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.
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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