Diverging Roads

CHSC LINK: Diverging Roads

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190928.PDF

Diverging Roads

Many students in high school read and get captured by Robert Frost’s poetry. Few of us understand the meaning beautifully expressed in The Road Not Taken when younger. Life experience develops understanding of the pregnant words:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Forty years of life-altering decisions later, we understand better the concept. This week, we learned of several people who similarly face choices at differing crossroads and who need, with us, your prayers.

Crossroad to Heaven

The businesswoman who chose to become a disciple this year led a visiting niece to accept Jesus’ invitation to live in the Kingdom of God recently. The teen, now also a former adherent of the other dominant religion in our area, had come to visit her aunt for a while. She returned to her village for the school year two weeks ago with a French Bible and a MegaVoice audio copy that recites it in her language. The typically mild, beginning persecution by her parents and other family members has already started for her choosing to follow Jesus. Keeping her Bible at home was out of the question. It remains at a friend’s house. Earbuds let her listen to the audio Bible version less obviously while in her room each day. Pray this new believer blossoms rather than withers while under pressure from her family to renounce Christ.

Crossroad in Health

Our gentle and hard-working pastor’s wife also suffered the symptoms of a cerebral vascular accident two weeks ago. She now rests and labors to regain mobility. She appreciated the nutritional advice and nursing counsel that Verlin was able to give. The family remembers how the dietary advice given her husband speeded his recovery from back tuberculosis (i.e., Pott’s disease, tubercular spondylitis) a decade ago. (He has no hunchback or residual weakness today!) We give thanks that the diagnosed stroke effects are not severe. Congregants pray for this sister’s complete restoration to her activities of daily living.

Crossroad in Ministry

This week we also hosted a missionary friend in our home and town. He and his family had to displace themselves from a growing Children’s CHE ministry in another African country. The tense political climate prevents their mission from blessing a return to the place where they would love to serve. They and their teammates now consider other sites to accommodate ministry here and there, including a few locations in Cote d’Ivoire. They are at crossroads. As much as we would love to have them come to Bondoukou, we pray that they will clearly discern and embrace the road that the Lord would have them choose.

Prayer and Praise

• Thank the Lord for the young woman who decided to follow Jesus. Ask that she be strengthened to persevere in faith as she experiences persecution from her family and former friends.
• Pray for the dearly beloved Ivorian pastor’s wife who recovers from the diagnosed stroke.
• Pray that the missionary families in limbo will sense God’s Peace leading them to a new base for ministry.
• As life experience develops understanding, let us each pray that we accept to be led daily in choosing the good and best ways available and not accept to follow after temptation.

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: Unseen Power 190921.PDF

Last prior Video: Key Cutters
                         - 190706 PDF
2019 Q2 Report: Legacy
          -  AWA Update 190824 PDF

2019 Budget Info:
CHSC-0119_ANDERSON-2019- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Côte d'Ivoire where we serve.

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Unseen Power

CHSC LINK: Unseen Power

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190921.PDF

Current Explored

Electrons bumping excitedly into each other along an electrical wire greatly bless our daily lives. So, too, do individuals transformed by the Gospel that “bump” into others. They create currents of truth in motion that power change. As with electricity, this happens effectively when unseen. Unseen electric current powers lights, air-conditioning, computers, and so much more. When seen, there is a danger. When it is absent, everyone knows it. Movements of people reconciling to God happen similarly. Persons transformed by their relationship with Jesus multiply in unseen ways with seen effect. They get fitted to accomplish the good works God has prepared for them. Typically, the initial process does not attract attention. When it does, there is usually a problem to be discerned and corrected. However, while the transforming power remains unseen like electrons, transformed lives agitate together to produce positive and lasting changes.

Current in the City

Power improves in Cote d'Ivoire

In wrapping up five events, we visited fellow laborers in four cities suffering power outages and fluctuations in electrical current. Hopefully, none experience the damage we frequently see in Bondoukou. This year, however, the power company set up a new regional relay station near us! It promises a brighter future. However, it will not be nearly as bright as that which we see Jesus bringing with His ‘Son’ light in spheres of worship, Discovery Bible Studies, medical care, and education. In the less than 24 hours since returning home, we have heard exciting ministry news that we expect to share with you in weeks to come.

Current at the University

An electric transfer of truth through Community Health Engagement (CHE) continues taking place through the university. We have surpassed the initial goal to train 300 healthcare professionals to influence medical practice. These gain many more. Next year, as during this one, the university CHE team will take over greater responsibilities so that the multiplication continues even when we no longer participate.

Current among Children

This week, Verlin visited with C in Abidjan and met with his fellow teachers and staff. C began working with the children using HEFPDC last year. Around 1,000 children participated with him to do things like clean the school courtyard, but he had no help! He could not reasonably expect to continue and manage such activity alone, but other teachers did not see what they would gain by getting involved. Verlin shared the vision of CHE in historical context. Use of the strategy here already accomplishes 28 of 87 goals that are targets for the Department of Education to reach by 2025. They are now in phase with C. Individuals being transformed by the Gospel here create currents that enlighten truth and power change for eternity.

Prayer and Praise

• Thank the Lord for the positive meeting with the leaders at the Abidjan school. Pray that more than three will engage outside classroom hours to improve the health and moral well-being of the children.
• Ask that the Lord continue being the Guidewire for the university team as they take over the responsibilities and run the CHE training on their own. Upcoming meetings will define our exit plan from there over the next few years.
• Rejoice that we are safely home after three weeks of ministry and opportunity in Abidjan.

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: Servants Leading 190914.PDF

Last prior Video: Key Cutters
                         - 190706 PDF
2019 Q2 Report: Legacy
          -  AWA Update 190824 PDF

2019 Budget Info:
CHSC-0119_ANDERSON-2019- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Côte d'Ivoire where we serve.

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Servants Leading

CHSC LINK: Servants Leading

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190914.PDF

Serving at Work

We praise the Lord for the seventh successful year of Community Health Engagement (CHE) training that we completed at the state university. We help move university team members from being CHE trainees to serving as CHE trainers each year. Several teach a few lessons during the week. We were interested in the story shared by a pharmacist as she taught the lesson “What is Good Health?” for the first time. This lesson makes the strong Biblical case that good health is not simply the absence of disease, but being at peace with the Creator, self, others, and the Creation. She gave this example as she facilitated the lesson. As a pharmacist, she has noticed a pattern among young women who come to buy medications. They give a litany of symptoms like headaches, poor sleep, a sore back, and so on. Having learned the CHE approach to good health, she began to realize a pattern. Instead of offering these women medicine for every symptom, she asks them to sit down for a short consultation. When she queries, “So, my dear, what is going on at home?” she most often learns that there is a problem with the woman’s husband, live-in boyfriend, or perhaps children. Her physical symptoms are often a manifestation of a lack of peace in another area of her life. How wonderful that CHE affects this medical professional’s ability to minister to people at work!

Serving His Servants

During the university training of every September, the amazing team at ARC-en-Christ (Rainbow in Christ) houses and feeds us. This ministry devotes itself to the restoration of Ivorian marriages by thorough Biblical training and personal counseling. As a result, the CHE team does not have hotel or restaurant expenses during the week. Couples whose lives have been transformed at ARC-en-Christ serve us every day. You do not know, unless you are told their stories, that they are doctors, heads of medical departments, business owners, etc. They mop the floor, clean toilets, change light bulbs, run errands, and prepare our meals—all in service to Jesus and His servants. These live so that His Kingdom will come in Cote d’Ivoire. They are some of the most humble and gracious people that we have ever met.

Serving The Nations

Every year, experienced CHE trainers from other nations have come to assist in the university training. Their passion for Christ passed along through CHE and decades of field experience add greatly to the week. This year we are thankful for Dayo Obaweya and his lovely wife Tope from Nigeria, and Bruno Feuillerat from France, for their important contributions.

Prayer and Praise

• Rejoice with us that another year of successful CHE training at the university is accomplished. Pray the national planning sessions that we held after the training accurately discerned the will of the Lord to guide our activities. CHE practitioners from other nations encouraged learning and brainstorming with our Ivorian team of leaders and master trainers.
• Praise the Lord for good press regarding last week’s Scientific Congress. The publicity stimulated government support and final attendance. We filled two first level classes and met a quorum for the Micro-Enterprise Development (MED) training. Pray each level transforms their energy into action (“energy” links to an 11 sec. YouTube video).

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: Hallmark 190907.PDF

Last prior Video: Key Cutters
                         - 190706 PDF
2019 Q2 Report: Legacy
          -  AWA Update 190824 PDF

2019 Budget Info:
CHSC-0119_ANDERSON-2019- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Côte d'Ivoire where we serve.

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Hallmark

CHSC LINK: Hallmark

PDF Version: AWA_Update_190907.PDF

Good goals

A vision which establishes good goals yields results and witnesses which endure. The good goal of the Scientific Congress was to let root the use of Community Health Engagement (CHE) as developed from Community Health Evangelism (CHE). It worked! 19 of 54 presentations were done by those we’ve trained. Many participants will attend the 7th annual CHE exposition training provided by Ivorian Community Health Education (CHE) Association members.

At the opening ceremony of this hallmark Congress, three statements exposed a generational vision, national outlook, and a humble recognition that was given in thanksgiving. When taken together, they belie a developing Godliness:

• Generational vision: "You can take by force, but you cannot give by force. Those receiving must be prepared to receive and to use what is given." - KONE BAMBA, Dean (consider Mt.7:12; Ro.2:7; Jn.10:10)
• National outlook: "This community approach to health is one of the strategic priorities adopted by the Department of Health of Cote d'Ivoire having been implemented in several programs ... making a contribution to improving the health of our populations." - SANOGO SALIF, Ministry of Public Health (reflect upon Co.3:23; 1Kg.8:58-60; 1Ti.4:8; Pr.4:20-22)
• Humble recognition: "The sharing of CHE by Verlin and his follow-up has given us the tools to enter communities and share so that villages can profit from university knowledge." - KOUADIO LUC, Chief of the Dept. of Public Health UFR SPB (He is recognized as the person who has carried out the vision, the operationalization of strategy and implementing the plan of action.) (see Pr.3:27; Ph.2:3)

Good results

As we met, an Ivorian CHE partner received visitors from government agents, the American embassy, and some NGOs that help HIV positive pregnant women and their children at risk. The HCFI (GBH) clinics that he opened, or mentored, now use the most successful treatment program in all of Cote d’Ivoire. When asked why their program to assist these women succeeds when others fail, he described how the principles of Community Health Evangelism (CHE) made it possible. They assign a worker to each village in their jurisdiction. That worker then visits the at-risk mothers in the village and makes sure that they take their medicines and receive training and encouragement. Other programs expect such women to travel to the hospital in town and be followed by a doctor there. The clinic has met the expected quota of the government and NGOs in three months rather than in a year. They have now been assigned a greatly enlarged area of Cote d’Ivoire to serve. The area includes our town of Bondoukou! The president of the national chapter of HCFI, a.k.a. GBH will be flown to South Africa to share their advancements in treatment with other medical professionals who seek to help women of similar circumstance through their facilities.

Good witness

The university professor whose example leads the university department and the hospital administrator are allowing the Lord to use them in mighty ways. They have become instruments of change for the nation. By teaching and modeling the uses of CHE, these and others influence a generation to resist dependence on handouts. They learn to rely on one another while selecting knowledgeable partners able to give a helping hand up. A vision which establishes good goals yields results and witnesses which endure! (Click this phrase for a French newsletter sharing of others.)

Prayer and Praise

• Thank the Lord that this first scientific congress was a success. The department announced that the next one will take place in two years. The public health ministry of the Ivorian government has realized the need to proceed with community development as taught in CHE. This gives churches excellent opportunities to witness of Jesus through CHE as is happening in the above-cited HIV program.
• All next week is the CHE exposition. We will share the training and tools commonly used in community health engagement or education or evangelism strategies. Pray for the 13 trainers who will participate in leading 4 CHE Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions simultaneously. It is an exhausting and exhilarating time for 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).

Prior: Story Power 190824.PDF

Last prior Video: Key Cutters
                         - 190706 PDF
2019 Q2 Report: Legacy
          -  AWA Report 19_08_31 PDF

2019 Budget Info:
CHSC-0119_ANDERSON-2019- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Côte d'Ivoire where we serve.

GIVE ONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page