I stood in the street of a very poor township with a Christian leader. The road was a dirt path barely wide enough for two small cars to pass one another. Shacks and shanties crowded into the meager neighborhood and seemed to lean on one another.  Limited electricity and water are framed with small outhouses in each small yard.

His face was aged and somewhat drawn so that his cheek bones protruded strongly. But his eyes were lit with excitement and his smile was unquenchable even though he struggles with Aids.

I asked him what was going on in the church right now because we had finished the service and the crowd remained in the building. His eyes widened as he talked about all the Christians who came from so many villages. He twirled around pointed in various directions mentioning the names of obscure villages. Everyone is excited to be together today. Christians love to be with other Christians.

Spontaneous singing continued inside along with groups of chattering friends. His excitement then transitioned to the afternoon activities still to come. Today we have a baptism! Everyone is eager and longing to watch that spiritual event. His wide eyes and smile could not hide his excitement.  Remembering the small rubber swimming pool inside I asked if that was to be the baptistery? A nod of his head and an every widening smile gave the clear answer.

The church was built from poles, braces and tin. My six foot frame barely fit into the sanctuary. I had to pay attention to the struts, rafters and other items so I wouldn’t bump my head. But my heart loved the energy, exhilaration and passion evident in the people of this little church. Early in the morning I had spoken at a new church plant that they had placed in another poor community several kilometers away.

Each time we visit Africa God reveals new thoughts to our hearts and minds. Cathy and I are amazed. I am learning the difference between Zionist and the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). My mind had them grouped together. The cultural gulf between tribes and races continues to widen into an abyss.

My heart asked, where is this excitement in America? Has wealth, progressive growth and greed overtaken the simple beauty of Jesus? Where is our love of being with one another because of Christ? Certainly it exists but I wonder if we are experiences His best? These humble circumstances cause the face of Jesus to become more clear. Thank you for sending us.

Cathy and Danny Sartin






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Our time in Africa has revealed many special stories of God and His grace. It has also stretched our understanding of God’s work.

Riding in a car with two young ministry staff we asked the generic question we have all heard. How did you come to Christ? The answer went outside our box of understanding we had solidified over many decades.

Comfort began to talk about his family and the deep devotion they had for the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) that is so pervasive on the dark continent. It is a mixture of ancestral worship and Christianity. His aunt passed away and her body was placed in the house until authorities could come and get the deceased. Unfortunately, it was to take several days for some unforeseen reason.

Two days into the family vigil to sit with the body of his aunt. . . a miracle occurred. She sat up and came back to life. She asked for food and began to talk about her experience. She told the family about a man who she had been with for the last two days. She described the gate of darkness and the gate of light. She talked about people she heard and saw. She talked of the moaning at the gate of darkness and the joy at the gate of light.

She challenged family members to set aside their bickering and learn about Jesus Christ. She asked her nephew to take some money in her purse and deliver it to the church around the corner. It was a two hours span that seemed like a dream.

She talked of her experiences and challenged the family to move away from the ZCC and accept Jesus Christ. After those hours she stated that she was tired and wanted to lay down. According to Comfort she then finally slipped into eternity.

Christ had reached out to their family personally. I am in the ministry because I can do nothing else, he said. I must follow the living Christ and serve Him while I am on earth.

Some African cemeteries reflect the sacrifice and ancestral values taught by the Sangomas. The picture above is a cemetery in Leroro, Mpumalanga. Cathy and I drove here after hearing this story and reflected on all that we had heard.

We never cease to be amazed at things God might do. Listening to Him requires respectful silence, total attention and an appropriate response. Comfort’s response was to fall on his knees and accept Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah.

Can you imagine what you will do when you stand in front of Him? We love that song by Casting Crowns and hope it’s melody will sing in your heart today.

 
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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Come on a ride with us through our jam-packed schedule here in Africa. Buckle up and open the eyes of your heart.

We drove almost four hours to a remote community in Mpumalanga. This would be our first visit to this isolated area near Swaziland and KZN the homeland of the world famous Zulu tribe.

We walked into a combined church meeting in a structure that seemed unsteady. It was a patchwork of boards attached to poles, metal studs and a second brick construction. I wondered how it stood.

My first step into the building was on dirt instead of wood or concrete. Then a series of overlapping carpet was covering the uneven and rolling dirt floor. I had to consciously watch my steps as the carpet walk was uneven.

Music was blaring and the people were singing at the top of their voices. Their rhythmic movements reflected the Zulu culture and traditions. I recognized the distinctive Zulu dance that I had seen so many times here in Africa. They danced and sang with tremendous gusto and energy.

Their love of Christ was clearly evident. When I shared from God’s Word the pages of their Bibles rustled like paper fans. They seemed eager to hear the truth and excited about the tall white man from America who shared. What a privilege to visit their house of worship.

We met a new group of missionaries two days before and spent hours sharing and getting to know one another. Each story was unique but laced with similar experience and understanding. Our hearts opened to one another and it seemed that an instant bond was forged.

I walked into Elukwatini two days before that meeting and saw the faces of so many pastor friends from last year. The tribal community center where we met last year had a familiar feeling of home. I noted the single light bulbs that provided dim light once the sun went down.

I was amazed by the answer to a very simple question. What do you remember from last year? There were no hesitations, reviewing of notes or confusion. They immediately began recounting our Bible studies from last November with great accuracy and fondness. I realized that the movement of the Holy Spirit I saw last year had left an indelible impression on their hearts.

On Saturday night Cathy and I visited Badplass to continue talking with a new missionary couple that we connected with at the retreat last weekend. Our engaging discussion went into the darkness and I was to speak the next morning in Graskop.

We had a arduous drive home over the mountain passes between Badplass and Barberton. The journey was complicated by heavy fog and a misting rain. Visibility was only a couple of meters in front of our car. Our hazard lights flashed and reflected in the deep fog. Our car slowed to a snail’s pace and I struggled to keep a clean view of our lane in the road. Cliffs surrounded the road.

Then the thought hit me. This stressful drive was a clear picture of the spiritual battle here on the dark continent. We are continually recognizing that our ability to communicate Christ is limited by our thinking and their complicated traditions and folklore.

The fog of confusion is only lifted by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must admit that we feel spiritually clumsy at times. But God is blessing our continual contact with so many people. Our schedule is moving at light speed. We are humbly dependant on the Holy Spirit to guide, correct and make each encounter meaningful. Please continue to pray.

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 email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

A Kingdom Leader is a man or woman of character. That person’s word is their bond. They carefully think through their options and make decisions that have a deep level of reliability. Their yes truly means yes and their no really means no.

We are living in a time where commitments are mostly considered soft. Do you make agreements with others that are not fulfilled? Once you commit to something do you look for an opportunity to back out? Are you considered a reliable and trustworthy person by others? Will you fulfill you commitments even if it costs you more than you anticipated?

Genesis 15:17–18 (NIV)
17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates--

God’s covenants are solid and steady. We pray that yours will be also.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Genesis 15:17-18

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.

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