Thomas Gilbert, LTLA Reflections

 

Thomas Gilbert, Life to Life Ministries president, provided the following reflections about Life to Life Africa after his trip to Zimbabwe in May: "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." 1 Jn 3:17-18

Zimbabwe ministry: Origins & Vision Our Life To Life Zimbabwe founder Ron Shimkus' inspiration came from these verses and we continue to be inspired by them today. With a background in university campus work, Ron was compelled by Christ's love to help those in poverty in Zimbabwe. "If we don't help, who will?" was his attitude. So Life To Life Zimbabwe took aim at not only reaching and equipping young students for Christ, but helping those in need. The needs in Zimbabwe remain great: food insecurity, living conditions, trade and skills development, accessibility to education, assisting the orphaned and widowed, challenges with depression and drug abuse. I'm so grateful to be connected to and play a small part in encouraging and helping our ministry teams in Zimbabwe. Our leaders and team members in Zimbabwe are incredible people. I have great confidence in them because I know their hearts, knowledge and application of the Bible, abilities in ministry, and their commitment to minister like "Uncle Ron" in both deed and truth. Our goal is to demonstrate Christ's love to people, share about Christ, the source of our motivation, and empower those who are interested in knowing and growing in Christ so they can become ministers to others themselves.

Gogo Mildred speaking about training and helping others gain a new skill. Learning something like sewing can become a source of income for widows and those in need.

What happens on these trips?  "Nguva Yakwana" make the most of our time. The Training Team (led by Life To Life Zimbabwe Director Arthur Nhau) focuses on primary through high school, CUT, young adults in the community. They meet as a team every Tuesday and Thursday at the ministry center for team devotion and team training. They also have Bible studies with the various groups throughout the week and one on one equipping and ministry training for the spiritually hungry. Friday we have the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Bible study. The Community Team (led by Shelton Nhundu) meets together every Monday and Wednesday at the ministry center for team devotion and team training. Throughout the week they work their assignments in the community demonstration garden or other skills training projects like sewing. Some CT members teach and nurture the little ones (newborn to pre-k) at the Critical Care center. On Fridays the team goes out to do follow ups with people who are receiving farming or other skills training to check on them. They also go out and share their faith and do Bible studies. The elderly women and men have the opportunities to attend Bible studies on Saturdays. So while I am there I go pretty hard on leading all of the various team devotions and team trainings which often take the form of interactive Bible studies (that's our style). I also try to get intentional one on one time to encourage as many team members as possible, lead Bible studies for the various ministries, share the gospel with students and meet with some of our students one on one.

Both the Training Team and the Community Team pictured together

A "churched" Nation: Great Opportunity for life on life ministry training. Many people don't have a relationship with Christ, but many attend church. I'm reminded of how churched Zimbabwe is. You get a "I follow Apollos. I follow Peter. I follow Paul." (1 Cor 1:12) feel. Some churches even have their own colors and uniforms. The churches will give you preaching and admonition from the Bible. That's pretty much it. What is missing is the thing that is our mission, to train and equip the average person to minister and give people opportunities to ask questions and grow through group Bible studies. So this is a great opportunity. We can equip and help people grow and the individual's can help strengthen the church group with their stronger relationship with Christ. One pastor asked "Gogo" Mildred (who works with our Community Team), "What have you been doing with the ladies at my church?!" "What does Life To Life do?" The ladies he was referring to were memorizing verses, studying the Bible on their own, and sharing the gospel with others. The pastor couldn't believe it. There are challenges to ministry in Zim, like anywhere else, but I see a great opportunity to help Zimbabweans go from "churched" to walking closely with Christ and ministering to others.

Listen to Faith talk about how God used the Mutare ministry to transform her from a “church goer” to someone with a strong relationship w/ Christ.