Joy, Grief & Perseverance - LTLA Update - July 2023

 

Dear LTLA Friends, I must admit that my heart has been weary lately with the highs and lows of life. My most recent trip to Africa and events that followed confronted me with the reality of life in this broken world. Through this weariness I am experiencing the truth that David concluded in Psalm 62:1-2 & 5-8. I ask that you pray for me to find rest in God alone who is our salvation, our rock, our fortress, our hope and our refuge. A high was meeting Kunashe, daughter of Shelton & Tinotenda. As LTLA Community Ministry team leader, Shelton experienced pouring out his heart to God to find refuge this past year after they lost their first daughter at 8 months of pregnancy. A year later God has blessed them with the birth of Kunashe, which means, "There is God." It was good to enter into their joy in person.

Shelton, Tinotenda and Kunashe

A low was to hear the tragic news of the death of the older brother of Marvelous, an LTLA team member. He died in a head-on collision when a van carrying a full load of passengers recklessly tried overtaking another vehicle. There were other fatalities in the accident. Her brother leaves his wife and three children ages 11, 7 and 4. Would you pray for Marvelous and her family as they grieve his loss? Thank you for your continued prayers for Tsungai, LTLA team member who has led our ministry to pre-school orphans for more than 10 years. She is persevering through the cancer radiation treatments as there was a week and a half delay due to repairs that were needed on the radiation machine. As expected, she is experiencing localized pain and tiredness from the treatments. We are grateful for the hospitality of ministry friends who are hosting her in their Harare home. The treatments are taking place at a private clinic in Harare. the capital of Zimbabwe. LTLA team member, Diana, has accompanied her during the five weeks of treatment. She is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the Lord's command, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34). Diana reports, "The Lord has been teaching us that there is nothing better than having Jesus present with us along with people who care for you. Thank you for caring for us through your prayers and support!"

Diana on the left with Tsungai.

On this last trip, I traveled to Malawi where I visited Park Msukwa, a young man I met five years ago. He loves the Lord and the coffee growing community where he grew up, Misuku. Four years ago, LTLA sponsored Park in attending the The Crown Ministries Stewardship School, along with Shelton, LTLA Community Ministry team leader. Like Shelton, he has been persevering in teaching the Biblical principles he learned to the coffee farmers in Misuku. He also desires to practically help the farmers by securing better markets for their coffee.  Tim Mooney, a friend of LTLA and coffee lover, joined me along with his Ugandan farmer friend, Charles Mugarura. Together we determined that Park needs to help the coffee farmers establish a cooperative and he needs an infusion of capital investment to get them started. If you have an interest in helping Park launch this enterprise that will seek to bring Christ's transformation in his community, you can contact me for further details.

Park (far left) with Misuku, Malawi, coffee farmers.

(L to R) Charles Mugarura, Tim Mooney, Mike Sulc & Park Msukwa in the coffee growing hills of Misuku, Malawi.

Finding rest in God alone, Mike Sulc Life to Life Africa 515-520-3607