Report from Africa #6

​Cathy and I were sitting on the bus riding from Johannesburg to White River in Mpumalanga. We were leaving the limits of Johannesburg when I noticed a familiar scene. In an open field beside the highway was a snapshot out of the history of Africa.

A group of thirty to forty people were sitting in a circle wearing all white robes. I had come to learn of the ZCC and the Bantu religion practiced in many parts of Africa. This ancestral worshipping group make use of Sangomas (witch doctors) and Inyagas (medicine men) and blend their faith with some parts of the Bible. Its anchor of thinking has become the cornerstone of the African world view.

We saw the same thing in Zambia each time we drove to town in Livingstone. I had become accustomed to seeing the Sangoma mud house on the dirt road in and out of the community. A short distance away from the missionary home was another Sangoma that actively could be heard on occasion beating drums and chanting. Local people visit them as they would a doctor, fortune teller and spiritual guide.

We have been reminded many times that we are in a different world. Africa is deeply rooted in ancestral thought and influence. Yes, you see modern cars and trucks, but you also see donkey carts and oxen pulling wagons made from a car axle. When we visited a local Shoprite grocery in Livingstone you never knew what would be available on their shelves. You could only buy the stock that was available.

This Sunday I will be visiting two churches in small village areas and preaching the Bible. Africans love the Bible. They will sit for hours and listen to God’s Word. Unfortunately, many of the pastors have no formal Bible training.

It is a great privilege to provide glimpses of the Holy Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Pray as we open the Bible and teach over the next two months. We covet your thoughts and prayers during this time!

​Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com.
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Churches in Mpumalanga!

Our work among leaders in this Northern Province of South Africa has been very fruitful. The last two weeks of our time in this area is going to be very busy.

Last Sunday I preached in the Calvary Church in White River among Afrikaans people and many missionaries who are working in the area. Cathy has been attending their ladies Bible Study each week that we have been here. When she emerged on Tuesday I could tell something had happened. The ladies were hugging Cathy and thanking her for coming to this group that is studying soul care.

Yesterday I drove 2 1/2 hours South to the village of Elukwatini. Twenty-five pastors awaited a two-hour Bible Study session. This was our third meeting this month. Despite our language differences they were laughing, smiling and enjoying an honest walk through difficult scriptures. Our friendships started over four years ago and have deepenedeach time we have visited this remote area. Inductive Bible Study is a new concept to them and deeply valued with these poor pastors.

Today, Ronas Marule and I met with Pastors in Nelspruit (now named Mbombela) and I had the joy to open God's Word with them. Comments of affirmation, excitement and thankfulness followed after our time. Then Ronas and I were off to new High School in the community of Tekswane South East of Nelspruit. Observing another ministry designed to reach out and give dignity to girls as they grow up. Tonight, I am preaching at a church in the community as they are conducting a revival. Pictured above (kneeling) is Bishop Israel Malele who set up this time at Sello's church.

Saturday will be a day of training at a church in Moramela in the escarpment mountains. I will be teaching leadership and Bible skills to youth leaders and pastors. They wanted to go from 9 to 5 with the training. Ronas suggested a shorter time so the group would learn, apply and not forget.

The exciting part of Saturday is the location. Six years ago I was the featured speaker at a youth rally in Moramela. No church existed at that remote village. Today it is the largest church on the entire escarpment. I can't wait to see it again.

Sunday will find us three hours South speaking in Pastor Maxwell's church in Moraplass. It will be our first time to visit his congregation. He was my interpreter four years ago in Elukwatini.

Through missionaries Ronas Marule and Darryl Mather-Pike we find ourselves involved in the lives of so many pastors, churches and other missionaries. Life on life transformation changes us from the inside out.

Thank you for sending us area so we could pitch our tent and live among them. The fruit just seems to multiply.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com

Report from Africa #6
​
We walked into Emmanuel Church on a special day for South Africa. This past Sunday was Heritage Day for the country.

Many of the church attendees wore clothing to signify the tribal heritage of their family. There was a spectrum of colors, designs and styles. Pictured with Cathy and myself is one lady whose heritage comes from Swaziland (on the left) and another who has a background of Zulu (on the right). Cathy joined many other ladies by wearing a Siswati wrap.

The joy of the experience was to open our Bibles to Revelation 7:9-10. John the writer looked and saw a multitude that no one could count. They were from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the lamb. (NIV) At that moment the multitude was praising God and the lamb. We shared those words in each person's original language for a small slice of heaven in front of the throne. It was nice to note that every nation and tribe would be represented before God.

We have been reminded again of the deep thirst Africans have for the Word of God. Yesterday I taught inductive Bible study methods to nearly thirty pastors. At the conclusion of the lesson the elder pastor came up and took my hand. He then lifted it to his face and placed a kiss on my hand. A special recognition of the value he saw in the Bible study time.

Thank you for sending us to serve missionaries and Christian leaders in Africa. It has been a great joy.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com

One of the tactics of Deeper Still Missions is to “pitch our tent” in the lives of missionaries and those who affect their life. Over the last seven years we have become close friends with Ken and Sharon Scriminger in the escarpment area of Mpumalanga. He serves on Ronas Marule’s board of directors and has planted eight churches on the escarpment. Pastor Ken is one of the humblest men I know. I asked his permission to write this report and include the picture.

Encouragement in ministry takes many forms. But nothing is more challenging than when a ministry family experiences a tragedy. Last week Ken’s son-in-law, Marcus, was killed in an automobile accident. He left his wife and ten-year-old son.

We attended the funeral and graveside to love and care for our dear friends. Just a chance to hug their neck and whisper those words, I love you. Feeling their heartbreak, listening to their stories and meeting additional family members.

Cathy and I had never been to a traditional African funeral before. It had elements foreign to Americans concerning death. They lower the casket into the ground and family members begin by filling the grave with a single hand full of dirt. Once all the immediate family has taken a moment to say goodbye and drop their hand of dirt on the casket, then friends and neighbors began to shovel the dirt into the grave.

A group of ladies stood close by and sang hymn after hymn. They sang Portuguese, Shangaan, English and various other dialects. The heart-felt sound resonated over the hillside as everyone buried Marcus. It was a very touching scene. Pictured is the grave of Marcus.

Cathy and I stood under a small shade tree in the hot African heat. Unknown to us was the grave right beside us. It was the grave of Ken’s brother and nephew who had been killed also in an automobile accident back in April. They were buried together.

We seldom know the issues affecting the life of a ministry person until you come alongside and live with them for a while. Then you see and feel the issues that press on their heart, mind and soul.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)
8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of Godt but our lives as well.u

Thank you for helping us come to Africa over these years!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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 t  See Ro 1:1
u  2 Co 12:15; 1 Jn 3:16
  The New International Version. (2011). (1 Th 2:8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Report from Africa #4!

On Sunday afternoon, we sat in the volunteer house opening the Word of God and conducting Bible study. Our focus was on Jesus healing a paralytic in Mark chapter 2 verses one through 12.

Four men came bringing this paralytic at the home where Jesus was living. We were making observations, asking questions and looking for an application to life today.

Our discussion focused on verse five where it said Jesus saw their faith. Whose faith was he talking about? Was it the four men who came prepared to dig through the roof and lower this man to the feet of Jesus? Was it the paralytic? Apparently, Jesus was talking about more than one person when he saw their faith. Jesus forgives the paralytic for his sins. But then astoundingly Jesus told the paralytic to get up take your bed and go home.

It appears that it was the faith of the four men that moved the Lord to forgive and heal the paralytic. Then Snowey began to remember the experience they had as a volunteer team. His eyes got wide and he became very excited as he recalled the incident.

He said I remember the little boy who came to our kid’s club last February. He was always in a wheelchair and limited in his ability to be involved in the activities. The young missionaries discussed what to do to help in this situation.

That day the volunteers had a prayer session asking God to heal this young boy. The week after their prayer the boy showed up without the wheelchair. His walking was labored and slow. However broken and unbalanced, he could walk!

He recalled from the club meeting the day before how little boy was now running during the meeting. The faith of the volunteer team had brought the Lord to touch and heal him! Snowey said, we’ve never talked about this but I will never forget the experience. Maybe our faith contributed to his healing.

It is nice to see the spirit of God move among these young volunteer missionaries!

Cathy and Danny Sartin