Let Prevention Prevail!

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 25052431 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Defang the mosquito's power!

It is a time to rejoice with those who rejoice as science discovers a potential way to prevent a worldwide scourge like malaria. When prevention prevails in the treatment of diseases, costs, human suffering, and death decline. In a novel approach reported publicly this week, Harvard researchers found two drugs that kill the malarial parasite in the mosquito. In this scenario, it would not matter if the mosquito bit you, since the parasite would already be dead. Rather than insecticide, mosquito nets might be impregnated with a cocktail of drugs to be absorbed via the insect’s feet and legs. This method may become commonplace in a decade. For those of us who have endured malaria, we rejoice to know ANY hope of diminishing this equatorial enemy.

We dream of a day when Medicare in the United States can prioritize prevention, enabling families to care for their beloved elders with fewer health issues. While reimbursement improves, training with practical tools, equipment, activity, and nutritional habits that could prevent falls, disease, and lengthy rehabilitation stays is rarely targeted by insurance. Prevention demands more work. It also requires more expense if not planned for integrally over the decades before strength flags, hearing diminishes, and eyesight dims.

At the annual Level 2 University FHB studies in Abidjan, we begin the first day of sessions by emphasizing how Community Health Engagement/Evangelism/Education programs (CHE approaches) reduce public and community health expenses while conducting regular household visits with training in good health practices. In the U.S., illness and painful falls often precede families seeking counsel on how to live wisely. Then, needed adaptive expenses often fail to qualify for Medicare reimbursement. The system prefers paying for treatments that develop other treatments over time rather than helping families design bathrooms or teaching a senior adaptive use of a shower chair, despite their having fallen multiple times for lack of prior attention. Physical therapists and friends in similar situations of helping elderly parents lament, too. The focus on curative care instead of prevention imposes high financial and personal costs on families. Thankfully, Debbie’s father, who may be released from the rehab center next week, is blessed with several items that will help him move more safely in daily life despite his weakened frame. Debbie anticipates an additional $500 or so. Still, the frustration is real and shared!

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Since Debbie’s dad, Eddie, will likely be discharged from the rehab center soon, we anticipate an exceptionally busy period for several weeks. We will move him to another town, where Debbie’s sister, Laura, has rented a large home to accommodate her needs and her father. Eddie will NOT have to climb unmanageable stairs outside. Additionally, the interior is spacious for a rollator, and it also features a walk-in shower. Once we have him safely installed there and have helped him clear a large storage unit in Nashville, Verlin will build a ramp for the entrance to our small home. This will serve as a secondary, safe place for Eddie to stay, and it is now possible to build, as we have caught up on our financial reports. As soon as possible in June, Debbie will keep a promise to her dad by taking him on a short visit to his childhood hometowns in Arkansas and Oklahoma for closure. Eddie would eventually like to rent a small, one-bedroom place of his own, but that is not something his daughters envision soon, based on reports from physical therapy.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for ongoing efforts to eradicate malaria. Pray that other research and remedies will find ways to eliminate the parasite in the mosquito, rather than simply killing the mosquito.
   
• 🙏 Pray that the Ivorian people will remain calm in the face of presidential elections this fall.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s father will likely leave rehab sometime next week. He plans to move in with Laura, Deb’s older sister. She has recently rented a large house in another Tennessee town. The next few weeks will be busy as we help him move again, assist him in clearing a large storage space in Nashville, and build a ramp at our house to provide him with a secondary, safe place to stay.
  

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: Freedom's Scars
        - 250524 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

Freedom's Scars

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250524 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

5 of our WWII soldiers

We ruminate over the idea that “freedom isn’t free,” this weekend dedicated to honoring and remembering the more than 1.1 million soldiers who gave their lives for liberty. A popular poem and song beautifully articulate the emotions we experience from the thought. At the same time, Memorial Day reminds us about freedom’s scars—missing limbs, PTSD, nightmares, survivor’s guilt, and suffering families whose loved ones returned in body but not in soul, never the same. Each of us has had uncles and other family who served in World War II—storming the beaches of Normandy, parachuting into Germany, cutting hair, cooking meals, and using sniper skills and explosives expertise. These courageous men did not let fear prevent them from doing what needed doing and did not discuss their wartime experiences, except in rare, sanitized remarks. There is little to say peaceably when you start one morning with thirty-five men poised for an invasion, and only six remain alive come eventide. Freedom’s scars cut deep. They can last a lifetime.

The holiday serves as another kind of reminder. Amidst other metaphors, Holy Scripture paints the Christian life as a battle. We have an Enemy who snipes at the souls of our families. This world system targets soldiers of the cross in horrific ways around the globe. In America, anyone seriously working out the salvation of themselves and others in accord with Biblical truth frequently sits under judgment by an ungodly culture. Christian workers experience regular attacks—physical, spiritual, and emotional. Their experiences get little press coverage. It is no surprise that more than ever, believers experience trauma, secondary PTSD, depression, burnout, temptations, and family crises. Fighting on spiritual frontlines remains dangerous work. The greatest comfort remains our resting in service with a Savior well acquainted with freedom’s scars, Who has already won our battles. As we remember to bless and pray for military families in various ways, pray for Christians in the military and elsewhere who serve while wounded. As best possible, let us not shoot our own!

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

The Lord blessed us with a busy week when we felt some accomplishment. We finished four financial reports and connected with mutually encouraging ministry partners. On the flip side, Debbie’s dad, Eddie, encountered additional difficulties during this week’s therapy sessions. Unanticipated swelling and bruising led to extra testing. Finding an old, torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder requires some changes to therapy and daily habits. Eddie does not plan to have surgery.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Join us in looking for ways to honor and help military families and war-weary Christians. Ask the Lord to remind us of the Enemy’s schemes and to arm ourselves with the whole armor of God.
   
• 🙏 Pray for countries where war, unrest, or persecution hinder the Gospel of Christ.
   
• 🙏 Once again, Debbie’s dad, Eddie, experienced setbacks this week. An X-ray revealed a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder! Pray for needed adjustments to physical therapy and daily habits.
  

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: Pay it Forward
        - 250517 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

Pay it Forward

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250517 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Pay it forward is a popular axiom about generosity in our generation. The concept seems a little like Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14 about inviting those who cannot repay you to the banquet. When experiencing this, we think of someone having done a kindness for us, but instead of returning kindness to the giver, we pay it forward by helping someone else. Before it became popular here, many organizations helping people in need worldwide copied a program that Heifer International instilled as a principle in their operations. Heifer International calls it “Passing on the Gift.” When they donate cattle, goats, or an agricultural ability to someone, they expect the recipient to pay it forward to someone else by giving a cow or goat and repeating the training.

Although Community Health Evangelism (CHE) promotes the practice directly, the strategic approach operates very similarly as a whole. We train or disciple others to multiply themselves rather than only increasing the number of participants. People learn new principles in Christian living, health, nutrition, farming, and husbandry for themselves, then pass the disciplines on to others, who get encouraged to do the same. A dear Ivorian CHE ministry partner shared a story with Verlin this week about a pay-it-forward ministry he recently started. Ministering in an area of Cote d’Ivoire where most resist hearing the Gospel, the church-planting pastor targets outreach to young people. Youth in Côte d’Ivoire who do not have jobs frequently get into trouble. In one village, he gifted a young man two ducks to raise as a micro-enterprise. (We did not ask him the source of his funding. Funds usually come from himself, a collection, or a received gift.) Part of the agreement is that they will give a duckling to another person and train them in the process. A great joy of Christianity is freely giving to others, knowing we have freely received from the Lord the Gospel and the capable expertise that blesses and enriches the lives of anyone willing to receive.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Grandma joy on Mother's Day!

Verlin spent numerous hours communicating with Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministry partners in Côte d’Ivoire. We jointly worked on financial accounting, completing three reports in the week. Hopefully, by the end of the month, we will be caught up on the monthly reports, then complete our quarterly and annual reports to send in a printed newsletter.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for the reports we heard from partners in Côte d’Ivoire. Pray for CHE-formulated outreaches in areas resistant to Christianity. Ask the Lord to provide constant opportunities to share the Gospel as they help youth learn husbandry and spiritual lessons. Also, pray for health-based ministries adapting to USAID changes. Some have not paid staffers who minister to AIDS and other patients for more than three months as the US State Department refocuses priorities.
   
• 🙏 Continue to pray for calm to reign as political rhetoric and threats heat up related to Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election scheduled in October.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s father, Eddie, is back on track, progressing in physical therapy.
  

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: Mama Warriors
        - 250510 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

Mama Warriors

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250510 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

“You are as much serving God in looking after your children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house, and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.”--Charles H. Spurgeon

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beloved mama warriors we know!

Sandra Payne, mama warrior

Elsie Anderson, mama warrior

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

This week, setting up computer backup routines to preserve work slowed financial reporting progress, although Verlin and Debbie devoted 80+ hours to mission-related financial work. Banking transfers worked flawlessly in Côte d’Ivoire to cover some current expenses there. Verlin also provided nursing and nutritional counsel to some early in the week as mothers sought to provide for husbands, children, and aging parents. Together, we gratefully received a visit from another working mother, an Occupational Therapist who heard Verlin speak last month. She gave us excellent counsel on current appliances or services that we can use further to ready the house for anyone with mobility challenges.

Today, Debbie enjoyed sharing a Mother’s Day devotional by Zoom with the ladies of Verlin’s home church, Central Oaks, in Michigan. All the church, including these lovely ladies, has been a faithful ministry partner since the laying on of hands and our first days as we embarked as missionaries.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for mothers overwhelmed by their calling today, especially single mothers.
   
• 🙏 Continue to pray for revised plans for CHE training in September (see last week's update for details), since the university will not host the multi-level sessions this year.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s father was moved to an area with more supervision in rehab after slipping to the floor from his chair twice in one week. Thankfully, his respiratory issue has improved.
  

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: Delayed, not Deleted
        - 250503 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

Delayed, not Deleted

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250503 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Delayed, not deleted. Sometimes it takes eyes of faith to remember that a delay may be a victory. Last week, Verlin spoke with Professor Luc about the yearly university CHE training, which usually occurs in September. Changes abound at the university. First of all, new leadership begins taking the reins of the university’s college of public health education. Although he is committed to broadening the reach of the CHE program and has supported the CHE programs, he does not feel ready to assume responsibility this year. Secondly, the legal paperwork for Professor Luc’s marriage ministry’s new location remains incomplete. Although it appears they will close on the land in June, there will not be enough time to erect a new building or buildings to host CHE trainers and participants from villages. Thirdly, several university CHE team members who spend hundreds of hours planning the training are unavailable this year due to other commitments. As a result, the team decided to delay the next CHE training until 2026. However, to maintain regularity, a much smaller CHE training will likely occur around the same time, possibly at a different location, instead of four classes running simultaneously on campus. The process lets all consider alternative possibilities to enrich the skills of committed CHE workers in the Abidjan area.

Deleted, not delayed. A political reality also affected the university’s decision to delay the CHE training until next year. October 2025 is the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire. Even in the past week, there were growing tensions about candidates. Two popular menwere recently deleted from the roster of potential candidates, one for a criminal record, the other because he was still a French citizen until February. Everyone knows the months right before the election are likely to be volatile. Dealing with elections has complicated planning for CHE training before. However, it is difficult to manage large groups of CHE workers in Abidjan without lodging them in areas known to have experienced electoral violence in the past.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Delayed, not defeated. Delays have been such a regular part of our 25+ years of missionary life that we barely blink when they occur. Pray that Verlin clearly perceives how to prioritize time for other CHE ministry opportunities, since the university training will not require the usual months of preparation. Perhaps this will allow the agricultural outreach to progress more quickly. Debbie’s dad also had a delay in recovery the past week. He recovered well from one physical setback, only to fall prey to a respiratory problem. We hope it is not pneumonia.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for the university CHE team and other trainers in Côte d’Ivoire as they discuss changes. The large CHE seminar in September at the university will likely be replaced this year with a smaller training. The UFHB expects to resume the popular multi-level training in 2026.
   
• 🙏 Presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire are scheduled for October. That means the next few months may be fraught with tension and riots. Pray for a peaceful election process.
   
• 🙏 Eddie, Debbie’s dad, recovered from one physical setback in rehab, only to be hit with a respiratory issue this week. Continue to pray for strength and healing.
  

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: Follow Through
        - 250426 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