September 2012
Supporter Update
Micah 6:8
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly
and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with
your God.”
Zechariah 4:6
“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by MIGHT nor by POWER, but by my SPIRIT, says the Lord Almighty’.”
This month my personal devotions have been taking me through
the minor prophets. The two Scriptures above convicted me in different ways and
encouraged me during the month’s daily tasks. Through Micah 6:8 God reminded me
of the simple and immediate obedience He asks of us and also the humility we
must demonstrate each day in understanding His grace and acceptance of us. We
have worth and purpose because of His mercy! How amazing is that??? Then in
Zechariah 4:6 it is an encouragement that we are one with the Holy Spirit and
as we stay connected to Him and keep in step with Spirit(Gal. 5:25), then we
are truly able to live according to His will for us. It’s never in our own strength
or power that we do anything! During all of September I have kept these two
verses in my mind and heart, repeating them daily to myself and through that
God has given me such strength and peace to go about my days. I hope you will
be encouraged by this month’s update!
Highlights of
this Month
1. Celebrated 3
months of marriage! – I praise God for all He has been doing within
Maba and myself. We continue to grow in love and ministry walking hand in hand
and side by side. It’s also been a challenge as we at times fight for quality
time alone together and rest. But we praise God for His provision in sustaining
us and giving us down time when we need it.
2. Counting down
the days til we’re in the USA!!! – Yes, that’s right! Maba received
his tourist visa stamp in his passport and we’ve booked our plane tickets to
arrive in FL on Nov. 2! What a HUGE answered prayer! I’m so excited to go home
not by myself, but WITH MY HUSBAND! It will be a new and different experience
this time around. I’m really looking forward to show Maba where I grew up and
for him to understand more about who I am from a different perspective. It will
also be a lot to for Maba to take in, and I’m sure God will help us to balance
family/friends time, being tourists, and fundraising! Yay!!!
3. Nation Building
Specialists Conference – From September 10 to 21 over 60 EE national
leaders came together at the EE Kennedy Training Centre for meetings and
sessions of all sorts (Coaching, Continental Discussions, Strategy and
Planning, Organizational Structure, Outreach tools, etc.). And 3 translations
took place within the daily sessions (Spanish, Russian, and Korean). The 43
Countries represented include:
·
North
America: USA, Canada, Mexico,
·
Caribbean:
Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago
·
Central
America: Costa Rica, Guatemala
·
South
America: Ecuador, Argentina
·
Europe:
England, Austria, Finland, Romania
·
Eurasia:
Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus,
Georgia, Armenia
·
Middle
East: Jordan
·
Asia:
India, Cambodia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore,
Philippines
·
Africa:
Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Malawi, South Africa
·
Oceania:
Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji
Maba and I were
in charge of leading worship every morning. We had a great team of other local
EE Fiji staff and volunteers! It was a challenge to make sure we catered to the
different worship styles that each person preferred, but we thank God for
granting us wisdom to choose the right songs that tied into the morning
devotions and daily sessions. We received great feedback from the leaders about
how much they enjoyed the worship! I haven’t sung and led worship since my high
school and college days, so this was such a blessing! Maba was also on duty for
driving which consisted of airport pick-ups and drop-offs, daily accommodation
pick-ups and drop-offs, daily runs into town for shopping and errands, etc.
These were not easy and quick trips due to bad roads and long distances. I
praise God for looking after Maba driving on the road plus keeping him and the
others safe at all times! I was also present to help with any legistics or
needs of the national leaders, which I was most happy to do!
This Conference
was powerful and most effective! God moved in different ways, and it’s such a
blessing to be part of this international ministry! I truly enjoyed hearing
testimonies and stories from the many National Leaders about obstacles they
have overcome, open doors for reaching out, and all the things to look forward to.
It was also fun to meet up with family friends such as Pastor Bernard Henson
(National Director of EE Philippines) and Pastor Rene Atienza (EE VP for Asia).
It was so wonderful to spend time with them and be blessed by them as they have
known my family for many years and been to my home in Florida.
Also during the
conference, it was a special treat to have my “Unni” (big sister in Korean) –
Sharon Lee – there for a week as she was translating in for her dad. It was a
sisterly reunion! And she brought us lots of Korean goodies! Sharon was an
intern in 2010 where she recommitted her life to the Lord and since then she
has grown so much in her faith! It was amazing to hear how far she has come
since her first trip to Fiji 2 years ago. We’ve always kept in contact as we
are dear friends. I praise God for her friendship and encouragement. We had a
great time catching up and hanging out and lifting up one another in prayer!
During the 2nd
week of the Conference we hosted an outreach event for “Glasses for Missions”
with the US rep, Scot Love. We visited a local village in Nadi and were able to
make 45 pairs of reading glasses for elderly people. By doing so, we had the
opportunity to share the Gospel with them! It was great! And to see their faces
once receiving their reading glasses – priceless!
4. EE Fiji
– This week Maba is at the EE Centre for a staff seminar with other local field
workers. He was asked to refresh the staff on communication for the first day!
I’m so proud of him diving into every opportunity to lead and teach! His
supervisors are continually impressed with his abilities.
Upcoming
Events:
Þ
Maba promoting and organizing for an Adult EE
Clinic (Oct. 1-4)
Þ
Myself planning and preparing to train about 20
Kids EE leaders in Oceania for a Hope for Kids workshop (Oct. 15-19)
Prayer Needs:
·
Maba’s upcoming EE clinic
·
Oceania Hope for Kids training I’m conducting
for 7 nations
·
Preparing to come to the USA! (organizing to
leave our place behind, make sure things are squared away, and plan our support
raising)
·
Financial support to continue in ministry
VINAKA VAKA LEVU (Thank you so much) for your prayers and
support that allow us all together to be a blessing to others! This month was
very special as so many nations came together to be empowered and challenged to
move forward in obedience to the Great Commission. It is such a blessing to
fellowship with other believers and leaders from around the globe! May God
bless you and your families for continuing to partner with us in so many ways
for His glory alone!
In His Grace,
Sarah Maba
