 God Provided!
Pictured on the left are some members of a choir from a poor township called Zolani. They were given the opportunity to train at Khanyisa Mountain Lodge in Robertson South Africa back in the spring. You see them dressed in their best for a presentation. The director of the choir invited us to visit a rehearsal in the township. Odwa is a large robust man who was an original member of the Nelson Mandella Singers who toured nationally and internationally years ago. Music had shaped his life and he was working to provide a similar experience for the kids in the poor township. It was a rainy and wind-swept day as we drove into the Xhosa neighborhood. The simple homes were standing within feet of one another. We walked into Odwa’s cinder brick home that had been built in stages. The open interior had exposed rafters and a tin roof. Rooms in the house were eight-foot walls open to the roof. The simple furnishings were tightly fitted into a corner open to the kitchen. Odwa graciously invited us in to sit and greet one another. He shared some of his experiences from years ago. At the same time his deep and powerful voice was impressive. He then took us next door to an open room with no furniture where the choir had gathered out of the rain for rehearsals. There were over twenty young people tightly packed in a eight foot by twelve foot room. Odwa spoke in their native language of Xhosa, and they began to sing! What followed was amazing and inspiring! Dancing was carefully choreographed along with motions and a crisp piercing sound. No speakers or microphones. Discipline and careful consideration had been given to the musical parts and the presentation of the music. My mind went to a favorite song from Josh Groban. You lift me up to more than I can be. That was happening in this tiny room. This description doesn’t convey the magic and pleasure of the moment. When I walked away, I knew I had witnessed something very special. May God help us to encourage one another in a similar fashion. We certainly have faced tremendous uncertainty over the last three years. 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. 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 post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.
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  The flying Cat!
The African Lynx Our time in Africa has been wonderful. We have have seen hundreds of cats from lions . . . to leopards . . . to cheetahs. But the smaller cats have been very illusive. Pictured above is one shot of a caracal taken by a motion sensitive wildlife camera. This was captured on the guest farm of Amathunzi. Only once in ten years did we get a fleeting glimpse of this magnificent cat in the headlights of our car. The only signs of his presence would be paw tracks through the bush. He is even know to bury his scat to keep himself solitary during his nocturnal hunting. His power is reflected in it's ability to capture reedbucks over twice its size. He can capture springboks, steenboks, duikers, hares, rabbits and many rodents. The caracal has amazing speed and uncanny jumping ability that can reach three meters. The caracal is so quick that he can leap and capture birds as they leave a watering hole. It will sometimes capture two birds by swatting them with its large paws as they fly away. God's creativity is so diverse. We watched a neighborhood cat in our back yard. He hid among the flowers and attempted to capture birds coming and going from Cathy's bird feeders. He just didn't have the quickness, and jumping ability of the wild cat in Africa. Look around you and see some of God's design. It takes our breath away. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Spiritual Safaris are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention. 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 post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  Report from Africa #4
Cathy is sitting with the Options staff who work with pregnant girls in the Knysna area. We had several hours of sharing and opening the Word of God with this fun group of ladies. The last two weeks have been filled with one-on-one meetings along with small group meetings almost every day. What a joy it is to share in ministry and share our lives at the same time. As you can see there has been a tremendous amount of laughter, mixed with solemn moments and spiritual encouragement. We have found ourselves thrilled, challenged, and always brought to the throne of our savior with a spiritual focus. But there is one moment that touched our hearts deeply. We were in church with Philip and Elize. They had introduced us to their small group who share their lives and the gospel also. On that Sunday a man they had been building a relationship with came in his wheelchair. They had to pick him up and place him in his wheelchair and bring him into the service for the first time in his life. Cathy and I sat behind them and had front row seats to watch during the singing. He raised his hand and wanted to stand and sing with the crowd. He was unable to stand on his own. These two men lifted him and made it possible for him to participate in the worship of God. They held him up and could hear his broken voice calling out to God. Something special was going on! That moment reminded me of the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus. They even pulled open the roof so he could be lowered to the feet of Jesus! When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, son your sins have been forgiven. (Mark 2:5 NIV) The faith of those two men lifting this man so he could sing was a powerful moment. Hope HQ and YFC Knysna is touching the lives of many. We are thankful to come alongside and encourage them! 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. 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 post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. |
Danny SartinFour decade veteran of youth ministry in churches, Youth For Christ and now is the Founder and Executive Director of Deeper Still Missions. Danny and his wife Cathy spend most of their time mentoring missionaries in Africa, Europe, Central America and North America. Future opportunities include South America and the Asia Pacific area. Archives
November 2023
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