Anticipation. . . anticipation. . . is making me late. . .is keeping me waiting.

A melody written by Carly Simon dances through my memory as we prepare for our next trip to Africa. A feeling of excitement is racing through our hearts and minds. You see prior events raise the level of excitement as we contemplate the promises of God mixed with events we have already seen over the past five years. Words are completely inadequate to describe the amazement of watching the Holy Spirit move among a group of pastors. The sensation of seeing hearts awakened to the messages of Jesus and the powerful Word of God is astounding.

So we find ourselves expecting and looking forward to the wonder of God! This week alone has revealed shattered hearts, dreams and pain in the hearts of some missionaries. I see forethought in another dreaming of a missionary retreat that might benefit thirty missionaries in their area. They want to know if we can get together with them. Timing seems to be perfect as we bought tickets and leave in the next week. Some need rest while others need a shoulder to cry on. We can see that this three month trip will take us deeper still in the lives and hearts of so many.

I see the faces of orphans throughout Mpumalanga, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. They long for a personal connection that will demonstrate their worth in this world. Their eyes search back and forth for a connection. The smile on their face blossoms and validates your glance. All they want is to crawl in your lap and feel the security of those arms. Someone is going with us to do just that.

Today is pregnant with violence, division, deception, murder, hate, and illness. Leaders seem to be indifferent, detached and focused elsewhere. Political correctness has taken over plain reason. If a politician speaks, the words seldom match the behavior or result. What is to come of us and this world? God has already shown us. It is all prophesied in His Word.

We can never know about the days to come. . .but we think about them anyway! But this act of looking forward visualizes some of the pleasurable expectations of watching God work in our life and the lives of so many others. We have read the final chapters in His book!

Pray with us as we prepare, feel excitement about something that is going to happen. Because He lives!

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com

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

This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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Masked weavers are named for their elaborately woven nest built of papyrus, grass and twigs. Their homes look like funny fruit hanging from a tree. The entrance is under the bottom while the odd bubble of a nest hangs from two little limbs of the tree.

We could see hundreds of those nests in a large tree at Amathunzi, South Africa. They would swing free and move with the winds. After winter storms in the Cape Province of South Africa we would see many dead birds and nests on ground. The sight caught us by surprise the next day when walking in the yard. What was amazing was the persistent devotion they had to building a new nest right then.

These social birds live together in noisy colonies with dozens of nests. Their harsh swizzling call consumes the neighborhood around those nests. We could watch them fly to the ground and gather blades of grass to begin building another nest. Consistently and continually they would work all day long. Nest after nest after nest would be under construction. If a female didn’t like the work she would cut the house and demand another be built by the male.

The master design of those nests are another snapshot of the creativity of God. But the persistence they exhibit all year around is amazing.  They are determined to build many nests and raise multiple children.

The unwavering single-minded work of this little Masked Weaver is a picture of the resolute nature of God the Father. He is persistently working to reveal himself to us. He works continually to make himself known. Have you noticed Him today?

Look for His design in your world. Look at the stars tonight and recognize the elaborate creation that revels the touch of His hand. Don’t miss His show.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions

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

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

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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.

You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.

A Kingdom Leader recognizes that they have a purpose in God’s Kingdom. The finger prints of God have been left on their heart from conception to birth. His watch care has marked their life from the very beginning.

Do you feel that your birth was just a random event? Do you understand how close God has been even in the times when you felt totally isolated? Are you blinded by the brilliance of His presence when you are alone?

Many think the birth of Jesus was in a random stable. But early Christian writers point to Migdal Eder as the expected place of His birth. That is the Tower of the Flock located near Bethlehem. He was expected to be born in the same stable reserved for the lambs sacrificed in the Temple. They point to the following verse:

Micah 4:8 (NIV)

8 As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion,

the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”

Remember that you were born for a purpose anointed and guided by God the Father. Your role in leadership is not a random occurrence in His eyes. It was planned by Him.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Micah 4:8

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.

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

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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.