I Can Worship, Or I Can Whine

May 25, 2016


Below you will find an update from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. I am also providing a photo update of the latest progress on the Life Discipleship Center.

I titled this update using a quote he references. To follow this thought, I would add that circumstances in our life can lead to the emotional responses of waltzing (joy), worry, weariness, weeping (sadness) and wrath (anger). As we focus on worshiping our almighty and loving Father in the midst of all that life brings our way, He will transform our hearts through Christ. This transformation, guided by His Spirit, will lead us to experience true eternal joy, peace that surpasses understanding, strength to persevere in seemingly hopeless situations, deep sadness and compassion along with a righteous anger that compels us to confront the brokenness in this world with the love of God.


Let us worship our Lord and be transformed,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Update from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director - Chinhoyi 

Greetings,

Lately, I have been reflecting on the following quote from the Nancy Leigh DeMoss booklet,The Attitude of Gratitude: “In my own life, I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of the two ways: I can worship or I can whine." My wife, Mildred, recently had surgery and we are thankful it went well. She was struggling a lot from stomach pains. We are grateful to God that she is now back to her usual self and that our two children are progressing well in school.

This past semester we continued a Bible study group (pictured above soon after first Life Discipleship Center slab was poured, as seen in background) with guys from the Chinhoyi University of Technology. It has been encouraging to see their commitment to the meetings and our prayer is they would see wonderful truths reading God’s Word (Psalm 119:18). In June they will start writing their exams and we pray that they will be protected from illness and any form of distractions so they can glorify God in their efforts.

We continue to grow together as a LTLA ministry team (pictured above by the Ron Shimkus memorial plaque). Pray that we will continue to love one another and add value to each other.

As we lead the team, we pray that the Bible continues to be our manual and may we be surrounded by “Jethros” (Exodus 18:14) who will redirect our eyes to what we could be missing out.


In Him Always,

Arthur and Mildred Nhau

Life Discipleship Center Progress in Pictures 

Pouring the concrete slab.

Starting walls and positioning doors.

Positioning windows.

Life Discipleship Center taking shape.

Orphans Going to College

April 29, 2016 


In this update, I would like to introduce you to four orphans cared for by Life to Life Africa who now are attending college. Also, I am including a prayer update for the ISU Navigators team who will travel to Zimbabwe on May 15 for a short-term mission trip.


Simba

"I can't thank you enough for making it possible for me to attend college," said Simba to me as we were saying goodbye in his dorm room at the Harare Polytechnic on my last trip to Zimbabwe, Life to Life Africa is assisting him with his college expenses as he pursues a bachelor of technology in automotive engineering.

As an orphan, Simba came to faith in Christ in his high school years through the LTLA ministry, which also provided food and medical care for him. He served on the LTLA ministry team after high school for three years. Now he is seeking to influence his classmates for Christ by initiating a Sunday afternoon Bible study with them. Jonathan Govero, Navigator staff in Harare, helps him lead this study. He also is reading the Bible with Arthur, Tatenda, Isaac, Kim, Tawanda & Nathan. Would you pray for Simba as he shares the love of Christ with his friends at the Harare Polytechnic?

Mike with Simba (far right) and a friend in his dorm room.

Simba in action in a lab class.

Simba (2nd from right in the back row) with classmates.

Marvelous

Marvelous was the first orphan which benefited from the LTLA ministry that went to college. She was discipled by Anna, LTLA staff member, in her high school years. Together they recited the 60 verses of the Navigators Topical Memory System during her 4th year of high school. (High school starts in the 8th year of school and there are 4 years of Ordinary Level followed by 2 years of A Level- college prep.)

She received an academic scholarship to attend Bindura University of Science Education. In Zimbabwe university students are required to complete a one year internship in their field of study. LTLA has been blessed to have Marvelous back in Chinhoyi since last fall while she completes an internship as a science teacher's aid at her old high school. She has been involved in the LTLA Chosen Generation ministry, which disciples young adult orphans. As she is able, she is also assisting the LTLA team with the primary & high school ministry. Would you pray for Marvelous as the Lord ministers through her to high school students and her peers in Chinhoyi?

Marvelous at Nemakonde High School.

Lazarus & Prestige 

Lazarus and Prestige launched to Midlands State University in Gweru last August. They have been involved in the LTLA ministry for a number of years, attending the high school Bible study led by Prestige's older sister, Anna. They both received scholarships to attend university. Lazarus is pursuing a bachelor of science in surveying and geomatics and Prestige is pursuing a bachelor of arts in development studies.

Last fall they quickly found Christian fellowship through the Navigators ministry on campus, and began recruiting their friends to Bible study. During the two month Christmas break they joined the LTLA ministry team in their efforts among high school students. It is encouraging to see their desire to share Christ. Prestige was selected to be a leader among her scholarship peers this semester, but unfortunately had to move to a satellite campus for her degree program. There is no known campus ministry there, so she is missing the fellowship. Would you pray for her to be the catalyst for a ministry at her campus? Would you pray for God to use Lazarus in the Navigators ministry at his campus?

Lazarus in a surveying lab class.

Prestige

ISU Navigators Team Update 

Would you pray for the six ISU Navigators students as they prepare to depart on May 15 for a five week trip to minister in Zimbabwe? Half of their time will be in Harare with the Navigator ministry there and the other half will be in Chinhoyi with the LTLA ministry. I will be joining them for their time in Chinhoyi. Please pray as they finish their fundraising efforts and as they prepare their hearts to serve and learn. Pray for Jonathan Govero, Zimbabwean Navigator staff, as he leads them in Harare as well as for Arthur, LTLA Chinhoyi Director, and he and I lead them in Chinhoyi.


Grateful for your prayers and support,
Mike

Tyler (2nd student), Forrest, and Audrey during a workday fundraiser at our house. Matt, Ben, and Alex also worked, but I lost the photos of them.

Be Joyful Always

March 10, 2016

"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) These were the final verses of a Bible study that Arthur asked me to lead for the LTLA team on my recent visit. They have been looking at what God has to say about operating as a team when they open the scriptures this year. As I looked into the faces of these dear friends, what a challenge to consider that these commands--be joyful, give thanks--are, indeed, God's will for us in Christ Jesus. They have suffered so much, and continue to suffer the effects of an economic collapse, the AIDS epidemic, and now one of the worst droughts in 30 years. 

We also reflected on bitterness, the natural sinful response to these circumstances, and how God calls us to forgive. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Wow, how is it possible to live this way? Praise be to God who through Christ and His Spirit makes it possible! What a blessing this is for us and for so many who suffer greatly like our dear friends in Zimbabwe. May we all pray continually for one another to be joyful always, give thanks in all circumstances, and to forgive just as God has forgiven us.

LTLA Team by the Ron Shimkus memorial at the Community Center 

Thankful for God's Protection 

 Arthur's wife, Mildred, underwent successful surgery on February 5 to remove gall stones. She has recovered well, for which we are all grateful, especially Arthur and their children Donnell & Daisy. On February 19, Rufaro, the youngest son of Tsungai who directs our Critical Care Center, ran out in front of a car on his way to school. We thank the Lord that his injuries did not include any fractures or neurological trauma. The driver picked him up and took him to the hospital. He was visiting Rufaro at the hospital when the picture below was taken. It was good to encourage him in the Lord as this accident really troubled him with how suddenly life on this earth can end.

Tsungai and Rufaro at the hospital

We are so grateful for all of you who make this ministry possible through your prayers and financial gifts! Below you will find photos and videos (click the link to view them) that I took during this most recent trip. Thank you for holding me up in prayer!

Joyfully & Thankfully,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

February 2016 Trip in Photos & Videos

Jane in the cornplot she shares with Diana. Their mulching has really helped during this drought. The Chinhoyi area has received a little bit of rain, which will help yield a small harvest for those who mulched.

Wilson Malfuku's corn plot suffering the effects of drought with no mulch.

Sorghum (smaller plants in front) and corn at the LTLA Community Center suffering from a disease. We water this plot, so we need to discern why it has failed. Termites may be to blame.

LTLA families gathered for food distribution under the Life Discipleship roof. We are so glad to offer shade, and excited at how this building will be used in the years ahead!



Video--Under the Life Discipleship Center roof during a rain storm:

Orphans doing a drawing exercise at the Critical Care Center.

Shelton next to the prototype rocket stove he constructed to be used for Critical Care Center cooking.

Close-up of the rocket stove.

After Youth Bible Study: Above, boys with checked-out books from LTLA library, and with clothes received. Below, a girl wearing a Gilbert Middle School she received from our 2013 container project.

Video--Primary school youth singing a song during LTLA Youth Bible Study:

"I Can't Wait"

February 8, 2016

"All I have been thinking about is returning to Zimbabwe. I can't wait." That is what Tyler said to me when we first met at the start of this semester. He and five other Iowa State University students involved in The Navigators ministry will travel to Zimbabwe in May for a month-long mission trip. Tyler spent 11 weeks there last summer and jumped on the opportunity to return when he heard about this joint Navs/LTLA mission trip.

Like Tyler and this team, I am pumped to lead them in this adventure of serving and learning. They will spend two weeks in Harare with Jonathan Govero where they will help him minister to Univ of Zimbabwe students. Jonathan is very encouraged to have them co-labor with his team. After they have experienced life in the capital city, I will venture with them to Chinhoyi, where they will partner in the work of Life to Life Africa among the four generations we are serving.

I just spent the weekend with this team at a missions orientation training to prepare them for the experience. We are in for a great time, as they are spiritually mature and love to have fun. Pray for us as we raise the needed funds, bond as a team, and open our hearts to this service learning opportunity. May God be glorified and his kingdom advanced.

Mike at Missions Orientation with Ben, Audrey, Tyler, Matt, Alex, & Forrest (L-R)

Would you also pray for me over the next three weeks as I labor with the team in Chinhoyi? I travel Feb. 7-26. My focus will be exposing Arthur to prayer counseling as he and the team lead deeply hurting people to our Wonderful Counselor. I will also be making mission trip preparations for both the ISU Navs team and the return of a Hopevale Church team in July. I am so excited and encouraged for their return! What a privilege to be part of what God will do in and through us.

Humbled by His grace,
Mike