Garments of Praise

CHSC LINK: Garments of Praise

PDF Version: AWA Weekly 201226.PDF

A Choice Divine

"A garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…" (Is. 61:3) An excellent way to end any year is to arrange your through-the-Bible reading schedule so that you dive into Isaiah during December. This has been Debbie's habit in recent years to help focus on the revealed meaning of Christmas. A new year peeks around the corner, beckoning us to great exploits with Jesus. Although a media vortex of pandemics, politics, and polemics swirls about us, our lives can be otherwise occupied. Despite the turmoil, we do not have to abide in the mental chaos and worry of worldly thinking. In Christ, during each day of 2021, we can choose to uncloak any "spirit of heaviness" that envelopes our world and put on a "garment of praise" as we worship and serve King Jesus. Let us draw living water from our Lord, the well of enduring solutions!

A Chant Sublime

We in Tennessee are still stunned by the Christmas morning bombing in beautiful downtown Nashville. Longfellow had it right when he penned, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men." He endured the tragic loss of two spouses, his children's care as a widow, and the injury of a beloved son fighting in the Civil War. Life was no bed of roses for him in the 1860s. The details of 2021 may be similarly difficult for us. Are we prepared with our "garments of praise?" If so, we will be able, like Longfellow, to see beyond the cannons thundering and proclaim the truth, "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men." Dear friends, may we all choose to focus on the mercies and blessings of our Lord in 2021, even if the world blows up around us. (More details on how this 'chant sublime' has helped us understand our path through prior hardships are linked here and here.)

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Here is the full text of Isaiah 61, from which Jesus read verses 1-2a to announce His earthly ministry of messianic fulfillment (Luke 4). Verses 2b and the following indicate the changes that accompany His rule through His disciples. Rejoice and recommit with us!
• 🙏 We praise the Lord for news of over 60 people being baptized recently in FWB churches due to leaders motivated by their CHE trainings and resulting contexts in Cote d'Ivoire!
• 🙏 Pray that rapid justice prevails upon any perpetrator of the bomb. Pray for people who will return to that area of Nashville to work, that fear will not reign in their hearts. Thank the Lord with us for public servants who run to danger to help preserve citizens' lives.

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 provide support as we maintain 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: Star Witnesses - 201219 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap

2020 Q3 Report: Give Me a "V"
          -  AWA Report 20_10_24 PDF

2020 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2020- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

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

GIVEONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Star Witnesses

CHSC LINK: Star Witnesses

PDF Version: AWA Weekly 201219.PDF

A Heavenly Witness

Heavenly lights and wise men are interwoven in Scripture. Just as the star led the magi of old to Jesus' location, this coming week will grant us the opportunity to observe another celestial witness. On Monday evening, December 21, around dusk, look to the southwest horizon for 15 to 20 minutes. Jupiter and Saturn will conjoin in a manner that has not been visible from the earth for about 800 years and will not be seen again for 60 more! The event known as "The Christmas Star" in astronomy occurs when planets, rather than stars, appear near one another from an earthling's perspective. How like the Lord to give us a heavenly reminder during 2020 that He is still the Sovereign of the universe. To those with eyes to see and ears to hear, "The heavens declare the glory of God..." (Psalm 19:1).

An Earthy Witness

Heavenly lights and wise men are interwoven within Scripture. The prophet Daniel made the following insightful and eloquent application for all of us (Daniel 12:3) over two millennia ago: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." The very day that the "Christmas Star" gains visibility this year, an earthly light that shone on thousands of lives will be laid to rest in Nashville. Brother Leroy Forlines, a beloved instructor, mentor, and friend to three generations of our family, launched into his heavenly reward(s) this week. He "turned many to righteousness" by seeking to live a life of immovable integrity, sharing watershed teachings in systematic theology and ethics, and providing ongoing and kind encouragement to students for decades after helping them form some thought-grooves in their brains during classes. Our family continues to reflect some of the glow that his bright reflection of Christ passed to us. We trust our prayers of grateful love and thought will join with those of the Forlines and many others during these days.

Merry Christmas, friends! May your and our lives given in loving service with King Jesus be unwavering, like lighthouse lights during storms, as 2020 yields to 2021! May no candlelight flicker out in the wind(s) as we reflect and plan, but most importantly, learn to walk ever more closely aligned to His purposes in the ways that shine "forever and ever!"

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray that the many influenced by Brother Forline's personal and intellectual integrity, his intense devotion to Jesus, and his simply explained yet theologically profound teaching work as tirelessly as he did to shine Truth on every aspect of culture for generations to come. Pray with family as they celebrate his life in a time when communal grief is difficult to do.
• 🙏 Continue to pray for post-election woes in Cote d'Ivoire. Legislative elections are expected to occur during the first quarter of 2021.
• 🙏 Debbie tested positive for COVID-19 this week. She quarantines herself at home with mild symptoms. We give thanks this happens now rather than closer to our departure date!

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 provide support as we maintain 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: The Rescue - 201212 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap

2020 Q3 Report: Give Me a "V"
          -  AWA Report 20_10_24 PDF

2020 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2020- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

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

GIVEONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

The Rescue

CHSC LINK: The Rescue

PDF Version: AWA Weekly 201212.PDF

The Worth of a "Nobody"

Back in early November, we listened with interest to the report about Seal Team 6's rescue of an American in northern Nigeria. The event occurred near the region of Africa where we serve. The fact that the kidnapped man is a son of missionaries added to our curiosity. This man's dire situation was similar to that prior of Jessica Buchanan. Jessica is the humanitarian aid worker rescued by Seal Team 6 from Somalia in January 2012. (Her riveting account of the ordeal is here.) At one point, when it seemed her life might be at risk, Seal Team members surrounded her and lay on her so that bullets would penetrate their bodies instead of hers. The wonder and gratitude were evident in her voice as she pondered the reality that each of these elite warriors was prepared to die for her, a "nobody" except that she claimed the title of an American citizen.

The Work of a "Somebody"

The parallel to the Christmas season seems evident to us: our King left His throne and splendor to rescue humanity's unworthy, sinful souls. His body was pierced for the salvation of each and every person and community in which we live. As many mentally prepare to celebrate during this season when we celebrate His arrival, we recognize the tangible effects of believing our King has come and will come again. Healing comes to individuals, families, and nations in this world when we accurately identify and follow Emmanuel's example in the way we view and serve people. It does not matter our gender, race, religion, or political affiliation, or national heritage. His extraction strategy from the hurts of sin in this world is for all. Praise the Lord!

It is a great joy for us to assist our Lord to multiply the ministries that use Community Health Evangelism (CHE) strategies, which affirm the value of every human life. For that reason, the input of every person in training matters. Besides, entire lesson tracks are dedicated to groups of people who are often considered "the least of these:" handicapped, children, and women. Life-changing CHE lessons are intended to sustain instruction in EVERY household of a given community. May the example of the ultimate Rescuer motivate our love and service with no practiced favoritism.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Cote d'Ivoire cases of COVID as of December 11: 21,618 cases, 21,234 recoveries, and 133 deaths. Pray that they continue to manage their at-risk populations well.
• 🙏 Thank the Lord along with us for warm receptions and safe travels as we reconnected with ministry partners in Utah, Idaho, and Montana.
• 🙏 Pray that those of us in the Kingdom of Light will not get sidetracked from our role of offering rescue to every member of the human race, as Christ intended.

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 provide support as we maintain 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: Every Season - 201205 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap

2020 Q3 Report: Give Me a "V"
          -  AWA Report 20_10_24 PDF

2020 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2020- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

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

GIVEONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Every Season

CHSC LINK: Every Season

PDF Version: AWA Weekly 201205.PDF

Out of Season

Red Butte Garden Tree

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecc. 3:1). Interestingly, even seasons like winter serve purposes in God's timetable for harvests. As the natural world models, Christians also produce fruit "in season" (Ps. 1:3). It is counter-productive to be discouraged when fruit remains unformed. If faithful to do as told, much happens unseen. The LORD grows His Kingdom on time. Our collaboration simply demands that we cooperate with His pruning, relax in His timing, and rejoice with others whom we may perceive to be reaping bountifully while our service matures. Easier said than done!

While visiting ministry partners this week in the American northwest, we used some freed-up time to enjoy God's nature. We made a stop at the Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City as we traveled to our destination in Idaho. We took this opportunity to review the provisions Jesus makes for our healing in the plant kingdom. The time let us glean further knowledge from medicinal and herb gardens that we can grow. Learning plant nutritional and medicinal values remains a passion of ours in life and ministry. In Cote d'Ivoire, we connect with people who catalog the tropical plant diversity and develop uses for it. We rejoiced to discover that the greater than 7,000 plans in this botanical garden are referenced online for study. The tips for year-round gardening help us too.

In Season

"To everything there is a season…" While it may be a comfort to affirm that the Lord works even when there is little evidence, we innately know that developing harvests is a continuous occupation. Planning, soil preparation, planting, and follow-up tasks are essential. Much sowing happens before any reaping with joy can. Thank you for toiling beside us in work in Cote d'Ivoire! Whether you pray and give monthly, quarterly, once a year, or less frequently, your participation makes the harvest we share possible. The sowing has been watered by your fervent, faithful prayers, like the rain. As is true for many ministries, we count on strong December giving to keep our mission account stable. Bountiful end-of-year donations will fund our African return with financing sufficient to weather unexpected expenses and overcome months of lower-than-average giving. Thank you for all you have done and do for Jesus' sake.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for many ingenious Christmas outreaches to happen in Cote d'Ivoire and other places. Opportunities abound around the world to share Jesus in word and deed.
• 🙏 Ask the Lord for healthy end-of-the-year giving that will help return us to Africa to carry out partnership responsibilities with confidence. As departures and arrivals are tiring, ask that the Lord's strength and guidance sustain us as we finish personal and work duties.
• 🙏 Join us in praying that none of us neglect our part of sowing and reaping in the Kingdom. It is easy to get distracted, discouraged, or just ineffectively very busy.

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 provide support as we maintain 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: Family Benefits - 201128 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap

2020 Q3 Report: Give Me a "V"
          -  AWA Report 20_10_24 PDF

2020 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2020- Budget.pdf

Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

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

GIVEONLINE to support these ministries
                                   www.che4a.org

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page