Unshakeable

CHSC LINK: Unshakeable

UNSHAKEABLE

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear...
This truth from Hebrews offers encouragement in our tumultuous times. Despite the realities of global disasters, dangers, and despair, we belong to an UNSHAKEABLE kingdom in Christ! As a preacher from the 1600s, John Flavel stated it: "Jesus, our head, is already in heaven; and if the head be above water, the body cannot drown." In the end, no weapon formed against us will prosper when we faithfully serve the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). However, there may be great earthly suffering before we obtain our heavenly victory. When days are difficult, let us remember these things.

SYMPTOMATIC SIGNS
(see "B," a Sponsor)

The apostle Peter warned believers in his day not to be surprised at the "fiery trials" that tested them, as if something strange were happening (1 Peter 4:12). Such is the reality for followers of Jesus. In our ministry, we have always noted a surge of various problems before significant ministry growth. Since returning to the field, a few challenges have complicated progress or required time to help friends and ministry partners:
    • Verlin has developed a growing umbilical hernia after his March appendectomy. He also fell in May, injuring his left foot, which required six weeks of therapy with little movement.
    • K., our nearest Ivorian partner, and CHE worker, just recovered from typhoid, contracted a few days after his 2-year-old son was hit by a motorbike. The boy is recovering well.
    • Our pastor's wife has been incapacitated by an ulcer for almost a year. Several treatments of antibiotics did not bring relief.
    • On the trip back home from picking up Debbie at the airport, our hitched trailer disconnected from the truck on the bad roads without us realizing it.
    • In July, the American embassy issued a high alert warning for travel in several portions of CI. They recommend that Americans totally avoid regions north of Bondoukou and specific areas in middle and western CI. Several ministry partners in CHE live and work in these zones. Many uninvited armed soldiers from other countries have infiltrated rural towns and villages.

SOLVABLE SITUATIONS
(see Sweet Chariot)


Thankfully, the majority of situations we face have solutions. Most of the problems from the list above are resolved or have a now known cure. Verlin spent six weeks of rest, made nutritional changes, and exercised to heal his foot. Our pastor's wife took Verlin's nutritional advice and now sees real improvement. She drinks cabbage juice and takes olive oil at least twice daily to heal the ulcer. When our trailer unhitched on the road late at night, the next day, we reached out to mechanic and trucker friends who engaged the trucking syndicate to look for it. Within ninety minutes, our lost trailer was found. It was again in our possession eight hours later! In each case, the situation was solved by reaching out to a community.

What could not be accomplished in isolation was resolved by seeking other's help and advice. Even the challenge of necessary travel to regions of increased risk will be undertaken with the insight and support from people living in the zones. Part of the unshakeable Kingdom's strength is working together in communion.

SANCTIFIED SOLUTIONS
(see The Box)

Since our return, Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministry partners have blessed us with their testimonies of innovation and perseverance. Indeed, they continue to learn that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Jesus gives them direction and capacities to spread the Gospel in difficult situations. Here are just a few of the fruit-bearing opportunities and insights God has provided them.
    • One CHE-trained medical professional prepares to train 800 nurses in southern Cote d'Ivoire with CHE! We expect his effort will produce life-changing impacts upon thousands of people who receive timely, wholistic nursing care.
    • Another CHE trainer reported how CHE is building families in a community. The children in the village were falling behind academically. So, the CHE committee divided the area into four quadrants. Two teachers and two villagers were assigned within each to make house-to-house visits. These sixteen people help the students and demonstrate to illiterate parents or others feeling ill-equipped the "how-to's" in assisting their children.

    • Developing sheep husbandry
      A pastor shared with Verlin about a sheep project he started a few years back. He modeled how to raise sheep, then gave two sheep to a trainee by agreement of the second man to develop his own flock and give two starter sheep to a third person. Thus, each person trained is given two sheep and pledges to mentor someone else. The results have been outstanding. They begin to look for markets beyond their own village for sales.
    • The CHE university team entered two new villages while we were in the States. They also undertake a second Scientific Congress in September and renew the university's yearly CHE training.
    • In June, the national CHE network hosted a CHE meeting for the first time in years. Verlin appreciated the opportunity to see CHE workers in one place. One of the five largest denominations has now made CHE the primary development strategy and spoke of CHE efforts in at least 14 new villages.

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY
(see Hero Search)

We are immeasurably blessed by your ministry partnership. Thank you, beloved friends and partners! We count you among our heroes working day in and out to facilitate the spread of the Gospel. Your commitment to pray and give permits this Kingdom work in Cote d'Ivoire to continue and flourish more every year.

Returning to the mission field to start a new term is always expensive. Airline tickets, residence paperwork, insurances, and many repairs prior to and upon our return add up. Thankfully, the second quarter giving for 2021 nearly met the budget, making it the best we've enjoyed since joining the CHSC. Most of our resettling-in tasks are now complete, except for a few large ticket repairs or upkeep on the home we rent. Leaks and some painting still must be addressed, but we wait for a multi-year rental contract with the landlord before investing the needed funds. As always, you will find our quarterly financial report attached.

PRAISE & PRAYER REQUESTS

    • 🙏 Rejoice always! In Jesus, we belong to an unshakeable kingdom. Therefore, no matter the difficulties each of us faces in daily life, our hope and eventual victory are guaranteed.
    • 🙏 Thank the Lord for Debbie's safe return to CI and for uncomplicated recoveries from injuries and illnesses. Ask for His guidance in regards to Verlin's hernia — if, when, and where to get treatment.
    • 🙏 Pray for political calm in the country. Ask our Father to lessen tensions and for an effective government effort to stop the infiltration of unauthorized foot soldiers from other nations. Pray for the safety of people who live in the regions and see armed strangers multiplying in their towns.
    • 🙏 Thank the Lord for hearing our prayers for Corbin. He began an engineering job in Alabama in mid-July! Pray for him to adjust well and find a church home.
    • 🙏 Continue to lift up our Ivoiran ministry partners all over the country. They persevere under some very trying circumstances. They learn to tap into the hidden treasure of Christ's wisdom and direction. Most introduce a strategy for evangelism and wholistic development that has never been tried in their generation before. It takes time, stamina, and insight. Your prayers make a world of difference as they share the transforming power of Christ through CHE.
Your Partners in the Gospel,
Verlin and Debbie

Check out the p.3 JPG of the 210731 Anderson Report PDF to review contributions and the ministry's 2Q-2021 expense summary.

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: Never Change - 210724 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: PA Come & Go
          - Work, Watch, Wait


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

Never Change

CHSC LINK: Never Change

35 Reasons to Change

"Never change." On the surface, that thought may seem appealing: "You have an endearing personality that I find attractive, and I want it to endure." In reality, asking someone to stay the same is counter-productive to their future and well-being. Imagine a 40-year old woman sulking and creating drama like a thirteen-year-old. Think of a 50-year old father self-absorbed and violent like a toddler. Change is inevitable. It can be the greatest of blessings if undertaken with the Spirit's filling and guidance. Sadly, stunted individuals, couples, parents, companies, and churches often refuse opportunities to change. We may cling to personal preferences and traditions rather than embrace Godly and collaborative growth.

Rupture or Repair

Besides our marriage, the importance of change struck us on other fronts this week, too. One situation entailed several hours trying to help a contemporary of our elder son own his life direction and embrace Godly change. It hurts to see his life stagnate by unwise choices and blaming others for his situation. Next was the timely message of a Christian brother. At a recent denominational meeting, he humbly described the importance of Discovery Bible Studies to effectively reach this generation for Christ by using understandings coming from Disciple Making Movements. (Message @1:30:00).

Kitchen sink repair
Lastly, Friday morning's "wasted" time was Verlin's repair of a leaky pipe under our kitchen sink (circa 1970). A local plumber failed to complete this repair four times for lack of parts. Our rented quarters exhibit other signs of disrepair. Unfortunately, the landlord has not yet recognized the importance of signing a multi-year lease before we invest chunks of funds into needed maintenance. As a result, simple fixes could spiral into costly, time-consuming events.

What is true of house repairs also applies to needed changes at home, work, and church. Each chooses to repair or rupture relationships. After watching thousands of couples in his lab for over 40 years, John Gottman discovered that all couples argue. Whether they stayed together or divorced depended on their repair skill after the argument. In his own words: "Couples that don't repair those hurts end up with festering wounds that grow bigger day by day, the month, and the year until they finally break the couple apart. Repair is absolutely crucial in any kind of relationship…." How telling that his work only reinforces Biblical commands to not let the sun go down on our wrath or leave our offering at the altar if there is unresolved conflict with another person. Rupture or repair: both are a choice for change.

Prayer & Praise

    • 🙏 Thank the Lord that our co-worker K. recovered well from typhoid fever. Neither his family nor we have contracted the illness either.
 
    • 🙏 Corbin began his new job in Alabama this week. Pray he finds reasonably priced temporary housing as he awaits a mid-August opening at an apartment complex only about four minutes from his work!
 
    • 🙏 Pray for the marriages of your missionary friends that our relationships would continue to change and thrive. Cross-cultural living and separation from family and friends take separate tolls on marital bliss.
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: "B," a Sponsor - 210717 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: PA Come & Go
          - Work, Watch, Wait


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

"B," a Sponsor

CHSC LINK: B a Sponsor

Bacteria, Boils, Belly Buttons, and Blenders

The letter “B” is a proud sponsor of this week’s update! Blessings abounded in ministry, as usual, but some of the besetting botherations we, or ministry partners, battled are bulleted below.
    • K., who works with us six days a week, tested positive for a typhoid infection this week. Ask for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery and that his family and we do not contract the bacteria as well. He helps us with food preparation, as well as helping us and others in many duties.
 
    • Debbie was homebound much of the week with a boil that made wearing shirts very painful. Thankfully vinegar compresses and turmeric paste brings healing and relief. However, the experience gave her a greater appreciation of the horror Job suffered in having boils all over his body!
 
    • Verlin has the belly-button blues. It appears a late-onset trocar site umbilical hernia has developed over the last month related to his March laparoscopic appendectomy. Although it does not require immediate attention, ask for wisdom to discern the “when and where” of possible medical care.
 
    • The blender in our kitchen is getting a workout preparing cabbage juice. Our pastor’s wife suffers from ulcers. Insufficient antibiotic treatments she received over the past year did not resolve the problem. She wanted to try natural remedies with no more antibiotics for now, and so we take her a glass of cabbage juice that she takes morning and night followed or preceded by two tablespoons of olive oil. Verlin also gave other nutritional instructions that she follows. Finally, after months of excruciating pain, she experiences a little relief. She no longer moans in her sleep. Next week we will teach the family how to prepare the juice and encourage other food choices that may help.

Sheep and Goats


Developing sheep husbandry

Although the Scripture has plenty to say about sheep and goats, that is not why they get space in this paragraph. Instead, we correct a mistake made two weeks ago about an animal husbandry project. The description is honest and successful -- we just were mistaken about the animal! Sheep, not goats, are being raised by that Community Health Evangelism (CHE) trainer in his village, where others also teach neighbors to raise them. Verlin got to see part of the work last Saturday.

210712-Livre-des-resumes-2019.jpg
2019 Scientific Congress
collection of abstracts
Imagine you never attended college, but the Lord sets an opportunity for you to share at your state’s university about a project you undertook in your town. You stand before erudite professionals of your nation and share a PowerPoint presentation. In it, you explain how the Lord gave you insight and know-how through CHE to develop a project that blesses your family and other community members. Praise God for CHE practitioners who shared in 2019 at the Scientific Congress. Some will share this September once again. They give glory to Jesus and demonstrate effective community transformation with no government funding or higher education. Trust the Lord with us for their testimony impacting many again!

Prayer & Praise

    • 🙏 Pray for CHE workers around the country who work to prepare reports for the Scientific Congress in September. For some of them, it will be their first presentation at a university. During the first Congress in 2019, several of the rural presentations gained great interest as examples of the genuine efficacy of CHE.
 
    • 🙏 Pray for K., our faithful Ivorian co-laborer, who was diagnosed with typhoid on Friday. Unfortunately, this disease is common in our region. Also, ask the Lord to give Verlin wisdom in dealing with the hernia.
 
    • 🙏 We join others praying for Cuba and Haiti, especially Christians who may be particularly vulnerable.
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: Household Rule - 210710 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: PA Come & Go
          - Work, Watch, Wait


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

Household Rule

CHSC LINK: Household Rule
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Galatians 6:10

In the Household

The righteous acts and kindness shared within the family of God are wonderful. The faithful can find “family” in faraway places during times of need. Have you ever considered the plight of people who do NOT have a ready community with millions of brothers and sisters in Christ scattered around the world? They make do with less.

As our son Corbin searches for an elusive apartment in Alabama, he faces the challenges of settling into a town where he knows no one. At least east of the Mississippi in the U.S., properties in smaller communities and rural areas are gobbled up. Little is available. Thankfully, a “household of faith” network kicked in this week to offer help. Debbie mentioned his destination town on Facebook. Within 24 hours, several friends reached out with information and contacts for him.

Widow raising food & aloe
vera with family post CVA
Similarly, in the past five days, we were able to reach out to counsel or help a recent widow, a suffering pastor’s wife, some fellow ministers, a young motorcycle accident victim, and some ministry partners needing encouragement. It is a big blessing worthy of thanksgiving to God that we are never alone, even in troubling times.

Outside the Household

Although the “household of faith” deserves a priority, it remains our privilege to help unbelievers in Jesus’ name also. This week our preferred repairman visited for three days to work on problems at our house. While adhering to another religion, he has been a dear friend for many years. Because the Lord gave Verlin medical knowledge that helped save his wife’s life after childbirth, solved a family ‘pica’ problem, and prevented an expensive surgery for him, this excellent workman soaks up Verlin’s advice on many topics. He corrected longstanding repair problems that Verlin had not had time to address and accepted again to hear Biblical truths.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray for our dear friend(s) who follow(s) other religions. We always pray that he and others will encounter Jesus in a personal way.
  • 🙏 Cara, our daughter, finishes her Master’s program at Vanderbilt in September. She expects to sell her condo and move then, too. Pray that her endurance and clear thinking hold up. Corbin is on a waiting list for an apartment. He looks for alternate living situations until one opens up. Cason and Suzanne continue to serve faithfully, too, while raising Chelsea in our changing world.
  • 🙏 Continue to pray for the pastor’s wife who is in great pain from ulcers. Unfortunately, no locally prescribed treatments seem to help. Also, remember the widows and families bereaved by accident en route to a wedding mentioned in an earlier update.
  • 🙏 Debbie’s parents progress on the road to moving, although the process is slow and wearying. Please pray for physical health and strength, as well as help when needed.
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 Choice - 210703 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: PA Come & Go
          - Work, Watch, Wait


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 Choice

CHSC LINK: The Choice

Free to Choose

One sobering truth about being free is that people can choose to become slaves again (De.15:12-17; 1Co.7:21-24; Ga.4:1-11). Conversely, rarely are slaves given a choice to be free. When things got hard in the desert, remember the Israelites begging Moses to go back to the harsh servitude of Egypt? (Nu.14:1-4; 1Co.10) The same mentality exists in us when we choose not to accept God’s gifts of salvation, gender, race, self-governance, etc. How foolish when we choose to walk our own way instead of trusting the boundaries of God’s Word. How sad when we politically devour one another instead of working together for the common good as free people in covenant rather than driven serfs. During this celebration of centuries of unparalleled liberty and opportunity in a nation-state, may we remember that our choices today affect the freedom of future generations. Happy 4th, dear friends!

Choosing to Serve

We remain regularly encouraged by the choices of fellow Ivorian CHE workers called to freely teach and serve. When recruiting Community Health Evangelism (CHE) examples to share at the scientific congress this fall, Verlin heard of these developing witnesses.

One trainer reported an outreach started years ago that continues to multiply even though he moved to another town. His goat project worked this way. He modeled how to raise the goats, then gave two goats to a trainee under an agreement that the second man would get his herd going and give two goats to a third person. Thus, each person trained is given two goats and pledges to mentor someone else, giving them two goats. The results have been outstanding.

Another trainer now presides over the Parent-Teacher Association (’Coges’) in our town. For months, he counseled the treasurer to give account for monies spent and provide receipts. The treasurer balked at the Christian instruction until a recent audit by regional leaders. He discovered that accountability could lead to the Coges receiving funds from the government to benefit students and teachers. Choosing financial accountability leads to blessing.

Choosing to Disobey

While adult examples abound, a two-year-old child of a close CHE co-worker and friend models the problems of disobedience well. Unfortunately, he chose to disobey this past Monday while passionately keeping a tube of toothpaste from his older brother. As a result, he ran out into the street near their home and was hit by a motorbike. His mother rushed him to the doctor. An x-ray revealed a cranial fracture, so our friend took him 7 hours south for a scan to show greater detail. Thankfully, the precious boy recovers, unaware of nearly having lost his life through disobedience.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray for young Josiah to recover from the accident without permanent brain injury, as is likely.
  • 🙏 Thank the Lord that our son Corbin found an engineering job. Pray for the details of him moving, finding an apartment and new church home, and settling into his new position with excellence.
  • 🙏 May each of us make choices that perpetuate spiritual and physical freedom for generations to come. May our liberty in Christ, demonstrated by good works, draw others to unite with us under Him.
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: Sweet Chariot - 210626 PDF
Prior ministry Videos: PA Come & Go
          - Work, Watch, Wait


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