 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.
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 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.  What is God teaching me?
Sharing Our Whole Life In South Africa we met a wonderful Afrikaans family; an older man and his wife and their only grown daughter. We had the privilege of staying with them as Danny worked with various missionaries in the local township and villages. Cathy and I stayed with this lovely family and got to know them. The father had dementia but she was able to develop a great relationship with him. They both bonded over their love for ice cream. He brought out his "big spoon" when the ice cream arrived. Cathy can be seen with her small spoon. His humor was contagious! They loved sitting and talking about his life. She also listened to another older woman who needed to talk.It was several weeks of interaction as we went deeper still into their hearts, minds and souls. Cathy learned a lot about the joy of listening instead of talking. When our time was done, these dear people were laughing and talking with one another. That is why we pitch our tent in the world of missionaries and spend time with their families. We have so much to learn! 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV) "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God abut also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." Covid 19 has been a challenge. But maybe God is giving you the opportunity to share with your family deeper still. Find your ice cream spoon and share your heart! God blessed our time there in 2011 and has many times since then. Don't miss it! Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ a See 2 Cor. 12:15 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Th 2:8). 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 email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. Walking in Africa! Pictured above is the traveling pulpit of the well known evangelist Andrew Murray. He would ride a circuit of churches to preach to the farmers. His trails carried him over the mountains and valleys of the rural areas of Wellington, Worcester, Robertson and other towns. The people would build him a church of reeds and circle it with their wagons for the duration of his stay.
In the 1860's he was called to be the pastor of a church in Worcester. The noted writer was the pastor of five different churches in in the Western Cape area of South Africa.He prayed fervently for revival among the peoples of Africa.When it came he was somewhat surprised. He struggled to respond to all the changes he witnessed. Tomorrow Cathy and I drive to Worcester to run errands and gather groceries. We will drive by the church where that revival took place. We have experienced a similar feeling as we have walked into farmer's homes in the Robertson area. We have opened the Word of God and our discussions have gone deep almost immediately! Yesterday Johann the owner of the cottage where we stay dropped by and knocked on our door. He said, I just love looking deeper in the Bible and seeking to understand some difficult scriptures. I can't stop thinking about our discussion on Saturday. Two German volunteers came into our flat yesterday and asked Cathy questions for hours on relationships, the Bible and the church. What a joy to walk in the steps of others who have been used by our Lord. The next few weeks will speed up and we have a week with Darryl and Janine Mather-Pike at Amathunzi. Then we spend a week in Knysna teaching Bible and leadership to ministry leaders of the area. Pray that our hearts and mind are ready for all the opportunities that will come. We are so thankful for you. 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.  This photo is a snapshot of the vines only twenty feet from our front door. You are looking down on multiple clusters of grapes that have appeared in the last few days.
They have started to blossom with new fresh leaves. At the end of my thumb is a baby cluster of grapes. The very small and tiny grapes will grow and become a sweet rich wine when harvest time arrives. It is a great symbol of what is going on in the Robertson Valley and the Roux Le Chasseur farm. Rolf and Lizzie Weichardt are busy bringing in new young volunteers from German and a new ministry community is forming. Construction is hectic just like a beehive. Tonight, we will have a community gathering with everyone to laugh, eat, play games, share encouragement and get to know one another. It will be a sweet time of fellowship. Johann Roux, the elder father of the farm family, came by our cottage yesterday to show us the Spring Bok (antelope) that was killed for a special Braii soon. That is a special cookout that would be like a barbecue in America. Not only do they grow grapes, apricots and peaches but they tend a herd of Boks also. The Roux family members have brought by olive oil, fruit from the trees, bread and pies. It is what the Bible calls Koinonia! Each time we open the Word of God you feel the growth all around you. One volunteer said, you lit a fire in my heart with the Bible! Koinonia is wonderful but it also brings challenges. Todd Vanderpool, chairman of Deeper Still Missions, was given a hard prognosis after his brain surgery. We ask you to pray for him and his family as they walk a difficult path. Manu Sarjaduk and a group of young missionaries are now at their mission school training center in England. The SMS yesterday highlighted their Bible Study and compared favorably with what we did seven years ago at Amathunzi. We covet your prayers for the hard things and praise God for so many blessings all around us. Thank you for bringing us to the throne of grace! 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 #1 This is the view outside our cottage on the Roux farm. The moon rises above the mountains in the distance.
The vineyards will be growing and full in a month or so just like the photo from a year ago. At this moment the vines have been "cleaned" (pruned) and prepared for the growing season. Young shoots are already coming out of the branches. On the opposite side of our cottage are apricot trees in full bloom. Harvest will be coming after the flowers fall and develop new fruit. Workers are busy each day spraying and preparing the fields. We will come to know each row of plants from the fruit that it bears. So we come to expect a certain fruit from our life that is the result of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The new buildings are up and there is a beehive of activity on the mountain above the Roux farm. The new Khanyisa Retreat center is sitting majestically on a hill that gives a stunning view of the valley. Just to walk around among the series of rooms, lodge and special homes is a treat. The fruit of that labor will be open for service in late November. Missionaries will be able to come and refresh, renew and refocus their walk with Christ on this special place. We have met several new volunteers from Germany and opened God's Word to ask profound questions of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? What do you expect of Jesus? Are you surprised by what Jesus does in your heart, mind and soul? Is there a gap between your knowledge of Jesus and your understanding of Him? Each day is a special opportunity for a new season in your life! Cathy and I are thrilled with our personal Bible Study and the new insights we get each day! Pray as there are challenges with a particular farmer who is making the access road to the facility a difficult issue. I know we plan . . . but God directs the steps. 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. |
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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