Showers of Blessing

"God seems to bless us with good weather when you visit," stated Arthur, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, during my most recent trip. I was expecting hot weather, as it seems like the seasons in Zimbabwe quickly move from winter to summer. It is very hot in September, October and November following the much cooler months of June, July and August. Rains typically start in late November, but this year they started earlier, as good rains fell the last week of October and first week of November. We are asking God for continued rains to water the crops that have been planted. 

God is also blessing the ministry efforts of the LTLA team, as they are seeing increased numbers at their many Bible study groups. I was able to witness the Bible studies with kids, youth and young adults, but unfortunately it was raining too hard to hold the Men and Women of Hope gatherings while I was there. The men and women walk to these meetings and the dirt streets get pretty muddy and slick. It was fun for me to share with the youth and young adults, along with the LTLA team, the lessons that I learned during my first devotional time with the Lord the morning after I committed my life to Christ. 

When I was a freshman in college, Dan, an upperclassman who shared the Gospel with me, invited me to join him the following morning for his "quiet time" with the Lord. He guided me to Exodus 33:7-23 where I was able to see the value of engaging in a relationship with God and the importance of getting time with him in prayer. Finding this rich passage in God's Word exposed me to the need to feast on it for my spiritual nourishment. As we enter into this advent season, may we all feast on the riches of spending time with the Lord in his Word and with him in prayer. How appropriate for us to celebrate Thanksgiving just before we start advent to help our hearts be grateful for the incredible love that God has poured out on us through his Son, Jesus Christ. 

Praying you experience God's deep and rich love this Christmas season, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

Below are some photos of my time in Zimbabwe, along with a video of the showers of blessing that the Lord poured out on us:

Mike sharing from Exodus 33:7-23 with the young adult Bible study (the Chosen Generation group). 

 

Mike (only "murungu," white man) with the college Bible study group. 

 

Zviko sharing the "Well" illustration with the college Bible study group. The "Well" uses Jeremiah 2:13, Ecclesiastes 1:12 - 2:11 and John 4:13-14 to illustrate the empitness of all the "cisterns that we dig, versus the abundant water that Jesus gives that becomes "a spring of living water welling up to eternal life." 

 

Mike preached from Exodus 33:7-23 at Hatfield Presbyterian Church in Harare, Zimbabwe. Pastor Clarence Tungunu and his wife Anna serve that congregation with their daughter, Iana, and son, Ian (held by Mike). Anna is fruit of the LTLA ministry in Chinhoyi and served the ministry for several years before marrying Clarence. 

 

Showers of Blessing

 

Sowing and Reaping

Thank you for your prayers for my safe arrival to Zimbabwe. Your continued prayers are certainly welcomed for my time with the LTLA team, and as the Life to Life Zimbabwe Trust board meets tomorrow to evaluate the ministry progress this year and consider plans for next year. Despite the challenges and the discouragements among the team and ministry this past year, it is very evident that God is at work, as you will see in the report below from this past month. 

The Community Ministry team was busy this month assessing the needs of the families we serve. The outcome of the assessment was as follows: 12 families did well with their corn plots and will not need food assistance, while 8 families were not faithful in their efforts with growing corn so have been removed from food assistance. We have learned not to prolong support for those who do not participate in what we have asked them to do to grow food for their families. 

Going forward, 124 families have asked for assistance, as they face dire situations, and we plan to help all of them. We will increase our food allotment for each family, and provide 28 families a monthly allotment while 96 families receive a twice-monthly allotment. As an end result we are now serving 44 new families. LTLA recently conducted training for these new families in planting corn sustainably. We are also encouraged to report that the numbers of people attending the Men & Women of Hope discipleship meetings has grown, with members of the new families joining. (See photos below.) 

The Training Ministry team has been busy sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with students at Chinhoyi University of Technology. Nine young ladies and one young man have responded to the Holy Spirit's work in their lives and have made decisions to receive Christ. The young man is named Innocent and the young ladies are: Mercy, Kelly, Leen, Zvikomborero, Xixi, Tino, Ropafadzo and Judith. All but one of them are first year students at CUT, which gives the team a lot of opportunity to disciple them over the next few years. Ropafadzo is a 4th year student who responded when Theodora, a recent graduate, shared the Bridge Illustration with her at the LTLA Student Conference on Oct 14-16. Training Ministry team members, Marvelous & Prestege, taught how to share the Bridge Illustration at the conference and then paired up older students to share the illustration with younger students. Theodora was paired with Ropafadzo who responded that she needed to receive Christ! (See photos below.) 

 

What a joy to share this report, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

Members of the 124 families seeking food assistance gather at the Community Discipleship Center.

Members of the new families and some of the returning families we assist 

at our demonstration plot to receive training in growing corn sustainably. 

 

Men and women gathering for a combined meeting of the Men of Hope and Women of Hope, a first but certainly not a last time, as it proved very encouraging for everyone. The men were challenged by hearing the old ladies memorizing scripture. We pray it will motivate them to follow their example and experience the blessing of having God's Word in their hearts.

 

Prestege (L) and Marvelous (R) teaching how to share the Bridge Illustration at the LTLA Student Conference. 

 

Theodora (R) sharing the Bridge Illustration with Ropafadzo, who responded in receiving Christ. 

 

LTLA Student Conference group photo.

 

The Holy Spirit is the Way to Go

"The Holy Spirit is the way to go," shared Prestege, as she recounted her experience sharing the Gospel at the Chinhoyi University of Technology. Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director, encouraged the ministry trainees to allow God's Spirit to help them when sharing the good news of Jesus with students. With the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions and all the students back on campus, there have been ample opportunities for Gospel conversations. 

"Honestly, I have used my own intelligence when sharing the Gospel with people so I wanted to follow Arthur's encouragement to let the Holy Spirit guide my conversations," continued Prestege. "It was an experience I had never had before. After knocking on six doors and finding no one in their rooms, I prayed asking the Lord to lead me to someone and for the Holy Spirit to speak through me. In the next room I found a girl named Mercy and as I shared about Jesus I felt goosebumps. I was so nervous as I wanted God to speak through me and I wasn't explaining things very well but Mercy said she wanted to receive Christ. It is very evident that the Holy Spirit is at work in her as she is even calling me to interact more about her new life in Christ. Wow, what an experience to see that the Holy Spirit is there with us!" 

There have been three other students who have received Christ so far this semester: Kelly, Leen & Zvikomborero. The Friday afternoon fellowship meetings have been well attended, with students inviting their friends. This is giving the LTLA Training Ministry team even more opportunities to share Jesus. After two and a half years of very limited contact with students, we are grateful for the movement of God's Spirit among students at Chinhoyi University of Technology. (See photos below of the LTLA campus ministry efforts.) 

As Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" and "to not be ashamed to testify about our Lord," would you pray 2 Timothy 1:6-8 for the LTLA team? They want to continue experiencing the "spirit of power, love and self discipline" as they share the great news about Jesus. 

Hallelujah, those in Christ have received the Spirit of sonship and can cry, "Abba, Father!" (Romans 8:15) 

 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

A recent LTLA campus ministry Friday gathering.  

 

Students who came to an LTLA Friday gathering 

 

Marvelous (LTLA team member, 2nd from left) enjoying a card game last night with (L to R) Valerie, Theodora and Nyasha. Marvelous has been discipling them the last four years and they are back for graduation that takes place today. 

 

We don't have a photo of Prestege and Mercy to share but do have this video of Prestege leading the 5-8 year olds in a song during a recent LTLA Children's Bible Study. The Children and Youth Bible studies continue to be well attended as you can see in the video. With the 30 in this youngest group and 25 in the 9-12 year old group, along with 20 in the oldest group (13-16 year-old high schoolers), we are transporting 75 kids each Saturday to the LTLA Community Center for Children & Youth Bible Studies. God is certainly blessing our efforts with primary, secondary and college students. 

 

 

 

 

 

Servant Leaders

 Dear LTLA Friends, 

"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave." (Matthew 20:26-27) Jesus shared this qualification for leadership with his disciples and also demonstrated it. Life to Life Africa is blessed to be led by Arthur Nhau, who has demonstrated servant leadership so well that it is emulated by the other team leaders and by each team member. In this troubled world it is difficult to lead in this way, but Jesus told his disciples in John 14:1 & 27, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God and believe also in me...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." 

Shelton, the LTLA Community Ministry team leader, and his wife, Tinotenda, have found great comfort in the peace that comes from believing in Jesus over the past two months. As I shared last month, Shelton and Tinotenda lost their first child at 7 months of pregnancy in late June. In the midst of their despair they have experienced the Lord's abiding presence to help bring healing and restore hope in their lives. They are grateful for the many prayers on their behalf, for the comforting words (particularly from Uncle Mark Chidister), and for the encouragement by the ministry to spend time with a counselor that has proved very helpful as they process their loss. 

 

Shelton & Tinotenda Nhundu 

 When Arthur and I were discussing how to care for Shelton & Tinotenda, he confided with me that he and his wife, Mildred, would also benefit from spending time with a counselor. The stresses of life and leading the ministry, especially during the pandemic, had taken a toll on their relationship. In this fallen world we face the effects of sin within us, the effects of sin from others upon us, and the reality that the Devil enjoys attacking people, especially God's servants. I am encouraged to report that the counseling sessions are helping Arthur & Mildred strengthen their relationship and their relationship with their children, Donnell & Daisy.

 

Arthur, Mildred, Donnel & Daisy Nhau 

 As you pray for LTLA, I ask that you pray for Arthur & Mildred and for Shelton & Tinotenda, as well as for the marriages of the other team members: Otillia and her husband (Norman), Prestege and her husband (Musa), Brian and his wife (Privilege), Mr Lunga and his wife (Matilda), Mr. Chigwida and his wife (Mary), and for me and Julie in our marriage. In a world where marriages are under attack, we ask that these unions will reflect God's design and the blessing of marriage. 

 

Gratefully in His peace, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa

 

 

Working Together for the Truth

Thank you for your prayers for the recent trip to Zimbabwe. They were certainly needed, as we experienced delays in arriving. Rachel & I sat on the plane for 6 hours in Asmara, Eritrea, while the weather cleared in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The weather delays then affected Ronda, Pete & Harold, who missed their connecting flight and arrived in Zimbabwe a day late. They also had their Chicago to Saginaw, MI flight cancelled on their return, so they had to rent a car to get home. 

We are grateful for the grace God provided us in handling these travel delays. His grace also poured out on our time together with the LTLA team, as he blessed our efforts to work together for the truth. In keeping with 3 John 1:8 the LTLA team provided great hospitality. It was good to get "face to face" time (3 John 1:14), as you will see from the photos below. 

The Apostle John certainly understood the value of incarnational ministry, which he witnessed firsthand with Christ Jesus. Ronda, Pete & Harold of Hopevale Church in Michigan and Rachel & Timothy of Ames, IA had the joy of seeing first hand what God is doing through the LTLA team. Relationships were built, mutual encouragement was experienced, the love of God was shared, and two water tanks were installed. To God be the glory as his kingdom continues to advance in Chinhoyi! 

For the sake of the Name, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

 

 

Diana (LTLA team Member) & Ronda distributing clothes to children at the landfill. 

 

Ronda helping Tinotenda (wife of Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team Leader) in the kitchen. 

 

Ronda (L) & Rachel (R) sharing with the LTL team ladies. 

 

Rachel digging holes for planting broccoli, as Ronda prepares to place compost in the holes. 

 

Rachel teaching the LTLA High School Bible Study. 

 

Timothy with the LTLA Youth Bible Study children. 

 

Timothy & Harold shared their testimonies at the Men of Hope meeting along with Pete, who took this picture.

Harold starting the plumbing connections for the water tank at the LTLA Community Center. 

 

Harold finishing the plumbing connection for the water tank. Erasmus, an LTLA Chosen Generation member, assisted Harold in this work. 

 

Simba, LTLA Training Ministry team member, climbed to the top of the tank to place the lid as Harold secured the ladder. 

 

Pete (Creative Media Pastor at Hopevale Church) spent time teaching Natalie the finer points of photography & videography. She is studying Visual Communication & Multimedia Design at Chinhoyi University of Technology and is involved in the LTLA College Ministry. 

 

Pete showing the Chosen Generation guys how he uses a drone to capture aerial video & photos. 

 

An aerial photo Pete captured with the drone of the LTLA Community Center. 

 

The LTLA Community Ministry team joined us in visiting the Chinhoyi Caves, where the rock creates a brilliant blue color to the water at the bottom of the cave. 

 

Ronda, Pete, Harold & Mike donning their Life to Life shirts with the LTLA team. 

 

 

 

Face to Face - Prayer Bulletin

Rachel Iliff and I have arrived in Zimbabwe. Our prayer is that Ronda Grosse, Pete Carlson & Harold Dost from Hopevale Church, and Timothy Steward from Ames, will arrive safely this week after travel delays. As I shared 3 John 1:8 in my recent update, I echo the Apostle John's sentiment in his prior letter (2 John 1:12) that our "joy will be complete" as we "talk face to face" with our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters in the Lord. Would you pray as we "work together for the truth" (3 John 1:8) and encourage one another to "walk in the truth" (3 John 1:4)? And, praise be to God, the truth is that "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all... If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:5,7). 

While in Chinhoyi, I look forward to being able to comfort and grieve face to face with Shelton, LTLA Community Team Leader, and his wife Tinotenda, as they lost their baby girl in the seventh month of pregnancy three weeks ago today. Please pray for them as they heal from this heartbreaking loss. I will also be able to spend face-to-face time with Tatenda, LTLA Training Ministry team member, who has continued struggling physically & emotionally from his bout with transverse myelitis. Please pray that our visit would encourage them to continue to find hope in Christ, our loving creator and sustainer. 

 

Grateful for your prayerful support!! 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

P.S. Thank you for your prayers for my brother, Mark. A recent MRI showed that there is no new cancer growth in his brain. He continues to be a strong example of trusting in God no matter our circumstances. He is also rejoicing that his two daughters are both expecting their first child later later this year. 

 

Co-Laboring

Last month Life to Life Africa was blessed by co-laboring efforts of a team from The Navigators at Iowa State University. And this month, I will be joined in Chinhoyi by a team from Hopevale Church in Saginaw, MI and by two recent college graduates. The LTLA team has and will be putting into practice 3 John 1:8, "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth." 

Ezra Iliff, Navigators staff member at Iowa State, served in Zimbabwe in 2017 as a student with a team from Iowa State. His love for the Lord is infectious and he has been eager to return with others to participate in what God is doing in that land. He led a team of six (three students, one recent college graduate, and a young couple) that worked with The Navigators in their ministry to college students in Harare (Zimbabwe's capitol) and Bulawayo (the country's second largest city). They then joined our team in Chinhoyi, where they especially energized our efforts among the younger generation. We look forward to seeing the result of the Gospel seeds that they planted in the years ahead! Below you will find photos of their time in Chinhoyi. 

On Sunday, I depart for Zimbabwe with Rachel Iliff, who graduated from college a year ago and is Ezra's sister. Ezra recruited her, along with Timothy Steward (who graduated from Iowa State two years ago), to travel with me and serve the Lord in Zimbabwe. In addition, a team from Hopevale Church (Ronda Grosse, Pete Carlson & Harold Dost, who has served in Chinhoyi several times) will join us later next week. I am excited to travel with these sisters and brothers in the Lord, and to join with them in the opportunity to be blessed and be a blessing. Be on the lookout for an update on our trip later this month! 

 

Co-laboring in the Lord's harvest fields, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

 

ISU Navigators Team with LTLA Training Ministry Team.

 

(L to R) Ezra, Zviko, Keziah & Sam riding in the LTLA truck as they enter 

Chinhoyi University of Technology where they had the opportunity to connect with students.

 

(L to R) Ezra, Kenton, Tinotenda, Simba, Luke & Sam. 

The ISU Navigators team helped Simba and the LTLA team make contact with new students like Kenton & Tinotenda.

 

ISU Navigators team enjoying a meal at Eat N Lick with LTLA staff and students.

 

ISU Navigators team helping with Youth Bible Study at the LTLA Community Center.

 

Ezra, Sam & Luke (only white faces) hanging with boys from the LTLA 'Hood ministry.

 

Ezra & Luke helping the LTLA Community Ministry team in their gardening efforts.

 

Keziah enjoying lunch with LTLA Community Ministry ladies.

 

(L to R) Rebekah & Keziah helping Kate shell corn harvested at the LTLA Community Center.

 

Zach & Rebekah Runyon with Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry Team Leader. 

Rebekah traveled to Zimbabwe in 2017 as a student on the same team with Ezra, 

and wanted to return so her husband, Zach, could experience the ministry, 

the people and the beauty of Zimbabwe. 

 

 

Landfill Ministry

Landfill ministry? Yes, Life to Life Africa has initiated a ministry to people living at the Chinhoyi landfill. You may recall me sharing late last year about Mr. Gwara, who lives with his 10 grandchildren at the landfill where he makes a living collecting recyclables. Here is an update from Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry leader, on our efforts to minister to his family as well as others living there. 

"After a lot of coordinating work, we have managed to get six children living at the landfill admitted into grade 1 at a nearby primary school. Two are Mr. Gwara's grandchildren and the other four are Mrs. Nyamangara's grandchildren. I wish you could have seen the bright smiles on their faces and the group hug they gave me when I supplied them with their school uniforms. 

It is a rich blessing to be part of making this happen for them. The process was complicated by the fact that none of the children had birth certificates. [The LTLA team worked to get birth certificates issued retroactively.] We are grateful for the financial support through LTLA that is allowing us to help these children get caught up with extra lessons after school. They missed the first school term this year as we worked on getting them admitted. All six are in the same class so we are paying their teacher to provide the extra lessons. 

We have begun a weekly Bible lesson with these kids and the other kids living at the landfill. We are taking the approach to minister to them on their 'turf' as we conduct the lesson on site at the landfill. Our prayer is that as we minister to these children it will open doors to minister to their caregivers. Pray with us for a harvest to be gathered for the Lord's glory as we do the hard work of cultivating and sowing the seed of the Gospel among those living at the Chinhoyi landfill (Galatians 6:9-10)." 

Speaking of harvest, we are grateful for the corn harvest that has been gathered among the families we serve. It was particularly encouraging to see that 13 of the 56 new families we trained did very well with their harvest despite a lack of rainfall at the beginning of the growing season. Members of all these families are receiving spiritual input through the Men & Women of Hope meetings, and the children are participating in our weekly youth Bible lessons. Pray that a spiritual harvest is also gathered among them. 

 

Serving in the Lord's harvest, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

Here are photos of the landfill ministry and of the corn harvest:

The six landfill children with whom LTLA has been working to enable them to go to school. 

 

The six landfill children in their school uniforms in front of their school with Marvelous, 

who oversees the LTLA school sponsorship program. 

 

Mr. Gwara's two grandchildren who are now going to school. 

You will note the gloves being worn by the grandson on the left. 

He uses the gloves when helping his grandfather search for recyclables in the landfill. 

 

Some of the children playing at the landfill. 

 

Landfill children posing for a picture at a recent LTLA Bible lesson. 

 

 

Two of the 13 new families who did well with their corn harvest:

   

Back to Normal

Life is gradually getting back to normal in Chinhoyi, though in our fallen world we know it is not the type of normal that God intended, as it is fraught with hardships and evil. Nevertheless, it is encouraging for the LTLA team to re-engage in ministry activities that were taking place prior to the pandemic. Thank you for holding us up in prayer as we navigated the many restrictions that affected our ability to minister to people. 

The most recent encouraging development has been the ability for the Training Ministry Team to meet on campus with students at the Chinhoyi University of Technology. For the past two years they have not been able to set foot on campus with the Covid-19 restrictions. During the pandemic they had been meeting off campus with students. Needless to say, that made college ministry very challenging, especially in meeting new students. They are very glad to be able to return now. 

We are also excited that the university is bringing back all the students to campus. What the university has been doing the past two years is only bringing back the number of students they could house on campus for two weeks at a time. The students would receive all their in-person lectures for the semester during those two weeks and then they were sent home to complete assignments remotely. At the end of the semester the students returned in batches to take exams. It was a very disruptive schedule, not at all conducive for learning or for ministry. We rejoice that all the students are coming back to campus to complete the current semester! Would you pray as the Training Ministry Team re-engages with students on campus, renewing relationships and establishing new ones? As it is harvest time for corn in Zimbabwe, we are asking the Lord for a spiritual harvest among the students at Chinhoyi University of Technology.

The Training Ministry Team at he entrance to Chinhoyi University of Technology 

(L to R: Mildred, Marvelous, Simba, Stella, & Zviko. Arthur took the the photo.) 

 

Below are photos of other ministry activities that were re-initiated in the last couple of months. We are thanking the Lord for these renewed ministry efforts! 

 

Ministering in the Lord's harvest, 

Mike Sulc 

Life to Life Africa 

 

 

 

 

The LTLA Critical Care Center (Preschool Orphan ministry) re-opened at the beginning of March. 

Tsungai (sitting at right) & Brian (in yellow shirt serving food) are currently providing care for 20 preschool orphans. 

 

The LTLA Training Ministry has re-initiated their soccer ministry efforts. 

Simba (with the ball) loves playing soccer and is spearheading the charge 

to reach out to high school and young adult men in the community. 

 

Arthur (LTLA Director in Chinhoyi) loves playing soccer as well and joins in the action. 

 

The LTLA Clinic has now been able to consistently take place each month. 

Here family members are waiting for their doctor consultation. 

 

Dr. Munya consulting with a patient during the LTLA clinic.