 Report from the Field: Area One Camp, Missouri I walked into the "bunker" to meet with youth leaders, counselors and sponsors. It is called the bunker because it is below the balcony of the main venue meeting room. It has a gravel floor and carpet rolled over the uneven surface to make it presentable. Seventy chairs were arranged in a semi-circle. The look of the basic room makes me think of the Fuhrerbunker used in Berlin during World War II. The atmosphere transported my mind to that command center and living quarters of Adolph Hitler hidden under ground. The earthy scent, discarded chairs and broken tables stored on the far side of the room veiled the discussions that were to come. We would be talking about the four Greek words for love. From a spiritual perspective this location was the perfect place to engage the leaders of these young people. The battles that will rage in many hearts over the week will feel like a storm of fire and blood. One young person reflected that battle as he stood up and walked out of the meeting. He fell in a heap of tears and said, I need to be changed! He is talking about me! I met with a group of youth leaders that carry the weight of many lives on their shoulders. One leader stood talking with me alone and his wife appeared at the door to the bunker. Tears raced down her face as she apologized to her husband. The intense activity of the week had made her feel guilty for not spending enough time with him. Their embrace and warm words melted their hearts together. Youth camps and conferences have been the location of life-altering changes in the lives of young people for many decades. Pictured above is the crowd of young people gathered last week at Windermere Camp. Pictured below is a talent show from a youth conference in Orlando, Florida in 1974. That is me on the left singing with a group of students. The message of Christ has not changed.  It seems that nothing stirs my heart more than seeing young people come to know the Lord and walk in a deep relationship with Him. What a joy and privilege to share with them and their leaders during the week. Thank you for praying and providing the power to light up the darkness.
Next week Cathy and I will be leaving, embarking on a plane and visiting Africa again for the next three months. Three missionary retreats have been planned and organized during the winter months for the Dark Continent. We covet your prayers! 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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 Report from the Field:
Area One Camps Windermere Camp, MissouriI I was driving out of the camp late one afternoon to take a short break from the schedule with staff, students and youth leaders. I slowly came around a corner and a mother raccoon and three babies stood in the isolated road. I stopped and let them cross the road while the mother arched her back and made sure my approach would come no further. The three young ones slowly ambled to the grass and I smiled as they strolled into the woods. I regrettably thought, I have no camera with me! So I found a photo that reminded me of the moment and the six bandit covered eyes looking at this intruder in his enormous vehicle. It was unlike any animal they had seen. I think we feel exactly the same when we come in the proximity of God the Father. We are mischievous little rascals who don't understand all that God is doing in our hearts, minds and souls. His ways are not our ways and we often find ourselves confused, mystified and afraid. Two weeks of camp were punctuated with in depth discussions, hard issues in life, worship of our Lord and moments where He revealed himself in a fresh and powerful way. The eyes of hundreds of young people looked just like those raccoons. Wide eyes opened and awe that cannot be described or contained with mere words. We find it such a joy to open God's Word for youth leaders and counselors. The moment a new thought strikes their heart you can see their body relax with the knowledge and contentment only God provides. We pray that you enjoy the pleasure of His presence and the peace that comes from knowing Him intimately. May that be true for you today! 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. I sit in the assembly hall of the Area One Camp in Missouri. Hundreds of young people race into the doors seeking a seat. Music is blaring and videos are dancing on the screen and walls. For many decades settings like this have been the spiritual birthplace of generations.
My mind goes back to the late 60's and 70's when I first experienced such retreats. Faces of young people race across my mind who saw their spiritual birth at such events. They are no longer young people but the spiritual transformation has carried over into adulthood. What sweet memories these moments bring to the surface. I wonder how many surprises will come in Heaven as the Holy Spirit's work will become evident. We never know what affect ministry events have in the lives of many young people. I have sat in the role of youth leader so many times over the last forty years. I sense the concern, caution, desire and hopes of the youth leaders in this crowd. The mental wrestling can sometimes become overwhelming. You know, we struggle against powers and spiritual forces of this world. Flying home from Africa to be present and share God's Word with these leaders has been a great joy. Cathy has remained in Africa with the Weichardt family in Amantunzi. She has relaxed in the calm surroundings of the game farm. Yesterday she and Lizzie took a three hour walk in the veldts (fields). I visit my parents in Texas on Saturday and drive to Memphis for a quick return to Africa. It has been a whirlwind for the last two weeks. Flights back to America, a board meeting with the New Life Deaf Ministry of Honduras, and now the Area One Camp. Pray as I return to join Cathy on the Dark Continent. The light of Christ makes the trip exciting and intriguing. 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. To unsubscribe from reports just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.  My father at the end of World War II. Life goes on as I sit in a flood of memories today. It is not a slow backup of thoughts from a lifetime but a torrent of rushing thoughts covering over sixty years. I sit with my mom and dad in a rest home. My mom is faithfully attending the needs of my dad who is struggling with the affects of Parkinson disease. Sometimes he remembers and sometimes he doesn’t. The sparkle of a smile and the squint of wit continue despite the struggles. The friendly wave of patients shuffling past the open door. Respect and dignity are the values most sought along with attention and a listening ear. The Encore Western channel continues to roll from one saga to the next. A quick pat on the arm and the words I wuv you between my mom and dad. Then a kiss on the lips. Sixty five years of marriage have built a bond that is inseparable. Daddy talks to people who are not there and recognizes work that needs to be completed in the corners of the ceiling and the yard beyond the window. His mind continues to process the carpentry work he conducted for over seventy years. He measures a length, from his bed, to cut some trim needed to complete his project. What a joy to watch as his mind continues down familiar paths. His work ethic and diligence to complete a job has not dimmed with the disease. Neither has his respect of others. I loved the sparkle of my dad’s eye when he put down a domino in the game of train last week. The same twinkle and crooked smile was typical of my dad when we played board games as teens. Parcheesi, Sorry and other games that he relished and just as often won. It was the same with Jack and Bonnie Matthews when they played a weekly game of canasta on Durfey street in Jackson, Mississippi. In moments like this a lifetime seems just like a vapor. But the recollections are rich with warmth, smiles, laughter and tears. I am deeply thankful for the gifts of God through my parents. My love of Christ came from their faithful attendance in church and a moment when I was eight years old in our living room. That was the day I prayed to receive Christ. I can only hope that my life will have such a deep affect in the lives of the missionaries we serve. Our return home from Africa has produced a significant amount of travel and activity. The last two months of ministry has continued in Missouri and Florida with the Area One Camps. What a joy to see hundreds of young people come to a deeper understanding of Jesus. At the same time multiple personal issues have swirled around us with the veracity of a tornado. We ask for your prayers as we walk these difficult paths.  Sedgie and Bonnie Sartin my parents.  Danny and da boyz. Cathy and I joined Kiley and Rachel Butler at the annual student confernece in Panama City, Florida. This group was very similar to the Missouri camp we talked about in June except larger. Our sessions included indepth talks about the Bible, missions and relationships. Cathy and I shared some of our story with them. We made a lot of new friends just like the boyz from Atlanta. Date night with Danny and Cathy was a big hit just like it was in Missouri the month before. We introduced mission stories from Africa, Honduras and other places that God has sent us over the last 40 years. The kids were very involved and sought time with us individually and together. Seldom did they let us sit alone at a meal. The girls were very honest with the guys about the kind of man they want to marry. The boys were the same with them. Their opinions certainly made an impression on one another. There was also a lot of nervous laughter and comments back and forth. But underneath the light-hearted humor was a serious discussion. You would have loved to have been there!   New friendships were forged.  Mission stories that challenge today's young people.  Digging into supposed errors in the Bible, those outlined by Jim Jones.  Rick Beck of Honduras at the city dump of Tegucigalpa.  Everything was framed in the sugar beaches of Panama City.  Ricki, Stephanie and Rachel became good friends during the week. The week has finally concluded. We have built some great relationships with many. Each meal we found ourselves with several students who would eat with us and discuss missions.
Ricki said to us, Thank you so much for the way you challenged us this week and befriended us! I had an incredible time at camp and God really stirred up our hearts to live passionately for Him and to reach out to ALL people with arms of love and compassion. Thank you! Stephanie said, I definitely want to keep in touch and let you know what God is doing. We’ve done a lot of talking these past few days, and there are some really cool, but crazy stuff that we’ve talked about…. some of which I’m not even sure where to begin, and …yeah. We’ve got some stuff that we’re starting on right now, but in the future it would be absolutely wonderful if you could give us advice and just… keep in touch. …That was a lot of words. Sorry. I just wanted to thank you for that, and for ferrying us back and forth for meals. It was wonderful cramming 12 people in your car. The the time with Rachel and Kiley Butler was great. They are local missionaries for Area One who I met through Bolton Campus Life. Kiley was in my club many years ago. We are now starting the long drive home to Memphis. But we have many good memories and friends. When we arrived home over a half dozen young people had found us on Facebook. Wow.  Altered on stage opening the program for the camp. This week has been powerful in the lives of several hundred young people in Missouri. Cathy and I find ourselves engaged with the hearts of many. Rides in the car, with sixteen students packed in our Crown Victoria. Tables of kids wanting to know about missions at dinner and lunch. Midnight talks about relationships. Confessions of mistakes made in life. Dreams of mission work in the future. Questions about love, boundaries, and how to know true love when you see it. Wow! Worship with great energy and passion. Scriptural challenges that highlight the unstoppable faithful men and women in the Bible. Music from Altered that rocks the house and the heart. Continually, leaders are coming up to us and thanking us for our attendance. One leader said this morning, “my young people have loved your teaching from God’s Word.” Young people were deeply moved by the dump in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Comments seem to be endless. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit has moved this week. We have been privileged to just be here. Thank you. Danny and Cathy  Students seeking Him.  Numerous small groups with young people.   Cathy praying for God to pour out His spirit on the kids.  The discussion was non-stop concerning love! Great questions and comments! Tonight I met with over forty students to discuss dating and relationships. The key question on the floor was; How do you know when you meet the right person for marriage? What a lively discussion. The Girls shared what they were looking for in a guy and the guys shared what they were looking for in a girl. It was real fun. The discussion of love blew many of them away. They said things like, I have never heard anyone talk about love in such a clear and consice way. I referred them to the C.S. Lewis book on the Four Loves published in 1960. It is a classic christian treatment of love written after the death of his wife. We also spent two hours together today discussing Migdol Eder (the hebrew name for a flock station outside Bethlehem) , the birthplace of Jesus. Never heard of it? Take a look in Micah 4. Then look it up on the internet. You may be surprized. Today we got over 12 in our car riding riding from our cabins to the dinner hall at Windermere. We are building good relations with several students. What a joy meeting young eager hearts who are so in love with Jesus.  Our college small group met each day to dig in God's Word.   Sharing Missionary stories with the crowd. We left Monday from Memphis and drove to Roach, Missouri for the Area One Camp at Windermere. It is certainly a beautiful location. Several hundred students are here from various states. We have begun a small group of over 40 students on Tuesday. We have looked closely at the Word of God and potential errors proposed by Jim Jones. It was a great discussion! Many students wondered what they would say about their faith if an atheist were to ask them. One student said, I’ve been challenged by atheists before to truly know what I believe, but I’ve never been challenged by another Christian to truly dig into my faith like you challenged me today. I feel like God has some really big things in store for us, and I’m so excited to see how He’s going to use us. Each evening session I am in front of the crowd introducing missionaries and their stories to the young people. They are responding very well. Pray for us as the week progresses  One of the missionary stories from Honduras. Some of those who live in the city dump of Tegucigalpa. |
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
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