May I Interrupt?

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_170527.pdf

Our to-do lists often get upended here as the Lord inserts a very different agenda than what we expected. That seems to have been our norm recently. No doubt, you’ve had similar weeks!

Our frustrations were commonplace, (i.e. nothing when compared to a local

family who lost a beloved teen nephew to drowning), but they did affect our ability to get things done. For almost two weeks either our Internet or the electrical service was on the fritz. It led to Verlin staying up most of the night to send our last update, and frustrated many other ministry communications. Some muscles in Debbie's lower back tightened, as they occasionally do once every year or two, and so she limited her activities for six days. Verlin had hoped for several quiet weeks that he could devote to preparing an important set of lessons for the university training this fall. Instead, he spent several hours of several days helping one of our Disciple Making Movement (DMM) trainees with an ongoing health problem. This will help us all to be more aware of improving medical services offered here. Thankfully, there was no political tension with the unpaid solders to hinder anyone in town this week!

In past years, similar “interruptions” the Lord allowed, or sent, resulted in great blessings and life-changing events. This time, a door to door salesman’s effort to sell us vitamins turned into a witnessing session and potential to minister in another town. DMM meetings were completed, although at different times. Debbie laid the groundwork for a women’s Bible study to begin next week. Verlin’s persistence in helping the DMM trainee resulted in his health issue being understood so it can be addressed locally. Planning for CHE trainings advanced, though not the ones expected. To-do lists really are helpful for us, especially as we age, but it is reassuring to know the Lord molds our original plans into works that are more beautiful and lasting.

Prayer and Praise:

• Pray for the aunts and church family of Kobenan, the young man who drowned. He was an orphan who lived with two aunts. The three of them were known for regularly and jointly sweeping the church and picking up trash before the Sunday service. Ask that details concerning his death be cleared up to bring peace to the family.
• The women's Bible study will hopefully have its first gathering this upcoming Thursday afternoon.
• Ask for protected hours for Verlin to spend in lesson preparation.

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: This is War  PDF
Last Video: DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2017 Q1 Report: Gideon's Gumption (web) - 170318.pdf
2017 Budget:CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries:
www.che4a.org
Something to ask? Write: updates@verlindeb.org 

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Andersons Witnessing in Africa

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Gideon's Gumption

PDF Version: Anderson_Report_17_05_20.pdf

Recently an elderly Nigerian saint reminded us that the angel of the Lord greeted Gideon in Judges 6:12 as a "mighty man of valor," long before Gideon performed any extraordinary deeds. The Lord knew his potential, even as the youngest, fearful son of a smaller Israelite tribe. Against all odds, he became a national hero as he walked in complete obedience to the Lord. Gideon's faith in action is a challenge to us all. We keep principles from his life in mind as we train Ivorians to share the Gospel through Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Disciple Making Movements (DMM). (More details online at https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/04/imagine.html).

PUSH OUT

Many African Christians today live with the reality that the Enemy has spiritually overrun their nation and communities—wreaking havoc and stealing peace. Growing numbers of believers accept that God is calling them to push out the enemy and usher in the Kingdom of Light. Often they simply do not know HOW to do it, or find themselves in a predicament similar to Gideon’s. They are common people of little renown, resources, or power. A majority of the co-laborers we mentor have never been to college; many did not finish high school; some cannot read; few are rich or influential. Praise God, though, they accept the call of God and their hearts burn to make a difference. (The fuller story here @ https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/04/not-many-wise.html).

We provided logistical support for a week of DMM training in April led by Jean Marc and Martine Fritsch from France. Around 80 people in two cities received guidance for how to be a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples. The three people we took were thrilled by the practical help. One pastor, who was searching how to evangelize a new village, crafted a specific plan with what he learned. Two laymen from Bondoukou felt confirmed that they need to work as a team to reach out in with Discovery Bible Studies. All participants realized that the task of making disciples is for every believer, and not just church leaders. (We invite you to be more informed at https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/04/be-1-train-1.html)

PLUG IN

Before Gideon went into battle, the Lord told him to destroy the idols in his area. He had to overcome his fear and plug in to the Lord’s power by faith to openly confront sin before he was sent to beat the Midianites. One nearby village that is opening up to hear the Gospel is a stronghold for witchcraft in our region. We have an Ivorian partner who ministers there every week. He says that, out of fear, his Christian siblings will not even step foot in the village, but he knows the blood of Christ covers his life. Other co-workers face similar challenges with corruption, twisted worldviews, and competing religions, and so they must depend on the Holy Spirit’s courage and wisdom to go into battle. (The battle is more thoroughly related in the report at https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/04/free-at-last.html).

PRESS ON

Humanly speaking, the capacity of Gideon’s 300 men to beat the massive Midian army of more than 135,000 was laughable. So when they won, the Lord received all the glory. Each week our co-workers reach out in places where there are only one or two believers to share the truth with hundreds or thousands of unsaved souls. Still, they and we see results using the tools of CHE and DMM. We believe the Lord will transform many enemies into brothers. One new couple called Abraham and Sara (easy to remember!) moved to an unreached village recently to share the Gospel. They plan to use Discovery Bible Studies as a door into the community. (https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/03/forbearing-nuts.html has more on this story).

As Gideon’s troops chased the Midianites out of Israel, they met brothers who would not give them help. Ivorians who boldly share the Gospel encounter many obstacles, too. They have resistance from brothers who do not understand their zeal or method, but other hardships exist, as well. This past month the four men we mentor weekly have dealt with unidentified illness, theft, hospitalized family, threats to job security, a serious fall, and a serious motorcycle accident. They recognize these hindrances as Enemy efforts, but they press on in faith. (Join those reading this war story @ https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/05/this-is-war.html)

PEACE ENVOYS

Before going into battle, Gideon built an altar to the Lord, and he called it Jehovah Shalom—The Lord is Peace. It seems ironic for a warrior to choose that name. Obviously he understood this principle: first the conflict, and then the peace. Through prayer and giving, you send us into enemy territory as peace envoys. For now it is war, but as more Ivorians come to Jesus, they experience rest and bring lasting change to their country. Thank you, thank you for the important role you play in this combat!

Our monthly support averages seem to be just enough to keep us on the field, but not enough to handle surprises, develop projects, or expand the number of training ministries as we had budgeted. We’re grateful for two new giving partners in the last couple of months and we continue to pray the Lord will call out additional ministry partners to join the faithful core in place.

PRAY ALWAYS

• Ask for protection and wisdom for the believers in weekly DMM training with us. Pray for these men who work as an evangelist, a shepherd/farmer, a school teacher, and a day laborer. They have a great burden for Bondoukou and surrounding villages.
• Pray for Abraham and Sara in their new outreach in a nearby village. Pray for the Gospel to penetrate the village given over to witchcraft.
• Ask for strength for the national CHE trainers, including us, who are stretched to the limit and have people waiting for training. Pray for three pastors using CHE to evangelize new villages.
• Pray for the West African Regional CHE Meeting that will take place in Benin on July 10-14. Verlin will join CHE workers from French-speaking countries who meet to learn and to encourage one another.
• Lift up several new believers who came to Jesus from a religion that often persecutes Christians. One is a widow who needs regular income to care for her family.
• In January and mid-May, disgruntled soldiers caused unrest in several Ivorian cities, including Bondoukou. Things are calm now, but pray that this second agreement negotiated with the government will succeed. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ivorycoast-military-agreement-idUSKCN18C0ZP.
• Ask the Lord to provide the $1,000 or more in monthly support needed for full funding.
• Thank the Lord with us that Corbin, our youngest, got the engineering internship he needed this summer, and that the work can continue through his senior year of college!

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:This Is War  PDF
Last Video:DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q4 Report: Handy-Work (web) - 170318.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

This is War

PDF Version: "This Is War"

It may seem strange to have an update called “This is War” for Mother’s Day, but it fits perfectly for three reasons. Our mothers have waged war in prayer and as support soldiers for our family since our first day as missionaries. What a treasure they are, as are all mothers who fight for the well-being of their families and culture through prayer and obedient lives! We honor their faithfulness today by sharing this tribute (http://bit.ly/2pIXhfe), written by a missionary wife.

Secondly, there is the constant spiritual warfare as the Lord brings people to Himself. The four faithful men that we coach in Disciple Making Movements (DMM) to launch additional Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministries have all felt the battle personally in the past month. One has an illness that makes him very weak. His doctors have not yet identified it, but we are helping them diagnose the problem. The second’s wife was so ill one weekend that he thought he might lose her. Thankfully she is fully recovered now. The third was robbed in town last week while he was visiting a road-side shop. The fourth was thrown from his motorcycle last Saturday as his son also left the seat behind him due to an unrepaired and unmarked hole intentionally cut in the road. The father remained unconscious for about 5 hours. His son tried to flag down passing vehicles, but most drivers did not stop to help. They likely feared the wounded might be among the infamous road bandits of this country who hide on the sides of the road, get people to stop, then threaten, rob, and sometimes kill the Good Samaritans. The father is now recovering well at home. The son has just a scraped hand. We and all the believers with us know we are foot soldiers in a war to push back the kingdom of darkness.

Thirdly, the unholy war for political influence has surged again. We hear gunshots today, and on our street briefly this morning, as disgruntled military (http://bbc.in/2pIIst4) from a distant city reportedly stole a local police truck, freed prisoners from jail, and now joy-ride while shooting in the air. They wait for the president to again acquiesce to their demands. Our vehicle is more at risk than we are, so we stay home and catch up on computer work.

Prayer and Praise:

• Recently a tornado passed close by our mission HQ in Grand Saline, Texas. Some neighbors lost everything, but nothing was harmed at Shalom Retreat and Training Center which is the home base for Christian Health Service Corps. Thank the Lord with us!
• Pray that we all are faithful and persevering soldiers in this very real spiritual war.
• Ask for a God-fearing resolution to the political power play at work in Cote d’Ivoire.

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:Channels Only  PDF
Last Video: DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q4 Report: Handy-Work (web) - 170318.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

"Channels Only"

PDF Version: "Channels Only"

Last year an Ivorian brother came by to ask for help in getting and projecting the Jesus film for an evangelistic endeavor. The situation would have required several thousand dollars to be successful. Verlin explained that, although the idea was excellent, we did not have personal or mission funds available to invest at that time. Instead, he put the brother in contact with a Christian organization that specializes in that kind of outreach. Just this week we learned that the ministry is providing exactly what is needed (at no cost) to show the Jesus film locally!

It was a great reminder to us that the Lord is not hindered by our individual physical and financial limitations. Often the way He uses us is not to be the provision ourselves, but to be a channel that connects people who can work together with blessed results. Our participation in conferences like CRAF and DMM helps us network for the expansion of His Kingdom.

On Tuesday nights we invite new and old friends to eat supper with us (not to mention many drop-in guests at other times). This week it was a joy to receive

an out-of-town pastor, and our local pastor Daniel and his lovely wife who were celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary. They were thrilled to take a decorated cake back home, although Debbie was frustrated that the hot day made the icing droop. Daniel shepherds the Bereca Free Will Baptist Church in Bondoukou. That is where we participate when we are in town.

Prayer and Praise:

• Our granddaughter Chelsea came through surgery well on Friday. The surgeon told family it was a challenging operation, despite the fact that he had already performed hundreds of these procedures. We rejoice that there are no complications so far.
• Last month we asked you to pray for a situation with a broken pump in a village outreach. The problem was resolved this past week. Verlin and a DMM worker went there on Thursday to challenge and encourage the villagers. Continue to pray that the Gospel will penetrate and bring transformation to this village steeped in witchcraft.
• Thank you for consistently praying and giving to reach the people of Cote d'Ivoire. Writing these updates each week causes us to thank God for such faithful friends and co-laborers!

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:Fishin' Deacons  PDF
Last Video: DMM(YouTube) Anderson_WEEKLY_160611
2016 Q4 Report: Handy-Work (web) - 170318.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