Go West

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_171028.pdf

Treatment for malaria, dysentery, a back spasm, and cholera. Check. Clothes and toiletries for two weeks. Check. Lessons and supplies for a Training of Trainers 1 (TOT1) in Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Check. A case of bottled drinking water. Check. Tools and supplies to pull out of a mud pit, bridgeless stream, or sand pile. Check.

Packing for travel in rural Africa is always an adventure. We prepare for a CHE training that will get under way on Monday in western Cote d’Ivoire, within just a few kilometers of the Liberian border. A development agency of the third largest evangelical denomination in the country asked for CHE network training as a follow up to the Million Village Challenge gathering that met in September (Fan to Flame, Sep 9). So from various directions, CHE trainers will converge in the small town to provide the week-long instruction to others desiring to become trainers and to use wholistic CHE approaches in ministry. We are thrilled to think how this outreach can bring hope and wholeness to a very needy region that regularly suffers from poverty and violence. After the training, we anticipate some more travel to two other regions in western Cote d’Ivoire where some long awaited CHE follow-up needs to happen.

We do not know if there will be Internet capacity at the training site and in the week to follow. Neither of us have traveled to that region, so you might not receive an update from us next week.

Prayer and Praise:

• We praise the Lord for your ministry partnership that helps make this training possible! We wish you could see the enthusiasm and hope of Ivorians after a week of in-depth equipping. Continue to pray that the Lord will call additional monthly donors or annual contributors to fill the $700 to $800 average monthly budget shortfall. Share the www.che4a.org link or mailing address in the PDF edition header if you have friends or fellowships interested in joining with us.
• Ask for safe travels to and from the remote town where the CHE training will take place. It is the end of rain season here, and so the condition of the roads might be an issue. Pray for a week of great interaction and Spirit-led teaching that will equip the learners to share the Gospel through CHE. Ask for good health and clear understanding for everyone participating.
• Pray for the translation of the New Testament into the regional Koulango language that was undertaken by SIL. One of our FWB pastors from Bondoukou serves on the committee managing the process. Pray that the whole cycle goes smoothly and quickly.

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: Fret Not  PDF
Last Video:Farming God's Way Anderson_WEEKLY_170610
2017 Q2 Report: HUPLA (web) -  171007.pdf

2017 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2017-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries: www.che4a.org

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Fret Not

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_171021.pdf

Our town was recently stunned by the tragic murder of a local three-year-old girl. She was abducted and mutilated by a man who had a vendetta against her father. Everyone was shocked at the brutality and disconcerted about the safety of other children. Is there no safe space? When will all the murders, shootings, ambushes, racism, sexual scandals, and political pandering in our world end? Maybe like King David we need to pour our hearts out in lament as he did in the psalms. “How long, O Lord?” Thankfully his laments were not the “let’s wring our hands because there is nothing that can be done” kind. Instead, after detailing the terrible conditions in his life and country, he would turn his thoughts and trust to the Lord of justice (and yes, even of vengeance) Who sets things right. Then David would do right as best he knew how. Reading some of the lament poems like Psalm 94, or the “fret not” passages like Psalm 37, help us to move on, and no doubt probably help some of you.

In living out such a reborn hope, we find two habits help keep our hearts and minds from being overwhelmed. First, we strive to not fixate on the media that repeats the same terrible news for hours on end; and, secondly, we stay busy sharing about the Kingdom of Light! It was really a joy this week to offer encouragement and counsel for a brother who was maligned without cause; help another friend with some issues of marital discord; see women excited about studying and applying God’s Word in their lives; and make good progress in preparing for upcoming CHE trainings. This picture is of Konan Emmanuel, the president of the Ivorian CHE network. He and Verlin spent hours together in Abengourou jointly step-planning for a conference scheduled in 2018, and finalizing details for a TOT1 training in western Cote d’Ivoire close to the Liberian border.

The Lord threw in some unexpected blessings along the way, as He always does. Verlin had to travel south by public transport to meet with Konan and others in Abengourou because maintenance was being done to our truck. He got a later start than intended, and just “happened” to get on the bus with a pastor with whom he needed to connect. They discussed for over an hour how Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Disciple Making Movement (DMM) instruction is advancing the pastor’s outreach in villages. Secondly, the Lord gave a clear response to some dizziness that Debbie experienced. It turned out that she just needed to clean out the wax in her ears to regain her equilibrium! We had begun to think some testing in Abidjan might be necessary, but our Father had a much simpler solution.

Prayer and Praise:

• Praise the Lord with us for His constant care and provision in our lives. We are so grateful for recent responses to health problems and clear direction for other ministry issues. Thank Him for Ivorian friends and co-workers who keep watch on us, too. Daily life in Africa can be challenging, but your faithful partnership in prayer and in giving fortifies us.
• Ask the Lord to help you and us not to fret about the evildoers who surround us. May our abiding trust in Jesus and His justice shine as a beacon for many who have no hope.
• Pray for safe travels in upcoming weeks as follow-up trainings from the Million Village Challenge (MVC) get under way and other contacts begin.

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:

On Call  PDF
Last Video:Farming God's Way Anderson_WEEKLY_170610
2017 Q2 Report: HUPLA (web) -  171007.pdf

***UPDATED 2017 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2017-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries: www.che4a.org

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On Call

PDF Version: Anderson_WEEKLY_171014.pdf

It is interesting how many websites these days send a pop-up message that can be clicked and then an on call person offers to give assistance and provide further information. Our house has certainly felt like a Help Desk this week. There has been a stream of friends and strangers flowing in and out daily, although we had hoped to hole up and get time-sensitive mission paperwork turned in! Debbie held a women’s Bible study, Verlin returned to the field of the CHE agricultural project, and he spent over 20 hours counseling CHE and DMM co-laborers. Thursday morning he joined the monthly gathering of evangelical pastors in the area where he was able to share about upcoming ministries and hear of their joint plans and accomplishments. The Lord blessed all the pre-planned and impromptu encounters with success as we remained on call. Thanks to some late night and early morning work, the paperwork was turned in too!

Then on Friday, the tables turned, and WE needed someone on call. Verlin woke up in the morning with serious pain in his right groin area that felt just like that of a kidney stone he passed previously. Since his two prior experiences in 2000 and 2016 landed him in the hospital, Debbie began throwing together a bag of clothes. She thought we would probably end up making a seven hour trip to Abidjan with Verlin in agonizing pain. Instead, he researched the names of the medications used previously, found equivalents, and Debbie found an on call pharmacist who bent over backwards to listen and help. Verlin took the meds, including self-injecting a shot for pain, and his symptoms were relieved by nightfall. Praise the Lord!

Prayer and Praise:

• Thank the Lord for His help with Verlin’s health need. Pray that this problem is eliminated for good.
• Corbin, our younger son, faces a very difficult work environment at the company where he interns in electrical engineering. There is no problem with his job performance, but ask the Lord to give him strength and insight to handle a serious situation that escalates weekly.
• Pray for the financial needs of a Christian widow here in Bondoukou. Because her extended family is of another faith, she cannot depend on them for help. Ask that believing friends in her life will give wise counsel sustained by the Holy Spirit and appropriate help with a business she is trying to develop.
• Continue to pray for spiritual strongholds to be demolished in the village where the agricultural project is under way.

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: Proven and True  PDF
Last Video:Farming God's Way Anderson_WEEKLY_170610
2017 Q2 Report: HUPLA (web) -  171007.pdf

***UPDATED 2017 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2017-Budget.pdf

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries: www.che4a.org

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Verlin's Facebook Page

HUPLA

PDF Version: Anderson_Report_17_10_07.pdf

Believers in America and elsewhere sadly acknowledge that, while millions of people gather regularly for services with exciting worship and energetic preaching, young people are leaving their ranks in droves. Also, the lifestyle of many “Christians” seems barely different than unbelievers. Where has the Church gone wrong? Can we usher in vibrant, authentic Christianity that actually transforms cultures?

In other parts of the world, the Church grows with astonishing speed and maturity, although with great suffering and even martyrdom. Do they share and live the Gospel differently? In most cases, yes! This is why generally in reports you receive from us, we speak of training Ivorians to share the Gospel through Community Health Evangelism (CHE) with Discovery Bible Studies from Disciple Making Movements (DMM) methodology as the usual Bible study. Perhaps at times you wonder, “Why? What is the hoopla about?”(or hupla, as we will spell it). These two intertwined means of evangelism and discipleship rest squarely on applying the Word of God in every aspect of life from household to household. Using the acronym HUPLA, we list below some core principles present where the Church is exploding globally.

“H” is for Hearing
True discipleship occurs when the Word of God is heard systematically in the home. Our pastors are great blessings as they shepherd, encourage, and equip us for the good works the Lord has prepared for His flock. However, their ministry is not enough. We all must learn to hear our Chief Shepherd’s voice daily, through His Word and by His Spirit. In many parts of the world where severe persecution and great growth occur, the believers have never attended a service in a church building, or had a praise team or a full-time pastor.

One of the great delights as we lead, or teach others to lead, DMM method Bible studies is to see how each participant discovers that the Lord is speaking to him or her directly, regardless of social standing, education, or ethnicity. CHE thrives in communities as participants learn that God’s Word addresses not only their urgent need and provision of a Savior, but it also gives real answers to issues of marriage, child-rearing, self-worth, health, farming, racial strife, nutrition, work ethic, leadership, sanitation, business, and so on. (https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/06//the-book.html provides more of the story).

“U” is for Understanding

Hearing does not always mean understanding, though. When exposed to God’s Word, do participants understand what the Word means and how to apply that understanding in their lives? A pastor speaking to 50 or 5,000 will not know if everyone has understood. A small Bible study leader, or a Community Health Evangelist (called a CHE) who shares in individual homes, can verify that listeners understand by getting feedback and answering questions.  https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/07/hungry.html tells more.


“P” is for Practicing
Here is where the rubber meets the road. People often come and go from church services for years with no visible change, but James makes it clear that we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. In obedience to this precept, DMM and CHE require action points in Bible study or home visits to assure that transformation occurs. Hearing and understanding are accompanied by hearts readied to obey.


One DMM Bible study leader shared this week that a businessman responded to the story of Ananias and Sapphira by realizing that he had not been totally honest about proceeds from his sales and needed to rectify the problem. In another study of Isaiah 59, a lady learned that guarding sin in her life could prevent the Lord from responding to her prayers. She discovered that repentance from sin revealed to her by the Holy Spirit is a daily habit to be desired for life. (Read more at https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/08/hidden-face.html).

“L” is for Lighting the way
Putting God’s Word into practice is never just for our personal benefit. The Lord always wants our obedience to light the way for others to believe and obey. Every DMM meeting, we ask the question: “With whom can I share the truth I learned this week?”, or “Who is someone the Lord has put in my path to help?” CHE’s whole premise likewise is involving every person in the community to participate in working together for transformation. Whether sharing how to have sins pardoned by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, or how to prevent children from getting worms, or how to quadruple corn production, we can never hoard God’s truths and blessings and be truly rich.

We have mentioned before a ministry that opened in a village because our team invited villagers to observe and learn from a CHE agricultural project.

They already saw the health restored of two children by following some of our nutritional advice, and so now they eagerly watch the progress in the fields and are willing to engage in spiritual conversations as well. Other times “lighting the way” entailed helping a friend know how to start a business, and another learning to change a lifestyle to prevent depression. The Million Village Challenge that the CHE Ivorian network hosted recently in Abidjan (and plans to do again next year) is all about believers uniting to inject unreached and unengaged villages with the Gospel.
(https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/09/fan-to-flame.html provides more on the MVC)

A is for Assessing (or Accountability)
In many settings, the greatest missing component to making mature disciples is the lack of transparency or accountability to others. In DMM, participating leaders check each week with everyone in the Bible study to see that the action point of the previous week was put into practice by the Holy Spirit’s help. The CHEs visit individual homes weekly to teach a new lesson and to be certain that previously presented truths are put into practice. Imagine if everyone in our churches had that kind of open examination, correction, and encouragement!

A major part of our ministry is coming along side CHE and DMM teams to train them and then help them evaluate their progress and find solutions to problems. One reason the CHE university training continues to expand yearly is because there are assessments always ongoing. (https://awaupdates.blogspot.com/2017/09/prepare-way.html explains this process.)


So that is the HUPLA … neither complex nor expensive, but simple and powerful. Thousands of communities around the world thrive with dedicated persons applying God’s Word holistically and with immediate, intentional obedience. You help make this available and possible daily in Cote d’Ivoire as you partner with us in prayer and giving. “Thank you” is inadequate to describe the joy of seeing lives changed and individuals beginning to own that they can reach the peoples of their own nation with the Gospel. Many groups have asked to be trained in the next year. We need very strong 4th quarter giving again for this to happen by our walking with the poor here, especially since the dollar has lost value in the last nine months.

PRAY ALWAYS

• Pray the Ivorian CHE trainers and we capably juggle busy work schedules with time needed to train the groups that want to use CHE ministries in outreach. Wisdom is needed for our team(s) to prioritize who to train first as well.
• Pray that Ivorians will take the responsibility to penetrate more than 100 unreached villages in the next few years through the Million Village Challenge, using CHE as the tool.
• Continue to pray for new believers who face situations of persecution.
• Join us as we boldly ask the Lord for abundant 4th quarter funding. We desire to not just “scrape by,” but fully engage in the opportunities the Lord has given us.
  

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: Proven and True  PDF
Last Video:Farming God's Way Anderson_WEEKLY_170610
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  AWA represents Andersons Witnessing in Africa

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