Keep Watch

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230325 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Christians must always expect and prepare to stand alone in allegiance with Christ exceptionally. Such times are inevitable due to sin, but usually, our call is to keep watch over each other in community. Jesus faced the cross in terrible isolation—especially when forsaken by His Father to take the penalty of our sins. Still, most of His traveling ministry occurred surrounded by His disciples. He secluded Himself for many hours to pray but sent His disciples out two by two. How telling that He asked His closest friends to keep watch with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:37-38) before enduring the agonies of betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. The Twelve were unready for the traumatic events that unfolded despite Jesus’ attempts to prepare them. One topic covered in the CHE Internship this week involved helping others through long-term trauma recovery. Worldwide, CHE ministries endeavor to be on the frontline helping when pandemics occur and where traumatic evils like human trafficking exist.

Interns studied many other topics, including micro-enterprise development (MED) with practical applications like soap–making and sack gardens. An experienced businessman and his wife from the US facilitated the MED discussions, providing practical examples from his life experience. A prolific writer of CHE lessons and trainer in Mexico rose during the wee hours of her morning to advocate for Children’s CHE by Zoom. Dr. Jody’s insights help many CHE teams worldwide to begin ministries among children.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Cape Coast, Ghana

One way Verlin could keep watch with regional CHE Internship Center developments that inform programs in Cote d’Ivoire came by chauffeuring Dayo, the Internship director, along with the businessman and his wife, who represented Heartbeat for Africa (HBA). They had asked for advice in pursuing possible land purchases in the Cape Coast area. Ghana experiences similar difficulties in the legal management of land as Cote d’Ivoire: people who are not citizens have limited options. The two national systems work out tensions between tribal and family-based land controls and the Roman system. The latter provides centralized government controls to enable long-term ownership and invite international investments. Though outsiders get told they can buy land, the more truthful description is that they will likely obtain a long-term lease if not deceived into paying the wrong person for a lot. Despite challenges, the visiting couple from the States secured good connections for advice in purchasing with Dayo’s and Verlin’s help.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Ask the Lord to help all of us be aware and committed to keep watch with individuals He puts in our sphere of influence. May His Spirit guide us to effectively minister to the traumatized or those facing hard times or new experiences.
  
  
• 🙏 Pray the provision of regular funding and scholarships continues and expands the CHE Internship program. That request made, we know participants need to participate financially beyond giving their time. Most of the young who attend now have little hope of paying for the total package. In reality, finding means to share expenses equitably remains the subject of serious discussions between leadership and interns who find common bonds despite inheriting separate colonial belief systems.
  
  
• 🙏 Last week the email service we use to send this update failed to send our content on Saturday. They sent it Sunday. So, Verlin changed our payment plan with iContact in case the snafu repeats this week or a review does not occur speedily. Hopefully, this problem will not repeat itself.

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 - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

Prior: Good Way
        - 230318 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story

2022 Q3 & Q4 Reports: Reckon
  -  3Q|4Q 2022 Report 230121 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

Good Way

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230318 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

— (I Samuel 12:23-24)

Meetings officially began at the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) Internship in Ghana on March 13. Dayo Obaweya’s introductory comments to those assembled proceeded from the passage above in I Samuel 12. The heart of CHE is to pursue the good and right way in every aspect of life. Verlin summarized some of Dayo’s encouraging and challenging remarks in his notes as follows:

Africans live surrounded by abundant resources, but we fail to profit because we do not connect with them. God is the greatest of our resources. It is to Him we need to be connected. We need to connect people with Him and the resources He has created. We must transfer knowledge to the people who need it and who can use it. To be relevant in the present dispensation, one must know the good and right way. A core value of CHE is learning life’s integration of physical and spiritual, emotional and social truth for living. To teach something well, you must first learn to practice it yourself. Also, people learn best when observing it done. Dayo shared the story of a friend pastor receiving many people who sought gifts of food and supplies. He advised his friend to shorten his Sunday morning sermons and teach something people could use to earn their way. As a result, the church building began filling an hour early for the eight a.m. service! Today the church members give well.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Help with mushroom production

After arriving safely for the Internship training and helping the two groups of Ivorian trainers settle in, Verlin set himself to accomplish another goal. Our Ivorian brother from Bondoukou, who devotes time to Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) while teaching the utility of moringa leaf powder and raising mushrooms, needed an enlarged vision. Three visits to persons with varied experiences cultivating mushrooms gave him many insights. One person’s advice led him to the Ghanaian national center providing spores and technical training. The trip alongside other CHE practitioners allowed him to meet with people of more excellent experiences while also rubbing shoulders with CHE Internship Center participants seeking to sharpen their skill sets. Verlin sent him on his way home Wednesday, full of new ideas and inspiration. He now has over 250 people with whom to collaborate in mushroom production, many of whom agree to participate or have already begun Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) with family and friends.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord with us for a great beginning to the 2023 CHE Internship. While the count is not final, seventeen brothers and sisters currently participate, besides those facilitating lessons. Pray the participants will gain a vision for greater fruitfulness with the confidence of God providing for ministry.
  
  
• 🙏 Verlin’s knee has shown marked improvement this week. He now wears pants without wrapping a bandage about the left knee to limit sensitivity and drainage.
  
  
• 🙏 Continue to pray for our Ivorian colleague who suffers from typhoid and chicken pox. A friend Verlin asked to visit reported him recovering well.
  

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 - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

Prior: She Could
        - 230311 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story

2022 Q3 & Q4 Reports: Reckon
  -  3Q|4Q 2022 Report 230121 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

She Could

PDF Version: 
AWA Weekly 230311 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

During the time our current world system exalted International Women’s Week, Deb reflected on a subject we have often discussed: how our Savior uplifted females during His ministry and teaching while He walked the earth. He recognized the equal worth of women in managing creation while accomplishing different roles in remarkable ways, considering the 1st-century Greco-Roman culture. He appeared to women first after His resurrection. He extolled their right to approach Him when others attempted to exclude or denigrate the ways ladies served and worshipped Jesus. One moving example was His tender acceptance of the woman who anointed His feet with a costly fragrance in Mark 14. While some present scolded her, Jesus praised her action with two bold proclamations to inspire women everywhere. First, He said she “did what she could” to prepare His body for burial. Next, He assured all hearers that her lavish worship would be recounted everywhere the Gospel is shared. No effort or sacrifice for the Lord goes unnoticed. In addition, He only expects us to do what we can do in our circumstances. We are sanctified from glory to glory over time. What a comfort to women who feel unimportant or inadequate. With our Lord’s help, she feels what each can do is enough to please Him!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Some CHE practitioners we influence

Crossing into Ghana consumed double the time planned for Verlin and his passengers on Thursday. The paperwork took three hours to complete despite Tuesday’s preparatory visits to the newly reopened border having expended more than half that day's twelve daylight hours. Another hour expired as they got phone chips to stay connected with family, friends, and associates. Driving to the coastal Accra region took twelve hours, with speed limits reduced to 50 mph on rural highway stretches and 30 mph in villages, towns, and cities where the road remains a two-lane highway. Sadly, the reserved rooms were unavailable due to a scheduling snafu. Substitute accommodations got found within two hours by 1 AM. The twenty waking hours made for a long first day, but we rejoice for safe travel, relationships developed, and better fuel economy!

Debbie enjoyed spending three and a half days with her parents in Franklin, Tennessee. She did what she felt she could in handling errands for them, helping them find solutions to issues with their apartment and progress in obtaining medical equipment. They always find grace while helpfully reminiscing about their early years in Cote d’Ivoire and how God has grown His kingdom over the decades since then. Debbie also visited ministry partners and collected equipment and supplies for her joining Verlin in Cote d’Ivoire. Because Verlin anticipates staying in Ghana until early April due to ongoing strategic CHE ministry instruction and visits, Debbie’s flight ticket schedules her April 11 departure from Nashville to arrive in Abidjan on April 12.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord, Verlin safely drove three passengers to Accra. They continued to the internship training site on Saturday and arrived before we sent this update. Pray that families of all students and trainers from various African nations stay healthy and safe during their absence from family and other local partners in ministry.
  
  
• 🙏 Debbie has time-sensitive medical and other appointments that now need to happen quickly. Pray those details and her ability to complete them, along with several ongoing projects, align in the next three weeks.
  
  
• 🙏 Our Ivorian co-worker watching the Bondoukou storage/sleep quarters and dog in our absence has typhoid and chicken pox! Please pray with us for his speedy healing.

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 - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

Prior: Wheel Watcher
        - 230304 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story

2022 Q3 & Q4 Reports: Reckon
  -  3Q|4Q 2022 Report 230121 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

Wheel Watcher

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230304 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

In the 1980s, Wheel of Fortune advertisers came up with a catchy song for people who enjoyed the puzzle game show. “I’m a wheel watcher, I’m a wheel watcher, every day...” The prophet Ezekiel could have adopted a similar ditty when he observed the angelic beings who resembled a “wheel within a wheel.” In general, though, we tend to think more of the angelic hosts being avid wheel watchers of us, our vehicles, and overall safety. How we thank the Lord for protection! Once, a wheel rolled off our first Toyota as Verlin drove some short-term team friends from the airport. He safely pulled to the roadside and watched a wheel roll away! Over the years, people have joked that we probably have given hernias to some angels assigned duty to our family!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

This week was, and next week will be, a literal wheel watcher time for us. After twelve excellent days in Michigan, Debbie safely reached home this past Wednesday afternoon. She connected with ten different ministry individuals or groups of partners and enjoyed the company of Verlin’s family.

Verlin's knee on Thursday

Verlin anticipates being an avid wheel watcher of the HiLux when he heads midweek for Ghana to arrive at the CHE internship center next Saturday. COVID border crossing restrictions have finally lifted, so our vehicle can be driven across the borders to other W. African states again! Internship participants from Cote d’Ivoire will likely ride with him. He goes to grow with them as one of several CHE trainers assigned to facilitate lessons. Per his report, the knee infection heals and now permits a full range of motion, but it still looks gnarly (see the picture). He kneeled on it for the first time in 12 days yesterday. High stepping stretches the sensitive new skin, which still gets irritated by pant legs. We pray it will improve before the long trip. Verlin began driving around town without pain Friday. He will test it out during a roundtrip drive of 320 miles with a day’s rest between the drives. The trip is needed to complete inspections for the vehicle’s annual vehicle registration renewal.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Verlin expects to leave midweek for Ghana with CHE Internship students. Pray his left knee heals enough to drive the long distance comfortably. Ask for the safe journeys of all travelers coming from various countries and Spirit-filled teaching sessions during March 13-31.
  
  
• 🙏 Pray for some revisions of local churches that train teens and adults to use Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) in the Bondoukou area during the month of March.
  
  
• 🙏 Our younger son Corbin began his new engineering job this week. He’s appreciated prayers for smooth adjustments at work and we ask the Lord to grant him a good apartment nearby work.
  
  
• 🙏 Debbie thanks the Lord for exceptionally good traveling weather to and from Michigan. Also, pray that she will be useful and an encouragement to her parents when she visits them next week.

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 - specifying Verlin and Debbie Anderson in the optional Memo.

Prior: Housemates
        - 230225 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story

2022 Q3 & Q4 Reports: Reckon
  -  3Q|4Q 2022 Report 230121 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