Fear Robber

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240330 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

During this week of prayerful reflection on Jesus’ death and resurrection, a recurring theme of fear robber came to Debbie’s mind in reading Scripture and Easter hymns. Applying the truths of the resurrection to our hearts does assuage internal fears about many topics. Hebrews 2:14-15 declares that Jesus’ death allowed Him to conquer the one who held the power of death, the devil, and free us from the slavery of being afraid of death. Praise be to Jesus, our fear robber! Many of the Ivorian FWB churches tomorrow will sing a favorite Easter hymn, “A Toi la Gloire” (written by a Swiss Protestant minister, Edmund Budry, music by Handel, with a similar English translation by Richard Boyle as “Thine be the Glory”). The third, triumphant verse directly from the French version says:

Should I still be afraid? He lives forever,
He whom I adore, the Prince of Peace;
He is my victory, my mighty support,
My life, and my glory: no, I fear nothing!
Thine be the glory, O Risen One!
Yours is the victory for eternity!

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Greetings to Debbie

Verlin arrived safely at our home in Bondoukou on schedule. The dogs were overjoyed to see him! He accomplished several essentials this week, but discussions with Debbie and our mission changed his plans. As Debbie still deals with issues regarding her blood pressure (the new medication is not working well), adjustment problems with her CPAP machine, and the ongoing needs of her parents, the idea of our returning as a couple to Cote d’Ivoire on April 16th is unrealistic. In addition, we have not finished discussions with our mission leadership about physical and psycho-social testing nor concerning the significant ministry changes Verlin anticipates pursuing over the next two to five years.

As a result, Verlin will stay in Cote d’Ivoire until May 9th, when he returns to Ghana to board his May 11th flight. In the meantime, he holes up to complete financial reporting and taxes for a few weeks while renewing local connections. He also expects to interact with the Abidjan University FHB team as they plan the September CHE training while encouraging and checking on several CHE trainers in their ministries. Thirdly, he expects to assist Emmanuel K. during the International Wholistic Missions Conference (IWFM) scheduled for May 15-17. Verlin’s flight change from the initial April 2nd return to Nashville for a May 12th arrival in Phoenix will let him receive Emmanuel and share there. Debbie may join them, depending on doctor visits, etc. We then plan to spend the last weeks of May devoted to interactions with our mission. We both like this schedule change, believing we can do more in life and the ministry we have been given while on two continents for a few weeks.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Praise Jesus, our fear robber, Who did everything necessary to save us from fear! Our son, Cason, wrote a great article posted to Substack on Good Friday concerning His deliverance from our fears.
   
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for Verlin’s safe arrival in Cote d’Ivoire and all being well at home, except for a few minor repairs. Praise God that we could make schedule changes with the blessing of mission leadership, allowing us to manage ministry and health issues better. Pray for substantial progress in financial reporting and for timely medical visits for Debbie.
   
• 🙏 Pray violence that erupted between Ivorian and Burkina Faso troops in northern CI this week remains contained. However, it indicates the ongoing tension in villages near the border.
  

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: Inspiration
        - 240323 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

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Inspiration

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240323 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Testimonies about skills the Lord develops in ourselves or others can inspire people we have never met. We frequently experience this truth when CHE trainers share experiences on social media or in meetings. A person wholly unrelated to them or their circles of influence can open a link and hear a testimony that leads to an “aha” moment of understanding. Verlin met such a person at the African Internship Center (AIC), pursuing CHE as a way to inspire the witness of youth in his denomination.

Verlin & Pastor Ollo

Ollo Kambou, a Lobi participant from Cote d’Ivoire at the West African CHE Internship, experienced the inspiration to pursue Community Health Evangelism (CHE) from videos. One he cited and shared with three participants from France and the Ivorian CHE Association president was the testimony of an Ivorian FWB pastor. A few years back, CHE trainer Benjamin made a video in which Pastor Kobenan shared how apiculture impacted a neighboring village that enlarged Gospel witness in his sector. Learning how to raise bees and sell honey served with other CHE-developed opportunities to inspire some young people to stay in their rural areas instead of seeking jobs in big cities. Pastor Ollo heads up youth ministry amidst the Assembly of God denomination in Cote d’Ivoire. He lives in a town that is considered the equidistant center of the nation and seems eager to train youth to use CHE nationwide.

In another example, the NGO using CHE strategies to identify and distribute care for lepers provides inspiration and hope to many more communities than anticipated. Instead of targeting around 60 villages, as initiated three years ago, the outreach now targets 160 communities! The successful strategy attracts the attention of additional agencies of the government's public health administration as 100 communities currently see firsthand reasons to adopt CHE models. The approach integrates ordained and lay people in witness that touches every community’s courtyards.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

The West African CHE Internship training finished today, and Verlin participated in distributing certificates of completion. After visiting more of the 20+ local sites using CHE approaches in the North Tongu District today, participants begin returning to their home countries on Sunday. Pray that safe travel, wisdom, and determination let each put into practice what they have learned. Verlin again shared during class periods this week. He and our Ivorian CHE brother Emmanuel demonstrated and led participants to practice using Discovery Bible Studies on Thursday, Friday, and this morning. He, Emmanuel, and Ollo will leave Ghana on Monday by public transport to enter Cote d’Ivoire by nightfall. Emmanuel plans to travel to the US for meetings during the International Wholistic Missions Conference (IWMC), being held May 15-17 in Phoenix, AZ. He expects to pick up his passport and visa next week.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Verlin travels by bus to Cote d’Ivoire from Accra, Ghana, on Monday. He, Emmanuel, and Ollo will discuss changes and plans during the trip. He returns to Accra on April 1st to leave for the US on April 2nd.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s mother experienced significant improvement in her cardiac health this past week with the prescribed medication changes. Keep praying as she adjusts to the reality of congestive heart failure, which requires continual evaluation and adjustments.
   
• 🙏 Pray for the rapidly expanding leper ministry via Raoul Follereau in Cote d’Ivoire. Instead of 60 or 100 villages, Christian NGO leaders now target 160 villages.
  

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: Unimpeded
        - 240316 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

> >

Unimpeded

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240316 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

On Monday, March 11, millions of Muslims began Ramadan, their dawn-to-dusk fasting month, hoping to gain unimpeded access to God and His blessings. Of course, we know from God’s Word that no amount of fasting can take away their sins or ours. Sadly, their credo, context, culture, and community pressure make a change to follow Jesus unthinkable to many of them. Yet despite these obstacles, thousands of Muslims worldwide ARE coming to the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for us all. In the process, they experience their first unimpeded communion with our heavenly Father!

Every year, we spend extra time during Ramadan, joining other believers who pray for Muslims to come to Christ. Specific faces of dear friends come to mind, but we do not want to put them in danger by listing names. Thank you for praying with us.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

As Verlin settled into the West African CHE Internship location this past week, we had hoped for an unimpeded Internet connection like in years past. Instead, an

Verlin teaching in Ghana

underwater cable in the region reportedly broke, affecting coverage for several nations, including Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. So much for easy communication! He was not able to edit or add details to this update. As a result, you will experience Debbie’s limited capacity to get pictures properly situated in HTML format! Nevertheless, Verlin had a productive and blessed week. He enjoyed teaching some sessions and getting to know the participants. The Lord provided a good connection for future CHE ministry in Cote d’Ivoire. Next week, he expects an even busier schedule. Because some of the attendees work in areas hostile to the Gospel, we will not share photos of them without permission.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Muslims worldwide began Ramadan, their month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, on March 11. Pray that many people encounter our Savior through the testimony of Christians, exposure to God’s Word, and dreams of Jesus. Pray for friends we have who need the courage to follow Him.
   
• 🙏 Continue to pray for the West African CHE Internship. Since Verlin’s capacity to communicate via the Internet is limited, our updates may have formatting glitches (Debbie apologizes in advance!) or not arrive when you usually expect them. We will do the best we can.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s mother, Sandra, continues to struggle with heart issues. Pray that three medicine changes this week will give her relief. She is not a candidate for surgery at this time. Debbie returns with her to the cardiologist on Monday.
  

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: Made Whole
        - 240309 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

Made Whole

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240309 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Do you want to be made whole (John 5:6)? That seems like a strange question for Jesus to ask the man at the pool of Bethesda, who had been infirm for 38 years. Why else would he stay at the location where supposedly one could be healed by entering the water first after an angel stirred it? Yet, Jesus’ question was valid and crucial for this man’s healing. In reality, many invalids do not want to be made whole, at times, whether the challenge is spiritual, emotional, or physical. Perhaps we become accustomed to others taking care of us. Or the feeling may develop that the established habits are impossible to overcome or too risky for us to accept ultimate responsibility. Some attitudes may become so ingrained that the dependent person feels guilty about past choices, unworthy of being forgiven or helped, and justly punished by God. Others may simply prefer to wallow in bitterness and revenge toward benefactors or perceived wrongdoers rather than forgive. Jesus’ solution for this passive, “woe is me” man was provocative. He challenged the invalid to take immediate action by faith, commanding him to rise, take up his bed, and walk.

People who wholeheartedly engage in Community Health Evangelism (CHE) seek Jesus’ healing for themselves and others. To be made whole, trainers must have the confidence to dare belief and to exercise faith in God’s orchestration of life to overcome any incapacitating doubt. The journey of seeing personal and community transformation is typically long and arduous until faith overcomes self and communal naysaying.

Nevertheless, seeing the real and the metaphorically infirm take up their beds and walk is incredible! Thank you for helping us ask Jesus’ pertinent question(s) in W. African communities. People here, as there, tend to believe God will bless their traditions and perspectives rather than honor trust in His revealed Word enough to discover faith in practice that is ever more sound for living life abundantly. The West African CHE Internship gathers people who want to be made whole and help others gain wholeness. It’s a privilege to participate in this seminal yearly training.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Verlin: NJ to DC

The Ghana visa did make it on time! Yes, Verlin safely embarked on his trip Friday morning as planned to exit the 737-Max in Accra Saturday morning. As Debbie wrote this update Friday morning, Verlin collaborated on the writing between the Newark and Dulles airports. He stays at a Baptist guesthouse in Accra, Ghana, for two nights before continuing to the Internship site late Monday afternoon. While he arrived safely and established local phone service, which is far less expensive, a local ATM confiscated one of the three ATM cards he uses during travels to obtain cash as it remains the medium of exchange for the vast majority of W. African goods and services.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that Verlin’s Ghanaian visa arrived on time and that he left Nashville without problems. Thank the Lord for loving family members who will check on our small Cookeville place during our absences.
  
  
• 🙏 Pray that leaders, trainers, and students who arrived at the CHE internship location are open to new experiences for themselves. Pray that Spirit-filled sessions and mutual encouragement guide the learning. May Verlin quickly readjust to the West African heat!
  
  
• 🙏 Ministries all over the world prepare for focused outreach during the Easter season. Pray that many people will hear the Gospel and respond.
  
  

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: Safe Travels
        - 240302 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

>

Safe Travels

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240302 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

The YWAM (Youth with a Mission) bus tragedy in Tanzania on February 24th reminds us that sometimes “unsafe travels” result in safe travels to heaven. When praying for the people and nations touched by this stunning loss, also covered during our mission’s weekly video-conference prayer meeting, we remember thousands of hours that we have logged on similar African roads. Prayers for safe travels (which you have done so often for us) do not just include a desire for accident-free arrivals from Point A to Point B. They sometimes reflect our earnest desire to exude faith and, if necessary, a testimony of steadfast dying grace. Deathbed words remain influential in West Africa. If our bodies were crushed in an accident far from USA-level emergency care, our chief desire would be to testify to the calming grace present at death in lives lived for Jesus.

In addition, two beloved women in our circle of friends made their safe travels Home this week. One dear friend, Amy Robinson, served Jesus wholeheartedly in South America for 30 years with her husband, Paul. Their ministry and gentle servanthood were remarkable, influencing Verlin’s family and many other members of the now-named Central Oaks Community Church in Royal Oak, MI. The other woman was the mother of missionary friends and a locally faithful servant. People often forget the parents of missionaries who lovingly and prayerfully release their children to serve Jesus in hard places. We remain incredibly blessed by parents who ease the process as best they know how and make the goodbyes with as little stress as possible.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

West African
CHE Internship

This week, we expected to report that Verlin made safe travels to the West African CHE Internship in Ghana. Instead, please pray for his rescheduled trip on Friday, March 8th! Text messages and emails from the Ghana embassy indicate that his passport will arrive around March 5th, presumably with the renewed visa. Due to the delay, a helpful team member assisting us and other missionaries as a travel agent successfully planned the later flight, and Verlin readjusted his lodging reservations. Flights to Ghana fill quickly, so he was blessed to get a space on those March 8th flights. Debbie spent her fourth consecutive weekly stay with her parents, this time Monday through Thursday. She feels good about a first home health nursing visit to assist her mother.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for the less than $100 flight change for Verlin going to Ghana on March 8th. The embassy emailed that his ‘secured data’ was FedEx-ed last night. Pray for his safe travels.
   
• 🙏 Pray that those touched by the YWAM tragedy will influence media outlets biased against belief in God to reconsider their presentations. Also, ask the Lord to console them and the friends who lost beloved mothers this week—women who wonderfully served our King.
   
• 🙏 The Ivorian university, where a team of CHE trainers presents CHE each year, began regular planning meetings again for the September 2024 event. Verlin, who typically organized occidental participants, could not participate due to our continued absence. He hopes to make a stop by to catch up while in Africa this month for the West African CHE Internship.
  

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: Watch and Pray
        - 240224 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

>