Why We Are Doing What We Are Doing

November 24, 2016


Thanksgiving Greetings!

May the Lord bless your day as you gather with family and friends to celebrate His bountiful goodness to us. I am truly grateful for your prayerful support of Life to Life Africa. It certainly upholds our ministry and the Lord's presence was with us on my recent trip. Thank you! (See Photos, Praises & Prayer Requests below)

"Why are we doing what we are doing?" That is what I asked our LTLA team while with them. "What is the vision and mission of LTLA?" That was my follow up question. To help us answer these questions, God led us to consider: who is He and what is He doing? What is His vision? What is His mission?

From 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, we see the great king of Israel, David, acknowledging God as the all great, powerful, glorious, victorious, and majestic king of this universe who is worthy of all our praise and worship. In Daniel 7:13-14,18, God reveals his plan to grant "one like a son of man" dominion over an everlasting kingdom that will be shared with the "saints of the Most High." Jesus came fulfilling this vision and declaring, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God...for I was sent for this purpose," (Luke 4:43) and "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) He then "sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:2)

Why are we doing what we are doing in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe? Because God is the King and has established His Son, Jesus, as the Savior King of His kingdom. King Jesus has called us to proclaim the kingdom of God. May the Lord find us as faithful servants in His kingdom.

For His Kingdom and Glory,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Mike meeting with the LTLA team under the shade of the Life Discipleship Center roof during 100 degree temperatures.

Mike had the opportunity to share about God and His kingdom with the Men of Hope group (not pictured), the Chosen Generation (young adult group, above), and with 30 university students and the end of semester banquet, below.

Praises & Prayer Requests: 

• God energized the LTLA team with this reminder: Jesus is the King of a good kingdom which He is pleased to give us and that He calls us to proclaim. 
• The LTLA team asked God for good relationships with 20 students which has happened. 30 students attended the end of semester banquet - a taste of God's kingdom. 
• The LTLA families have planted their corn and thanks be to God that rains have started. Do ask the Lord that if it pleases Him, the drought would end this year. 
• God blessed our Life to Life Zimbabwe Trust board meeting where we agreed to empower the LTLA staff to gain ownership in setting objectives and evaluating ministry areas as well as begin thinking of new initiatives. 
• Pray that in 2017 the Lord will help us assess well where we are as a ministry in order to establish long range planning for the future. 
• Pray that the Lord will guide us in how to respond to the needs of people in the current economic crises in Zimbabwe. 
• Pray for a peaceful transition to better governance in Zimbabwe. Click here for a video that describes the current situation.

Short-Term Missions Impact

October 25, 2016


On October 1-2, I had the privilege to visit with the Hopevale Church mission teams that traveled to Zimbabwe the last two summers. Pastor Dan Davis preached on serving Christ with our lives that Sunday morning and incorporated a powerful video that highlighted the impact of the Hopevale mission trips to LTLA in Chinhoyi. What a blessing it was to be with these dear co-laborers in Christ!
Here is the link to the video, which I thought you would enjoy viewing: Video on Mission Trips


Grateful to be an eye witness of the Lord's work in the lives of people!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Planting Time in Zimbabwe

October 24, 2016


In the US farmers are harvesting their crops this month, while in Zimbabwe they are preparing their fields for planting. On October 12 we trained 18 new families in how to effectively plant plots of corn. They join the 66 other needy families that we continue serving in Chinhoyi.

We were able to add these new families after helping 28 families, who had been dependent on LTLA for assistance, get established in caring for themselves physically and spiritually. It is encouraging to be able to help the 18 new families, though we know that because of the worsening economic conditions in Zimbabwe things are still challenging for those we no longer assist. Please continue praying for the government to make changes in their policies that will enable the Zimbabwe economy to dig out of the deep hole it is in.

Pray also that these new families will discover the joy of the Lord as they follow His ways in planting their plots of corn. Pray for Diana, Itai, Cate and Mr. Chigwida, the LTLA Amdassadors team, as they encourage them in their efforts and as they minister to them spiritually. The photos below show the heart of this team and their training efforts with the new families.

Diana, LTLA Ambassador, just harvested onions from her garden, and is training her granddaughter (below) to be a gardener.

New families gathered for Foundations for Farming training at the LTLA Community Center (the new Life Discipleship Center in the background), where they learned to plant on time, with quality (row & plant spacing), and with joy.

Student Conference 

18 Students from Chinhoyi and 4 LTLA staff attended The Navigators Student Conference on Oct 7-9. Shelton, LTLA staff, reported that it was one the best conferences yet. He has attended them each year since 2011, when he was a first-year student at Chinhoyi University of Technology. Jonathan Govero, who organizes these conferences, in keeping with the planting season asked for prayer that the spiritual seeds planted will take root in the hearts of this next generation of leaders.

 

Prayer for Trip, Oct 23 - Nov 6 

I am on my way to Zimbabwe, where I will meet with Jonathan Govero and Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, along with the Life to Life Zimbabwe Trust board of directors. Please pray as Arthur and I evaluate the ministry and make initial plans this week to present to the board on Saturday, Oct 28. Pray that the Lord will guide us in what He wants to accomplish through LTLA next year and in the years to come.

Your God-directed support makes this all possible!

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Back to School in Zim - LTLA Update

Fall Greetings LTLA Friends,  

Just as it is here in the U.S., September is also a busy campus ministry month in Zimbabwe with the start of new college semesters. Jonathan Govero, ministering to college students in Zimbabwe, sent the following photos of their outreach at Bindura University of Science Education, which is 55 miles from the capitol city, Harare. Marvelous, an orphan from Chinhoyi who is a student there, is active in these ministry efforts. She came to Christ and was discipled through LTLA. It is encouraging to see her ministry involvement! Please pray that the Lord enables her to multiply spiritually among her peers. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Marvelous sharing the Gospel with the Vice President of
Students Representative Council at Bindura University.

Jonathan sharing the Gospel at their ministry club table.

Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, said they are very encouraged by reconnecting with all the returning Chinhoyi University of Technology students with whom they have relationships. The LTLA ministry team has been active in "two by two" evangelism efforts on campus. (Luke 10:1, NIV) Please pray that the seed planted will fall on good soil, and also for the 20 students & post-high school orphans who have been invited to attend the Zimbabwe collegiate conference organized by Jonathan Govero for Oct 14-16.

Please see below for a ministry update from Arthur:



Update from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director -  Chinhoyi 

Greetings, hope this update finds you well. We are now in the last term and college semester of the year and we are so grateful to what God is doing in and through us. 


Remember Simba? He is now in Harare at the Polytechnic Institute but was in Chinhoyi during their August break. I was so encouraged to hear him share his experiences in Harare and how he is enjoying recruiting others for Bible study and spending time with Jonathan Govero. Pray that Simba continues to delight in scriptures and make Jesus known.

Simba

Zviko is a second year student, who gave his life to Christ last year. I’m grateful to God that He enabled Zviko to accept Jesus (John 6:65). At the end of last semester he asked if he “could linger a little longer” during the semester break. So, instead of going home he remained in Chinhoyi to be active in our local community ministry. (John 20:10—16) Our prayer is that he may continue to have encounters with our Lord Jesus.

Zviko & Arthur

Shelton continues to be a faithful armor bearer as my right hand man in ministry. Pray he continues encouraging me and as I invest in his development as a laborer in the Lord's harvest fields. 

Shelton (right) reading the Bible with Simba (left) and Norman.

The High School ministry led by Anna and the Chosen Generation (post HS ministry) led by Ottilia truly paints a picture of “Timothy's and Lydia's” in the making. We pray that these young people will entrust all they are learning to reliable people who will be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim 2:2)

High School & Chosen Generation gathering at the Life Discipleship Center.

As a team our prayer is that may we continue to use our different gifts to His glory and that we remain united (Eccl 4:12) as the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

LTLA Team

As a family remember us in prayer that we will continue to serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) Also please continue to pray for our country in the midst of our political and economic turmoil, that we lift up our eyes to the hills for that’s where our help comes from (Psalm 121).   

We choose to worship rather than to whine,   

Arthur and Mildred  




Thank you for your faithful support of this work in Zimbabwe!

Mike Sulc

Now With Jesus

Last year 9 elderly men gave their lives to Christ through our Men of Hope ministry. In the last couple of months two of these men entered into the Lord's presence for eternity. Misters Philiko and Marume, pictured below, are rejoicing in heaven with Ron Shimkus and his sister Beverly, who entered glory in late June. They are cheering us on as we continue sharing the great news of Christ in a desperate world.

Misters Philiko (front row, center) and Marume (front row, right),
pictured last year with Harold (left) and Rod (right) from Hopevale Church

Prayer Requests:

• Would you pray that more men, women & children recognize that "today is the day of salvation" and place their faith in Christ through the ministry of LTLA in Chinhoyi? 
• Would you pray for those we are discipling to experience the enabling power of Christ so they walk in His ways? 
• Would you pray for the semester launch activities among the Chinhoyi University of Technology students by the LTLA ministry team? 
• Would you pray for a peaceful change to a better political and economic situation in Zimbabwe? The people as well as opposition political parties are voicing their displeasure at the current conditions, which is creating instability. 

Trusting Jesus in this troubled world,
Mike Sulc

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!