Dustin L. McCarty

Dec 1711 min read

December 2024 - 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 wanted to say THANK YOU for standing with us in prayer, encouragement, and financial support throughout 20+ years of working with Strategic Impact.

There will be a brief personal note from me following the family Christmas update, along with some encouraging news in our Fruit of the Ministry summary! 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)

And now - here's Tracy...

It's CHRISTMAS Time!

Dear Family and Friends,

The McCarty’s pray that each of you are enjoying this holiday season, delighting in time with family and friends, able to find pause, amid the hustle and bustle of life, and to feel the peace of God as we recollect the miracle of our Savior’s birth. As I (Tracy) reflect upon 2024 and consider what to share, memories come flooding back, some full of joy, and others of trial and struggle. Yet, through it all, what stands preeminent, is that the Lord is faithful.

As many of you know, last November Dustin experienced 11 days of being in a-fibrillation. Unfortunately, this caused a cascade of events through May of 2024 including other episodes of a-fib, several attempts of cardioversion, two ablations (including one using brand new wave technology instead of heat!), plus effects on all of his body systems from lungs to kidneys and more. Most of his treatments took place in Oklahoma City, which little did we know, would prove to be a blessing to him and I. Numerous trips in the car, overnight stays, and down time as he recovered from procedures, gave us the opportunity to slow down, enjoy time with each other, and rest in the Lord’s love and care. In times like this the saying “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good” rings true and brings peace when in the midst of the storms of life. Thankfully, Dustin’s health continues to improve. The hardest part for him is discovering what might be a new “normal” in regards to what he can accomplish each day. Despite not feeling well much of this year, the Lord has continued to use Dustin’s influence and guidance to encouraged his key men in Africa, thus resulting in much fruit from the ministry of Strategic Impact. He will send updates of ministry separately, but here I want to humbly thank all of you for your prayers and continued support and your belief in Dustin and our family to carry on the work God has called us to do. Dustin also continues to minister to others in Denton Community Church as an Assistant Pastor and Elder and to teach at Denton Calvary Academy. His love for the Lord, which flows over into his love for people, is evident in each role that he is called to fulfill.

For me (Tracy), much of this year has been spent teaching and working at Born 2 Be Therapeutic Equestrian Center. As the only instructor at this time, as well as overseeing equine care, some facility needs, and helping plan and execute many fundraising events, my plate has been full. Seeing students thrive, grow in their abilities both on the horse and in life, and helping them prepare for competitions in order to show off their skills, continues to be a labor of love for me. Alongside many other non-profits, B2B has struggled financially this past year, and continues to seek wisdom for effective methods for raising the funds necessary to continue to serve individuals with disabilities in North Texas. The most recent event, the Sanger Christmas Parade of Homes, was a huge success for meeting new people in our area, for which we are very thankful! In other areas of life, I am still a manager for the Silver Saddle 4-H club, and relish in the sweet times spent with our DCC Church@Home group and Women’s Bible Studies.

Watching each of our girls grow in their relationships with the Lord, discover the path He has for them, and find peace in His presence, proves to bring Dustin and I much joy. Trinity is in her final year of her Master’s degree in Dietetics through Abilene Christian University. She is in the midst of fulfilling various internship requirements, which have taken place so far in Garland, Waxahachie, and Waco. While we have missed her during her times away, we trust these opportunities are providing invaluable experience in preparation for her future career. She has been home most weekends, continues to participate most Sundays in DCC’s worship team, and has stayed on top of the required course work in addition to hours on the road and at work. We are thrilled at how much she has grown as a young adult and can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for her after graduation.

Remington is in her 2nd year at Dallas College Brookhaven. As a volleyball player this was likely her best season personally, growing as a player in skill beyond any of her previous years. She was stretched through navigating many team dynamics challenges, yet proved faithful in being a good friend, standing firm in her own beliefs and convictions, and setting an example of how to live life for the Lord and love her teammates. Academically, through observation hours and courses, she discovered that teaching is probably not the best career for her. Thus, in the search for what she does want to pursue, has decided to apply to Texas Woman’s University for their Kinesiology program. She is considering whether to pursue coaching or Physical or Occupational Therapy. Recently, she excitedly took on an Assistant Coach position for a 14U club volleyball team and is thrilled to be working alongside her former High School Coach, Jennifer Bramlett. Remi loves seeing the girls on this team grow in their skills and learn to work together. Since she's been driving so much the Toyota Sequoia was given up as her daily driver (and handed down to Sierra) in exchange for a Mazda Miata, or as we call it, “Baby Car.” Remi discovered she loves learning about cars and has even entered the Miata in a car show. We all agree that little stick shift car is much more fun to drive than it should be!

Sierra is now a Junior at Denton Calvary Academy. Continuing in drama club, she performed in Seussical last spring, and in the murder mystery, Dinner at 8, Dead by 9 this fall. She joined the Youth and Government team at DCA, and after the District competition her team is advancing to the State Competition in February! Learning about witness, attorney, judge, and bailiff responsibilities is providing knowledge that will benefit her for a lifetime. Sierra is President of the Silver Saddle 4-H Club this year and has decided to pursue Shooting Sports more intently in both rifle and pistol competition. She has grown so much this year in regards to learning about herself and how to navigate stress and hard situations. We are so proud of her for taking dual credit courses as well, and she will likely have the equivalent of an Associate’s Degree when she graduates High School.

Now comes sharing about Dakota, Cody, and our two precious grandsons, Gideon and Reuben. Dakota and Cody humbly accept their role now as our grandson’s parents. You always hear that grandchildren are an indescribable delight, but until you have your own you cannot fully realize the extent of the truth in that statement. When those chubby little hands reach out to us, choosing to come to us as their “Whinny & Beef,” no words can describe the joy that fills our hearts. Cody’s steadfastness and hard work ethic is an immense blessing to Dakota and the boys. Seeing the boys light up when he gets home from work, and watching them wrestle together in the evenings is proof of how much these boys love their daddy. Dakota has been blessed to stay home with the boys in these key developmental years. She is delving into how to provide healthy food, using non-toxic cleaners, and pursuing intentional opportunities for the boys to grow developmentally and physically. She is also becoming astute in crocheting and has made many beautiful blankets, hats, stuffed animals, and more. Gideon is quite the talker and loves learning about the world around him. One of his favorite topics is hunting, and he keeps telling his mom and Beef that he’s ready to go hunting now that he is 4. Reuben is our tiny but mighty 18 month old. This little guy is determined to keep up with big brother, loves all animals, and brings a smile to our faces every day due to his overwhelming cuteness factor.

All of us enjoyed a refreshing trip to Arkansas in June. It was an immense blessing to be invited to stay in a dear and generous friend’s beautiful cabin located within a wooded state park. We enjoyed hiking, seeing the War Eagle Gristmill, careening down an “old school - no rules” water slide, visiting a Civil War battle site, a historical museum with an amazing gun exhibit, the Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs, and so much more. Our vacation traditions of playing games daily and finding a local mini golf course continued. This vacation was a much needed respite in the midst this year’s trials, as Dustin was only about a month out from his 2nd ablation. The beauty and peace of the house setting within the state park was just what we all needed. The adventure this year included trying to leave one day, only to find a huge tree had fallen across the 1/3 mile driveway due to being weakened by recent storms and tornadoes. Luckily, many crews were at work on the road outside the property cleaning up all the recent damage and were able to bring equipment to get us out. Situations like this one, however, build lifelong family memories.

Many of you also know and love Dustin’s mom, Vival, and desire to hear about her well-being each year as well. Thankfully, she has had a great year of good health. She loves watching her granddaughters in volleyball competitions and drama performances, and doesn’t like to miss a single event. She sadly lost her beloved Boxer, Roscoe, however, God provided her with the sweetest companion in a miniature Poodle, Cheeto. Cheeto is Maw’s delight, keeps her active and has proven to be a joyous addition to the family. Maw has been able to visit Nonnie in Oklahoma a few times this year and always enjoys her trips to see one of her closest and dearest lifelong friends.

We love you all and look forward to hearing from many of you this Christmas season. May “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

With much love,

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

A PERSONAL NOTE & FRUIT of the MINISTRY

I feel like I should begin my personal note with an apology — I have done a very poor job at communicating throughout this past year by newsletter. God has continued to do amazing things in Africa through the work of Strategic Impact, but this year has been the most challenging one I have lived thus far.

Way back in 2006, I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy — an enlarged heart. By God’s mercy and grace, and His provision of wonderful medical staff, I adjusted life practices and medically compensated for my heart’s lack of proper function. After a brief time of adjustment, I was able to travel and continue my duties both in Texas and various nations around the world. That has continued up to the end of 2023.

In November 2023, Atrial Fibrillation hit me for the first time. It truly “shook my snow globe,” disturbing every aspect of my life and taking its own time for things to settle in their new locations. My recovery took much longer than I anticipated. Several months and two ablations later, I still felt horrible. My energy level and fluid retention from the combination of heart issues made it such that I would be out of breath just shuffling the 30 yards to my office behind our house. That was my physical state for much of 2024. It has only been the last five weeks — one entire year after the initial onset — that I have started to feel “normal” again. In all honesty, I am likely still weary in some ways that I have yet to discover.

Throughout this last year, while I have not traveled, I have been able to keep up with most of the other parts of my work — the internal workings of Strategic Impact, as well as coaching, mentoring, training, encouraging, and guiding our teams in Africa from afar. The good news is, throughout my absence in Africa, the model has proven that it works! My lack of physical presence has not hindered the advancement of the gospel by our national teams! This does not mean that I am not needed — it has revealed that I am needed in different ways at this point of the growth of the multiplication movements.

I plan to resume travel in March 2025 for a collaborative effort on the border of Zambia and Mozambique with a literacy training ministry. We have a thriving work there, but it has been hindered by the lack of literacy and education in the area. It will be exciting to see how training literacy teachers will impact the multiplication!

I have a deeply grateful heart toward the Lord for sustaining me, for my family’s patience and help in my recovery (especially Tracy), for the friends who have helped with yard work and things which were beyond my physical abilities over the past year, and for the faithfulness of the Strategic Impact Africa family for continuing to move toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission while embodying the Great Commandment!

Some folks have reached out to check on our financial state and asked about end-of-year giving… I am sincerely grateful for that concern and kindness. At this time we are doing OK. Our personal support account is stable and sufficient, praise the Lord. If you would like to make an end-of-year gift, the place we could use it most is our Africa Field Ministry. I was not able to maintain the level of fundraising efforts as is typical through last year, so any additional giving would be most helpful to assist us in kicking off 2025 with strength. I truly hate having to tell my teams to delay ministry opportunities/requests they have due to lack of funding. If you would like to make an end-of-year contribution, click HERE for a link to Africa Field Ministry.

Again, I express my sincere apology to you, our supporters and ministry partners, for my lack of communication over the past year. I’m so very thankful for your ongoing support in the midst of my silence. Please know that the work continues. I have included the most up-to-date Fruit of the Ministry Report which captures 2024 numerically. I hope these are as encouraging to you as they have been to me. If you would like to hear some short words of encouragement or stories from our work, our social media has many! You can access them HERE.

May God continue to bless you, and others through you!

Dustin & the Strategic Impact Africa Family