Pray For Zimbabwe

November 17, 2017 


Dear LTLA Friends, The Zimbabwean Army has taken control of the country. They have placed President Robert Mugabe and his family under house arrest. This was done in response to him firing his long time Vice President, Emmerson Manangagwa, whom the military viewed as the remaining option to succeed him since he is a veteran of their war for Independence. The South African government has sent representatives to negotiate this situation. Everyone is eagerly praying for a peaceful resolution and the establishment of a new government. 

Arthur reports that all is quiet in Chinhoyi. He requests we pray for the Lord to establish a new leader for their country who "does justice, loves mercy and walks humbly with the Lord." (Micah 6:8) Please pray for a peaceful transition to this end. 

Trusting our Sovereign Lord, 

Mike Sulc 

Find, Love, Care, Lead, Disciple, Train

November 15, 2017


Find, Love, Care, Lead, Disciple, Train. These words summarize the newly formulated mission statement for Life to Life Africa in Chinhoyi. Here is the mission statement and supporting scripture as developed by the LTLA team:

"In full dependence on God and His Holy Spirit, the mission of Life to Life Africa in Chinhoyi is to find people who need physical and spiritual help, love and care for them, lead them to Jesus Christ, disciple them to become mature followers of Jesus Christ filled with the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, and train them to live healthy and productive lives; becoming effective leaders who find, love, care for, lead, disciple, and train others." 

Isaiah 61:1-9, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 10:45, John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 1:28-29, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, 2 Timothy 2:1-2 

This mission statement accurately communicates what the LTLA team has been faithfully doing all these years. Now they have it in writing to remind them of what God has called them to and invite others to join them. It was very encouraging to see the team be led of the Lord as they engaged in the process of ​developing this statement along with formulating vision and values statements. ​The team also established short term goals to help LTLA in Chinhoyi pursue its mission and vision.

Mark Chidister, a dear friend and brother in the Lord, facilitated the strategic planning sessions with the LTLA team and board of trustees. He was well equipped from his past leadership experience at Iowa State University and Christ Community Church in Ames. We are grateful for his thoughtful, gentle and Spirit​-led shepherding of this process, which empowered the team to hear God's calling for LTLA in Chinhoyi.

Mark Chidister facilitating small group strategic planning discussions with LTLA team. 

Mark also shared with the team from his personal walk with the Lord. He introduced the team to some tools that have really helped him experience the loving affirmation of God in his life. It was a rich time as the team shared how these tools really helped them begin to allow God to minister to emotional pain in their lives. We look forward to what God's Spirit will do in the years ahead as we call upon Him to bring healing in the souls of those we serve in Chinhoyi. The video clip below is from the closing moments of Mark's final session on God's affirming love.

 Mark Chidister Sharing with LTLA team. 

If that was not enough, we also tapped into Mark's skill in furniture design, which was his area of expertise​ in the College of Design at Iowa State University. He worked with Jonas, a local carpenter, and Takunda, a young man being discipled by the ministry. They were able to design and build 10 benches, 2 bookcases and 2 cabinets for our Life Discipleship Center. One of the highlights of the trip for Mark was our time each morning reading 1 Thessalonians with Simba, Zviko and Shelton who live at the LTLA Community Center where we were staying.

Mark & Jonas, the carpenter, pick out lumber for benches.

Jonas & Takunda making the benches.

The benches in use for an LTLA team meeting.

Jonas, Mark & Takunda.

Mark, Shelton, Simba, Zviko, & Mike. We met each morning at 7am to read, share observations and pray over 1 Thessalonians. 

As you can see it was a very fruitful trip. God richly blessed our time in response to your prayers. Thank you for praying!

Maita Bassa, (Thank You)
Mike Sulc

Submitting to Painful Ways of God

October 26, 2017


Eugenia and Munashe, students from Chinhoyi University of Technology who attended the recent student conference, both referred to the painful ways of God in their reflections of the conference. It is interesting that they mention that as it is a theme in this update from Chinhoyi. The saying, "no pain, no gain," can be applied in the way that God works in us.

Here are their reflections in context:

"Well, the conference brought me back in the flock. I was a lost sheep but I was empowered to do things in God's way and now I have submitted myself to the painful ways of God. I have learned that the antidote of sin is Jesus Christ. This truth has transformed me and I am sharing the Gospel of Christ with anyone I can reach." Eugenia

"I learned that if I am to impact the next generation I should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and I must be willing to do things God's way and not my way even when the process is painful." Munashe

Here is how the conference impacted some other students:

"I realized I have lost a great deal of time and opportunities in the area of evangelism. If I had started earlier a lot of people around me would have received Christ." Chipo

"The conference helped me how to trust in God through challenges. I now know that no problem is greater than God and this gives me assured reliance and confidence to trust in Jesus." Arthur

"I was taught to perceive God in a new way which I had not seen before. It is what I needed, to have a better relationship with God." Michael


Thank you for praying! As you can see the conference impacted lives and will continue as these students share what they have learned with others.

Chinhoyi University of Technology students at training conference.

Next month crops will be planted in Zimbabwe. In preparation, LTLA provided a corn plot training to the families we serve. Everyone was reminded of proper principles of having their plots ready on time, following the proper standards and working hard with joy, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. Just as the students learned at the conference that following God's ways requires work, the families know the work that is required to produce a harvest. Please pray the families we serve will experience the joy of the Lord being their sustaining strength to get their corn planted. It has been very hot lately, so perseverance and trust in God is needed by the people for energy and the needed rain to water their crop.

Foundations for Farming corn plot training.

Last month I asked for prayer for Louisa Joubert, and she certainly needs continued prayer support in her battle with cancer. The doctor is giving her 6 months to live. She is placing her days in God's hands as she deals with the physical and emotional pain of this news. Would you pray that she and her family also experience the joy of the Lord being their strength during these days?

Nehemiah 8:10b "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out with songs of thanksgiving."


Looking to Him who helps and fills us with joy,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

No Cash

September 29, 2017


Political tensions in Zimbabwe are rising in advance of next year's presidential election. There is infighting within the ruling party regarding who will succeed President Robert Mugabe after he dies. He is running again for president at the age of 93.

There is also greater instability in the economy in recent days as people stand in line all day at the banks to only be allowed a $20 withdrawal. The prices for basic foods have been increasing giving rise to fears of 2008 when inflation reached 79.6 billion%. Zimbabweans are wondering if they will see the days of empty shelves at the stores once again?

Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, asks for prayer for the LTLA team as they minister to people in the midst of what he calls an "opportunity" to trust God.


Below, Arthur provides an update and further prayer requests:


The months of May-July were a special blessing for us as we hosted different visitors from the United States. We were left very much encouraged. (Proverbs 27:17) We finally had the opportunity to meet Aunt Mary Ann Shimkus! Listening to her share with us reminded us so much of Uncle Ron's rich teachings. We were really encouraged by her love for the Lord, the Word (especially scripture memory) and love for people. She reminded us of Paul's love of the Word. (2 Timothy 4:13)

Mary Ann Shimkus with Arthur & Mildred Nhau at the Ron Shimkus memorial plaque.

Chinhoyi University of Technology has been open for a month. We are excited to minister to students. Vedra, a first year student, has prayed to receive Christ! Would you pray as we help him get established in his relationship with Jesus? Please pray we have opportunity to lead other students to eternal life in Christ. 

Pray also that the following students we are discipling be deeply rooted in Christ: 

Girls - Munashe, Mercy, Theo, Clementine, Sharon, Tanyaradzwa, Laizah, Lesley 
Boys - Takudzwa, Diego, Collins, John, Ambrose, Kingston, Dray, Vedra

LTLA College Bible Study Group.

Grade 7 and Form 4 students [equivalent to 11th grade] will take examinations in October which determine their future educational opportunities. For Grade 7 students good test scores will allow them to attend a better secondary school [high school]. For Form 4 students good test scores enable them to proceed for two additional years of college preparation. Pray for the following students we disciple as they prepare for these examinations: 

• Grade 7 - Rufaro (boy), Tawonga (boy), Mitchell (girl) 
• Form 4 - Natalie (girl), Ruvimbo (girl), Messiah (boy), Brandon (boy) 

As a family, we are all well and continue to be encouraged in the Lord, pray with us that we continue to be reliable as God entrusts us with people. (2 Timothy 2:2). 

Blessings, Arthur 



Your prayer support for these requests from Arthur are cherished.


Trusting Jesus in a troubled world,

Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

The Cross

August 31, 2017



The Cross


Why is the cross the worldwide image for Christianity? It was the brutal instrument of execution and torture employed to kill Jesus. So why do Christians view it so positively? Well, God's Word tells us the following things about the cross:

• It was God's "deliberate plan and foreknowledge" to have Jesus nailed to a cross. (Acts 2:23)
• It demonstrates the power of God who is able to give life to that which is dead. (I Corinthians 1:17-18) 
• It tells us that Jesus took the curse of our sin. (Galatians 3:13) 
• It communicates that by the cross Jesus can free us from this world of sin and can free us from the desire to sin. (Galatians 6:14) 
• It was God's instrument to reconcile all ethnicities to Himself and one another. (Ephesians 2:14-16) 
• It demonstrates the humility of Jesus. (Philippians 2:8) 
• It was God's way of reconciling to Himself "all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20) 
• It signifies that God has canceled the debt of our sin. (Colossians 2:14) 
• It fixes "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) 
• It reminds us that, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

Life Discipleship Center (LDC) with the cross.

Hopevale Church Mission Team


Rod, from Hopevale Church, has traveled to Zimbabwe 5 times. He loves the people and they love him. Last year he encouraged Bob, also from Hopevale, to create a cross from scrap lumber at our Life Discipleship Center (LDC) building site. In raw lumber it looked like the cross in the Hopevale worship center. In July while the Hopevale team was in Chinhoyi, the cross was placed on the wall of the LDC so it is visible to all who walk by. Thank you Rod & Bob, for helping us communicate the purpose of Life to Life Africa!

On their mission trip to Chinhoyi in July, the Hopevale team engaged in discipleship meetings with young and old and with the pre-school children at the LTLA Critical Care Center. They also tackled numerous building project tasks , including painting nearly every wall, inside and out, of the LDC. Below are some photos of their time serving with LTLA:

LTLA & Hopevale teams under the cross at the LDC.

Hopevale Team at the combined Men & Women of Hope meeting.

Shelton & Naomi painting the kitchen walls in the LDC.

Linda painting.

Monica painting.

Roger (up on the scaffolding) installing wire mesh over the roofing ventilation gap while Rod (below) lays tile on the floor.

Kait & Naomi preparing supper for the Hopevale team.

Mary Ann Shimkus with the Hopevale team. 

Mary Ann Shimkus

What a blessing it was to have Mary Ann Shimkus join me on this trip! It was special for her to meet Arthur & Mildred Nhau for the first time and to serve along side the Hopevale team. Hopevale Church has been part of the Shimkus support team for many years. Mary Ann gave three teaching sessions on the topics of faith, love for the scriptures, and ministering for a lifetime. It was a rich time together. Here are some photos of Mary Ann's time in Chinhoyi:

Mike, Mary Ann, and Hopevale team riding to Chinhoyi in a kombi.

Mary Ann with Arthur & Mildred Nhau at the Ron Shimkus memorial stone.

Mary Ann sharing on faith with the LTLA & Hopevale teams.

Mary Ann participated in a Life to Life Zimbabwe Trust board meeting. 

Prayer Needs


Please pray for peace as Zimbabwe enters the political campaign season in advance of next year's presidential election. Our prayer is for leadership that "acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with God." (Micah 6:8) Please also pray for Zimbabwean friends, Johan & Louisa, as they face a battle with cancer in Louisa's body. Our prayer is for healing, and that through this experience they would know the truth of Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 


Gratefully in Him,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Impact of Internships

July 24, 2017

Work experience. That is what most employers look at to determine if a person is a good employee candidate. For young people with limited experience, that is the challenge when looking for a first job. Internships are a very good opportunity to gain that needed work experience for young people. Many college degree programs now require internships for that reason, and to help students practically grasp what they are learning. All universities in Zimbabwe require a 1 year internship. 

This summer, four American students are involved in internships in Zimbabwe! They are following in the footsteps of Tyler, Matt and Forrest who experienced internships in Zimbabwe the last two summers. Emily, Abby and Monica were part of the ISU Navigators team this year and have remained after the mission trip for 4-5 additional weeks. Kait, a member of Hopevale Church, who has been part of their first 2 mission teams, decided to spend her whole summer break in Chinhoyi! 

Emily Jonas, who is studying Environmental Science and Agronomy at ISU, is learning all different aspects of conservation agriculture in her internship at Foundations for Farming. She has planted new tree seeds for the agroforestry nursery which Tyler Marshall helped start during his internship in 2015. To support new bee hives she planted a hedge of basil. Not only has she learned about the science behind conservation agriculture but also about the Creator who designed it all and desires to use it redemptively. She says, "One of the coolest things I have experienced and learned is how agriculture can be used as a means of racial reconciliation." Foundations for Farming is actively engaged in bringing people together in Zimbabwe for the purposes of learning God-honoring land stewardship and of redeeming relationships in a racially divided land. Another lesson Emily shared is, “Being faithful with little. Start small and be faithful with what God has given you and he will multiply what you have!”

Emily standing by Tyler's Alley Cropping Demonstration, the agro-forestry plot that Tyler Marshall (ISU intern) helped start in 2015 at Foundations for Farming.

Emily next to the tree seedlings she helped plant.

Abby Rubsam & Monica Thornton are studying Dietitics at ISU, as is Kait Rethman at Central Michigan University. In Chinhoyi they have introduced LTLA to the world of nutrition and healthy living. Kait has been conducting an observational nutrition study of elementary school children in Chinhoyi along with spearheading healthy living instruction within our ministry. Abby & Monica have come alongside her in teaching lessons from scripture on caring for your body, a lifestyle to support your immune system, gardening practices, cooking, natural medicines and drying food. They have also conducted nutrition screenings with our pre-school children and with the adults who visit our monthly clinic. From those screenings they were able to do some one-on-one nutrition counseling.

Abby, Kait, Monica with Edna whom they recruited to jog with them to promote exercise for health.

Vegetable garden that was started at the LTLA Community Center.

Abby taking measurements for the pre-school age nutrition screenings. 

An exciting development was having Prestige, an orphan discipled by LTLA, join them. She is pursuing a Development Studies degree and needed an internship opportunity for the next year. So, we have taken her on as an intern with the LTLA team in Chinhoyi and she will be able to continue all the work that these young ladies launched over the past month!

Abby & Prestige working on nutrition screenings at the LTLA clinic.

Monica, Kait, Prestige & Abby leading stretching excercises as part of their lesson on "Lifestyles to Support your Immune System." 

In reflecting on their experiences, here is what each one shared:

"I am learning that God's will always prevails. I had an idea of what we would do with the intention of being flexible to change plans if necessary. When things didn't work out as planned, I had to make new plans. In the end, it has been God leading, not me." (Kait)

"It is just as important to learn as it is to teach. I'm learning just as much as I am teaching, if not more! Especially in a new culture, we have to understand what life is like for the people here to be effective. I've learned to be humble because I don't have all the answers. At the same time, I've really enjoyed being able to practically use the skills and knowledge that I have to help people, even if only in small ways. Being here has opened my eyes to the greater Kingdom of God on earth and has made me excited for the eternal Kingdom where people from around the world will gather to worship our God!" (Abby)

"I have learned to be adaptable to culture and how others perceive things. I came with ideas and thoughts of what we could do but found out we couldn't do them. So, we needed to adjust our plan and brainstorm alternatives. I have also learned that you need to learn their culture before you can effectively teach. God is teaching me the power of prayer and His word. The believers in Zimbabwe have encouraged me more than ever through their thirst for God's word and time with Him. It is common here to pray for hours straight and sing worship throughout the day and night. I have also seen that everyone is broken and needs Jesus. God has shown me his compassionate love for the people in this world." (Monica)



It is so encouraging to see the impact of crossing cultures to learn and to serve! 

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

Ministering as a Family

July 3, 2017


Greetings LTLA Friends,

Thank you for the prayer support over the past month! We certainly felt God's hand with us. It was my longest trip yet to Zimbabwe as I ministered with the ISU Navigators team for three weeks and then had the privilege to minister with my family for two weeks. (You can witness some of our experiences in pictures and videos below.)

God richly blessed our efforts as we witnessed students praying to receive Christ, believers encouraged in their relationships with Christ, and young people challenged to labor for Christ. Pre-school children were loved, while young adults were trained in carpentry as well as in how to compost and grow vegetables. Corn was harvested the old fashioned way -- by hand. We are glad to report that the families we serve harvested enough to last them for four months. Thank you for praying for rain this past season. God certainly provided much needed rain.

My daughters, Johanna & Micaela, heard testimonies of God's faithfulness in the midst of challenging circumstances from our LTLA team. They also taught the pre-school children some new songs as well as teaching the OT & NT books of the Bible songs for the high school group. My wife, Julie, joined them in painting one of the new rooms in the Life Discipleship Center. She led the Women of Hope group in looking at El Roi, the God who sees, in the story of Hagar. With our LTLA team, Julie shared what she has been learning related to racial reconciliation, which was followed by a special time of prayer for healing. We believe this time together was a result of your prayers related to Isaiah 58:6-12.

Our trip ended with our family spending several days in Victoria Falls with Arthur & Mildred Nhau and their children, Donnell & Daisy. They lead the LTLA ministry in Chinhoyi. It was a great experience to get time away to deepen our relationships with one another as we witnessed the beauty of God's creation. As David Livingstone said when he witnessed Mosi-oa-tunya ("the smoke that thunders"), as Victoria Falls was called, "Scenes so lovely must be gazed upon by angels in their flight." We certainly marveled at the sight of not only the spectacular water falls but also the amazing diversity of the animals we saw in the wild. God, the creator and restorer of it all, is awesome!

As always, we are grateful for your partnership in God's kingdom work through Life to Life Africa!


Maita Bassa, (Thank you)
Mike Sulc for the Life to Life Africa family

The ISU Nav team (with Kait, far right, from Hopevale Church) experienced first hand how we use the LTLA truck for transportation.

Ezra (standing in the Men of Hope meeting) eagerly shared with everyone about his relationship with Christ leading Steven, a Chinhoyi University of Technology student, to Christ.

Monica (sitting in the LTLA high school Bible study) and the other ISU Nav team members engaged in all the LTLA activities among 3 generations in Chinhoyi.

Rebecca (l) and Abbey (r) taught how they share the one-verse bridge (Romans 3:23) with the LTLA team.

Parker & Emily (who led the ISU Nav team) taught several sessions on discipleship including this one with the LTLA & ISU Nav teams.

Cameron (standing next to Jonas, a carpenter, and Kudzi) spent time sharing carpentry skills and spiritual life lessons with Kudzi, an LTLA young adult orphan, as they built the Life Discipleship Center kitchen cabinets. He also taught the LTLA Chosen Generation guys how to build a wooden bench.

Emily (left), Rebecca (center) & Abby (right) helped an LTLA team member harvest their corn field by hand.

Kait (right), from Hopevale Church, arrived with the ISU Nav team and will stay in Chinhoyi until August 2 while she completes a nutrition study for her Dietics degree at Central Michigan University. She used her love for nutrition in helping prepare meals for the ISU Nav team.

ISU Nav team & Kait with the LTLA team.

Johanna (left) and Micaela taught the LTLA High School group how to sing the books of the New Testament. 

Micaela (left) and Johanna putting the first coat of paint in the Life Discipleship Center.

Johanna & Micaela enjoyed having fun with Donnell (jumping rope) and Daisy (standing between them).

Julie leading LTLA team into scriptures on racial reconciliation.

We witnessed God's incredible creative power in Victoria Falls.

We sure enjoyed our time together with the Nhau family. (With them on the Victoria Falls bridge overlooking the downstream gorge of the Zambezi River.)