Report from Africa

This week has been somewhat of a blur with our preparation and flights to Africa. Cathy is taking a nap currently as we try adjusting to the new time difference. Back home it is 6 AM. Here it is 1 PM.  We arrived in White River late on Friday night.

Our drive to Pretoria on Friday morning was interesting as we went to meet Pastor Muzi and his family. As we neared his community I noticed a small group of worshipers kneeling in the grass next to the road. They were the Shembe sect that combines Christianity with aspects of Bantu religion. Seeing them kneeling in prayer in the field took me back to a home I visited on Easter Sunday in 2012. The entrance to that home had a picture of His Holiness my Shembe the leader of this sect. The other side of the door had a sign saying Jehovah is Lord. Another reminder of the watered down picture of Christ that is blended with ancestral worship.

I wrote the following while sitting on the plane in Atlanta: The rain is streaming down the airplane window as we sit on the tarmac. Baggage buggies splatter water as they drive by and the anticipation is heightened as we prepare to fly overnight to Africa. Container after container is hoisted up and moved into the belly of the plane as passengers load. Those large crates are dancing, twisting and turning on the hoist to position them for entry into the plane. I was fascinated watching it.

Cathy sitting on the isle was watching as others slowly loaded in the seats. A lady came up the isle holding a tiny baby. He was only seven weeks old. Cathy jumped up to assist her and put away her items while she attended her child. Later in the flight Cathy held the baby while the mother went to the restroom. Cathy showed the love of Christ in a tangible way. I was proud just watching her respond to this young African mother. The smile on the young mother’s face spoke volumes.

Today is a beautiful Sunday in White River. Cathy and I attended Calvary Church where I spoke back in November. It was very nice to see so many friends and worship together.  One of the trees outside the church was in full bloom. Beautiful yellow flowers draped all over the tree. Africa is so beautiful.

Cathy and I went to the grocery market last night to gather food stuffs for the next few days. While standing in line to pay one of the local pastors came by and spoke good wishes to us. It was Pastor Amos. I was pleased that he remembered and greeted us.

Tomorrow we lay plans for the next two months here in Mpumalanga. Please pray that we make wise decisions among the various requests pending from numerous Pastors and missionaries. We covet the Lord’s guidance.



Cathy and Danny Sartin