Planting Time - LTLA Update - March 2026

 

Greetings LTLA Friends, As we move into Spring in the US and prepare to plant, the LTLA teams in Zimbabwe have been busy planting seeds, both spiritual and vegetable seeds. Gospel seeds are planted throughout the year and especially over the past month with Easter approaching. Though it is their harvest time for corn, the climate in Zimbabwe also allows for vegetables to be planted at this time if you have a source for water, which thankfully we have at our Community Center in Chinhoyi. Spiritually the LTLA Community Ministry team continues to sow the seeds of the Gospel among the people we serve. The team continues to go out two by two on Friday mornings to share the Gospel and to hold discipleship meetings. They have also had the opportunity to engage in spiritual conversations as they inspect the corn plots of the families we trained in sustainable farming practices. The families have been faithful in following the training and it looks like they will receive a good harvest with the good rains that the Lord has provided this season. Our prayer is that their faithfulness will extend into spiritual faithfulness in following the Lord in their lives. The LTLA Training Team had the opportunity to be reunited with Simba & Pamela from Mutare who visited Chinhoyi for the past two weeks. It was an opportunity for Simba & Pamela to be encouraged by their fellow ministry trainees. The visit also gave Pamela an opportunity to receive some additional ministry training since she did not go through the two year ministry training that Simba received. She was able to get some hands-on training with Marvelous, Stella and Prestege as she accompanied them for evangelism and discipleship meetings with students and young ladies in the community. Our prayer is that Simba & Pamela are encouraged and empowered in their ministry efforts in Mutare among the college students they are reaching. Below you will find photos from the month. We are grateful for your partnership in prayer and finances with us as we are engaged in the Lord's fields and in his spiritual harvest in Zimbabwe! Gratefully in Him, Mike Sulc Life to Life Ministries, Africa Director

Shelton (right) with three men whom he is discipling.

Three ladies who are being discipled by ladies on the LTLA Community Ministry team.

Messiah (right) inspecting the corn plot of one of the families we trained in sustainably growing corn.

Marvelous, Stella, Pamela & Prestege spent time together meeting with one another and in evangelism & discipleship with young ladies during Pamela's two week visit to Chinhoyi from Mutare.

Prestege, Marvelous, Stella, Simba, Pamela & Zviko enjoyed co-laboring together during Simba & Pamela's two week visit to Chinhoyi.

Brian with the newly transplanted cauliflower from the seed bed into the garden at the LTLA Community Center.

Broccoli seedlings in the seed bed.

Brian with the onion seedlings in the seed bed.

LTLA Community Ministry team members preparing the garden for the transplanted broccoli & onion seedlings.

Lunga with the new batch of broiler chicks.

Accomplishing the Mission - LTLA Update - February 2026

 

Greetings LTLA Friends, Thank you for your prayers for my recent trip as I met with friends of the ministry and with our team to examine how we are doing in accomplishing the mission God has called us to in Chinhoyi and Mutare. It was encouraging to hear from our Zimbabwean friends what a blessing Life to Life Africa is to those whom we seek to serve. The team was also very encouraged to reflect on how each aspect of our ministry is accomplishing the mission, values and vision the Lord helped us clarify in 2017. In short, our mission is to seek the vulnerable, lovingly care for them, lead them to Christ, disciple & train them along with the next generation of leaders among college students to see a discipling movement take root that transforms the lives of many. This is all accomplished as we value the following: Jesus Christ and God's Word, every person as an image bearer of God, the power and ministry of prayer, faithful stewardship, team unity through love and orderly protocol, ethical and good moral behavior, as well as abiding by the laws of Zimbabwe and respecting its culture. As we conduct ourselves in this way in pursuing our mission we envision the following: being a light to many, empowering and developing people to lead healthy and productive lives, developing Godly influential leaders, being a vital resource to the communities we serve, establishing broad prayer and financial support from within and outside Zimbabwe along with expanding our work within and outside Zimbabwe. Some highlights of how we are accomplishing our mission that were identified by our friends and our team are: The holistic approach to ministry is critical in caring for the physical and spiritual needs of the people we are seeking to reach. One friend stated, "The legacy left by Uncle Ron Shimkus was about spreading the gospel through granting dignity to people through meeting felt needs in love and care as directed in 1 John 3:18 and James 2:14-18. The community impacted by LTLA is largely afflicted by poverty which we recognize as a spiritual bondage so discipling and training people to be self-sustaining is breaking such a yoke." The consistent time in reading, studying, memorizing, meditating and applying God's Word by the LTLA team is empowering them to impact others. As a result we are seeing an evangelism and discipling movement take hold among young and old in Chinhoyi. It is our hope that a discipling movement will soon manifest in Mutare among college students and young adults. Those whom we are discipling in Chinhoyi have been active in peer leading activities with the LTLA team members. Over the past ten years 9 team members have been trained in evangelism, discipleship and equipping ministry. One team member, Simba, with his wife, Pamela, has been sent to pioneer ministry in a new city, Mutare. Ten other team members are being trained in evangelism and discipleship. We have also trained close to 200 families how to sustainably grow corn and have been cared for with their medical needs at our monthly clinic. Close to 40 orphans have spent their pre-school years being fed physically and spiritually at our Critical Care Center. We have been assisting up to 40 school age and college age orphans with their school fees. Seven have graduated college and are now employed. There have been seven young people whom we have discipled who are now married. Your support in prayer and finances has made all this possible. Thank you!! Mike Sulc Life to Life Ministries- Africa Director Here are photos from my trip and recent events:

Brian, LTLA team member (left), translated my training of how to use Romans 6:23 to share the Gospel with the Men of Hope group. They will be going out in the coming weeks to share this illustration with other men. Pray they experience the blessing of sharing their faith as stated in Philemon 6, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (NIV, 1984)

Brian and his wife Privilege with their daughter, Joy, wrapped on her back, harvesting tomatoes among the 2800 tomato plants he planted next to the LTLA Community Center. He loves farming and some government officials have taken notice so they are offering him 6 hectares near Chinhoyi to farm. Join us in praising the Lord for rewarding his hard work and praying for his farming efforts.

Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry leader, checking the blood pressure of team member Lunga. Lunga has recently been suffering from high blood pressure. Pray for Lunga's health as his high blood pressure prevented him from planting corn this year which will impact the provision of food and income for his family.

Messiah, who is fruit of our high school ministry and a college student we are sponsoring, has been doing an internship with our ministry for his development studies degree. In this photo he was collecting manure from our chicken coop to donate to the gardening project at a retirement home in Chinhoyi. We praise the Lord for the stewardship and generosity exhibited by the LTLA team.

On my trip I enjoyed traveling to Mutare with Tinotenda (far left) and with Tatenda (to my right). Tinotenda was returning to Mutare where he is studying at Mutare Polytechnic. He also is fruit of our high school ministry and a college student we are sponsoring. He lives with Simba & Pamela whom we were visiting and is helping Simba minister on his campus. Tatenda, an LTLA team member, will be in Mutare for three months where he is receiving counseling in a residential program to help with trauma he has experienced in his life as an orphan. Pray for Tatenda to encounter healing through Christ at this Christian counseling center.

During the last three weeks, I have had the privilege of coordinating the visit of Jonathan Govero from Zimbabwe to the US. He is a spiritual grandson of Ron Shimkus and currently is the Zimbabwe country director for The Navigators. He was invited to speak at The Navigators Mid-America Region Disciplemakers Conference, February 13-15. In this photo Jonathan is sharing at the conference the impact of Ron's discipleship in his life. The slide behind him has pictures of Jonathan with Ron who discipled Ticharwa and who then discipled Jonathan. The next photo shows Jonathan with Cephas whom he discipled followed by a photo below of Jonathan, Cephas and Anesu whom Cephas discipled. Ron's life verse, Isaiah 60:22, "The least will become a thousand and the smallest a mighty nation...," has materialized as seen through these four spiritual generations. We praise God for the opportunity he has given us to be involved in his redeeming work.

Atipa, which means, "he has given us," was born this past Saturday to Tinotenda & Shelton. She and her mother are doing well. We praise the Lord for Atipa's safe arrival as Tinotenda has type 1 diabetes and suffered the loss of their first child at 8 months. Atipa has a big sister, Kunashe, whom the Lord graciously gave to Tinotenda and Shelton a year after losing their first child. We are rejoicing with them in the Lord's protection of Tinotenda and Atipa through the pregnancy and delivery.

With Great Appreciation - LTLA Prayer Bulletin - January 2026

 New Year Greetings!

It is with a grateful heart that I thank you for the generous financial support that has launched Life to Life Africa into this new year. The Lord continues to provide through you what is needed to carry out his kingdom work in Zimbabwe.  Maita basa, which in Shona means, "you have done good work." The Lord is pleased with your generosity and may he continue to bless you for it. (2 Corinthians 9:7, Matthew 6:4b, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10)

Today, I arrive in Zimbabwe where I will meet with some godly friends of the ministry to gain their perspective and counsel for the ministry. We are seeking the Lord for his continued guidance and blessing on the work he has for us to accomplish. Isaiah 58:11 is particularly encouraging as we begin another year. "The Lord will guide you always." We can be at peace that the Lord will guide us as we seek his counsel. "He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and strengthen your frame." Zimbabwe can be sun scorched and can sap your strength but the Lord has been faithful in strengthening us and providing what is needed. "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." That is our prayer for Life to Life Africa. Would you pray these truths for us this year?

With a grateful & expectant heart,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa 

Christmas Greetings from Life to Life Africa

 

Merry Christmas LTLA Friends!! We extend our greetings of great joy as we celebrate the arrival of Immanuel, God with us, our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father has richly poured out his love upon us. May his grace fill your hearts today and into the new year. The LTLA team along with Kevin & Alison captured the following photo and video at their Christmas celebration last week:

The LTLA team with Kevin & Alison expressing their Christmas joy.

Christmas greeting from the LTLA team with Kevin & Alison joining them.

Merry Christmas, Mike Sulc Life to Life Ministries, Africa Director

God Loves Us All - LTLA Update - December 2025

 

Dear LTLA Friends, Thank you for your prayers for a visa, a visit and a wedding! God blessed in every way. Our friend Jonathan Govero, country leader for The Navigators Zimbabwe, was granted a visa to visit the US in February! We look forward to hosting him in Iowa for his visit. Below you will read about the wonderful experience that Kevin & Alison from Hopevale Church in Saginaw, MI had during their visit with the LTLA team last week. And the Lord blessed LTLA team member Marvelous and her husband Abraham on their wedding day! Here are brief reflections from Kevin & Alison on their visit to Chinhoyi: "We had the opportunity to grow deeper relationships with Life to Life Africa team members and the team as a whole. Being able to take part in the team's Christmas celebration showed us the deep love and care the team has for each other. Celebrating the wedding of Marvelous and Abraham was a unique and joy-filled experience we will not forget. Throughout the week we felt we were truly part of the LTLA family. One reflection from a conversation with Tatenda is that God is everywhere. He is not restricted to any nation, tribe or people. We face many similar and some unique challenges, but our God sees us all and loves us all!" They were able to share in small and large group gatherings covering these topics: Giving our worries to God - Matthew 6:25-34 Hearing God's voice and his discernment in our daily lives - John 10:27, 1 Kings 19:11-13 Hagar's encounter with God and giving him the name El-Roi (the God who sees me) - Genesis 16:1-13 They said they were able to truly experience life in action in Zimbabwe. The photos and videos below give a taste of what they experienced. Rejoicing in the God who loves us, Mike Sulc Life to Life Ministries, Africa Director

Photos of the gift giving during the LTLA Team Christmas celebration.

Photos from the LTLA food distribution to families in need.

Kevin & Alison saw the fruit of LTLA team member Brian's labor with his crop of tomato plants.

They also visited LTLA team leader Shelton's farm where he is growing millet, round nuts, corn and sweet potatoes.

Shelton & Kevin enjoyed some roasted corn on the way to Shelton's farm.

Alison helped out with mowing at the LTLA Community Center.

The married couple! Congratulations Abraham & Marvelous!!

Marvelous leaving her home in her wedding dress to great jubilation from family and friends.

Wedding, Visitors, Visa & Funding - LTLA Prayer Bulletin - December 2025

 

Dear Praying Friends, This Saturday LTLA team member, Marvelous, will get married to Abraham, who once was part of our young adult ministry, Chosen Generation. He is now a pastor of a church in Chinhoyi along with working on his family farm outside of Chinhoyi. To witness her wedding, Kevin & Alison from Hopevale Church in Saginaw, Michigan, arrived yesterday in Zimbabwe. This week they will serve with the team in the ministry activities and preparations for the wedding. They met Marvelous and the LTLA team in 2024 when they joined a Hopevale team in Chinhoyi. They will lead another Hopevale team in August 2026! We are grateful for their love for the LTLA team and their desire to advance God's kingdom among orphans, widows, the poor and students in Zimbabwe. I know they will appreciate your prayers as they serve in Chinhoyi this week. Marvelous also appreciates your prayers for her and Abraham in the wedding preparations and as they begin life together as a married couple.

Kevin & Alison upon their arrival in Zimbabwe yesterday.

Tomorrow our friend, Jonathan Govero who is the country leader for the Navigators in Zimbabwe, will be interviewed at the US Consulate in Johannesburg for a visa to visit the US in February. He has been invited to speak at a Navigators conference in Iowa. It is a challenging time to seek a visitor visa to the US. We are asking the Lord's grace on his behalf. It would be a blessing to have him visit and share what the Lord is doing in Zimbabwe. As we approach the end of another year, I wanted to share how grateful I am for all who support the work of Life to Life Africa. Through your generosity the Lord continues to provide for all that is needed in prayer and finances. The ministry and its impact continues to grow, so we anticipate a need for increased financial support next year. At the beginning of December, we were $7,000 behind where we were at the same point in 2024. If you are able to help us cover that gap and have even more at the start of 2026, it will put us on good financial footing. Thank you for considering how you can help us continue sharing the love of Christ and discipling young and old in Zimbabwe. Below you will find the instructions on how to contribute. We are grateful for your prayer support in these matters. Mike Sulc Life to Life Ministries, Africa Director To donate, you can send checks payable to: Life to Life Ministries (please write "Africa" in the memo line) PMB 344 10151 University Blvd Orlando, FL 32817 You may also initiate a Bill Pay donation and make it recurring if you wish through your bank. Please also make the payment to Life to Life Ministries (writing "Africa" in the memo line) and have your bank mail it to the address listed above.

Business & Music in Mission - LTLA Update - November 2025

 

Greetings LTLA Friends, Last month my sister and brother-in-law joined me in Zimbabwe where they were able to invest in the work of Life to Life Africa utilizing their skills and ministry experience. Tim encouraged people in their business ventures, while Debbie shared her love for using music in ministry. It was a joy to have them meet and encourage the LTLA team. Tim & Debbie are second career missionaries, after taking early retirements to serve in Brazil where they promoted business as mission and helped launch people in establishing businesses around the world to glorify God and make him known. Tim has experience working in the corporate headquarters of Delta Airlines and holds MDiv and Doctor of Ministry degrees. We put them to work within the first few hours of their arrival, with a meeting in Harare to promote the vision of business as mission for people engaged in entrepreneurial enterprises. Jonathan & Shalom Govero, who serve as country leaders for The Navigators in Zimbabwe, were keen to invite people to this gathering as an opportunity to encourage Zimbabweans to create businesses that employ people and support God's kingdom work. At the Harare gathering, Tim and Debbie shared from their experiences with the 25 people in attendance. We hope that it will be the first of many such gatherings for the purpose of equipping and encouraging kingdom minded entrepreneurial ventures to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Zimbabwe. In Chinhoyi, Tim also engaged with the LTLA team about business as ministry and talked with them on their personal entrepreneurial ventures.

Tim sharing on business as mission with 25 people in Harare.

Tim & Debbie shared devotionals and had business as mission sessions with the LTLA team.

Debbie, a retired music teacher, was able to provide a music training session with LTLA team members. She shared about the impact that music and singing has in evangelism and discipleship particularly with children. It was fun to see the LTLA team members engaging with the activities as seen in the video below. Another video shows Debbie spending time with the Critical Care children.

Debbie leading LTLA team members in music activities for children.

Debbie singing with the LTLA Critical Care children.

Debbie graciously provided small instruments and colorful scarves for use with the children. The video below shows how the team incorporated shakers and scarves with the Children of Hope group.

LTLA Children of Hope using scarves and shakers as they sind Jesus Loves Me.

It is a blessing to have supporters (and family) travel to Zimbabwe to experience and serve in the work of LTLA. After the trip, Tim shared that what he experienced in Chinhoyi with LTLA is the best example he has seen of Acts 2, seeing brothers and sisters in Christ living and serving the Lord in unity. Let me know if the Lord is prompting you to come and experience what the Lord is doing through Life to Life Africa. For His Kingdom & Glory, Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa