Frail Children

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 231007 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

—Robert Grant

We love the old hymn "O Worship the King" (fourth verse above). Frankly, the truths in the song resonate more now than when we sang it as children. Maybe it is because we feel more aches and pains from passing decades of being "frail children of dust." Or perhaps we are just more in tune with our human limitations and His infinite grandeur and capacities. Either way, the shoe fits!

The past two years have been busy, and the busyness seems to increase as we age. We also encounter challenges from the COVID-19 era that need addressing to engage for the next eight to fifteen years confidently. Debbie continues to deal with suspected long COVID effects from her second bout in December 2022. As Verlin started walks to get to over 8 miles several days a week now, (less than half of his 2019 walk capacity in a day), he endured foot and knee injuries. It is also possible that passing symptoms related to his reaction to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine received in early 2022 still dog him, though  unrecognized. As the Ivorian CHE ministry continues to thrive and our presence still stokes the fire or fans ember to flame, we want to verify that there is nothing to keep us from spending the next decade serving King Jesus with increasingly vibrant health and energy. Due to Debbie's verbalized concerns last time in the States, mission leaders at Christian Health Service Corps asked us to get a Stateside battery of "head-to-toe" tests to investigate and address potential issues. Since Verlin missed his mid-year physicals in '22 and '23, taking this time seems reasonable as a checkpoint. His other 'oscopies' are past due by five years, as well.

In all cases, diet and activity changes enacted post-COVID appear to boost our well-being, longevity, and usefulness. Debbie’s skin has never been smoother; Verlin’s tongue and nailbeds never more pink. So, we return to the States in mid-November, projecting our return in early February after getting our stateside exams done. Thanks for praying with us through the process. The downside is a possible slowing of activity here; the upside is confirmation of wellbeing to vigorously continue work. A blessed side benefit will be a rare chance to see family, friends, and ministry partners during Christmas rather than July!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Thankfully, recognizing our status as frail children does not hinder but strengthens our Father's work through us. In fact, Paul reminds us that when we are weak, we get stronger (2 Cor. 12:10). We gain experiential understanding as Verlin has seen others step into the void COVID and our slowness brought. We thank God for Paul's example to "take pleasure" and "be content" in infirmities, reproaches, and distress. These experiences are part of our Maker and Defender's plan.

Verlin returned home on Tuesday night after non-stop 17-19 hour days for eight weeks. As he finished in Abidjan, the Lord gave him many opportunities to encourage the faithful and make ministry connections. He needs to make two more trips out of town before our travels to the States. The whirlwind of activity and contacts for us to complete in the next month and a week will continue to swirl. The UFHB time stoked it. We want to prioritize well to get the essentials done.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for a good finish in Abidjan. Verlin made

  

  Washer with no leak!

  it home and installed replacements for 23-25 y.o. (or older) appliances made possible by a generous ministry partner. We now have a washer that does not leak on the floor and a certain way to dry clothes in the rainy season.
   
• 🙏 Pray for efforts related to setting up a regular CHE training site at a Bible Institute in western Cote d'Ivoire. Pray that the two new pastor contacts in Abidjan who desire to pursue CHE training to use the strategy add to the overall national effort.
   
• 🙏 Pray for the many details we must cover in the next few weeks before our trip to the States. Pray our 'mountain' priorities remain preeminent over the proverbial 'molehills'; that we experience the grace to get the necessary done.
   

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: Au Secours
        - 230930 PDF
Prior Videos: Simple Servants
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

2023 Q2 Report: Pruning Priorities
  -  2nd Q 2023 Report 230722 PDF

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

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Andersons Witness in Africa.
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