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