Trial and Error

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 230715 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Our 1986 Engagement Picture

This week we commemorate our 37th wedding anniversary in 41 years of learning about and with one another! Having lived on separate continents and having been exposed to various other cultures while growing up, we often vary in viewpoint. So, we use trial and error to peaceably resolve the differences. The varied experiences and ideas broaden our capacities in ministry, though some issues still spark minor tiffs. Our commitment to see all people saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim 2:4) by using Community Health Evangelism (CHE) provides many reasons to find the One Mind guiding us both.

In recent years, a related and now joint pursuit takes a good portion of the time. In CHE, we teach that salvation brings individuals shalom, or peace, with God, themselves, their neighbors, and the Creation. Sometimes we focus so much on our relationships with God and others or using the Creation that we do not adequately care for ourselves to keep going in our earthly temples. We research and test responses to physical problems with plant and food-based solutions. Some efforts have been resoundingly successful, even widely adopted by others. Examples of victories include the following:

 • moringa for vitamins and minerals,
 • cassava flour for baking,
 • turmeric to counter inflammation,
 • homemade sauerkraut to improve gut health,
 • papaya leaf tea for malaria prevention,
 • hibiscus tea to lower blood pressure,
 • homemade bone broth gelatin for joint and skin health,
 • and intermittent fasting.

Other efforts still need tweaking or an overhaul! This process of trial and error finding solutions resonates for any married couple or group working to implement CHE and for other life decisions or ministries.

The plants growing in the yard also exemplify our differing viewpoints. Debbie wants some flowers just because they are pretty. Verlin appreciates beauty but only wants plants in the yard with known medicinal or nutritional benefits. Thankfully, most plants like bougainvillea, hibiscus, marigolds, and roses are functional AND beautiful! (Debbie still seeks to confirm health benefits for morning glories and tropical flowers like bromeliad and angel’s trumpet!) Thus far, we have grown the following trees in the 1500 sq feet of available yard: avocado, banana, lime, grapefruit, mango, moringa, orange, papaya, plantain, palm, soursop, and we retry to grow guava. Flowering plants include hibiscus, phyllanthus amarus, bougainvillea, pansies, nettle, aloe, and amaranth. Spices include garlic, green onion, ginger, red pepper, mint, basil, citronella, turmeric, and parsley. Red cabbage grows for the first time, but recently-planted noni seeds failed. In addition, we have yet to identify some locally eaten plants! All this effort is made to improve our health and lives and that of those who are willing to trust God’s provision for healthy self-care over their own.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Trial and error apply to African CHE trainers who themselves cross ethnic and denominational lines. A CHE trainer from a church and work tradition where leaders tell the congregation what to do finds it hard to work within the group decision-making model of some ethnic groups. CHE trainers from Baptist congregational experience resent and resist CHE trainers who try to advance using authoritarian approaches in their projects. The source of conflict is frequently unrecognized by participants and gets misdiagnosed for lack of understanding. Our life experiences help them as we have had to work through similar events in marriage. Praise God that abundant life in Jesus overcomes cultural divides when issues get appropriately handled!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for the expansion and success of the CHE ministry reaching out to lepers. CHE practitioners continue a cycle of training for people involved in the outreach.
   
• 🙏 Pray that CHE trainers successfully overcome cultural barriers as they minister to people with different beliefs and traditions.
  

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: Slippery Slope
        - 230708 PDF
Prior Videos: Reflect and Rejoice
        - The Great Story
 

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

AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Cote d'Ivoire where we serve.

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