Faithful Stewardship

 As I report on stewardship in Zimbabwe, would you prayerfully consider financially supporting God's Kingdom work through Life to Life Africa? Our funds are limited going into 2020, which will impact our ability to continue the mission of loving the vulnerable with the love of Christ, discipling and training them in all aspects of life and godliness so that they will love, disciple and train others. Thank you to all who have contributed financially!! For those who have not, thank you for considering a year-end gift or regular commitment to support Life to Life Africa. You can give by sending a check to: 

Life to Life Africa 
PMB 344 
10151 University Blvd 
Orlando, FL 32817 

Please contact Mike (mike.sulc@lifetolifeafrica.org) if you need bank account details for direct deposit contributions. 


Faithful Stewardship

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15) God created us to work and take care of His creation. "It is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:12) As God has shown Himself faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), with grateful hearts we are to be faithful stewards. 

To encourage faithful stewardship among the families we serve, the LTLA team has renewed their focus on discipling people in wholehearted sustainable farming efforts. Shelton, an LTLA team member who participated in the intensive six-week Crown Ministries Stewardship School Training of Trainers course in Malawi, has provided in-depth training with the LTLA team in effective corn plot planting and management. In turn, the team will pair up to encourage faithfulness in following sustainable farming methods with the families we serve. 

Shelton also led a training session with the children and youth during a Bible study gathering so that they can understand the importance of helping their parents, grandparents, or care givers in their farming efforts. Would you pray that this renewed focus on faithful stewardship produces lasting spiritual fruit as well as a bountiful corn harvest for the families we serve? So far there have been good rains and they are needed through March.

Below are photos of the faithful stewardship efforts of the LTLA team:

Shelton leading a sustainable farming method training session with the LTLA team.

Corn plot planting training session with families we serve.

Gogo (Grandmother) Nzimela with her grandchildren preparing her corn plot for planting.

Violet Chigodora in her corn plot. (Mulch cover will help preserve moisture in the soil.)

Shelton teaching the children and youth about the importance of faithful stewardship.

Shelton demonstrating to the children how they can help in their family corn plots.

Gratefully in His service,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

With Thanks, and a Discipling Movement

November 27, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!! We are giving thanks to God for you today. Your interest and concern in the work of Life to Life Africa is a great encouragement. The Lord has sustained us through your prayer support. Maita Basa!! Thank you!!

Here is one story of what God has done this year through the ministry of Life to Life Africa:


“I am noticing positive changes in Brian since he has begun weekly discipleship meetings with Mr. Chigwida,” commented Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. This year we have provided more in-depth evangelism and discipleship training with our full Life to Life Africa team. And we paired up spiritually mature team members with those less mature for discipling relationships.

(L to R) Diana, Privilege, Brian & Mr. Chigwida (Brian & Privilege’s sons: Blessed & Bright)

Mr. Chigwida and Brian were paired together, as were Diana and Privilege, Brian’s wife. As an older married man who has been walking with the Lord for many years, Mr. Chigwida, has been able to guide Brian in how to be a loving husband and father. “He has coached me in how to better respond to my wife in stressful situations,” reports Brian. Mr. Chigwida is grateful for the intentional discipleship training he has received from LTLA that has equipped him in how to structure his time with Brian. “It is a blessing to get this training. It provides me ministry tools as well as a plan and accountability in using them,” stated Mr. Chigwida.

(L to R) Kudzai, Sharmaine, Sandra, Privilege, Marvelous, Monalisa

Diana and another LTLA team member, Marvelous, were paired up as part of this discipleship training to go into the community to do evangelism and discipleship. Privilege encouraged them to share the gospel with her landlord, Sandra, who received Christ when they shared with her! They all began meeting together weekly for a discipleship Bible study. Their neighbors Monalisa and Sharmaine have joined the Bible study, noticing the positive changes in Privilege’s life over recent months. They asked Diana to pray for another neighbor, Kudzai, who had suffered a stroke. As soon as Kudzai was able to physically walk, taking "baby" steps, she joined the Bible study. Brian is having spiritual conversations with Sandra’s husband. A discipleship movement has begun among Brian & Privilege’s neighbors! It began with evangelism and discipleship training, and has deepened with discipling relationships.

Would you help us continue our efforts to see a multi-generational discipling movement take root and grow in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, for God's kingdom and glory? Over the past couple of years, we have seen our financial support decrease so our reserves are very low. Our operational budget in Zimbabwe is holding at $10,000 monthly. Your special gift or monthly commitment will enable us to continue in 2020. Thank you for considering how you can help. (Checks can be mailed to: Life to Life Africa, PMB 344, 10151 University Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817) Your prayers and financial support make this ministry possible.

Grateful for you!!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Losing Hope - LTLA Update

November 14, 2019

"People are losing hope," Arthur shared with me during my trip to Zimbabwe last month. He continued, "they are even losing hope in God" after praying for many years that God would bring them relief from their politically and economically generated hardships. The LTLA team is persevering, but I can tell that they are weary. It was hard for me to know how to encourage them.

The overall inflation rate has climbed steadily this year, reaching 353% in September with food prices increasing 480%. The doctors are on strike due to the lack of pay increases and the poor working conditions where there are no medicines or basic supplies at the hospitals. As a result, people are afraid of getting sick as they see others dying for lack of care. While I was there our staff member Shelton sat in line for 10.5 hours to refuel our truck at the only gas station in town with fuel. "If we have another drought this year, we will be finished," stated Mr Chigwida, an LTLA team member. The temperatures reached 100°F while I was there, with no clouds in the skies. From an earthly perspective, it is certainly a hopeless situation.

The Lord helped me encourage the team by reminding them of God's promises and glimpses of what awaits us when His Kingdom is fully established upon Christ's return. Please do continue praying for the LTLA team as they labor for the Lord in very difficult circumstances. Pray Galatians 6:9, that they would not "become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." I leave you with photos of the LTLA children and youth groups drawing pictures and writing notes of encouragement to kids and young people in the US. I also leave you with the passage I shared with the LTLA team that describes what awaits us upon Christ's return.

Youth Bible Study children showing pictures they drew for friends in the US.

High School Bible Study group writing notes of encouragement to friends in the US.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." (Revelation 21:1-6) 

Praise be to God!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

College Ministry Conference - LTLA Prayer Bulletin:

 Dear LTLA Friends,

Would you join us in praying for the 40 students from Chinhoyi University of Technology who will gather this weekend for the 2nd annual Life to Life Collegiate Conference? We are excited that Edmond Mudzimu will be the speaker. Edmond used to teach at a farm school near Chinhoyi and was discipled by Ron Shimkus. He began passing along the things he was learning from Ron to his friend and fellow church-member Arthur Nhau.

When Edmond left the farm school to teach in Harare, the capitol, Ron continued discipling and training Arthur. Later, Arthur became the LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. When Edmond speaks at the conference this weekend he will therefore be sharing with his spiritual grandchildren, as he is one of Arthur's spiritual fathers. It will be a special weekend. The theme of the conference is My Life, a Light to the World. The messages are: "What is the Gospel?," "Not Ashamed of the Gospel," "Lifestyle Evangelism," and "How can I keep on Shining for Christ?"

There are also two other college ministry conferences taking place this weekend: The Navigators Zimbabwe Student Conference in Harare, and the Mid America Navigators "Main Event" Conference in Ames, IA. Let's pray that students will wholeheartedly give their lives to Christ and begin the journey of laboring for His kingdom as disciple-makers.

As you pray for college students, please also pray for the ministry efforts of the Life to Life Ministry at University of Central Florida (UCF). This university is the largest in America; last year enrollment reached 68,000. What an opportunity for sharing the Gospel! Life to Life Ministries at UCF meets on Sunday evenings. Pray for open hearts to the Good News of Jesus Christ at this large harvest field. Pray also that the students they are discipling will develop a hunger for spending time with God daily in His word.

Thank you for joining us in asking our good Lord to move in the hearts of the next generation in Africa and in America. As we all know, this world is in desperate need of transformation. Let's ask the Lord to bring it about in the young people attending these conferences this weekend, and on campuses of all sizes all around the world.


Beseeching our Lord,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

First Time Ever

For the first time ever, LTLA was able to have an information table during orientation week at Chinhoyi University of Technology! Our ministry team was able to connect with 69 first year students, and of those 69, ten students have become active in attending our weekly Bible study. Pray with us that these and other students would encounter Christ, respond in following Him and be equipped to become laborers in His Kingdom.

You may recall that our ministry team was restricted in their presence on campus last semester. The university chaplain, an Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe pastor in Chinhoyi, was influential in enabling us to participate in the orientation week. We are grateful for his friendship and for the Evangelical Church with whom we collaborate well for the cause of Christ. They are holding strong to the purity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a time when the prosperity gospel is infiltrating churches.

We were encouraged by two student leaders in our ministry, Mike and Theodora, who joined the ministry team at the orientation table. Mike was led to Christ by Ezra, an Iowa State Univ student, who served with a Navigators team in 2017. Join us in praying that more students will join our ministry team in evangelism and discipling efforts on campus.

LTLA college ministry team members and two student leaders met incoming first year students during orientation week at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). (Standing L to R: Mike (CUT student), Stella, Gogo Mildred, Theodora (CUT student), Otillia, Marvelous; Kneeling: Zviko (left) and Tatenda)

Zviko, Theodora (CUT student), Otillia & Tatenda at the LTLA orientation table at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)

Community Impact 

You may also recall that in May the Life to Life Ministry team from University of Central Florida encouraged the LTLA team in their evangelism efforts. Since then, the LTLA team has led the following young adults to Christ: Junior, Levenia and Mildred, as well as Gogo Rice, a grandmother. The team also has come alongside the following young adult "spiritual orphans" in discipling relationships: Privilege, Abraham, Tawanda and Divine. Please pray that the LTLA team will establish these new believers in their relationships with Christ and that they would progress toward being equipped to labor for Christ.

What is especially encouraging is that the full LTLA ministry team is engaging in these efforts. The older team members have been receiving more in-depth evangelism and discipleship training this year. They have paired up with younger team members, going out two by two as Jesus sent out his disciples. We are excited to see the impact that the LTLA team is having in the Chinhoyi community!

Life to Life Africa Team

Thank you for holding us up in prayer!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Stewardship Training & Refreshment

Dear LTLA Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for me to be encouraged in and guided by the Lord! I am experiencing encouragement and guidance in my personal life as well as in my leadership of Life to Life Africa. Thank you for supporting me and this ministry by asking our Lord to remind me of his good promises that tell us "darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." (Isaiah 60:2)

The remainder of Isaiah 60 & 61, speak of our hope in what God has done and will continue to do in establishing His kingdom. God is indeed taking the least in Zimbabwe and multiplying their lives spiritually. (Isaiah 60:22) The good news of Jesus Christ is being preached, the brokenhearted are being bound up, prisoners to sin and darkness are being freed, those mourning and without are experiencing comfort and provision. (Isaiah 61:1-2) These ones, who God calls oaks of righteousness, are seeing their beauty in God's eyes and they are filled with joy which leads them to praise God instead of living in despair. (Isaiah 61:3)

The next verses in Isaiah 61 speak of how his people will rebuild, restore and renew as well as how they will be ministers of our God. (Isaiah 61:4,6) Below are updates that tell how God is equipping the LTLA team to function in these ways.

Stewardship Training 

Shelton, LTLA team member, as well as Park and Tyler, ministry contacts in Malawi, graduated on August 31, in Blantyre, Malawi from the Crown Ministries Training of Trainers course. The six week course objective is to equip the trainees to become "faithful stewards of the natural, financial and human resources that God has entrusted to [them] with the expectation that [they] will use [their] expertise to train others." The core values of the training are: Christ-Centeredness, Faithfulness, Excellence, and Servanthood. They were trained in the following areas: Personal Finances, Personality Trait Assessment, Character First, Sustainable Farming, Composting, Vegetable & Mushroom Production, Bee Keeping, Farm Planning and Life Skill Training.

Crown Stewardship School Graduation Invitation

Shelton (right) participating in sustainable farming training at the Crown Stewardship School.

Bee Keeping Training at the Crown Stewardship School.

Shelton shares how even human waste can be redeemed for use as fertilizer. 

(Video cuts off short before he can fully explain the compost toilet concept. 

See photo explanation below.)

The three types of compost toilets that Shelton showed in the video:

 

They are extremely grateful and encouraged by the intensive training they received. These are very practical and sustainable projects that they are equipped to implement, which will supply food and income. As they embark in these projects and develop in skill they will be able to train others to duplicate these enterprises. Along with the practical training, Shelton highlighted the following as the key lessons learned:

The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of everything as it redeems our relationship with God and empowers us to live the life God created us to live.

Faithfulness and Good Stewardship. We are not owners but stewards of all that God has given us. He will bless us with more to steward as we are faithful to him and his ways.

Integrity. We are accountable to God in everything. Just as he has shown himself to be trustworthy so should we in all aspects of life.

Biblical Principles. The Bible speaks to how we are to live and it guides us in our every endeavor, whether personal or a business effort.

We are eager to see how the Lord uses this training to advance God's kingdom through LTLA in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, and through the ministry efforts of Park & Tyler in their communities in Malawi. Pray with us to see lives transformed as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is declared through these stewardship projects.

Tyler, Park, & Shelton (l to r) attended the 6-week Training of Trainers Course at Crown Ministries Stewardship School in Blantyre, Malawi

Refreshment in Ministry 

Arthur & Mildred Nhau, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, were refreshed and encouraged in their labors for the Lord by attending a reunion conference in Nigeria of all the people who have been trained there for ministry. Arthur and Mildred were trained in Nigeria by Musa & Regina Yashim during 2013-2014. Musa & Regina were trained by Ron & Mary Ann Shimkus in the early 1980s.

Here is what Arthur reported from their experience: "What stood out for us was to observe different age groups who are still pursuing the great commission. It was encouraging to listen to others share their joys and frustrations in ministry and how God has been faithful to his promises." Would you pray for Arthur & Mildred as they continue providing leadership to the LTLA team in Chinhoyi and the ministry efforts we are undertaking there?

Nigeria Training Reunion group photo.

For God's kingdom & glory,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Silence & Light in Darkness

Dear LTLA Friends,

It has been three months since I have given an update regarding the work of Life to Life Africa. I am very sorry for not keeping you informed of what God is doing through the faithful efforts of the LTLA team in the midst of continued hardships in Zimbabwe. Please forgive me for this silence.

As I reflect on the cause for my silence, I ask for your prayers. Personally, I have been experiencing the plague of busyness, with many good things in my life here in the US. I am also detecting a bit of paralysis in my role with LTLA, from fear of the challenges that confront us in Zimbabwe. How have I slipped into this busyness and fear? The answer, I believe, is a lack of experiencing the empowering guidance and assurance of God's presence in my life. Recently in my morning scripture reading, I have been reminded of how Jesus, in the midst of many demands and discouragements, would seek out time with God the Father. (Examine the context of what Jesus was encountering in these verses: Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35, 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28; 11:1.) Please pray for me to follow Christ's example of seeking God's presence for guidance and assurance.

In this week's The Economist there are two articles that highlight the worsening situation in Zimbabwe. "A lack of food, water and power is pushing Zimbabwe to the brink," reads the tagline for one of the articles. When I was in Zimbabwe in May, the electricity was off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Since June, electricity has been off every day, only being turned on overnight between 10pm and 4am. This is the only time water can be pumped, so it must be collected at night for use the next day. One of the articles in The Economist shares the forecast of the UN World Food Program that "By early next year about half of the population in Zimbabwe will need help to get enough food." Although it has been going on for a long time, the crisis in Zimbabwe is real and keeps getting worse.

In the midst of the challenges, in which Zimbabwe is quite literally in the dark, God is still at work. Below are updates from two co-laborers in Christ who ministered with the LTLA team in recent months. They share how the light of the Gospel is shining in the midst of the spiritual darkness.

Shane, Life to Life Ministry staff at the University of Central Florida (UCF), reports the following from the experience that a team of seven from their ministry had in Chinhoyi with the LTLA team in May: "It is a beautiful thing to experience the vision of discipleship spread across many hungry-for-Jesus Christians from all walks of life and ages." He said it was good for the college students on their team to experience multi-generational discipleship. He went on to share about the challenge they faced in freely engaging with students on campus at the Chinhoyi University of Technology. "The increasing political tension in Zimbabwe affected our ability to do evangelism on campus." (The new campus security director was from the ruling party, which is nervous about the strong anti-government sentiment on college campuses. He did not give the UCF team freedom to interact with new students not already associated with LTLA on campus.) As Shane said, "This pushed us to be intentional about opportunities God gave us to share, regardless of how convenient it was. Ryan and Kyle [two UCF students] shared the Gospel with college students who lived down the street from the LTLA ministry house. They also shared the Gospel with a young man walking by the LTLA ministry center. Ryan and I built a relationship with a young cashier at the nearby grocery store and we had the privilege of leading him to Christ! Maura [another UCF student] also had the first opportunity in her life to lead a girl to receiving Christ! The memories are plentiful, where God opened many doors in the hearts of men and women, despite the door for evangelism on campus being closed. We praise the Lord!"

Shane with Mackenzie (left, UCF team member) and Otillia (LTLA team member) teaching pre & early primary school children.

Ryan (left) and Kyle (right, both UCF team members) with college students they met down the street from the LTLA ministry house.

The example set by the UCF team encouraged the LTLA team to increase their boldness in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We thank the Lord for mutual encouragement in evangelism and discipleship that took place between the two teams.



Naomi, a dear friend of the ministry from Michigan, traveled to Chinhoyi in late July. She mostly remained on site at our ministry center, due to the uneasiness of the ruling party authorities, who are nervous about anything and anyone unusual. The team was once again blessed by her love and encouraging input into their lives, as well as into the lives of the orphans and widows in the ministry. Naomi reports that the lack of electricity is causing people to spend more time together in the evenings talking around candle light. Just like these candles, the Gospel of Jesus is bringing light into darkness in Zimbabwe!

 

Naomi shared with the High School Bible Study group about the importance of friendships from the example of David and Jonathan in the Bible. In her words, "You need a 'Jonathan' in your life. Don't do life alone."

Naomi loving on widows in Chinhoyi.

Naomi experienced preparing dinner by candle light.

Holding onto Jesus in a dark world,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Remaining in Him for Fruitfulness - LTLA Prayer Bulletin

May 15, 2019 


LTLA Friends,

Recently I have been reflecting on John 15 as I commit it to memory. Here is a prayer guide as I travel to Zimbabwe along with Madison, a veterinary student at Iowa State (ISU), and Matt, who spent the summer of 2016 in Zimbabwe. We will join the Life to Life Ministry team from the University of Central Florida, which is already in Chinhoyi:

15 May - Madison & I arrive in Chinhoyi where, like everywhere, Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the gardener. (Jn 15:1)

16 May - The Father has created us for fruitfulness and is committed to developing us in it. May all serving Him in Chinhoyi and everywhere experience it as we avail ourselves of Him. (Jn 15:2) There will be opportunities to engage with individuals in the community for evangelism and discipleship. Madison will be able to serve at a local veterinary clinic.

17 May - Thank you, Lord, for cleansing us through your word! (Jn 15:3) May those who need cleansing hear His word as we minister with the LTLA team among pre-school orphans, widows, the poor, and with college students.

18 May - Can you imagine that the Lord Jesus desires a relationship with us? Shouldn't we desire a relationship with Him? (Jn 15:4a) Those of us visiting will share about our relationship with Jesus at the the school-age youth Bible studies.

19 May - The fruitfulness that the Father created us for is directly related to our connection with Jesus. (Jn 15:4b) On this sabbath may we rest in our relationship with Christ to prepare us for more fruitfulness.

20 May - Christ is the vine, we are the branches. In Him we bear much fruit, apart from Him we accomplish nothing. (Jn 15:5) More opportunities today to serve pre-school orphans and interact with developing friendships. Another opportunity for Madison to serve at the veterinary clinic. Matt arrives to reconnect with Zimbabwean brothers and sisters in Christ he served with in 2016.

21 May - Walking away or never walking with Jesus is disastrous. (Jn 15:6) Those visiting will experience the opposite as they observe the rich time of fellowship in God's Word by the LTLA team on Tuesday mornings. They will have time with the Chosen Generation (young adult orphans) in the afternoon, as well as pick-up soccer.

22 May - The amazing part of the promise in Jn 15:7 is that our desires change and we ask for what God will gladly give. We will have another time of digging into God's Word with the LTLA team followed by time at Chinhoyi University of Technology students.

23 May - Fruit-bearing by followers of Christ is what delights God. (Jn 15:8) Continued opportunities to serve alongside the LTLA team. A final chance for Madison to serve with the local veterinarian whose assistant is eager to discuss the Bible as well.

24 May - We have the great blessing of being loved by God and by Christ Jesus. Let's stay grounded in it. (Jn 15:9) The UCF team remains serving with LTLA in Chinhoyi. Madison will serve in Harare until 29 May alongside two people with an early connection to Life to Life Africa, through the school on Jim Steele's farm where we built a school building. Today she will go to a dairy farm with Jesse Steele, Jim's grandson, who is a veterinarian.

25 May - Following Christ's example of obeying God's commands is how we stay grounded in His love. (Jn 15:10) The UCF team spend time with the Women & Men of Hope today as Shelton, Matt & I travel to Mzuzu, Malawi to meet Tyler, who was in Zimbabwe summer 2015 and again in the summer of 2016 with Matt.

26 May - Christ delights in sharing the completeness of His joy with us. (Jn 15:11) May we delight in His joy as we follow His example in obedience to God's commands.

27 May - Love one another as Christ has loved us, that is His command. (Jn 15:12) Today the UCF team is enjoying a safari experience along with some LTLA teammates. Those of us in Malawi are exploring Chitipa village where Tyler has lived for a year and a half with the Peace Corps. Madison will spend time in English conversations with students at the Millennial Academy, a school started by Edmond Mudzimu, who was discipled by Ron Shimkus while teaching at the school on Jim Steele's farm. Edmond passed along what he learned from Ron to a faithful, available, teachable young man named Arthur Nhau, now LTLA Director in Chinhoyi.

28 May - Jesus personified what he said in (Jn 15:13). The safari experience continues for the UCF team. Park, a zealous brother in Christ from Chitipa, joins our little team as we travel to southern Malawi to observe agricultural projects. Madison will serve with Edmond at his school if there is not a farm visit with Jesse Steele's veterinary work.

29 May - Friendship with Christ requires we follow His command. (Jn 15:14) Today Madison returns to the US, the UCF team continues ministry in Chinhoyi and the Malawi team connects with Chris Weaver of the Malawi Talent Fund in Zomba.

30 May - What a privilege we have to be called friends of Christ, and that he shares with us everything he has learned from the Father. (Jn 15:15) The Malawi team learns from and serves with Chris Weaver on the farm he is establishing to provide jobs and income to a local ministry.

31 May - Chosen by God to bear lasting fruit, that is who we are. (Jn 15:16) The LTLA team will send off the UCF team with a farewell gathering today. We are grateful for the lasting fruit that was generated by the shared experiences of all who served during this month in Zimbabwe. The Malawi team gets a tour of the Foundations for Farming training center in Blantyre where they will learn of the training program opportunities offered there in sustainable agriculture.

1 June - The UCF team begins their journey home to the US, as do Matt and Mike from Malawi. Shelton returns to Chinhoyi with fresh ideas for agricultural projects and business as mission exposure. Park returns to northern Malawi with the same, along with exposure to the Life to Life Africa vision.

Thank you for supporting us in prayer!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

UCF Life to Life Team in Zimbabwe - Prayer Bulletin

Thomas & Tara Gilbert along with Shane Thomas, Life to Life Ministry staff at University of Central Florida (UCF), arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, May 8, with four UCF student leaders in their ministry. They will serve along side the LTLA team in Chinhoyi until June 1. Please pray that the Lord will minister in and through them for the next three weeks. Pray as they begin their time by interacting with 15 students from Chinhoyi University of Technology over this weekend. They will all get away to Hunnington Retreat Centre near Chinhoyi during the LTLA Key Student Retreat. We look forward to keeping you updated with reports of the ministry that will take place this month.

UCF Life to Life Ministry Team at the LTLA Community Center: Thomas, Kyle, Ryan, Shane, Tara, Mack & Maura

Grateful for your prayer support!!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Response to the Gospel Continues

April 30, 2019
Dear LTLA Friends,

Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, reports that 10 students they met this semester at Chinhoyi University of Technology have prayed to receive Christ! Just as we have seen with children and youth in the past few months, college students are turning to Christ. In the midst of hopelessness, the next generation in Zimbabwe are encountering the only true hope!

Here are the names of those who have responded to Christ: Girls - Hilda, Kudzie, Tendai, Noreen; Guys - Blessed, Keith, Malven, Munyaradzi, Tatenda, Tawanda.

This comes after the LTLA team encountered trouble meeting students on campus at the beginning of the semester. Campus security was not allowing the team on campus since we are not an officially recognized ministry by the university. We have been trying to obtain official recognition without success. We have a good relationship with the campus chaplain and he was able to remedy the situation. Do pray we obtain official recognition with the university so we can be assured of campus access into the future.

This trouble has led the LTLA team to pursue meeting students who live off-campus. On-campus housing is reserved primarily for 1st-year students, so about 3,000 of the 4,000 total students probably live off-campus. We want to be able to meet with all students, but it is especially fruitful to meet with 1st-year students as that gives us more time with them for discipleship. All of the students who responded to Christ this semester are 1st year students and three actually live off-campus. So we thank the Lord for the trouble that led us to meet them, resulting in their encountering Christ!

LTLA Easter Youth Gathering
Children and Youth learned about Christ through songs, drama, and short talks.

Rejoicing with the angels,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Learning Posture

March 29, 2019

Dear LTLA Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi as they recover from the devastating affects from Cyclone Idai. Chinhoyi, where LTLA operates, was not affected but there are people with relatives who died in the flooding along the Zimbabwe border with Mozambique. I traveled to Zomba, Malawi, on my recent trip and it was impacted. Please pray for The Passion Center for Children ministry that is providing aid to those they serve that were affected by flooding. Two village churches and over 100 homes in their network collapsed.

"Though he was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8 NKJV) Jesus took a learning posture as he lived on this earth since learning is a natural part of the human experience. Over the past month LTLA took a learning posture in the following ways:

Learning about a Sustainable Ministry Model 
Steve Love, who serves with TEAM in Zimbabwe, shared with our team from his experience learning to manage a farm that served a dual purpose: sustaining a ministry effort and discipling young adult orphans who worked on the farm. Steve was a HVAC contractor in the US so he had to learn the basics of farming from those he came to disciple. It was good to hear about his humble approach and to learn of his efforts to create a sustainable ministry model. During his visit, he was able to help us begin thinking about how to create a sustainable ministry model with our newly expanded Community Center property. (See the encouraging announcement below!!)

Steve Love, (left) with TEAM, sharing effective vegetable bed techniques for preserving soil moisture with the LTLA team.

Learning at Foundations for Farming Conference 
Foundations for Farming is a Zimbabwean organization that is doing great work in sustainable farming training. We first received training from them in 2012 and have since been passing along that training to all the families we serve in Chinhoyi. Last year we sent a group of five from the LTLA team to their annual conference and we sent five other team members this year. Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, went this year and reports that the conference has led the team to evaluate our sustainable farming training efforts. The theme of the conference was, "I Was Hungry to Give," so the LTLA team members are renewing efforts to share their knowledge of sustainable farming in the Chinhoyi community. We look forward to demonstrating this knowledge on our newly expanded Community Center property! Pray with us that the people we train will encounter our Creator who established the principles we are teaching.

Learning about Job Creation in Malawi 
On my return from Zimbabwe, I stopped in Malawi to learn from the Malawi Talent Fund (MTF) efforts in Zomba where they have established a farm for the purpose of job creation. They are employing 18 full time workers and as many as 135 piece workers in a Muslim area. Their intent is to SET (Spiritually and Economically Transform) Malawi in Christ. They are partnering with the Passion Center for Children (PCC) in this endeavor as the PCC focuses on spiritual transformation in the community and MTF focuses on economic transformation. It was a very good experience for me to observe this SET model in action since the Lord has led LTLA to be a "vital resource in Chinhoyi and the surrounding communities." One of our 2018-2020 goals is to, "Investigate models of ministry and training programs that have proven effective" in advancing the Kingdom of God. Pray with us as we follow the Lord's lead to implement what He is calling us to in, "seeking, loving,caring, leading, discipling & training," people for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Chris Weaver, Malawi Talent Fund CEO & Founder, showing the digitally plotted farm map. 

While in Malawi, I also had the opportunity to visit with Tyler Marshall, an ISU grad who spent two summers in Zimbabwe. He is serving with the Peace Corps in Malawi. It was a mutually encouraging time for us. Chris Weaver of the Malawi Talent Fund graciously hosted us. It was good for Tyler to observe what Chris is doing in Malawi. Pray for Tyler as he considers where the Lord would have him serve once his Peace Corps assignment is completed in August.

Tyler Marshall and Mike Sulc at the Malawi Talent Fund Farm.

Expanding our Footprint 
I am happy to report that this month we were able to acquire land next to our Community Center property. We have quietly prayed for this opportunity and the Lord has enabled it to happen. We are encouraged with the increased size of our property and the opportunities it will afford the ministry in the years ahead. Please pray with us as we allow the Lord to direct our steps in how to fully utilize the land He has entrusted to us.

Estimated property lines using a Google Maps satellite photo.
(Blue lines- original property line; Yellow lines- newly acquired property line.)

Learning for the sake of His Kingdom,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

"I Want to Receive Christ Today"

February 28, 2019

Dear LTLA Friends,

After Gogo Mildred (an LTLA team leader) shared the Gospel bridge illustration at a recent LTLA youth Bible study, Donald and Ngoni asked her what would happen to them if they waited to receive Christ next week. Hearing that those without Christ do not have eternal life they both said, "I want to receive Christ today." They are two of 14 youth who have prayed to receive Christ in the weeks following all the turmoil in Zimbabwe. God is using these turbulent days in Zimbabwe to draw more into His family!

Last year we saw several children receive Christ among the grade 3-7 group, and over the past few weeks the following children in that age group have responded to Christ: Donald, Ngoni, Lincoln, Titozuze, Victoria and Victor. It is also very encouraging to report that the following high school students have received Christ: Elsea, Melissa, Michelle and Miriam among the girls, along with Blessed, Kelvin, Ngoni and Rufaro among the boys. The need for Christ was also felt two weeks ago by the following two young ladies: Natalie and Chngentai. LTLA team members Gogo Mildred, Prestege , Marvelous, and Diana shared with them as they paired up for visits in the community.

I will report more on my trip upon my return next week but wanted to share with you this exciting news. I am including a photo and two videos below.

Rejoicing with the angels, (Luke 15:10)
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Marvelous teaching the LTLA High School Bible study.

LTLA Grade 3-7 Bible study reciting 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Showers of blessing! 

The Lord is providing timely rain for the corn plots and relief from the hot temperatures.

Zimbabwe Turmoil Update

January 25, 2019

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for praying for the LTLA team in Chinhoyi as they continue to face challenging times after the violence that erupted over the 150% increase in fuel prices two weeks ago. No one on the LTLA team was harmed but we are unsure about all the families we serve as all ministry activities have been cancelled since these disturbances began. We covet your continued prayers for protection, for peace and for steps to be taken that will bring lasting stability.

Below is an update from Arthur (italicized and with prayer points) and a link to a good article that summarizes the current economic situation in Zimbabwe:

"We met as a team on Tuesday this week but I could tell that most of the team members were still in fear as gatherings of people can be viewed as the beginnings of a demonstration. We decided to cancel all our ministry activities for the remainder of the week and agreed to meet together in two's for encouragement. We will assess the situation on Monday as how to proceed next week." 

• Pray that all on the team have and will experience the truth of Matthew 18:20 in these gatherings of two. 
• Pray that the Lord grant them wisdom as they determine how to proceed next week, with James 1:1-7 as a helpful prayer guide. 

"As of now the streets here still have armed soldiers moving around. Everyone is nervous by their presence after the crackdown on demonstrators and looters last week. The government has blamed brutality on criminals or members of the opposition dressing in uniforms and perpetrating terror so that the government is blamed. Men have been targeted by the soldiers, so men are walking in fear. Team members with young men at home are fearful." 

• Pray that God will place a hedge of protection around the LTLA team members and their families as they trust in Him - Job 1:10. 
• Pray that they will experience God's perfect peace as they trust Him - Isaiah 26:3. 

"The ruling party has accused NGOs of helping the opposition party by inciting demonstrations to subvert the government."

• Pray that as a faith-based ministry LTLA would not be confused with an NGO or falsely accused. May the truth of Psalm 5:6 come to mind for anyone who may be tempted to bring false accusations against us. 

Click here for the article that summarizes the economic situation in Zimbabwe.

Grateful for your prayer support during these very difficult days in Zimbabwe!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Update from Arthur & Turmoil in Zimbabwe

Dear LTLA Friends,

Below is a ministry update from Arthur Nhau in Chinhoyi. He is encouraged by what the Lord is doing in the ministry, but it has also been a tumultuous week in Zimbabwe, which he refers to at the end of his update. Demonstrations, riots and looting took place all over Zimbabwe this week after the government increased fuel prices by 150%. Gasoline prices were $1.24/liter ($4.70/gallon) and have been increased to $3.31/liter ($12.53/gallon). That is the highest price for gasoline in the world, with Hong Kong being second at $2.06/liter.

There have been gasoline shortages since October due to a lack of US dollars to purchase it. The economy in Zimbabwe has collapsed. Last week there was no gasoline to be found so the government announced the extreme price hike to deal with the shortage. This may have been the last straw for the extremely patient Zimbabweans. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three day strike, "stay away," to send a message to the government that their policies have failed. Demonstrations, riots and looting have ensued. People stayed home for fear of the violence that was breaking out. Now the military has been deployed going door to door beating men for being at home and not out working. The government has been ruling by fear and are trying to maintain their control.
These developments are heartbreaking for a people who had hoped for change last year with the ouster of their only president of 37 years. Would you join in praying for the Life to Life Africa team and their fellow Zimbabweans as they deal with the shock and disappointment of this week's developments? They have been praying for years that things would change, and one of them commented that they don't know what to pray anymore. We know God is working out His purposes and they have seen Him provide in the midst of turmoil in the past. Lord, we ask for you to enact your justice, to pour out your mercy and to strengthen with your grace.

Prayerfully,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa


Greetings, as we look back to the past months, God has been faithful especially with the challenges we are facing as a country. We are so thankful that God sent friends to us who were Jethros, Pauls and Barnabases and left us really encouraged in the Lord. ( Luke 22:43) 

I recently had an outing with the guys in whom I am investing, we had fun catching up. My heart’s desire is, "He who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)

Tatenda, Arthur, Donnell (front), Simba, Zviko & Shelton.

As a team, we continue to pray that we would all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We also want to be accountable to one another in our walk with Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Life to Life Africa Team

We have been receiving some decent rainfall lately. As we continue to embark on some farming projects, we pray that the families we are assisting will have a good harvest this season.

Maize (corn) growing at the LTLA Community Center

We are thankful to God that we held our first ever student conference and we had a good turnout. On the last day of the conference one student, in his final year, asked if we were going to pursue them after college as he felt the input he got transformed his college years. We pray that God would give these students a heart for people as they now go into the world. Most of the students we met with last semester passed their exams and gave glory to God. This was so encouraging as most students always feel they don’t have time for God's Word (Mark 1:35). We continue to pray for long lasting relationships and that God would raise Timothys, reliable people and others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Life to Life Africa Student Conference group photo

The past week has been challenging for people here. Soldiers have been doing rounds beating, especially men, for staying away from work. I have friends who had to hide in the cemetery and some took refuge in one of the rivers we have here which is infested with crocodiles. Since Monday most of the team members have been staying indoors and hiding when the soldiers come knocking on their doors, pray for protection and safety. I am humbled by the hope most people here continue to have on Jesus who is our only hope. We pray that our leaders will fear God and know that everything they have, it has been entrusted to them and they will give an account. 

As a family we continue to be humbled by God that He remains faithful. We are also encouraged that our son Donnell is growing in memorizing scriptures. We are really encouraged to see that that he is now sticking verses he is memorizing on the wall in his bedroom. We pray that he will continue to delight in God's word.

Arthur, Mildred, Donnell, & Daisy

Still humbled by His Love, 
Arthur and Mildred