Yes, No, Later

CHSC LINK: Yes, No, Later
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 220827 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Yes, no, or later. Our Heavenly Father always answers the prayers of His obedient children in one of these ways. What a wonder! The Creator of the universe stoops to hear our cries. At times, though, the problem is that we do not accept with trusting hearts the timing or the answer He chooses to give. Yes exhilarates; no discourages; later fatigues. How sad when we doubt the goodness of the One who sees our lives from first to final breath. No matter the evil rampant in our world, He alone is good. As Matthew 7:11 explains, if sinful humans like us know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more our perfect Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask!

Baby Tabitha

Of the choices yes, no, or later, we all receive thousands more yes answers than we merit. Attached is the picture of our CHE partner’s new daughter, Tabitha. We asked you to pray for her safe, uncomplicated later delivery, which the Lord graciously granted. You also prayed for our sense of stress regarding an overwhelming number of tasks to accomplish for the upcoming university training. The Lord made an Ivoirian CHE trainer available, who we were happy to pay for ten days of work to print lessons and deliver them to trainers. With three of us working nonstop for two weeks, we now feel closer to the finish line with our responsibilities. There are still many tasks to complete before September 5th, but meeting most goals seems in the realm of possibilities. Also, the renovation of the Gilgal Center, where the CHE team expects to lodge, is progressing well. We do not have to look for a secondary place to stay!

Responses of “no” from our Father can seem harsh. We grieved to recently learn of a teen girl molested and now with an infant to rear despite prayers for her protection. In another case, a Christian wife abandoned her husband and children for another man. Pray with us that these heartbreaking situations will later develop responses of repentance and victory.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

While completing over 100 hours of CHE preparations split among three people this week, we also moved forward with planning another CHE training in early November. That planning occurred as we learned of two other villages interested in training in mid-Cote d’Ivoire and an NGO of over 3,000 women in Abidjan who desire CHE micro-enterprise training. None of these latter demands relate to prior program initiatives, and those represent contacts of just one CHE trainer. Ask the Lord to help us discern priorities as we begin to fill in CHE activities from now into next year. Yes, no, or later are answers to consider for scattered sites requesting help. We expect two agricultural trainings in our region will also be added to the calendar.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 CHE trainers will arrive at the end of next week from France, Nigeria, and the interior of Cote d’Ivoire. Pray for safe travels, good health, and team coherence.

• 🙏 Thank the Lord with us for the assistance we received from the CHE trainer who worked for a week with us, helping prepare the university lessons. His efforts were a gift when we felt overwhelmed with tasks.

• 🙏 Many vulnerable Ivoirian young women endure abuse while living in extended family homes or with strangers when they leave home for high school and college. Also, it is not unusual for professors to ask for sexual favors in exchange for passing grades. Pray that families within the Church awaken to view their oversight responsibilities and assist in changing attitudes toward these girls.

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 & Out
        - 220822 PDF
Prior Videos: The Great Story
        - Lasting Footrints

2022 1Q Report: The Persevering
  -  2022 1Q Anderson Report 220521 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-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

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

In & Out

CHSC LINK: In & Out
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 220822 PDF

In & Out (Psalm 121:8)

We are not talkin' the burger restaurant but about our last ten days of getting in & out of cities, contexts, and connections. Thankfully, the Lord watches over our coming in and going out now and forevermore, as Psalm 121:8 reminds us.

Taste and See of Cities (Psalm 34:8)

Although the trip from Cookeville to Newark to Brussels and Abidjan renewed the conviction that the more things change, the more they stay the same, I (Verlin) cannot state that with the same certainty concerning the amount of evidence accumulating in Cote d'Ivoire. Things change around us at a pace not seen in the U.S. since our grandparents' generation witnessed transport passing from the horse and buggy age to rockets and space exploration. Ivorian communities move from huts to high rises within a generation. The vibrant holistic witness of Jesus changing lives physically and spiritually at the same time through CHE helps. New believers learn to separate good understandings retained from their history before knowing Jesus as God from the captivating, deceptive beliefs that they must release. The journey for us from the U.S. to the RCI is as spiritual as it is physical. We hear in voices and see in works stark contrasts as one society publicly rejects God, and another seeks Him with increasing earnestness.

While going in & out of Abidjan, Abengourou, Goumere, and Bondoukou, one or both of us met with active and passive CHE trainers. We affirmed for some workers that the number of CHE programs seeing individual conversions to Christ tripled from 20 to over 60 between Nov 2019 and June 2021. Several trainers revealed specific programs by NGOs and denominations to more than triple the number of existing programs again. Current commitments heard since our return lead Verlin to anticipate that the 60+ programs known to exist today will again triple or even multiply faster than that by the end of 2023, if the Lord tarries His return. The number grows to where it will be impossible for us to annually visit and encourage individual ministry programs. Praise God!

Come and See about Contexts (Psalm 66:5)

One conversation we enjoyed is accompanied by prayerful supplications for a CHE brother's effectiveness and protection. As we visited U.S. churches to find called-out ministry partners in 1997 and 1998, we explained that Cote d'Ivoire is an influential hub of Francophone Africa. When Ivorians convert, they massively influence the rest of French-speaking Africa. We continue to see that influence now. The proven and measured work by a national CHE leader we have much influenced, and who influences us, grants him hearers in other nations. The experiences gained in Cote d'Ivoire send him to testify to practical Ivorian soul winning in medical and pastoral contexts within Nigeria, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC-Kinshasa) this quarter and next.

In Free Will Baptist circles, the annual national assembly happened in Bondoukou the same week we were home unpacking and repacking for the September 5-9 CHE exposition training that influences so many salvations seen here. During the five hours that Verlin was able to visit and equip other trainers, he warmly greeted and exchanged with many people there who passionately strive per their callings to know Jesus and make Him known. God even arranged for one leader we helped disciple between 2006 and 2011 to ride with us to Abidjan as he returned to his ministry location. God grows our circles of influence, but we remain thankful and appreciative of these dear to our hearts and experience. Even a pastor who left the denomination for more significant income paid by another movement returned to FWBs. Debbie taught him in Sunday School when he was young. Few leave their circles of natal influence without sensing intense loss. (I Corinthians 7:20)

Come and See concerning Connections (Proverbs 27:17)

Reserve your place here

All the quick travel lets us link people, examples, and lessons together. We scramble in & out among Ivorians to prepare for the 9th edition of the state university's CHE strategy exposition. More than 30 of the 128 lessons assigned to trainers are printed, reviewed, and distributed since Thursday of last week. Today more than half will be served. Lodging and food plans for the 15 trainers and 1 visitor are in process. Even a French national's short-term non-CHE sports evangelism outreach is being arranged as his wife will share with Ivorians at the university how CHE strategies get used in urban communities of France.

Fortunately, God blessed us with 5-6 hours of sleep each night during the last 7 days, despite having driven far more than the 700 miles. Unfortunately, travel and activities this weekend prevented us from posting our update on time. We returned to Abidjan at midnight Sunday AM and shared several hours later during morning worship with some active Baptist CHE partners, followed by scheduling meetings with others beginning today, Monday. Thank you for your patience, but know that the next month may prove challenging to meet our goal of publishing news by 5 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Saturdays. We will keep making an effort, though. Our co-laborers and we need your prayers and continued partnership in sharing by word of mouth and giving! Your participation is a crucial part of the Lord's toolset that keeps our in & out ministry pumping life-giving water to thirsty souls while also encouraging ministries that multiply saints living for Jesus.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Praise the Lord for lives saved both temporally and for eternity because Stan Rowland, G.C., and David Drake taught us how to use CHE in 1998 when Free Will Baptists first sent us to fulfill Christ's clarion call made by the Field Council in Cote d'Ivoire.

• 🙏 Satan works hard to sift believers here, given the advances made by the Kingdom of Light against spiritual darkness (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 5:8). Pray that God continues to send out Ivorian laborers to reap African harvests of souls.

• 🙏 During in & out visits with our local Bondoukou pastor and his wife, we became aware of her worsening ulcer condition (and possible hiatal or gastric hernia). Months of treatment by medications in Abidjan did not help her heal. She is worse than last year when pursuing nutritional remedies provided her at home. Pray that we have opportunity to assist her body to heal again beginning in 5-7 weeks when we return home. Her situation is grave.

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: Under the Wire
        - 220813 PDF
Prior Videos: The Great Story
        - Lasting Footrints

2022 1Q Report: The Persevering
  -  2022 1Q Anderson Report 220521 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-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

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Under the Wire

CHSC LINK: Under the Wire
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 220813 PDF

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Just under the wire. Like us, has your faith in God grown as you observe the myriad of times He responds and provides at the last earthly minute? We definitely felt under the wire when we arrived to check in at the Nashville airport Tuesday morning. Someone informed us of an embargo on passenger luggage for the first time in over 22 years of traveling to Cote d’Ivoire. That required us to get rid of one bag, adding pounds here and there to our other bags. Nothing like scattering your belongings for the whole world to see! Thankfully, the rest of the trip was mostly uneventful, except for one passenger who took offense at Verlin greeting him at the beginning of a flight. Verlin does not think he was sober.

ARC en Christ Centre Gilgal dedicated
to restoring marital bliss in Christ

Our feeling of being under the wire was nothing compared to our Ivoirian friends we mentioned a few weeks ago. As you may recall, flooding caused them to move from the initial location of their marriage restoration ministry abruptly. The Lord provided a new site to serve Abidjan in July, but it requires much work before being ready. They aim to prepare the three-story building to receive the Community Health Evangelism and Community Health Engagement (CHE) team by September 2nd. Talk about under the wire, especially with inevitable delays during African building renovations! Nevertheless, we rejoiced to see the newly procured property yesterday renamed the Gilgal Center. It will be a miracle of the Lord’s grace and favor to have everything ready. Such grace is something their team has experienced many times in past years and counts on again.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

After we arrived in Cote d’Ivoire late Wednesday night, we stayed in Abidjan for two and a half days to meet with people and run errands. Sunday, we hope to arrive home in Bondoukou. Pray for us as we quickly check on people, property, and pets. Immediately, we must unpack, regroup, and repack for a stay in Abidjan longer than a month—all in less than a week. Arriving on African soil not long before the September CHE university training is problematic, even though the time in the States was necessary for surgical and dental recoveries. Under the wire does not even begin to communicate how pressed we feel. Pray for calm hearts, clear thinking, and concrete progress.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Rejoice with us for safe travels back to Cote d’Ivoire! Despite hiccups along the way, the Lord graciously allowed us and our luggage to arrive intact.

• 🙏 Praise the Lord for providing a new location for our friends’ marriage restoration ministry! Pray they can accomplish repairs and set up their new location in the next three weeks. Strength and resources will be taxed to the limit, but their trust in the Lord is strong. Lodging and feeding the CHE trainers in early September will be their first event at the new location.

• 🙏 This week, the second Ivoirian CHE training occurred, dedicated to equipping communities to recognize and treat lepers. Teams at a total of 60 locations will be trained to use CHE. Pray that experienced trainers make themselves available to help encourage the newer trainers to undertake this enormous and excellent task over the next year.

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: Well Blessed
        - 220806 PDF
Prior Videos: The Great Story
        - Lasting Footrints

2022 1Q Report: The Persevering
  -  2022 1Q Anderson Report 220521 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-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

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page

Well Blessed

CHSC LINK: Well Blessed
PDF Version: AWA Weekly 220806 PDF

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Troubled, but not distressed; perplexed, but not despaired; pressed but not crushed. The Apostle Paul shared these perspectives in 2 Corinthians 4:8 (KJV, NIV). While never stoned, beaten, or shipwrecked like Paul, we have lived through difficulties in cross-cultural ministry, including threats of violence by armed men, unexpected displacements due to wars, cheaters, liars, and other unsavory characters. Those events create typically brief traumatic damages that can be evaded or overcome with insightful planning gained over a lifetime. We have also experienced confusion beyond that caused by betrayal. However, none compare to the whirlwind pressures associated with moving while maintaining goods and responsibilities in the States.

Living with a light hold on earthly goods is necessary but difficult to achieve while training family to manage what God makes available to our hands. There is no substitute for learning to manage creation other than our managing of things to prevent circumstances from managing the individual. We cannot teach others to manage their lives as well blessed by God if we have not effectively managed ourselves. Controlling the distribution of earthly goods and services remains a top power play of tyrants to press, confuse, and attempt to crush others. Knowing how to do more with less at times remains a critical life skill exemplified by Jesus in the lifestyle He taught the disciples.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

There are few times we feel so busy as this past week when we ready ourselves again to change continents for life and ministry. The past hundred days in the U.S. due to surgery were a blessing. As a good friend who bush hogs our property shared Thursday, he lives well blessed. So do we. We look forward to returning Wednesday to Cote d’Ivoire. There, we must hastily regroup and regain lost ground in planning. Failure to accommodate others’ time pressures on the part of several people (including us!) during our May - July stint in the U.S. limits possibilities. The challenges of the university training scheduled for September 5-9 proved impossible to meet while taking care of all our varied U.S. citizen, church, and family responsibilities. Verlin expressed to our youngest son yesterday that this challenge is why we sold our Nashville house in 1998. Managing goods that we hold and services to maintain them takes time. However, as we approach retirement age in the coming decade, it is necessary to plan for life on both continents in this time of life. We grow increasingly well blessed with friends, partners, and favor having had the opportunity to speak or testify in seven different churches of Middle Tennessee. We also enjoyed conversations with family and friends. We have even begun new friendships during numerous necessary transactions.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Praise the Lord with us for the safe birth of our closest CHE worker’s daughter! We thank God for her blessed and uneventful arrival, especially since birthing tragedies regularly occur when babies are overdue in our area.

• 🙏 Pray for safe and uneventful travels for us on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• 🙏 Pray for the many complicated preparations for the university CHE training in September.

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: Flooded Part2
        - 220730 PDF
Prior Videos: The Great Story
        - Lasting Footrints

2022 1Q Report: The Persevering
  -  2022 1Q Anderson Report 220521 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-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

Debbie's Facebook Page

Verlin's Facebook Page