Restore

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

The profusion of flowers and chocolates that punctuate the modern Valentine's Day really has little to do with the life of its namesake, who lived during the Roman Empire. Saint Valentine became widely known for marrying Christian couples in secret against the wishes of the pagan government. His commitment to restore the God-ordained covenant of marriage eventually led to his martyrdom, a price he willingly paid. Valentine’s Day seems much better represented in doing the hard, messy, time-consuming, and sometimes sacrificial things that Godly love entails. Retired missionary friends taking time from their day to help Debbie transfer a load of her Dad’s belongings to storage on Friday stimulated her to think of philia and agape love.

250215-Luc-Kouadio-b
Dr. Luc on the website
The holiday also reminds us to pray for our dear friends in Abidjan, Dr. Luc and Deborah Kouadio, who lead the ARC-en-Christ (ARC). It is an alliance of people dedicated to restoring couples who recognize that their marriages are troubled. The year-round fellowship and training include pre-marital and family counseling with Bible study. He is the visionary university leader whom God used to establish CHE training amidst national public health department leaders and researchers in Abidjan. Every year since 2015, this NGO has lodged, fed, and otherwise served the ten to twenty CHE trainers who arrive in September to facilitate the week-long training sessions. ARC faces a dilemma with their ministry: the lease ends this summer on the property they have rented for three years. For some years, they have prayed, saved money, and sought to build a permanent property, but the vision has yet to come to fruition. Properties in Abidjan often have two or three entities claiming ownership. Even if you get legitimate paperwork through the arduous, costly, and slow process, local contestants may damage any investments a purchaser makes to show their discontent. Dr. Luc has expressed concern that their ministry may not have a defined spot to receive guests when the CHE training rolls around again. Verlin has assured him that arrangements can be made as in 2013 and 2014, although it would not meet their incredible standard of generosity and excellence. (Verlin reserved a space and arranged for food before returning.) As they labor to restore couples in troubled marriages and disciple believers, we pray their closing process on property finishes calmly, and soon.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Verlin continues in other ministry obligations and in preparing our place to receive Debbie’s dad. This week, he had to replace or restore wood on our entry stairs and deck to keep it safer for longer. The 100 sq. ft guest bedroom needs clearing and bookcases moved to make the single-wide trailer more senior-living friendly. Our home is not a permanent solution for Eddie but a respite until an appropriate place is found. Debbie is weary from exhausting days but is grateful for family members and many friends who devote hours to help when they can.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank you for continuing to pray for all aspects of the West African CHE Internship in Ghana. Although Verlin will not participate this March except perhaps by video conference, we hope to keep aware of some activities and developments via WhatsApp.
     
  • 🙏 Pray the needed legal paperwork with community endorsement happens soon for the marital ministry of Arc-en-Christ to build on permanent property in Abidjan. Their rental contract ends this coming July.
     
  • 🙏 The race is on to get Debbie’s dad, Eddie Payne, out of his apartment on Feb. 28. Thanks to the gracious help of family and numerous friends, two storage areas are almost empty, and about 2/3 of his belongings are properly stored. Pray that we perceive the Lord’s leadership clearly and finish the task on time.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Many Hands...
        - 250208 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

Many Hands...

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

"Many hands make light work" is probably a phrase all of us have used at one time or another. A noteworthy example of this principle occurs in the book of Nehemiah. Many hands divided the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Reading the names of specific families and the portion they built in Nehemiah 3 is fascinating. One particular verse struck Debbie today. Nehemiah 3:12 mentions daughters who helped their father, Shallum, mount a section of the wall. These women evidently possessed a skillset perhaps not typical of females of that epoch but which their father recognized and was happy to employ for the Lord's sake. From time to time, we all need reminders that our Father distributes talents to His children as He wills. Our preconceived notions of what kind of person can perform specific tasks may lead us to overlook capable people willing to serve!

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

250208_Helpers_for_Eddie
Some of the helpers
`Many hands' from Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church gathered today along with us both at Debbie's father's home of two years to help sort through three storage areas and transfer many of his belongings to a central storage spot. Words feebly express our gratitude to around 15 people from the Paynes' Nashville church home who helped! What was accomplished in half a day was incredible. We were touched by the volunteers' age range and skill set. There were preteens, a teen, a pastor, a retired missionary, a couple in their seventies, and several people closer to our age. Men, women, boys, and girl used their talents and resources to bless Eddie unforgettably. Verlin and our firstborn continued the work until dark. Two other missionary couples and friends from the church assisted Debbie during the week in getting many boxes ready to load. Today helped us see a peek of light at the end of the tunnel. We still have no housing solution, but keep praying!

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Praise God for the powerful gift of community in the family of God that we believers enjoy! Ask the Lord to bless the friends who served Eddie so lovingly today. May we all be as aware and willing to use our time and skills to serve others.
     
  • 🙏 Continue to pray for a housing solution for Eddie in the Lord's time.
     
  • 🙏 Verlin has noticed that his umbilical hernia has continued to open more over the past few months. This is the site initiated by an appendectomy in 2021 and repaired 'for good' in 2022. Pray we find appropriate steps to find a surgeon who humbly performs his duties as requested to stitch a closure that can endure.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Winds of Change
        - 250201 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

Winds of Change

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

250201-of-2409-WACHE_FR
JP from Guinea
Community Health Evangelism (CHE) workers worldwide regularly confront the reality that it takes much time and a worldview change for dependent people to learn interdependence. A case in point is the testimony of a CHE leader ministering in Guinea shared at last September's Francophone regional CHE meeting. JP attended the CHE Internship in Ghana a few years ago, still stuck in the mentality of seeking handouts for projects and ministry development. The Internship Director, Dayo Obaweya, and Verlin spoke to him in groups, privately, and separately about the need to change his perspective to see God's blessings. Instead of seeking funding or regular assistance from outside sources, learn to patiently develop local resources to fund ministry and outreach. With subsequent input from various CHE trainers over time, he understood and demonstrated a broadened view of CHE. Now, when training pastors, he insists that THEY are the ones who teach the congregation how to provide for their families and not rely solely on the people to support the pastors. He shares from the example God provides in Psalm 23 that a Good Shepherd leads the sheep to green pastures, not the other way around. People learn husbandry, especially with chickens, natural medicine, and agricultural improvements in crops like corn. Their early efforts included rehabilitating an abandoned refugee camp into a medical center. Now, the skills they perfect begin to fund CHE ministries.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

This week, we received three encouraging calls from African friends and partners. An Ivorian pastor called to share that their small village congregation finished constructing a cement church building except for the roof. Secondly, the Ivorian partner spearheading efforts to create the CHE agricultural ministry to fund others using CHE also connected. He applies CHE concepts like those he heard lived by JP while sharing them with local community leaders. He continues the step-planning process we worked out to create two initially needed organizations to manage the effort. Your support allowed us to participate in paying for lodging and transport of the ECHO agricultural trainer from Burkina Faso to train him and others last November. Now, he practices and teaches others the techniques learned, including creating compost and non-toxic, natural pesticides from what is found locally. He trusts Verlin will return when possible to assist the agricultural outreach to become operational and get a brick-making machine on site. A third call came Saturday from our dear brother, Dayo. He felt compelled to remind us that God created our current "pause" from being there to assist family here. He also shared thrilling news about new collaborations for CHE ministry expansion in Africa and worldwide. The African Internship Center, where the yearly West African CHE Internship occurs, executes a status change. We are eager to share more details in a future update.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 It is time for our granddaughter Chelsea to have an MRI and a follow-up Vanderbilt consultation after the complicated surgery last summer to remove her defective cochlear implant device. This week, her parents learned that newly placed orthodontics may interfere with the MRI procedure! Pray for a workaround.
     
  • 🙏 This week, Debbie's father received a copy of the birth certificate needed to apply for senior independent living situations. Barring a miracle of provision from the Lord in the next two weeks, he will stay with family for a short while or use temporary lodging like traveling RNs or professionals while waiting for a living space to open. Pray for hundreds of details that must be accomplished before his lease ends on Feb. 26th.
     
  • 🙏 Pray the CHE collaborations mentioned and the ministry opportunities they open in Africa will bear fruit worldwide. Continue asking the Lord to direct leaders who prepare interns for the CHE Internship in Ghana.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: One Deed
        - 250125 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

One Deed

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

World change happens one deed at a time, not by thousands of deeds we think about doing. This fact makes the words and deeds we choose daily more worthy of reflection. As Debbie assists her father in sorting through his worldly goods and dramatically downsizing, they are surrounded by memories of one deed after another offered or received in love and service over a lifetime. The reminders make us thoughtful and thankful. One person who visited Debbie's dad, Eddie, reminded him of one deed offered decades ago, planting a seed that redirected this friend's life into an unexpected trajectory. In recent years, the friend has led a mission group to touch several hundred thousand lives with the Gospel through Discovery Bible Studies. The willingness to consider witnessing using a different tool than he was accustomed to using as a U.S. pastor came from a booklet Eddie gave him about current-day church planting movements that we also share regularly (see that English CPM link or our French one). One simple deed, one enormous consequence.

It reminded Debbie of a much smaller event with a seemingly more minor influence. About 15 years ago, she had a conversation with a woman who was struggling in her marriage. Years later, the woman came to thank her and said Debbie's simple advice helped her not give up. She and her husband were reconciled and doing well. Debbie remembered the lovely face and the problem but had no idea what she specifically said. One simple conversation, one simple deed.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

We spent several hours on Saturday alongside our son Corbin arranging items in Eddie's storage so some furniture pieces could be sold. Verlin continues managing mundane issues like ensuring maintenance at the family's homestead property while reporting and connecting with African partners. Planning or doing timely maintenance and repairs on the single-wide manufactured home took fifteen to twenty hours as Verlin preps the place should it be needed to welcome Debbie's dad for a short time until a more suitable place opens up for him. It would be much easier on his 85-year-old body should he move directly into an independent senior living situation. However, there are waiting lists at most places. We also await a copy of his birth certificate from Arkansas, which has stalled our application for locations.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank the Lord for many people performing many deeds to help this transition for Debbie's father go more smoothly. Continue to pray for lodging that fits his needs.
     
  • 🙏 The West African Community Health Evangelism (CHE) internship in Ghana approaches in February. Pray for the new leaders who spend hundreds of hours in preparation and effectively make adequate provisions to train those coming to be mentored and make plans to attend.
     
  • 🙏 Continue to pray that the partners of the CHE agricultural project near Bondoukou remain steadfast. Ask the Lord to facilitate Verlin's phone connections with African ministry partners. Fruitful phone conversations are sometimes difficult because of work schedules and time zone differences.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Rules for Life
        - 250118 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

Rules for life

Read on Blog:
Rules for Life

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

We do not sustain life merely through what we eat from God's creation but by understanding and faithfully trusting His word to rule our doing it. The great Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—affirm that our Creator defined life through His spoken word that ruled all long before our arrival. We are not accidents; this Divine rule by Word remains challenged by Satan, who claims individuals should define their own truth rather than relying on their Maker's definitions of priorities.

The faithful believe it is clear that Jesus spoke the rule as the Creator on earth, governing physical reality with His words. This assertion of spoken truth surpasses the emotional and psycho-social influence that others use today. Jesus continues to form disciples who share the Good News of God's ongoing presence, guiding those who accept His authority through the Holy Spirit to do good.

Living in God's Kingdom means accepting Jesus' principles, which distinguishes us from other Abrahamic religions. His words set the rules for life, while Satan's deceptions kill it off. Truth corresponds to measurable reality; otherwise, it is false (De.18:20-22; Pr.29:18; Ho.4:16). As a prominent preacher shared decades ago, without Jesus' rescue, there would be little to no fruitful science or education compared to what we enjoy today.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

The measurable principles for managing our communal lives in this creation underpin Community Health Evangelism/Education/Engagement (CHE) principles. As 19th century American Christians changed N. American institutions, 21st-century African Christian leaders use CHE strategies to change their world. The attached image communicates recognized steps to see change per the theory of Prochaska, which outlines prominently how CHE advances spiritually in Cote d'Ivoire. The most effective care is typically the most expensive: teaching with mentorship leads to better health practices in the home. CHE strategies cut the costs to do such instruction significantly, allowing profound gains of health that testify to God's provision for temporal and eternal salvation. As the USA accepts a new president, Verlin hopes the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement will see the national adoption of many approaches used by CHE in several states.

Debbie continues learning about government support services in Tennessee while voluntarily assisting for three to four days or more weekly with her father's transitions. Meanwhile, Verlin recovered from a winter respiratory bug while preparing a temporary location for Debbie's dad in Cookeville, if needed. He also met new neighbors—a factory technician and a stay-at-home mother—eager to learn about God's provisions. Verlin shared some broth with them and plans to deepen their relationship over a meal next week, aiming to involve them in Discovery Bible Studies.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Pray Debbie's encouragement from her father's increasing activity and her obtention of a resource detailing lodging options facilitates decision-making, so her father needs to make only one additional move in this life.
     
  • 🙏 Pray Verlin can recover momentum on editing CHE lessons, assisting an NGO integration of CHE strategies that works out some financial reporting challenges, and renewing communications with W. African leaders sooner rather than later while stateside, probably until at least February's end.
     
  • 🙏 It appears that the 4th QTR of 2024 giving sustaining ministry remained generous, though less so than in 2023. Pray with us that each stays motivated and undistracted by seeming imperative family and ministry needs to complete our financial ministry review by March's end.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Seasons
        - 250111 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

Seasons

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

250111-First-snow
Our first TN snow
Watching the first beautiful snow of this wintry season brings to mind Biblical principles about dormancy and fruitfulness in the Christian life. In TV or performance land, many mistakenly believe or give others the impression that the Christian walk is a non-stop season of harvest and sunshine. Just choosing to follow the Christ requires breaking up fallow and unpliable ground, planting the Gospel seed of Truth, and watering that seed with habit until the fruit of salvation appears. Pulling weeds and roots of sinful habits from our lives that hinder growth takes time, effort, and even struggle; not to mention the added hindrances posed by the tares of false believers that grow in our midst and further impede progress. God works in every season of life, whether we see Him or not.

250111-Our-pruned-mango-tree
Our pruned RCI mango
A most encouraging passage about personal growth as a believer is Psalm 1. It provides a good reminder as we start 2025. If we delight in God's law while we meditate on it day and night, accompanied by obedience, we grow like trees planted by streams of water. We bear fruit in season, maintaining nutritious leaves that do not wither. Let that sink in, like melting snow. The mango and avocado trees in our yard in Bondoukou do not yield fruit all year long, nor do apple and peach trees in the US! There are months of pruning, watering, disease treatment, and other steps completed to ensure a bountiful harvest. Other changes happen underground, invisible to the eye. So it is in our walk with Jesus and our efforts to lead others to Him. It is a process requiring many seasons of change.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

A comfort during Debbie's mother's passing into Eternity was the stories the family heard about how Sandra encouraged people. One friend shared with Debbie a favorite occasion she never forgot when she was a young pastor's wife with little children. Having taught a Sunday School class, she confessed feeling that her devotion time and prayer life were not as strong as needed. After class, Sandra pulled her aside and gently encouraged her to remember that there are seasons in a mother's life, some with more free time than others. When the little ones were older, she would have more hours to devote to Bible study and prayer. The advice brought welcome relief to an earnest mother who, as the decades passed, has blessed many people with her part in creating and editing Bible curriculums.

As Verlin works to maintain connection, he uses time here to assist, resupply, reconnect, and catch up. Debbie maintains spending half-weeks with her father, helping handle emergent details from her mother's passing. The present, pressing challenge is to find an appropriate place for her father to live and downsize belongings. It is an exhausting season, but it is just that, a season that will pass.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Thank the Lord for His help during this season of grief and change from the Payne side of our family. Pray that Debbie's father and we will soon find an acceptable, near-to-extended family living situation. His now unaffordable apartment lease ends in late February.
     
  • 🙏 Continue praying for the final paperwork, team building, and preparations needed for ongoing ministries using CHE. This includes the many seasons to develop a CHE (Community Health Evangelism) agricultural outreach near Bondoukou. Verlin connects with fellow servants in Cote d'Ivoire several times a week.
     
  • 🙏 Praise God with us for the good end-of-year giving that will allow our ministry to continue demonstrating uses of CHE strategies to build our Lord's Kingdom! We remain constantly aware and blessed by the sacrifices of ministry partners to make that possible. Thank you!
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Markers
        - 250104 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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

Markers

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Some years ago, we shared a link to the movie Monumental: In Search of America's Treasure. The film communicated that our nation's truest treasure is the knowledge of God and His Ways transmitted across generations. That's the treasure Debbie and I share with families in W. Africa. While men often glorify themselves, monuments ordained by God are portrayed in Scripture as passing key moments of decision from one generation to another. It is one generation's testimony of experience with God to those who follow. In contrast, markers in the present and biblical times indicate points of measure or accomplishment to delineate land ownership or mark a path. Individuals' lives can likewise be markers to point others to God. Similarly, our friends at Benchmark Adventure Ministries build from this significant heritage of understanding to enable men and women to walk with God in this time.

In our last update two weeks ago, when Verlin prepped to travel from Africa, we shared that Debbie's mother, Sandra, had passed into eternity. In many ways, her life provides benchmarks for members of our family. This update records some of her life's influence on our family and ministry. It leaves us an example and further marks the path of exemplary service to God she could model in our days.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Sandra Payne 1938-2024
The obituary linked is what Deb wrote in collecting commentary from her father, sibling, and children with their edits. The obit gives context for the life marker Sandra left us. Working side-by-side with Sandra at the Parthenon Pavilion for three years, Verlin testifies with Debbie that Sandra lived these and other distinguishing markers of belief: she knew Jesus as the Christ, had faith in Him, loved God and others, lived obediently as best she knew to God's commands, demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit, lived in holiness and separation, persevered in faith, lived in commitment to the Great Commission, and practiced in union with other believers.

Deb also helped coordinate the family team in completing the final arrangements for the celebration of Sandra's life. One of Sandra's granddaughters collected and scanned photos, while another composed a slideshow. One grandson found the burial plot needed. Grandsons and in-laws provided oral tribute and served as pallbearers. As her father told me, Verlin, Debbie handled what she needed to do and got the required done, as always. The following links presently contain or will later be updated on this blog site to share memories compiled by family members on Facebook, slideshow, and/or Substack: Daughter #1; Daughter #2; Firstborn granddaughter; Firstborn grandson.

A godly theme that marked the celebration of Sandra's life and carried throughout the funeral home and graveside services was that we did not bid "Goodbye" to Sandra but "See you soon." We greatly appreciate Rev. Craig Batts, Rev. Doug Little, and Rev. Allan Crowson officiating parts of the day.

Prayer & Praise

  • 🙏 Rejoice that Verlin made it safely to the U.S. on Christmas Eve. Replacing the laptop battery after identifying and correcting the cause of Google-initiated shutdowns, replacing a water heater valve, and maintaining a transport vehicle to stop knocking, let us send this update today.
     
  • 🙏 Pray Debbie and I successfully rearrange the circumstances of our lives in the U.S. and W. Africa to provide for family and ministry after this life change.
     
  • 🙏 Pray that our marking life with God in Africa shows its strength and weakness to successfully maintain momentum among African partners as CHE strategic use continues propagating in West Africa amidst our closest partners during this sooner-than-anticipated brief absence.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Season's Care Eternalized for One
        - 241221 PDF

Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice

 
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
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