Submitting to Painful Ways of God

October 26, 2017


Eugenia and Munashe, students from Chinhoyi University of Technology who attended the recent student conference, both referred to the painful ways of God in their reflections of the conference. It is interesting that they mention that as it is a theme in this update from Chinhoyi. The saying, "no pain, no gain," can be applied in the way that God works in us.

Here are their reflections in context:

"Well, the conference brought me back in the flock. I was a lost sheep but I was empowered to do things in God's way and now I have submitted myself to the painful ways of God. I have learned that the antidote of sin is Jesus Christ. This truth has transformed me and I am sharing the Gospel of Christ with anyone I can reach." Eugenia

"I learned that if I am to impact the next generation I should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and I must be willing to do things God's way and not my way even when the process is painful." Munashe

Here is how the conference impacted some other students:

"I realized I have lost a great deal of time and opportunities in the area of evangelism. If I had started earlier a lot of people around me would have received Christ." Chipo

"The conference helped me how to trust in God through challenges. I now know that no problem is greater than God and this gives me assured reliance and confidence to trust in Jesus." Arthur

"I was taught to perceive God in a new way which I had not seen before. It is what I needed, to have a better relationship with God." Michael


Thank you for praying! As you can see the conference impacted lives and will continue as these students share what they have learned with others.

Chinhoyi University of Technology students at training conference.

Next month crops will be planted in Zimbabwe. In preparation, LTLA provided a corn plot training to the families we serve. Everyone was reminded of proper principles of having their plots ready on time, following the proper standards and working hard with joy, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. Just as the students learned at the conference that following God's ways requires work, the families know the work that is required to produce a harvest. Please pray the families we serve will experience the joy of the Lord being their sustaining strength to get their corn planted. It has been very hot lately, so perseverance and trust in God is needed by the people for energy and the needed rain to water their crop.

Foundations for Farming corn plot training.

Last month I asked for prayer for Louisa Joubert, and she certainly needs continued prayer support in her battle with cancer. The doctor is giving her 6 months to live. She is placing her days in God's hands as she deals with the physical and emotional pain of this news. Would you pray that she and her family also experience the joy of the Lord being their strength during these days?

Nehemiah 8:10b "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out with songs of thanksgiving."


Looking to Him who helps and fills us with joy,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

No Cash

September 29, 2017


Political tensions in Zimbabwe are rising in advance of next year's presidential election. There is infighting within the ruling party regarding who will succeed President Robert Mugabe after he dies. He is running again for president at the age of 93.

There is also greater instability in the economy in recent days as people stand in line all day at the banks to only be allowed a $20 withdrawal. The prices for basic foods have been increasing giving rise to fears of 2008 when inflation reached 79.6 billion%. Zimbabweans are wondering if they will see the days of empty shelves at the stores once again?

Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, asks for prayer for the LTLA team as they minister to people in the midst of what he calls an "opportunity" to trust God.


Below, Arthur provides an update and further prayer requests:


The months of May-July were a special blessing for us as we hosted different visitors from the United States. We were left very much encouraged. (Proverbs 27:17) We finally had the opportunity to meet Aunt Mary Ann Shimkus! Listening to her share with us reminded us so much of Uncle Ron's rich teachings. We were really encouraged by her love for the Lord, the Word (especially scripture memory) and love for people. She reminded us of Paul's love of the Word. (2 Timothy 4:13)

Mary Ann Shimkus with Arthur & Mildred Nhau at the Ron Shimkus memorial plaque.

Chinhoyi University of Technology has been open for a month. We are excited to minister to students. Vedra, a first year student, has prayed to receive Christ! Would you pray as we help him get established in his relationship with Jesus? Please pray we have opportunity to lead other students to eternal life in Christ. 

Pray also that the following students we are discipling be deeply rooted in Christ: 

Girls - Munashe, Mercy, Theo, Clementine, Sharon, Tanyaradzwa, Laizah, Lesley 
Boys - Takudzwa, Diego, Collins, John, Ambrose, Kingston, Dray, Vedra

LTLA College Bible Study Group.

Grade 7 and Form 4 students [equivalent to 11th grade] will take examinations in October which determine their future educational opportunities. For Grade 7 students good test scores will allow them to attend a better secondary school [high school]. For Form 4 students good test scores enable them to proceed for two additional years of college preparation. Pray for the following students we disciple as they prepare for these examinations: 

• Grade 7 - Rufaro (boy), Tawonga (boy), Mitchell (girl) 
• Form 4 - Natalie (girl), Ruvimbo (girl), Messiah (boy), Brandon (boy) 

As a family, we are all well and continue to be encouraged in the Lord, pray with us that we continue to be reliable as God entrusts us with people. (2 Timothy 2:2). 

Blessings, Arthur 



Your prayer support for these requests from Arthur are cherished.


Trusting Jesus in a troubled world,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa