Worn Parts

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Worn Parts

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250927 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Dealing with worn parts has governed our family’s use of time this week. The casing on Debbie’s 3 y.o. laptop computer cracked on Monday, making the screen unliftable. Parts are on order, but Verlin gave more than a day’s work to open, evaluate the damage, make disk images, and prep a donated computer for her use. The computer Michigan ministry partners felt led to gift us was used for this update! The Lord’s timing remains impeccable. Our traveling lifestyle is hard on computers which we often set up and take down multiple times in a day. This is rough on units we aim to keep functional for five or more years. We always keep a backup unit. One time, hitting a pothole on an African road lost us years of CHE lessons that we have never recovered and ended the 5-year lifespans of two units.

A more sober evidence of worn parts surfaced in medical tests that Debbie’s dad, Eddie Payne, received.

Friday visit of
Cason's Family

Debbie took him to the ER on Thursday morning where they discovered the suspected pneumonia and surprisingly, a leaking heart valve. Eddie was diagnosed with a prolapsed mitral valve many years ago, maybe 40. He chooses to be grateful that weakness did not hinder decades of ministry as a missionary, college professor, or missions promotor and consultant. Another procedure next week will evaluate the severity of the heart damage. We appreciate you praying for decisions the family will need to make

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Verlin also made progress on the ramp project this week with the help of a friend, despite slowdowns for rain. Two more people plan to help next week. He fills in for a traveling preacher and deacon for the next two Sundays and continues talking with Cote d’Ivoire residents many mornings. Debbie expects to be by her dad’s side most of the upcoming week, especially to be a pair of “second ears” for all the medical procedures and reports.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord for providing a computer when Debbie’s required repair. We are grateful for the many times He gives something before we know there is a need!
   
• 🙏 Continue to pray for Debbie’s dad, Eddie Payne, as he faces new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, dealing with the entropy of former decisions to deal with important medical decisions now. We thank the Lord that Debbie can help for some weeks while he establishes a fourth “new normal” in life in the past nine months.
   
• 🙏 The Ivorian presidential elections are less than a month away. Keep praying! An African brother mentioned last week on the phone that Verlin should not schedule his return too close to the election period.
  

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: Choose Change
        - 250920 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

2024 Q1 Q2 Report: First Resort
  -  2024 Q1 Q2 Report 250906 PDF

2023 Budget:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2023-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

Choose Change

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250920 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

It is no secret that the older we get, the harder it becomes to choose change. Our bodies and brains prefer old habits and routines. In that context, we marvel again when reading of Abraham and Sarah’s willingness to upend their ordered lives and trust God to lead them to an unidentified place. Archaeological excavations find that the homeland they left, including Ur of the Chaldees, was avant-garde for its time. Residents had access to hot and cold running water, a sewer system, paved roads, multi-story buildings, metal tools, temples, and a bustling trade. Imagine leaving those comforts in their 70s to wander like nomads for decades, passing through hostile territories where beautiful women were in danger of being abducted, and where finding water challenged everyone. Choosing change became the routine of Abraham and Sarah’s lives. Despite sinful missteps along the way, they learned to adapt. They found the Lord trustworthy, choosing change through flexibility and faith despite the trials faced. Trust lets structured change keep life and faith vibrant.

In a smaller way, we plan to make changes to our lifestyle and work in Côte d’Ivoire as CHE co-laborers and friends put their acquired knowledge into practice. In the last month, CHE trainings happened in Chad and Senegal. The fledgling group in Senegal has taken the challenge of hosting the French West African CHE gathering in 2026.

Soap of a pastor trained at UFHB

Others we’ve influenced or trained shared their experiences in making soap and dyeing cloth as enterprises, raising artesunate, which treats malaria, and adopting new methods in corn production with excellent results, supporting ministries, and fostering faith in God within church fellowships. They choose to change and expand their thinking so that the Gospel can spread and improve lives. The Lord honors their faithful and fruitful efforts.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

This week, the Lord answered our prayer about a decades-long land issue in Cookeville. Part of the property for which we’ve been responsible has been turning into a wetland. Water drainage ceased due to blockages on a neighbor’s land, where some extended family formerly lived. Verlin and our neighbor discussed the problem. An agreement was reached to let the water flow off our land through his property. Progress continues on our deck extension to facilitate the construction of a ramp. Two volunteers plan to help this coming week as Verlin finishes the footings that have required knee- or belly-to-the-ground work. He also sent funds to Cote d’Ivoire to cover expenses incurred there. Debbie will spend this weekend with her father and take him to his attending physician on Monday.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for visas needed for recognized CHE movement leaders to expand the Global CHE Network during conferences held in Albania during October. Ask the Lord to help someone in the approval process prioritize the value of the meetings to facilitate successful community improvement in their nation and around the world. No one can obtain their airline tickets until the visas are approved.
  
  
• 🙏 In the past month, two Michigan ministry partners experienced the death of their husbands after decades of marriage. Please pray for guidance and comfort for these two families.
  
  
• 🙏 Thank the Lord for two people who have offered to help Verlin one day this upcoming week with the ramp. Pray that we can bring the project to a successful completion without delay.

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: Silo Exit
        - 250913 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

2024 Q1 Q2 Report: First Resort
  -  2024 Q1 Q2 Report 250906 PDF

2023 Budget COMPLETED:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2023-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

Silo Exit

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 250913 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

The greatest revivals in Western history (the 1730s First Great Awakening and the 1800s Second Great Awakening) emerged during times of spiritual decline or societal turmoil. Now that the American Church experiences one of the greatest decreases of influence in a culture ever seen, laments and autopsies like that of Tim Keller's have diagnosed the killing disease without identifying what can change the situation. Someone must repent from doing wrong and then exercise personal fervor and cross-bearing to see spiritual awakening happen for others. For three generations, the anti-Christian bent of higher education has intimidated many believers to shelter in place. Still, it has always been evident to us that dialogue makes reformation possible. We have known this truth, whether testifying at universities and schools in Côte d’Ivoire or in the United States. People respond to ideas presented by people. We pray that the sacrifice forced on the Charlie Kirk family and Turning Point USA by ungodly misunderstandings of the pursuit of happiness marks the end of the American Church's decline. However, that depends upon how believers engage outside of the four walls of their churches.

Erika Kirk speech, courtesy AP News

Few believers run to battle like Charlie Kirk did. Few engage outside of talk within Christian silos. Courageous witness requires faith that anticipates God working beyond what one sees. Kirk’s assassination on Wednesday was horrific. We grieve for the family. We pray. Yet, we recognize that the life of a fearless lover of Jesus being shot down clarifies the situation for many. Promoting a Biblical worldview viewpoint is an offence many Americans now believe merits death. The greatest menaces to life and liberty inherent in the Christian faith are not China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. It is the lack of common faith among us. It is time to double down, not retreat. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed it:

Charlie Kirk has been killed not for espousing extremist views – because he didn’t. He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense. He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech.

We trust the Lord to work all things out for good, and we continue to engage confidently by faith.

Come and See (Psalm 34:8)

Despite this week’s chilling news that pervaded our thoughts and prayers, the Lord blessed our daily efforts. Verlin completed some Michigan family business, reconnected with Ivorians, submitted expense reports, and made progress on the outside work that needs to be completed before he returns to Africa conscientiously. Debbie checked off several items from her list of activities for her father. After three more visits to the mechanic's shop, spanning four days of Debbie’s time, our primary long-distance vehicle appears to be running correctly. We anticipate greater productivity next week, by faith!

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray armies of hopeful youth continue to rise with bold tenacity to share the Gospel.
   
• 🙏 Lift up an Ivorian friend who asked for prayer. He needs an unwavering commitment to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, victory over some habits, and direction for his life.
   
• 🙏 Pray for our stamina and capacity to finish many projects before Verlin’s upcoming return to Africa.
  

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: First Resort
        - 250906 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

2023 Q2 Report: Progress and Pain
  -  3-4th Q 2023 Report 250712 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

First Resort

PDF Version w/ financial summary:

Anderson Report 250906

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go."

—Alan Redpath

This update continues our goal to catch up on sending our printed quarterly ministry reports. The donations received from January to June 2024 are posted with this update. Along with the numbers, we include one paragraph from our June 8, 2024, update. It remains just as true today that prayer is our first, not last, resort. Nothing encourages us more than your faithful prayers for CHE ministries in Côte d’Ivoire and for us! Our greatest desire is that our lives and ministry align with the Lord’s will.

“Isn't it strange that we pray as a last resort when we can do nothing else? The more Biblical approach is to pray before anything else. Why is being a persistent person of prayer such a vital habit to develop? Here are just a few reasons we remember: 1) Prayer is commanded; obedience is at stake. 2) Prayer is a conduit God uses to accomplish His will on earth. 3) Prayer encourages the person prayed for and changes the person praying. 4) Prayer binds the forces of evil in Jesus' name. 5) Prayer helps us resist temptation. 6) Praying testifies about our confidence in God to others. 7) Prayer directs glory to God as we recognize Him at work, not ourselves.”

During 2024, we asked you to pray for situations that remain relevant today. Continue praying over the people and projects outlined as follows.

TESTIMONY

Last year, the Lord opened a door to purchase a 2-ton earth brick machine, offering numerous potential benefits. The bricks, using minimal cement, would prove considerably cheaper to produce. The equipment could enable us to construct several buildings for the agricultural project economically, allowing the local team to sell bricks later and use the proceeds to fund Community Health Evangelism (CHE) ministries, thereby furthering outreach. Certain details remain unverified, including where to purchase parts, ensuring all parts function correctly, and resolving a challenging transportation issue. We also do not want to move any equipment to the agricultural project site until ALL paperwork related to land ownership is safely in the hands of our Ivorian Christian brother who has offered the land for CHE use. Pray that Verlin discerns rightly whether the brick-making machine can be made operational and worth the investment. Pray for final property documents, too.

The agricultural site is intended to provide multiple exhibits that people can visit. Friends of other faiths have expressed great interest in having a place where they can observe and learn Farming God’s Way techniques (including methods to multiply corn and other crop production), Food Always In The Home (FAITH) gardening, sack farming, and moringa production and uses. Verlin expects to spend much of the upcoming year establishing this outreach. Once this first site flourishes, the intention is to replicate the process in up to two or three other regions of Côte d’Ivoire, ultimately reaching a total of nine.

TRANSITIONS

For the first time in 12 years, except for a one-year delay in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, the university CHE training will not occur in September. Leadership expects to return to the regular schedule and format in 2026. One reason cited for the delay is the upcoming Ivorian presidential election in October. Security concerns occupy everyone’s thoughts. Additionally, a change in personnel at the university results in a new leader at the helm of the CHE program. He wants one year to settle into his role, without feeling rushed or concerned about the election. The change allows Verlin to focus on CHE initiatives elsewhere.

TIMING

We video-conferenced with the Christian Health Service Corps leadership in mid-August to discuss plans. They graciously gave us the green light to minister apart for some months. Debbie still has some financial and logistical items to complete for her father, which may take until the end of the year. Verlin will return to Côte d’Ivoire after the ramp is completed at our Tennessee home. He hopes to depart by the end of September or by mid-October at the latest. Debbie plans to join him as soon as possible. The CHSC is familiar with our family circumstances and understands why we aim to accomplish more in a short time across two continents. We trust the Lord to make the way clear as we move forward in faith.

TREASURES

The birth of our granddaughter, Wyn, in March, greatly blessed our lives! Chelsea loves being an older sister; we treasure every moment the Lord gives us together. Chelsea will undergo another surgery in mid-October to see if her removed cochlear implant can be replaced. Last summer, a Vanderbilt surgeon removed a defective one, finding extensive internal damage. This surgery will assess the feasibility of implanting a new one after allowing the tissue to heal for a year. Pray that Chelsea cheerfully accepts whichever outcome becomes a reality. In late August, our daughter-in-law Suzanne endured an emergency abdominal surgery that could have ended her life, had they not arrived at the hospital when they did. We praise the Lord for His grace!

Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email at your convenience to discuss or request more information. Verlin’s cell number is forwarded to Côte d’Ivoire, and no longer incurs any extra cost for you or us to call. It’s another wonder of modern communication! We are blessed beyond words by your friendship and partnership in the Gospel!

With grateful love in Christ,
Your Partners in the Gospel,

Verlin and Debbie

If you wish to view or print only the catch-up quarterly reports, you can view them as a picture or PDF:

  1Q 2024 JPG or the 1Q 2024 PDF 

  2Q 2024 JPG or the 2Q 2024 PDF  

 

Report text alone link: Anderson Report 250906 

Family pics taken since choosing to serve as missionaries.

 

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 Weekly: Truing our Timing - 250830 PDF
Prior Videos: Rejoice and Reflect
        - The Great Story

 

2024 Q3 & Q4 Report: Progress & Pain
  -  Q3 & Q4 Anderson Report 250712 PDF

2022 Budget Info:
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