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Our Rear View Mirror
A glance back at 2016 We crested a small hill and saw a congested group of vehicles on the road before us. That is a sign that Kruger National Park in South Africa has revealed a special sighting of some rare animals. Susan Skelton, Cathy and I pulled up to the back of the traffic jam and stopped. We assumed our chances were slim that we would see the special sighting. Immediately a female lion exited the bush and walked in front of our car. She turned and looked back and called to those following. Then they came into view. Four baby lions, only weeks old, bounced out of the bush and came toward our car. Cathy partially rolled down her window to hear the little ones calling to their mother. They walked right beside our car! This rare sighting was a special treat for all of us. God had orchestrated our position at the back of the line to give us front row seats as the little family came near us. The little calls from the babies to their mother was a thrill to hear. Cathy was saying thank you to the Lord in whispers as they went by. This year has repeated that experience in the ministry many times. We have found ourselves on the front row of missionary hearts, minds and souls throughout the year. Over one-hundred missionaries have participated in retreats, solitary activities and get away events to recharge and renew their hearts. Intensive inductive Bible Studies have been conducted dozens of times with people from a wide range of backgrounds being involved. We have been on the front row of the refugee crisis in the Middle East. We could hear their spectacular stories of survival in a chaotic world of destruction and death. Friends beheaded and churches destroyed. Muslims and Christians racing to escape the turmoil caused by such evil. Cathy stood next to a ten year old boy from Afghanistan as he shared some pictures with her. Thinking he was going to show pictures of his family the boy began to scroll through graphic pictures of be-headings, body parts and suicide bombers. This has been his world during the last year. We found the experience to be shocking and riveting. Seeing the truth about items portrayed as only political by our press was very sobering. Cathy said, I didn't expect to see that! This year has been something we will always remember. But next year may be just as eventful. We never know where the Lord may take us but the opportunities are far beyond our ability to participate in all of them. Next year could find us in the Asia-Pacific area for the first time. Associates are working with us in Africa and Europe to multiply our efforts. New missionaries are being trained in Central America and they have asked us to come and visit. "You were with us four years ago when God started his call on our life. Please come and visit us! We seek your prayers for wisdom in making our decisions. God has blessed us beyond anything we have asked. He has even surpassed our thoughts and dreams. Go with us in your prayers and hopefully God will allow you to come with us to the front row of spiritual events around the world. May God bless you and your family in 2017. Cathy and Danny Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This report is 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.
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  Fleeing the Enemy!
Our travel last month placed us in a unique place in the world and was a crucial experience for Cathy and me. We met so many people who have been running from the ravages of ISIS, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and Al shabaab. Their individual stories of survival broke our hearts and made us more aware of the turmoil going on in our world. Pictured above are some destroyed boat shells and thousands of life preservers used by those escaping the chaos in the Middle East. You would recognize that each boat shell has all the interior supports and items removed that help make a boat safe and stable in the water. Smugglers put their lives at risk with a simple frame that caused the death of many. Many would toss their luggage when they recognized the flimsy boat skin was unstable against the waves and tide. You could feel and see the terror in their eyes as they recounted their stories. There was one refugee we met that caused us to pause and consider what it takes to run from evil. Achmed (not his real name) is an unsung hero in our minds and hearts. This large man was a member of the Iraqi Special Forces. You could tell that he can handle himself and was very skilled in warfare. But he also ran once the truth of ISIS became clear. He could fight personally but knew the odds were staked in the favor of the evil leaders. What he sought was peace from the chaos. He didn’t see it there and wondered where he would find it. It came from an unlikely place. That peace came from Jesus Christ! His smile and attitude speaks volumes about the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a new believer. Christmas is this weekend and when you look at the story of Jesus in the book of Luke we discover Joseph, Mary and Jesus had to run from the evil ruler Herod. They also were refugees racing to Egypt. Give the gift of a prayer for the hundreds of thousands who are displaced on this Christmas weekend. Resisting the enemy is no easy task. It can cost you plenty! Link your heart with those needing peace. May your Christmas be blessed! Cathy and Danny Sartin 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. 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.  A Kingdom Leader's memory of the cross . . . changes the lives of others. We are convinced that no one walks the same, thinks the same and lives the same in their home. Everyone at home can see the change and are affected by it.
It has been speculated that Mark's comments concerning Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mk 15:21), were known by people in Rome. Cyrene was the Roman capital in Northern Africa. It could be that he moved his family to Rome to participate in the church there. Tradition states that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome and to the saints in Rome. So they would be familiar with the father of Alexander and Rufus when he wrote of Simon. We also see the greetings from Paul in Romans 16: 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.1 Can the thread of influence be reflected by Simon's children and wife? James Brooks,a Bible Commentary writer, claims his belief that the son's were respected members of the church in Rome. The line of thinking certainly gives one a reason to pause and consider. Jacob wrestled with God in the Old Testament. He limped from that point on. Has your walk changed since meeting Christ at the cross? Is the change visible to others? We have not been the same since that day. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com 1 The New International Version. (2011). (Ro 16:13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. _____________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin. 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. 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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