Report from Africa
Kruger National Park, South Africa

This week has been a special time for Cathy and me. We have celebrated our marriage of 40 years. We have talked about our life together and reflected on the goodness of God.

This time has included much laughter, a few tears and humbling thoughts. When we first entered this haven God began to speak to us.

Pictured above is one of our first animals to encounter. It is a Wild African Dog. He is waking up from a short nap before beginning another hunt. God sent a full pack to greet us when we entered the Kruger National Park.

This rare and endangered carnivore is a special sighting. The Latin name for this dog is the “painted wolf” and refers to the wild dog’s mottled coat. This is uniquely patterned in each dog. They live in packs of twelve to thirty dogs. They live cooperatively and catch larger prey as a result.

Cathy caught this dog in the middle of a stretch and big yawn. You can see the dominant teeth and massive jaw bone that consists of a very powerful bite. They have been known to actually kill kudu, wildebeest, zebra and even buffalo. As a group they accomplish more than any dog on his own.

This is a representation of our life together. We have done what is possible and God has done the impossible. We have seen dreams become reality. God has done things other say can’t happen.

You should see the look on Africans faces who realize we have been married for 40 years. The rare thought germinates as their eyes widen and they say, really? How wonderful it must be.

Our wedding bands speak from our hearts. They say in Hebrew, I will go where you go!

Thank you for sending us to touch the lives of others. Next week missionary Ted Carr takes me to visit Zimbabwe and orphan feeding stations throughout the country. We would appreciate your prayers. We pray that thanksgiving has been special for your family.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com
 
Copyright © 2015 Deeper Still Missions, All rights reserved.

Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

​In the book of Numbers (22:20-22) God calls Balaam to go with these wicked men but only say what I tell you to say. The next morning Balaam gets up and saddles his donkey to do what God has said. Then verse 22 says that God was very angry with him. What happened overnight? What did Balaam do to make God so mad?
 
Peter helps us see the answer to those questions in his letter at the end of his life. Balaam loved the wages of wickedness. He wanted the money he was promised for going with them. He loved, Agapao, the wages that he would get. The motives of his heart were wrong and God became angry.
 
2 Peter 2:15 (NIV)
15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.
 
The Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament states the following about Balaam’s love:
 
26 ἀγαπάω (agapaō): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 170; Str 25; TDNT 1.21--1. LN 25.43 love, (Jn 13:34–35); 2. LN 25.44 show love, demonstrate love (1Jn 3:17); 3. LN 25.104 take pleasure in, to love based on its regarded value (Jn 12:43)[1]
 
Balaam loved money in the way that he should have loved God. He respected God but the motives of his heart were not pure.
 
What are the motives of your heart when you serve God? Many are called by God to accomplish tasks specified by Him. But the motives of your heart will be closely watched by the Lord.
 
Cathy and Danny Sartin
Deeper Still Missions


vb. verb
DBLHebr Swanson, A Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Str Strong’s Lexicon
TDNT Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon
[1] Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
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Report from the Field
Mpumalanga, South Africa

Cathy is holding one of the most interesting creations made by the Lord. He is called a chameleon. Cathy saved him from certain destruction as he walked slowly across the tar road seeking water here in Africa.

We have found ourselves in the middle of a declared national disaster area in Southern Africa. A severe drought has gripped this province and neighboring countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Swaziland. No rain is making planting of crops impossible and farmers are struggling to survive the heat wave that is coming without the rain.

We met with mom Numsa from Swaziland last weekend. Corn seed we purchased to feed orphans has been held waiting for the rains. If they are planted without the rains they will not grow. We talked alternative plans in case the rains do not come for several more months. Last year we had a bumper crop and return that is helping tremendously at this time. Unfortunately it will also run out by January.

In early December Ted Carr and I will travel into Zimbabwe to visit a pastor who feeds and cares for thousands of orphans in that devastated country. It is too hot for Cathy and will be quite a challenge for me. But I look forward to seeing the orphanages and feeding stations located around the parched countryside. God also allowed us to provide seed corn in these settings last year.

Last Sunday we attended Emmanuel Church in Graskop to see some good friends and share the Word. The children captured my eye. Lively, smiling and excited to see us again. Pastor Ken and his wife Sharon greeted us with warmth and sincere affection. What a joy to be home in a familiar congregation.

The children interacted with me and showed me the noise made by an elephant when it is alarmed. The small boy chased me across the front of the church with his arm raised and trumpeting his trunk. Their hearts and imagination had not dried up like the thirsty ground.

A very encouraging report was given to us by Pastor Ken. A church which we participated in planting five years ago has grown to become the largest church in the mountain escarpment. Moramela was nothing but a youth rally in 2010.Over one hundred young people came from the surrounding villages in a torrential downpour. I spoke through an interpreter in a tent that was coming down due to the heavy rain. Water rushed over my shoes the entire time I spoke. Amazingly God used the moment to lead many young people to himself. Next Sunday they have a celebration where eight churches come together and celebrate with this thriving congregation.

We are so thankful to have your heart walking beside us in these remote places. We are humble that God finds us useful. It is so nice to blend into God's plan in a world that is so deeply rooted in ancestral worship. Most importantly, it is a joy to watch the hearts of new believers mix with the Spirit of God. Then you no longer see the past but a new future intermixed with the wonder of God's glory.

Cathy and Danny