Ministry Update from 09/13/2009

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

The weather in Bondoukou during rain season is extremely humid, but oh, the beautiful flowers! Our yard is a feast for the eyes: pink roses and hibiscus; white gardenias; yellow bells; fiery orange ixoras and irises; purple, pink, and peach bougainvilleas; and tiny red blossoms on the Thorns of Christ lining our gateway.

Verlin returned to Cote d’Ivoire July 1; Debbie and Corbin followed on July 13. We begin this 4-year term with a sense of great anticipation and some trepidation. Alice Smith and our family are the FWB missionaries remaining here, so the workload is enormous and the days short. Yet we know that our Father controls these circumstances for the advancement of His work. He does not give more than we can bear, and we pray for what Asher received in Deuteronomy 33:23, “as our days, so shall our strength be.”

Our first few weeks were hectic with unpacking barrels and repairing everything that was malfunctioning: the car, the freezer, the stove, the Internet, 2 toilets, 2 sinks, a water heater, the generator, voltage regulators, light sockets, and so on. Verlin did not sleep much with the long to-do list to complete, and Debbie rushed to get the house unpacked before Corbin’s school began on August 10th. During those frantic days, visits and visitors happened regularly, as well.

In mid-August, Verlin set out on a small motorbike for the national Pastor’s Retreat, which was a 5-hour drive north to the small village of Tehini. He slept on the floor among the pastors for 5 days, took bucket baths, and ate mystery meats in the sauces including agouti (rat), gazelle, calf’s feet, and hedgehog. It was a blessed time for the pastors to be together. Despite no electricity, it was providential that he was able to share a video message from Robert West, former missionary to Cote d’Ivoire, who since has gone to be with the Lord after a valiant fight against cancer.

Next he participated at the National Association meeting at Bouna for another week. Much business transpired during the 5 days, and the 4th class of pastors from the Bible Institute received their diplomas during one session. BERECA, the NGO now responsible for the Doropo clinic, presented their plans for the future.

Verlin preached several times while he was north, but spoke consecutive Sundays in a remote village about 60 kilometers from Bouna. The first Sunday, 3 people were saved after the service and one rededicated his life to the Lord. Pastor Jerome Kambou, who translated for Verlin into Lobi, believes one of the converts was a former fetisher, witch doctor. Pray for the Lord to call leaders for fledging flocks of believers such as this one in numerous villages. They need someone regularly shepherding them to understand and apply the Word of God.

We have already met once with the CHE (Community Health Evangelism) team at the Goumere church. That work of training resumes in September. Another church in a very remote region has already requested CHE training, and we expect to hear from a 3rd in a few weeks. Another organization introduces CHE strategy among some of our other churches. Please pray that the mundane stresses of life in Africa do not prevent us from accomplishing the tasks the Lord has set before us.

Thank you for helping make our presence here possible. We treasure you as partners in ministry, and have never needed your prayers more. May the name of Jesus be lifted high here in Cote d’Ivoire, and there, as you serve Him!

Gratefully and prayerfully,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson

Prayer Requests:

• Cason and Cara happily pursue collegiate studies in Nashville. Corbin faces his first year alone on the mission field. African playmates are at our house five days a week, but he does miss his siblings.
• Serious thefts have occurred recently in our neighborhood. One street over, armed robbers stole a new vehicle from an NGO in August. This past Sunday a neighbor’s home was emptied of belongings while she was out. We never leave our yard unattended for even one hour, and keep at least one ferocious-looking dog. The situation requires constant vigilance; still, we know our true Protector and sleep in peace.
• Many groups of believers in remote villages receive little spiritual instruction. African pastors of larger FWB churches visit and preach when possible, but their time and resources are limited.
• Pray for the CHE team at Goumere, as they seek to train more people in the church to work in CHE, and reach out at the village of Karako. CHE multiplies teachers.