When People Live in Unity

March 31, 2017  

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." Psalm 133:1

Racism is alive and well around the world. This sin problem has significantly damaged societies everywhere. We are all susceptible to it when we forget the "value of every individual" in God's eyes as His image bearers.

I am grateful for Naomi, Rod and Harold from Hopevale Church who see this value in people and made the effort to travel 8,297 miles (actually more since it was not a direct flight from Saginaw, MI to Zimbabwe), crossing the Atlantic ocean and cultural differences, to love instead of hate. They demonstrated their love in caring acts of service, in skill training, in spiritual instruction, in compassionate prayer, in joyful dancing and in much laughter to name a few ways. (Below you will find photos and a video of these acts of love.)

Unity is not a one way street as we discovered once again through the wonderfully welcoming hospitality we received from the Life to Life Africa team. They accept us and love us as we are, quite different from them in several respects, yet we share the same Spirit and Savior. As always it was truly a blessing to have shared in the experience of fellowship in Christ, who has destroyed the "dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14)

While our acts of love are not always perfect, the mere attempts to not be selfish but to think of others go a long way in making this world a better place. Thank you for your prayers and support in the efforts of Life to Life Africa to incarnate God's kingdom, making Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, a better place.


Because He loves,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Harold teaching Tinotenda how to grout tile in a bathroom in the Life Discipleship Center.

Rod & Fara got dirty installing tile at Life Discipleship Center.

Naomi ministered to the women through teaching and prayer.

Video: The "Murungus," or white people, were invited to dance at Anna & Clarence's wedding. 

So Naomi, Mike, Rod & Harold obliged, much to everyone's delight.

Rain, A Wedding, and Other Praises

February 16, 2017


Greetings LTLA Friends,

We have several things to praise God for so I am passing along these praise points along with prayer requests. I am in route to Zimbabwe so would appreciate your prayers for me and some dear friends traveling with me over the next few weeks.

RAIN: God has provided the needed rain for good corn growth for the 100 families we serve in Chinhoyi. It is a special blessing after two years of drought and for the 18 new families who were trained to plant their plot of corn last October.


FLORA: In the photo below you will see Flora on the left, a Muslim woman, standing by her corn plot with Itai, one of our LTLA Ambassadors She has received our training in effective farming and attends the LTLA Women of Hope evangelism and discipleship meetings. She has always greeted me with a kind smile when I see her on my visits. Pray for her to experience salvation in Christ.

Flora (l) standing by her corn plot with Itai, an LTLA Ambassador

SIMBA: We are grateful to have Simba, fruit of our orphan high school ministry who is attending a trade college, around this coming year. He has an internship with the city of Chinhoyi water department. We look forward to continue encouraging him in his relationship with Christ and in his evangelism/discipleship efforts with his co-workers. Pray he will influence others to Christ in the city water department.

Simba

CLARENCE & ANNA: Clarence & Anna are getting married on Feb 25, so I get to witness my first African wedding. Anna has been a long term member of the LTLA ministry team, hosting the orphan Bible studies in her home. Pray as they begin their life together ministering in the farming community where Clarence pastors a church. We are encouraged to see our ministry impact expanding beyond Chinhoyi.

Anna & Clarence

HAROLD, ROD & NAOMI: I look forward to having these dear co-laborers in Christ joining me from Hopevale Church on this trip. Harold & Rod join me for their fourth trip and will assist in completing the plumbing and electrical work for the Life Discipleship Center. Naomi returns for her second trip where she will continue ministering to the spiritual needs of the ladies. Pray for God to lead us in our actions and words as well as for His protection in travel and spiritually.

Harold (r) and Rod (l) standing behind Misters Ephraim, Philiko & Marume, during their first trip in May 2015. 

Naomi (r) loves the women well with Christ's love. 

LIFE TO LIFE ZIMBABWE TRUST BOARD: Pray the Lord will guide us as we meet on Feb 18. May we seek His mind and heart as we assess the condition of our ministry, addressing current issues and determining the plans he desires us to trust Him for in the future. May the Lord unite Arthur, Jonathan, Mildred, Tamari, Felix and I with His vision for LTLA.

Gratefully in Him,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Fasting & Transformation

January 26, 2017


Belated New Year Greetings,

Thank you for praying for the four young men who joined 17 others from Zimbabwe in attending the Pamoja Conference. Each of these young men were led to Christ and discipled through the LTLA ministry in Chinhoyi. They were impacted as you can read in their comments below on fasting and transformation:

"For our world to continue evolving, fasting is a fundamental phenomena. Many people changed their world through fasting (Isaiah 58:6) as seen by Moses, Hannah, Daniel in scripture and Martin Luther in more recent times. Fasting is a channel of power. We need the Holy Spirit for us to transform the world." (Lazarus- a 3rd year college student reached by LTLA in high school)

"I learned we need transformation in our lives first so that we can transform our communities and the Gospel is the only thing that can transform everything." (Simba- 2nd year college student reached by LTLA in high school and served 4 years on the LTLA ministry team)

"I learned that fasting is a divine corrective to the pride of the human heart. I also learned the importance of following up a new believer so they can reach full maturity and the ability to multiply their lives spiritually but remembering that only God can produce the growth. God can use me to create an environment for growth. Finally, we do not change we cannot become new people and new leaders for a new Africa." (Tatenda- reached by LTLA in high school and has served on the LTLA ministry team for the past year)

"There was a call for Christians to take part in the development of Africa but I can't change Africa unless transformation begins in me." (Shelton- college graduate reached as a student and who has served on the LTLA ministry team 2 years)

The Zimbabwe contingent at the Pamoja Conference 

(Tatenda is wearing a big smile as he kneels in front of the Zimbabwe flag.)

Simba, Shelton, Tatenda and Jonathan Govero

Lazarus (on the right) horsing around with a friend as Shelton looks on.

Excited to see the transformation God will bring in and through these young men!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa