Bad News Bloopers

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 251206 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Announcing news can be a tricky thing in different cultures. Peace is kept by no one’s world being abruptly changed. A missionary friend warned Debbie about the way to announce death when we arrived in Côte d’Ivoire in 2000. When a beloved African pastor died in an accident several decades before, C. found out and hurried to tell friends the tragedy—sharing the news quickly, plainly, and with tears. Some time later, several Ivorians reprimanded her. In Ivorian culture, a person approaches the process of announcing another’s death slowly and deliberately. It is expected to meet the person, greet them with a serious tone, invite them to sit, offer them a drink, explain that there is some bad news, give them a moment to prepare, and then gently slide into the details, preferably in a roundabout way. It may take an hour or longer. A decade later, Verlin short-circuited the approach, inadvertently rushing through the process as the hearer and news bearer were busy. The person receiving the news told him, “Pastor, that’s too abrupt. You almost gave me a heart attack!”

Although it's helpful to be culturally sensitive, we take comfort in the way Jesus directly addressed the subjects of life and death, reward and judgment. Good news can be heart-pounding, too! We imagine Mary receiving news of her impending pregnancy from an angel, or the surprising announcement by angelic hosts to simple shepherds. Little wonder that several biblical angelic announcements began with “Fear not!” This week’s Advent focus is on peace. Not the external kind based on circumstances or the absence of war, but the shalom that comes from God Himself when we are in right relationship with Him. It is personal peace experienced despite any turbulence of changing circumstances or announcements. We experience His shalom shalom (perfect peace as revealed in Isaiah 26:3) when we keep our minds fixed on Him to trust and obey what we know.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Thanksgiving Eddie & great-grand

While Debbie spent much of the week helping her father, Verlin checked on speeding up the ramp and deck construction in anticipation that Eddie, Debbie’s dad, may need to move here for a time in mid-December. Household repairs of a leaky shower faucet and a vehicle’s wiper motor were done as he continued on the deck and checked on some paid help availability. The paid help and one of the two regular volunteers are not available. So we trust the Lord to time all things as Verlin continued to connect with Ivorians about good works displaced from planned times.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray for CHE trainers in Cote d’Ivoire whose ministries are focused on people who adhere to another religion. The work is hard, but the Lord continues to open doors and soften hearts. Pray heavenly insight leads many people to choose Jesus, despite threats and persecution.
   
• 🙏 Trust the Lord with us to provide what is lacking in our monthly support and send new ministry partners our way for next year’s needs. Thank you if He has led you to be part of that provision!
   
• 🙏 On the health front for Eddie, the only constant is change. This week, Debbie and her sister decided to pursue more help at home for his needs. Because he is so weak, we will not pursue moving him to Cookeville at this time
  

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: Advent Hope
        - 251129 PDF
Prior Videos: Worth
        - Reflect & Rejoice
 

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

2022 Budget COMPLETED:
CHSC-0118_ANDERSON-2022-Budget.pdf
 
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Andersons Witness in Africa.
It is also a brand of bottled water in Cote d'Ivoire where we serve.

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