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
 
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