 God has provided!
Today is thanksgiving in America. It is a special time in our country. But it is also a special time for us in Africa. Yesterday, November 22nd, was our 48th wedding anniversary. Cathy and I committed our lives to one another in 1975. Since that rainy night in Jackson, Mississippi we have taken a roller coaster ride that has seen the hand of God touch our hearts, minds and dreams. Words barely convey the magnitude and grace we have been given by the mercies of God. We are grateful for so many of you who have invested in our thoughts, prayers and dreams. Many have mentored us as we walk the paths of life.seeking and giving direction. Each person has given a valuable moment to help us as we take each step in life. We find ourselves with a group of young missionaries who thirst and seek deeper meaning in the Word of God. Their own words speak of the changes in their hearts, minds and souls. Those six volunteers made mini donuts for the celebration of our anniversary. Flowers were brought to the door. What more could we ask for? Yesterday also reminded us of how we are take great care in each step we take. Our missionary friend rounded the edge of the volunteer home and a Cape Cobra reared his head and spread his hood.and attempted to bite him. An alert was sent out to everyone to be aware of the snakes that are coming from the ground. The paths of Khanyisa are now cautious and we remember. Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving with the group. Cathy is cooking turkey. I was surprised we found one! We are headed to town to celebrate our anniversary. You will come along with us in our hearts. Thank you for everything!. 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.
0 Comments
Feeding Child led homes!  Imagine driving on roads that are crumbling from inattention. Pot holes make the trip even more hazardous and arduous. Constant rocking back and forth through the ruts and holes. Hours are added to the schedule just to drive 200 miles. During this last week Damon Grevile was in Zimbabwe to see the work of Bonface Metudsa. He is the founder and local pastor that established the ministry called Youth with a Vision. They feed child led homes in five locations around the country. Pictured above is the crowd of children and care givers listening to Bonface. This lifeline reaches over 1500 children in five locations around the country. who have lost their parents in the years past. Local grandmothers help teach these children how to cook and take care of their siblings.They also share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have partnered with ministries in Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Mpumalanga province. Pray for these great servants of the Lord. We have seen water wells significantly affect these locations. As God provides resources we will expand these efforts. Thank you for the prayers that are the foundation of these life changing events. 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. Report #2 From Africa Pictured above is the volunteer missionary team serving in Robertson, South Africa. They work among the children of the farm workers of the valley. They come from Germany and America this year.
They are sitting in our collage built by the farmers to serve those children. Our goal is to teach them the Bible and whet their appetites to learn more of God's Word. We also build relationships with the team and share our very lives. What a special small group experience! We asked the young people what was good for them in these studies. I will never look at the Word of God in the same way. You taught us to look closer at the Bible and ask questions. I would love to do more and we are going to do our own study while you and auntie Cathy are gone to the North. Cathy and I flew to Mpumalanga province North East of Johannesburg. last week. We are among a blessed family who has hosted us many years at this special location. How wonderful to be with them, laugh, talk and see both of the children who are now moving to university. What a special treat for us! It is so nice to feel at home again. I am preaching on Friday at a very difficult neighborhood called Tikwane. I spoke here almost ten years ago in a tent. Sunday I am in the village of Shatale. Israel Malete is the Bishop over twenty village churches planted over the decades. They are called the Word of Life Bible Churches. Missionary Comfort Nlovu is the key leader we have come to mentor and encourage. Pray for us as we serve a number of leaders in the remote and poor areas. We will be here for a month before we turn back South. 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. God Provided!  We landed at Cape Town on the tip of the dark continent. God went before us as we have just returned to Africa. We are always amazed at His provisions from place to place as we plan visits to Robertson Valley, Mpumalanga, Znysna and Cape Town. Dozens of missionaries float through our minds as we anticipate the joy of seeing friends face to face. Pictured above is the window of our flat provided for the first four nights near Cape Town. You see the beautiful beaches of Blouberg and Table Mountain standing as the beacon of the bottom of Africa. We could rest, pray and seek God's guidance as we watch young missionaries from Germany come and go as they serve children in the valley north of Cape Town. We were pleased to see Sara and her mother from our visit in 2022. Her smile and race to hug our necks gave a special ambiance to our long flight to Africa. They had returned to be there for a few weeks until her university studies resume back home.  Now we have moved to the farm of the Roux family who we dearly love. They built a cottage for us to use in this section of Africa. Their children also raced to hug our necks and show their gratitude for our return to the valley.
Pictured on the right is the grape vines directly in front of our cottage. It feels like home as we drop our suitcases and settle into a welcome home away from home. Rhianna, matriarch of the family, showed up at our door. In her hands was a milk tart pie. Similar to a buttermilk pie in America. She remembers that this was a favorite of ours and she taught Cathy how to make it from scratch! Her son Johan and daughter in law Tania all came by the cottage. Staples for bread, apples and food to get us started for this month. God just sent a Hoopoe bird, Cathy's favorite, as he displayed his unique feathers over his head. Winter is still flowing with strong winds but we know that spring is close behind. We are deeply thankful for your prayerful attention to our service to missionaries on the field. We are humbled by your faithfulness to our Lord. 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.  God Provided!
Pictured on the left are some members of a choir from a poor township called Zolani. They were given the opportunity to train at Khanyisa Mountain Lodge in Robertson South Africa back in the spring. You see them dressed in their best for a presentation. The director of the choir invited us to visit a rehearsal in the township. Odwa is a large robust man who was an original member of the Nelson Mandella Singers who toured nationally and internationally years ago. Music had shaped his life and he was working to provide a similar experience for the kids in the poor township. It was a rainy and wind-swept day as we drove into the Xhosa neighborhood. The simple homes were standing within feet of one another. We walked into Odwa’s cinder brick home that had been built in stages. The open interior had exposed rafters and a tin roof. Rooms in the house were eight-foot walls open to the roof. The simple furnishings were tightly fitted into a corner open to the kitchen. Odwa graciously invited us in to sit and greet one another. He shared some of his experiences from years ago. At the same time his deep and powerful voice was impressive. He then took us next door to an open room with no furniture where the choir had gathered out of the rain for rehearsals. There were over twenty young people tightly packed in a eight foot by twelve foot room. Odwa spoke in their native language of Xhosa, and they began to sing! What followed was amazing and inspiring! Dancing was carefully choreographed along with motions and a crisp piercing sound. No speakers or microphones. Discipline and careful consideration had been given to the musical parts and the presentation of the music. My mind went to a favorite song from Josh Groban. You lift me up to more than I can be. That was happening in this tiny room. This description doesn’t convey the magic and pleasure of the moment. When I walked away, I knew I had witnessed something very special. May God help us to encourage one another in a similar fashion. We certainly have faced tremendous uncertainty over the last three years. 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.  Report from Africa #4
Cathy is sitting with the Options staff who work with pregnant girls in the Knysna area. We had several hours of sharing and opening the Word of God with this fun group of ladies. The last two weeks have been filled with one-on-one meetings along with small group meetings almost every day. What a joy it is to share in ministry and share our lives at the same time. As you can see there has been a tremendous amount of laughter, mixed with solemn moments and spiritual encouragement. We have found ourselves thrilled, challenged, and always brought to the throne of our savior with a spiritual focus. But there is one moment that touched our hearts deeply. We were in church with Philip and Elize. They had introduced us to their small group who share their lives and the gospel also. On that Sunday a man they had been building a relationship with came in his wheelchair. They had to pick him up and place him in his wheelchair and bring him into the service for the first time in his life. Cathy and I sat behind them and had front row seats to watch during the singing. He raised his hand and wanted to stand and sing with the crowd. He was unable to stand on his own. These two men lifted him and made it possible for him to participate in the worship of God. They held him up and could hear his broken voice calling out to God. Something special was going on! That moment reminded me of the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus. They even pulled open the roof so he could be lowered to the feet of Jesus! When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, son your sins have been forgiven. (Mark 2:5 NIV) The faith of those two men lifting this man so he could sing was a powerful moment. Hope HQ and YFC Knysna is touching the lives of many. We are thankful to come alongside and encourage them! 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.  Report from Africa #3
This week will be a transition for us to the South African city of Knysna. We will be spending two weeks pouring into the lives of missionaries who we have a deep admiration and respect for their work. Pictured above is Cathy with one of the staff we met several years ago. This is an opportunity to go deeper still into their walk with Christ and their growth as leaders. They provide hope on multiple levels to the parched hearts of people who struggle to make ends meet in this beautiful city on the Indian Ocean. Led by veteran missionary Philip Schroder, he guides Hope HQ among needy families in the area. I think of it as the hope headquarters. It is a place where confidence grows, and people experience what it feels like to be loved and appreciated. My heart warms at the programs they conduct. They have Hands and Hearts workshop that is a trainee carpenter school. My father and grandfather were both carpenters. When I first walked into the building it reminded me of shop at school back in Jackson. They are learning practical skills that will support them and grow them for the future. They also have the Ithemba Skills Center for ladies. They design and make clothes using sewing machines that are provided. Both programs touch real life issues like dagga (a local issue) and drugs. They learn the foundations of faith in Jesus Christ and develop hope for the future. The flip side of Hope HQ is the local Youth for Christ Center. They run the Options Care Center for pregnant girls in the area. They have Team Khanya to minister in the schools and neighborhoods. Volunteers from Germany come and give a year of service to serve these kids. They have study clubs to help students with their schoolwork. Pray for us as we pour ourselves into these leaders for the next two weeks. Pray as our hearts listen carefully and our mind is laser focused on each person. May they go deeper still in their walk with Christ. 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. Report from the field! Each day presents new circumstances and issues to work past. Yesterday started with a break down of a volunteer baakie (pickup truck in America). Cathy and I and two volunteers broke down beside the city dump coming out of Robertson, South Africa. We were twenty kilometers away from our farm. It is not the best place to be stranded on the road in Africa.
One of the highlights of our time has been the Bible studies with the ministry volunteers. Pictured above is the current group who are completing a year of service among the farm children. My . . . are they a joy to work with! But they are also a delight to guide through God’s Word. Their questions are spot on. Their observations are sometimes a surprise to them. The basics of following Christ become alive, rich, and wonderful for application. After one study a visitor who claimed to not be religious said, if this is how your study the Bible then I am here! Their smiles say it all. We share the Bible, but we also share our lives with one another. Little by little we share a fresh layer of experiences with one another. They drop by our cottage and ask questions and seek to know Cathy and I as a couple. A couple of Germans wanted to see an American western movie from our collection we carry with us. Laughter and togetherness have led to deep discussions on faith and life. We are deeply grateful that God allows us to support this missionary family in Africa. It is with gratitude that we say thanks to everyone who made this possible. 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.  Home Again!
We flew into Cape Town and a section of South Africa that is very familiar. It feels like a second home. It has been a long three years of Covid that has kept us away! We felt a strong sense of belonging and cherished the fresh chill that blows through this area of Africa. This part of the world is known as the sea of storms coming off of the Antarctic. So the temperature goes into the 30"s at night and back to the 50's during the day. But most importantly Lizzie Weichardt greeted us with a warm hug and all of the dogs barked a welcome song for us! This photo was taken just outside our cottage on the Roux family farm located in the wine lands of Robertson Valley. You see some of the vines that have already been cleaned and prepared to produce next spring. It is a real reminder of Jesus and the vines. It is winter here in South Africa and this first week has been cold, wet and stormy. Gale force winds whipped the trees while a leak appeared in the ceiling as the storm raged all day on Thursday. Load sharing of electricity has been a staple of our experience in Africa. The power goes off so the production of electricity is shared from area to area. Our electricity has gone off twice a day this first week. There is little heat and dressing requires multiple layers. We are settled in for the first few weeks at Khanyisa Mountain Lodge and Bible studies have begun as we are building a relationship with young volunteer missionaries. Pray with us as we serve, care and love those who God brings in our path. 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.   Watervall Church Necessary for the Kingdom! I arrived at a small village church in Northern Mpumalanga of South Africa. It was September 2018 and a special holiday was being observed. It was Heritage Day. People came dressed in traditional clothing representing their various tribes. Tradition was their focus. I was surprised when I drove onto the property. The structure had been partially destroyed during a storm that came through that week. I thought to myself, "Is there anyone here?" It didn't look as if any activity would transpire there. I got out of my car and walked to the open door and found a group of people under the final remaining roof. Stepping inside I was aware of a strong odor. I had not seen a floor mixed with dirt and dung to give it a finished look and stability. But I learned this is the "dirt floor" in their huts also. This group could not afford a nice wood floor. But their love of Jesus was contagious as the children sang a special song just for the pastor. It was in English! They captured my heart! I opened God's Word to Revelation and read the following description of saints in heaven.  Revelation 7:9 (ESV)
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, John saw the diversity of tribes, peoples and languages before Jesus. I was standing in a place that was a snapshot of heaven. I was deeply humbled as more than a dozen responded to the invitation to accept Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:22 (ESV) 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, I learned a valuable lesson that day. That church in Watervall is necessary! Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Re 7:9 and 1 Cor. 12:22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 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. |
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
April 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed