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

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