy with Christ as well as imitation of His character so that I am empowered to make an impact for Him.
Words of Gratitude
Arthur - Training Ministry:
- We thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus, when we pray for you because of your great love for God's people and His work. We are so grateful that you continue to pray for us and give generously towards God's work. May the good Lord remember you and your families. (Hebrews 6:10)
Shelton - Community Ministry:
- Greetings to you all! We give praise to God for your faithful support in prayer and finances to make this ministry possible. It is a blessing for me to be involved in work that is so fulfilling!