Watch and Pray

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240224 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Executing Jesus’ command to watch and pray is a very needed yet challenging posture for those desiring to honor our Christ Jesus in word and deed. As Jesus warned the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, we easily fall into temptation when we lose the perspectives that a watch-and-pray discipline provides. Debbie reflected on this linked article during the week. In it, David Giarrizzo (a professing believer unknown to us) lists nine ways to practice Biblical waiting in our lives. For decades, Verlin has taught corollaries of his points when explaining time management to others:

Pray while watching to see if God moves others to do what you understand needs to be done, be it yesterday, today, or tomorrow. If no one else steps up, yet God continues to provoke you to act (or wait further) as demonstrated with inner direction, outer circumstance, or both, step forward in faith, confident that you follow Jesus in His steps prepared for you.

The result of a watch and pray discipline is the penultimate reason we returned to the U.S. for the anticipated 3-4 months. We returned despite the incredible advances of witness to the Gospel on the ground where we have patiently persevered in Africa for more than two decades, anchoring Christian behaviors in Spirit-led, Biblical precept. Success in exercising discipline to wait on the Lord, joined with prayer, requires that patience is not considered passive; it is faithful trust in the leadership of God’s Triune, Sovereign Word, to push us to act at the appropriate time on time. As Giarrizzo puts it, “Biblical waiting is not a passive activity, but is demonstrated by active dependence upon and obedience to God.”

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Our busy weeks here persist with a few unanswered reasons for which we continue to watch and pray. Verlin sent his paperwork to the Ghanaian Embassy for a renewed visa to participate in the West Africa CHE Internship in March. His purchased flight from Nashville is March 1. However, per the USPS delivery text messaging service, the passport did not arrive at the destination for processing until Friday rather than Wednesday! So, the visa process is not progressing as quickly as we had expected. It may cause a rescheduling for Verlin and others with whom he communicates, or maybe not!  We watch and pray.

Join us in watching and praying for Debbie’s continuing role development. She spent four days in her parent’s home this week. Her mother, Sandra Payne, takes a second round of antibiotics for lower limb cellulitis. She also needs relief from edema related to heart valve regurgitation. Never one to enjoy the limelight, she trusts the Lord’s healing touch through whatever means seems fit to Him. Debbie and her sister Laura watch and pray to see what needs to happen next while putting legal and organizational documents into place to help all concerned. Thank you for praying.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray that Verlin’s passport with renewed Ghana visa arrives for him to depart on March 1.
   
• 🙏 Pray that watchful prayer continues to guide the final planning for the West Africa CHE Internship. Ask for faith in God’s provision to guide attendees.
   
• 🙏 Ask the Lord to grant everyone clarity in the actions taken for Sandra’s health (Debbie’s mother). We trust that her caregiving team of doctors, daughters, doting husband, and aides will find the right combination of medications and processes to provide her with better function, mobility, and relief.
  

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
        - 240217 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 240217 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Last Sunday, millions of people tuned in to a well-matched Superbowl game. A few hours earlier, even more people watched Cote d'Ivoire's team win the African Cup of Nations 2-1 against Nigeria. The unexpected, exciting victory happened after the Elephants nearly exited early in the tournament! The tale parallels the "last pick in the draft" quarterback nicknamed Mr. Irrelevant, who almost led the 49ers to a victory in the Superbowl. There is something very satisfying when an unexpected person or group of people exceeds the expectations of a watching world.

America's commercialized Valentine's Day experience in America could do with an unexpected shake-up. Although authentic expressions of love and appreciation for family, friends, and strangers replace the day's original pagan purposes with redeemed beauty, blessing, and testimony, too often, the holiday becomes fraught with stress (for men) or disappointment (for women) due to clashing expectations. Daily kindness, encouragement, and selfless labor remain much more beneficial than flowery cards or gifts.

Debbie saw this in evidence shopping on Tuesday. She was third in line behind a mumbling older woman who was not necessarily cogent and whose debit bank card did not work. The lady seemed oblivious to the others waiting or the fruitlessness of trash-talking her bank. As Debbie tried to think of a way to help, the person next after the woman whipped out her debit card and paid for the stranger's purchases. Rather than become irate or make a scene, she told the woman, "Here, this is my Valentine's gift to you." Though the kind gesture did not register with the recipient initially, surrounding people observed a generous act that expected little in return. We would do better, as well, in teaching others the adopted story of Saint Valentine, along with sharing examples of unexpected love in unusual marriages like C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed, Joni and Ken: an Untold Love Story, or the unexpected union of Martin and Katharina Luther. These examples of life-enriching marital love have encouraged many couples, widows, and widowers through the years.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Since confirming his participation in the West African CHE Internship in March, Verlin began work to renew his Ghana visa. Though encountering some glitches, he still anticipates getting the documents and flight arrangements made in time after rescheduling his annual physical to wrap up all the medical visits since last November with his primary care provider. Debbie spent half the week with her parents in Franklin. Because of some physical setbacks, her parents need additional help these days that she enjoys helping provide. Her sister Laura maintains connections with their primary care doctors to inform their decision-making.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray that Verlin's paperwork for a Ghana visa gets completed on time.
   
• 🙏 Ask the Lord to bless ongoing Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training in many areas of Cote d'Ivoire, where people learn to practically minister in Jesus' name.
   
• 🙏 Ask for wisdom as Debbie and her sister Laura assist their parents with health issues.
  

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: Champion of Children
        - 240210 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

>

Champion of Children

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240210 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Give me a child until he is seven, and I will show you the man.”

—Aristotle (adopted by the Jesuits, as well)

Community Health Evangelism (CHE) serves as a champion for children because of the statistics that show 80 to 85% of Christian believers receive Christ as Savior between the ages of 4 and 18. It is crucial for a brighter future that families, churches, and Christian organizations inculcate the truth of God's Word in children’s daily lives. Children's CHE, as practiced in hundreds of locations around the world, teaches kids the Gospel with its implications for health and

the development of social skills they use to foment change in their families and communities. The children, change agents from birth, open doors for CHE in the settings they influence: home, school, and church. For years, we have prayed that Ivorians get a burden to focus on starting Children’s CHE in numerous settings. For longevity and local ownership, Ivorians must answer the call to spearhead such efforts, but we can encourage and provide network connections to improve ideas once the vision to be a champion for children takes root. Please use this five-minute video to see the urgency of reaching children for Christ.

Another organization effectively reaching and discipling children for Christ since 1937 by a renewal of original Sunday School approaches is Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). Being a champion for children by hosting Good News Clubs in public schools is their most notable, historic missionary strategy. Recently, Verlin was positioned to introduce by text and email Dr. Jody Collinge, a CHE trainer and friend who writes many of the Children’s CHE lessons, to a collegial friend in leadership at CEF. Perhaps in the coming years, CEF and other organizations will discover ways to implement CHE strategies within their ministries to enhance and multiply outreach to children even more! Children winning children to Christ is the best means to redeem our future.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

With rejoicing, Verlin finished twelve hours of online psychological assessments this week. We are left with only an interview or two left to do. In addition, we completed a Gottman relationship assessment. The results and recommendations encouraged by these tools will be available in about two weeks. The MRI of Verlin’s foot showed no bone breaks. The scan defined muscle and tendon issues Verlin is to address by regular exercise as the weaknesses most likely stem from childhood and early adult sports injuries. (Old injuries return with age, it seems.) Thursday’s visit to Vandy Neurology provided us with their synopsis, releasing us to return to work while providing the occasion for us to visit ministry partners and see our firstborn and his family on Cason’s 36th birthday. Debbie happily stayed with her parents for three days this week, taking them to a doctor’s appointment and otherwise being helpful. She also has the opportunity to aid our mission’s effort to be a champion for children. She joins a few other missionary wives as the member care director, Joy, compiles resources for MKs (missionary kids) and their parents. This project will be ongoing as each person peruses the resources already in place and gives Joy suggestions of other resources to add.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that our medical testing is nearly done! It will take a few weeks for physical health results to be compiled along with the psycho-social assessments. We will then provide the findings to the Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) to evaluate our self-care and plan how to proceed with new work(s).
   
• 🙏 Pray for Children’s CHE and CEF ministries across the world. Ask that CEF leaders and Africans effectively implement the proven approach of Children’s CHE, equipping children to change their lives for eternity and that of their friends. This will plant churches in the youngest generations among us.
   
• 🙏 We appreciate your continued prayers for the health of Debbie’s parents. Her mother, especially, has had some setbacks since December. Debbie will spend as much time as possible with them this month and next.
  

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: Focus
        - 240203 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

Focus

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240203 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Does your mind ever wander as you sit reading God’s Word? You are not alone with this focus problem! Some of us might blame the lack of focus on our age, but other age groups report the same frustration. Since we know that moving our eyes over the words on a Bible page does not help us become mature Christians, what can we do? Ultimately, it is like opening a combination lock that requires three numbers. Adding prayer and Biblical meditation with the Word allows the precepts to enter our hearts. Then, our renewed minds move us into better obedience. Below are two tools we have found very helpful on occasion to address our focus issues.

Debbie intermittently copies Scripture by hand to focus and absorb content. Verlin uses the method, too. Because we all tend to selectively tune in to parts of the Bible that please us, we sometimes skim over a text in our habitual reading or listening through the Bible annually. As a result, each of us can miss what the Lord wants to tell us. Writing forces us to slow down; the hand/eye/brain connections reinforce concentration. This method is beneficial when trying to memorize a passage, too. Some people handwrite whole books of the Bible, a few verses a day. Some write daily devotionals to remember the text better and/or to share it with the family. Others join accountability groups or use pre-prepared lists like Debbie uses this year, allowing her to focus on a monthly theme: gratitude, patience, reliability of Scripture, etc. Children benefit, too, by practicing their handwriting and hiding God’s Word in their hearts! A most compelling reason to give this a try is in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20, God commanded the kings of Israel to write His law by hand and to read it all the days of their lives to humbly revere the Lord.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

All you need for DBS!

Another tool we use for learning and applying God’s Word with focus is one we have lauded many times: Discovery Bible Studies (DBS). Participants read or hear a selected biblical passage and then repeat it in their own words. The habit requires focus. As each declares what they understand as needing to be put into practice that week due to the accepted Word, the DBS generates rapid obedience. In the past, we have shared stories of wondrous results using DBS in Cote d’Ivoire. (Remember the churches breaking down into DBS groups during COVID and growing from 300 to over 600 groups in around ten weeks?). Recently, an American friend asked us to resend the DBS format, hoping to start something in her area!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that His Word never returns void. It accomplishes what He intends! Pray for people using Discovery Bible Study (DBS) in ministry. May they see the fruit of many people saved and growing in Christ. Ask that other groups spring up all over our nation, not just internationally.
   
• 🙏 Verlin is scheduled for an MRI on his right foot this week and a follow-up evaluation.
   
• 🙏 As requested last week, please continue praying for the CHE West African Internship planning.
  

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: Checkpoint
        - 240127 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