Report from Germany!

We rode into Hannover HBF train station ten minutes late. Originally our connection was only a seven-minute gap to move from platform 9 to platform 7. The Conductor was aware of our tight connection and guided us to Platform 7 and told us to hurry and jump on the train so we would not miss our high-speed ICE Train.

We raced up and down the stairs with our luggage and barely made the train as it pulled away. We rested up against the wall and took a deep breath. The train began to move and I thought to myself that this is the wrong direction. I spoke to the train personnel and discovered the train was taking us North to Hamburg instead of South. The conductor had mistakenly guided us to the wrong platform!

The detour took us two hours out of our way. We made a turnaround in Hamburg and finally made our destination in Mannheim and finally Worms. We discovered the computers had gone down and you couldn’t trust the boards guiding you to various trains.

This month has found us visiting numerous towns, friends and ministry settings throughout Germany. We have felt like a pinball bouncing from place to place and watching God do things in His timing, wisdom and favor. We have been in Bible studies with students at a University and discussions with couples about the challenges of marriage and ministry.

I stood in the offices of Greater Europe Mission in Kandern and saw a map of Europe marked with hundreds of red dots. These marked the ministry locations they have served over the years. Kim Garrity pointed out some small countries that I had never heard of and the ministry settings we had visited him in Greece. It is very impressive to see where God has taken the team!

Then we learned that just two days ago fifteen people drowned trying to get from Turkey to Greece and the Island of Lesvos. The saga continues with refugees still running from the evil of radical Islam and war. Yet information about this tragedy appears to have faded into the fog of inattention.

Some days we ask God, where are you taking us? We wonder if we are on the right track. We pray that God gives us the eyes to see and the heart that is tender to serve as He desires. Once you are privileged to see into someone’s heart and share concern with a hurting friend, at that moment, God’s pinball route makes sense.

Where is He taking you today?

Cathy and Danny Sartin
[email protected]

Report from Europe!

​This week finds us in Germany. Today we are visiting some short-term missionaries who we met in South Africa. This month finds us visiting missionaries at five locations.

Cathy is seated making Russian Dumplings called Pilmeni. It is one thing to share the Bible with one another but another all together to comprehend their life, culture and worship.

My mind raced back to the movie Dr. Zhivago as we talked with the Oma (grandmother) of the family. This Russian-German family moved to Russia at the invitation of Catherine the Great to establish German villages in the North of modern day Ukraine. They spoke German and continued their evangelical church tradition in the village of Raditsch.

Oma, called Friede, was born in 1936. Her father was the lay preacher of their congregation when Lenin and the revolution took over Russia. In October 1937 soldiers came and took him away and shot him a few weeks later. Friede said, I still have his Bible. We asked if we could see it.

Proudly she rushed off and brought back the precious memory of her father. There was an inscription in the beginning as the Bible was a gift from two women who had been ministered too. They gave it along with a book of songs.

When World War II began, the German’s came to Ukraine to reclaim the land and villages of Germans. When the Germans faltered, and retreated, Russians were killing all the German descendants who had remained German. Frieda said, we prayed all night thinking it would be our last! As a miracle of God, they were spared and returned to Germany and the village of Petersdorf.

Less than a year later Friede was taken captive by Stalin’s troops and placed on a train with her mother and sister. Over the next three months they lived in the train while being transported to Siberia. Siberia was their home until 1959 after the death of Stalin.

They lived on cooked grasses, a few mushrooms and cups of flour swapped for dresses. Their prized possession of her Father’s Bible came with them and the Russians allowed them to read it. What a joy to flip through the pages of this Martyr’s book and see underlined words and notes.

They could have church but only in small groups of fifteen or less. They sang hymns in a whisper and worshiped quietly.  They were always afraid of soldiers coming and taking them away. Friede said, I understand the pressure and fear of being a Christian in a hostile country. I pray for those who must endure it even today.

What phrase was most underlined in the Bible? The fear of the Lord seemed to be noted over and over. She could understand fear in a way that I never have! In 1959, the entire family moved to Kazakhstan to get away from the brutal winters of Siberia. But the oppression of the Communist leadership continued to limit their worship as a church.

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and the entire village of German’s moved to Detmold. Finally, they were free to worship and live without oppression.  What a joy to see their Russian-German traditions today, to live in their home, share meals and worship. Tonight we join the Russian-German congregation for communion, and a Good Friday Service tomorrow.

We look forward to Easter Sunday this week. Let's worship our Christ as the whole Christian World lifts Him on high. He is Risen! . . . He is Risen Indeed!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com

Detmold, Germany


Cathy is holding a tiny lizard in the palm of her hand. I think it is the smallest one we have ever seen. It is so small you could easily miss its presence.

In the last several weeks we have traveled to areas of the world that display the personal result of the Islamic caliphate. Islam's primary awaited savior, the Mahdi is expected to return. According to Islamic teaching, he will return near the end of the world to rule the earth for seven years and bring about final judgement.

If you do not believe like they believe and do what they say you will be killed. Thousands upon thousands of people have been killed, threatened and displaced. This includes Muslims, Christians and Jews. Their savagery has prompted many to flee their lands with only the clothes on their backs. 

We have met refugees from all over the Middle East while in Europe. Their plight is troubling but our view of them, especially in America, is so small. We hardly notice the circumstances surrounding their flight. Churches in Germany are reaching out to help those displaced people. They are showing the love of Christ.

I walked into the room of students, at a local church, desiring to learn German and got immediate notice. I greeted each person with a handshake and a warm hello in their language of Farsi. You could see the surprise on their face and others strained their necks to catch a glimpse of the American who was saying hello. I sat next to an Algerian refugee who spoke no English, no German and mostly Arabic.

We attempted to convey ideas with our hands. I am sure a video of our attempted conversation would make the TV show America's Funniest Videos. Each of us wanted to talk but our languages made it difficult at best.

I discovered he had a brother in New York City who drives a taxi. "Me brudder stay in New York" and he put his hands as if on a steering wheel. I retorted back Taxi and he cheerfully laughed and shook his head yes!

We spent over an hour talking and enjoying each others company. We spoke the German words and laughed at each other as we failed to do it cleanly. We bonded and got to know each other. A friendship was born between a wide eyed Muslim from Africa and this tall American.

Prompted by the Holy Spirit I noticed a man who was from Damascus. I stood up and walked directly at him and spoke. He greeted me warmly and I slowly asked, are you a believer? He immediately responded and said yes. Then he thoughtfully said, I can see the Spirit of God in your eyes. He proudly introduced me to his family who was with him.A chance encounter with a group of Christians that are fleeing the onslaught of ISIS was very exciting. He helped me connect even deeper with my Algerian friend and they left talking with one another. 

The hand of God is holding this heart breaking problem and giving Christians the opportunity to share the peace of Jesus Christ. Many refugees feel like this tiny lizard that is so vulnerable and insignificant.

But they do not escape the sight and interest of our loving God. Thankfully neither do we. Pray for us as we return home today after a month in Europe.

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 walked through the original city gate from one thousand years ago. The stone archway was beautiful, solid and flowed easily into the walls built by the Romans.

We walked the cobble stone path as my guide turned and said to me, Martin Luther walked this very path hundreds of years ago.We turned a corner and came to a bank building with a special plague hanging on the wall. Written in German it identified this location as the place where Martin Luther stayed for ten days in 1521. The buildings had been destroyed centuries earlier.

We continued walking the narrow cobble stone paths for several blocks when we stepped into an open court with beautiful trees and grass. On my right was an enormous church building called the dome by local people. The Catholic house of worship had been built by the Bishop of Worms in the eleventh century. The outside had been adorned with statues, figurines and intricate carvings that was stunning to review.

We stepped through a huge door and found ourselves in the sanctuary. The size alone was breathtaking. It was over five stories tall and over nine hundred feet from one end to the other. Sunlight pierced the shadows from several stories up and lit up the altar in a spectacular fashion. It felt like the hand of God was reaching inside through the power of the sun. It was massive, impressive and daunting.

All of a sudden my heart was gripped with the reality of the pressure that Martin Luther had faced at the meeting in Worms. He had come to one of the most impressive locations in all of Europe to face the King, Princes and representatives of the Pope.

This event was no longer a historical speed bump in the time line of church history. It became a David and Goliath moment from the past. This simple monk stood before the grandeur, power and pressure of the world to declare his heart captive to the Word of God.

Leadership demanded that Luther refute all of his writings. He had questioned church practices and traditions that had become so deeply entrenched over fifteen centuries. This incensed church and government leaders who felt this heretic would split the world apart.

This moment in history is called the reformation. Martin Luther’s stand would spark the birth of all the Protestant churches we know today. This week has helped me better understand  the pressure created by such a seismic spiritual event.

The last five days have been a simple reminder of the profound implications of ministering in the lives of others. This has been a whirlwind of speaking, teaching, listening, asking questions and counseling. I have learned so much from the experience.

I have reconnected with old friend, established new friends and had my heart transported back over five hundred years.

I must say that I marvel at the work of God! It is amazing how he uses simple people to accomplish His Divine Conspiracy.

Today we are riding on one of the famous German high-speed trains at over 150 kilometers per hour. Fields, cars on the autobahn and small villages whisk by in a blur. The beautiful villages are often built around a church steeple or castle. Canola flowers seem to be planted everywhere. The bright yellow blooms and plants are over a meter tall and all over the place. Germany is certainly a beautiful country.

I recognize names of towns my father saw almost sixty-nine years ago at the end of WWII. I read the memoir of his battalion and imagine what his thoughts must have been. No longer is this a foreign country but a place that brings the memory of my father’s experiences to life. I can now appreciate what his battalion did in the final six weeks of the war. Riding bumpy trucks for hundreds of miles and fighting a resolute foe desperately trying to protect their motherland. It is no longer just stories told by my dad or accounts I have read in books. It is now a living and breathing memory that has opened my eyes.

We spent an outstanding week with Kim and Jenny Garrity of Greater European Missions. What a joy to learn of their family, ministry, dreams and their heartbeat for the Kingdom of God. We spent many hours listening, talking and sharing our hearts with one another.

Kim did not just tell us stories but showed us pictures of people they have come to know. One picture was a former member of the Taliban sitting at a table and reading the Bible. Refugees from Syria, Iran, Iraq and other volatile regions have gathered in Greece and other more friendly countries to seek asylum from the oppression. Kim regularly visits a Persian speaking church to bring short-term ministry teams alongside this fledgling church to serve.

The pastor of this church has a death sentence on his life from radical groups and unhappy governments. Great caution must be taken when discussing their needs, location and names. It reminds us of the stories we have read about Christian martyrs in the centuries past.

We walked into a former jail cell where Christians were persecuted for heresy, witchcraft and other crimes. The walls were covered with drawing by the prisoners testifying to Jesus, God and His Word. Biblical characters and the Gospel was clearly shown on those walls. Dates going back to the 1600’s jumped out at my heart. Sometimes with their own blood they sketched these rough figures, scriptures and messages.

After spending time with missionaries in Europe we am convicted for their needs. Hopefully God will allow us to return and visit the people in the pictures we saw. It is no longer just stories told by CNN or accounts I have read in books. It is now a living and breathing memory that has opened our hearts

It is also Cathy’s birthday. Normally it is a day reserved for time with the family. That is one thing we miss greatly on the road. But we are deeply grateful that you sent us.

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.

In the spring time Holland has to be one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Fields of Tulips stretch to the horizon in a rainbow of colors from field to field. We have never seen anything like it before. It seems like every shade of color is represented brilliantly and radiantly.

The winter wonderland of ice skating and canals turns into a cascading canvas of flowers, windmills and green carpets of grass. Bicycles seem to be everywhere and people stroll the streets. There is an old world beauty that few places on earth can contend with.

We met our missionary friends with their little son. What a joy to see a friend from so many years ago in the Ukraine. She had participated in evangelism training at her church in Lutsk and we had become friends as she shared the same birthday as our son. Regular contact over the years had kept us aware of God’s work in her life as she went from Ukraine to Israel and finally to Amsterdam.

They had ministered for several years in this picturesque city of paradoxes. What is the pride and jewel of Amsterdam? It seems their red light district is world famous. It is prominently marked on all the city maps and advertising. It is a tourist attraction. Women dance in windows to attract customers, she said.

The stories of the girls involved are tragic and heartbreaking. Sex trafficking is a strong undercurrent in this world of prostitution. She said the stories are so heartrending that she had to step back from the ministry because of the pain. It was killing her.

But the story that caught my heart was the church steeple they pointed to at a distance. Do you see  that church? They were the founders of the red light district here in Amsterdam. All of the red light district is next to and around that church. Seven hundred years ago they set up this business to protect girls from sailor’s who came into port and raped the Dutch women. They also profited by collecting indulgences from the men who had sex and then went to confession.  There is even a monument on church property to the gay lifestyle. The triangle monument is complimented with a gay and lesbian information center.

We found our hearts overwhelmed with the reality of these accounts. How could this be? The spiritual forces seem daunting in this place. Our hearts break for those who seek to touch the lives of so many who are mangled in this world of sin.

Our travel will bring us back to Amsterdam before we leave the continent. Pray as we spend time with these precious friends here, in Germany and other locations as we serve with overwhelmed hearts. 

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.