Angel Bands

CHSC LINK: Angel Bands
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210327.PDF

In The Air

It is common in missionary circles to joke about days we cause hernias or overtime for the angel bands sent to protect and help God's children! Over the years, we have experienced many days when it was apparent that the King's security forces were dispatched for us. Knowing that He hems us in behind and before (Ps. 139:5) allows us a calm certitude no matter where we are in the world. Verlin arrived safely in Cote d'Ivoire with all luggage intact. His Tuesday and Wednesday in Abidjan let him do our initial exchanges for Ivorian currency, deliver some Dossman music to the Christian Radio Station they helped to establish, drop-off some needed credit cards for missionary friends, and submit a work order to get the telephone pole connection repaired that prevents our Bondoukou home office from enjoying DSL Internet. He next learned that two new University CHE team efforts are underway in southeastern villages. On Thursday, he traveled north on public transport with no problems. AvocadosAfter some minor and incomplete repairs to take a shower, he found all well at home except some anticipated regular maintenance. Our dogs received him joyfully after the 15-month absence, and it appears a tree in our yard that provides one of our favorite snack fruits will give a bumper crop this year! These pleasures shared, we never take for granted uneventful travel on African roads. It is a grace and a welcomed relief to re-engage in ministry here.

Verlin's home office setup and renewal will slow and advance by attending two funerals. Setup at home will slow as setup with personal connections speeds up. Two dear Ivorian brothers who encouraged and helped us many times over the years recently died. It is likely angel bands accompanied them one last time on their journey Home. Friday and Saturday, Verlin traveled again by public transport to participate in the wake and funeral of Pastor Jerome Kambou in Bouna. He died of liver cancer. Next week he will see the Alfred family in Goumere. It appears he died of a heart attack. The refrigerator repairman was one of the first in Cote d'Ivoire trained in CHE. Hopefully, by then, the Toyota pick-up will be on the ground and running to keep another angel band busy!

On The Ground

While Verlin jumped through the hoops of international travel, Debbie drove back to our Tennessee home. Accidents and road repair turned a 10.5-hour trip into a 14-hour journey. In Nashville, she stopped for an oil change and for someone to check out a new noise. The mechanic tightened a belt and thought all was well. On arriving home in Cookeville, the noise was much louder and concerning. Old Red's serpentine belt and tensioner assembly were replaced the next day. No matter on which continent angel bands are dispatched, our Travel Companion cares for our every need!

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank the Lord with us for Verlin's safe return to Cote d'Ivoire. Also, rejoice with us that our Caravan's problems did not hinder Debbie's safe return home to Tennessee.
  • 🙏 Pray for Verlin as he begins a whirlwind of activities to get the car operational, repairs done, and communications services renewed. It will take two or three weeks for things we can control to get done, another two to three months for things we do not control. We regret that the update arrived late this week. Our differing travels complicated our coordination. When the written part was not ready for Verlin to edit by Wednesday, he could not get back to finish until Sunday when the needed Internet connection lost Thursday was re-established, and he had slept some.
  • 🙏 Pray for our Ivorian friends who are in mourning and learning to adjust to their husband or father's absence. Ask for peace, strength, and provision for the Kambou and Alfred families.
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: In, Like, With - 210320 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2020 Q4 Report: Authorized Again (AA)
          -  AWA Report 21_02_13 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

In, Like, With

CHSC LINK: In, Like, With
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210320.PDF

Truth in Troubling Times

To be in Christ is the source of the Christian's life; to be like Christ is the sum of His excellence; to be with Christ is the fullness of His joy. — Charles Hodge

In Christ, like Christ, with Christ. Charles Hodge taught biblical literature and, later, theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in the mid-1800s. Saved when a spiritual revival broke out on campus during his senior year at Princeton, he wrote and spoke in defense of orthodox doctrine, like the Scriptures' inspiration, throughout his career. Every generation must have people who devote their lives so the Holy Scriptures can be passed on to their progeny. Some suffer martyrdom to do so. We think and pray for the people of Myanmar who face great danger and loss of liberty after the military again overthrew the government. A humanitarian crisis exists, where Christians seek to be salt and light in an already precarious situation for believers.

Details about Delayed Departure

VCA-and-DJA-before-community-medcare
1 Hr COVID-19 PCR Test
The extra time in Texas as Verlin recovered from surgery proved helpful. We met and exchanged with medical missionaries who embark on their first term in Zambia. Verlin finished our U.S. income taxes as Debbie caught up on correspondence and updated ministry partner information. Strangely, it took four hours on the phone to prep our Verizon account for this trip. Much time was spent traveling between Dallas and Grand Saline for a post-op visit with the surgeon and to find sites that could acceptably test for COVID-19 and provide results on time. That endeavor took over 15 hours. Having learned from missionary friends who had to reschedule flights because their negative COVID test results returned too late, Verlin opted to get tested more than once by different services.

Even if flights are delayed or one test result fails to be received in time, he should still board the plane on Sunday. He expects to spend a week in Abidjan before going north to Bondoukou. There he will get the tires back on our truck and begin the process of restoring Internet service at our home office. Service was cut during Christmas of 2019 when a drunk driver ran into a telephone pole in our neighborhood. As priors, this departure is about living abundantly in Christ, like Christ, and with Christ and to disciple Ivorian believers while alongside them as salt and light in their context.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank the Lord for Verlin's positive post-op visit with the surgeon. He can resume all activities. Ask the Lord to continue his healing process without complication in Cote d'Ivoire (CI). His trip back to Africa begins on Sunday, March 21, from the Dallas airport.
  • 🙏 Pray for Debbie as she returns to Tennessee and then dives into a list of errands, activities, and visits to complete before her flight to CI in a few weeks.
  • 🙏 Pray for the people of Myanmar, as chaos reigns and necessary items like food, water, and electricity are scarce. During the political unrest, pray that Christians will not be targeted for elimination, as has been true in the past.
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: Pauses - 210313 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2020 Q4 Report: Authorized Again (AA)
          -  AWA Report 21_02_13 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

Pauses

CHSC LINK: Pauses
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210313.PDF

Stopping to Heal

Conference center
Pauses. Sometimes a pause to help oneself is necessary in life
. Verlin's recovery from last Friday's appendectomy has been exceptional. Thank you for your prayers and encouraging notes. His post-op visit with the surgeon is on Tuesday, and then he flies to Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday, March 21, from Dallas, Texas. By keeping the same airport and flight schedule while going two weeks later, the only new expense incurred for the flight is a $50.00 change fee.

CHSC lodging
It is an extraordinary blessing to enjoy Christian Health Service Corps' (CHSC) lodging and kind support made available for their missionaries at the headquarters in Grand Saline, Texas. Two large retreat homes are reserved for visiting missionary families. There are smaller apartments without stairs in the conference building where we presently stay with no additional cost to us or our support account. Missionaries regularly come in and out for days or weeks to consult staff, rest, and train. Some stay for more extended periods as they finish gathering support or wait upon needed international documents. We cannot imagine a more relaxing and well-suited setting for Verlin to recover from surgery than the Shalom Retreat center!

Seeking to Help

Pauses. Sometimes a pause to help someone else is necessary in life. We pause to tell you about a significant ministry opportunity. Some CHSC personnel need teachers to help homeschool their missionary kids. Here is the relevant post if you, or someone you know, are interested.

ATTENTION TEACHERS! Christian Health Service Corps is looking for volunteer elementary school teachers to help with missionary children's education at many of our mission hospital locations. This is a fantastic opportunity for new and experienced teachers to volunteer for a year abroad in Africa and serve as a teacher on the mission field. Would you like to learn more? Contact Debbie via Facebook or use the website of healthservicecorps.org/volunteers/.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank the Lord for Verlin's ongoing remarkable recovery from the appendectomy. We are also grateful that the two-week delay will only cost a $50.00 change fee and that the CHSC leadership staff provides us excellent lodging and gracious hospitality as we wait.
  • 🙏 One of CHSC's support staff lost her mother to COVID-19 this week. Please pray for the Sharp family during this loss and for any other families their experience may call to mind. Also, ask the Lord to send teachers as assistants to CHSC missionary families.
  • 🙏 The legislative elections last week in Cote d'Ivoire appear to have gone reasonably well. The majority party gained seats. The Prime Minister of the country died this week from cancer. Please continue to keep Cote d'Ivoire's political situation in your prayers when asking the Lord to keep the nation open to the spread of the Gospel and the blessing of Ivorian believers.
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: Travel Companion - 210306 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2020 Q4 Report: Authorized Again (AA)
          -  AWA Report 21_02_13 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

Travel Companion

CHSC LINK: Travel Companion
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210306.PDF

In the Air

Verlin's turn to be photographed
in a hospital bed.

And so the journey home begins again! We thought Verlin would fly Sunday, March 7, from Dallas to return to Cote d’Ivoire. Instead, he ended up in a Texas ER with appendicitis. After his surgery Friday night, we returned to Christian Health Service Corps headquarters in Grand Saline, Texas, for his recovery. This detour put his return “up in the air” for two weeks. Issues awaiting him once his feet touch African soil include: catching up with CHE (Community Health Evangelism) team leaders on the way to Bondoukou, then getting our vehicle off blocks and operational; renewing vehicle paperwork and insurance that expired; seeking to restore Internet, which was cut in our neighborhood in Bondoukou over a year ago. Daunting, but doable. All these tasks may be complicated or delayed by the legislative elections that took place Saturday, March 6. We’ve been informed to expect less violence than what occurred around the recent presidential election though the participation is more significant. We join Ivorians in praying that there will be no enduring unrest after the elections. Verlin counts on help from his Travel Companion to face any challenges.

On the Road

And so the journey home begins again! Debbie thought she would return to Tennessee on Monday, March 8, or Tuesday in the Caravan, Old Red. Now, whenever the journey occurs, she counts on her Travel Companion’s help for any surprises on the 10.5-hour trip. Awaiting her at home is a plethora of errands and activities that include: being available for input as the shed roof is replaced on our property; oil changes and/or tire rotations for the vehicles; clearing leaves from a blocked culvert; last-minute eye and dental care; attending a dear friend’s wedding; finishing thank you notes and buying supplies; prepping our home indoors for a long-term absence; and, final visits to friends and family. Daunting, but doable.

Travel Companion is our title for this update for a specific reason. Daniel Kambou is an Ivorian Christian singer who gained prominence during the days of Debbie’s parents on the field. His song “Travel Companion” remains an Ivorian favorite, and we thought you might enjoy it. Here are the lyrics (link) in French and a translation (pdf) into English made for you.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray the peace of reconciliation through Jesus-Christ grows for the population of Cote d’Ivoire after today’s legislative elections.
  • 🙏 Our Ivorian brother and friend Pastor Jerome Kambou met his Travel Companion face to face as he took his final journey Home this past week. Pray for his beloved wife and children, who mourn their enormous loss. Jerome served the Lord with vigor and intentionality through FWB ministries for over 30 years. We will always appreciate his encouragement and kindness to us.
  • 🙏 Ask the Lord to give us both exceptional wisdom and strength to accomplish our “daunting but do-able” tasks when apart, now later, on two continents. Pray that we have opportunities to be the voice, hands, and feet of Jesus to people who need a touch from Him along the journey.
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: Blindsided - 210227 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2020 Q4 Report: Authorized Again (AA)
          -  AWA Report 21_02_13 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