Miracles All Around Us

August 1, 2016 


"When you get away from all the modern day distractions and focus on nature, people, and God you are able to see the miracles that happen around you in everyday life." These were Denny's words during the final devotional for the Hopevale Church team as everyone shared what God taught them on their 10 days in Zimbabwe. God is actively engaged in the daily affairs of mankind. Do we recognize it and thank Him for it?

I walked into a rope clothes line and scratched my eye on the first work day of this trip. It so happened that Rod, a Hopevale team member, had scratched his eye two weeks earlier and brought along the medicine that was prescribed. The medicine helped me recover quickly from that injury. Was this a coincidence or a miracle, where God was involved in the affairs of man? What a blessing it was for me to once again witness with the Hopevale team how God is at work through LTLA in Chinhoyi!

On Saturday, July 16, we dedicated the Life Discipleship Center to bring glory to God through the evangelism and discipling activities that will take place there. At this dedication service, held on the 3 year anniversary of Ron Shimkus's passing into glory, we heard from one widow and 2 men how LTLA has impacted them. The service could have lasted all day, because everyone gathered would have liked to share how the ministry has blessed them. Our prayer is that this ministry will continue drawing children, orphans, young adults, college students, women, men, widows, and widowers to life in Christ.

I would like to thank Hopevale Church for sending yet another team to serve in this work of God among the people in Chinhoyi. Thank you Denny, Rod, Harold, Bob and Kait for returning, and thank you Naomi, Roger, Don and Karl for blessing us with your hearts for the Lord and your skills to serve. I know Andrea, John, and Chris, who were part of last year's team from Hopevale but were not able to return this year, were faithfully praying--for which we are grateful!

Thank you also to all of you who pray for this ministry. It is not by our might or power that anything is accomplished but by God's Spirit. Your prayers beseech our God to unleash His Spirit to work in our midst. Thank you!


Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Below are some photos of how God worked through the Hopevale team:

Those gathered for the Life Discipleship Center dedication service, with the Hopevale team standing in the back row.

Denny led the Hopevale team and is shown here speaking at the Life Discipleship Center dedication service.

Denny helped install doors.

Bob handed out 6 "reverse offerings," where he gave gifts to be shared with others.

Bob made the wood cross and hung this banner for the dedication service,
as well as doing landscaping around the Life Discipleship Center.

Naomi ministered to the spiritual needs of women.

Karl (on left) and Rod fabricated the kitchen sink stand
and the water tower for Arthur & Mildred's home.

The water tower now provides running water for Arthur & Mildred's house,
where the Critical Care Center is located.

Critical Care Center kids saying "thank you!" for the water tower.

Harold, a master plumber, completed all the LDC plumbing,
and connected the water tank at Arthur's home.

Kait, who studies dietetics, introduced the Critical Care Center staff to nutritious foods.
Here she is serving the food she prepared for the children.

Roger helped install 8 doors, as well as a battery for Shelton's car (see below).

Don, seen here giving guitar lessons, used his musical talent during devotionals
and the dedication service, along with sharing a moving testimony.
He also helped install doors.

Your Word was Joy and Rejoicing

July 5, 2016 


It was a full and active month of June and I am just now getting out this update. Thank you for praying! God worked in our midst.



ISU Navigator Team 


The ISU Navigator team experienced how the Word of God brings joy and rejoicing to our hearts. (Jeremiah 15:16) They spent a lot of time reflecting on and sharing from God's word. Forrest, one of the team members, used this passage when sharing about scripture memory and it stuck with me. Tyler, who returned to Zimbabwe after spending all of last summer there, told me he how good it was to be back, soaking in God's word and enjoying the fellowship in Christ.

Forrest making friends.

Tyler showing the colors.

Alex, on her first cross-cultural mission trip, is ready to be used of God wherever He wants. She is experiencing reverse culture shock, missing rich time spent with people hungry for God and His word. Ben, another first timer, was able to share a gospel illustration with a student who prayed to receive Christ. That was a first time experience for Ben. He is pumped to return to ISU in the fall and continue sharing Christ with his peers.

Alex talking to a student after her workshop on quiet time and journaling.

Ben, a true servant, digging a water line ditch.

 

Audrey was able to experience another culture, after a previous Indonesia trip, and continue to learn about the challenging circumstances so many live in throughout this world. She graduated in May and hopes to work in rescuing women from human trafficking. Matt returned to Africa after a summer in Namibia last year and did a great job assimilating. He and Forrest are still in Zimbabwe fulfilling international internship requirements. I look forward to reconnecting with them on my next trip (July 6-22).

Matt (right) teaching Donnell a card game.

Audrey, and adventurer, made it through a tough Africa obstacle course.

Co-laborers in Christ

Haiti Experience 

On my return from Zimbabwe in mid June, I joined a team from my home church in Haiti. We served with United Christians International, a ministry that Overflow Thrift Store supports. I have been hearing of the good work they are doing and wanted to experience it first hand. It is a testimony of what God can do through people who prayerfully and courageously trust Him to bring God's kingdom to a very dark land. They have sought to transform a community, and it is happening. It certainly stimulated my thinking about community, economic and agricultural development in Chinhoyi. 

Examining agricultural plots in Haiti.

With the medical students Overflow Thrift Store supports.

Missionary Speakers 

Julie & I had the fun opportunity to be the missionary speakers at the Raccoon River Bible Camp from June 20-24. Our daughters were attending with cousins, and it gave me the chance to be with them since I am returning to Zimbabwe on July 5. It was a joy to see the eagerness of children to learn about what God is doing in another part of the world. I know God will use these young ones to keep advancing His kingdom in the years ahead. This opportunity gave Julie and I a chance to work together as well. Julie may have had a little too much fun with her microphone props as she interviewed me throughout the week.

Julie interviewing Mike with one of her microphone props.

Mike, in African attire, teaching some Shona words and customs.

Sharing the "Bridge" illustration. Teaching the kids to be missionaries, wherever they are!

Thank you for your support in these missionary adventures!

I Can Worship, Or I Can Whine

May 25, 2016


Below you will find an update from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. I am also providing a photo update of the latest progress on the Life Discipleship Center.

I titled this update using a quote he references. To follow this thought, I would add that circumstances in our life can lead to the emotional responses of waltzing (joy), worry, weariness, weeping (sadness) and wrath (anger). As we focus on worshiping our almighty and loving Father in the midst of all that life brings our way, He will transform our hearts through Christ. This transformation, guided by His Spirit, will lead us to experience true eternal joy, peace that surpasses understanding, strength to persevere in seemingly hopeless situations, deep sadness and compassion along with a righteous anger that compels us to confront the brokenness in this world with the love of God.


Let us worship our Lord and be transformed,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Update from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director - Chinhoyi 

Greetings,

Lately, I have been reflecting on the following quote from the Nancy Leigh DeMoss booklet,The Attitude of Gratitude: “In my own life, I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of the two ways: I can worship or I can whine." My wife, Mildred, recently had surgery and we are thankful it went well. She was struggling a lot from stomach pains. We are grateful to God that she is now back to her usual self and that our two children are progressing well in school.

This past semester we continued a Bible study group (pictured above soon after first Life Discipleship Center slab was poured, as seen in background) with guys from the Chinhoyi University of Technology. It has been encouraging to see their commitment to the meetings and our prayer is they would see wonderful truths reading God’s Word (Psalm 119:18). In June they will start writing their exams and we pray that they will be protected from illness and any form of distractions so they can glorify God in their efforts.

We continue to grow together as a LTLA ministry team (pictured above by the Ron Shimkus memorial plaque). Pray that we will continue to love one another and add value to each other.

As we lead the team, we pray that the Bible continues to be our manual and may we be surrounded by “Jethros” (Exodus 18:14) who will redirect our eyes to what we could be missing out.


In Him Always,

Arthur and Mildred Nhau

Life Discipleship Center Progress in Pictures 

Pouring the concrete slab.

Starting walls and positioning doors.

Positioning windows.

Life Discipleship Center taking shape.

Orphans Going to College

April 29, 2016 


In this update, I would like to introduce you to four orphans cared for by Life to Life Africa who now are attending college. Also, I am including a prayer update for the ISU Navigators team who will travel to Zimbabwe on May 15 for a short-term mission trip.


Simba

"I can't thank you enough for making it possible for me to attend college," said Simba to me as we were saying goodbye in his dorm room at the Harare Polytechnic on my last trip to Zimbabwe, Life to Life Africa is assisting him with his college expenses as he pursues a bachelor of technology in automotive engineering.

As an orphan, Simba came to faith in Christ in his high school years through the LTLA ministry, which also provided food and medical care for him. He served on the LTLA ministry team after high school for three years. Now he is seeking to influence his classmates for Christ by initiating a Sunday afternoon Bible study with them. Jonathan Govero, Navigator staff in Harare, helps him lead this study. He also is reading the Bible with Arthur, Tatenda, Isaac, Kim, Tawanda & Nathan. Would you pray for Simba as he shares the love of Christ with his friends at the Harare Polytechnic?

Mike with Simba (far right) and a friend in his dorm room.

Simba in action in a lab class.

Simba (2nd from right in the back row) with classmates.

Marvelous

Marvelous was the first orphan which benefited from the LTLA ministry that went to college. She was discipled by Anna, LTLA staff member, in her high school years. Together they recited the 60 verses of the Navigators Topical Memory System during her 4th year of high school. (High school starts in the 8th year of school and there are 4 years of Ordinary Level followed by 2 years of A Level- college prep.)

She received an academic scholarship to attend Bindura University of Science Education. In Zimbabwe university students are required to complete a one year internship in their field of study. LTLA has been blessed to have Marvelous back in Chinhoyi since last fall while she completes an internship as a science teacher's aid at her old high school. She has been involved in the LTLA Chosen Generation ministry, which disciples young adult orphans. As she is able, she is also assisting the LTLA team with the primary & high school ministry. Would you pray for Marvelous as the Lord ministers through her to high school students and her peers in Chinhoyi?

Marvelous at Nemakonde High School.

Lazarus & Prestige 

Lazarus and Prestige launched to Midlands State University in Gweru last August. They have been involved in the LTLA ministry for a number of years, attending the high school Bible study led by Prestige's older sister, Anna. They both received scholarships to attend university. Lazarus is pursuing a bachelor of science in surveying and geomatics and Prestige is pursuing a bachelor of arts in development studies.

Last fall they quickly found Christian fellowship through the Navigators ministry on campus, and began recruiting their friends to Bible study. During the two month Christmas break they joined the LTLA ministry team in their efforts among high school students. It is encouraging to see their desire to share Christ. Prestige was selected to be a leader among her scholarship peers this semester, but unfortunately had to move to a satellite campus for her degree program. There is no known campus ministry there, so she is missing the fellowship. Would you pray for her to be the catalyst for a ministry at her campus? Would you pray for God to use Lazarus in the Navigators ministry at his campus?

Lazarus in a surveying lab class.

Prestige

ISU Navigators Team Update 

Would you pray for the six ISU Navigators students as they prepare to depart on May 15 for a five week trip to minister in Zimbabwe? Half of their time will be in Harare with the Navigator ministry there and the other half will be in Chinhoyi with the LTLA ministry. I will be joining them for their time in Chinhoyi. Please pray as they finish their fundraising efforts and as they prepare their hearts to serve and learn. Pray for Jonathan Govero, Zimbabwean Navigator staff, as he leads them in Harare as well as for Arthur, LTLA Chinhoyi Director, and he and I lead them in Chinhoyi.


Grateful for your prayers and support,
Mike

Tyler (2nd student), Forrest, and Audrey during a workday fundraiser at our house. Matt, Ben, and Alex also worked, but I lost the photos of them.

Be Joyful Always

March 10, 2016

"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) These were the final verses of a Bible study that Arthur asked me to lead for the LTLA team on my recent visit. They have been looking at what God has to say about operating as a team when they open the scriptures this year. As I looked into the faces of these dear friends, what a challenge to consider that these commands--be joyful, give thanks--are, indeed, God's will for us in Christ Jesus. They have suffered so much, and continue to suffer the effects of an economic collapse, the AIDS epidemic, and now one of the worst droughts in 30 years. 

We also reflected on bitterness, the natural sinful response to these circumstances, and how God calls us to forgive. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Wow, how is it possible to live this way? Praise be to God who through Christ and His Spirit makes it possible! What a blessing this is for us and for so many who suffer greatly like our dear friends in Zimbabwe. May we all pray continually for one another to be joyful always, give thanks in all circumstances, and to forgive just as God has forgiven us.

LTLA Team by the Ron Shimkus memorial at the Community Center 

Thankful for God's Protection 

 Arthur's wife, Mildred, underwent successful surgery on February 5 to remove gall stones. She has recovered well, for which we are all grateful, especially Arthur and their children Donnell & Daisy. On February 19, Rufaro, the youngest son of Tsungai who directs our Critical Care Center, ran out in front of a car on his way to school. We thank the Lord that his injuries did not include any fractures or neurological trauma. The driver picked him up and took him to the hospital. He was visiting Rufaro at the hospital when the picture below was taken. It was good to encourage him in the Lord as this accident really troubled him with how suddenly life on this earth can end.

Tsungai and Rufaro at the hospital

We are so grateful for all of you who make this ministry possible through your prayers and financial gifts! Below you will find photos and videos (click the link to view them) that I took during this most recent trip. Thank you for holding me up in prayer!

Joyfully & Thankfully,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

February 2016 Trip in Photos & Videos

Jane in the cornplot she shares with Diana. Their mulching has really helped during this drought. The Chinhoyi area has received a little bit of rain, which will help yield a small harvest for those who mulched.

Wilson Malfuku's corn plot suffering the effects of drought with no mulch.

Sorghum (smaller plants in front) and corn at the LTLA Community Center suffering from a disease. We water this plot, so we need to discern why it has failed. Termites may be to blame.

LTLA families gathered for food distribution under the Life Discipleship roof. We are so glad to offer shade, and excited at how this building will be used in the years ahead!



Video--Under the Life Discipleship Center roof during a rain storm:

Orphans doing a drawing exercise at the Critical Care Center.

Shelton next to the prototype rocket stove he constructed to be used for Critical Care Center cooking.

Close-up of the rocket stove.

After Youth Bible Study: Above, boys with checked-out books from LTLA library, and with clothes received. Below, a girl wearing a Gilbert Middle School she received from our 2013 container project.

Video--Primary school youth singing a song during LTLA Youth Bible Study:

"I Can't Wait"

February 8, 2016

"All I have been thinking about is returning to Zimbabwe. I can't wait." That is what Tyler said to me when we first met at the start of this semester. He and five other Iowa State University students involved in The Navigators ministry will travel to Zimbabwe in May for a month-long mission trip. Tyler spent 11 weeks there last summer and jumped on the opportunity to return when he heard about this joint Navs/LTLA mission trip.

Like Tyler and this team, I am pumped to lead them in this adventure of serving and learning. They will spend two weeks in Harare with Jonathan Govero where they will help him minister to Univ of Zimbabwe students. Jonathan is very encouraged to have them co-labor with his team. After they have experienced life in the capital city, I will venture with them to Chinhoyi, where they will partner in the work of Life to Life Africa among the four generations we are serving.

I just spent the weekend with this team at a missions orientation training to prepare them for the experience. We are in for a great time, as they are spiritually mature and love to have fun. Pray for us as we raise the needed funds, bond as a team, and open our hearts to this service learning opportunity. May God be glorified and his kingdom advanced.

Mike at Missions Orientation with Ben, Audrey, Tyler, Matt, Alex, & Forrest (L-R)

Would you also pray for me over the next three weeks as I labor with the team in Chinhoyi? I travel Feb. 7-26. My focus will be exposing Arthur to prayer counseling as he and the team lead deeply hurting people to our Wonderful Counselor. I will also be making mission trip preparations for both the ISU Navs team and the return of a Hopevale Church team in July. I am so excited and encouraged for their return! What a privilege to be part of what God will do in and through us.

Humbled by His grace,
Mike

Happy New Year and Maita Basa!

January 13, 2016 

As we begin 2016, our hearts are full of gratitude to the Lord for the generous support through you that continues to sustain the work of Life to Life Africa. Maita Bassa! Thank You! We are starting the year on good financial footing to share God's love with very vulnerable children, young people, women, men and elderly in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. The outcome we pray is that even more will enter into an abiding relationship with Christ Jesus so they can experience everlasting hope, here on earth and for eternity.


Prayer 

On Monday this week, the LTLA team in Chinhoyi began the ministry year with a day of prayer committing themselves and the ministry to our Sovereign Creator as they meditated on Psalm 139. They prayed for rain as southern Africa is facing continued drought. While praying God answered as can be seen in this photo with the water ponding in front of the triplex at the LTLA Community Center. (Proper drainage for that area is an item on our project list.)

"We are still praying for rain. It is the only thing that will save us." That is the quote from the deputy agriculture minister in a Zimbabwe newspaper today that was reporting the death of thousands of cows due to the drought. Please continue praying for God's mercy in bringing rain as Zimbabweans call to Him for help. May they truly turn to Christ in faith and find the well spring of living water. (John 4:14)

Please also continue praying for Arthur and for the team member that he is counseling. This team member continues to struggle with life issues. Praying and meditating on Psalm 139 led this team member to pour out his heart to Arthur. May he experience deep soul healing from the Wonderful Counselor.

Ponding Water from Monday's Rain at the LTLA Community Center

Simba 

This week Simba's dream of going to college was realized! He has been admitted and is pursuing an automotive engineering degree from Harare Polytechnic, a technical college in the capital of Zimbabwe. We rejoice with Him and are thankful that the Lord has enabled us to influence and help Simba achieve this milestone. He has faithfully served on the LTLA team since 2012, so the Lord has equipped him through this experience to labor for Him at Harare Polytechnic and beyond.

Arthur told me, "He lost his mother when he was still young and his father abandoned him which led to his aunt (mother’s sister) to take him in. Because the aunt is unemployed, she came to LTLA looking for assistance as she was struggling to look after Simba. They joined our food distribution and medical aid program when he was starting secondary school. At that time we shared the gospel with him and he showed interest in knowing Jesus. Later on he gave his life to Christ and joined our high school discipleship group. He stood out as a young man who delighted in the scriptures."

He did well in most subjects and only lacked a stronger score in English to continue to college. His aunt did not have the finances to help him improve his English through tutoring and did not have the finances to send him to college. At that time he joined the LTLA "Chosen Generation" discipleship group for post-high school young people trying to find their way. "We could see his heart for Jesus and people," said Arthur, "so we invited him to join us in our evangelistic thrust in the neighborhood. Eventually we invited him to do ministry at the Chinhoyi University of Technology with us and God gave him relationships with college students even though he was not a student. We are convinced that he will continue to labor for the Lord as he goes to Harare Polytechnic."

Simba by the Dormitories at Chinhoyi University of Technology

LTLA assisted him with English tutoring and is now assisting him to realize his dream of a college degree. Thank you for playing a part in Simba's development through your gifts to Life to Life Africa!

Joyfully in His Service,

Mike Sulc