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

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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

Rhino

8/24/2017

White Rhino

Kruger National Park in South Africa is the primary home of the black and white rhinoceros. This endangered species has been a primary target of poachers from around the world. These killings brought the rhino to the brink of extinction as they sought the highly prized horn for Asian customers.

Pictured is the massive, square muzzled white rhino. This gentle giant has an obvious hump on its shoulder, large pointed ears and two horns. The prominent horn on the tip of his snout can grow up to 5 feet long!

The rhinoceros appears to be very passive. It’s slow lumbering feeding can be very deceptive. It has a portly demeanor, with a dull sense of sight.

On numerous occasions Cathy and I have sat and watched a white rhino lazily graze a short grass field near us. Over 30-minute period two rhinos foraged closer and closer to our vehicle. Suddenly, a male rhino raced forward with a rumbling growl and deep bellowing call. The mother and child rhinos quickly raised their heads to locate our car only a few meters away.

The mother rhino danced and raced to guide her youngster away from our car. It took our breath away to watch the quick speed of the lumbering giant. We had no idea that this massive gentle giant could reach speeds of 40 km an hour.

When surprised and provoked the rhinoceros is a highly aggressive adversary. We have seen it battle with Cape Buffalo and prevail in the deadliest encounter.

Take notice of God’s creation around you today. You may find yourself surprised by the variety and abilities demonstrated by God’s creatures.

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.

Do You Blend In?

6/15/2017

Kudu
Glimpse at an Icon

The African Kudu is a large sized antelope with spiral horns. Cathy and I consider it one of the most beautiful antelopes in the world. We have seen them many times in the Kruger National Park of South Africa. The silhouette of this majestic animal has been adopted for South African game parks.

We have been served many exotic animal meats during our visits to Africa. We think that Kudu, which is very lean and tasty, is our favorite.

We have also discovered that they can sometimes be difficult to spot. Its markings make the Kudu more concealing than revealing. They serve to break up the animals’ form with disruptive coloration and enabling it to blend into the background. Even the spiral horns seem to be out of place in the bush.

That is exactly what Satan attempts to do in our lives. Blend in so we don’t recognize his presence. He uses every method to dull our sight and blur the reality of our lives. Unfortunately, we begin to feel safe from the evil one.

I have heard many people say, why would Satan want to get me? I am not important to the Kingdom of God. That thought pattern can be the first sign that you believe you are just blending in. Lions use other forms of detection to recognize the presence of prey. Smell and hearing are just as important as sight.

Are you a complacent Christian? Do you think you are safe from the enemy? Take a closer look. Pray for us as we board a plane for Africa today!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com

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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.

Elephant

2/23/2017

Olifant (Afrikaans)
The largest land animal!

Coming eye to eye with an Elephant can be very intimidating and very mysterious. What lurks in that mind? Does he feel in similar ways that we do?

The massive and powerful animal can strike fear in our hearts. Elephants who become upset can attack a car and flip it several times when provoked. We have been reminded on several occasions that this is their world and our intrusion is not always welcome.

When on safari we have been told certain signs to watch for when an elephant is agitated and dangerous. Flapping ears, shaking of the head and a trumpeting charge can strike deep fear. You realize you have no control over this massive animal.

Yet under that tough skin and lumbering appearance is a surprise. You find that elephants are very social, attentive and caring.

Babies are cared for and helped by the group when they enter water and muddy areas. Babies tend to run close to the mother and sometimes under the mother. All of the elephants in a group take note of anyone struggling. We have seen elephants supporting and attempting to raise a wounded companion. We have seen mothers and grandmothers lift little ones over a muddy bank since the baby is too little to scale the slippery bank.

Leadership and experience play a crucial role in elephant social organization. When a group surpassed ten or more animals they tend to split into two groups.

A baby elephant charged our vehicle one day. The disinterested mother did keep her eye on us. She knew the little one was playing. We didn't know!

Who do you walk with in life? Who in your group pays attention to your needs? Who steps up to help you when a need becomes apparent? Are you walking through life solo? Have you chosen someone to walk your life with? Who is your leader? Who do you lead?

That is the role of the fellowship in the church. We need one another to help us when we slip and fall. Find a walking companion today.

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.