Dustin L. McCarty
- Dec 13, 2022
- 10 min read

December 2022 - Christmas McCarty Ministry Minute

Merry Christmas!

Tracy will bring you up to date on the family happenings with the annual McCarty Christmas Letter - but I am going to take this opportunity to thank you for standing with us in prayer, supporting both our family and our work financially, and providing much needed encouragement from time to time as we continue to serve with Strategic Impact.

There will be a brief Ministry Update following the family Christmas update. As always, I extend an invitation to you all: If you would like to grab a cup of coffee, share what’s been going on in your life, and hear more details and amazing stories of what God has been doing through Strategic Impact - CONTACT ME! (cell: 940-595-1562, email: whereisdustin@gmail.com) I’d love to hear what’s been going on in your life and share more about the work in Africa. It has truly been amazing! And now - here's Tracy...

[Make sure to watch the "Things that just make sense in an African bathroom"

video after the Ministry Update!]

It's CHRISTMAS Time!

Dear Family and Friends,

As 2022 draws to a close I think most of us find ourselves reflecting on the year behind us and pondering what the year ahead will hold. For the McCarty’s the past year has been full of ups and downs. While you often hear of snippets of our lives from Dustin regularly through the McCarty Ministry Minute, at this time of year I get a chance to give you the “big picture.” We look forward to hearing from each of you as well, and pray that your lives have been full of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

Thankfully, as restrictions from the Covid pandemic came to a close, Dustin has been able to travel again to Africa. He was overjoyed seeing his African brothers and sisters face to face and to work alongside them in furthering the work of Strategic Impact for the cause of Christ. As his updates this past year have revealed, people who have never heard the gospel have had opportunity to hear, to respond, and to have their lives forever changed by our Lord’s saving grace. Churches have been planted where these individuals can learn and flourish in their new-found faith. Leaders have received ongoing training so they can effectively nourish their flocks in their churches as well. And speaking of flocks, Dustin has continued to pour into our Denton Community Church members. He regularly meets with men and families from both inside and outside of our congregation in order to walk alongside them through life’s trials and joys. He is incredibly faithful in always being available and present when others are in need. In addition, at Denton Calvary Academy, he continues to serve as the Missions Geography teacher. Sierra is in his class this year…our last daughter to have him as a teacher at DCA.

When I glance back at this year’s calendar it becomes clear as to why it felt like it went by in a blur! I had many precious days with our grandson, Gideon, who I will talk more of later. Born 2 Be Therapeutic Equestrian Center, where I serve as Head Riding Instructor, has endured two moves, a blazing hot summer, and is recuperating from the pandemic years when funds were tight for many non-profits. As co-manager for our local Silver Saddle 4-H Club, I’ve enjoyed teaching tomorrow’s horsemen/women leadership skills along with horsemanship skills. While our girls are now primarily independent in their schoolwork, Dustin and I still stay involved with editing papers, answering questions, and attending school events for sports, drama, choir, etc.

One of my greatest trials and joys of this year centered around my mom, Nancy. Mom was diagnosed with a very rare cancer this summer, and this fall has received chemo and radiation treatment. Praise God that over Thanksgiving her MRI revealed the cancer is completely gone and she is now finished with treatments! I was able to join her for her last two radiation treatments and was there when she “rung the bell” signaling the end of her cancer treatment as she exited the facility! Please pray with us that she remains cancer free!

Gideon’s mom and dad (Dakota and Cody) gave us thrilling news that they are expecting their second son! Little Reuben is expected to be born in early May. Please pray for Dakota to not need bedrest this go round and for a smooth pregnancy. Whoever said “if they’d known grandkids were so great they would have had them first” is right! Gideon has become the center of all of our attention. He is so funny at two years old, learning so many new words, and voicing his opinion at all times. Dustin and I put great thought into what we wanted our grandparent names to be - Chief and Whinny - but so far Gideon calls us "Beep" and "Whiney." LOL! Much to my delight, his favorite animals are “neigh neighs” and he loves going to the barn with me. Dakota does have lifting restrictions and has had to be home from work throughout this pregnancy. She misses her physical therapy patients and co-workers, but has enjoyed helping a friend market her PT business through social media. Cody faithfully continues to work at Moore Supply managing a supply warehouse for one of their customers, DEK. His organizational skills and hard work ethic have flourished and helped DEK to operate more effectively.

Trinity is in her final year of her undergraduate Nutrition/Dietetics degree at Texas Woman’s University! In November she completed her Capstone Project for the Honors College. In early 2023, she will apply for an internship in conjunction with the Masters Program, which will determine the next steps she will take in her education. She hopes to serve in the medical nutrition field as a registered Dietician once she completes her studies and internship. She continues to work at Medical City Lewisville in the nutrition/food services department. The experience and knowledge she has gained through her position will no doubt serve her well in her future career. This school year she has become involved in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She has enjoyed meeting fellow university students from all around the world through fellowship, fun events, singing worship songs, etc. We even have had the joy of having the group join us at our annual Halloween party as well as for Thanksgiving Dinner. Trinity continues to be a part of our DCC Worship Team, using her gifts of playing the piano and singing faithfully.

Remington is now a Senior at DCA! Her favorite activity continues to be volleyball, however she participated in track last spring for the first time, and much to her own surprise, enjoyed it greatly. She plans to participate again this coming spring in track — and much to our surprise, she decided to play basketball this fall! While she loved being basketball manager/statistician last year, but this year sitting on the bench started driving her crazy, so she decided to play in addition to managing the boy’s team. She is President of the National Honor Society Chapter at DCA and Secretary for the Silver Saddle 4-H Club. And if all of that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, this girl is also an amazing singer. She earned a I rating at the TAPPS State Choir Solo Competition last spring, and has once again been selected for the Texas Private School Music Educator’s Association Treble Choir, which will perform in Abilene in January. She is currently researching various colleges, and at this time is looking into playing volleyball for a junior college.

Sierra is honestly growing up way too fast for my liking! She is now a Freshman at DCA and is flourishing as a member of the Drama Club. Last spring she was in the production of Cinderella, as the cutest little old lady you’ve every seen. This fall she was cast in Little Women, and this coming spring will play three different roles in Annie. If you are in our area, come to the show as you will be in for a real treat! Sierra decided to try out drum line in DCA’s Pep band and played cymbals for them this fall semester. In 4-H, she is the Health and Safety Officer. She was a bit nervous entering high school, but has began to embrace all that high school has to offer by attending the homecoming dance, enjoying class parties, deepening friendships, and more.

Vival, known by most as “Maw,” but by Gideon as “Baw”, has had a good year as well. She unfortunately contracted Covid this summer while we were on vacation, but other than that has been overall healthy. She has enjoyed traveling to see family and friends in Oklahoma several times this year, rarely misses any of the girl’s school events, and loves playing with Gideon. On the side she has sold items for Mockingbird Corner, our online store, and even set up shop with a friend at McKinney Trade Days.

During July, a family vacation in Colorado was a welcome reprieve to the exceptionally hot summer we had in Texas. From Garden of the Gods, a dinner theater, and the zoo in Colorado Springs, to 4-wheel drive trails, rafting, and hiking in central CO, we reveled in the mountain views and cooler days. If you know our clan, you won’t be surprised to hear that we also visited many odd and off the beaten path sites such as the Ludlow Massacre Site, Bishop Castle, and the Forgotten Grumman Tracked Levitation Research Vehicle (hover train). The Atlas Obscura app has become a mainstay of our family trips. If you enjoy historical or odd sites, check it out!

Each year holds memories and milestones, and this year was no exception. As I look out the window at the fall leaves floating to the ground, my mind wanders to those we’ve loved and who are no longer with us… three of my grandparents, my father-in-law, Herbert, my dearest friend, Lori, Dustin’s dear friend, Steven Aputara, and so many others…. I rest assured that, although another year on earth has passed without these loved ones here, our Heavenly Father does not see time as we do. One day we’ll all be together again in eternity because of our shared belief and love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He indeed is the Reason we celebrate during this Christmas Season.

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call

his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”

(Luke 2:11). “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is

in his Son” (1 John 5:11). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 9). “May the God of

hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with

hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

My prayer is that all of you know the peace held in these Scriptures. If you have questions or desire assurance of your eternal place in heaven, please reach out to Dustin or myself. We would love to meet with you and share of the Lord’s faithfulness in our own lives and of His life giving promises.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas! We pray that 2022 will be a year full of the Lord’s blessings for you!

With much love,

Dustin, Tracy, Trinity, Remi, Sierra and Maw (Vival) McCarty

[Ministry Update following Family Photos & Videos]

Gideon learning to say "M&M"

Remington singing "Oh Happy Day!"

Nancy rings the bell signaling the end of her cancer treatment!

Praise the Lord, she is now cancer-free!

Remington with a good block and an amazing pancake save!

MINISTRY SUPPLEMENTAL

I have now been with Strategic Impact for over 18 years! I am astonished at how the Lord has used Strategic Impact to bring the Gospel to the lost, equip national leaders in their own nations, multiply churches, and launch movements so that the work continues to reach farther and farther - shining the light of the hope of Jesus into dark places! And you should know that none of that would be possible without your faithful partnership through the years. Some of you reading this have been with us since the very beginning! You patiently invested in the work of the ministry through years of struggle and through years of great celebration and increase. Lives and eternities have been changed because of you. Thank you sincerely! Please continue to join with us in prayer that the Gospel will go farther and farther until all have heard of the good news of Jesus! Pray also for laborers for the harvest! (Luke 10:2)

I have had several folks ask me about plans for 2023.

Here is the intent so far:

Back in Africa? - With Remington’s senior year continuing, I will not travel until May/June of 2023. At that time I plan to be back in West Africa (Ghana & Burkina Faso) and Sub-Saharan Africa (Zambia, Tanzania, Lesotho, & South Africa), as well as a Global Summit gathering of our continental leaders.
Expansion? - I have prayerfully had my heart set on expanding into Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo for a few years now. I hope 2023 is the year to do so. However, I need to make certain West and Sub-Saharan Africa are both running smoothly and continuing to saturate each nation on their own before we add another area. Please join with me in prayer about this.
Through the Nations Events? - These FUNdraising events provide for a good portion of our field work costs of our national leaders. If you can join us and bring a few friends to introduce to SI, it would be most helpful! Here are the 4 annual events: Celebration Dinner & Extravaganza (March 2, 2023), the Crawfish Boil (hoping for early May 2022), Sporting Clays Shoot/Tournament (June 3, 2023), and our newest addition, Professional Wrestling (November 4, 2023). These events are a TOTAL BLAST, and extremely important in resourcing our work. We hope you can join us for one or more this year and bring along some friends!
End of Year Giving? - Lastly, if the Lord moves you to provide an end of year (or beginning of year) financial gift of support toward the Field Ministry of Strategic Impact Africa, please return it in the enclosed envelope. We would be grateful for your partnership! Right now, we are targeting raising funds toward the purchase of 2 tricycle trucks which will provide a Business-As-Missions opportunity for our West Africa leaders to begin to fund their own expansion work! If you would like to help out with this need, please do so through the following link by clicking on the logo below (or you may mail a gift in to: Strategic Impact, PO Box 1901, Denton, TX 76202 - please put "SI AFRICA" in the memo.) We would be grateful for your partnership!