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
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
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).
PLUG IN
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!
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!
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
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