Category: Spiritual Safari - Deeper Still Missions | Missionary Training | Ministry Mentoring

Care for Others

6/18/2020

Tempting a Buffalo
The Stare of Death

Cathy and I were driving in Kruger National Park when we came upon a Buffalo family. The calf was only minutes old. You could see the afterbirth and wet skin on the little baby.

Moma and daddy took steps toward us as they sized us up. They were saying to us . . . do not come closer! The protective instinct was clearly visible and stone cold. We carefully backed away and gave more room for the family to feel safe from us. Then we watched.

The mother began to lick the baby and get him on his feet. The father never turned his eyes from us. He had a laser focus on us and made sure that his family would be OK.

Since that early encounter we have seen hundreds of Buffalo in herds and solo in the park. We have seen a group of Buffalo gather to attack a pride of lions. The old bull gored a female lion and flipped her into the air. We were amazed! He threw her nearly twenty feet high.

When threatened, buffalo form a circle with horns facing out. All predators know the danger of the horns. But most importantly the group comes together to support one another.

Who would stand with you? Who could you seek refuge with when you are faced with a difficult situation? The fellowship of believers should be a safe place for a Christian. Would you gently and humbly help a friend who is surrounded in sin? Do you stand shoulder to shoulder with them and help restore them?

We pray that you will be a safe place for others. Jesus said we should love one another!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com
______________________________Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

The King

2/20/2020

The King of Beasts
Everyone wants a glimpse!

Cathy and I first visited Kruger National Park in 2009. It was our first time to see African animals in the wild. The picture above shows the hoard of viewers who want to get a closer look. You can see them jockey their vehicles to get a clear picture.

God put us at the right spot for this female lion to cross the road right in front of us. You notice the full stomach and unconcerned attitude about the cars on the road. She crossed as if they didn't exist. Her male companion followed closely along with a few other members of the pride.

This picture shows no fear. This picture shows confidence. This picture reflects satisfaction and shows leadership. The odd animals with round wheels are not important to the lion. When you come this close to this powerful animal it is humbling.

You need to be careful when a lion comes into your path. Notice the window that is down on the first car. Maybe that is not a good idea.

Peter said the following; 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
8 aBe sober-minded; bbe watchful. Your cadversary the devil dprowls around elike a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Are you sober-minded and watchful in your daily activity? Recognize that the devil is after anyone who is not cautious. Do you prepare carefully? His eyes may be on you.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
a See ch. 1:13
b See Matt. 24:42
c Eph. 4:27; 6:11; Rev. 12:9, 12; [Job 1:9–12; Luke 22:31; 2 Cor. 2:11]
d Job 1:7; 2:2
e [Ps. 22:21]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 5:8). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

High Speed

11/21/2019

The silent high speed killer!
The Marshall Eagle

Pictured to the left is the largest eagle in Africa. Males will weigh up to 14 pounds with a wingspan over six feet 4 inches. He is capable of knocking a man down! He has enough power in his talons to break a man's arm.

This powerful bird spends most of the day soaring at great heights and occasionally hovers for prey. It's favorite meal is venomous snakes, monitor lizards, klipspringer and impala. Silence and speed is it's secret weapon. But it can kill large birds, mongoose, small antelopes, monkeys and sometimes small goats and lambs. We saw a video of one killing a wart hog!

Mounting up with wings like this eagle is very spectacular. It re-uses nests each year that are massive. They can be six feet across and four feet deep. I could lie down inside the enormous nest!

Those who wait on the Lord will mount up with wings like an eagle. The result of God's intervention in our lives is breath taking. Unfortunately most of us are not patient in waiting for the Lord. We wonder if He is aware of the details in our life. How could he know the struggles we have and leave us there to learn? Jesus saw the disciples struggling at the oars and intended to pass them by. Do you feel like he is leaving you in a situation that seems to be going nowhere?

Be patient and let the Lord choose His timing. That has been a hard lesson for us over the years.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com
_______________________________

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

High - Speed

8/22/2019

The Most Feared and Respected
Black Mamba!

I remember the first time we saw a Black Mamba in the wild. It was unnerving! The speed of the snake was shocking. It went so fast that is was a challenge to follow its movements. They say it can go over twelve miles an hour!

It was approximately five yards long. It is second in size to the King Cobra of India. But it is considered one of the most deadly snakes in the world and with good reason. Two drops of venom can kill a human being.

When he opens his mouth it is inky black. He turned and squared up to our vehicle as if he would attack the odd animal with wheels. His head waved slowly back and forth as if to size us up before turning and slithering away.

You know God sent snakes among the people to punish them for their sin in the book of Numbers chapter 21. I can imagine the terror that would come in the hearts of the people if hundreds of Mambas raced into a crowd.

But God gave Moses a simple solution to the situation. He told him to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole for all to see. All people had to do was look to the snake and they would be healed.

Jesus compares his crucifixion to the snake in the desert. The deadly consequences of sin can strike with lightening speed. But all it takes is a glance at the cross through faith and the power of sin is overcome.

Have you glanced to the cross today? Is your faith centered on the snake (tools used by God) or on Jesus Christ?

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions@gmail.com
_______________________________

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. The photo was taken by us in South Africa.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

Eyes Only

6/20/2019

The Greyhound of the Cats

I remember the day we saw our first Cheetah in the wild. He was at Renosterpan in the South West corner of Kruger National Park. Our guide had heard of the cat from another person who spoke Afrikaans. She turned our car around and moved to the water hole quickly. There it sat a short distance away.

The beautiful and majestic feline was panting and quietly resting. Then to our surprise only twenty yards away stood an Impala buck. He was snorting and stomping his feet on the ground. The Cheetah barely took notice of him. I thought to myself, this Impala is crazy! That cat is one of the most specialized animals in the world. It is the fastest land animal anywhere. He can run up to 70 miles an hour!

What we did not understand is that the cat had been in a chase only minutes ago and had not caught his prey. The body of a Cheetah can only sustain bursts of speed for about 100 yards. It the prey can outlast that burst then it can escape. It requires the cat to rest for thirty minutes so that its body can recover from the chase. Many times other carnivores will take a Cheetah's kill because she is too spent to fight for the food.

The picture above is a Cheetah looking for a potential target. He jumped up on a fallen tree seeking to identify potential prey in the distance. Then a slow stalking will ensue until the Cheetah is close enough to spring at the target. Usually it is within a few yards when the chase begins.

The Bible speaks of numerous predators who have their eyes on us. Satan is compared to a roaring lion who seeks someone to devour. Not nibble or play with! He wants to consume our heart, mind and soul! Where are the eyes of the Lord?

Psalm 33:18–19 (ESV)
18  Behold, ethe eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, fon those who hope in his steadfast love,
19  that he may gdeliver their soul from death and keep them alive in hfamine.

The eye of the Lord is on those who have reverence for him. Respect is what all of us want. If you give God that respect His eye will be upon you. Consider your posture toward God. Do you snort and stomp your feet because you are upset with Him? Are you willing to allow God to be God?

Where are your eyes fixed? On Christ. . . or yourself?

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
__________________________
e Ps. 34:15; Job 36:7; 1 Pet. 3:12
f Ps. 147:11
g [Acts 12:11]
h Ps. 37:19; Job 5:20
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 33:18–19). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention. Photos are taken by Danny and Cathy Sartin in Africa.
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.

Planning

2/21/2019

Impala
Plans of wonder!

Baby Impala's are some of the most beautiful antelopes in all of the world. We have seen hundreds of thousands in Kruger National Park over the last ten years. They seem to be everywhere!

I have jokingly called them happy meals for so many of the carnivores such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and jackals. These elegant antelopes seem to be on everyone's menu. But they breed in large numbers and graze the Savanna grasslands of Africa. They are known for their spectacular leaps when disturbed or frightened. Their speed and elusiveness is breathtaking.

Our first view of a cheetah was nearly ten years ago. Less than twenty yards away was an Impala male. He was stomping the ground and snorting at the spent cat. I was amazed! Apparently the cheetah had unsuccessfully chased some of the Impala and had to rest to recover from the all out run.

One of our visits to Kruger was during a special time of the year. In just a two week window all of the female Impala's had given birth to their babies. It was God's way of making the vulnerable youngsters so plentiful that the cats could not kill them all. Thus he insured a large family of antelopes for the year round needs of the carnivores.

God's timing provided safety for the youngsters! Take note of God's timing in your life. When we look back at events in our lives we often see the masterful timing of God. We are thankful for his attention to the small details in each of our lives. He knows. He can see what we can't see.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

Special Gifts!

8/23/2018

Getting up close and personal with one of God’s creatures can give you a new perspective. Cathy and I were at an animal rehabilitation center in South Africa several years ago. I was intrigued that the center had a rescue pen for vultures. There were very few positive thoughts I had about this scavenger.

They sought a volunteer to feed one of the vultures and I was chosen. You see pictured the vulture that landed on my arm and took the fresh meat that was between my thumb and index finger. I remember the strength of it’s talons on my arm. One talon slipped between the joint in the thumb and rested on my skin. I thought, I hope he doesn’t squeeze too hard or he will pierce my skin!

God created this bird with a special function. They will remove dead carcasses. They are on a list of animals like lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. But they can clean up a bio hazard situation that would kill those other scavengers. Their stomach acid is so acidic that they can digest bacteria that is lethal to others. The dead animal can be infected with cholera or anthrax and the vulture can remove these bacteria from the environment.

When you see a committee of birds around a kill you can see them patiently waiting for a larger vulture to open the carcass. Each bird consumes a specific portion of the animal. We watched during a week’s period scavengers removing an elephant who had been struck by lightning. Nothing was left but a skull when we left Kruger National Park.

The bird jumped from my arm and scurried back to his perch. I was relieved but also fascinated by this massive bird. God’s creativity seems endless and filled with wonder. It seems that God has a special purpose for everything and everyone.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

__________________________

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

Crushing!

6/21/2018

He looks really harmless as a youngster.

The Hyena is a specialized scavenger created by God to consume any animal whether alive or dead. They like vultures, have strong stomach acids to completely digest flesh and bones. They leave nothing behind!

Their powerful jaws can crush bone, rip sinew and devour every part of an animal. A group of hyenas can devour an entire Zebra and leave no leftovers, not even the bones, in under a half hour.

Their vicious nature makes them a threat to each other when feeding. They fight with each other over the remains, ripping and clawing one another. Hyena are cannibals and will attack and eat other hyenas including their young.

Satan desires to devour us in the same manner. He doesn't wish to just wound us, confuse us or send us in a wayward path. He seeks to destroy us and leave nothing behind.

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore vlet anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Do you think Satan will ignore you? Like the hyena, Satan is relentless. He is just waiting for you to stumble. Then the feeding frenzy will begin.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
v Rom. 11:20; [2 Pet. 3:17]
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 10:12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

Surprise for you!

3/22/2018

Leopard
Stalking predator!

We pulled up to a group of vehicles in the Kruger National Park. It was obvious that someone had caught a glimpse of an elusive animal. The road was high above the wash below and I thought that our opportunity to see the animal was very remote.

A large covert was beneath our car and the road. The trees, bushes and high grass blocked any clear view in the distance. Then suddenly . . . it happened. The beautiful cat sprung onto the shoulder of the road and began walking right beside our vehicle.We were stunned to see this magnificent cat only a meter away! Then we took the picture you see here.

Leopards live in areas of the world where sufficient cover is provided for concealment. This cat is stealthy! It is bold! It is also versatile as a predator. It can survive in places that other cats cannot.

We have seen this spotted panther while it was on the hunt. Laying close to the ground and watching its prey. It would creep slowly and position itself to pounce on the desired prey. It is the quintessential ambush and stalking predator of the animal kingdom. Then it climbs a tree with its kill and begins to consume its prize.

The leopard was an animal feared in ancient times (Jer. 5:6). It was admired for its swiftness (Hab. 1:8). Daniel 7:6 uses the leopard to show prophetic visions of nations that will quickly conquer major countries.

Sin and our spiritual enemy are just like the Leopard. It stalks the heart of a person and ambushes you when you are unaware. Many times, we have heard someone say, I didn’t see that coming. Be aware and look for the enemy in your life. Sin never changes its spots!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.

God's Garden

12/21/2017

A Tree in the Garden

Continually Cathy is pointing out the different trees we come across in Africa. Their assortment is so varied that I am amazed at the creativity of God. Notice this beautifully shaped tree we saw in Kruger National Park. As you can tell, trees become an important source of shade during the blistering heat of the African summer.

The Baobab tree seems odd when you first see one. It appears like an upside-down tree. A huge trunk with some thin sprinkled limbs on top seem out of place. It is the iconic “tree of life” for the continent of Africa. But, it produces the most nutrient rich fruit in the world in a very difficult dry climate.

Consider God’s interest in the garden of trees he created in Genesis chapter two. He creates the garden as a distinct place where God and man can have a close relationship. The garden was a place where God’s presence dwells in a special kind of way so that his people can be with him and worship Him.

Two of the most important spices used in the Bible are frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin that is ground into powder and burned to produce a balsam-like odor. Myrrh is also a resin found in various bushes. It was used for worship in the Tabernacle and Temple over the centuries.

Had it ever occurred to you that the wise men brought remembrances of the Garden of Eden when they visited the Christ child? Gold, frankincense and myrrh were brought to the new born king! All of which were included in the Garden!

I think therefore a walk among the trees can be relaxing. It can help you feel close to God. Take time to be aware of God's presence.

May this Christmas remind you of the blessings and gifts of God. He is a sweet fragrance among us all.

Have a blessed Christmas,
Cathy and Danny Sartin
____________________
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Safaris 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.