Checkpoint

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240127 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

An unexpected police checkpoint greeted Debbie yesterday as she drove into Cookeville from our home, about 7 miles away. We have grown accustomed to driving through police stops in Africa, but she was startled to see one in rural Tennessee! Over eight officers halted all vehicles traveling in both directions for a sobriety checkpoint during the morning. Although by law, they may ask for identification and car papers, search the vehicle with probable cause, and have drivers take sobriety tests, Debbie was simply asked, "Have you had anything to drink today?" Thankfully, the impish English teacher within did not overpower the common sense respect due to our local law enforcement!! Instead of listing all the non-alcoholic beverages she had drunk, she politely smiled and responded, "Not at all," and was waved on.

The reality of DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) checkpoints might cause some of us to debate this strategy's effectiveness or its implications for our liberties. Instead, we will choose a positive application today. All of us need "in our face" reminders of the consequences of sin. Certainly, DUI destroys individuals and families. However, seemingly less noxious habits we maintain in secret or public can ruin our lives or witness. Walking maturely in Christ means having regular spiritual self-checkpoints, like attending church to confess our faults and profess our worship or self-reporting successes and failures in obedience to our Lord during a Bible study. This discipline exceeds the physical or job performance evaluations that other God-ordained ministers might use with us in public settings like DUI checkpoints or work evaluations. (Check out 1 Timothy 3-5 if you wonder about this.) If we are not intentional, we drift from the narrow way.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Thankfully, our schedule of physical and mental checkpoints nears an end. On Monday, Verlin expects to follow up on his right foot injury; on Wednesday, Debbie has a colonoscopy scheduled in Nashville. In addition, Verlin expects to complete 12-14 hours of online psychological testing or history. We will then have a follow-up visit at the Vandy Neurological Clinic on February 8, with some family meetings to finish. Perhaps these rendezvous will lead to more testing, although likely not. Then, our results will be synthesized and discussed with the Christian Health Service Corps' (CHSC) leadership to proceed as needed.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for the upcoming CHE West African Internship in Ghana. (The photo shows last year's interns learning to create sack gardens, a tool already shared in Cote d'Ivoire to witness and plant some new churches. Click this link to read about the gardening technique.) Ask for available and called trainers to attend by managing their personal affairs and finances and wisdom for transitioning leaders as they plan.
   
• 🙏 Pray for a resolution to Verlin's foot pain, especially the wisdom of diagnostic discernment, to know if he needs further testing or intervention. He felt significant pain again this week.
   
• 🙏 May we all be faithful to examine our lives for spiritual drift. Let us ask the Lord for "ears to hear" and start by doing a check-up soon!
  

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: Unexpected
        - 240120 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

Unexpected

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240120 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

In our day and age, we spend much time and resources to evade or soften the effects of the unexpected. Think of the warnings and scenarios explored by meteorologists last week when anticipating snowstorms. Empty shelves in grocery stores abounded after shoppers bought in bulk. Billions of dollars are spent yearly on tests like mammograms and colonoscopies to preserve life. We even teach CHE community planning strategies for trying times or catastrophes like Ebola. Such warnings help us prepare for difficult situations.

However, is our generation less stressed, better prepared, and more trusting in the Creative Word Who made it possible? Thanks to technology like medications, social media, and 24/7 news, our environments tempt us to feel inappropriately self-sufficient instead of relying on God. Our reactions to unexpected daily life situations tell us what or in whom we genuinely trust. In this linked article, Jon Bloom (a teaching cofounder of the "Desiring God" website) uses Jesus' parable of a neighbor seeking bread to help us accept and prepare for the unexpected. It is a 'good read' to evaluate our trust capacity.

Reading through a Tyndale Chronological Bible this year, Deb finishes the book of Job in January. Has a man ever been more bombarded with so many unexpected terrors in a single day? There were no warnings and no preventions to take. Still, Job did not curse God to die; he refused to deny that his Redeemer lived. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (Job 13:15). His example encourages us all to react rightly.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Monday's porch view

A regional snowstorm covered our property with pristine beauty. Getting up the icy hill from our driveway was challenging, but Verlin's confidence in the Lord's provision of means and knowledge let us keep two medical appointments. He thankfully experienced an unexpected recurrence of severe pain in his right foot last week—the one he hurt when doing a side plank in August of 2023. Monday's x-ray at local urgent care did not reveal a broken bone, though that will get re-evaluated for a possible hairline fracture in 9 more days. Based on the divergent places where he hurts, the theory is tendonitis and plantar fasciitis with or without a bone break. However, Verlin's treatment for a flare-up of gout provides the most significant pain relief. The high ingestion of sardines, salmon, and organ meats associated with Vitamin A and niacin supplements, combined with cortisol-reducing ashwagandha supplements, less sweating, and decreased water intake likely caused his system to succumb. He now drinks more water, increases his vitamin C and fiber intake, and wears an orthopedic boot when walking or mid-calf work boots when driving if necessary.

Online news and a call to a CHE leader on Thursday show how unexpected geo-political events or wars affect distant countries like Cote d'Ivoire. The Ivorian government recently announced that the exportation of about 20 food products will cease for six months. Importing grains like rice has become more complex, and leaders want to guard adequate food for the population and visitors to the African Cup of Nations.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 We connected with Ivorian co-workers on Monday and Thursday. All is okay at home with the dogs! Also, plans progress for the regional Francophone CHE meeting in September after the university training.
   
• 🙏 PTL, Verlin's foot injury resurfaced this past week, allowing a detailed exam to see what has hindered his movements in Cote d'Ivoire for one to six weeks each of the last three years. When active, he wears an ortho-boot and a regular boot for two weeks and has started exercises to prevent tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. In addition, he makes temporary diet adjustments. The most painful part of the problem is gout symptoms showing up because of activity and lifestyle changes related to our return to the US during winter.
   
• 🙏 Pray that Cote d'Ivoire's cessation of food exportation for six months will be enough to overcome international shipping, war, and pressures on local food supplies.
  

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: Golden Opportunity
        - 240113 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

Golden Opportunity

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240113 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Last week, the Michigan Wolverines won the National College Football Championship, and the National Football League (NFL) playoffs began. This week, five to six time zones to our east, the Ivorian football team has a “golden opportunity” in their backyard. Starting today, January 13, and continuing through February 11, the Cote d’Ivoire (CI) hosts the Africa Cup of Nations. The Cup is the premier soccer event on the continent. The nation invested millions (1,850M in new loan IBRD/IDA commitments for 2023 compared to 550M, 850M, 680M for 2020-22, and 500M for 2024) with massive aid from partners like China to build three new stadiums and renovate two others. Road crews expanded many routes to get to the stadiums, too! Anyone who has lived in Africa knows that the continent is “fou” (French for “crazy”) for “le football,” the French word for soccer. Huge sports events like this provide a golden opportunity for believers to share the Gospel with tourists and sports fiends. Pray that thousands hear the good news of Jesus and respond. Click here for an AfricaOnMission prayer guide prepared to guide prayer during the Cup.

(The image used is by
rawpixel.com on Freepix).

Sadly, what is a golden opportunity for sharing the Truth with people enjoying wholesome entertainment can also serve up evil. As Americans know, human trafficking remains a sordid reality during sporting events like the Superbowl or the Africa Cup of Nations. We rejoiced to learn that January 11 is perennially designated the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Hopefully, the work of films like “Sound of Freedom” that we recently viewed and nationwide efforts to expose and prevent trafficking such as CHE develops with others will help stomp it out. May each of us encourage our spheres of influence by word or deed to end this worldwide evil trade.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Debbie took a time of golden opportunity with her parents this week, although all three suffered together from respiratory viruses. One enjoyable way they caught up and invested in the future was learning how to use a small Sony recorder our kids purchased so their maternal grandparents could share stories from their childhoods and ministry in Africa. Meanwhile, Verlin completed an MRI brain scan and responded to nearly two years of non-urgent mail neglected until now. He also cleared the living room of sorted possessions to sort some others accumulated at our place from clearing a couple of households. We both recognize the golden opportunities our Lord provides, even in medical settings visited in the week, to speak a word about Him and His faithfulness.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Please pray that we will be able to get in contact soon with the Ivorian brother who watches our home and cares for our dogs. The primary cell phone we provided to make communication easy is not connecting us.
   
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for an answer to prayer. We scheduled for January 25 one of Verlin’s neuro exams that we thought would take weeks! We rejoice at the opportunity to get faster results.
   
• 🙏 Pray for individuals, churches, and groups reaching out with the Gospel to those attending the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Pray that human trafficking in the RCI gets vanquished.
  

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: Neck up
        - 240106 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

Neck up

Neck up

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240106 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Transitioning from one year to another is a good time to consider a "checkup from the neck up." We first heard this catchphrase from a gifted, Godly psychiatrist, Dr. Barney Davis, whom our mission uses for consultation with missionaries and staff. All agency missionaries are encouraged to have an annual mental wellness "neck-up checkup" with him or perhaps another experienced mental health professional. Unsurprisingly, missionaries face many stressful factors in life and ministry as they uproot families and move into new cultures. Anxiety, depression, grief, isolation, cultural adjustments, interpersonal conflicts, moral injury, disasters, trauma, physical assaults, famine, war, persecution, PTSD, and spiritual warfare are just a few of the challenges regularly encountered by those who live the calling. Mental health or coping issues derail Kingdom work more than physical ones. We are thankful that our mission, the Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC), takes the "checkup from the neck up" seriously by providing people and resources to help. The goal is to root out unhealthy thought processes before resulting habits damage us (2 Cor. 10:5; Gal. 5)

Interestingly, military veterans and missionaries share similar symptoms despite enduring apparently different combats where one seems physical and the other spiritual. Moral Injury (YouTube link) affects soldiers and missionaries frequently, causing unanticipated mental stress. It can happen to others, too. Educators, lawyers, social workers, couples and children, pastors, counselors, etc., and perhaps you. If you like, view the 7-minute YouTube video linked above and by image to understand how this conflict often impacts military and missionary friends. Or, see the more comprehensive yet simple 50-minute Rumble DocSnipes lecture. There is an article specific to missionaries here submitted by CHE research friends or the more general magazine intro here that touches on COVID-19. Most missionaries experience some moral injury regularly but usually do not know how to identify what they are experiencing or cope with it. Jesus suffered the greatest temptation and moral injury risk when called to bear the world's sins on the cross through no fault of His own. He showed us the way to overcome

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Speaking of "checkup from the neck up." Our testing in January includes this area. Because of post-COVID and vaccine symptoms, we see physicians to perform neuro-cognitive testing. Verlin already had his initial visit with bloodwork and one cognitive test (MoCA 29/30). An MRI scan and another evaluation are ahead. One test has a long waiting period. Debbie begins the same process on January 23rd. Soon, Verlin expects to complete the online psychological testing that Debbie squeaked in before we left Cote d'Ivoire. Don't worry. We will not subject you to test details unless something affects how we do missionary service. However, we will try to pass along helpful info besides keeping you informed along the way! We delight in visiting ministry partners and friends as we travel to and from testing locations. Thank you for the warm reception at every visit that we have been able to make privately and in church services (more than a dozen)!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for His provision in every aspect of missionary life. Pray for the new missionary orientation happening at our mission, CHSC, in mid-January. Usually, Debbie would be there to help with Missionary Kids, but finishing our battery of tests takes priority due to scheduling conflicts this month.
   
• 🙏 Debbie's mother had another episode with Afib recently. It seems better now with medicine adjustments. Deb plans to spend several days with her parents this week, helping in whatever ways possible and enjoying their company!
   
• 🙏 End-of-year giving was plentiful, which helped cover lower-than-average giving in October and November! Praise God, and thank you for your part in that blessing.
  

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: Dad's Way
        - 240101 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

Dad's Way

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240101 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

The final Lectio 365 morning devotional of 2023 shared that the population of England in 1738 had less than 5% confessing Christians and only 5 members of Parliament who professed Jesus as Lord. The following year, a Great Awakening began after a New Year's Eve prayer meeting where Charles and John Wesley met with friends. All of England changed to see church pews refilled, slavery ended, and free public education provided. Things are not as dark in the US today as they appeared then. However, revival here would undoubtedly be welcomed if accompanied by fruits of repentance like the age-appropriate sacrifices made by the then-powerful to end slavery and provide the masses training for reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.

The more things change, the more they stay the same—conversion and revival according to the truth God has revealed changes social contexts. Bars and brothels close, church attendance increases, social cohesion increases, abuses lessen, and health care and education get renewed foci. Community Health Evangelism (CHE) practices lead many to Christ in Africa, who, in turn, change their lives and influence the lives of others living about them in these listed concerns for good and good yet to be revealed in other ways.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Purchase directly by
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Since we are stateside for this short stint, we've prioritized visiting our supporting friends and ministry partners whenever possible. We've been church-hopping most Sundays. As a result of one visit, Verlin reads a biography on the life and ministry of Charles Cooper, a man whose family has been good friends and fellow servants of Christ with us. Their family, as ours, has been blessed by a heritage of paterfamilias passing the Gospel successively from one generation of family to the next since the Reformation. The Route Dad Took is Roger Cooper's biography, which shares his father's challenging and touching life in ministry.

We, our children, and our grandchild spent the end of 2023 together in a family retreat over three days to catch up with one another's lives and discuss family priorities. While conversations ranged widely, Deb and I shared the possible changes of ministry focus in W. Africa should our physical, neurological, and psychological exams affirm that we've no limitations to continuing there in good conscience.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray the streak of no surprises and surprisingly good reports continues as Verlin completes his physical exams in the next two weeks and begins the neurological exams to get a clean bill of health for continuance in Cote d'Ivoire.
   
• 🙏 Pray for the additional interventions that Debbie makes for managing her blood pressure without drugs and for anticipating the care needs of her parents in an orderly fashion.
   
• 🙏 Join us in praying for a revival that touches our world and changes political calculations.
  

Happy New Year in Our Lord 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: Who Is He?
        - 231223 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