AWA FLASH Update December 2010

This update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking on the following link: Anderson Update 10_12_03.pdf.

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

Much information and disinformation has circulated about life in Côte d’Ivoire during the last few days. International and national press sources promote different facets of truth and falsehood at the same time. The following excellent summary provided by another gives the most balanced and insightful summary we’ve read lately. We share it to request your informed prayers for God’s moving here. We’ve plenty of other sharing about ministry to do, but believe these events should be addressed with our time before we can report the good works ordained for us (Ep.2:10).

Sincerely in Good Hands and seeing HIM at work,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson

Summary by fellow resident missionaries

You have no doubt been hearing that Alassane Ouatarra (ADO), the presidential candidate of the opposition, won the elections in Cote d'Ivoire. Well, kinda, but maybe not. What has happened is the following:

• The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had until Wednesday at midnight to announce the results.
• The incumbent president's (Laurent Gbagbo) supporters began saying right after the polls closed on Sunday, that the results from four major regions in the North, ADO's territory, must be thrown out because of voter fraud and violence against their supporters.
• When the IEC tried to announce the results on Tuesday night apparently without a consensus, which is required in their rules, Pres. Gbagbo's people physically intervened at the press conference and stopped the announcement in front of the international press and thus, the results were not announced by the Wednesday deadline.
• What is supposed to happen next in constitutional law is that the "Constitutional Council" takes over and verifies and announces the results. This group is chosen by the incumbent president.
• This afternoon the president of the IEC overstepped his mandate by announcing to the international press after the deadline, the results which presented ADO as the winner.
• Since then, the Constitutional Council has said that those results are invalid and that they have the only authority for announcing the results. (They have seven days to make the announcement).
• There has also been a national curfew since Saturday night declared by the President and extending until next Sunday from 7pm until 6am every day.
• Tonight we heard on the national television station that all international radio and television stations are being closed down by the government and all the air, land and water borders of the country are closed.
• Meanwhile, the Security Council of the United Nations has met and threatened anyone in Cote d'Ivoire who impedes the electoral process with "appropriate measures". The International Criminal Court has also threatened the country with consequences.
• All of what is happening in this country must be seen against a background of colonisation by the French which officially ended politically in 1960 but which many Ivorians feel is still firmly in place economically and which is condoned if not encouraged by the other Western powers. The incumbent President's people believe that the Western international community wants ADO in power because he is more likely to go along with their continuing control of many of the resources of the country. These are some of the thoughts in the minds of Pres. Gbagbo's supporters.
• On top of all of this is an international press which sometimes seems to fabricate rather than report the news with inaccuracies and opinions which reflect the interests of their nations and networks rather than the interests of those nations they are reporting.
  So...you can see that the situation is extremely complicated and multi-layered and that it is not just about Cote d'Ivoire. In fact, if we read the apostle Paul correctly, it is not even just about nations and people but about a spiritual war that is taking place right now in the heavenly sphere - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:12, 18
  
  An Ivorian friend told me a couple of hours ago that he had spoken with a high up military official who said, "Only God can save Cote d'Ivoire now." That is always true, but if it is being recognized by leaders in this country at this time, that very thought, if accompanied with faith, could indeed save this nation. Please pray that the leaders of both sides in this conflict and the nation as a whole turn in faith to the only one who ever is able to really deliver us. Pray for a miracle in the hearts of the leaders. What a blessing to know that our God is in control of all of this and that we can trust him with everything.
  
  Some positive news to close out...a verse we read this morning: "The Lord will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Isaiah 33: 6
  
  Thank you for your prayers,
  A fellow resident missionary of the Andersons
  P.S. We are safe.

DEC. 3 - 4:00 PM announcement added by VERLIN & DEBBIE – The Constitutional Council has disqualified the results of some voting regions and declared Pres. Gbagbo the victor. An International news source announced at 5:00 PM that Alassane Ouattara rejects this decision and will be sustained as the victor by the United Nations.

PRAY FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION.

AWA FLASH Update October 2010

This update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking here.
The prior ministry update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking on this link (both posts at http://www.verlindeb.org/Ministry/ministryupdates.htm).

Greetings from Cote d'Ivoire Dear Praying Friends,

As our own American season of elections takes place this week, we ask that everyone breathe prayers for the people of Cote d’Ivoire as well. This beloved country, where we have serving for the past ten years and Free Will Baptists have labored for over fifty, has been a country in crisis since 1999. This will be the first time in nearly a decade that they have been able to have an election. This time has been filled with war, insecurity, injustices, and many atrocities – with this election many are hoping to put this phase of their history behind them.

It promises to be a process of weeks, even months. As the new American ambassador stated Thursday, the hope is for transparent elections and functional governance to return here. The country is easily capable of experiencing double-digit economic growth in the coming years and so enjoy some blessings that God allows all who work. Thankfully, it seems that the process began mostly in peace today, Sunday, October 31st.

Pray that today's results are processed smoothly and peacefully by the electoral commission for the 14 presidential candidates. There's a tight media blackout on reporting the results. No predictive reporting of the election process is allowed without risk of being highly fined and possibly imprisoned. The electoral commission anticipates releasing the initial results either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

Pray that once the results are announced, that the candidates and their supporters will accept the result without lashing out against each other.

Pray , most importantly, that regardless the outcome, God would continue drawing the Ivorian people to Himself so that His name can be exalted and blessed in spirit and truth here.

Verlin cancelled a planned visit of Oct 29-31 to a church in the Northern Association due to car damage experienced during a visit to another remote church region last week. We trust the Lord to also resolve that need this week to make possible this weekend’s visit and that which has been rescheduled for Nov 12-14 prior to a Nov 15 meeting concerning construction of a house on the Bouna Bible institute property.

Thank you for offering to God your sacrifice of prayer on the behalf of this people. A summary of election news here can be read at the following site: http://allafrica.com/cotedivoire/

In Mutual Service for Christ,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson
http://www.verlindeb.org/

Ministry Update from 10/13/2010

This update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking on this link, but you'll miss the extra photos at the end of the blog.

Thank you for choosing to open and read this! We never forget that there are MANY worthy ministries you could pray for or support, but you continue to invest part of yourself here, so that the fullness of Christ can permeate Cote d’Ivoire.

For some time, we have mentioned the hope that missionary friends (3 hours drive south) could visit the Doropo clinic (4 hours drive north). The Abengourou team has developed a remarkable ministry to AIDS patients through CHE (Community Health Evangelism). The Lord enabled that trip to occur in early October. Thank you, Dr. Bernie, Emmanuel,

and Pasquier for enduring the roads and sacrificing time from your busy schedules to be a huge encouragement to our Christian brothers laboring at Doropo!! Kelly (Dr. Bledsoe’s wife) and Isaac, their delightful son, stayed with Debbie while the men went north. Of course, the electricity decided to go off for those two days, but we still had a good time. Please pray that the vital information shared will enable the clinic to expand its ministry in whatever way the Lord directs.

After promising presidential elections for numerous years and then canceling them, the Ivorian government has again chosen October 31 as Election Day. It appears legitimate, this time. African elections are often fraught with the threat of violence, but Ivorians hope and pray for peaceful results in a few weeks.

Life is full of new experiences and our family has enjoyed

several recently. Cason, our elder son who graduates from Free Will Baptist College in May, 2011, has announced his engagement to Suzanne Dean. It will be a pleasure to welcome a second daughter to the family next summer!

Another recent joy in our family is the publication of the first book by Debbie’s father, Eddie Payne. This novel about creation renewed in our hearts a spirit of gratitude and awe for God, and served as a sobering reminder of the damage done when we choose to follow our way instead of His. You will never guess the interesting character who tells the story, but we won’t give away that secret ! To find out yourself, you can buy Naados and His Kin: The Beginning through Tate Publishing online.

Our beloved ministry colleague, Alice Smith, retires from Cote d’Ivoire in January, 2011, then will spend several months visiting churches in the USA. Imagine saying good-bye to a country and people you have loved and served for over 30 years. Pray for her these last few months. Pray that those around her can encourage and help in practical ways. We will miss her greatly, but have no fear of continuing here alone. To quote Deb’s dad in his book, “Life is beautiful, even with the sting!”

As always, besides regularly preaching, teaching, translating CHE lessons, home schooling, acting as field team leader and treasurer, and serving on Ivorian church national committees, the weekly activities of life provide many opportunities for us to be a blessing to someone spiritually, physically, or emotionally. How wonderful that our Savior cares about aching, swollen feet (a lesson which the women learned on Sunday from Nehemiah 9:21), as well as our eternal destiny and the cataclysmic events of the world. He is beyond compare!

Constantly in awe of Him,

Verlin, Debbie and Corbin Anderson

Prayer Points:

• A peaceful presidential election on October 31.
• Ministry decisions and direction for the Doropo clinic.
• Cason and Suzanne, during their engagement and upcoming May wedding.
• Verlin’s ‘meet & preach’ trips to 3 remote towns: Oct. 22-24, 29-31, and Nov. 5-7.
• The women’s class in Goumere.
• Details of Alice’s retirement from the field.
• Serious financial needs of International Missions. Only fervent prayer and much giving before the end of 2010 will fully fund Free Will Baptist endeavors around the world. Thank you so much for what you always have done and will continue to do!

Image of road to Doropo - It is in the worst condiont that Verlin

has seen it in 12 years of traveling the road, but it's not Danané bad yet.

Doropo has a fuel station !



















Doropo doctor, midwife, church pastor, hospital administrator
as Abengourou team shares God's impeccable provision.

Ministry Update from 08/30/2010

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

As summer ends, we look back thankfully! Having our two college-age children home for the summer was fabulous. Cason and Cara helped resolve computer problems, copy and systematize CHE lessons, work the garden, tutor Corbin to improve his writing skills, decorate wedding cakes, animate family talks, and provide countless other blessings. Cara finished a painting of foot washing just hours before they left. We love it! Guests have already been stimulated to interesting conversation by it.

The busyness of August 16-21 capped a fruitful time of activity. A Pastor’s Retreat, then the National Association, took place in our town of Bondoukou. Three pastors stayed with us during the retreat. We added a fourth guest during the National. Verlin participated in numerous meetings and presented our report. Alice Smith, our dear coworker in CHE, announced her 2011 retirement from Cote d’Ivoire. The Ivorian church heard reports, discussed a revision of rules and by-laws, and resolved to try envelope giving to encourage tithing. They also authorized a feasibility study about building a Christian school in Bondoukou after getting it approved as a national project.

For 3 days afterward, we entertained a candidate for ordination shared in our last update. Years ago, he left our church to be trained as a pastor elsewhere. He and Verlin spent hours together in praying and discussing his ordination exam. Often, it proved pivotal to give simple explanations of his worldview differences from that which Free Will Baptist doctrine and church polity are built. It was a positive exchange. Hopefully the time will help him to more accurately evaluate whether he shares our beliefs, and, if not, let him understand that a rejection of ordination is not rejection as a brother.

August 28th found Corbin and Verlin at the dedication of a new FWB church in Kouafo, a village about an hour from Bondoukou. The construction, funded by one Ivorian man, represented a community effort. Believers from many FWB churches attended the Saturday celebration which followed an evangelistic outreach on Friday. Many hope it is a pattern of things to come.

Alice joined Debbie in August as the CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training of the Goumere FWB Church women continues. It is a great joy to work with these 13 to 25 hard-working ladies every Sunday afternoon, as they begin to learn how to improve conditions in their families spiritually, physically, and relationally, as well as think about how to share these truths with their neighbors.

Another big project was planting the FAITH garden (Food Always In The Home--published by ECHO, Inc). The pilot project is in our yard, as we are learning to provide the year-round vegetable needs for a 6-member family, using 96 to 100 square meters of space. Malnutrition is rampant here. We hope that, after 4 or 5 plantings, we will be able to teach this method to many Ivorians, including our pastors, some who have not been paid for months. Right now Verlin is ironing out pest problems, and learning which home-made pesticides work in the region.

The GO10 walk for missions leading up to the National in Oklahoma surpassed its million-dollar goal! Thank the Lord and all who participated. We pray that International Missions will finish the year with plenty of resources to fund, even expand, the ministries worldwide the Lord has given us. You are helping make that possible.

Eager to hear of His blessings in your world as well,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson

Prayer Points
*A CHE networking meeting in Abidjan—Sept. 11
*Doropo clinic meeting about CHE ministry to AIDS patients—1st week Oct.
*Protection for Verlin, as he travels to many villages, often on motorbike
*Ladies’ classes on Sunday afternoons
*Wisdom for Ivorian church leaders and your missionaries

Ministry Update from 06/26/2010

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

May passed without you hearing from us. As we reviewed the activities the Lord placed in our path, it became obvious why! After more than 60 work hours of preparing and participating in the Ivorian FWB Leadership Forum in mid-May, we headed to Abidjan for two packed weeks of work.

During that time we . . .
• Spent 5 days for car repairs (a part problem for a required suspension fix)
• Met with one ordination candidate
• Read the charismatically influenced paper of a 2nd ordination candidate
• Purchased parts to repair household goods or keep electric current stable
• Helped pastors Samuel Kaibio and Paul Amiezi prepare for their trip to the U.S. for the 75th Celebration of International Missions during the 2010 National and the International Fellowship of FWBs
• Completed some currency exchanges with subsequent 3 hour trips to the bank (that’s wait-in-line time!)
• Renewed international driving and transport papers
• Visited three of the now four Abidjan FWB churches
• Traveled to Agnibilekrou on public transport for a national Education Committee meeting
• Sent our coworker Alice Smith for a much-needed visit to her ailing mother in West Virginia
• Made 4 trips to tax offices to close a 5-year mission property issue
• Paid taxes and completed other treasurer responsibilities
• Familiarized a new team with how to handle financial disbursements for the Bible Institute and Theological Training by Extension program (TEE)
• Completed 16 years of home schooling as Corbin completed the 8th grade
• Shopped for 2 months of groceries and completed a financial report
• And JOYFULLY received Cason and Cara, our two collegiate children, back for the summer.

As we finished in Abidjan, Verlin ate some spoiled sardines and became violently ill for a day. God healed, and we returned north for scheduled meetings. Correctly chosen antibiotics, some rapid material copying, and he was off to Bouna to expose the 5th Ivorian Bible Institute class to Community Health Evangelism (CHE) principles. 17 hours of teaching with some new material while recovering made this the most trying CHE session he’s ever led. While there, he also encouraged some pastors and visited a former preacher who has returned to the Shepherd’s fold as a sheep, rather than an under-shepherd, due to sexual sin.

After four days at home to retool, he drove to remote Taoudi and shared a village format CHE Vision Seminar June 17-20. He preached too! 12 interested believers and an itinerant pastor completed the introductory training with enthusiasm and appreciation. They anticipate forming a team of 8 to 12 trainers in the year. We are eager to see how the Lord will use their outreach and pray for the healing of a regional schism of Christian brothers.

Verlin met with the ordination committee the following Tuesday. This particular candidate meeting demanded more than 35 hours of preparation the prior months in reading and research. The 6 hour meeting delayed acceptance of the candidate until some further interaction clarifies his doctrinal understandings.


A planned trip to Doropo with a Christian doctor, and part of his team, was canceled. We hope to reschedule the trip and allow their testimony to be heard by Doropo clinic staff. God has used the Abengourou Ivorian CHE witness to minister to over 1,400 AIDS patients using CHE, touch more than 4,000 others, successfully start a rural program, and see their churches adopt CHE as their means of outreach. The trip was canceled when their AIDS ministry in received unexpected government visitors to learn from and recognize their program as a model for holistic treatment. We pray to reschedule the visit and encourage the Doropo hospital staff to pursue this means of ministry. From conversation with health and NGO professionals, it appears God maintains a wide open door for them to use this in their region.

In the mean time, Debbie not only held down the fort at home, but expanded its outreach! This past Sunday afternoon, she had the introductory meeting with the ladies of the Goumere FWB church and began training them with CHE activities for home visits. Next week they will discuss how to prevent malaria. She and Alice anticipate teaching physical needs lessons with biblical instruction to help the women improve health in their homes and reach out to their neighbors. She spent over 40 hours proofreading and correcting translations into French of a Church Planting Movements booklet, an article to avoid dependency issues in churches, and a booklet on Free Will Baptists and Church Government that was distributed at the Forum (they are being read, too!). That list does not include countless hours in recent weeks getting nearly 100 English CHE lessons ready for use in French, supervising the text re-entry of Sunday School material for a TEE course, cooking most meals, home schooling, and prepping with Cara to bake and decorate a cake for a July 3rd wedding.

This is our joy, to expend ourselves for the sake of the gospel in Cote d’Ivoire, building-up the church of our Lord Jesus here. Please pray with us that we can carve out some days of rest in late July before Cason and Cara return to the States. We need some time apart before we hit the ground running again in August.

Thank you for all you do. Your partnership sustains us, as we see the Lord constantly helping in situations beyond our strength and number. He is faithful to hear and answer!

Gladly serving Him here together,
Verlin, Debbie, Cason, Cara, and Corbin Anderson

Ministry Update from 04/25/2010

Guiding Devotional Thought:
The InTouch ministry of Charles Stanley recently broadcast an accurate assessment of God's work in this world. The gods of this world are impatient. Our Holy God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him! (Is.64:4). Live to experience God's best by accepting His timetable, not forcing your own to experience, at best, what is second best.

Items of note:
• 13 of 13 candidates for baptism were baptized today in Goumere. All were from the congregation, or that of a daughter church at Siago. All completed baptismal courses, or new converts classes. In 2009, 74 baptisms were recorded by 24 of 96 worship centers reporting statistics.
• The women of the Goumere church have elected to also be trained in Community Health Evangelism (CHE) following 2 marriages, a ‘gifts to children’ NGO campaign, and also hosting a coming Leadership Forum, all in May. The training begins with an Awareness Seminar to assess felt needs of the community. Then the ladies will be trained for the family model of CHE to model blessings given to those who know God.
• The Taoudi Christians have cleared land, completed and roofed their new worship center since opting to use CHE to reach their community. It is anticipated that training dates will be set after planting season.
• Both new and experienced FWB leaders have sought CHE training since church leaders participated in the West African Transformational Conference (WATC) March 16-20. Dates for initial Vision Seminar exposures for strategic planning will probably be considered and/or set during a leadership meeting of the Ivorian FWB church May 14-16.

Prayer Requests:
• The WATC provided firsthand eyewitness accounts of how God has used CHE to sprout multiple Church Planting Movements (CPM) in Africa. Our FWB leaders met people they could imitate in approach and method. Pray God will grow planted seed thoughts.
• Pray for our translation and transitional planning efforts during the coming weeks prior to the Ivorian FWB Leadership Forum. We believe the Lord would have us clearly define the parameters of mission and national church partnership based on the new mission paradigm. To handle this responsibly, as well as the expected surge of CHE training, existing & productive legacy ministries like
a. the Bible Institute and Theological Training by Extension program (TEE),
b. aiding rural churches roof worship centers or parsonages to expand FWB witness, and
c. stimulating urban land purchase and church construction
must be strategically provided for.
• Pray that administrative staff and oversight decisions in the weeks surrounding the April 26-28 board meeting will facilitate the growth of ministries here. We need to maintain the vibrancy of new initiatives while avoiding our time being consumed by historic commitments.
• Pray for Verlin's nursing license renewal. We trust God's oversight, but it expired due to slow mail service and a supercharged memory. Those recommended for diagnosis, treatment, or otherwise aided with hydrocephaly, breast cancer, stroke, ulcers, malnutrition, hospital administration issues, worms, and malaria during the last two weeks would miss our services if they were made illegitimate by a failure to renew RN licensure.
• Pray for the GO10 walk to support FWBIM ministries. See http://www.go10walk.com/ .
• IF like us, you’ve not had the opportunity to locally participate in the World Missions Offering (WMO) at a FWB church, seek the Lord as to what you should give. It was collected in churches across the USA today. This offering funds the ministry of the stateside office, FWB overseas missionaries, and works like the Bible Institute. We give our contributions through the online site at http://www.fwbgo.com/give/

Ministry Update from 03/28/2010

“Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart..”

Our home church choir sang that beautiful hymn before we returned to Cote d’Ivoire last summer—old words, new tune, unchanging message. Is there a quality any more lacking in our world today than rest?

In February, the Ivorian president dissolved his government, reportedly due to corruption. This caused widespread demonstrations, including here in Bondoukou. While we were safe at home, thousands marched for two days with machetes--burning, damaging, looting. The police eventually controlled the mob by firing tear gas (without wearing gas masks, ironically), and we briefly felt the burn. All is calm now, and the new interim-prior-to-election government is in place.

We have also endured a nation-wide shortage of electricity, which affected our local water supply. The heat was grueling, and the scarcity of water greatly hindered the speed of daily life. Last week, UN forces tried to distribute water in our neighborhood. So many people gathered and fought for places in line that the UN gave up and went home. As of today, our electricity has been on for one entire week. Do we dare hope it is over?!

“..Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole..”

Verlin and 5 Ivorian FWB brothers attended the LifeWind West Africa Transformational Development Conference near Accra, Ghana, February 16-20.Debbie, Alice, and Corbin chose not to go as originally planned, because of budget constraints. Verlin shared a devotion and taught a seminar, both well received. Then he and our men enjoyed others who shared how the Lord is using Community Health Evangelism to plant churches, reach Muslims, treat AIDS, minister to handicapped, and create micro-enterprises in various ways in West Africa and around the world. The Ivorians returned home inspired, challenged, and eager to see how the Lord can use our churches to further advance and by His transforming power bring wholeness to communities. The President of our National Association has asked us to inform our leaders in a CHE Vision Seminar. The remote village of Taoudi awaits their first 40-hour training session, too. Debbie and Alice Smith (our CHE coworker) are preparing to begin training the Goumere FWB Church ladies in health and spiritual lessons.

“..Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise, and have made it mine..”

Aline, the young wife of Pastor Phillipe Fakeye of Agnibilekro, experienced Jesus’ wealth of grace and certain promise face to face on February 3. She died of a sinus infection complication and malaria. Her funeral and burial (March 5 and 6) were a tremendous testimony to her mostly unsaved family in Bouna. They were amazed by the Christian love and support shown, and many heard the Gospel clearly preached for the first time. Pray for Phillipe and his young child.

After the funeral, Verlin and several FWB Ivorian leaders went to Kafolo (5 excruciating hours from Bouna) to handle a long-standing property dispute with the village chief. The Lord blessed, and in half a day an agreement was reached and official paperwork signed. This enabled Verlin to check off an item from a long list of duties to handle as the last male FWB missionary on the field.

“..Simply trusting Thee, Lord, Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart..”

Verlin was able to meet and counsel Ange, the gendarme who received Christ after purchasing a Bible from us at the Ghana border a couple of years back. He seems genuinely converted, and Verlin hopes to keep in touch when we visit Abidjan. Pray for two people Debbie has befriended and is sharing with, Cecile and Francois. We have not seen M., the converted Muslim girl since our return. A mutual friend is trying to arrange it so that we can meet. Please pray with us that the love of Jesus will satisfy their hearts.

“..Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory, Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace.”

All of us have seasons of life when earth’s dark shadows cloud the landscape, and that has been the case for us in the past few months. Nothing has been easy, even by African standards; usually simple tasks have been an exhausting battle. The fight is on. We firmly believe this is because the Lord wants to bring a church-planting movement in our context, using CHE as one tool. The financial crisis of International Missions also greatly impacts FWB ministries in Cote d’Ivoire and elsewhere, forcing difficult choices every month.

Despite the obstacles and uncertainties, it is incredibly rewarding to work persistently and wait patiently, resting and trusting our Lord Jesus. Your prayers and contributions matter enormously. We have nothing but thanksgiving for your faithfulness in every way over the years!

At rest in Him,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson

Mission Financial Crisis

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 4:6). Do you remember the day when the glory of the Lord’s salvation in Christ became real to you? We do. His life for our death, His salvation for our condemnation, His hope for our despair, His truth for our lies, His purity for our perversion, His will for our selfish ambition! Oh, what joy when His glory fills a heart, a home, a church, and a nation! Suddenly, our “clay pot” lives became vessels to pour His inestimably precious glory, His worth, into someone else’s life.

It is the desire of every member of the Free Will Baptist International Mission’s team, home and overseas, to “Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” (I Chron. 16:24) Nevertheless, an enormous obstacle stands in our way. International Missions has asked us to inform you of the critical financial need we face together. Will you please carefully and prayerfully consider the information they have provided below and, like us, ask, “Lord, what would You have me do?”

Thank you ahead of time for what you do, have done, and will do—not for us, or International Missions, but for the sake of sharing Jesus where His glory is not known. We proclaim with David in Psalm 72:19, “…let the whole earth be filled with his glory!”

His clay pot servants in Cote d’Ivoire,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson

Current Situation

International Missions is in the grip of the worst financial crisis we have experienced in our history. After more than two years of dealing with the impact of a devalued U.S. dollar against other world currencies, we have experienced a major decline in gifts from our supporters. The currency crisis has cost the Mission in excess of $630,000 in 2008 and 2009. In spite of this, we have been holding our own financially—until August of this year. August-November, giving to the Mission plummeted and we have depleted a large portion of our reserves. We anticipate a loss in excess of $500,000 for the 2009 fiscal year!

Drastic Measures Taken

In response to this, the IM board approved a greatly reduced budget for 2010. Nearly every budget category in the Mission was cut. Unfortunately, four positions in the home office were eliminated. Every International Missions employee took a 5% salary cut, as well. Unless the Lord moves on the hearts of our people, IM sadly faces the added possibility of having to reduce its missionary force, as other missions have done.

We Need your Help!

The Mission asks every Free Will Baptist church and individual to consider giving a sacrificial gift as soon as possible. If the Lord impresses you to help with this urgent need, you may direct your gift to the GEF (Global Evangelism Fund) which provides for all missionary co-laborers and for the functional needs of International Missions. Equally important, will you join us in regular, earnest prayer for the Lord to intervene, for the sake of His Name around the world?

Additional Crisis Information

Also, please visit our website at http://fwbgo.com/about/crisis.html to view a video from our general director, James Forlines, read additional information, and receive updates on the crisis.