Caught by Surprise!

This past week we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience of coming along and watching the capture of some wild zebra. A veterinarian was flown in a helicopter so he could dart and tranquilize the animals from the air. Once they were sedated we would come in and net the animal. We would then lift and transfer them into a truck. It was an exhilarating experience! But I will never forget the look in the eye of the tranquilized animal.

What I discovered this week is that God has done the same thing with me. God has never stopped pursuing me in unique ways. He had to slow the pace, quite the distractions and create space in my heart and mind for His truth. He has captured me again with His Word. He has caught and taught me in ways that I never expected. I’m sure the look in my eye is similar to the zebra.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came to live among us. Literally that means he pitched his tent for a while in our world. That is very descriptive of a primary strategy of Deeper Still Missions. We want to come and pitch our tent in the backyard of missionaries. We want to meet them in their world and encourage them.

We have now crossed a key threshold of our eight months stay in Africa. At the beginning of August we completed four months on the dark continent. We can now look back and reflect on the missionaries, pastors, ministry staff and their families who have crossed our path.

During the last two months Cathy has come alongside Lizzie Weichardt and served. That has included cooking, laundry, cleaning, gardening and frequent prayer walks. She’s given counsel to a young couple dealing with marriage and cultural issues. She has also given counsel to a young 21-year-old lady about God’s will for marriage.

I have done the same with a 13-year-old son of Rolf and Lizzie. Mikhail had voiced his excitement to me about the life application Bible. It had opened his heart and mind to biblical ideas that were unclear in his native language. One of our discussions centered around the four Greek words for love. Yesterday Mikhail shared with me as I picked him up from school his experience in class that day. The teacher had read a story that used the word agape. Then Mikhail said, I was the only one in the room who knew what it was and I explained it to them. His excitement showed in his big smile. He was pumped.

In this past month I’ve spent many hours writing and studying God’s word. I’ve also spent time with Rolf debriefing the ministry transition he has gone through this year. He stepped down as the national director of youth for Christ South Africa. But his burning desire for ministry has not dimmed even though he has stepped out of a key leadership role.

At the end of August 5 new volunteers arrive from Germany to live on the game farm for a year and conduct ministry in farm communities. Rolf is busy converting a former garage into living quarters for his new workers. Together where are planning the orientation and Bible Study training for that group when they arrive.

It will be fun watching their eyes as God captures them with His Word. I can’t wait!

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com



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