ACST x2 = 1 God

CHSC LINK: ACST x2 = 1 God
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210424.PDF

Admit, Commit, Submit, Transmit (ACST-1)

“There are four things that we ought to do with the Word of God — admit it is the Word of God, commit it to our hearts and minds, submit to it, and transmit it to the world.”
 
Wilberforce’s 4-point description of any believing Christian’s responsibility to the Word of God stands relevant in 2021 as steadfastly as in his day. Transformation happens when we hear and obey God’s Word. The Word’s power reverberates in our hearts every time we hear reports from ministry partners who use Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) in their Community Health Evangelism (CHE) efforts (video link previously referenced at our Learn, Grow, Go explanation). One facilitator shared an encouraging story with Verlin last Sunday. He has successfully taught several teenagers how to lead DBS in the town where we live. Also, he felt led by God to connect with believers in an outlying village where a dispute within the church eventually disbanded the fellowship. He began a DBS with the few believers still in the area. The spark of hearing and obeying God’s Word (i.e., HO, HO, HO) has reignited their faith and expanded their witness to new villagers creating the opportunity to reform or build a church.
 
An American ministry partner called Debbie this week to check on progress and tell her a story. While traveling for work, he stopped to eat. He overheard a discussion about a Bible study at a neighboring table and struck up a conversation with the stranger. It turned out that he was in Middle Tennessee to train believers in using DBS! As our friend put it, maybe there is hope for America. We each know through diverse experiences that we and others only escape debilitating sinful deceptions because transformation happens when we hear and obey God’s Word.

Advocate CHE for Sustainable Transformation (ACST-2)

Get up to date on changes in
world missions by reading this
A long-time friend and CHE champion, Terry Dalrymple, recently wrote a new CHE resource we look forward to reading. Terry provides coordination for the Global CHE Network. He travels the world to encourage and observe others using CHE strategies and to promote the network’s adopted Million Village Challenge. His new book Beyond Poverty: Multiplying Sustainable Community Health Development will be available from William Carey Publishing on May 4, 2021. In implementing CHE and DMM, we must HO, HO, HO along our way with Jesus-Christ in overcoming sin.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray that CHE and DBS ministries worldwide maintain their focus on Jesus Christ, the Word of God, in communities where religious freedom is absent or under attack. Ask the Lord to convict more Ivorian believers to reach hopeless and sick sinners using CHE and DBS tools.
  • 🙏 After a 2+ week wait due to a repair shop’s excellence, Debbie thinks the Astro’s ABS warning light will soon be off. The Caravan’s tired water pump also signaled need for replacement after Verlin left. Hopefully, that will be done next week, and the storage shed re-roofed. Pray patient perseverance overcomes, and Deb then finds a good but cheap ticket to get with Verlin.
  • 🙏 Thank the Lord for Verlin’s safe travel to and from Abidjan. He found parts for some repairs, but more importantly, met former and new university CHE team members, began teaching others how to self-regulate their blood pressure, and encouraged two other missionary couples in visits.
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: Copying Dad - 210417 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

Copying Dad

CHSC LINK: Copying Dad
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210417.PDF

Dad, How do I ... ?

210417-YouTube-Dadvice.jpg
Dadvice YouTube Site
What do you do when you need help to learn a new skill? Debbie wanted to review how to jump a vehicle battery, and so she YouTubed it. She discovered a fantastic site called Dad, How do I? (pic links to site too.) Rob Kelley, now a dad with grown children, had a father who abandoned the family when he was young. He decided to make a video series to illustrate basic life skills that fathers often pass on to their children. Included topics are how to tie a tie, repair a running toilet, change a tire, etc. The demand blew him away! Kelley thought 30 or 40 people might be interested. After one year, he had more than three million subscribers!

Essentially, Mr. Kelley serves others as a virtual mentor. Familial encouragements like starting with "Hey, kids!" and ending with "You've got this" or "I'm proud of you!" trigger 'I can do it' activities in people around the world. Community Health Evangelism (CHE) recognizes this process of adult learning. One lesson during the first training of trainers focuses on how adults learn. They learn when they need to get something done. They learn best when copying someone who knows what they are doing and encourages them to do better work. Few understand how to do well from lectures. Mentoring gets better and more work done.

Brother, Teach me

Jesus, likewise, mentors His disciples to do good. Our God calls them 'brothers' (links to scriptural explanation), who take to heart His message that believers accomplish the Father's will in mentoring others to live by God’s design. As He walked the earth, Jesus illustrated how to be helpful while completing a calling. He did not have to demonstrate his divine personhood in assisting the discouraged except to be an example. To be that, He turned water to wine, healed the sick and blind, paid taxes, and fed the hungry amidst other acts of kindness that illustrated God's power in mundane, day-to-day activities. The example changed people's lives. It still does.

We plow through mundane yet necessary tasks to continue the witness of God's power to others. Last week, during trips to renew acquaintance with some pastors and CHE collaborators, Verlin reminded some to trust in God's design more than human plans. He shared information on how the 'poor' lifestyle of many Ivorians protects most. The majority’s simple eating and outdoor living preserves the population. 1) Reduced incidence of tissue-attached cholesterol diseases, 2) more vitamin D synthesis, and 3) outdoor living and working with well-ventilated housing rather than 24/7 in enclosed spaces slows COVID-19 replication. Debbie finished doctor appointments this week and found a way to serve and be served by friends who care for a disabled man.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 As this period between Easter and Pentecost continues, pray believers choose to speak hope and help into the lives of people we meet daily. All of us have skills and words of encouragement that can transform others' situations. May our eyes be open to see God’s ways to be helpful.
  • 🙏 Pray for meetings with ministry partners. Verlin heads to Abidjan for supplies and to price replacement equipment after meeting with two Discovery Bible Study leaders in Bondoukou.
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: Signs - 210410 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

Signs

CHSC LINK: Signs
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210410.PDF

Seeking Satisfaction

Since returning to Cote d’Ivoire, Verlin has once again been struck by the abundant signs of spiritual openness that people living here provide. One example happened as he sat in a line waiting for a vehicle paper. Seated to one side, a Muslim using his Subha (Islamic prayer beads) counted the names of God; on the other hand, a Roman Catholic completed a reflective reading for masses during the period between Easter and Pentecost. They both used their cell phones to pursue what they could of God rather than to provide amusements. A preponderance of people living here remains open to spiritual discussion and exchange. This is one of many reasons a CHE leader reported over the phone that Community Health Evangelism (CHE) teams have tripled their outreaches in West Africa since COVID-19 hit in early 2020. Hungry people seek signs with their neighbors that God the Creator cares.

Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer and daytime fasting, is underway in Cote d’Ivoire. Verlin needs no alarm clock now as our neighbor’s loudspeaker announces calls to prayer and eat every day before sunrise. Mohammedans will especially seek a sign or blessing or word from God during the Night of Destiny (explanatory link) that happens once during the last 10 days of the fast. Join us in praying that many of our friends who follow this faith will encounter Jesus, the Living Word, as they seek to hear from God in this time-frame. A Christian prayer guide to coordinate in prayer for the approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide is available at this link.

Solving Situations

Verlin-does-laundry
Illustrating how to hand-wash clothes while
preserving machine softness and elastic stretch-i-ness.

In the physical world, the Lord sometimes gives us signs, too, for our well-being. When Verlin tried to hook up an older, spare washing machine because our 1998 purchased machine is now beyond repair, he got a nasty shock of current. We took this to mean we will likely have to obtain a new washer rather than make-do and try to find a third, second-hand option. Debbie received her own set of signs to warn of another needed van repair this week. A bone-wearied CHE promoter unknowingly reported signs of malnourishment that likely stem from passionately promoting CHE without taking adequate care of his body. Although these are not the kind of signs we enjoy receiving, we gratefully observe them since they warn us of dangers.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray for Muslims around the world during their month of fasting, Ramadan. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to them in undeniable ways during this time when they seek signs from God.
  • 🙏 As of April 8, there have been 44,880 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cote d’Ivoire, with 257 deaths. According to reports given to WHO, a total of 49,323 vaccines have been administered.
  • 🙏 Pray for the hundreds of new CHE teams across West Africa (and around the world) who engage in communities so that thousands of more people will know Jesus and His abundant life. The Million Village Challenge continues.
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 King of Kindness - 210403 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

King of Kindness

CHSC LINK: King of Kindness
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210403.PDF

The King of Kindness

Our culture has mastered the art of distorting facts and distracting attention from the meaning of Easter. Although we are not on a crusade against the proliferation of pastel eggs, shiny shoes, new clothes, and chocolate candy, exactly what similitude do they have to the blood, sweat, tears, humiliation, agony, and betrayal of Jesus' during his last week of earthly ministry? Why should absurdly dressed "bunnies" merit the attention of us and our children when we celebrate this weekend the King of Kindness (links to a good article defining kindness) showing all the extent of His love? It is like feasting on a stale piece of bread when we have a personal invitation to the most extravagant banquet in the world. May we allow one as a cultural experience without neglecting to emphasize the main point as we spend our time on earth. May His kindness lead us to repentance from our ways to live as He designed for us (Rom. 2:4)!

The Kind of "Kingness"

What kind of King washes the feet of His betrayer and asks His Father to forgive His crucifiers? The kind of King Who expects us, His disciples, to follow in His footsteps (links to health benefits and example of being kind). The kind Who gifts us with His Holy Spirit so that His kindness can flow through us to some of the foulest, most unpleasant people in the world. Because such would be all of us before His kindness found us or our ancestry. Do not let this season pass without praising Him. (Song link from an Acapella Co. service that creates projector adapted choral singing to permit today's generation to experience congregational harmonies.)

Progress Points

funeral-program
Funeral program for Alfred,
Gouméré refrigerator repairman

As we reflect with wonder of our King, we also perceive progress in Cote d'Ivoire and Tennessee. Verlin attended the funeral ceremony of Alfred, who demonstrated Jesus' kindness in his repair business. Apprentices, family, and health-promoting co-laborers, along with church members and local leaders, testified to that. One repeated that he oft' said he had come to Cote d'Ivoire for money but found Jesus! Verlin also succeeded in getting the Toyota down safely from 40" high log sections with new missionary friends. Three of the log cuts had rotted from termite damage despite paint and soaking in an anti-termite solution. With a new battery, it started right up! Some crucial financial obligations are resolved. Debbie spent three days helping her parents pack for an eventual move and said goodbyes to more ministry partners.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Verlin has slowed some, feeling under the weather since mid-week. He has treated himself for malaria. Pray his return to full strength and activity continues, as sensed today. Thank the Lord with us for Godly people's help extended to both of us who remain continents apart this week!
  • 🙏 Some essential repairs need to happen on our Ivorian home to witness well. Paint peels from the ceilings and drains drip, a frequently repaired leaking roof needs replacement, and so on. Ask the Lord to give us a workable solution with our landlady and her agent.
  • 🙏 Pray for two Ivorian pastors who suffered strokes in the past year. Ask the Lord to grace them with the best advice for recovery and wisdom to make necessary life changes.
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: Angel Bands - 210327 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