Connect the Dots

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 240601 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Don't you love it when the Lord connects the dots to provide information or meet a need unexpectedly? Tracing the finger of God that moves us along in life and stretches what we think we can bear is a phenomenon that both reassures us of His leadership and tests our hearts. In the past two weeks, the Lord provided information about services available to missionaries that may sharpen our developing locus of ministry. It may extend the touch of God through Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and Disciple Making Movements (DMM) to see the Holy Spirit call additional groups considered unreached in Africa. He also led our Ivorian brother to a connect-the-dots encounter in Phoenix. On Emmanuel's last Sunday in the US, Verlin took him to a church where friends who formerly attended our church in Tennessee now worship and serve. Lunch forged a new connection. This now stateside connection regularly lobbies members of the US Congress to continue PEPFAR funding to see lives physically saved in Africa, giving individuals and families more time to respond to God's offer of salvation.

Emmanuel learned of CHE strategy effectiveness and first met Verlin when overseeing a church-led hospital program that addressed AIDS in Cote d'Ivoire, using the approach first conceived for use at the medical work begun by Free Will Baptists in Doropo. The outreach was so stunningly successful that it drew the attention of the Ivorian government, the American embassy, and eventually, the WHO and UN. The program established there by Emmanuel in conjunction with Dr. Bernie Bledsoe (link is to a 2010 description in an AWA Update) touched the most people infected with AIDS nationally. Thanks to their witness established using CHE, that clinic program remained the number one recipient of PEPFAR funding and an example to many for years. Stories Emmanuel shared and left intending to share with our Arizona brother will provide excellent, providential examples to enhance his lobbying efforts. It was another connect-the-dots moment. God can use our US tax dollars to limit the spread of a feared disease while expanding the Kingdom of God's witness in our time.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Family on Memorial Day

We traveled to Michigan last weekend for family visits and to check in with ministry partners as much as possible since visitation during Verlin's last stateside assignment was cut short by COVID in March 2020. After being exposed to a less feared COVID during the IWMC in Phoenix and overcoming some respiratory symptoms, we delayed travel until last weekend. We have already seen numerous faithful partners and shared some ministry updates. Verlin hugged his mother for the first time in over two years! Thursday, we video-conferenced with our mission's leadership to plan our steps forward in ministry. The encouraging discussion promises more fruitfulness in partnership.

Adjustments are frequently necessary when missionaries remain on the field for decades. Our situation has different needs, expectations, and responsibilities than when we arrived in Africa in our thirties with three elementary-aged children! Changes in health, family dynamics, aging parents, and ministry opportunities in Cote d'Ivoire call for recalibration to move forward excellently. Thankfully, the Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) excels in helping missionaries like us connect the dots under God to find resources, counsel, and encouragement during transitions. It is a blessing beyond words!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for a safe journey to Michigan and good meetings here! Pray for Debbie. She drives back to Tennessee this week to be available to help her parents. Verlin will stay in Michigan to satisfy his familial responsibilities and continue visiting ministry partners. Pray for connecting the dot moments with Michigan's old and new ministry partners.
   
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for a helpful meeting with CHSC leadership on Thursday that discussed our health reports, future ministry desires, and ways to strengthen the ties that bind. We are blessed by their exceptional support and flexibility. This month, we expect to collaborate to establish a care plan. It will include planned support for COVID-related and other family adjustments, a tentative outline for weeks apart as Debbie works through time-sensitive issues for her parents, and investigating possibilities to retool with thoughtful training and counsel to spread saving faith in Christ in Muslim families.
  

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: Draw Near
        - 240518 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.

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