Sleeping

Falling Stars in Africa
Amathunzi, South Africa

Cathy and I stepped out into the inky darkness of Amathunzi and began our walk from the missionary’s home to our small cottage. It seems we have made the same walk hundreds of times over the last four years.

Fifty yards from our cottage we stopped on the dirt road and turned out our flashlight. Instantly the sky exploded with millions of stars. I recognized the constellation Orion and the Southern Cross. Two planets were visible in the Western sky along with the dusting of the Milky Way arms across the full arch of the heavens.

We held hands and marveled at God’s creation. It is a clear view of the starry sky that takes your breath away. Just then a meteorite hit the atmosphere and raced across the Southern arm of the Milky Way.

Cathy in her small still voice said, God is here! There is no moment when He is not present, engaged and interested in our life. We squeezed each other’s hands in affirmation and delight.

These last two months in Africa have been spectacular. We have seen flashes of the Lord working in our life and the hearts of many with four missionary retreats.

Pictured above is Marisa and Ed Stuart of Cape Town, South Africa. Marisa visited our home in America back in 1992. She at the time was experiencing severe burnout from ministry. She lived with us for a month seeking a place of refuge and rest. We became lifelong friends.

Marisa heard of our desire to conduct missionary retreats at Amathunzi with ministry leaders from Southern Africa. She immediately jumped at the chance to coordinate and host those events. She and Ed have cooked and served all the meals for those needy workers from so many places. She has pampered these missionaries!

One said, so upon Arrival at Amathunzi we were yes warmly welcomed by the familiar faces of Rolf and Lizzie and Ed and Marisa.  It felt different. When Marisa mentioned wow now you can fully enjoy and be served. That really brought such warmth in my heart.
 
Another said, it’s hard to put into words just how much our time with Danny & Cathy has impacted our lives. Being involved in ministry now for over 45 years has layered our lives with a thick outer shell of caution. We have seen the best and worst of various kinds of leaders in both the secular and ministry arenas. Memories of the four years I had served as associate pastor at the previous church were still very fresh and the wounds still hurt.

The light of Jesus has flashed in our hearts as people have rested, refreshed and renewed their call from God. There is nothing more spectacular Than seeing Him work!

Thank you for the prayer that has facilitated these gatherings. Another retreat comes next weekend.

---