August 1, 2016
"When you get away from all the modern day distractions and focus on nature, people, and God you are able to see the miracles that happen around you in everyday life." These were Denny's words during the final devotional for the Hopevale Church team as everyone shared what God taught them on their 10 days in Zimbabwe. God is actively engaged in the daily affairs of mankind. Do we recognize it and thank Him for it?
I walked into a rope clothes line and scratched my eye on the first work day of this trip. It so happened that Rod, a Hopevale team member, had scratched his eye two weeks earlier and brought along the medicine that was prescribed. The medicine helped me recover quickly from that injury. Was this a coincidence or a miracle, where God was involved in the affairs of man? What a blessing it was for me to once again witness with the Hopevale team how God is at work through LTLA in Chinhoyi!
On Saturday, July 16, we dedicated the Life Discipleship Center to bring glory to God through the evangelism and discipling activities that will take place there. At this dedication service, held on the 3 year anniversary of Ron Shimkus's passing into glory, we heard from one widow and 2 men how LTLA has impacted them. The service could have lasted all day, because everyone gathered would have liked to share how the ministry has blessed them. Our prayer is that this ministry will continue drawing children, orphans, young adults, college students, women, men, widows, and widowers to life in Christ.
I would like to thank Hopevale Church for sending yet another team to serve in this work of God among the people in Chinhoyi. Thank you Denny, Rod, Harold, Bob and Kait for returning, and thank you Naomi, Roger, Don and Karl for blessing us with your hearts for the Lord and your skills to serve. I know Andrea, John, and Chris, who were part of last year's team from Hopevale but were not able to return this year, were faithfully praying--for which we are grateful!
Thank you also to all of you who pray for this ministry. It is not by our might or power that anything is accomplished but by God's Spirit. Your prayers beseech our God to unleash His Spirit to work in our midst. Thank you!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa
Below are some photos of how God worked through the Hopevale team:
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Those gathered for the Life Discipleship Center dedication service, with the Hopevale team standing in the back row.
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Denny led the Hopevale team and is shown here speaking at the Life Discipleship Center dedication service.
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Denny helped install doors.
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Bob handed out 6 "reverse offerings," where he gave gifts to be shared with others.
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Bob made the wood cross and hung this banner for the dedication service,
as well as doing landscaping around the Life Discipleship Center.
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Naomi ministered to the spiritual needs of women.
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Karl (on left) and Rod fabricated the kitchen sink stand
and the water tower for Arthur & Mildred's home.
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The water tower now provides running water for Arthur & Mildred's house,
where the Critical Care Center is located.
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| Critical Care Center kids saying "thank you!" for the water tower. |
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Harold, a master plumber, completed all the LDC plumbing,
and connected the water tank at Arthur's home.
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Kait, who studies dietetics, introduced the Critical Care Center staff to nutritious foods.
Here she is serving the food she prepared for the children.
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Roger helped install 8 doors, as well as a battery for Shelton's car (see below). |
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Don, seen here giving guitar lessons, used his musical talent during devotionals
and the dedication service, along with sharing a moving testimony.
He also helped install doors. |
