Genuine Help

CHSC LINK: Genuine Help

PDF Version: AWA_Update_191005.PDF

Homegrown Remedies

One of the challenges of living in a third-world culture (or really anywhere) is learning to discern whether a homegrown remedy passed on for generations is beneficial. In other words, does it genuinely help heal, or is it just an old wives’ tale or family tradition? Medical professionals in Africa often wince when they hear that a person has gone home to the village to follow traditional healing practices for an illness or broken bone. In numerous cases, the person later comes to the hospital--after exhausting natural remedies--almost dead or with bones incorrectly set. At other times, though, Ivorians get better results and fewer adverse effects in the village than by taking medicine. Sometimes those village grandmas have learned to use plants for treatments that Americans pay massive amounts to obtain.

A Hurting Friend

We have a neighborhood friend, a master welder, who faces some serious health problems. Verlin befriended this person years ago when we all lived in Bouna, sharing Truth and business practices with him. Over the years, he has expressed thanks for that advice that helped him develop a thriving business here in Bondoukou. When Verlin needed to go to Ghana during a volatile period in 2011, this man accompanied him to the border to make sure that Verlin got across safely. This week he allowed Verlin to pray for him in Jesus’ name (not usually permitted from his religious worldview) as he pursues the natural healing route for treatment. Will those efforts genuinely help heal him? We do not know, but he has agreed to stay connected and listen to advice from Verlin in the days to come. Our prayer is that he will experience complete healing in Christ.

A Healing Yard

L-R: Avocado Tree, Raw Tumeric
Moringa Leaf Powder, Nettle

There is a principle rule that determines whether something gets planted in our yard or not: does it have a practical nutritive or medical purpose? For that reason, we have fruit trees: moringa, mango, papaya, soursop (Graviola), lime, orange, tangelo, avocado, guava, banana, and plantain. Other plants growing for medicinal value include amaranth, nettle, cassava, turmeric, and bougainvillea. All of these have scientific research that indicates they genuinely help heal various ailments.

If we were to buy the curative items from just six of these plants on Amazon in the States, we would pay over $100 per person per month. Debbie checked! Ivorians can make these blessings available in courtyards and on farms for free or sell to others for a profit. Learning to recognize and use the natural treasures with which the Lord has blessed this nation is part of addressing the nutritional and medical needs of the population through Community Health Evangelism (CHE).

Prayer and Praise

• Pray for the needed physical and spiritual salvation of our welder friend.
• Ask the Lord to give us wisdom. We expect to decide with our mid-October financial statement whether we will return to the U.S. in mid-November or not. If we do, we will begin reporting and raising needed funds with individuals. If we do not, it means we will be able to afford staying in Cote d’Ivoire through September 2020, as requested by Ivorian leaders. We will praise God either way.
• Pray that a growing core of Ivorians will mine the riches of Ivorian lands and plant life to bring healing to their family and friends. May they learn to share their knowledge which opens others’ hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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: Diverging Roads 190928.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.

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