As I began this trip, Deb said I should share a story if I could. At first I thought it would be another from the growing Children’s Disciple Making Movement (DMM) Discovery Bible Study (DBS) Saturday where a generation of children and I exchanged about Moses and his importance to their lives, but we’ve reported on that kind of Holy Spirit moving often enough.
Last Sunday I preached a communion service in Bouaké while sharing in-country developments of Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and plans to host a Million Village Challenge (MVC). I thought maybe that day’s calling of a Roman Catholic to trust God’s Word rather than in her works of religion for salvation would be the story. The experienced explanation of communion as a symbolic recall of saving faith is what we labor to see multiplied here. However, you know people respond to our preaching already. Besides, Easter is coming. Most of our readers will then be reminded that our Christ suffered in the flesh to the point of giving his life’s blood so that by faith we no longer die separate from God. His sacrifice provides us the example of what each believer lives vicariously in some way so others too can find abundant life.
Then, as I started to write, I thought that perhaps one of the stories from the growing village ministries out of Bougou would work. Midweek we set plans for my return in July to where . . .
- The locations for worship have grown from 14 to 17 meeting spots since being challenged;
- Some former drunks have become exemplary citizens and one fervently thanked me for what he learned himself and from others after the initial CHE trainings in 2016 and 2017;
- 11 of 17 illiterates learning to read and write Lobi committed to sharing their developing knowledge with friends and family as they learn the habit of home-visits so that all in the community grow accustomed to the means that can be used so that all may come to recognize Christ as Lord (1 Ti.2:4-5) and Savior as CHE ramps up;
- 17 leaders gathered to review, learn, and priority plan to increase both drinking water availability and food security, to augment school classrooms and teachers; and encourage better health practices as they tackle illiteracy . . . but we’ve shared previously of such also in the past.
Yet, what stood out as different to me this week is a beginning story. The Holy Spirit re-sparked the vision of a former French missionary who now runs a hotel restaurant. His wife confirmed that my Monday and Thursday sharing of DMM and the integration with CHE resonates within his soul. He’s been sitting out of church as he’s felt that he knows more than others sharing. He’s not found a place to speak usefully without possibly supplanting others. Working alongside as do we seems to be a great fit for his gifting. I do not know where this developing story will lead, but ask the Lord to guide this French believer’s return to share fervent public testimony of our Lord.
Then there’s the story of God preserving Debbie with an uncomplicated surgical start to life with a replacement knee and how our Lord is helping her through ministering friends.
As I considered these and others, I decided to just leave you with these tidbits. It’s a snapshot of what a week of travel that renews contact among those practicing CHE is like. I did not even mention the called in reports. God is at work here. Thank you for letting us share with you some of His activity here.
Prayer & Praise:
- Pray the knowledge of the Lord covers the nation here as the waters cover the seas.
- Pray the continued good coordination among the many family and friends helping Debbie with her aftercare and physical therapy visits.
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).
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2018 Q1 Report: Tooling UP
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