Corn Stolen

Dear LTLA Friends,

"A lot of maize [corn] was stolen from my plot," reported Gogo Sixpence, a widowed grandmother who serves on the Life to Life Africa team. LTLA Director in Chinhoyi, Arthur Nhau, also said that corn was stolen from the middle of the LTLA Community Center plot. Those stealing could not be seen taking the corn from the middle of the plots. We anticipate this will also be the report from the LTLA families we serve once the team is able to interact with them after the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted in Zimbabwe.

There are an estimated 4.3 million Zimbabweans in need of food assistance, according to the United Nations. The droughts in the last few years, along with the collapsed economy and now a 5 week national lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, have intensified the desperation within people who live hand to mouth. Our ministry has provided food assistance to the families we serve, as well as training them in effective farming methods. We have noticed that our families are seeing higher yields in their corn harvest using these sustainable methods, which I am sure has drawn attention from others who are stealing from their plots. Pray with us as we determine how to respond as a ministry to this food crises in Zimbabwe. We want to help people in their time of need, with a long term view that they live sustainable and honest lives. For this to happen we know their hearts need to be redeemed through Christ, which will enable them to respond by following Him in discipleship.

During my last trip to Zimbabwe, eight of us on the LTLA team attended the annual Foundations for Farming (FFF) conference. FFF conferences encourage trainees to help people practically apply the truth of God's word into their daily lives, particularly in growing food to eat. We believe this is a critical ministry approach in a country that is struggling to feed itself. We need your prayers for steadfastness to continue carrying the life transforming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of droughts, stolen harvests, a collapsed economy and now a virus pandemic.

We also need wisdom from the Lord in how to proceed with ministry activities once the COVID-19 national lockdown is lifted in Zimbabwe. The government may give guidelines, but we want to safely engage with the vulnerable people we serve. They need the incarnation of the Gospel, yet it needs to be done in a way that does not put them and our team at risk. Many are immunocompromised, and the health care system struggles to provide adequate treatment. The typical cold viruses will become active over the next four months in their winter season, so we will need to take extra precautions through August. Most likely these precautions will extend indefinitely until COVID-19 is under control.

We know that God is on the throne and He is accomplishing His purposes. In this we take comfort and courage as we serve Him to advance His kingdom.


Trusting our good Heavenly Father,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Corn harvested from the LTLA Community Center plot.

Eight LTLA team members attended the Foundations for Farming Conference, March 3-5, 2020 (Shelton, Faith, Itai, Prestege, Marvelous, Mr. Lunga, Arthur and Mike).

Rocket stove and oven prototypes displayed at Foundations for Farming Conference. (Rocket stove technology minimizes the use of firewood for cooking.)

Mr Lunga standing next to the rocket stove oven. He serves the LTLA Critical Care Center by cooking breakfast and lunch with firewood for 30 pre school orphans. He is keen to implement the rocket stove technology in his cooking for the Critical Care Center.

Shelton (front row in red & black Addidas warm up jacket) & Itai (to right of Shelton) listening to composting training during the Foundations for Farming Conference.

LTLA team members turning over a compost pile at the community center:

From Joyful Celebration to Quiet Fear

Dear LTLA Friends,

On March 7, the Life to Life Africa (LTLA) team hosted the first wedding at the LTLA Community Center under the roof of the Life Discipleship Center. Over 300 people witnessed and celebrated the union in marriage of Norman and Ottilia, a LTLA team member. There were a lot of children and young people in attendance that Ottilia ministered to since joining the team in 2014. Several pleaded to attend when Arthur, LTLA Director in Zimbabwe, was picking up the wedding party. He could not turn them away even though it would exceed the number planned for food. Ngoni, a young man in our ministry, shared with me at the wedding, "Seeing this wedding gives me hope of some day getting married." 

It was a joyful celebration, as you can see in the photos and videos below. We are excited that Ottilia will be able to continue ministering with the team since Norman has moved to Chinhoyi to work for his uncle. Would you pray for Norman & Ottilia as they establish a Christian marriage to model family life to the next generation?

Since this joyful day, a quiet fear has overcome Zimbabweans as they begin social distancing after the first covid-19 death in the country this past Monday. On Saturday, the government had ordered all schools and universities to close on Tuesday this week. Last week, in consultation with the doctor who serves the LTLA Clinic, we discussed how to respond to this looming health crises and decided to begin suspending our larger ministry gatherings. On Monday, we decided to suspend all of our ministry activities indefinitely after distributing food this week. Yesterday, we distributed a 6 week food allotment to members of the 100 families we serve. (See photos below.)

If the US is struggling to handle this pandemic, you can imagine what it will be for Zimbabwe, where the health system struggles to care for the basic medical needs of people. (See this news article for more.) The nurses and doctors went on strike yesterday because they don't have sufficient personal protective equipment to safeguard them from the virus. Our doctor informed me that there are only 3 working ventilators in the ICU units at the main hospital in the capitol and very few ventilators in the country as a whole to care for acute cases. The number of immune compromised people is very high due to the prevalence of HIV and other diseases like tuberculosis. The fear is real as the prospects look grim. Please join us in prayer for God's mercy in protecting the many vulnerable to this virus in Zimbabwe and around the world. Thank you for your steadfast support over all these years!

Beseeching our Sovereign Merciful Father,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Distributing 6-week food allotments to members of the 100 families.

Mr. Chigwida & Patricia using homemade sanitizer during food distribution. The face masks came from the last container shipment.

LTLA team cleaning the Life Discipleship Center in preparation for the wedding.

Life Discipleship Center ready for the wedding.

Mildred Nhau, wife of Arthur (LTL Director), preparing the wedding cakes.

Mildred & Tsungai with the wedding cakes. Tsungai, a fellow LTLA team member, helped prepare the cakes.

Ottilia walking down the aisle (notice the children in the foreground).

Norman and Ottilia cutting the wedding cakes.

Mike Sulc with Norman and Ottilia at the end of the wedding ceremony.

Ottilia making her entrance at the wedding. (In Zimbabwe a bride is welcomed upon her arrival with cloths laid down for her to walk on along with singing and dancing.):

The wedding party dancing as they exit the ceremony. (Marvelous, a young lady on the LTLA team, is part of the first couple in the video with Tatenda, a young man on the LTLA team, part of the second couple.

Yet I Will Rejoice in the Lord

New Year Greetings!

Friends, we do indeed rejoice in the Lord for his bountiful provision through your generous support that has enabled Life to Life Africa to begin 2020 on firm financial footing. Thank you!! Below is a 2019 year in review from Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. In it he references Habakkuk 3:17-19, which aptly describes the situation in Zimbabwe where, "the fields produce no food... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Through the ever worsening situation in that troubled land, the Lord has heard the cries of our brothers and sisters along with our prayers to grant them joy in the midst of great hardships. The Lord continues transforming the hearts of people through the work of Life to Life Africa. Thank you for your partnership in prayers and finances!!


Rejoicing in the Lord,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

P.S. As an example of the conditions in Zimbabwe, I got word yesterday from Arthur that his dog alerted him during the night to thieves who had cut into the fuel line under his van to steal diesel. It is quite discouraging to have all that fuel poured out onto the ground after waiting for hours in long lines to get fuel. Please pray for God's encouragement for Arthur, that he can find the right size fuel line replacement, and for God's protection of property during these desperate times.


2019 Year-in-Review from Arthur

2019 was a very difficult year for us as a nation as we experienced challenges in all sectors of our economy. This has led many to fix their eyes on the One who is the Maker of heaven and earth. Habakkuk 3:17-19 has really been encouraging in trusting God during difficult times. We were able to have our student conference with the theme “My life, a light to many." Forty students were able to attend. Edmund Mudzimu along with his wife, Hlengiwe, were our main speakers. Edmund is my Barnabas who eventually introduced me to my Paul (the late Uncle Ron). What stood out for us was that we should protect our testimony as the devil is out to destroy it. The students’ feedback was really encouraging. 

LTLA 2019 Student Conference attendees.

As a team we paired up with one another to go out into the “fields” and God has given us fruitful relationships. It was encouraging to see people place their hope in the Lord especially in these difficult times. It was also a blessing to have friends from Florida, Michigan and Iowa visit us in the course of the year. These visits produced mutual sharpening of one another in the Lord. Hearing them share their testimonies gave us courage in knowing that our brotherhood through the world are also going through suffering. (1 Peter 5:9) 

LTLA Team (Standing L to R: Zviko, Ottilia, Jane, Faith, Stella, Shelton, Bigger, Lunga, Arthur, Itai, Marvelous, Tsungai & Patricia; Sitting L to R: Kate, Mildred, Tatenda, Gogo Mildred, Prestege & Diana. Not in Photo: Letwin)

Ottilia, one of our key team members who has faithfully served the ministry for several years, is going to have her wedding on March 7th. Do pray God’s provision and hand in all the preparations. Pray that Ottilia will continue to be used by the Lord as she enters the next chapter of her life as a wife to Norman, who is a pastor-in -training with the Evangelical Church. 

Ottilia & Norman

We had our team member, Shelton, go to Malawi for training in agricultural income generating projects for the families we assist. The rains have been long in coming but for the past days we have been receiving some decent rains. We continue to pray for the rains and that the families will reap a decent harvest. Pray also that the families will be faithful in implementing all that they have been taught. In August, we had our first ever ministry information table during orientation week at Chinhoyi University of Technology. We recruited some of our key students to be part of our team at the table. We were able to make a lot of contacts and continue to meet with many of them. God has given me faithful men who are showing the desire to faithfully walk with the Lord. We pray that they will continue to seek the Lord eagerly and that they may find him. (2 Chronicles 15:15) 

Zviko, Theodora (CUT student), Otillia & Tatenda at the LTLA orientation table at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)

 

As a family, we are really grateful for Gods provision, strength and the privilege to be able to reach out to the lost. I am always reminded of Joshua's stand, "As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Mildred has always had a desire to start a small business in baking and cooking and she was able to find a place in November nearby our ministry Community Center and the CUT campus. She is employing Privilege and Michelle, young ladies being discipled by the ministry, to help her run the restaurant. We are praying for another lady who can help Mildred manage the restuarant and that the business will succeed in a challenging economy. Pray with us that interactions with community and student customers will lead to gospel conversations. 

Arthur, Mildred, Donnell & Daisy sporting their Orlando City soccer team jerseys. (Gifts from the LTL ministry team in Orlando, FL)

L to R: Michelle, Privilege & Mildred at the A & M Cafe (A & M, short for Arthur & Mildred)

This year our prayer is to earnestly seek the Lord and not be casual seekers. (Jeremiah 29:13) 


Gratefully, 
Arthur and Mildred Nhau 

Good News of Great Joy

December 25, 2019 
  
And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) 

Dear Friends, It certainly is "good news of great joy" that today in a world desperately needing a savior we celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior!! The Life to Life Africa team and my family join the host of angels in saying:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased." (Luke 2:14) 

Our prayer is that your hearts are filled with His joy and peace today as well as in the new year.

Merry Christmas!! 
- Life to Life Africa Team & Sulc Family

Life to Life Africa Team at the LTLA Community Center Ron Shimkus Memorial.

Micaela, Julie, Mike & Johanna Sulc.

Faithful Stewardship

 As I report on stewardship in Zimbabwe, would you prayerfully consider financially supporting God's Kingdom work through Life to Life Africa? Our funds are limited going into 2020, which will impact our ability to continue the mission of loving the vulnerable with the love of Christ, discipling and training them in all aspects of life and godliness so that they will love, disciple and train others. Thank you to all who have contributed financially!! For those who have not, thank you for considering a year-end gift or regular commitment to support Life to Life Africa. You can give by sending a check to: 

Life to Life Africa 
PMB 344 
10151 University Blvd 
Orlando, FL 32817 

Please contact Mike (mike.sulc@lifetolifeafrica.org) if you need bank account details for direct deposit contributions. 


Faithful Stewardship

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15) God created us to work and take care of His creation. "It is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:12) As God has shown Himself faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9), with grateful hearts we are to be faithful stewards. 

To encourage faithful stewardship among the families we serve, the LTLA team has renewed their focus on discipling people in wholehearted sustainable farming efforts. Shelton, an LTLA team member who participated in the intensive six-week Crown Ministries Stewardship School Training of Trainers course in Malawi, has provided in-depth training with the LTLA team in effective corn plot planting and management. In turn, the team will pair up to encourage faithfulness in following sustainable farming methods with the families we serve. 

Shelton also led a training session with the children and youth during a Bible study gathering so that they can understand the importance of helping their parents, grandparents, or care givers in their farming efforts. Would you pray that this renewed focus on faithful stewardship produces lasting spiritual fruit as well as a bountiful corn harvest for the families we serve? So far there have been good rains and they are needed through March.

Below are photos of the faithful stewardship efforts of the LTLA team:

Shelton leading a sustainable farming method training session with the LTLA team.

Corn plot planting training session with families we serve.

Gogo (Grandmother) Nzimela with her grandchildren preparing her corn plot for planting.

Violet Chigodora in her corn plot. (Mulch cover will help preserve moisture in the soil.)

Shelton teaching the children and youth about the importance of faithful stewardship.

Shelton demonstrating to the children how they can help in their family corn plots.

Gratefully in His service,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

With Thanks, and a Discipling Movement

November 27, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!! We are giving thanks to God for you today. Your interest and concern in the work of Life to Life Africa is a great encouragement. The Lord has sustained us through your prayer support. Maita Basa!! Thank you!!

Here is one story of what God has done this year through the ministry of Life to Life Africa:


“I am noticing positive changes in Brian since he has begun weekly discipleship meetings with Mr. Chigwida,” commented Arthur Nhau, LTLA Director in Chinhoyi. This year we have provided more in-depth evangelism and discipleship training with our full Life to Life Africa team. And we paired up spiritually mature team members with those less mature for discipling relationships.

(L to R) Diana, Privilege, Brian & Mr. Chigwida (Brian & Privilege’s sons: Blessed & Bright)

Mr. Chigwida and Brian were paired together, as were Diana and Privilege, Brian’s wife. As an older married man who has been walking with the Lord for many years, Mr. Chigwida, has been able to guide Brian in how to be a loving husband and father. “He has coached me in how to better respond to my wife in stressful situations,” reports Brian. Mr. Chigwida is grateful for the intentional discipleship training he has received from LTLA that has equipped him in how to structure his time with Brian. “It is a blessing to get this training. It provides me ministry tools as well as a plan and accountability in using them,” stated Mr. Chigwida.

(L to R) Kudzai, Sharmaine, Sandra, Privilege, Marvelous, Monalisa

Diana and another LTLA team member, Marvelous, were paired up as part of this discipleship training to go into the community to do evangelism and discipleship. Privilege encouraged them to share the gospel with her landlord, Sandra, who received Christ when they shared with her! They all began meeting together weekly for a discipleship Bible study. Their neighbors Monalisa and Sharmaine have joined the Bible study, noticing the positive changes in Privilege’s life over recent months. They asked Diana to pray for another neighbor, Kudzai, who had suffered a stroke. As soon as Kudzai was able to physically walk, taking "baby" steps, she joined the Bible study. Brian is having spiritual conversations with Sandra’s husband. A discipleship movement has begun among Brian & Privilege’s neighbors! It began with evangelism and discipleship training, and has deepened with discipling relationships.

Would you help us continue our efforts to see a multi-generational discipling movement take root and grow in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, for God's kingdom and glory? Over the past couple of years, we have seen our financial support decrease so our reserves are very low. Our operational budget in Zimbabwe is holding at $10,000 monthly. Your special gift or monthly commitment will enable us to continue in 2020. Thank you for considering how you can help. (Checks can be mailed to: Life to Life Africa, PMB 344, 10151 University Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817) Your prayers and financial support make this ministry possible.

Grateful for you!!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa

Losing Hope - LTLA Update

November 14, 2019

"People are losing hope," Arthur shared with me during my trip to Zimbabwe last month. He continued, "they are even losing hope in God" after praying for many years that God would bring them relief from their politically and economically generated hardships. The LTLA team is persevering, but I can tell that they are weary. It was hard for me to know how to encourage them.

The overall inflation rate has climbed steadily this year, reaching 353% in September with food prices increasing 480%. The doctors are on strike due to the lack of pay increases and the poor working conditions where there are no medicines or basic supplies at the hospitals. As a result, people are afraid of getting sick as they see others dying for lack of care. While I was there our staff member Shelton sat in line for 10.5 hours to refuel our truck at the only gas station in town with fuel. "If we have another drought this year, we will be finished," stated Mr Chigwida, an LTLA team member. The temperatures reached 100°F while I was there, with no clouds in the skies. From an earthly perspective, it is certainly a hopeless situation.

The Lord helped me encourage the team by reminding them of God's promises and glimpses of what awaits us when His Kingdom is fully established upon Christ's return. Please do continue praying for the LTLA team as they labor for the Lord in very difficult circumstances. Pray Galatians 6:9, that they would not "become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." I leave you with photos of the LTLA children and youth groups drawing pictures and writing notes of encouragement to kids and young people in the US. I also leave you with the passage I shared with the LTLA team that describes what awaits us upon Christ's return.

Youth Bible Study children showing pictures they drew for friends in the US.

High School Bible Study group writing notes of encouragement to friends in the US.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 

And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." (Revelation 21:1-6) 

Praise be to God!
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa