Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Ministry and beyond


Maba and the Communication Team

Hubby's artwork for my Workshop posters
Kids Workers finished with their staff training in Hope for Kids
Training activities


Local workshop with EE staff and trainees

Local Workshop in Nadi




Teamwork!


Teaching and training in action

Visiting baby Akeneta in Suva
Indian veggie meal! yum

We were craving fish :)
Quality time in town

 Jeremiah 17:7,12
“But BLESSED is the man who TRUSTS in the Lord, and whose CONFIDENCE is in him….A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our SANCTUARY.”


Ministry Highlights

Communications Training –
Maba thoroughly enjoyed his 2 weeks training to become a Communications teacher for EE International staff training courses. He was part of a great team with a wonderful, gifted leader training them. It really pushed him in his leadership and communication skills within ministry. He had a lot of late nights studying and practicing! Maba was able to apply everything he learned by observing and evaluating the EE field workers undergoing staff training, and he did a such great job! It was wonderful to see him in action and go to another level of leadership and training!

Training EE International Staff –
August 6-10 I was at the EE Centre to train 13 people from the U.S., India, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands in the Hope for Kids ministry. I was able to explain and demonstrate what the ministry is all about to the group and prepare them to run the ministry in their own nations. Each person was given the opportunity to do practice teaching where I evaluated and critiqued them on their presentations. It was amazing to see them grow as leaders and teachers as they became confident and fully understand all I had taught them. They were ready to fly out from the nest!

Local Hope for Kids Workshop –
August 20-22 I supervised the group to run their own Hope for Kids Workshop at a local church in Fiji so that they would understand how everything should work when they do it in their home countries. They each had their part to teach and train 22 Sunday school teachers from 12 different churches. I was so proud of them! They worked hard to present the material in a clear manner with enthusiasm. The workshop participants were so encouraged and inspired during those 3 days! They went away excited and ready to teach their children how to share the Gospel and grow in their faith! And I was so grateful for Maba’s help during the workshop to organize the morning tea and lunch for 45 people and run necessary errands and drive everyone around for those 3 days! I couldn’t have done it all without him!

Losing a dear friend and brother…..
On August 5th a dear family friend passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. He was in the Coastguard and just 27 years old. The passing of PJ hit me so hard. I had to ask someone to fill in for some of my teaching sessions and I couldn’t sleep for a few nights. He was one of my best friends growing up, we were basically family. Maba was really there to comfort and support me, which was a blessing. Everyone wanted me to fly home for the funeral but due to ministry commitments and expenses it was not possible. I was, however, able to write a letter that was read during the wake and I watched the memorial service through a livestream viewing which I was truly grateful for. The ceremony was very moving as PJ was given Coastguard and Military honors/recognition and many family and friends were there to share about the impact he had made to so many. But praise the Lord, PJ is in a better place rejoicing with our Savior! Please keep his family(the Facuns) in your prayers as they continue to grieve and mourn over their unexpected loss.

Catching up with EE family and friends –
This month I was really happy to visit and catch up with different people. Maba and I took a 5-hour trip to visit my old roommate La who had a baby girl recently. We brought some gifts for the family and had a great time just sharing stories of life, marriage, and ministry. A big encouragement to me was especially meeting up with Ninny, one of my dear girlfriends here whom I used to hang out with all the time on the mission field and was part of the team I took to the Solomon Islands last year. She shared with us that God had opened up an opportunity for her to do overseas missions in the Marshall Islands! Maba and I were able to pray over her and encourage her. It is so amazing to see someone I have ministered to take this step of faith! She thanked me for all I had done to lift her up spiritually and push her to go outside her comfort zone. She flew out last Sunday night with a 2 year work-visa!

U.S. Embassy –
We were able to submit Maba’s U.S. tourist visa application a few weeks ago! And he had his interview at the U.S. Embassy yesterday! We have been really trusting the Lord with all of this. Now we are praying and waiting for the confirmation letter in the mail! Then we will finish raising our funds to book our plane tickets! We are hoping to visit Florida for a few months at the end of this year!

Upcoming Events –
·      Nation Building Conference (September 10-21) at the EE Training Centre where over 20 nations will be represented – Maba and I are helping with legistics and running the worship team
·      EE Oceania Kids Workers Training (2nd week of October) – I will be conducting a training for all the Kids Workers regarding the expansion of the Hope for Kids Ministry

Prayer Needs:

·      Hope to receive Maba’s confirmation and approval of a U.S. tourist visa then finish raising the funds for our airfare
·      Good health and time to rest amidst the busyness
·      Preparations for the Sept. EE Conference – Worship team practice


Thank you for supporting us in this ministry! And thank you for being part of all that is happening here in Fiji! God is empowering His people in different ways to build His Kingdom. I hope you are blessed and encouraged by what has happened during this month. Please continue to pray for us and this ministry. If you feel led to give additionally or renew support please refer to the info below! And if you know anyone would enjoy this update or have the desire to give to this ministry please pass this along!

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


With Love and Thanksgiving,
Sarah Abadines Maba



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Jesus seen in the Islands of Fiji


Vunato settlement outreach - helping families rebuild and extend their homes that were damaged in the March floods, sharing the Gospel to the families, praying for healing, cleaning up the area, and surrendering this area to the Lord (this area is filled with spiritual warfare and witchcraft)

Nabila village visit for church. The girls are performing a Fiji dance "meke" for the congregation. 

Maba leading a session during the EE clinic with the interns.

Group shot of interns and clinic trainees.

Boys performing their "meke" at the youth leadership training

Matching, matching, matching! hehe

Living the island life!

Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become WEARY in doing GOOD, for at the proper time we will REAP a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP.”

This month is summed up by the word PERSEVERANCE.

Ministry Highlights:

Continuing EE Interns Course – Maba and I finished up the 6 weeks interns course with the group last week (July 26). Once we all returned from Vanuatu, the schedule was extremely hectic. From early morning to late night our energy and strength was expended to serve the group in various ways. I praise God for sustaining us to lead. As leaders we continued to learn the quality of selflessness and sacrifice. We did not have many moments for just us to have down time together, but God provided it for us just when we needed it. We were so blessed to be part of the interns group. There was such spiritual maturity and openness. I was inspired in different ways by each person in the group. By the end of the course, it was emotional to separate and say our goodbyes because we had all become one big family.

Vunato Outreach Project – The interns group spent a day in a settlement located near a town, river, and garbage dump. Within this settlement is much spiritual warfare and witchcraft which we could all feel in the atmosphere. The people there were badly affected by the recent floods. We were able to bless 2 families with materials to rebuild and extend their homes as well as do an area clean-up. The interns also had opportunities to do OJT and share the Gospel which resulted in people coming to know Jesus and being healed physically. We praise God for using us to shake up that place in the name of Jesus!

Being an example –  During this past month God used me specifically speak into the lives of the young ladies who participated in the internship and were thinking about full-time ministry and/or mission work. Several of them were wondering what it was like to be a single woman on the mission field, and they were interested to hear about my obstacles and accomplishments the past few years. By sharing my life story and journey as a missionary, God used me to encourage and challenge them to continue to seek their calling, be specific with God, and ask for confirmation and peace. They were so grateful to me for making my life an open book (without hesitation or fear) for them to know and dissect. I love when God uses me to affirm and empower His daughters to rise above the norm and make a difference in whatever ways He chooses to use them!

Wifehood and Marriage – It’s only been 2 months, but God has been showing me so much about what it means to be married and to be a wife. I’ve had a strong and determined personality my whole life, and now God is breaking me down in areas to listen and submit. I’ve been so humbled by Maba’s leadership in our marriage as he steps up in different ways. Since we’ve been so busy with ministry, I’ve truly cherished the moments of quality time we have had in the midst of the crazyness. God has been showing us that from a strong foundation of love and servanthood we have for one another will overflow into showing love and grace to others! And we were able to see that during the internship. Many of the interns came up to us saying, “Thank you for the example you both set through your leadership and marriage. We could immediately feel the warmth and generosity in the way you both serve.” It has been such a huge blessing to serve side by side with Maba.


Testimonies from Interns – Many of the interns came up to us as the internship was concluding with encouragement and words of affirmation.

Amberly (26 yr. old from Florida)
“Sarah, you radiate with such spiritual beauty. You have such patience to meet the needs of others and truly trust God with your whole heart. You are so real in the way live out your faith. I’ve never met anyone like you and I don’t think I ever will.”

John (26 yr. old from South Carolina)
“Maba, you have such spiritual strength in you.  You are a warrior for God. You demand respect and authority by the way you carry yourself that is a great spiritual example for us young guys.”

Shiwei & Sherron (mid-twenties engaged couple from Singapore)
“Sarah & Maba, thank you for being living testimonies of what it means to live out your faith with complete surrender. You have shown us what it looks like to serve God as a couple, and we admire how you walk together to balance ministry and personal life.”

Short Break – Once the Internship ended, Maba and I had only 3 days to relax before coming back to the EE centre for the next commitment. We basically slept a lot, had one date night, and did a big cleaning up at our place.

EE Staff Training (Implementation Field Worker Course) – The next 2-3 weeks Maba and I are back at the EE Centre for separate roles. Maba is here for a communications training where he will become qualified to lead the communications aspect of EE staff training courses. I am here preparing to train the Hope for Kids workers to lead the ministry in their own countries.


Prayer Needs:
·      Maba participating in the communication training with the ability to absorb and learn and put everything into practice
·      Myself training the Hope for Kids workers to lead and teach effectively
·      Enough energy, strength, and rest with our hectic schedules
·      Quality time and down time for Maba and I in the midst of all the busyness
·      Follow-up with ministry contacts, young people we mentor, and other young IFWs

Thank you for spiritually and financially investing in the Pacific and beyond! This past month the impact of ministry exploded and expanded in so many ways! I am constantly in awe of who God is and have fallen more in love with Him. I hope your hearts are moved by all I have shared. Please continue to pray for us and this ministry. If you feel led to give additionally or renew support please refer to 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


So blessed,
Sarah Abadines Maba