Ending Well

PDF Version:Anderson_WEEKLY_161231

There's no more invigorating way to end the year for us than a village's leaders opening the door for all to hear the Good News! Verlin shared the specifics in separate Facebook and LinkedIn day posts that are combined and edited as follows: The slightly red tint of the little girl's hair is often an indicator of low blood levels of iron related to a dietary deficit, or the presence of digestive tract worms that remain common to the region. The observation led to my discussing the power of beliefs to control what we eat and what we do. This followed months of weekly visits by someone being mentored to use the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) process to initiate a Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministry using moringa there. It led today to the 100% consensus of leaders, young and old, that they needed a greater understanding of Creator God's Spirit and God's Word to mankind in their midst to be blessed in what they do. This is a village where one that we mentor works so that a DMM starts with a new convert from the path of 5 pillars and a village son. We hope to simply multiply the number of group leaders. Sunday, Verlin will share a New Year's Day afternoon meal with the outreach leader's family.

One day earlier, Debbie and all our earthly posterity except Cara experienced
the Lord's protection when an 18 wheeler rear-ended them in Michigan. No one was seriously injured. Cason glanced in the rearview mirror and realized the truck behind him was going too fast to stop in the line waiting to turn left onto the interstate ramp. He swerved quickly into the right lane, and probably prevented the car from folding like an accordion with the people in it. The back windshield shattered and some pieces fell on Debbie and Suzanne's clothes, but Chelsea did not have one piece on her. Thankfully, the police report did attribute the fault to the truck driver. Hopefully Cason's family will be totally recompensed for the loss or repair of their vehicle and the medical expenses incurred.

Prayer and Praise

• Ask the Lord for a great harvest in this new village opened to gospel witness.
• Pray that the vehicle settlement will be sufficient for Cason to have a car in as good or better shape.
• Debbie prepares to leave for Cote d'Ivoire on January 8, excited to be reunited with Verlin after our months apart. She would appreciate prayers for save travels, hard goodbyes, and strength to tie up many details this last week.
• May you experience great joy and fruitful service as you follow Jesus in 2017! "Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside." - Thomas Aquinas

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:
A New Day Anderson WEEKLY 161231
Last Video:
DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q2 Report:
Farming_101(web) - 161119.pdf
2016 Budget:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to 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

A New Day

PDF Version:Anderson_WEEKLY_161224

Last week’s update had a couple of favorite Christmas tunes of Handel’s Messiah linked from the Prayer and Praise header. During the week, Verlin posted different Christmas carols, hymns or songs of personal and family rearing interest via FaceBook. This Christmas we share with you one of our favorite new songs of the season written by Bob Kauflin and sung by Glad, an a cappella group whose songs have regularly ministered to us. Jesus, our Word of God, is celebrated as Christ and Creator from cradle to cross to King. May it bless you in your celebrations as it does our own.

Click to hear as we first heard the song.

In the First Light (YouTube video)

“In the first light of a new day no one knew He had arrived.
Things continued as they had been while a newborn softly cried.
But the heavens, wrapped in wonder, knew the meaning of His birth;
In the weakness of a baby they knew God had come to earth.

As His mother held Him closely it was hard to understand,
That her baby, not yet speaking, was the Word of God to man.
He would tell them of His kingdom, but their hearts would not believe;
They would hate Him, and in anger, they would nail Him to a tree.

But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose,
And the Firstborn of Creation would ascend and take His throne;
He had left it to redeem us, but before His life began,
He knew He’d come back not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man.

Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of His birth,
But how much greater will our song be when He comes again, when He comes again!
Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of His birth,
But how much greater will our song be when He comes again to Earth.
When He comes to rule the Earth!”

Maranatha! Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the Song of Life is coming AGAIN! Merry Christmas!

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:
Shiver & Sweat Anderson WEEKLY 161210 PDF
Last Video:
DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q2 Report:
Farming_101(web) - 161119.pdf
2016 Budget:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to 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

Shiver and Sweat

PDF Version:Anderson_WEEKLY_161217

While Debbie shivered in the cold blast that hit Tennessee this week, Verlin reported 80 degrees F at midnight on Friday! The hot, arid air in Bondoukou does make drying clothes a speedier process.

Although separated in space, each of us seizes opportunities to share the Good News as we go about daily life. Verlin spoke of “Jesus in the holy-day” with several people as he applied to add classes to his Ivorian driver’s license. The process requires follow-up, so on-going witness is now planned and topics beyond driving will be shared after two responded positively to join in separate efforts of the Disciple Making Movement here. The prior day, Francois, a young father who did excellent translation work for us in the past, made a visit wondering if there was more work. Unexpectedly, a believer working in public education to whom Verlin had loaned a book “just happened” to drop by while Francois learned of a new literacy program. The Lord used the impossibly timed ‘coincidence’ of both visiting in the same thirty minutes to bless Francois with increased opportunity for income, meet the objectives of the African brother in education, and facilitate CHE. These are simple examples, among thousands, that God makes our ways by His providence rather than our perceived coincidence as each believer informs others how to find Emmanuel, God’s Grace.

We hope and pray that you have a very blessed Christmas, rejoicing in Jesus who gives us “power to be called sons of God” as we believe on His name (John 1:12). We will be doing exactly that as we shiver and sweat on two different continents. Next weekend we will not send a ministry update like this.

Prayer and Praise
(links are to international presentations of prayer and praise in Handel’s Messiah via YouTube)

• Just as in the States, churches in Africa craft special Christmas services knowing that unsaved and unchurched people will come. The Goumere FWB Church will witness the entire week before Christmas by providing an evangelistic campaign Dec. 20-24 in town. Services will be from 7 to 10 p.m. each night. Verlin expects to participate two nights as they share the Good News. Pray for the Lord to touch many in this effort, while asking Him to bless the outreach of other churches, too.
• Some of you remember that in 2015, the home we’d rented for years was sold by the owner though we were still in contract to use it for several more years. As is typical for missionaries in the States on furlough, we had left money with the electric company to continue service. It has taken months, but Verlin recently received the funds by check to shift them to our new account. Thank the Lord with us!
• While many of you travel this season, please add Debbie and family to your requests for safety as they drive to Michigan to spend Christmas with Verlin’s mom.

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:
Unblocked Witness Anderson WEEKLY 161210 PDF
Last Video:
DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q2 Report:
Farming_101(web) - 161119.pdf
2016 Budget:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
GIVE ONLINE to 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

Unblocked Witness

PDF Version:Anderson_WEEKLY_161210

Verlin had expected to be packing up this weekend and returning to a village in central Cote d’Ivoire and finish a training begun in November. As leaders there decided they could not reconvene now, they expressed hope to be separately trained in 2017. Though the repetition in the region would be advantageous, this may, or may not, be possible, considering the amount of activity being planned with respect to training and follow-up in the coming year. The unanticipated delay of the unanticipated second module has become an unanticipated blessing for us. Verlin needed a block of undisturbed days to complete some end-of-year paperwork. He has made good progress, despite a growing stream of people who arrive to visit.

Work that is evidently led of the Holy Spirit continues. Last Sunday, he met with the two men who train to lead Bible studies focused for Muslims in our town and nearby villages. They are gaining confidence, and have already gathered some souls for their labor. Monday, Verlin met with Koffi. He is learning the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) model of Bible study to expand his ‘family altar’ time with neighbors. The next day, a fourth came to be trained for the same kind of ‘oikos’ based outreach. These do not include conversations with several church leaders to initiate the process among established churches (see this linked EFCA three page PDF that develops five critical disciple making questions). The fourth man lives in a village remote to us where church growth is stagnant. He hopes and prays that a Bible study will revitalize the witness of Jesus’ power there. Our perceived goal is to see leaders trained for at least five vibrantly reproducing groups that use this particular Bible study format. It is integral to the spread of Community Health Evangelism (CHE). We desire five who confidently train others to lead studies in April 2017. These will own the responsibility and privilege of reaching others for Christ.

Prayer and Praise

• Ask the Lord to sustain these Bible study leaders who continue to develop insight and that He call out others. We seek to associate with ever-wiser fishers of men who grow because each makes daily choices to obey the Word of God and walk in the recognizable counsel and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
• Pray for Corbin who will be taking final exams in electrical engineering courses this upcoming week.
• Debbie and most of our children will make a trip to Michigan over college break before she returns to Cote d’Ivoire in January. Pray for safe travels and wisdom as she ties up loose ends to several projects. She also requests prayer for Verlin who hopes to 'Skype share' Christmas while not proximal to family.

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:
Aha Moments Anderson WEEKLY 161203 PDF
Last Video:
DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q2 Report:
Farming_101(web) - 161119.pdf
2016 Budget:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf
GIVE ONLINE to 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

Aha Moments

PDF Version:Anderson_WEEKLY_161203

Verlin's time in a village during Thanksgiving week was extremely encouraging. Pastor Roger received Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and promptly returned to his remote village fired up to bring change. Not only did his church grow from between 20 and 30 to around 100, but he reached out in three surrounding villages using CHE principles. Now there are believers meeting for worship in those areas, and a new building is in construction to handle the growing number of Jesus followers. Entrance in several communities included teaching the people about improving health by using latrines, and acts of service like working the fields for one village chief/witch doctor who had fallen very ill. At first, Roger's respectful parishioners did not understand the method, but they could not argue with how they saw God moving in others' lives.

A group of over 20 believers were trained last week to use CHE for evangelism, church planting, and the spread of good health in relation to God, self, others, and the creation. Twelve core team members are expected to help teach CHE among Lobi as the pastor confessed needing co-laborers to do what God has given them to do. Pastor Roger may go back with Verlin to another village in central Cote d'Ivoire in mid-December to finish that TOT1 (Training of Trainers 1). Praise the Lord as He multiplies workers in CHE!

On the final day of training, most of the core team gave a testimony of something particular they had learned. One believer named Robert shared the following. For some time he had been confused as he accompanied the pastor to other villages for outreach. The pastor did not just preach the Gospel and leave. He spent much time chatting with people about conditions in the villages, too:  how was the chief, the health of the children, the production of crops, and so on. One day a village chief told Robert that if this was what a Christian evangelization campaign was like, every village should be eager to have one! Then Robert understood his pastor's approach better. After the week of CHE training, he is eager to be part of the team sharing transformation in Christ with others.

Prayer and Praise

• Thank you for praying about our health insurance. We are going to be able to keep the same policy for a reasonable amount for one more year! Something much different may be necessary in the future, but praise God for now we can continue this coverage into 2017.
• Other praise items:  the old vehicle we purchased is working well, the mobile home has had no more leaks after drip flashing was installed above the gutters, and Debbie's health is improved.

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: Then and Now Anderson WEEKLY 161126
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