The Choice of Helps

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

What would most villagers choose if they had the two following very different offers of help? You? Imagine, on the one hand, foreigners or officials arriving in a vehicle and offering people funds to help build a needed well. Then picture a simply dressed man of their own ethnic group arriving on a bicycle and offering to walk beside them to bring community transformation using local resources and their own sweat equity. Few choose the more rewarding but harder second path.

At the 8 West African national CHE associations’ meeting in Senegal, the story of a CHE trainer in Togo was shared. He rode his bicycle 70 kilometers to offer help to a village. The chief looked him over from head to toe and told him they didn’t need his help. Move on. He did. His offer was accepted in a nearby village. There, he inspired villagers to establish a mechanics school, build a school for their children, start a women's enterprise center that now sells naturally bottled fruit drinks, and build a water tower to serve the region. In fact, the village chief who had refused his help later knelt before him to ask that he return to help his people. Their village gets water there!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

During a second week in Bondoukou, Verlin focused on logging into our records the hundreds of small expenditures incurred during our absence to verify that the funds were spent as authorized. He continues to oversee the M-Sa cleaning and daily one to two repairs while listing parts or supplies needed to complete others, such as storage shelving, supports, or cabinets whose wall anchors fail with age, as poorly made cement gives way over time. Those repairs, like the others, will get assigned or delegated and then inspected for sufficiency. Verlin only takes time to repair something himself in our place, which serves as a way station between ministry site visits, if the local work quality is known to be insufficient to be safe or to endure our expected time here. Despite having someone faithfully working around the house during absences and maintaining the appearance of habitation, issues like roof leaks go unnoticed unless someone lives in a 50+ year-old house.

260531_0716-2ndMoto.jpg
April 2018 Purchase w/ >120,000 Km
Our second 50cc motorcycle purchased over 18 years, still runs well, remains useful as another mobile, tangible testimony for how God restores usefulness and power efficiently. It has been readied with new tires and maintenance for the short in-town errands that Verlin does not take as an opportunity to walk for exercise and meet neighbors. Conversations with neighboring church leaders about eating together weekly, or at least twice a month, to catch up over the next few months began. He continues to receive a visitor every day or two and hopes to begin making local in-town visits next week. The health of our two dogs has improved with his return.

Debbie continued sorting her dad’s possessions, visiting ministry partners, and connected with the Speed Queen seller to get a squealing clothes dryer serviced while fighting a respiratory virus.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Pray that the new CHE ministries, having no direct connection to us other than a 2nd or third generation trainer who began creating new outreaches, endure with patience and clear vision.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to continue renewing opportunities for Discovery Bible Studies in our area among people who do not feel free to safely attend local churches.
     
  • πŸ™ This week, Debbie hopes to receive clarity on just a few remaining questions regarding her father’s financial affairs. Sorting and releasing his belongings for remembrance proceeds well.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Among So Many
        - 260523 PDF

Prior Videos: Among So Many
        - Worth

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

Among so Many

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

What are these among so many? The disciples considered that question in John 6:9 when faced by Jesus’ command to feed thousands of people. He asked them what was on hand, and they found a boy with five loaves and two fish. Having recently finished touring and performing many miracles, Jesus was testing their faith. They initially proposed sending the crowd away after the long day together. Jesus told them to feed the crowd. He then modeled giving the throng what they needed, feeding them from what was available there.

260523-ESC-Conference-participants
Conference Video
Mark 6:30-46 set the theme of ‘Feed Them Ourselves” for the biennial West African French-Speaking Community Health Evangelism (CHE) meeting. Leaders of national efforts gave reports in Senegal. Only two West African nations remain without CHE models; part of the meeting addressed networking to enter those communities. Often, African believers are tempted to wait for outsiders to provide resources for ministries to begin. However, Emmanuel reinforced the meeting’s tone by recalling a CHE pillar: using local resources. Next, the reports shared how the separate national programs had expanded their ministries, developing and using their local resources rather than perpetually waiting on others. That said, several received funds from partnering ministries that chose to accompany them, though any shared funds did not alter the plans made. The minuscule bread and fish were more than enough in Jesus' hands that day as the disciples passed out the portions. Similarly, today, Jesus multiplies the resources of those who serve with what they have.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

After completing errands and visiting two coastal pastors who are interested in using Community Health Evangelism (CHE), Verlin returned to our rented home/office in Bondoukou on Tuesday. Finding the house intact with electricity and water functioning, and two dogs alive was a blessing. He reviewed the current state of affairs, oversaw cleaning and pest control, and completed errands and repairs so the place is ready to receive guests. A stove and refrigerator will need repair or replacement. As friends and ministry partners began dropping by to welcome him back, Verlin offered avocados and pomelos from our yard as well as hibiscus and papaya leaf tea infusions.

New prospects developed as Verlin resumed walking for short, in-town tasks. Stopped by a man who adheres to local religions and teaches Koranic recitation, a 30-minute conversation began, spanning health and religious beliefs. They decided to meet again to continue discussing Jesus, which the teacher had started.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Pray for the 60+ pastors trained to use CHE with DMM last month in central Cote d’Ivoire. They need a follow-up to determine how best to implement what they learned in their ministries.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to enhance the prayed-for opportunity for Verlin to engage in meaningful spiritual conversations with the Muslim teacher met to connect with yet others to engage in Bible study.
     
  • πŸ™ Pray for Dr. Peter Stafford (the missionary who contracted Ebola in Congo), his family, and the many Africans and communities at risk of contracting Ebola
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Sudden Goodbye
        - 260516 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
 

  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

Sudden Goodbye

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

260516-Dr.AKA
Dr. AKA
After arriving safely in Abidjan, Verlin spent less than a day in Cote d’Ivoire before following up on the sad news read during the transatlantic flight of the unexpected death of a friend and a faithful Community Health Evangelism (CHE) trainer from the university. Dr. AKA Desquith Angele was trained during the first three years we began sharing at the university and helped train others in that setting for years. Her medical role was in public health, as the interim chief of service in the government department overseeing vaccinations nationwide for the last several years. She also participated in developing the follow-up statistics of the leprosy program that we have mentioned many times. Her abrupt passing due to complications from a surgery is a heartrending loss for her husband, friends, colleagues, and potentially the strategic use of CHE in the country to open doors of ministry.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Despite this loss, the Lord answered several prayers this week. First, this represents the 4th death of vital CHE trainers integral to different programs. In the past, each loss was made up for by several others stepping up to invigorate their respective programs. This historically traceable fact comforts many. Verlin’s safe arrival in Cote d’Ivoire with a four-day trip to and from the CHE regional meeting in Dakar, Senegal, without problems was a blessing, as others’ flights were delayed or canceled. In addition, he renewed vehicle registration and insurance for HiLux, enabling our mechanic friend to pick him up at the airport after his trip to Senegal on Friday and return the vehicle to Verlin. This permitted Verlin to attend the burial of Dr. Aka today in a village hours from Abidjan.

The trip concluded a profitable week for which we thank the Lord for Verlin’s continued energy and increased leg strength, as driving was easier than during 2022-‘24. He has errands and two meetings with pastors interested in using CHE to complete before heading home to Bondoukou. One unexpected replacement may be a freezer we purchased in 2024. The local repairman said a fix is not possible. Verlin will check with the warranty provider and the seller before deciding what to do. It's common for appliances to fail when we’ve been away for extended periods.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Thank the Lord for Verlin’s safe international travels and a good regional CHE meeting in Senegal. Pray for a CHE leader who was unable to leave Mali to attend the meeting. May he and his cohort and family be safe and effective in an environment hostile to Christians.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to comfort the family, friends, and coworkers of Dr. Desquith Aka, the government doctor and CHE trainer who passed suddenly last week after surgery complications. Verlin attended her funeral service in Abidjan on Saturday at 7 AM, followed by her burial that afternoon, hours west of Abidjan in N’gohinou with Ivorian ministry partners.
     
  • πŸ™ Pray for the leprosy outreach ongoing in central CΓ΄te d’Ivoire.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Warrior Mama
        - 260509 PDF

Prior Videos: El Roi
        - Reflect & Rejoice

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

Warrior Mama

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Happy Mother’s Day to the many wonderful, faithful mothers we know! Included in that group are godly single and married women who have never physically borne children, but who participate in nurturing and training up the next generation in the ways of the Lord.

In a recent sermon on Deborah, the historical female judge from the tribe of Ephraim mentioned in Judges chapters 4 and 5, Egyptian-American Michael Youssef made an insightful point. During the victory song after Israel defeated the Canaanites in Judges 5:7, Deborah described her participation as “a mother in Israel.” She could have emphasized her leadership role as the judge and prophetess of that epoch, or mentioned that Barak, the army commander, refused to go into battle unless she agreed to accompany him. In our age of distorted roles, some might envision her on a feminist rampage to break the chains of the patriarchy, since she was the only female judge in the Bible. But that was not her ambition. Deborah arose with the courage and steadfastness of a mother, prodding a fearful general to fulfill his role and trust God’s promises. Her influential, mothering role in a stunning military victory was how she wanted to be remembered.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

260509-BNA-airport
Verlin leaving Nashville
Verlin began his journey back to Cote d’Ivoire on Friday. He arrived in the early evening of that world today and was able to review this update by 8 p.m. EST. It was a hectic week of doctor appointments, errands, and visits. He sets up travel to Dakar, Senegal, for Monday's four-day regional CHE meeting after church and a visit to friends grieving the loss of a university-based CHE trainer we encouraged in Christ. Debbie remains in the USA for a few more weeks, finishing her father’s affairs and a long list of family and ministry projects.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Pray for an encouraging and incident-free regional CHE meeting in Senegal.
     
  • πŸ™ Our vehicle will not be available to Verlin until he returns from Senegal at the end of the week. The Toyota cannot be driven until insurance is renewed, and that requires Verlin to renew several banking and payment services. So, pray the reacclimating process goes smoothly.
     
  • πŸ™ Pray for mothers struggling alone or who are afraid or uncertain of their roles. Women have many laudable skills and roles, but none is more important for a nation's future than being faithful, godly mothers.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Remote Control
        - 260502 PDF

Prior Videos: El Roi
        - Reflect & Rejoice

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

Remote Control

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

260502-Elsie-and-Verlin
Verlin and his mom
We learned the value of Microsoft’s “Quick Assist” as Verlin completed the installation and preparation of his mother’s new computer. A gifted ministry partner, who now helps Elsie get out our written quarterly reports when we are overseas, showed us how it works. In case you do not know, Microsoft’s Quick Assist Windows feature allows one computer to view or take control of another computer, using a passcode and several permission steps to solve problems remotely. So Verlin, or our friend, can access her computer with her permission to see whatever problem she may face and work to correct it. The user or helper can cancel the connection between the computers with one click. It is amazing technology when you have trusted helpers!

Debbie mused about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives as she watched Verlin and our friend open files and make changes on Elsie’s computer screen from their computers. Great trust is required to give another that kind of access and control. Similarly, the Holy Spirit does not force His way into our hearts and minds without our permission and cooperation. It’s an incredible joy and relief to invite Him to daily correct our faulty programming and help us make the best choices! Conversely, what damaging viruses and sins take root when we do not give Him free rein!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Visiting family and friends in Michigan seemed to pass too quickly! The essentials were done. We were blessed to meet or visit with nine ministry partners, in addition to the essential family interaction and planning. It appears that Verlin is on target to leave the States in mid-May. We learned that he will not need a visa to attend a regional meeting in Senegal, as his visit will be less than 90 days. Secondly, since coordination among all concerned regarding a pending meeting was difficult, we did not receive a useful invitation letter in time for him to leave a StarLink Internet antenna in Ghana. We will handle obtaining the visa in CΓ΄te d’Ivoire when it is useful for other purposes. We prefer getting Ghana visas from an American consulate. Usually, they issue us 5-year visas more easily than 1- or 3-year visas, which the embassy grants in CΓ΄te d’Ivoire. The visas work the same, but we were trying to get 5 years instead of 3 for less money.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Thank the Lord for good ministry and family visits in Michigan. As this update posts on Saturday, we travel to Elizabethtown, Tennessee, setting up visits as we travel. Verlin is scheduled to share and preach on Sunday. We intend to visit other ministry partners and friends along the way to Cookeville.
     
  • πŸ™ Pray for us to find the best price possible this week for Verlin’s airline ticket back to West Africa.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to guide the CHE university team as they spend hundreds of hours preparing to host the CHE training sessions again in September. A new director heads the effort.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Train, not Try
        - 260425 PDF

Prior Videos: El Roi
        - Reflect & Rejoice

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

Train, not Try

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Back to the Bible is a proven organization whose 87-year-old mission has been to “help Christians move closer to Jesus today than they were yesterday by engaging God’s Word and developing daily spiritual fitness.” Debbie’s father, Eddie, even used some of their materials to train former Welch College students in ministry. The organization recently posted an article entitled, “Training, not Trying: How Spiritual Strength is Really Formed.” In the text, the author encourages the reader not to “try harder,” but to train faithfully, as the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy in I Timothy 4:7: “Train yourself for godliness.” Below is a portion of the article to ponder.

Trying depends on willpower in the moment. Training shapes who we become over time…You already understand this distinction in other areas of life. No one prepares for a marathon by deciding to run harder on race day. Training happens through ordinary, repeated practices that slowly build strength. Over time, the body learns what to do because it has been trained to do it… Spiritual growth works the same way.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

260422-Etienne-Benin-Training
Benin training
This concept of training, not trying, resonates because of a great update we received in CHE news this past week. A Benin believer was trained in CΓ΄te d’Ivoire a few years ago to use Bible Storying with the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) method to share God’s Word. In March 2024, during the African Internship Training, he reported involving more than 10,000 people through multiple teams he’d trained to use the studies to share God’s Word faithfully, strategically, and regularly. Since then, they continued refining their approach. They now train people for 15 months in a CHE-based DMM format to start Bible-storing studies. These believers, in turn, train others in the same way. We praise God for their commitment and faithfulness, and for improving on what we assisted Etienne in learning from the Lord in 2016/17! Verlin expects to discuss adopting the 15-month approach over the 6-week to 3-month plan that our associates use in Bondoukou, Cote d’Ivoire, since the longer time in discipling relationships seems to be yielding greater multiplicative results.

Since our arrival in Michigan on Thursday, we have enjoyed fellowship with friends and family. Verlin has set up a replacement computer with a larger screen to assist his mother, who suffers from macular degeneration. She continues to send our mailed newsletters and otherwise communicate with ministry partners. This change makes her loving ministry activity easier. Verlin has connected with several ministry partners by phone or in person, and during a prayer breakfast; Debbie has briefly shared about ministry with two ladies’ groups within three days here.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Thank the Lord for over 60 Ivorian pastoral students trained to use CHE-DMM recently.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask our Father to guide the Benin CHE team as they continue to faithfully train believers in Bible storying so that their successes can be replicated in other West African nations
     
  • πŸ™ We are grateful for a great start to our week in Michigan. Debbie has shared briefly with ladies twice, and Verlin speaks tomorrow. We anticipate traveling on Friday or Saturday to visit ministry partners in East Tennessee next Sunday before returning to Cookeville around May 4th.
     
  • Your partners in the Gospel,
    Verlin & Debbie
    TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
    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: In the Dark
            - 260418 PDF

    Prior Videos: El Roi
            - Reflect & Rejoice

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

In the Dark

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Never doubt in the dark what God has revealed in the light. That popular saying learned in our childhood often bounces around on social media. Debbie reviewed it this week, hearing the testimony of a missionary captured by terrorists and imprisoned for years. His small cell forced him to lie on his concrete bed or stand beside it. Often, he dwelt in complete darkness. Once, when feeling sanity slipping away, the Lord comforted him from Isaiah 50:10 (ESV): Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

For this brother, the darkness was literal. For many more, the darkness is spiritual and emotional. This week, we pray for friends who unexpectedly lost a child and a separate family member recently diagnosed with cancer. In areas like Nigeria and Iran, Christians are regularly tortured and martyred for their faith in God. In every case, only the Lord provides the steadfast love and grace to carry on, even for those who do not recognize His hand at work. Praise God, He remains ever faithful, from generation to generation, when we pass through every kind of darkness!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Regional meeting, 2024
With taxes filed and financial reporting to the mission current, we turn attention to other items on the to-do list. The Francophone Regional CHE Meeting takes place in Senegal this year, May 15-16. Verlin presses himself to wrap up responsibilities here so that he can attend that meeting before returning to Cote d’Ivoire, possibly via Ghana. His visa application to Senegal (and possibly Ghana) needs to be speedily completed for that to happen. Organizers are aware that he may or may not make it, but they have provided the necessary invitation letters. We also expect to keep commitments to family and ministry partners in Michigan and E. Tennessee/W. North Carolina before leaving. We anticipate traveling this week after completing the visa applications.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Keep informed online about believers imprisoned, tortured, and otherwise suffering for their faith. Check the internet or vary your news sources to stay aware. One of many news casts we appreciate is called 'The World and Everything in it' that regularly reports on how Christians fare around the world. Pray.
     
  • πŸ™ Ask the Lord to comfort our friends who grieve the passing of a beloved firstborn child. For the family member facing cancer, pray that God’s wisdom leads the selection of treatment to follow.
     
  • πŸ™ We travel to Michigan soon, likely early in the coming week. Ask the Lord for good interactions with ministry partners and family.
     
  • πŸ™ Verlin sets plans to attend the Francophone Regional CHE meeting in Senegal in mid-May before returning to Cote d’Ivoire. Pray that the visas for Ghana and Senegal are processed on time.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: All Means All
        - 260411 PDF

Prior Videos: El Roi
        - Reflect & Rejoice

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

All Means All

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Jesus ministered to others physically and spiritually while walking the earth. No sin-touched part of a person’s life was left unaddressed by Him. A Community Health Evangelism (CHE) lesson entitled “The Great Commandment and the Great Commission” stimulates similar effective ministry today.

260411-Peter-all
All Means All
Another key principle of CHE, encouraged during group discussion by open-ended questions within the same lesson, is the importance of the word ALL. Jesus frequently used the predeterminer to explain wholistic ministry. His words, recorded in Luke 10:27, indicate that each of us is to love the Lord with all our heart (emotion), soul (spiritual), mind (intellect), and strength (physical). In loving our neighbor as ourselves, all of those components are to be likewise active. The dynamic group conversation later concludes with The Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20. That, too, is replete with the theme of all. Jesus grants all authority to us and wants all nations (people groups) to be discipled. We are to obey all that He commanded us, knowing He is always with us.

Jesus made no half-hearted commitment toward humanity. As we obey Him, no self-serving, half-hearted dedication will do. While such devotion is impossible in our own strength, we rely on another promised ‘all’ spoken in 2 Peter 1:3. God gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness by His divine power, through knowing Him. Paul wrote similarly in Romans 12:1-2 that we are transformed into effective witnesses when we sacrifice ourselves to accept and enact God’s ways. May self-sacrificial love--amazing others, and even ourselves--become increasingly evident in believers’ lives!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Our ministry's Internet connection to the Christian Health Service Corps (CHSC) was reestablished this week after a brief interlude that confirmed there was no security breach affecting our communications. We do not want to inadvertently enable another to commit identity theft. This happened in 2020, when someone filed for a small business loan from the Dallas U.S. Small Business Administration office, requesting $160,000.00 using Verlin’s name and work information! We also made progress developing financial reporting habits while preparing to submit our federal tax return and completing some tedious yet essential repairs, maintenance, and protection of stuff around the familial homestead that must be done before returning to the field. Likely, the deck construction initiated to care for Deb’s now-deceased father will be left as is for later completion.

Prayer & Praise

  • πŸ™ Pray that the spiritual, physical, and financial needs of CHE trainers in Cote d’Ivoire be met. Most CHE work is volunteer and unpaid. Every trainer must learn to serve in interdependence without becoming dependent. That often means adding skills in agriculture, business, or from other domains. May they trust in God and learn all His provision and transforming power!
     
  • πŸ™ A trainer tried to contact Verlin this week by phone, but the call dropped abruptly. The connection could not be re-established. Pray that communication, if necessary, gets restored.
     
  • πŸ™ Pray we successfully close things in TN for timing a short trip to Michigan and enjoy some ministry partner interactions while checking on family as we prepare for return to Cote d’Ivoire.
Your partners in the Gospel,
Verlin & Debbie
TN_Homestead-VerlinDeb-20191214_103927.jpg
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: Everlasting Gospel
        - 260404 PDF

Prior Videos: El Roi
        - 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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AWA represents
Andersons Witness in Africa.
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