Reckon

PDF Version:

Anderson Report 230121

RECKON

Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them. — Hudson Taylor

Debbie recently read the above Hudson Taylor quote in the dedication of an autobiography. The book chronicled the ministries established or strengthened in Africa, Nepal, and India by one of our dear college friends. She decided to act and intervene after turning forty and with the encouragement of her husband. She had to reckon on our Lord's power and presence to accomplish many exploits in partnership with national believers in those countries.

As a new year gets underway, we all would do well to pause and consider life within the wonderful presence of our Lord. When reckoning His provision for obedient servants, we will ourselves be more than conquerors no matter what 2023 holds! No effort remains daunting when God is in it (hymn).

RECKON THAT HIS TEACHING PERMEATES
    (see Bread and Outside)

W.Africans trained to reach
their unreached neighbors.

November 7-11, along with two other Ivorian CHE trainers, we trained more than 20 W. African missionaries and a few local church leaders in Abidjan. These spent the entire week preparing to integrate Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) into their ministries. Most of these brothers and sisters begin their missionary careers in varied locations starting in January 2023. Their eager participation, questions, warm hospitality, and evident desire to be effective for the Lord gave us cause to rejoice.

After the training, over a quarter of participants approached with nutrition and health questions. Verlin counseled and helped one lady who had suffered from a skin ailment for years. Within days, significant improvements were made using the products and processes that Verlin recommended. Others eagerly learned to make papaya leaf tea to prevent malaria and began understanding the many benefits of integrating moringa leaves into their diet. As the week concluded, we had excellent discussions with the director and founder about the possibility of regularly hosting CHE trainings at the center. The staff and their mission plan to overcome their known logistical and financial barriers.

RECKON THAT HIS TIMING PREPARES
    (see Counting Costs)

Deb's new CPAP machine

A recent weekly post at https://awaupdates.blogspot.com mentioned Debbie's CPAP machine getting stolen from an African taxi and the subsequent hassles we encountered trying to replace it. We had anticipated that once the new machine reached the hands of family in Tennessee, we would have it shipped by UPS or DHL to Abidjan. However, on verifying shipping options, several red flags popped up. First, even if the machine arrived within a week, none could assure that customs would not hold the equipment for days or months. Such happens with rarely-seen equipment requiring special documentation. Secondly, insurance regulations now require that users rent their CPAP for the first three months. If the unit got lost or damaged in transport, we would obligingly pay personally for the machine and a replacement. Thirdly, the minimal cost for shipping was within $100 of Debbie traveling to and from the States with the device!

Therefore, we opted for her to return to Tennessee on December 10. Since there, she has seen family for Christmas, had COVID, and now assists at the CHSC orientation of new missionaries in Texas, January 15-25. She expects to visit ministry partners and family in Michigan in February and arrive in Cote d'Ivoire at March's end. However, her planned return may be delayed to early April as Verlin will likely spend March in Ghana for the CHE Internship training. Debbie also expects to spend days with her parents, who endured a physically challenging 2022.

RECKON THAT TRUSTING IN HIM PREVAILS
    (see In & Out and Under the Wire)

The cited ministry reports reveal that Christ keeps getting lifted up in public settings like universities and that denominational efforts continue to gain traction and footing.

RECKON THAT HIS TREASURES PROVIDE
    (see Hidden Team)

One marvel of missional living is watching the Lord provide through other servants. Thank you to the many who have spent 24 years partnering with us to bring salvation in Christ and His abundant life to people living in Cote d'Ivoire!

Because our financial reporting got mismatched to last year's news, this shorter newsletter provides information for two quarters of 2022. Your generous provision in tough times helps us start 2023 in a position to share documentation more and further facilitate church planting movements. It also makes possible repairs or changes related to our housing.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

• 🙏 Praise the Lord that we can reckon upon His character and resources as sufficient to meet daily needs!

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for the W. African missionaries trained to use Community Health Evangelism strategies. Most go to their places of service this month. Pray as they settle into locations and reconnoiter the Lord's direction.

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that Deb's replacement CPAP works well and that she and Corbin recovered from COVID easily. Continue praying they and Verlin recover full strength.

• 🙏 Several Ivorian CHE trainers are preparing to attend the CHE internship training in Ghana in March. However, before crossing the border, they must complete some studies together in Cote d'Ivoire. Verlin will spend days in the coming weeks helping candidates prepare.

• 🙏 The lady for whom we requested prayer due to her kidney insufficiency died recently. Many in her extended family remain unsaved. Pray they will come to Christ.

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that we were given our 5-year residence papers in record time. It was a better experience, despite the price inflating from about $70 to over $550 each!

 

Your Partners in the Gospel,

Verlin and Debbie

Check out the 3Q 2022 JPG and the 4Q 2022 JPG of the Anderson Report 230121 if you wish to review contributions and the ministry's 3Q & 4Q, 2022 expense summaries.

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 - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

 

Prior Weekly: Goodbye Grief - 230114 PDF
Prior Videos: Rejoice and Reflect
        - The Great Story

 

2022 Q2 Report: Someone Greater
  -  2022 2Q 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

 

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Family pics taken since choosing to serve as missionaries.