Bank on it

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190126.PDF

“Bank on it! During retirement years, men need worthwhile endeavors to keep them active and engaged.” That was Verlin’s comment to a local bank worker who has helped us with banking services for years. Since that discussion, this Ivorian friend has retired and now considers how to spend his time. He came by this week to chat. Verlin gave him information about Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Farming God’s Way among options to stay occupied. We expect there will be more occasions to interact with him in months to come.

Banking has been on our minds in other ways these past months. Thankfully, one-time and end of year donors were very generous to our ministry in December, along with regular monthly and quarterly financial partners. Thank you all! Just over $20,000 was given last month. That let us make a complete submission of October through December expenses yet not seriously diminish our mission account balance. We had delayed seeking full reimbursements for a time just to keep the account above the “stay or return” threshold. This also means that we can make plans for ministry here into the summer, trusting that 2019 first quarter giving will match last year’s.

Our focus now turns to increase our monthly income by $2,000 to handle life and ministry expenses with greater stability over the longer haul. We anticipate four to seven additional years of residential service around the region of Bondoukou. This amount needed is not “fluff.” It is essential for us to keep working and add understanding while networking with those who do the building. Can we come up with a workable plan to expand our financial base from here? We are making a good faith deposit on that by staying now. If we are successful, that will certainly save time and money. So, right now, we are thinking through and praying about ways to raise the funds while continuing to live and work here. One thing we know by faith and from experience is that our Father’s resources far exceed our personal and ministry needs. We can bank on it! As Hudson Taylor eloquently said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

Prayer and Praise

• Thank the Lord for His provision for the CHE ministry here through you all last year! Pray for us to discern or discover the best means to fill the monthly shortfall.
• Evangelical churches of
  
  Bondoukou expanded their joint effort last night during a rallying prayer vigil and service. Bible-believing churches shared the vision with their faithful to see the city change from being known for 1,000 mosques to being known for over 1,000 churches. Pray for the 8 or so participating church movements that start with us. Leaders and/or select members have been trained, and most have decided that the way to achieve the goal is by launching Discovery Bible Studies that their church people learn to lead. Bank on it. No matter where in the world, when believers regularly and earnestly join together to pray for a region, strongholds are broken and lives are transformed by Jesus. So we wait, walk, and work expectantly to see what the Lord will do in our midst.

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).

Prior: Word Alive 190119.PDF

Last Video:Stories of Transformation
                         - Wineskin Care PDF
2018 Q3 Report: Target Practice
          -  Anderson Report 181229 PDF

2018 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2018-Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

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Word Alive

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190112.PDF

It is thrilling when people come by to share how the training we have provided is helping their lives and ministries. Recently one of the pastors who attended the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) training that we held in Bondoukou in early December visited with us. He wanted some advice, but also wanted to report the great things that were happening. After the training, he immediately took the information and trained some young believers in his church in how to lead Discovery Bible Studies. They were on fire, he reported, eagerly learning how to lead the studies and zealous to invite friends to the study. It is as if the Word of God has come alive to them in practical ways . . . as it should! In fact, as a nurse as well as a pastor, this man was supposed to be transferred to another town soon. Even though that transfer might be considered a “promotion,” he spoke with his boss at the hospital and requested to stay here. The reason he gave? He is so excited about what the outreach tool of DBS could do in his church that he does not want to leave!

A leader from a second church gave another positive report in January. His church sent one layman to the training in December who was supposed to come back and give a report to the congregation. The young man was so excited about what he learned that after he gave a summary to the church, he was given the whole Sunday School hour for adults on Sunday morning to equip them to lead studies! This will continue for several months as he covers all the material possible. Others who participated continue to give us details of their individual groups that meet weekly. Thank you for helping make this vital training possible!

Prayer and Praise

• Pray for all who participated in the DMM conference and who now are beginning Discovery Bible Studies in their own churches or ministries. Ask that many unreached people come to Christ by their efforts.
• The former president of this country was found not guilty by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of The Hague in Europe. Many Ivorians feel that was the right decision. Pray for peace in Cote d’Ivoire, especially as political wrangling has already begun relating to the upcoming presidential election of 2020.
• Thank the Lord with us that there was very generous one time or once-a-year giving to our account in December! We are not out of the woods, yet, but it allows us to stay for now. Our monthly financial support appears to remain $2000 per month short. If we receive extra gifts in the next two months, that will let us concentrate on increasing monthly supporters from here.

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).

Prior: Reason to live 190112.PDF

Last Video:Stories of Transformation
                         - Wineskin Care PDF
2018 Q3 Report: Target Practice
          -  Anderson Report 181229 PDF

2018 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2018-Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Reason to Live

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190112.PDF

Accompanying Music Selection:
Twila Paris sings “Christ in Us” (via YouTube)

Remember times when you have tried to help someone, over and over and over again, but nothing seemed to get through? You may have felt at the end of your own capacities, but before throwing in the towel, you made one last ditch effort? Verlin was the “last ditch effort” for an Ivorian friend who is trying to help a very sick cousin, Mr. K.

Mr. K. is a nurse in his thirties. He has abused alcohol and cigarettes for years. He refuses to admit that he has a problem, though his gastric lining is shot, his wife and children have left him, and his boss calls family members to recover him when passed out at a bar. It is feared that he will die soon unless he changes his lifestyle. Two family members, including our friend, have gone to great lengths to help him. Verlin was asked to speak to him this week. Using his God-given spiritual and psychiatric nursing experiences, Verlin spoke frankly, but kindly with Mr. K. about needing to find a reason to live beyond himself, a responsibility. Mr. K listened, interacted, and said he had been touched to the core of his being, but will he accept the Lord’s help to change?

As believers, we know the power of understanding why we live. We are our Heavenly Father’s workmanship in Christ Jesus. He gives us good works to complete in this life that He prepared in eternity past (Ephesians 2:8-10)! Our hope, worth, and purpose are bound within our relationship to the Creator of the world, His Son, Jesus. All about us there are people wandering aimlessly through life. May our eyes open more often to recognize those who are ready to be introduced to Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Disciple Making Movement (DMM) use our gifts of listening, discernment,

50 second video clip about listening
of 10 minute video by Cason in 2012

and our provision of proofs for the practical application of God’s Word to mentor others in the capacities needed here. In short, others learn to serve without having to be served. Those coming alongside in the growing movement hear the Lord’s voice, realize what is wrong, and repent to model improved behavior. In this, the real power of God is revealed.

• Pray that Mr. K will come to Christ for salvation and identify a reason to live. Ask that we all stay attentive to people in our path who need the Hope of the Gospel. Ask that the planned follow-up with a collaborating pastor or one of us will lead Mr. K to find abundant, eternal life.
• Pray for the believers scattered through nearly half the neighborhoods of Bondoukou who are participating in and learning to lead DMM Discovery Bible Studies (DBS).
• We have a CHE co-worker whose mother has had ongoing, severe medical issues for over a year. Pray with us for clear understanding of her problems and for healing.

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).

Prior: Helmets 190105.PDF

Last Video:Stories of Transformation
                         - Wineskin Care PDF
2018 Q3 Report: Target Practice
          -  Anderson Report 181229 PDF

2018 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2018-Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Helmets

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190105.PDF

Right after Christmas, several churches in Bondoukou received an unusual visit. The prefect (regional governor) entered with a small entourage to make an announcement during the morning services. He spoke of an alarming trend and growing problem: motorcycle riders who are not wearing helmets recklessly zip around town and cause numerous accidents. Fatalities and serious injuries are now alarmingly high. As a recent appointee, he wants to hear of no more motorcycle deaths! So, he felt it was his duty to remind the population to wear helmets and ride their motorbikes cautiously. Since January 1, helmets are required in town and not just for travel out of the city limits. Verlin discovered this when he was stopped four times in one trip to a local church service!

While this is a concern that we can address as local Community Health Evangelism (CHE) programs take form, it makes us think of another helmet. Actually, it reminds us of the whole armor that we Christians tend to neglect as we journey through life. If politicians show their concern and warn citizens of physical danger, how crucial it is that we follow Paul’s directives about our spiritual well-being. We expose ourselves to danger in daily warfare when not geared up appropriately for battle. This is why we count on your prayers! Life and death, physically and spiritually, are regularly at stake. Thank you for being a faithful ministry partner in prayer.

Prayer & Praise:

• Pray Ephesians 6:11-19 over us and the national CHE network team. Ask that we each: remain reliant on the Lord and obedient in exercising the power of His might; stand firm and fasten ourselves to truth; wear the breastplate of right being and doing; put on our prepared shoes to share the good news of peace; carry the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and His Word, the sword of the Spirit, in self-defense to confidently advance; and pray with conviction, boldness, and persistence while staying alert to Satan’s schemes.
• Pray for Koffi’s wife, Helen. She is due to bring their second child into the world at any moment. It can be a frightening thing to give birth in this region. Many women have died in labor at our local hospital in the last few years. Introducing the HCFI is hoped to bring change. We know of no complications, but we ask for a safe delivery.
• Continue to pray that we wisely address the apparent shortfall in our ministry account and try to discern the best path to see it resolved long-term.

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).

Prior: Choose Joy 181222.PDF

Last Video:Stories of Transformation
                         - Wineskin Care PDF
2018 Q3 Report: Target Practice
          -  Anderson Report 181229 PDF

2018 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2018-Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page