Last Friday Cathy and I had a struggling day and night. Neither of us slept and our hearts were troubled. The voices in our heads and hearts were discouraging and overwhelming us. Now we know why. I would like to give you the picture in words. Hopefully this longer account can help you see through our eyes.

I was to visit a very poor township and teach Bible to a group of pastors from the area. That night I would be speaking at Bethel Christian Center and again on Sunday morning. Cathy remained behind to pray and to avoid the potential heavy heat that she could experience in the shanty town.

Ronas Marule and myself drove into Leandra Township early on Saturday. The shanty homes were made of thin wood, tin, cardboard and many other makeshift materials. The sky was filled with haze as the people burn coal to keep warm in the early morning chill. At certain spots I could see the dark smoke filling the sky.

We drove up to the senior citizen facility that was built inside this poor neighborhood. The building was painted in bright colors and African patterns that were brilliant. Ronas said it resembled Zulu designs but he mentioned the name of another tribe I could not pronounce. I glanced up and noticed barbed wire around the perimeter of the roof. I asked one of the Pastors, why is there a wire fence around the roof? He quickly responded by saying it is designed to slow down those who would climb on the roof and remove it to gain access into the building. I had never seen a fence like that around the perimeter of a roof.

I walked up to meet several pastors who were patiently waiting our arrival in the community. They were very warm and not alarmed that we had arrived later than scheduled. It is the African way. They were kind and humble men who warmed up to the presence of the tall white American. They came to learn about the Bible.

We moved inside and began the process of meeting each other as I tried to learn their names and background. There was Thomas, Philip, Daniel, William, Kenny, Filmore, and a number of others. There African names were Dlamini, Ngowonya, Mathebula, Tsolele, Nkosi, Maseko and Mahalangli. There were twelve in all. To my surprise one of the pastors announced he came from a Zion Christian Church. Theologically they blend Christianity with ancestral worship and the local Bantu religion. But He quickly noted that he believed in the Bible. Others came from the Swedish Alliance Church, Methodist Church and several independent Christian Churches. What I didn’t realize at the time was that three of the pastors were from the ZCC.

They had very few Bibles with them and struggled to find a few Zulu versions in the senior center. They spoke very little English and I worked through an interpreter to conduct an inductive Bible Study with them. I first asked if any of them had formal Bible teaching. Not one had attended any Bible classes. No one had come alongside them to teach the Bible. They could not afford to attend any formal Bible school. They did everything as they felt led. Now I could see how the Christian faith could become homogenized with their local and ancestral beliefs.

These elderly pastors amazed me with their open and honest comments. They were not guarded in any way. One Pastor said I prepare for Sunday morning services by showing up on Sunday. I open the Bible and find a verse to read and preach from there. No study or preparation. If anyone questions me after the service I get upset at them for questioning me the Pastor. I was stunned.

I took them to 2 Peter 3:15-16. I laboriously carried them through observations, questions and finding answers to those questions. They would speak in Zulu and the translator would tell what each pastor said. I would react to the comments and he would tell them in Zulu. You could hear and see their reaction when I described the strebloo (Greek word for twist) a tool of torture used in Roman prisons. A man was placed on the table with his hands and feet tied to the machine. A guard would twist the rack to pull the arms out of socket. They used this torture to get men to confess and say what they wanted them to say. I pointed out that Peter says untrained and unstable men do that with the Word of God. They twist it out of its natural position so it could say what they wanted it to say. They gasped when the interpreter demonstrated the arms being pulled out of socket. The reality of Peter’s words struck very hard. You could see the fear and concern in their eyes.

Unknown to me at the time was the manner in which many of them twisted the Word of God so it could say what they wanted it to say. Over a three plus hour period we walked carefully and discussed together three different scriptures. They were prying me with questions. They would say, I have never heard this! I invited the pastors to attend the night service and let them know that I would teach more of God’s Word. After three and half hours they were hungry for more and reluctantly ended the session.

That night two of those pastors sat on the front row of the church. People got up to testify what the Lord was doing in their life. Then pastor Filmore Mathedula stepped forward and began to speak in Zulu. Ronas interpreted for me. He was short in stature with a goatee and smile that had numerous missing teeth. He was wearing a coat, tie, pants, shirt and shoes that did not match. The shirt was plaid while the tie was paisley.

Humbly he spoke in a soft voice and used his hands to describe his feelings. Placing and cupping his hands over his eyes, he described how God caused the scales to fall off of my eyes today. It made me think of Paul in the book of Acts.I would get up and open the Bible and point it at other people. He held the open Bible facing the crowd. Then he turned the open Bible towards himself. Today I learned that I need to turn it around because the Word of God is for me first!

What I did not know at the moment was this pastor was a Zionist pastor. During our afternoon discussion I could tell he knew the Bible better than most of the pastors in the room. He asked good questions but was very weak in Bible comprehension. One of the Zionist pastors asked if there was a connection between Abraham and Jesus. I took them to Matthew chapter one. Their simple honest questions were very refreshing.

On Sunday morning the interpreter explained to me which one of the pastors were Zionist. He said that the pastors had already created a stir in the community with other pastors. They were astonished that this white American understood the Bible and could comfortably wade through their questions about God. They were clamoring for more time in the Bible.

We are scheduled to return to this township church on the last Sunday of May. Pastor Muzi came and asked me if we could do another session with the pastors on that Sunday afternoon. I gladly accepted.

I called Cathy on the phone and explained the events to her. Tears welled up in my eyes as we both realized what had been going on. We now understand why Friday night was so hard. Satan wanted to protect his turf. He knew those Zionist pastors would be attending the next day. He was trying to stop that meeting from happening.

I sent out a special request for prayer on Saturday morning knowing that we were facing something daunting. Thank you so much for those prayers.

Cathy and Danny Sartin



901-351-2996

www.deeperstillmissions.com

The lady pictured on the left is Numsa Lukele of Khaphunga, Swaziland. See is the mother of a missionary spouse who lives in South Africa. We had the pleasure of visiting her home and communities twice over the last two years.

Numsa saw a need in this mountainous area of her country that could not be ignored. Orphans were multiplying at an astronomical rate due to the HIV/Aids epidemic. It is actually the highest rate by far in all of the world. These areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga in South Africa along with the small country of Swaziland have the highest rate of infection of anywhere on earth.

Children led homes became the norm as over 1,500 orphans had been identified in eight villages around Kaphunga during the peak of the disease. Today they are working with over 900 children.

I had the pleasure to visit those villages with Numsa and her family. She is proudly pulling back the shucks on an ear of corn planted and ready to be harvested by the orphans. After she showed the corn to me she carefully replaced the shucks back on the cob so it would finish the maturing process.

Numsa had to get permission for the chief of each tribe to plant in specific fields for the orphans. Then she had to find resources to buy seeds for the planting. The children do all the work to prepare, tend and harvest the crop.

Numsa has recruited almost thirty grandmothers from those villages to work with children in each village. They teach them how to survive and provide for themselves. They also teach the truth about Jesus Christ. I was deeply humbled and touched by her mission!

Late in the day she took me to a small hut declaring that she wanted me to meet some children. They had been discovered some time back eating dirt. Both of their parents had died and the oldest was trying to care for his little brother and sister. One of the grandmothers had agreed to bring the trio to live along with her own children. I had no idea how this impoverished couple could give anything to three orphan children.

The children were excited that the tall American was showing them some focused attention. The younger children laughed and smiled. The oldest would not. He had shouldered the brunt of his parent’s death. You could see it in his eyes.

But they followed me around and all the way to the gate when I left. It meant so much to them that someone cared.

What is your mission for Christ? Who has needs right around you? Open your eyes and your heart and reach out to others who need our Lord and Savior. You don’t need formal training just a tender and loving heart.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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A Kingdom Leader has the habit of praying and hearing God. Their spirituality is not based on human voices but the voice of God. They pray for and with others. They also engage in thoughtful reflection to invite deep thinking and discussion. The disciplines of prayer, Bible study, solitude and silence are essential components in the life of a balanced leader.  

Who prays with you? Are you deaf to God’s voice because you refuse to listen and open the book that reveals God’s voice? Are you reading the Scriptures consistently and often? Are you unfamiliar with the Bible’s words? Do you believe it is the word of life that can transform, renew and create? Does your practice reflect your spoken belief? One of the very few habits of Jesus is going to lonely places and praying.

Luke 22:39 says, and having gone out, He proceeded according to His custom to the mount of Olivet. And the disciples also followed with Him. (1)

We are praying that you develop the same habits as Jesus.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com



(1) Wuest, Kenneth S.: The New Testament : An Expanded Translation. Grand Rapids, MI : Eerdmans, 1997, c1961, S. Lk 22:39

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

Re-Prints
Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.

What a joy this Sunday was. I spoke at two churches today and had a great time. Cathy attended Calvary Church with Ronas and Busie Marule while I went out into some rural areas to preach.

I drove over an hour North to Bushbuckridge to start the morning. The early morning breeze was cool and very enjoyable. I drove through banana plantations and various crops through the hills of Mpumalanga.

There was road construction on the R40 that delayed me for almost thirty minutes. I sat behind someone that was highly impatient about the delay. He blew his horn every few minutes for the entire thirty minute wait. I rolled down the windows and took in the freshness of the countryside. Gum trees were over a hundred feet high.

Several hundred people were attending the Word of Life Bible Church. I got to see a number of good friends at a church that has become very familiar over the last three years. Their music is always a lifting breeze that makes you think of heaven. Bishop Israel makes me feel very welcome and calls me a member of his church.

We looked at the life of Paul and all the pressures he faced to the point of despair. It was a joy to watch their hearts follow his story and compare the pressures they face on a daily basis. Their pressures are so much more basic than what we face in the states. Pastor Israel said it was very powerful as over one hundred people came forward for prayer afterwards.

One of the church members rode with me to the next small church in the village of Jim Brown. She was very familiar with the area and talked of the crime and difficult circumstances the poor face in this area. Witchcraft is very strong here, she stated as we drove down a dusty road with grass growing in the middle.

She pointed out members of the Zion Christian Church walking on the roads as we passed by. She explained the special tea made by young boys for the SanGomas. Drinking that special tea gives prophecy and insight into the future. I was getting another fresh glimpse into the Christian faith that has been homogenized with ancestral worship.

I walked into the tiny church that has grown over these few years. When I first visited it was in a tent. It is now a concrete floor with cinder block walls. Gum tree poles make up the rafters and brace the tin roof above. The crowd is mixed with children, young people, couples and elderly ladies. They love the Word of God and eagerly follow in their Zulu translations.

The thank you from each person was warm, sincere and tender. Their humble hearts were inviting and encouraging. Thank you for sending us to Africa.

This coming week is full of meetings. We look forward to spending quality time with several missionaries and a variety of pastors. We would appreciate you continued prayers.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

This week has been somewhat of a blur with our preparation and flights to Africa. Cathy is taking a nap currently as we try adjusting to the new time difference. Back home it is 6 AM. Here it is 1 PM.  We arrived in White River late on Friday night.

Our drive to Pretoria on Friday morning was interesting as we went to meet Pastor Muzi and his family. As we neared his community I noticed a small group of worshipers kneeling in the grass next to the road. They were the Shembe sect that combines Christianity with aspects of Bantu religion. Seeing them kneeling in prayer in the field took me back to a home I visited on Easter Sunday in 2012. The entrance to that home had a picture of His Holiness my Shembe the leader of this sect. The other side of the door had a sign saying Jehovah is Lord. Another reminder of the watered down picture of Christ that is blended with ancestral worship.

I wrote the following while sitting on the plane in Atlanta: The rain is streaming down the airplane window as we sit on the tarmac. Baggage buggies splatter water as they drive by and the anticipation is heightened as we prepare to fly overnight to Africa. Container after container is hoisted up and moved into the belly of the plane as passengers load. Those large crates are dancing, twisting and turning on the hoist to position them for entry into the plane. I was fascinated watching it.

Cathy sitting on the isle was watching as others slowly loaded in the seats. A lady came up the isle holding a tiny baby. He was only seven weeks old. Cathy jumped up to assist her and put away her items while she attended her child. Later in the flight Cathy held the baby while the mother went to the restroom. Cathy showed the love of Christ in a tangible way. I was proud just watching her respond to this young African mother. The smile on the young mother’s face spoke volumes.

Today is a beautiful Sunday in White River. Cathy and I attended Calvary Church where I spoke back in November. It was very nice to see so many friends and worship together.  One of the trees outside the church was in full bloom. Beautiful yellow flowers draped all over the tree. Africa is so beautiful.

Cathy and I went to the grocery market last night to gather food stuffs for the next few days. While standing in line to pay one of the local pastors came by and spoke good wishes to us. It was Pastor Amos. I was pleased that he remembered and greeted us.

Tomorrow we lay plans for the next two months here in Mpumalanga. Please pray that we make wise decisions among the various requests pending from numerous Pastors and missionaries. We covet the Lord’s guidance.



Cathy and Danny Sartin

A Kingdom Leader has interpersonal relationships that are attractive to others. Consequently they have a wide spectrum of friends who feel comfortable coming to his house. His friendly nature is so eye-catching that people enjoy being in his company.

Who would come if you provided a dinner on short notice? Do you have friends at work that enjoy socializing with you? If you had a banquet who would show up? Do you care about the issues facing people you bump into everyday? Does your neighbor know your name and do you know theirs? Even though Matthew was a despised tax collector he had a significant group of people come to his home and eat.

0 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. (1)

Build some stronger relationships today.

Cathy and Danny Sartin


(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Matthew 9:10

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

Re-Prints
Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.