Sweet Chariot

CHSC LINK: Sweet Chariot
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210626.PDF

Lost and Found

Our trip home last week became an adventure. Verlin had attached our trailer behind the pickup verifying the attachments as the lights were not working for lack of a part. Leaving at noon, he knew that the last two hours of the trip would be in the dark, where many potholes would rock us. We thought all was well on reaching our home office after a tiring 8-hour trip. Verlin got out to open the gates of our courtyard, then climbed back in the truck, sighing, "The trailer is missing!" It had disconnected somewhere on the trip. We had not felt the loss on the bad roads, and visual confirmation had not been possible without the lights. Fearing the worst, that someone may have been hurt, we turned around and traced our path for 4 ½ hours. We informed the two police stops nearest the last spot we remembered seeing it. There was no sign of it anywhere. We crashed at a hotel at 1 a.m.

Later that morning, we contacted friends. They notified the trucking syndicate and other mechanics who activated the transportation grapevine within eastern Cote d'Ivoire. The results amazed us. In less than ninety minutes, we knew where our "chariot" (French for trailer) was! A deacon, a house worker, three truck drivers, a policeman, and a chief of police had collaborated as Good Samaritans so that we could recuperate the trailer less than 18 hours after the plastic lock of the hitch pin broke. A trucker familiar with Verlin had found the trailer, stopped to pick it up, and transported it to the police stop of our hometown! After we signed to reclaim the trailer, the truck driver came by, and we were able to thank him in person and underline the many others of his community that he was helping in returning the trailer to us. The trailer has been used for community projects, helping families move, and otherwise providing many bits of help plus carry things for us.

No Man is an Island

The trailer saga underscores the truth that living in community matters. The Lord never intended those created in His image to live in isolation. The Church spawned from our Lord's recognition by synagogue communities is designed to grow and stretch individuals while being redeemed within the community (koinonia). Many of our Lord's commands relate to how we interact with one another — bearing one another's burdens, the Golden Rule, and living as good neighbors, to name just a few.

Community Health Evangelism (CHE) pursues enduring transformation that involves every member of a given community. During this week's university meeting to promote the upcoming scientific congress hi-liting CHE, 50 intellectual and medical leaders heard the former head of the sociology department echo a quote of Mahatma Gandhi, "Whatever you do for me without me is against me." He noted that community matters. The assertion that faith makes the difference between success and failure in what community can accomplish was accepted. Verlin also networked with the administrator planning to train 800 nurses in SE Cote d'Ivoire with a church leader who uses CHE strategies in the region. Another university hospital researcher trained in CHE between 2013-2015 affirmed that CHE principles are now deeply integrated with his hospital work. To top it off, we learned from the AISEC president that the Raoul Follereau Foundation now plans to use CHE in Cote d'Ivoire within the 70 communities where they work. (This happens because of the partnership between the CHE-born NGOs of AISEC and RESCOF!) Community collaboration, which CHE initiates or strengthens by the work of the Holy Spirit amid humankind, matters whether you need to find a lost trailer, combat a pandemic, change agricultural techniques, reverse malnutrition, or reach an entire nation with the Gospel.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Pray that September's Scientific Congress and CHE training catalyze hundreds more CHE trainers.
  • πŸ™ A new and alarming crime has surfaced in Bondoukou recently. Children are being stolen as they go about daily life. Pray the groups involved will be caught and no more children terrorized.
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: PA Comings and Goings - 210619 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2021 Q1 Report: Timing Issues
          -  AWA Report 21_05_01 PDF

2021 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2021-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

PA Comings & Goings

PDF Version: AWA Weekly 210619.PDF

You never really leave a place or person you love. Part of them you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind. — Anonymous

Pleasant Arrival

As missionaries, we regularly pass through airports. While departures often signal sorrowful emotions related to leaving family, friends, and country, arrivals usually engender feelings of anticipation, joy, and relief. That succinctly sums up Debbie's experience as she finally set foot on Ivorian soil again, after passing 33 hours in airports and airplanes. When she exited the baggage and customs area of the Abidjan airport, there was a slight surprise—no Verlin to greet her! A recent change imposed by COVID-19 restricts those picking up passengers to wait outside in the muggy heat. Thankfully, the police and gendarmes let Verlin in the building briefly to help Debbie with the bags. It was a glad reunion after almost three months apart. The Lord has again kept and preserved our coming and going (Psalm 121).

Remains of 4 log rounds that
supported the Hilux thru 2020
Verlin did not post or email an update last week. As his dad used to remind him with respect to sharing arrival news after a trip, no news is good news! His final prep to transport and receive Debbie squeezed time to the point that he had to choose between writing and sending the update or prepping a trailer to transport replacement equipment and supplies. The trailer won. We now continue to set up together for the next 3-4 years of witnessing based out of Bondoukou, as Verlin shared in this 7-minute video report prepped May 1 for a supporting church before spraining his foot.

Pertinent Arrivals

Reminders of other arrivals punctuated our week, as well. Laurent Gbagbo, the former president of Cote d'Ivoire, returned to this country after being exiled for almost ten years. He was accused and acquitted of war crimes at the International Criminal Court in Europe. Many people consider his arrival a test of the nation's political peace. If polarized political parties navigate his return with fairness and non-violence, it will bode well for future progress.

On a more positive note, the university Community Health Engagement (CHE) team faces the arrival of two key meetings. They are deep in preparation for a June Round Table meeting which will segue into the second Scientific Congress to be hosted in September. These meetings purpose to implicate hundreds more workers in CHE around the nation, particularly in public health. It was our privilege to observe some of their planning session on Tuesday. One of the parallel activities or good works stimulated by their efforts is mentioned in the video.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Thank the Lord with us for Debbie's safe return to Cote d'Ivoire, productive meetings, and a Bible study started in Abidjan. Also, Verlin was able to drive, pick up Debbie, and complete many errands without re-injuring the tendons in his foot! We are grateful for the proof that his foot strengthens.
  • πŸ™ Pray for political stability in CI as the former president arrived this week from exile in Europe. His return could become a time of true reconciliation among political parties for the nation's good—but we Americans realize how difficult it can be for the use of reason to emerge victorious over polarized political views. The cost could be high in CI if violence breaks out again.
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to give the university CHE team wisdom as they host a meeting later in June as they prepare for the second Scientific Congress in the fall. We pray while trusting more people will be exposed to and engaged in CHE activities around the nation due to their hard work.
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 Box - 210605 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2021 Q1 Report: Timing Issues
          -  AWA Report 21_05_01 PDF

2021 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2021-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

The Box

CHSC LINK: The Box

Outside the Box

Debbie recently rediscovered a great book from 1954 called The Prayers of Peter Marshall. Some of his heartfelt, apropos pleas were uttered in the Senate, where he served as Chaplain from 1947 until dying suddenly in 1949. Part of his Senate invocation on November 25, 1947, resonates with the reports given at the national CHE (Community Health Evangelism) meeting this week. We have changed the use of “Thou” to “You” for ease of understanding.

"We have asked for Your guidance in difficult decisions many times, yet it has not always come when we thought it should come…Forgive us for thinking, therefore, that You are unwilling to help us in our dilemmas, or that there is nothing You can do. Remind us, our Father, that when we plug in an electric iron and it fails to work, we do not conclude that electricity has lost its power, nor do we plead with the iron. We look at once to the wiring to find what has broken or blocked connection with the source of power. May we do the same with ourselves, that You may work through us to do Your will. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

2021 AISEC Exchange of Ideas
A common theme echoing through the encouraging reports at the CHE meeting was how to help others think “outside the box” in ministry. A few CHE practitioners saw unprecedented growth last year during the pandemic. They ministered using small groups through Discovery Bible Studies, health teaching, literacy, forestry, and agricultural interventions. Now, some leaders struggle with decisions of their hierarchical church authorities who chose to go back to “traditional” ways of outreach, even though those methods remain ineffective in penetrating communities, discipling believers, and winning the lost. These CHE trainers need wisdom, patience, and perseverance to wisely evaluate themselves and help denominational leaders see what is “broken or blocked.” They must learn to lead superiors to think and act “outside the box” of established traditions. We will integrate more details of the meeting in later reports. Verlin’s notes taken from reports shared from the participating members of eight denominations, five NGOs, and an independent would consume three updates (1600+ words) without providing any contextual explanations.

Inside the Box

Conversely, approaching ministry “outside the box” just for the sake of being different is nonsensical. Our labor of love for Jesus must always dwell within the parameters of Biblical doctrine and obedience. One CHE leader reminded participants that effective CHE ministries focus on making disciples for Jesus who minister for His sake, not to seek money or prestige or wait on others outside the community for help.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Thank the Lord for the improvement of Verlin's foot. He took a test drive today and figured out that the foot will not be ready for at least another week to do some long-distance driving.
  • πŸ™ Continue to pray for the planning and success of the CHE national meeting. Ask the Lord to encourage and equip the CHE trainers who represent many groups and efforts as they meet June 3-5 this coming week.
  • πŸ™ Debbie has scheduled her flight to Cote d'Ivoire from Nashville on June 11, a Friday! Pray that she completes her essential "to-do" list in a timely way and time for needed goodbyes.
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: Hero Search - 210529 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: Work, Watch, Wait
          - Belief Trap


2021 Q1 Report: Timing Issues
          -  AWA Report 21_05_01 PDF

2021 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2021-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