What's in Your Hands?

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_160827

Moses and his staff. David and his sling. A boy and his small lunch. Dorcas and her needle. The Bible is replete with people who used what was "in their hand" (see Exodus 4:2) to serve the Lord. That is one reason why a key principle of Community Health Evangelism (CHE) is honored by the Lord to help people discover how to use local resources for the benefit of their families and communities. Often equipment donated from wealthy nations to needy areas is useless, because people do not know how to use or repair it, nor are parts locally available. Other well-intentioned NGOs give surplus of food and goods which sometimes put local farmers and artisans out of business. Christ has put within each believer a heart of compassion that wants to give. It is our responsibility to also use our heads, reaching out in ways that lift people out of spiritual and physical poverty rather than leaving them feeling inferior and dependent.

Bondoukou, with a population of about 70,000 souls, has a huge problem common in Cote d'Ivoire. There is no regular means of trash removal. Littering

is the norm, and serious diseases like typhoid are a nationwide issue. Over the years, Verlin has experimented with various ways to dispose of trash. This week he and Koffi have worked on a stove that uses local products. Not only can it burn trash, but it can double as a protected wood fire stove, or be reshaped for baking. The heat can inexpensively generate enough energy to recharge electronic device batteries. The design can be adjusted to re-burn air twice, depending on how the flue is placed. Our hope is that once in use, we can share the technology with others. Trash disposal might become a CHE project bringing neighborhoods and villages together, providing another witness of Christ who empowers each of us to serve with what we have in hand.

Prayer and Praise:

• Verlin heads to Abidjan soon to finalize preparations for the CHE training at the university. This year a new person is charged with handling enrollment and paperwork for the event. He is going a bit early to be available to help her. Continue to pray for the trainers as they prepare.
• The Lord is very gracious. He allowed Debbie to be at our mobile home in Cookeville when a water leak developed. Had no one been there, serious, long-term damage would have occurred. We are thankful that the repair is in process, and not nearly as costly since it was discovered quickly.
• We have a Dorcas in our lives who has given us gorgeous quilts over the
  
  years that were perfect to use in Africa. We brought her some material from Africa, and here is the lovely new quilt that now graces our home. Talents of all kinds matter in His kingdom! Thank you, Mary Jo, for blessing not just us, but other missionaries, local shelters, and orphans around the world.
  

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie

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 accept donor partners to contribute as led to maintain support as we resume residential ministry to expand CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of CHSC & Ivorian partners. Tax deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Andersons #0118 written on the memo line. Mail to CHSC - PO Box 132 - Fruitvale, TX 75127. Give online via the CHSC @ www.che4a.org (3% fee) or TDF (0% fee).

Last written: Blessing or Curse? Anderson WEEKLY 160820
Last Video: DMM (YouTube) - Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q1 Report: Cloud-of-Witnesses_160806.pdf
2016 Budget: CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
Support these ministries: www.che4a.org
Something to ask? Write: updates@verlindeb.org 
AWA represents Andersons Witnessing in Africa

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Blessing or Curse?

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_160820

Sometimes we are tempted to believe that technology is evil. Banes like pornography and the spread of terrorism through channels of communication darken our days. Yet the grace provided through technology gives us more powerful and lifesaving ways to share the gospel and disciple believers. Letters from Africa formerly took six weeks or more to arrive in the States. Now, with the stroke of some computer keys, our news is to you in seconds. Skype allows us to see and relate with family as we talk weekly across continents, for pennies. What blessed days we enjoy from our Lord!

In June, Verlin also learned of another great use of new communications by the Willow Creek Association a non-profit that hosts The Global Leadership Summit

each year. The vision of their two-day conference is "to see every local church reach its full redemptive potential--becoming an unbridled conduit for the transforming power of Jesus Christ." They host the conference in the United States where it is recorded. It is then shared through more than 90 denominations in 90 countries, with 18,000 churches engaging to use their resources annually. The speakers' voices are dubbed into various international languages.

On Tuesday, using in-country CHE networking, a team came to Bondoukou to invite leaders to attend a French dubbed version of the conference on October 21-22 in Abengourou (an annual Abidjan event is in November). This first presentation in the nation's interior will have places set aside for 50 from Bondoukou to attend. There is a 300 person limit. Verlin plans to personally invite at least 5 people. One of the encouraging concepts of this summit is that for the Church to thrive, we must train professionals, not just pastors, but leaders who have been set apart for positions in government, health, education, business, and non-profits.

Prayer and Praise:

• Pray for Community Health Evangelism (CHE) workers who regularly travel throughout Cote d'Ivoire to provide training. These are volunteer workers who add this labor of love on top of full-time jobs. Ask for safe travel, physical strength, and financial provision. One dear Ivorian co-worker needs several thousand dollars to replace his vehicle that breaks down on almost every trip.
• The street in front of our house is now paved! Our neighborhood gladly says goodbye to months of red dust in our houses, blocked streets, and construction noise.
• Praise the Lord that giving to our account remained stable during the summer. Ask the Father for strong fourth quarter giving so that our financial undergirding remains firm through the end of the year. Thank you for all your faithful prayers and contributions. May Cote d'Ivoire be "filled with the knowledge of the Lord as waters cover the sea" by our labors together!

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie Anderson

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 accept donor partners to contribute as led to maintain support as we resume residential ministry to expand CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of CHSC & Ivorian partners. Tax deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Andersons #0118 written on the memo line. Mail to CHSC - PO Box 132 - Fruitvale, TX 75127. Give online via the CHSC @ www.che4a.org (3% fee) or TDF (0% fee).

Last written: Getting up Again Anderson WEEKLY 160813
Last Video: DMM (YouTube) - Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q1 Report: Cloud-of-Witnesses_160806.pdf
2016 Budget: CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
Support these ministries: www.che4a.org
Something to ask? Write: updates@verlindeb.org 
AWA represents Andersons Witnessing in Africa

Deb's Facebook Page

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Getting up Again

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_160813

Verlin met with a representative of the Union for the Fight Against Poverty (in French, the ULCP) on August 8, the celebration of Ivorian independence. This cooperative investment club developed in 2005 to operate like a mutual fund of rural agricultural production that would bless its participants. The church's hope was to fund development projects and evangelistic outreach. The idea worked so well that someone absconded with more than $24,000 during a sale of cashew production. That stolen amount grew from the initial $20 share contributions that totaled about $600 in the beginning. The loss about shut down the effort in 2010 and 2011. Thankfully, the group did not give up and say all was lost. Instead they pursued an investigation, identified some problems that allowed the theft, and now do a planned shut down, after reimbursing shareholders their funds. Although some might be tempted to view this experience as a failure, it is very encouraging. The response to the event testifies to the perception of life changed as a byproduct of Community Health Evangelism (CHE) teaching that started the effort. Here is what we mean.

In a typical fatalistic African worldview,

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when such things happen, the community tends to speak hopelessly of the bad event without reflecting on how to overcome it. Today, the initial group is not discouraged. Instead, they consider that they have learned lessons from which they can now prepare to do better. As part of their process, they returned to us all of our personal initial investment with an 18% gain. More than the money returned, our delight is in their successful regrouping and effort to start afresh. As the biblical proverb teaches in contrast to local belief, the righteous fall many times and rise again, but the ungodly stumble in times of trouble (see Proverbs 24:16). We praise God that biblical thoughts begin to become the rule.

This is a radical change among people who for centuries have thought that how one dies and is buried is more important than how to live abundantly now and go into eternity with assurance. Praise the Lord for the power of putting His Word into action! What a joy to know of the good that triumphs over evil.

Prayer and Praise:

• We are thankful that all of Debbie's medical bills related to surgery in the States were fully covered by insurance! Now pray with us that most of the approximate $1,700 that we paid personally for the hospital stay in Cote d'Ivoire will be reimbursed.
• The Lord enabled Verlin and Cason to find a solution to one of the three problems we have in these weekly updates being delivered to subscribers. It will require Debbie and helpers to contact several hundred people individually, but at least one of the problems has a known solution.
• Ask the Lord to bless Corbin as he begins his junior year at Union University on August 21.
• Pray for the reformulation of the ULCP, believers and pastors starting to use DMM, and the restructuring of the university trainings, following the changes of available trainers and funding.

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie Anderson

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 accept donor partners to contribute as led to maintain support as we resume residential ministry to expand CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of CHSC & Ivorian partners. Tax deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Andersons #0118 written on the memo line. Mail to CHSC - PO Box 132 - Fruitvale, TX 75127. Give online via the CHSC @ www.che4a.org (3% fee) or TDF (0% fee).

Last written: Doers not Hearers Anderson WEEKLY 160730
Last Video: DMM (YouTube) - Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q1 Report: Cloud-of-Witnesses_160806.pdf
2016 Budget: CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
Support these ministries: www.che4a.org
Something to ask? Write: updates@verlindeb.org 
AWA represents Andersons Witnessing in Africa

Deb's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Cloud of Witnesses--Anderson 2016 1Q Report

PDF Version: Anderson_Report_16_08_06.pdf

One great encouragement as a disciple of Jesus is to learn from other Christians, the "cloud of witnesses" that Hebrews 12 describes. It might be the writings of a missionary hero like Elisabeth Elliot, whom we quote below but never met. Other times the Lord brings people directly in our path who by their experience or teaching propel us further down the road in ministry for His glory. Then He in turn uses our lives and talents to touch others in the race. And so the baton of truth is passed on in each generation, if we are faithful.

Back to Basics
We must quit bending the Word to suit our situation. It is we that must be bent to that Word, our necks that must bow under that yoke.--Elisabeth Elliot (E.E.)

In mid-June we had the privilege of helping host a French couple, Jean Marc and Martine Fritsch. They came to Cote d'Ivoire to provide Disciple Making Movements (DMM) training in two towns. The core teaching was to get back to the basics of Scripture and make disciples using the model that has resulted in rapid church growth around the world for generations of believers. Participants learned how to lead Bible studies, focus on multiplying disciples, and minister to Muslims using the techniques of Jesus and Paul as their guide. Medical professionals and pastors left the training on fire to awaken their churches and reach out to their neighbors, co-workers, and friends.

In addition, the Fritschs' shared many personal experiences of their ten years as medical missionaries in Madagascar which was a huge blessing to us. How the Lord led Dr. Martine to help the country transform its public health system may become the model chosen to guide the Ivorian CHE (Community Health Engagement) efforts out of the university. The timing of their visit to Cote d'Ivoire was certainly led of the Holy Spirit.

Bump, Bump
When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) toward the goal of true maturity.--E.E.

This race we call life always has some unexpected bumps along the way. In the end, that is all they are:  bumps that in no way change our destination or joy in the journey. We hit such a bump in late June. After more than 60 days of pain in her left side and over 50 days on various antibiotics, Debbie took the advice of a private duty nurse (Verlin) and her doctor and was admitted to a hospital in Abidjan for testing. The results were as we expected:  a probable recurrence of an abdominal hernia. We chose to return her to the States after a prominent Lebanese surgeon refused to do the surgery stating that she should follow up with the American doctor who performed the first hernia surgery. We agreed. Our medical evacuation agreement paid for her ticket back home and for a medical professional to escort her.

Her surgery took place on July 14 with no complications, thankfully. The surgeon told her to expect a slow and painful recovery, because it was her seventh abdominal surgery in the past 30 years, and because he used a "boatload" of stitches to try to prevent a recurrence. He was pleased the she planned to stay in the States at least 3 months to heal. Debbie has spent the first three weeks with her supportive parents in Nashville, and will spend upcoming weeks at our mobile home in Cookeville.

Verlin came to the States for one week to see her and attend the National Association of FWB in St. Louis, then he returned to Cote d'Ivoire. Although prolonged time apart is never ideal, military families have to endure much longer and more stressful separations. We are grateful for the loving help of family and friends. This "bump" will probably result in some lifestyle changes for Debbie (i.e. weight of items lifted and perhaps a brace). We anticipate that she will be back in Cote d'Ivoire to minister after taking time to heal.

Believing and Building
If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril if His hand and would be safer in mine!--E.E.

During our time apart, the Lord has certainly given plenty to keep us busy on two continents. Debbie will work on two large translation projects that need a final polish before being given to the Ivorian church.

Verlin has two ongoing projects, in addition to welcoming visitors to our home who come for counsel and help. One project is to continue following up on people whom we have trained in past years. They need to be informed of CHE endeavors going on around the nation and of the additional training opportunities. It is also the time of year in which he dedicates several hundred hours to prepare for the CHE university training. We are greatly blessed this year to welcome Alice M. for the first time to help at the university. She is a former Medical Ambassadors International coordinator from Kenya who now develops Community Health Engagement used in North Dakota. Her insight will be priceless.

Prayer and Praise

• Praise the Lord for His provision to get Debbie to the States safely and for the complication-free hernia surgery she had on July 14. Ask for complete healing and patience during the slow recovery process.
• Verlin still has over 100 hours in preparation for the upcoming CHE training at the University of Abidjan on September 12-16. Ask for wisdom as lessons are assigned and much coordination happens among trainers. Pray the CHE trainers arrive safely from North Dakota, France, and other African nations. Especially ask for grace and stamina for all during the week of training.
• The Lord has moved on the hearts of numerous people through the DMM training, and other influences, to begin Bible studies in their spheres of influence at work and church. Pray that many souls will be saved, Christians discipled, and CHE outreaches multiplied.
• Pray for our distribution system for our weekly email updates. We recently discovered that probably several hundred people are not receiving our updates, even though they asked to be included. Ask for wisdom for Verlin and technicians as they try to figure out the problem.

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie Anderson

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 accept donor partners to contribute as led to maintain support as we resume residential ministry to expand CHE ministries in Cote d'Ivoire under the auspices of CHSC & Ivorian partners. Tax deductible contributions by check are to be made payable to the CHSC with Andersons #0118 written on the memo line. Mail to CHSC - PO Box 132 - Fruitvale, TX 75127. Give online via the CHSC @ www.che4a.org (3% fee) or TDF (0% fee).

Last: Doers not Hearers - Anderson_WEEKLY_160730
Prior Video: DMM (YouTube) - Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2015 Q4 Report: Anderson_Report_160528.pdf
2016 Budget: CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
Support these ministries: www.che4a.org
Something to ask? Write: updates@verlindeb.org
AWA represents Andersons Witnessing in Africa

Deb's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page