Unshakeable

CHSC LINK: Unshakeable
PDF Version: Anderson Report 210731

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...
—— Hebrews 12:28

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

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