Who is He

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 231223 PDF

LIFECHANGING QUESTION

A nativity of "JOY"
(Debbie's middle name is Joy)

Singing Christmas carols before or after reading a Biblical account of Jesus’ Advent is a frequent Christmas tradition in our family. We especially appreciate carols that are biblically sound and clear in testimony—those that speak of Jesus’ whole life and the reason He came. “Who is He?” (link to the Enfield band) continues to be one of our favorites. The questions posed in the song reflect His life purpose. The answer given by every person on earth to “Who is Jesus?” matters eternally. May our words and deeds lead unbelieving friends to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King! We ponder with you the wonder of the Innocent Child, who is also our Suffering Savior and Conquering King.

“Who is He?” (Link to a family quartet singing the words written by Benjamin Hanby in 1866)

1-Who is He in yonder stall at whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness?

Chorus:
‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet, we humbly fall. Crown Him, crown Him, Lord of all!

2-Who is He the people bless for His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing?

3-Who is He that stands and weeps at the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng greet with loud triumphant song?

4-Lo! At midnight, who is He, prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree, dies in grief and agony?

5-Who is He that from the grave comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne rules through all the world alone?

‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet, we humbly fall. Crown Him, crown Him, Lord of all!

Verlin added the two links of this hymn to the AWA Christmas Playlist, which he first developed in 2016. If you like, let us know which of the two you prefer. Or send a link to a favorite carol or hymn shared in a style that most churches could use when meeting, and we will add it.

Joyous Christmas from our home to yours! 

Verlin & Debbie

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: Impeccable Timing
        - 231216 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

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

Impeccable Timing

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 231216 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

From a human perspective, the arrival of Jesus during a harsh imperial Roman occupation seemed a mistake to Hebrew nationalists. Some, like Judas, would choose doubt over trust in God's designs and would have likely preferred a "kinder" period and place in history for His advent. Praise God that He orchestrates the events of humanity and the finite details of our lives with impeccable timing! God makes no mistakes. We sleep in peace and assurance as disciples, persisting through the world's crises, knowing our Lord overcomes the worst the world can throw at us (Jn. 16:33). His rule by His Word never fails to execute His plans; accepting His rule facilitates peace and goodwill

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Debbie spent time with her parents for three days this week despite her resurgent cough from unfamiliar American allergens and viruses. Health events that challenge her parents' independent living have occurred in recent months. Those situations encouraged Debbie, her sister, and their parents to pursue getting medical power of attorney documents in place. As a beginning, this permits the well-being and wishes of beloved parents to be addressed efficiently. Neither parent experienced a crisis while Debbie stayed with them. The opportunity gave Debbie an occasion to praise God for His impeccable timing once again. She obtained counsel from a fellow missionary kid and childhood friend living in Michigan, Gene Richards, who is now an elder law and estate planning lawyer. He provided invaluable information and processes to consider.

We continued our doctor visits and procedures, completing six appointments since Monday. On Tuesday, Verlin met with a referred physician for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and a colonoscopy to rule out gastric and colonic causes of last year's chest pains. The procedures were completed yesterday. There are no evident causes for the residual and occasional sternal pain and no polyps. (There was one change. His diverticulosis was unseen and unreported. Maybe changing to a higher fiber, calcium, and magnesium-rich diet with bone broth collagen and Akkermancia muciniphilia-friendly foods made the difference for diverticul'-osis'and'-itis' over nine years! He was instructed not to return for screening except if symptomatic.) Until the end of the year, we cease travels to and from doctors' offices to focus on deskwork and meeting with counselors, friends, and family in person andelectronically. Debbie attended a Nashville Symphony and Chorus production of Messiah with our dear friend Teresa Snow on Friday night. Messiah has been her favorite Christmas music since childhood, so this was an incredible blessing

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Praise the Lord for His impeccable timing in all events of our lives! What a relief and comfort to trust Him with the details as we learn to live in peace with Him, ourselves, others, and Creation.
   
• 🙏 Pray for Debbie and her sister Laura as they help their parents put in place legal and practical ways to carry out their wishes before and beyond the temporal grave to honor our God.
   
• 🙏 We praise God with several of you for a wonderful start to end-of-year giving in December! Continue to pray for complete 2024 funding to expand the ministry to others untouched in Cote d'Ivoire. Thank you for your faithful ministry partnership, which has never faltered in 26 years!
  

Your partners in the Gospel, Verlin & Debbie

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: Breath of Life
        - 231209 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

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

Breath of Life

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 231209 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

The waiting room of a hospital Emergency Room (ER) afforded hours to reflect on the breath of life that our marvelous Creator breathed into humanity. We spent more than 48 hours waiting and being treated in that setting. Debbie re-experienced her allergic asthmatic reaction, requiring a nebulizer treatment for the first time in nearly twenty years. The whole process was complicated as her secondary blood pressure (BP) spikes also required treatment. The regular urgent care location where she previously headed off reactions with early intervention did not want to treat her due to her heightened BP, which merited monitoring. The consulted health personnel desired to treat with steroids but were reticent to provide them at first. Such treatments can spike the BP even more! On Verlin’s visit with her on the second occasion, they overcame that reluctance. Her circumstantial hypertension was explained to be a secondary symptom. Eventually, she spent Monday overnight in the Cookeville ER and Tuesday morning hospitalized. Later, at midnight Friday morning, Verlin returned her for treatment because her paroxysms of coughing prevented both of us from sleeping for several days as he believed she’d been inadequately treated. She now rests nicely at home with steroids and breathing treatments (a nebulizer) and resumes other interventions learned from Verlin and others over the years. She will see her primary care physician in Nashville next Tuesday

Her situation was mild compared to the breath of life issues that others near us experienced this week. Verlin prayed with an American Indian husband as he was losing his wife to heart attacks after a second amputation due to her uncontrolled diabetes; he also provided nutritional counsel to post-operative heart and gout patients. One lady in the ER went from the room shared with Debbie to surgery. The number of extremely urgent situations seen is typical of an approaching wintry season and caused six to eight-hour waiting times for treatment. We appreciated the kind and investigative care Debbie eventually received. Medical professionals listened to our input based on her medical history.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Verlin with Cara and some
of her Krav Maga coworkers

Despite our unanticipated “work” at the hospital this week, planned ministry-related items on our To-Do list(s) did get done. A generator issue was serviced and readied should winter storms cut power. Verlin checked off post-COVID cardiologist and ENT visits, and Debbie fulfilled a GI appointment. While the “self-care” inspections are an imposition, we engage in them now as we each enter sixth decades of life in the next 14 months and nearly three decades of service together overseas. So, we choose to rejoice in weeks like these as well. Verlin even attended a Christmas party with Cara to enjoy meeting the Krav Maga team with whom she works as a respite from nursing. He also met a neighbor who has multi-generational connections with his family and was invited to speak at their FWB church!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Praise God for the amazing breath of life He gives every day to praise Him! We thank Him for the close emergency medical services developed here as we work to make such a reality in Cote d’Ivoire.
   
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for Debbie’s improved health status.
   
• 🙏 Pray for people who received spiritual reminders as we walked through life this week. May we all stay attuned to opportunities to speak a word for Jesus or encourage others to trust Him.
  

Your partners in the Gospel, Verlin & Debbie

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: Simple
        - 231202 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

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

Simple

Simple

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 231202 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

“The first Christmas was pretty simple.
It’s okay if yours is too.”

"The Best Christian Memes, Nov. 30"

Debbie read the above quote on Facebook recently. It seems apropos for many in the US during Christmas. The season’s frenetic pace can become a burden—terrible traffic, commercialized gift gluttony, and parties or events scheduled almost every night. Yet, the simple message of Christmas can break through and remain profound for us in our families. We focus on adding virtue to faith, knowing that material goods develop by those who obey God first while on earth. So, we promote events centered on Jesus with serving opportunities and family time. Like most reading this, we know we cannot do it ALL. Instead, we strive to prioritize meaningful activities. At the end of the season, hopefully, our choices brought us closer to Jesus and helped us to share His love rather than leaving us jaded, exhausted, and spiritually dry like the people Jesus taught in Matthew 9.

While missing our US family very much during Yuletide, we enjoy the simple Christmas celebrations in Cote d’Ivoire. Although Abidjan, the economic capital, is as devoted to consumerism as any American city, the emphasis on Jesus in small towns and villages where the Gospel has penetrated is evident. Usually, churches host a Christmas service with much singing, preaching, Scripture quotation, and often some drama. Perhaps children will get candy, and maybe the congregation will gather to eat a meal together during Christmas week. Other holiday trappings rarely invade the spiritual celebration.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Keeping activity simple in ministry is also a challenge. Many people and activities clamor for our time like others experience here. Verlin noted this week that he has nearly 200 text messages from Africans waiting on him. There are twelve people he partners with closely because they are devoted to advancing the Kingdom using Community Health Evangelism (CHE). If one of them leaves a message, it takes priority. Like him, these believers are too busy to waste time on nonessentials, so he knows their communication is essential. To keep ministry simple, we limit social media and rarely watch movies or TV shows. Others need not imitate our choices, but hopefully, all of us improve at evaluating our time use and adjusting it as required to demonstrate Godly priorities.

This past week’s multiple three-hour round trips to Nashville from Cookeville for medical evaluations slowed our progress on some priorities. Catching up our responsibilities in faithful service will likely be eased later by the assurances provided by clean bills of health. Thankfully, we are through half of our first round of visits. Physical reports thus far seem excellent, but Debbie did experience a hypertension flare-up needing intervention. Because flare-ups occur here more than in Africa, we want to identify possible causes, like the use of nasal decongestants. She keeps working on that. Testing focuses more on cognitive exams after the coming week of cardiovascular, ear, nose, and throat evaluations.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for the simple church gatherings and outreaches occurring in Cote d’Ivoire and worldwide during this Christmas season. May Gospel simplicity refresh many souls.
   
• 🙏 We look forward to fewer days with the 3-hour round trip to Nashville. Pray that we discern non-medical solutions to the blood pressure problem that resurfaced this week for Debbie. Such happens occasionally, particularly while she readjusts to North American climates and food.
   
• 🙏 Pray for abundant end-of-year provision for ministries sharing the Gospel and serving those in need, including our mission account and those of fellow missionaries hit by similar inflationary pressures.
  

Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie

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: Set the Record Straight
        - 231125 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

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