Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
“Give me money,” the chief’s son said.
About fifteen people had gathered around the chief in November as Verlin came
to give greetings with the local pastor. Verlin responded that he had not come
to simply give money that would disappear when used. He had come to explain
God’s ways, including how He develops wealth, at the church. God’s gifts do not
end. They do not ‘run out,’ except when disobedience negates them.
While not much could be quickly shared
in a single greeting, what if Verlin shared information to prevent worms, decrease
the incidence of malaria, cancer, and so save money? Would he like to hear?
Would they all? Yes! The chief’s son ran to get the leaves, a pot and a
machete. In less than twenty minutes, Verlin demonstrated God’s provision by
means of the papaya plant, a source of blessing with many health benefits.
Believers now have increased support from that chief to share a changed
understanding of God’s ways to bring enduring change, rather than Scriptures
being used to enforce dependent, poverty entrenching beliefs.
The established Free Will Baptist church
started helping build latrines three months ago. Now two cell groups gather to
hear God’s Word outside the church. A second pastor follows the pattern in the
area, gaining access to share the gospel in neighboring villages by helping the
communities meet their own needs with what they have already received of God.
Both pastors received training at the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) seminar
you helped provide in May. They use the book we make available during visits
written by Dan Fountain, a now retired Christian missionary doctor, with
practical ways to transform willing communities.
December 14, Verlin visited the fruition
of a new church planted less than an hour’s drive from the FWB church in Tanda.
He there witnessed the inauguration of a Christian NGO to fight AIDS, born by
the cooperation of a local government nurse and the data entry worker we use.
They both confess Christ and together they integrated many principles learned
from CHE during planning. Both attended May’s training of trainers. After delaying
4 hours for the sous-préfet
(government leader comparable to a county commissioner), a special meal of
monkey meat was served. The crowd of 130+ decreased to about 100 persons. Various
public leaders spoke. The delay for the sous-préfet
was worth it as his fervor and passion infused confidence in the project.
Verlin shared
God’s plan that one man join one woman for life, with no exception except death,
and our need to live in the light of His Word. Muslim leaders received the
message so well that some even attended the evangelistic film presentation that
night. More than 250 souls attended the overnight meeting for which the Tanda
FWB church provided the means. Pray with us that as this local nurse begins screening villagers for AIDS, many
people will also hear and respond to the gospel. The sous-préfet is enthusiastic and ready to spread the ideas to other
communities under his watch care. Since the physical conflict here in 2010,
Cote d’Ivoire is now believed to have the highest AIDS population percentage in
West Africa.
Pray also for the support of a pastor who one year ago
responded to the call to begin a church in the center of the country. He
began the work separately from being assigned the task, a ‘no-no’ here for many
reasons. However, some are coming to see the merit of his effort. Pray for
Ivorian church leadership to balance well the needs of providing for
spontaneous and planned church planting. Both happen when Church Planting
Movements are born.
The tax crisis
on our rented house was resolved through much persistence and prayer. We
anticipate being in our Bondoukou home by mid-January! You can read that story via the December AWA Flash Update link of the blog archive above in the right panel, or by PDF:
On return home, Corbin
and Debbie hope to quickly start an English class using the Bible as the text
with some of Corbin’s friends, as planned before we left. This is our youngest
son’s last 6 months in Africa. Pray with us that Corbin’s time finishing here will be blessed with many good
memories and a continued open heart to serve the Lord wherever and in whatever
capacity He chooses.
In our world
torn with sins like the heartbreaking slaughter of innocents, both in Africa
and in the USA, what a solemn opportunity we have to share the Lord Jesus
Christ whose similar experience resounds this Christmas season. Romans 15:13
summarizes our prayer for you and for us: “Now
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” May we together share
in Spirit a truly Merry Christmas and Joy-filled New Year in the preparation
for His second coming.
Gratefully
partnering with you to share the day-to-day life-changing Good News in Cote
d’Ivoire,
Verlin, Debbie, and
Corbin Anderson
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