Me (Nana Levu - literally means "BIG MOM" and here in Fiji they call the older Aunt this hehe so that's me!) with Sally and baby Jen at her 1st bday party :)
Being La and Metui's witness for their marriage license
The Bridge and Groom - La and Metui with me, Maid of Honor, and Valati as Best Man! Yay!
Great view at Manly Beach!
Me & Becky doing some sightseeing in Sydney :)
All the Pacific delegates performing items for the church community
Me all dressed up in Fiji wear for the Pacific Night at Bulli Anglican Church
My Prayer group during the Conference: Auntie Pam from PNG and Tala Marika from Fiji
Delegates giving their National Ministry Reports
Everyone having a session for "Glasses for Missions"
Me leading a session during the conference about Hope for Kids ministry
EE Oceania Conference Group Photo
Winds and Rain caused all this
Shops and homes and cars underwater
Severe flooding
Nadi town flooding
March 2012
Supporter Update
Ephesians 4: 4, 16
“There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called….From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
This month has been filled with wonderful and special occasions as well as events that remind me of God’s big and diverse family of believers.
1. Last month I mentioned in my list of prayer needs that one of my best friends, Sally, was coming to visit with her baby daughter for her 1 year birthday. It was so great to see her! She works in Vanuatu for an Australian company, and the last time we saw each other was July 2011. She was in Fiji when I first moved here, and she was a much-needed source of company and encouragement. Since then we have built such a strong bond of friendship and sisterhood. It was wonderful to catch up, share together, and lean on each other for support in the busyness of life. And she will be one of my bridesmaids!
2. My old roommate Lavenia, a local EE Fiji Staff member, tied the knot on March 8th! And I was so honored when she asked me to be her Maid of Honor. La told me that some of her other girlfriends had asked her if they could be maid of honor but La had told them no, that position is for Sarah. I told her how special I felt as I know she has other friends she has known much longer. But she said, “Sarah you’re the one person I can be transparent and open with. You truly understand me and we are family.” Her and I are extremely close and I’m so blessed to have her in my life. I was able to throw her a little Bridal Shower/Bachelorette party where girlfriends from church came. I set aside time during the gathering for each person to share something to encourage and bless La and then we prayed over her. I was so happy to be there for her as she entered a new chapter of her life with a great guy from church who is like a brother to me. It’s sad not being roommates anymore, I miss her lots since I moved 4 hours away back towards the EE Centre. But it’s exciting to see all that God is doing! La will also be one of my bridesmaids!
3. From March 16-25 I was in Australia for the EE Oceania Conference. There were 12 delegates from 7 different nations in the Pacific – Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga. We all stayed in host homes from the hosting church, Bulli Anglican. Bulli is about one hour and half south of Sydney. I had a wonderful host family who were so warm and accommodating. And when I left they blessed me with a lovely monetary gift to help me buy a few things for my new place! The conference was conducted by the VP of EE Oceania, and there were guest speakers from EE International in the US. It was such an amazing time of fellowship with people who are my missions family and a great time of learning how to strengthen EE in the Pacific! I just love how God brings His people together who come from all kinds of backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and languages. I was so blessed to hear about how God is moving in each nation through the ministry of EE. I also was given the task of teaching one session during the conference where I was able to give a presentation about the Hope for Kids Ministry regarding the roles and responsibilities of EE Kids workers and ministry procedures and goals. At the end of the week, the EE National Coordinator from New Zealand came up to me and said, “You know what Sarah? From the whole conference your session was one of the best! You speak and teach in a way that is clear, easy to understand, and easy to follow.” I was so encouraged by that! Also during my trip there I was able to catch up with some young women who came to Fiji for past EE Internships and youth that I spent time with in Vanuatu for EE short-term mission trips the past 2 years. It was wonderful to see how God is using them now and to hear their testimonies of how the ministry of EE and their experiences in the Pacific impact how they live and reach out within their local communities.
4. A HUGE PRAISE! – I finally found a place! It’s in a town called Lautoka, which is about 45 minutes from Nadi and a little over an hour from the EE Centre. It’s a really nice and spacious 2-bedroom flat in a safe area that is a 10 min. drive from town and a short walk to the main road where I could hop on bus or taxi to get around. Since being back from Australia I have been so busy cleaning the whole place! I’m so thankful I have Maba, his family, and our friends to help out. Now I’m in the process of buying necessary household things and unpacking. It’s still very empty but I know God will provide what I need. Til the wedding Maba’s cousin Sevu, a young lady (19), will stay with me at the flat from time to time to help set up the place and keep me company.
I can’t believe how fast this year is going! Easter is right around the corner! Which means there is only 8 weeks left til the wedding day! Thank you all for your continuous support through prayer and giving. As you bless me I am able to bless others through this ministry and together we are serving the Lord and helping people to know God in a personal, intimate way.
Prayer Needs:
*Expenses for household necessities
*Unpacking and setting up my new place
*Supervising the EE Fiji Kids workers to do their promotion and follow-up tasks within local churches
*Fiji Cyclone Weather – severe storms and flooding
*Wedding planning and expenses
*Maba and I continuing to prepare ourselves inside and out for June 1st
*Finding a home church in Lautoka or Nadi
If you feel led to additionally give, renew your giving, or know someone who would like to help this ministry please forward them my report and see the info below.
Ways to Support:
Online - www.eeworks.org
*Click on "Ways to Support" then "Online Giving"
*Type "Sarah Abadines 6124" in the box provided
*Type in amount and complete the given instructions
*If support is to be monthly – please indicate
-OR-
Make checks out to Evangelism Explosion International and on memo line write
"Sarah Abadines 6124" (all checks tax deductible)
Mail to: Evangelism Explosion International
P.O. Box 23820 Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33307-3820
Blessed to be part of God’s diverse family,
Sarah Abadines
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