"That We May Be Mutually Encouraged"

September 1, 2015

The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:11-12 said, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Mutual encouragement is what happened in Chinhoyi between July 18-28, when the Hopevale Church mission team served in the work of Life to Life Africa. Not only did the team help break ground on the new Life Discipleship Center building, they also forged eternal friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ down deep in Africa.

It was a true joy to co-labor with this team! Thank you Hopevale Church for funding the Life Discipleship Center and for sending this pioneering team! Myself and the LTLA team look forward to future mission trips by Hopevale Church and others whom the Lord will lead to experience mutual encouragement in Christ- imparting spiritual gifts to one another. Below are some photos and video clips showing the impact of this mission trip.

Hopevale Team with Mike Sulc and Nhau family
back row:Mike, John, Arthur, Bob, Denny, & Rod
front row:Mildred, Kait (holding Daisy), Andrea (with Donnel), & Chris

Videos:

Each morning we started the day with a devotional time. In this video clip you will see the type of dialogue that took place among the LTLA and Hopevale teams with Shelton (LTLA) and Chris (Hopevale) sharing: watch video

In this video clip, Shelton shares what he observed and learned from the Hopevale men during their week co-laboring in Chinhoyi: watch video

In this clip, Andrea, a Hopevale team member, shares how the Lord ministered through her to the ladies she met in Chinhoyi. It is encouraging to hear the excitement of possible future mission trips: watch video

Andrea Teaching at Critical Care Center

As a 1st grade teacher, Andrea provided much needed training for our CCC staff. God also ministered through her as she shared about her relationship with Christ to individual ladies and to large gatherings of women.

Denny led the Hopevale team well even though it was his first mission trip. We are grateful for his influence in making this trip possible. Bob in his quiet way provided deep spiritual insight in his interactions with people along with demonstrating the value of hard work.

Denny (L) and Rod (R) Painting the Triplex Building at the LTLA Community Center

Bob (L) and Denny (R) Sharing with Men During Food Distribution

Kait had much to contribute from all that she learned from her recent 2 year stint in Malawi with the Peace Corps. She trained ladies in the area of nutrition and shared spiritually from her walk with Christ.

Kait teaching how to make tortillas

Kait (third from L) with the Chosen Generation Group (young adults)

Chris using "dumpy level" with Johan supervising

Chris pushed through a bad chest cold to help establish a level foundation for the building and he had good spiritual connections with the young LTLA male staff. We have contracted Johan, a former farmer who lost his farm in the land invasions of 2000, to manage the construction project.

Rod (kneeling) assisting with steel structure fabrication as Johan looks on

Rod traveled with me on both trips this summer and developed a close relationship with Johan. They ministered to one another. Below, Rod is wearing a Michigan shirt while Shelton (LTLA staff) is wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt. Needless to say Shelton was given a Michigan sweatshirt to wear by the Hopevale team.

Rod shaking hands with Shelton

John with his Zimbabwean welding buddies

John contributed significantly with his welding skills in the steel structure fabrication along with sharing his dynamic conversion story at the age of 64 to the Men of Hope gathering.

Hopevale Team and LTLA families gathered on Life Discipleship Center building site, in front of the "Building Hope" banner

John shaking hands at Men of Hope meeting

Hopevale Church members signed the Banner when donating funds for the construction of the Life Discipleship Center.

Building Hope Banner from Hopevale Church