Suffering

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250329 PDF

And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. — John 9:2-3

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Click for 6 min object lesson

Why do the righteous suffer? The question has set many on paths that let their insufficient knowledge of God’s goodness and man’s sinfulness destroy their faith. A quick DuckDuckGo artificial intelligence (AI) question yields a list of Western thinkers from the last two hundred years affected by this thought whose thinking tore down more than four hundred years of concentrated Christian development beginning with the Protestant Reformation. The AI listed thinkers like David Hume, Charles Darwin, Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Camus, Leo Tolstoy, Elie Wiesel, and others for whom the suffering ‘problem’ became insurmountable intellectually. While many of these men’s errors have been or are being exposed today, the Satanic deception remains that men know better than what God revealed. To be sure, Satan surfaced the issue among converts in Cote d’Ivoire early in our ministry there. Verlin put together an object lesson to explain at least some of what AI recognizes as reasons believers suffer: The righteous suffer for several reasons, including to test their faith, to help them grow spiritually, and to bring glory to God ultimately. Suffering can also motivate individuals to seek more profound understanding and empathy for others in pain.

Debbie and Verlin spent most of this week at Cookeville’s hospital as Eddie worked through a gastrointestinal problem that showed itself Monday and made him weak enough to need others’ help. The past suffering of others allows today’s medical professionals to better treat his problems. So, we accompanied or stayed near Eddie most of the week as several challenges were successfully addressed by what today’s professionals have gained from the experience of past generations. We live the benefits of thinking through the Apostle Peter’s and Paul’s words. (1 Pt. 2:24-25; 2 Cor. 1:4-6)

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

As Eddie worked by faith through this physical challenge, his and our words encouraged staff and other patients. In the ER, Verlin prayed with a Methodist pastor's wife whose elderly husband’s blood sugar had gone too high. He explained how blood sugar can go high even when people do not eat for a while and texted her an American Heart Association list of symptoms she could recognize later. Another day, he provided referenced explanations to a husband whose wife had experienced cardioversions four times in five years and never understood the process. They left convinced to follow the doctor’s advice. These and others profited from Eddie’s suffering and our walking alongside. Even some Ivorians gained encouragement when Verlin had to make ministry plans and arrange vehicle inspection plus renewal of vehicle registration and insurance using the modern convenience of a smartphone.

A reader of our updates encouraged us by writing how encouraged she is by our making arrangements for life here and in Africa at the same time. We recognize that what we’ve experienced makes this path by faith possible. May we be aware that our lives are better for what others endured before us and that our trials make us more useful to our Lord and helpful to others. It is destructive to wallow in the despair of the dirty messes caused by our sins and living in a fallen world. Instead, let our faith in God’s goodness encourage others to join us and participate in His renewal process for our good and that of all Creation.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 We hope and pray that Eddie will be transferred from the hospital to rehab on Monday. Pray that his strength returns and a bed is available for him quickly.
   
• 🙏 Pray we catch up on ministry reports and clear the house and land of fallen trees while Verlin stays stateside ‘til July.
  

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: Chains
        - 250322 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - 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

Chains

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250322 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Goodbye, Beau

Debbie’s chronological Bible reading plan passed through the book of Judges this week. She pondered how Samsan’s spiritual chains of lust eventually led to his physical chains of slavery and death, but had no idea that soon we would have a sad doggie tale to further illustrate the point. Our handsome, strong, well-trained Rottweiler guard dog, Beau, broke his neck trying to escape the 12-foot by 12-foot fenced area where he was chained to prevent him from getting to a female dog in heat. Over the years, we tried various ways to keep him safely in the cage during the days of a female being in heat. He escaped overnight several times, scaling the four-foot chain-link fence to mate with Luna. This last time, something went terribly wrong. Our Ivorian co-worker will now search for a male dog to train as a fierce guardian. Thankfully, we do have two female dogs in the yard. Hopefully, would-be thieves will not realize the best protector is gone.

Temporary chains that were intended to prevent more puppy deaths resulted in the loss of a great guard dog. What a sober reminder that the Lord gives us restraints—commands—that are for our good, even if they sometimes feel like we are in chains. We may “get by” with some impulse or habit, sinful or otherwise, for a while without apparent consequences, but not forever.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Distance feels like a chain when trying to transfer funds to another country. Verlin is trying another way this week to get money to Cote d’Ivoire from here without a fee like Western Union charges because our vehicle insurance payment is due. When we are there, the banking process to receive funds from the U.S. is now simple and fee-free. He seeks to make larger transfers without the funds passing through European banks. In addition, Verlin completed several more projects to help Debbie’s dad adjust to living with us while connecting with several Ivorian ministry partners.

Debbie thanks the Lord for some free legal advice from a Tennessee lawyer this week on her dad’s behalf. The counsel she received will help with important decisions for her father. We are also grateful to friends who have provided contacts for senior needs in Cookeville and offered to help build a ramp at the entrance of our meant-to-be-little-used 1066 sq. single-wide home.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for a planned CHE training to occur in the east of Cote d’Ivoire. An old site may re-engage. Pray enough trainers and local funding make it effective. Also, pray that new ministries emerge or gain strength through those who attended the West African CHE Internship in Ghana.
   
• 🙏 Pray for us as we attack time-consuming mission efforts, stay connected with ministry partners in Cote d’Ivoire and here, and monitor Debbie’s dad’s health while searching for housing. Thank the Lord for friends who have offered to help build a ramp for easy entry into our non-permanent home. We are also blessed by several new contacts for government services this week.
   
• 🙏 Ask our Father to open the hearts of new friends and neighbors we have made here in the short time here. May they be willing to hear spiritual conversations and consider finding a church home.
  

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: Fresh Eyes
        - 250315 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - 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

Fresh Eyes

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250315 PDF

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

David’s above-cited prayer is from Psalm 119:18. We’ve used it as a prayer to open Bible studies and Discovery Bible Studies for decades. Israel’s kings were instructed to write a copy of God’s law and read it daily (see Deut. 17:18-20). They needed fresh eyes to prevent the habit from becoming meaningless ritual, if they bothered to do it to keep alive God’s vision in their souls! How true for us, too—especially if we have had access to the Scriptures for decades.

Different seasons of life also point out the need for fresh perspectives. In our case, accepting Debbie’s dad into our never-meant-to-be-permanent-trailer-home required fresh eyes to see our food, entrances, and rooms with the needs of an 85-year-old in mind. Certainly, the birth of a child or grandchild also entails seeing home design and life, in general, with a fresh perspective.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Sisters!

In the literal sense, one of the most precious examples of fresh eyes is a newborn baby taking in the new world around them. We joyously met Deborah Eowyn (to be called ‘Wyn’) as our latest granddaughter, watching her eyes begin to accept light and start to see the people whose loving voices she has been hearing in muffled tones for months! Chelsea, her older sister, pictured holding Wyn, prayed for years to have a sibling.

Missionary friends Bobby Aycock, Sue Aycock, and Don Robirds recently opened their eyes in Heaven like a dear family friend of Verlin’s, Janice F. Johnson, a couple of weeks ago. We imagine as the Robirds’ children shared during their father’s memorial service, that these who have gone on before us share the perspective of a Gospel standard, ‘'It don't matter where you bury me'. They see glory with fresh eyes! We especially think of the Aycock family, as their children and friends plan a second funeral in the space of a week.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for our daughter-in-law’s (DIL’s) blessed delivery and a granddaughter’s safe birth Thursday morning! The process started in the ER on Wednesday because our DIL was ill and dehydrated. Everyone is doing well now, and we loved meeting Wyn on Thursday afternoon!
   
• 🙏 Pray for the Robirds, Wilson, and Aycock families. May the Lord strengthen the Aycock’s children and friends to keep them well as they plan a second funeral in just a week.
   
• 🙏 Pray for Community Health Evangelism (CHE) teams in Cote d’Ivoire. Verlin touched base with different members of the national team of trainers the last two weeks, along with others in Bondoukou. They await news of our return plans. Verlin reiterated the uncertainties while stating an expectation of returning no later than July once plans for the care of family members are firm.
   
• 🙏 Continue to pray for suitable housing and assistance for Debbie’s father, Eddie Payne. Waiting lists, care, and financial issues complicate the process. We appreciate the time together at our Cookeville home until a practical location becomes available.
  

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: Nudges
        - 250308 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - 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

Nudges

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250308 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Many believers have never heard an audible voice when the Lord “speaks” to them. Some report having heard a distinct voice without a need for psychiatric care. Yet all of us experience His leading. Sometimes directions come as we read Scripture, pray, or converse with a brother or sister in Christ. Other times, the Holy Spirit’s direction is a nudge, impression, conviction, or prompting to do something: speak to a stranger, take a meal to a neighbor, or call a friend you have not thought of in years. As missionaries, we are greatly comforted when people share specific times they were nudged to pray for us. More often than not, we confirm experiencing a troublesome or dangerous event at that time.

Debbie and the stove saga

Several times during the move and packing for her dad, Debbie sensed a nudge about mundane tasks—take the extra set of keys, document phone conversations related to her mother’s death, or bring her mother’s notebooks and computer to Cookeville instead of putting them in storage. On Monday, it became evident why she needed access to Sandra’s computer. The apartment management company called and indirectly accused us of taking a stove from where her dad lived. There were no maintenance records or receipts to prove otherwise. It was very much a “my word against yours” scenario. Thankfully, after searching through her mother’s emails from 2021, Debbie found proof that her parents had purchased and had installed the stove! Praise the Lord for nudges! This one that she experienced saved money, time, and reputation.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Verlin experienced his own nudging this week that led to new understandings. He regularly feels prompted to initiate spiritual conversations with strangers. Early Friday morning, he encountered a young man at Chick-fil-A who surprisingly shared with him a reading of John Knox tossing an idol overboard. Come to find out, he develops witnessing efforts to people living their lives isolated in virtual reality worlds. We welcomed him to our house today, where we learned of his missionary work that he hopes to see fully funded by his wedding date in September. Some of our experiences blessed him with ideas, just as his passion for virtual reality communities blessed us.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for nudges experienced this week preventing expensive mistakes and encouraging a missionary endeavor!
   
• 🙏 The West African CHE Internship in Ghana is underway. Pray for all the participants, including trainers who sometimes use Zoom to facilitate lessons at difficult hours with poor Internet. May each attendee receive what is needed to propel his or her ministry into greater fruitfulness and influence.
   
• 🙏 Pray for the Bondoukou CHE trainer who is prayerfully choosing people to join him in the CHE agricultural endeavors. Continue to ask that final legal paperwork on the land is processed quickly.
  

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: Empty Spaces
        - 250301 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - 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

Empty Spaces

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250301 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Empty spaces

There’s something about empty spaces that makes the human spirit want to fill them. When house-hunting, standing in an empty room and visualizing how to arrange belongings to create a perfect space is fun. It certainly doesn’t take long to fill and even clutter a place when we move in! Or what about an empty piece of paper that just begs us to write a letter or story or doodle? Or a plot of land enticing us to plant a garden or build a swimming pool?

This desire also applies in our thought life. How often do we try to clear our mind of work or worries to enjoy a book or meditate on God’s Word, but our thoughts drift back to what we were trying to escape? Life coaches tell us that to break a bad habit successfully, we must not leave that space in our lives empty. We need to fill it with a good replacement. Two thousand years earlier, Jesus warned us of this reality in the parable of the house possessed by demons (Matt. 12:43-45). Failure to fill the empty space with the Holy Spirit or Godly things led to a more powerful possession by evil spirits. Food for thought.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Mounting grab bars

Our week was replete with filling empty spaces and emptying filled spaces. Debbie stood with tears and grateful prayers on Friday afternoon in her dad’s empty apartment, thankful for the monumental help of family and friends to meet the end-of-lease deadline. By God’s grace, we moved Eddie to Cookeville on Tuesday. Verlin has spent days making the space more livable for him. With another few days of senior-living adjustments, Eddie should have a safer space to enjoy. He is tired but settling in with thankfulness. Our busyness kept us from sending an update last weekend. Sorry for the delay.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 After a day or two to physically recuperate, Debbie and Eddie will continue tackling the challenge of finding a long-term place for him to live and making some necessary insurance and financial changes. Ask for clear guidance and the right people to advise.
   
• 🙏 Pray for CHE trainers in Cote d’Ivoire. Several of them oversee or monitor multiple CHE outreaches, so their family time and rest periods are infrequent, too. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom in balancing ministry and personal time. Also, continue to pray for property for Arc-en-Christ (see our update called “Restore” for details).
   
• 🙏 We eagerly await the birth of our second grandchild who will be induced in mid-March if she does not arrive early. Please pray for the whole process.
  

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: Restore
        - 250215 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - 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