While outside is an icy winter wonderland with the coldest temperatures of the year, inside our apartment and our hearts, there is warmth. Warmth remembering the Lord’s grace and goodness to us in 2014; warmth reviewing the mighty ways He is transforming lives through Community Health Evangelism (CHE) in West Africa; warmth recalling He chooses to use redeemed sinners like all of us in His Kingdom; warmth rejoicing in people who are faithful to encourage, pray, and give.
Tune Ups
Since our last update, both of us have been jumping through medical hoops associated with living in bodies that have passed the 50-year milestone. Verlin was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and fitted with a CPAP machine, along with all the follow-up appointments and adjustments. What a relief to see him slowly becoming more rested after five years of sleep deprivation! He also had to deal with an inner ear problem. Otherwise, several “oscopy” tests have shown that he is in good health except for a kidney stone. Debbie had surgery and physical therapy to repair a meniscus tear, eliminating one of two problems she had with her right knee. After she completes some routine tests in upcoming weeks, we should be physically ready to return to the rigorous African environment for four years.
TrainingVerlin’s training by the CDC in January to work with Ebola Treatment Units (ETU) was very useful. As he and more than fifty other people from various medical backgrounds learned together, it was encouraging that numerous participants were Christians seeking ways to make a difference in Jesus’ name. This specialized training opens many doors to help prevent Ebola in West Africa, both through CHE and in the public health sector. Verlin has offered to serve in areas using ETU starting in mid-June, if help is still needed at that time.
Recent communications with CHE partners in Cote d’Ivoire indicate a growing, pent-up need for training of trainers that will surpass our available time when we return, hopefully in summer, dependent on funding. CHE trainings for the fall are scheduled, expecting our return and full participation. Other training will be delayed by perhaps a year. A spring training of evangelical pastors nation-wide is scheduled with a CHE trainer of associates who have not lived in Cote d’Ivoire during crisis. This training occasion was initiated last year before and while Verlin was there in October. We had expected to be on-the-ground facilitators. Our flesh cries out against the delays and potential setbacks, since missed training sessions means missed converts. Still, there is peace when we remember that our Lord only allows what turns out for the best. Our extended absence allows for further pruning, maturing, and measuring of team strengths.Timing
January afforded us the time to look at 2014 donations and evaluate where we stand in monthly support. Praise the Lord, almost $14,000 was given to our account in December alone. Our cash base requirement of $25,000 is in. That allowed us to begin drawing salary just above the U.S. Federal Poverty Level (FPL) during November. During 2014, we chose not to be reimbursed for gas, travel expense, or insurance so that the balance would grow. We still need some cash for tickets, a vehicle, and house set-up, but primarily we concentrate on growing the remaining $4,000 needed monthly. That could be 40 x $100. God could use 40 churches, groups of people, or individuals to give $100 monthly. If you refer to the ‘If God lived in my Village?’ pamphlet which we use as we visited churches to report, that $4,000 means we still need financial partners of
- 1 donor at $500 per month (of 2 sought)
- 5 donors x $300 per month (of 10 sought)
- 6 donors x $200 per month (of 10 sought)
- 5 donors x $50 per month (of 10 sought)
- 17 donors x $25 per month (of 20 sought)
10 donors x $100 per month have already committed, so it seems many find that an easier amount to give. That’s why we’ve refocused to ‘40 x $100’. Finding 40 x $100 partners will prevent our having to interrupt ministry to return to the U.S. for fund raising. Reaching this goal is all that keeps us from returning to Cote d’Ivoire for a 4-year term tomorrow. If individuals or churches were to prayerfully resume or start monthly, quarterly, or annual financial support, all would participate in this West African church planting movement. We expect to find additional funding for Ivorian projects within the support networks of each group participating in CHE.
When we began visiting churches last March it was primarily to say “thank you” to people who had been ministry partners for 16 years and to share some of the marvelous ways the Lord is at work in Cote d’Ivoire using our partnership group. Many of you have continued support as we transition to CHE missionaries through Christian Health Service Corps. From now until mid-summer, when we hope to return, most of our time will be devoted to seeking the support partners still needed. Thank you for your part in speeding us back to the field. We are “chompin’ at the bit” to return.
Thanksgiving
Rejoice with us! Our son Cason and his wife Suzanne are in the beginning steps to adopt a foster child in Nashville. Tennessee law requires that potential adoptive parents receive the child for six months before an adoption is finalized, in addition to the adoption classes and state inspections. They anticipate this precious two-year-old will begin living with them in late April. We were able to meet her on Valentine’s Day—what a present! Details and photos cannot be shared now.
Gratefully His and yours in service,
Verlin and Debbie Anderson
We’d appreciate your prayers for . . .
- Adoption. That the process goes smoothly for Cason and Suzanne.
- Opened doors. Ease in making contacts to raise the remaining 45-50% of monthly support prior to June. To multiply witness through CHE in the region, Verlin has offered to work Ebola Treatment Units beginning June 8, which can demonstrate the usefulness of CHE in other West African public health programs.
- Revival. An Ivorian FWB church will receive a medical team in March from a Colorado church committed to helping people with dignity through CHE. The visit of this team gives a chance to kick start their revived efforts among people who often choose to be dependent rather than interdependent.
- Dry ground. We develop by God’s grace a permanent address in Tennessee to meet insurance, tax, and college residency requirements for ourselves and Corbin. With help of family and friends, a trailer is being placed on family land that needs some clearing. Delays related to utilities, TVA power lines, and bids were overcome by prayer within 30 hours of initially making this request. We need dry ground for clearing and ditch digging. Last week we shared that even if our financial pledges were fulfilled tomorrow, we would still have to find a way to complete this job. We are thankful for two who have responded to this potential need and are willing to step-in should we be able to depart before this is completed. Once done, though, we will be able to move back and forth from Africa with little time lost setting up home base.
PDF of 2015 Budget : CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget_2015
A CHSC ministry. Financial Support Link
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