Every Breath

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230729 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

All my life you have been faithful.

     All my life you have been so, so good.

With every breath that I am able,

I will sing of the goodness of God.

— (written by Ed Cash, Ben Fielding,
Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson,
Jenn Johnson; sung by Cece Winans)

Madame Daniel

Many of us have been blessed by the lyrics of “The Goodness of God.” The words lead us to reflect on the Lord’s unfailing love and kindness. ‘Every breath’ rings true for our pictured Ivorian pastor’s wife. She feels God’s goodness. For over two years, she suffered from excruciating pain of advanced ulcers while seeking relief. When two initial drug treatment protocols failed, she briefly obtained relief from cabbage juice and olive oil, which we encouraged. While we were absent for six weeks, she stopped the protocol because of the taste. Her symptoms rebounded and worsened. Several times, many of the congregation thought her likely to die. She did not improve even as the family paid more than two thousand dollars while visiting specialists in Abidjan and Abengourou. (The reported annual average income in Cote d'Ivoire now nears $2,100.) She did not improve. She confessed recently at church that she once threw a bag of new medicines that her husband brought and then accepted his gentle rebuke to not be overcome by anger. Last January, someone encouraged her to try a liquid concoction from Ghana — an all-natural product with no list of ingredients on the bottle. (It’s a combo that a friend using CHE investigates to identify the various plant compounds.) Since then, her strength began improving little by little. She continues taking the supplement daily and has resumed walking for reasonable distances. She takes up what was formerly her everyday activities at home.

In recent testimony at church, she shared that she pleaded with God during some of the worst moments. She promised that if He chose to touch her body, she would spend the rest of her life testifying publicly in praise of His goodness and grace. He did heal. She now works to use every breath to glorify Him. She walks the mile to market several times a week with tracts and shares her testimony with whoever will listen. This emanates from a quiet woman of few words! She attributes her restored health to the faithful prayers of God’s people and not giving up on God providing a cure. Her life again radiates the goodness of God. Over the months, many of you interceded, too. Thank you for faithfully praying.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Debbie also has an “every breath” word of praise this week. Since 2001, she has taken a diuretic for high blood pressure, thought to have started from a bad reaction to Mefloquine (an anti-malarial drug). It was hoped that eventually, with some dietary changes, intermittent fasting, and regular exercise, she could stop the medication. Over ten days ago, her blood pressure (BP) dropped to 105/48 mm Hg, and it seemed a good time to test the hope. Her BP appears to have stabilized in a normal range, though she continues to drink hibiscus tea daily. She thanks the Lord for the progress that will help her body in other ways. With this being his one year per decade focused on physical fitness, Verlin again sees helpful physical changes recently, dropping >30 pounds. However, a painful infection developed last week due to the environment, unresolved gynecomastia, and hyperhidrosis. It’s challenging to wear a shirt! He will seek second opinions from doctors if the inflammation fails to recede in a timeframe similar to the prior knee infection.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 We have yet to find a non-Ivorian resident CHE trainer for the university. However, we will connect with two possibilities this weekend. Pray for a yes response or the adaptive wisdom to best divide the highly experienced trainers with whom we coordinate amidst five rather than four classrooms.
   
• 🙏 Pray Verlin’s infection on the torso heals. We would rather not spend time to see a doctor!
   
• 🙏 A CHE trainer can travel to Ghana or Togo for an in-depth apprenticeship on producing mycelium locally to raise mushrooms should he meet the criteria to receive a grant. Pray the details work out.
  

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: Trial and Error
        - 230715 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story
 

2023 Q1 Report: Pruning Priorities
  -  2nd Q 2023 Report 230722 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