Dear LTLA Friends,
COVID-19 has arrived in Chinhoyi, with one case reported officially. The person lives in the neighborhood next to LTLA Director, Arthur Nhau. We are grateful that so far the virus has not spread any more, but covet your prayers for continued protection. Thankfully LTLA team member, Shelton, has recovered from a bout with malaria, which has affected many in Zimbabwe and further complicates the fight with COVID-19 as symptoms can be similar.
There had been some easing of the lockdown in the last two weeks, but it appears that authorities may increase security forces in town to enforce restrictions, as more people are moving around. The latest cases in the country (48 total) have come from people in a forced 21 day quarantine after returning from South Africa, which has the most cases on the continent (17,000). There are many Zimbabweans returning from South Africa where they have lost jobs due to the lockdown there. The Zimbabwe government is trying to stop the virus from entering the country because the medical system cannot handle a surge of cases.
The lockdown restrictions have created desperation among many whose only income is street vending, which has been outlawed. A 17 year-old boy known to the ministry was shot dead when caught breaking into a rich neighborhood home, presumably looking for food or money. As reported last month, harvested corn was stolen from the families we serve, depriving them of several months of food supply. This past Wednesday we were able to resume food distributions for these families (see photos below) . Usually we stop food distributions for 3-4 months after the corn harvest, but in the current situation we will maintain them to assist those in need during this crisis.
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| Family members lining up for food distribution. |
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| Zviko checking temperatures, a government requirement. No one had a fever. |
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| Diana providing hand sanitizer before family members receive a large bag of corn meal, a cabbage & a small bag of sugar beans. |
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| Jane & Letwin providing sugar beans. It has been quite some time since we have been able to provide beans. Arthur & Shelton were able to harvest 2 tonnes last month from their farming project with a nearby farmer. |
During my last trip to Chinhoyi, I was able to enjoy meals at Mildred Nhau's restaurant (see photos below). Mildred employed 4 young women at her restaurant, two whom were being impacted spiritually by the ministry and she was looking forward to investing spiritually into the other two. She has had to close the restaurant during the lockdown so these four young ladies have lost that source of income. Restaurants are slowly re-opening for "take away" business but Mildred is monitoring the feasibility of doing so with limited customers and a landlord who will expect rent payment. Though there has been talk, the Zimbabwe government has not provided small businesses with stimulus money. Such help is very unlikely. Please pray for Mildred as she discerns when she can re-open her restaurant, which would provide jobs for these four young ladies.
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| LTLA team members eating lunch at Mildred's restaurant. (Near table L to R: Arthur, Mildred and Prestege). |
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| Customers ordering food from Michelle (wearing hair net), one of the 4 young ladies Mildred employs. Michelle is fruit of the LTLA Chosen Generation group (ministry to young adult orphans). She was serving as the restaurant manager. |
We are excited to report that during this lockdown Gogo Mildred, an LTLA team leader, has turned ministry efforts to her neighbors. In her words here is what happened: "First I met with Shelly. I shared the bridge illustration (Gospel illustration) and she received Jesus Christ! Then another day I met with Bernadette and Ashley. I used spiritual survey questions with them. I observed that Ashley had received Jesus Christ but Bernadette had not, so I did the bridge illustration with her and she received Jesus! I have followed up with them by doing a quiet time lesson and now I am doing lessons on assurrance in salvation, forgiveness, answered prayer, victory over sin and guidance. Shamiso, another neighbor whom I have been discipling, has joined me in these lessons."
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| (L to R) Gogo Mildred with Shelly and Bernadette doing discipleship lessons on her front porch. |
Join us in praying for Gogo Mildred as she disciples Shelly, Benadette, Ashley and Shamiso. Pray that evangelism and discipleship will occur among other LTLA team members with their neighbors. May they follow Gogo Mildred's example and see a fruitful harvest during these fearful and troubling days.
Rejoicing in the Lord's salvation,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa