Getting Beyond the Beginning . . .

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 “Nothing has impacted my professional life as what you have shared these two years. It’s changed everything I am as a believer and in Public Health service.” – Professor

“When you see your teacher sit down to learn from someone else, you do not question whether or not you need to participate. You go yourself to learn.” – Regional Doctor from North

Trip to Côte d’Ivoire

Verlin’s trip to teach CHE at the university and to handle other ministry responsibilities far exceeded our greatest hopes. This Thanksgiving gives angels and us many reasons to rejoice. Below are a few highlights of his six weeks there:

• All began smoothly in getting residency papers for our next term. We were invited to live and minister in Cote d’Ivoire by a group representing multiple Christian organizations.
• The second year of CHE training at the University of Abidjan was an overwhelming success. The dates, program, and location for 2015’s training are already set. Level 1 and Level 2 trainings were done simultaneously with 4 Ivorians, 1 Nigerian, 1 Togolese, 1 Frenchman, and an American (Verlin) serving as trainers. 26 medical or government leaders from throughout the country received the first level; 11 of the 17 university leaders from last year continued to the second level of training. Verlin passed on much more organizational responsibility this year. University staff arranged that all expenses for lodging, transportation, and materials were paid. Every graduate student of public health is already being exposed to use CHE and how to coordinate with a growing number of Christian clinic and church-based teams. All anticipate much improved health – good relations with Creator God, others, themselves, and the creation. Local workers know new churches will be planted as the gospel is shared, as well.
• The weeks before, during, and after training, Verlin met with individuals to hear reports of CHE projects already in progress and to provide encouragement or sought advice. One doctor has initiated two programs in the last year. A second leader works to develop a project for use nation-wide that targets reducing early childhood illness and mortality. A Bible Institute in the northwest now plans to train all their students to use CHE; another denomination seeks regular training to use CHE everywhere. One successful agricultural CHE outreach had grown from 5 to 7 locations in the past year. A sister project will soon add to the 3 churches planted. Groups of women who successfully created individual micro-enterprises through CHE Bible studies now focus on evangelism. A village CHE leader evangelizing among Muslims received help troubleshooting and planning the next stage of outreach
• In repeated settings, the questioning plea was made, “When will you be back to help us better coordinate, spread, and understand ministry through CHE?”
• The only negative bit of news was the sale of our rented home to a new owner who wants to live on the property instead of rent it.  Downsizing to a smaller location is a good move for us. The Lord quickly provided a temporary location for our belongings until we return and negotiate rental of a new home.

Stateside Activities

Since Verlin’s return, it has been our privilege to speak in Michigan, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In early November we participated in the Global Health Missions Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Ebola survivors, including Dr. Kent Brantly, and missionaries who cared for Ebola patients shared their testimonies and expertise. That same week Collaborative for Neighborhood Transformation (CNT) members gave a two-day seminar which we attended with 5 other FWB friends. The training introduced how to use CHE in the American context, where it is active in 15 cities nationwide. CNT’s and our goal is to teach others the essentials of how to organize communities by obeying God with healthy interaction.

Plans to Return

The end of March 2015 is our target date to return to Cote d’Ivoire for our next term. This is now a bold goal made in faith of God’s people, trusting the Lord to call those who will complete our ministry partner team.  Around 40% of our monthly support is pledged, with four new supporters in recent days. Scheduling services in advance has been complicated by following up on continuing CHE ministries which made returning to Cote d’Ivoire necessary and the need to establish a permanent U.S. address. We’d like to see our ministry funds arrive in ways that Africans can imitate to raise their own funds for spreading the gospel – from friends and churches who share a similar vision of outreach.

Pray for...

• Ivorian pastor Théophile Behi and family, as their son Emmanuel died in early November of typhoid fever, complicated by sickle cell anemia. Pray a CHE program develops. He lived longer and better because of information given, but typhoid is overcome primarily by community effort with medical intervention.
• The CHE Africa teen program’s need for house parents of orphans in Kortorkor, Ghana.
• Debbie to successfully schedule surgery on her right knee prior to the end of 2014.
• Corbin’s maturing as a godly young man while at Union University.
• Verlin’s CDC training in early January to work in and use Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs).
• Spirit-led services as we continue travels to share our burden for Cote d’Ivoire.
• The remaining financial pledges so that we can return to ministry the end of March 2015. U.S. housing and residency issues have unexpectedly cost us weeks of time since returning.

Thank you for your prayerful and loving support.

Sincerely,

Verlin & Debbie Anderson
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