Merry Christmas From LTLA

Dear LTLA Friends,

On behalf of the Life to Life Africa team, I am writing to extend our Christmas greetings. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are rejoicing with you in the light and hope that he brings to a very dark world. This year our ministry has certainly experienced the effects that rebellion to God has brought upon this world, so we take great comfort in the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy where he declares:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer and finances as we share the great news of Jesus to a world in "distress and darkness and fearful gloom." (Isaiah 8:22)

For the Life to Life Africa team,
Mike Sulc

What Do You Have? - LTLA Update - November 2023

 Greetings LTLA Friends,

The standard question that is used when helping the poor is, "What do you need?" As a team this past month, we were encouraged to consider asking the poor to whom we minister the following question, "What do you have?" The first question focuses on the challenges of life while the alternate question focuses on the opportunities that exist.

There are a couple of passages that speak about God's perspective on what we need in life. The first is 2 Peter 1:3 which states, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." The second is Matthew 6:31-33, "So do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 

As we can see, God knows our needs and has provided everything we need for our life on this earth, both physically and spiritually. That needs to be our focus as we minister to the materially poor, helping them seek God and his ways first so that they can see how he will provide for their needs. Asking, "What do you have?," helps them focus on what God has already provided for them. It then launches us into helping them trust God with using what he has given them to provide for what they need.

This was the principle lesson we learned along with many other principles as we spent 7 days working through the Helping Without Hurting in Africa material. This resource was developed by one of the authors of the book, "When Helping Hurts," along with two poverty alleviation practitioners in Africa, a Ugandan and long-term American missionary. Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, and Shelton Nhundu, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, helped me facilitate the sessions. It covers a broad spectrum of topics because poverty is a complex problem. We anticipate we will review the material on an ongoing basis along with asking the Lord to continue showing us how to advance his kingdom among orphans, widows and the poor to whom we minister.

As I have been sharing in recent updates, our ministry is facing a financial shortfall as we end this year. Worldwide inflation, a growing ministry, and some emergency expenses have contributed to this shortfall. We are preparing to make significant adjustments in our operating budget for next year to work with what we have, applying the key principle we have learned to our own ministry. We ask that you pray for us as we continue to trust the Lord and steward his provision for his work through LIfe to Life Africa.

Thank you for your partnership in prayer and financial support that sustain this ministry!

Mike Sulc

Life to Life Africa

Arthur, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, (standing by the door) facilitating a Helping Without Hurting in Africa session.

The LTLA Team praying for our ministry in the two photos above.

Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, (standing) facilitating a Helping Without Hurting in Africa session.

LTLA Team taking a break from the Helping Without Hurting in Africa sessions to sing praises to the Lord.

        LTLA College Ministry group singing praises to the Lord before their meeting on November 10.

Mike Sulc helping Critical Care Center orphans build with Legos donated by Team Neutrino, a high school robotics team from Ames, IA.

Impacting Three Generations - LTLA Newsletter - Nov 2023

 Dear LTLA Friends,

On this "Giving Tuesday," I am sending our year-end newsletter highlighting the impact that Life to Life Africa is having. We are grateful for your interest and support that makes this ministry possible. Thank you for considering helping us continue the impact we are having among orphans, widows and the poor in Zimbabwe. See the bottom of the email for how you can make a donation.

Psalm 78:3-7 is a passage of scripture that caught my attention thirty years ago as a vision passage for ministry. In this passage, we see God’s heart for generations of people as he commanded the Israelite forefathers to teach their children his commands and to speak of his glorious deeds, his power and the wonders he has done. It describes three generations of impact, with fathers teaching their children “so the next generation would know… and they in turn would tell their children.”(Ps 78:6) Life to Life Africa is seeking to have this level of impact in our ministry as we labor to see one generation speaking of the Lord to other generations with the result that, “they will set their hope (trust) in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” (Ps 78:7, ESV & NIV)


As an example of reaching multiple generations, we are ministering to a family that we met when our attention was drawn to the local landfill two years ago. Eva Nyamangara, the grandmother, is attending the LTLA Women of Hope meetings while her son, Last Gomo, participates in the Men of Hope meetings and his children, James & Patience, enjoy the weekly LTLA Youth Bible Study. At that time, the family had nowhere else to live after being forced off the farm where Eva worked up until the early 2000’s. She worked for a white Zimbabwean farmer who lost his farm when the government instituted land reform and allowed black Zimbabweans to take land by force. Because she worked for a white Zimbabwean, she was also forced off the land. Eva settled at the landfill where she put up a shelter for her and her son so they could be close by to collect recyclables for resale to make a living.

                                        Last Gomo, James Gomo, Eva Nyamangara & Patience Gomo

Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, shared the Gospel with Last and he responded in faith. They meet together most every week so that Shelton can read the Bible to him since Last cannot read. They memorize verses together so he can reflect on the truths and apply them into his life. Shelton encouraged Eva and Last to move away from the landfill for a better environment for his kids. They have taken that step but it is not easy as they survive on $50 per month. Through sponsors, our ministry is covering the cost of school for James and Patience. Going to school was something their father and grandmother never experienced. They are, however, hearing about God through their father and grandmother along with what they are learning at the LTLA Youth Bible Study.

                                                            Shelton (left) meeting with Last.

To continue impacting three generations for Christ in Zimbabwe, we are in need of financial support. We are ending this year on slim financial margins after averaging $17,000 monthly in expenses, so we are asking for special gifts and increased monthly support to carry us through next year. We are also sending Simba & Pamela, a young couple that we have trained, to Mutare, the third largest city, where they will speak of God and his Son, Jesus Christ, to young and old as they trust God to have a multi-generational impact there. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with us.


To give you can send a check payable to:

Life to Life Africa
PMB 344
10151 University Blvd
Orlando, FL 32817

For an online option, you can use "Bill Pay" from your online bank account. Here are the details that you may need for sending money to the Life to Life Ministry bank account:

Account #: 586600386
Routing #: 267084131
Account Name: Life to Life Ministry
Account Address: PMB 344, 10151 University Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817
Account Phone #: 407-657-8129
Account Email: ltlcunneen@gmail.com
Memo/Note: You can write "LTLA" if given an option to designate the gift.

Please contact me if you have any questions related to making a donation.

Grateful for your prayer and financial support!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa
515-520-3607

Happy Thanksgiving From LTLA

 Thanksgiving Greetings, LTLA Supporters!

The Life to Life Africa team counts it a huge blessing to partner in ministry with each of you!  As we gather here in the US to celebrate Thanksgiving, the LTLA team in Zimbabwe are gathering to pray for God's blessing on our ministry efforts and for his blessings on those who partner with us in prayer and financial support. Your support makes it possible for this ministry to take the great news of Jesus to the poor, the brokenhearted and those in bondage. (Isaiah 61:1)

It is our prayer that you experience the deep love of God through Christ during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

For the LTLA team,
Mike Sulc

P.S. I am grateful to Thomas Gilbert, President of Life to Life Ministries, who travels to Zimbabwe to minister with and to the LTLA team. (Thomas pictured below with the LTLA team in March 2023)

P.S.S. I am also grateful to Jim Cunneen along with the Life to Life Ministries Board of Directors who support and provide counsel to the work of LTLA. (The LTLM Board of Directors pictured below at our meeting last Saturday where we celebrated the ministry's 25th anniversary.)

Continue Praying - LTLA Prayer Bulletin - October 2023

Praying Friends, 

Thank you for your prayers this past month for our ministry. Arthur, Shelton and I are sensing God's presence with us as we prepare to meet together with key team members this week and next to work through some material that will help us evaluate and plan our efforts to lead vulnerable people into a trusting relationship with Christ in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. 

Here is how you can pray each day: 

 Tues, Oct 31- We would be renewed in our passion and unity for Christ's calling and mission for our ministry. We would fully grasp that poverty is broken relationships in all spheres of a person's life. 

 Wed, Nov 1- We would understand how broken relationships have impacted life in the African context. We would see how to fight poverty through reconciliation efforts. We would understand the time and place for relief, rehabilitation and development efforts. 

 Thurs, Nov 2- We would consider how to apply asset-based community development efforts in our ministry context. We would be compelled to work for the Glory of God. 

 Fri, Nov 3- Pray for emotional and spiritual healing for a few team members who are struggling. Pray our team will develop in leading people to Christ for healing. 

 Sat, Nov 4- Pray for our team as we engage in discipleship meetings with the youth and with the Men & Women of Hope. 

 Sun, Nov 5- We would rest and be renewed in the glory and presence of God. 

 Mon, Nov 6- We would understand the impact of our "worldview" on our lives.We would not be overwhelmed by the broken systems in Zimbabwe but find hope through Christ to help bring change. We would embrace the growth that comes through suffering in the Christian life and not be seduced by the false claims of the prosperity gospel. 

 Tues, Nov 7- We would see the effects of our culture on how we handle money. We would understand how transformation happens in the lives of people. We would see the value of community participation to bring about change. 

 Wed, Nov 8- We would learn the key principles for benevolence ministry. We would clearly see the opportunities and challenges for an urban ministry. We would be open to short-term ministry opportunities in other communities. 

 Thurs, Nov 9- We would learn how to partner well with those who join us for short-term mission visits. We would develop an action plan of what God wants us to do in response to all these areas we have examined. 

 Fri, Nov 10- Pray the team leaders along with the board trustees are able to make God directed decisions that will guide the work of LTLA toward accomplishing the mission to which God has called us. 

 Sat, Nov 11- Pray for fruitful interactions with other ministries that are taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor. We want to learn from them and collaborate as the Lord directs. 

 Sun, Nov 1- Praise God with us as we worship Him for his love and the hope he brings to this broken world through his Son, Jesus Christ! 

 Thank you for partnering with us in prayer! 

 Mike Sulc 

 Life to Life Africa

One of Many - LTLA Update - Oct 2023

 Greetings Again LTLA Friends,

There are many life change stories for those whom Life to Life Africa has impacted. Itai, pictured below wearing an Overflow Thrift Store t-shirt alongside Mrs. Bangira, is one of those stories. Below you can also view a video of Itai sharing about her involvement with the LTLA Community Ministry team (once again, we thank Hopevale Church and Pete Carlson for producing this video. We are grateful for your partnership in this way).

https://vimeo.com/774314877

Itai describes her early life as, "horrible," having had no parental guidance from divorced parents and having to be married at 19 because she got pregnant. After her fourth child was born, her husband died leaving her as a widow to care for children and grandchildren. That is when she became a beneficiary of Life to Life Africa receiving food assistance and training in how to grow food for her family. Itai shares the spiritual impact LTLA has had in her life; 

"Most importantly is that I learned about having a relationship with God through Christ. The Bible studies and individual spiritual mentoring I received changed my life. I am a new person and now I counsel others when they are in trouble that God is the only one who can save and redeem us from all our problems. Thank you for your support of this ministry that changed my life."

As an LTLA Community Ministry team member, Itai is mentoring widows like Mrs. Bangira (pictured below with Itai) who once lived in a tent, but now lives in a house. She parented her daughter with the principles she learned from attending the LTLA Women of Hope meetings and that daughter built the house in the photo for her family and her mother.  

What a blessing to be part of what God is doing through this ministry!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

                                                          Itai, LTLA Team Member, with Mrs. Bangira

 

Would You Pray? - LTLA Update - Sept 2023

 Greetings LTLA Friends,

Thank you for your prayers and comforting words with the loss of my brother. My family has certainly experienced the Lord's sustaining grace. Would you also pray for the Life to Life Africa leadership team? It has been a challenging year and, like Moses (Exodus 33:12-16), we are needing the Lord's presence to be with us as we face the faith opportunities that lie ahead.
 
Arthur, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, and I are preparing to facilitate sessions in early November with key members of the LTLA team to examine how we are accomplishing the mission to which the Lord has called us. It is the mission he commanded when saying, "go and make disciples of all nations," (Matthew 28:19) with the vision to see a multiplying movement as described in Psalm 78:3-7 that would lead to "the least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation." (Isaiah 60:22) 
 
We are facing a financial shortfall and will need to make decisions about decreasing expenses. Inflation, a growing ministry, and emergency expenses have increased our operating budget this year. These issues are not a surprise to the Lord and he is drawing us into a deeper trust in him for the needed provision. Thank you for your faithful support through the years and extra gifts earlier this year which have enabled us to continue discipling the old and the young generations in Chinhoyi.
 
One life you have impacted through your support is that of Simba Mangore. Simba came to Chinhoyi at the age of 4 as an orphan to live with his aunt & uncle. He came to faith in Christ during high school through the LTLA youth Bible study and the ministry assisted him in getting a mechanical engineering degree. He felt God's call to join the LTLA ministry and the video below describes his ministry focus with young adults. In the video he shares his plans to expand the work of LTLA to a new city next year. (We thank Hopevale Church and Pete Carlson for producing this video last year, prior to Simba's wedding.) Simba traveled to Mutare two weeks ago to "spy out" the land and reports the following:
 
Strengths- I ascertained that the people are very welcoming and mostly from one tribe which makes them peaceful.
Weaknesses/Threats- Prosperity gospel is prevalent in the churches and the African traditional religious sect which a majority follow promotes polygamy and forces girls to marry as early as 14.
Opportunities- There is a sizable population of young adults in the city with the presence of three colleges and two universities.

LTLA: Simba (Video):

https://vimeo.com/783370326

Excited to be a part of the least becoming a thousand!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Home With The Lord - LTLA Update - Sept 2023

 

Dear LTLA Friends, The good Lord called my older brother, Mark, home to heaven this past Saturday after a two year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive terminal brain cancer. He had a big influence in my life, setting the example of walking with Jesus throughout his life. These last two years he delighted in sharing how the Lord was drawing him ever closer to Him preparing him for his eternal home. Mark's final coherent thoughts were expressing his desire for his family to join him at the banquet table in heaven. (Isaiah 25:6-9)  You can read about his journey these last two years at:  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marksulc/journal And here is the obituary that details his life: https://www.tiddfuneralservice.com/obituaries/reuben-sulc I will really miss his encouraging support and wise counsel. My prayer is that my life will reflect his enduring faith in and love for Christ that he shared freely with everyone he met. What a blessed reunion it will be at the Lord's banquet table in heaven! Sorrowful yet rejoicing in the hope of glory through Christ,  Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa

Mike (foreground) sailing with Mark in June 2021 prior to his diagnosis. Sailing was a favorite hobby for Mark and his wife Sally.

Ten Years And Counting - LTLA Update - August 2023

 

Dear LTLA Friends, The Lord called "Uncle" Ron Shimkus home ten years ago last month. The ministry that the Lord led he and "Aunt" Mary Ann to start in Chinhoyi twenty years ago continues under the faithful leadership of Arthur Nhau, whom Ron discipled, trained and equipped. Below is a video of Arthur sharing his heart and what God is doing through Life to Life Africa. (We are grateful to Hopevale Church and Pete Carlson for producing this video while visiting last year.) LTLA: Arthur Nhau (Video) Thank you for your prayers for the Zimbabwe election. The ruling party has retained control. This has been the case in every election since the country gained independence in 1980, with the exception of a power-sharing period from 2009-2013. Citizens have remained peaceful so far, despite the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) delegation expressing strong concern over the fairness of the election process. With the rebuke from the SADC observers, the opposition party is demanding a rerun of the election under careful watch by SADC and the African Union. However, a rerun is not likely; it would take significant pressure from the surrounding countries and the international community for this to happen. Needless to say, the LTLA team, and Zimbabweans in general, are pretty discouraged. They see little hope for change in their country. Please continue praying for the political situation in Zimbabwe and for encouragement in the Lord for the LTLA team. Thank you for your faithful support over the past ten years and since the beginnings of LTLA twenty years ago! Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa

Zimbabwe Elections - LTLA Prayer Bulletin - August 2023

 

Dear LTLA Supporters, Today, Zimbabweans go to the polls to vote for a president. The current president, Emerson Mnangagwa, who replaced the 38 year president, Robert Mugabe, is running again despite making things worse as evidenced in Zimbabwe topping the Hanke Annual Misery Index in 2022 as the most miserable place to live. You would think that the opposition party would be very vocal about the condition of the country but it has been an unusually quiet campaign season. The ruling party has been very forceful in keeping them quiet as they use a heavy hand to instill fear upon those who speak out against their party. It has been this way for a very long time and it appears they have now eliminated any earthly hope for change.  (You can listen to a NPR report on the Zimbabwe elections here: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/22/1195170325/zimbabwe-voters-will-go-to-the-polls-on-wednesday-to-elect-a-president ) We know that our hope is not found in this world but in God who has provided salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus did teach us to pray for God's "kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven," (Matthew 6:10) so we ask that you join us in praying for that to happen in Zimbabwe. Jesus did not establish an earthly kingdom but an eternal heavenly kingdom which manifests itself through people whose hearts have been transformed, reflecting the character of Christ. God has been working through LTLA to see that happen in the lives of those to whom we are ministering. Thank you for supporting us to that end! We do ask that you pray for a peaceful election process and that the elected president would seek to serve the people in bringing the country out of their current condition. Also, we ask you to continue to pray for Tsungai, LTLA Critical Care team leader, who has completed radiation treatments and will undergo brachytherapy for her cervical cancer during the next couple of weeks. And we are happy to report that Shelton Nhundu, LTLA Community Team leader whose infant daughter and wife are doing well, was able to lead a neighbor to Christ. Pray for Shelton as he encourages Clemence in his new found faith in Christ.

Diana, LTLA team member, and Tsungai holding the certificate of completion for the radiation treatments.

Shelton (right) with Clemence; his neighbor whom he led to Christ.

God is at work to this very day! (John 15:7) Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa

Impacting Misuku, Malawi For Christ

 

Greetings,   I am writing to share about an opportunity to invest in God's Kingdom work taking place in Misuku, Malawi. This opportunity came to my attention on my most recent trip to Africa when I visited a young entrepreneur who loves the Lord and is seeking to bring lasting transformation to his community through training in Biblical principles and opening new markets into one of the worlds most traded commodities. Thank you for taking the time to consider this Kingdom investment opportunity.

Park Msukwa (far left) with coffee farmers from Misuku, Malawi

Coffee farmers in far north Malawi have failed to be adequately paid for their coffee harvests for several years now. The cooperative that has been serving their region is suffering the effects of mismanagement and corruption. Park Msukwa grew up in Misuku where his father along with all the other coffee farmers grow the best Arabica coffee in Malawi. I met Park five years ago and was impressed by his work ethic, entrepreneurial drive, concern for his community and, most importantly, his faith in Christ Jesus. He desires to impact his home community of Misuku for Christ by training coffee farmers in Biblical principles of farming, business and life. Life to Life Africa (LTLA) supported him four years ago to receive this type of training from The Crown Ministries Stewardship School.   I visited Park last month with Tim Mooney, a coffee loving friend, and Charles Mugarura, a successful coffee farmer from Uganda. Together we assessed the situation for the 30 coffee farmers that Park is seeking to help. We determined that in the long-term they need to establish their own cooperative that they manage collectively for the sustainability of their farming enterprises. It was also determined that for the short-term, Park, through his registered business - Park Coffee Traders, needs a loan to begin buying coffee cherries from the farmers and process them in preparation to sell to buyers. One buyer, Namikango Coffee Roasters, a Christian mission enterprise, desires to buy 12 tons of coffee parchment from Park. He can buy red coffee cherries from the farmers and process 4 tons at a time for $20,000 USD. Once he supplies those four tons to the buyer, he will be paid with a small profit and can then use that payment for buying and processing the next 4 tons. The projections are that he will repay the loan in three years if not sooner. Those funds will return to LTLA where it can be used for other enterprises that advance the work of God’s Kingdom in Africa. To help Park make an impact in his community by buying coffee from farmers at a fair price and helping them encounter Christ through Biblically based training, would you prayerfully consider making an investment in this Kingdom building opportunity? Here are possible investment levels to help us reach the $20,000 goal: ·         $1,250 for ¼ ton of coffee ·         $2,500 for ½ ton of coffee ·         $5,000 for 1 ton of coffee   You can send a check payable to: Life to Life Africa PMB 344 10151 University Blvd Orlando, FL 32817   Or you can direct your bank to make a payment through Bill Pay to: Acct #: 586600386 Routing #:267084131   I will follow up with a phone call this weekend to answer any questions you might have regarding this opportunity. Thank you for considering investing in Park’s work among his community along with other future enterprises that will impact communities in Africa. For Christ & His Kingdom, Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa 515-520-3607  Here are some photos from our trip along with photos and a video of the activities that happened this week with Park and the coffee farmers in Misuku:

The coffee farmers met with us in the hills of Misuku during our visit.

Park, Tim & Charles inspecting coffee plants of one of the coffee farmers.

Park spending time in Bible study with the coffee farmers.

Farmers brought bags of harvested coffee cherries (by motorcycle) to be weighed and processed.

Picking out the ripe red coffee cherries for processing.

Video showing the hand crank sheller that removes the skin from the coffee cherries producing the coffee parchment:  https://youtube.com/shorts/T2mqiYefQrY

The coffee parchment is spread out on drying beds made from locally harvested bamboo. Once dry the coffee parchment will be bagged for sale.

Park with his father, mother and a niece in front of his parent's house where the coffee is processed.

Joy, Grief & Perseverance - LTLA Update - July 2023

 

Dear LTLA Friends, I must admit that my heart has been weary lately with the highs and lows of life. My most recent trip to Africa and events that followed confronted me with the reality of life in this broken world. Through this weariness I am experiencing the truth that David concluded in Psalm 62:1-2 & 5-8. I ask that you pray for me to find rest in God alone who is our salvation, our rock, our fortress, our hope and our refuge. A high was meeting Kunashe, daughter of Shelton & Tinotenda. As LTLA Community Ministry team leader, Shelton experienced pouring out his heart to God to find refuge this past year after they lost their first daughter at 8 months of pregnancy. A year later God has blessed them with the birth of Kunashe, which means, "There is God." It was good to enter into their joy in person.

Shelton, Tinotenda and Kunashe

A low was to hear the tragic news of the death of the older brother of Marvelous, an LTLA team member. He died in a head-on collision when a van carrying a full load of passengers recklessly tried overtaking another vehicle. There were other fatalities in the accident. Her brother leaves his wife and three children ages 11, 7 and 4. Would you pray for Marvelous and her family as they grieve his loss? Thank you for your continued prayers for Tsungai, LTLA team member who has led our ministry to pre-school orphans for more than 10 years. She is persevering through the cancer radiation treatments as there was a week and a half delay due to repairs that were needed on the radiation machine. As expected, she is experiencing localized pain and tiredness from the treatments. We are grateful for the hospitality of ministry friends who are hosting her in their Harare home. The treatments are taking place at a private clinic in Harare. the capital of Zimbabwe. LTLA team member, Diana, has accompanied her during the five weeks of treatment. She is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the Lord's command, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34). Diana reports, "The Lord has been teaching us that there is nothing better than having Jesus present with us along with people who care for you. Thank you for caring for us through your prayers and support!"

Diana on the left with Tsungai.

On this last trip, I traveled to Malawi where I visited Park Msukwa, a young man I met five years ago. He loves the Lord and the coffee growing community where he grew up, Misuku. Four years ago, LTLA sponsored Park in attending the The Crown Ministries Stewardship School, along with Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader. Like Shelton, he has been persevering in teaching the Biblical principles he learned to the coffee farmers in Misuku. He also desires to practically help the farmers by securing better markets for their coffee.  Tim Mooney, a friend of LTLA and coffee lover, joined me along with his Ugandan farmer friend, Charles Mugarura. Together we determined that Park needs to help the coffee farmers establish a cooperative and he needs an infusion of capital investment to get them started. If you have an interest in helping Park launch this enterprise that will seek to bring Christ's transformation in his community, you can contact me for further details.

Park (far left) with Misuku, Malawi, coffee farmers.

(L to R) Charles Mugarura, Tim Mooney, Mike Sulc & Park Msukwa in the coffee growing hills of Misuku, Malawi.

Finding rest in God alone, Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa 515-520-3607

Good Neighbors - LTLA Update - June 2023

 

Greetings again from Africa, I am writing to share an encouraging development that happened for the LTLA Community Ministry this past month. It is encouraging to see the impact that our ministry is having upon our neighbors by the LTLA Community Center. Our prayer is that we continue to impact our neighbors around our ministry sites in Chinhoyi. When the team is working in the LTLA vegetable garden they are typically singing and laughing together. This caught the attention of the gardener at the Environmental Management Agency that is close by as he walked on his way to work. He observed that we are quite successful in our vegetable garden efforts and he had noticed our good composting work that is out in front of our property. He was struggling with his gardening efforts and asked his supervisors if he could approach us for training. When asked, Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, was more than happy to have the team provide training at their site. The team helped them start their compost pile and will be providing ongoing coaching in their gardening efforts.  Last week I had the opportunity to accompany Shelton to guide the gardener in turning his compost pile and providing the appropriate amount of moisture while turning it. While at their site our team noticed a lot of mulch piled up so they inquired if they would be willing to share some with us. Well, they shared a lot as you will see in the photo below, so we are now well stocked with mulch for our gardening efforts. Mulch is critical in sustainable farming to help preserve moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth. Would you pray with us that relationships with our neighbors will result in people coming to know Christ as they see our good works on behalf of the community? Seeking to be good neighbors, Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa

LTLA Community Ministry team demonstrating composting with Environmental Management Agency staff.

Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader, doing a follow up consultation on composting with the Environmental Management Agency staff member.

Pile of mulch provided to LTLA by the Environmental Management Agency.

Cabbages from LTLA garden are being distributed with corn meal & beans to vulnerable families.

Carrots in the LTLA garden.

The carrots are being sold along with broccoli and lettuce to help the ministry. Cauliflower, peas and red onions will soon be harvested for sale as well.

Mike enjoyed using the lettuce, carrots and broccoli for salads on his recent visit.