Called to Overcome

PDF Version: Anderson_Report_15_09_19
(Includes Quarterly donor report)

"We must see the whole man and his total need. If you only see his mental need you will become an educator. If you only see his political oppression, you will become a revolutionary or a politician. And if you see only his spiritual need, you will become a religionist. It is in seeing the whole man, with the strongest emphasis on the spiritual, that you become a Christian witness, a missionary, an evangelist, a communicator of God’s Word."  —Franklin Graham

150918   TOT1   Summation

The perspective above describes one reason that we have chosen to minister using Community Health Evangelism (CHE) for more than 18 years. Scripture addresses all aspects of our being human; Jesus did; so should we. Our hearts burn that individuals, communities, and nations come to experience shalom (biblical peace) with God through Jesus Christ, with themselves, with others, and with Creation.

What that looks like in our daily life, and probably in yours, includes a lot of plodding and persevering. Thank you for pressing on with us in this journey by prayer and giving. Below is a testimony and progress report, so that we can praise the Lord together.

A Pivotal Point
Missionaries are like everyone else. We can get tired and want to quit. Maybe we want to quit even more than many people, because the intensity of the spiritual battle can be so fierce. My (Debbie) most pivotal moment was in late 2012 and early 2013. Our landlord had refused to pay taxes on our home, and by this he jeopardized our living situation. We moved within ten days of getting the news. We had the option to cut our term short by a few months and return to the States early. Two other issues caused us extreme stress, and, although many people were encouraged and supportive of CHE, there was a voiced thought that we were inefficient missionaries whose ministry was a waste of money. Emotionally and physically drained by activity and undiagnosed sleep apnea, Verlin and I considered and prayed. Neither of us felt peace about shortening our term.

In response to the critique of our ministry, I asked the Lord to demonstrate specifically and visibly if we needed to continue our work or if we were deceiving ourselves. In the next few months, a floodgate of opportunity opened as we uncovered that CHE was beginning to produce fruit in multiple places where seed had been planted years before. It was just as a wise CHE leader had told us early on. In CHE, at first you work for years and it seems that nothing is happening. Then one day, you wake up and there is more work than you can possible do.

2013 TOT2 - 5  Denom  Represented

We have frequently looked back at that point of decision and rejoiced that we did not give up. Perhaps our sharing now will help you keep praying for a child, or laboring to plant a church, or working to save a marriage, or fighting to overcome an addiction, etc. 

“. . . let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Galatians 6:9

Plodding and Persevering
Verlin arrived in Cote d’Ivoire on August 21. He will be there until October 13. For the third year, he is facilitating the CHE training at the University of Abidjan on September 14-18 with a team of Africans, one European, and an American, himself.

2015 University paid training expenses like banner, lodging and travel

Besides the 200+ hours already devoted to the university training, he has a daunting list of people to see and tasks to accomplish in preparation for our upcoming four-year term. The first ten days of his seven week trip were fruitful. Since we need to buy a vehicle for this upcoming term, he checked prices on 4x4s and trucks. People who have managed our belongings and business affairs in our absence gave reports. CHE workers shared victories and challenges in their ministries. He learned of two more large organizations and another new village that want to be equipped for evangelism and discipleship with CHE. The Lord confirms in every way imaginable that we should return as soon as possible. The overwhelming need among CHE teams in Cote d’Ivoire is for follow-up and troubleshooting.

When Verlin returns to the U.S. in mid-October, we will push forward to seek the remaining monthly support needed. Struggling Ivorian CHE implementers take courage at our presence, and those with advancing ministries profit from our experiences. Can you help us find sending partners? Debbie can share about our ministry before Verlin’s return, and we both are available from October 16 until the end of the year.

Praise and Prayer

• On September 4, the Lord affirmed plans and provided us a home in Bondoukou. The three-bedroom house with several storage rooms out back will cost less than $150.00 per month to rent. It is the house we redid for our missionary partner Alice Smith to rent in 2006, so we already know it well. It should just require minor repairs and paint before we move in. Praise the Lord with us! 
• All that slows our getting back to work in Cote d’Ivoire is 24 x 100.
  
  Many of you know now what that means. To complete our monthly support, we need 24 more individuals, groups of people, or churches who pledge $100 a month (or any combination that yields $2,400 a month). Some have confirmed they are going to do something, but have not given a specific amount yet.
• The installation and set-up of our mobile home in Cookeville is complete! As a result, we can maintain low health insurance premiums, Corbin has a place to call home when not in college, and we no longer have to live with family or rent apartments when in the USA.
• The Cote d’Ivoire presidential election is currently scheduled for October 25. Ivorians are understandably worried, given the violence which followed the last period of elections. Pray with them for a peaceful outcome this time.
• Several important meetings will occur in October related to our son Cason and his wife Suzanne’s efforts to adopt the precious two-year-old girl whom they care for daily as foster parents. Her speech and physical therapists are thrilled with her progress in recent months.

Verlin & Debbie 2014

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie

*Friend Debbie Payne Anderson or Verlin Anderson on Facebook to see regular photo updates.



PDF contains CHSC donation report.

The Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) is a mission of dedicated medical professionals who participate in the CHE Global Network. Together, in a loose affiliation of individuals, churches, denominational and nondenominational agencies, we share God's Light and Truth through Community Health Evangelism (CHE).Verlin and Debbie need 24 partners at $100 per month of support, or their equivalents, to resume residential ministry of expanding CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of the CHSC and Ivorian partners. Tax deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Anderson #0118 written in memo and mailed to CHSC – PO Box 132 – Fruitdale, TX 75127. Online contributions also accepted at these links: www.che4a.org (3% fee) and TDF (0% fee)

Last : LePSAS University - Anderson WEEKLY 150913
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2015 1Q Report: Anderson_Report_15_06_06
2015 Budget :CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget_2015
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