El Roi

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 260221 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Wednesday was a rare day in the religious world. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in churches following Christian liturgical tradition, and Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began on the same day, February 18. Both traditions of self-denial have the same start date and occur only every 30-something years, though a few days overlap more frequently. It brought to mind what the two events have in common. Both monotheistic religions strive to draw near to God and to deal with sin; each encourages a period of self-denial. Both religious traditions hold the patriarch Abraham in the highest regard, while his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, play the leading role in these two major religions. Both claim “their boy” was the one Abraham was willing to sacrifice on the mountain, and the Lord promised that both men would birth mighty nations. While each group may call the other “wayward cousins,” both cannot be right. One tradition knows no certainty of salvation, hoping only in works; the other receives salvation through Christ's death by the promise of God to forgive sins and work out salvation by God’s direction.

Hagar and Ishmael

This coinciding date gives us opportunities to have humble and holy conversations with Muslim friends. The Genesis account about the conflict between these two brothers and their offspring makes an insightful point. God made it clear that Isaac was the son of promise, but it was Ishmael’s mother, Hagar, who called the Lord “El Roi,” the God who sees. She and her son were cast out of the family, left destitute and alone in the desert. It was there that the Lord spoke to her, provided her needs, and promised Ishmael would be a mighty nation. Perhaps during this season of reflection and repentance, we need to remember how precious the “wayward cousins” are to Him and how He “sees” the heart of every person truly seeking to know Him. The link to this guide can help inform our prayers for Muslims this year.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Debbie and her sister were helped by the five days of respite they received while caring for their father. Now he is back home, and the timing of the rest was providential. Debbie and he only got about one hour of sleep last night, as the doctor works to adjust his medications. We know he will soon see our Heavenly Father face-to-face.

Verlin was reminded this week that the Lord can turn any task or conversation into a spiritual learning opportunity. Earlier this week, he called our Internet provider to try to get a more economical monthly plan, since a competitor is offering a great deal. Not only did he get a cost reduction, but the representative kept him on the line for over an hour, asking questions about our ministry. Pray that the Lord will use the message shared to bring her closer to the God Who sees.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Pray that more Muslims have dreams of Jesus and encounter Christians willing to share the Gospel with them. May nations beyond Iran see large portions of their population come to personally know Jesus, the God who sees them.
   
• 🙏 Debbie’s father seems close to leaving this world. Pray for peaceful last steps Home to Heaven.
  

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: Call Buttons
        - 260214 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

Debbie's Facebook Page

 

Verlin's Facebook Page

Call Buttons

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 260214 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Help!

Hospital or nursing home call buttons are a double-edged sword in the medical world. Nurses and other caregivers dread the little tool because of its overuse or underuse. Some patients overuse the button, treating it like a magic genie invented to cater to every whim. Other patients have the opposite tendency, like Deb’s mother before she passed, who sat in pain for long periods with legitimate needs. Sandra dreaded pushing the button because, as a nurse, she remembered patients abusing it. Other patients, like Debbie’s dad today, do not call for help because they feel capable of getting up without assistance, or perhaps, cognitively impaired, forget to press the button. That scenario is equally bad for medical staff when they find the patient on the floor. There is concern not only about broken bones or other injuries, but also about the need for much extra time for notifications and documentation. Thankfully, Eddie appears to be okay, whatever the reason he did not call for help. He was admitted to a nursing home yesterday for a five-day stint to provide Debbie and her sister with respite until next Wednesday.

One of the great challenges of caring for an elderly parent receiving hospice care is getting them to ask for help when they need it. It has been a struggle to watch Eddie take risks that could lead to serious injuries, whether unintentional or not. These experiences bring to mind the many tools the Lord gives His children to manage the vicissitudes of life: the internal nudging of the Holy Spirit, His written Word, the privilege of prayer, and the wisdom offered by other members of the body of Christ. Often, we stumble and fall by ignoring the tools lovingly offered. Examining our own sinful tendencies, we can imagine our Heavenly Father shaking His head in disbelief at times, not wholly unlike the stress Deb feels when her dad refuses the help provided.

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Recently, outdoor temperatures have settled into a range suitable for woodworking. Verlin expects to resume outdoor work on finishing some bookwork, like taxes and lessons. The ramp started for Eddie, but it will likely never see his use; it needs completion, along with annual maintenance and some long-term wood preservation treatments to keep the homestead place relatively carefree for another 15 years, excepting an expected reroofing in ten. After a particularly exhausting week caring for her dad, Debbie and her sister rejoice that the hospice service found a solution for them to have five days of rest. We are hoping that, in the nursing home setting, the hospice and facility team will find a combination of meds to keep Eddie calm during the night. His agitation, hallucinations, and sleeplessness occupy them much during the night, checking on his safety. Full-length bed rails help at home, but they are not allowed in the nursing home.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 Thank the Lord that services like respite care exist in our nation. The blessing came through, giving Debbie and her sister days of rest from caregiving. We are grateful that the fall does not seem to have caused any further pain for Eddie.
   
• 🙏 Pray for the CHE leprosy screening outreach in central Cote d’Ivoire.
   
• 🙏 Continue to lift up all aspects of the CHE Internship going on in Ghana throughout February.
  

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: Hope Beyond Hope
        - 260207 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

Debbie's Facebook Page

 

Verlin's Facebook Page

Hope Beyond Hope

PDF Version:
AWA Weekly 260207 PDF

Taste and See (Psalm 34:8)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.—Prov. 13:12

A great test of character is how we react when things do not go as we hope or plan. As Debbie progresses in her chronological Bible reading this year, she noted the examples of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Joseph in their extended periods of deferred hope. After having enjoyed the advantages of Pharaoh’s household in his youth, Moses led a stubborn people for 40 years in the wilderness because of their complaining hearts. Later, his own disobedience cost him the privilege of entering the Promised Land. In the case of Joseph, Genesis states he was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery by his brothers and age 30 when he was promoted to second in command in Egypt. His situation must have felt hopeless at times during those 13 years of betrayal and prison time. And what of Sara and Abraham ignoring the Lord’s timing for the birth of the promised son? To this day, our world still suffers ethnic strife because of the Ishmael debacle.

Beyond hope deferred

Hope deferred foments many opportunities when it is tempting to distrust God and pursue our own agenda. On the other hand, for those Biblical examples who did not succumb to the dangers of deferred hope, we still marvel at their fortitude and dedication centuries later. May we be like the righteous man who may fall seven times but gets back up again each time (Prov. 24:16)!

Come and See (Psalm 66:5)

Verlin suffered a minor version of deferred hope this week. Invited to participate in the CHE Internship training to teach an online lesson, he failed to connect on time. Thankfully, the Internship staff has a backup plan for any person invited to share remotely. On a positive note, Verlin confirmed with our Ivorian CHE partner, Emmanuel, that the funds we sent on behalf of another to help with the Internship expenses arrived safely via a transfer from an Ivorian bank.

Debbie and her sister continue to provide 24/7 watchful care for their father. His weakened state has taken a toll on their health, especially with sore backs and lack of sleep. Hospice is seeking a respite situation that could provide them with 5 days in February, should their dad tarry on this earth. Pray with us that a space will become available to keep Eddie for a few days. Debbie has not been home in three weeks.

Prayer & Praise

• 🙏 The CHE Internship is underway in Ghana. Pray for Spirit-led teaching and that each person attending receives the training and encouragement they need to flourish in ministry.
   
• 🙏 Pray for believers at this CHE internship who will return home to areas where Christian persecution is rampant. Some even travel to the internship at risk.
   
• 🙏 Ask the Lord to open the hearts and minds of the people who will hear the Gospel (perhaps for the first time) at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Pray especially for resources to reach visitors from closed countries where Bibles and other Christian literature are scarce or not allowed.
  

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: Castaways?
        - 260131 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

Debbie's Facebook Page

 

Verlin's Facebook Page