Bitter Water

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230617 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

We have sympathized with Israel's circumstances in Exodus 15 for the past two weeks. After the Lord's amazing deliverance at the Red Sea, the Israelites arrived at Marah, where only bitter water was available. The people complained. Moses cried out to the Lord for help. God's remedy consisted of throwing a tree into the water, transforming the bitter water into sweet!

Over the centuries, people have wondered which tree had such a transformative property. A comment left by the editor of a study Bible Verlin reads through occasionally speculated that the tree was a matured moringa since moringa seed cakes are known to purify surface water like alum. What an interesting thought for those with moringa trees growing in their yards, even in colder climates. More encouraging is that in the chapter, God identified Himself to His people as Jehovah Rapha, 'the Lord Who Heals.' He also promised that if they obeyed His commands, none of the diseases that ravaged the Egyptians would be their destiny. Today, in locations where CHE strategies get used worldwide, the Lord continues to heal His people through the plethora of remedies furnished from His creation.

Tree and drying seed pods

The story of Marah's bitter water resonates today in Bondoukou. Our city has added water sources to prepare for the university expected to open in 2024. Until this month, we enjoyed the terrific tasting, deep well, or aquifer water. Sadly, those sources are insufficient for the demands. For years, boreholes for water were drilled. In the last two years, pipes were laid to carry water from a barrage of runoff rain or surface water. Now, many complain about the bitter water. Even passing through our three-filter system in the kitchen, the bitterness remains strong. Debbie uses moringa seeds to soften the taste. They help a little. In time, we expect water specialists will find additional ways, like moringa seed cakes, to make the water palatable.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

This week, Verlin traveled to Abidjan to meet with the CHE university planning team and to obtain supplies. The team is progressing in preparing for September's congress and training. Debbie completed the first several-stage process to assemble CHE lessons into single-hour formats for the university's level one training. Verlin expects to check the content. Then, a second round of edits will begin, followed by a third and possibly a fourth. We also enjoyed introducing CHE to a single mother who seems interested in getting involved. On a national scale, we were pleased to know that the dedicated Ivorian CHE trainer with whom we regularly collaborate has been recommended to serve as RESCOF's West African Representative Council Member of the Global CHE Network.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray the bitter water in Bondoukou provides good witnessing opportunities for the discerning.
   
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for Debbie completing the first editing stage and combining CHE lessons for the university programs. Pray we manage to make speedy progress in the subsequent steps.
   
• 🙏 Pray for newly appointed deacons and elders at the FWB church we frequent when here. They are the first to serve so at that location. Also, as money comes in, the congregation builds a parsonage beside the church. Church members anticipate expanding their neighborhood ministry.
  

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: On the Way
        - 230610 PDF
Prior Videos: The Great Story
     - Reflect and Rejoice
 

2023 Q1 Report: Go, Stay, Give
  -  1st 2023 Report 230513 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-Budget.pdf
 
  Something to ask? Write updates@verlindeb.org

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