Children witnessed to during Hope for Kids OJT
Church members who graduated in the EE semester
EE Field Worker Graduation Ceremony
Myself, Maba, Lavenia, Metui, and baby Akeneta during the birthday party
Beach picnic with Maba's family eating lots of fresh fish!
Maba preaching in the village Methodist church to mostly relatives
Visiting the preschool students in the village and teaching them fun things
Maba and I wearing kalavata for church, what a gorgeous view!
Traveling around the island
Sharing to the youth during Wednesday evening
Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O
Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and
faithfulness.”
This
month of June has been truly wonderful in so many ways! I’ve experienced new
things about the Fiji culture and have embraced my responsibilities on the
mission field to a greater level! Also, Maba and I celebrated our ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY and took time to
reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness this past year. This Saturday – June 29th – marks FOUR YEARS of serving in
Fiji full time as a missionary with Evangelism Explosion International! I
was also able to apply for an “exemption status” to continue reside in Fiji
since I’m married to a Fiji citizen which means I will no longer have to apply
anymore for work permits (my current one expires this August) which used to be
so tedious and costly! So many things to give God all the glory! I hope you
will be greatly encouraged by this ministry update.
Major Events:
·
HOPE FOR KIDS
WORKSHOP AND IFW GRADUATION
The
EE International Field Workers that I trained in May were able to practice
teaching and leading during a local workshop. I was able to sit back and see
them shine! They were children’s leaders from 5 different churches who were
very blessed by the training. Our group was also able to share to 15 children
one afternoon where 9 of them prayed to receive Jesus Christ! The EE workers
did an amazing job, and I was so proud of how far they had come since first
arriving in Fiji for their staff-training course. Maba and I were able to host
the Hope for Kids workers in our home for a time of reflection and fellowship,
which was a blessing and privilege. They shared testimonies of how they had
grown personally and spiritually and in leadership. We also attended the graduation
of the 38 field workers. They finished their course and were ready to go back
to their nations as full-time staff for EE International.
·
MINISTRY
NETWORKING
Maba
and I were invited one evening to attend a gathering of local church pastors
and leaders and their wives. It was a great time of fellowship and a big feast,
which gave us the opportunity to share about our mission work with EE and
promote the ministry to them. It was also good to catch up with ministry
contacts who support us in our ministry. We praise God for events that bring
His people together from different church backgrounds and denominations!
·
1-YEAR
ANNIVERSARY TRIP TO THE YASAWA-I-RARA
We
took a 9-day vacation to an outer island to celebrate our one-year anniversary.
This area is where Maba’s mom is from and it’s one of the most beautiful places
I’ve ever been! It was a long journey to get there. It takes 10-12 hours by
boat to reach this island! WHEW! We stayed with Maba’s Uncle and the family who
live right on the beach. We ate lots of fresh seafood, went swimming everyday,
and spent time in the village. I also really enjoyed visiting the village
preschool every morning and teaching the little ones words in English and
Sunday school songs. God also gave us opportunities to serve and reach out. One
day we were guest speakers for their youth night, and Maba preached during the
Sunday morning service at the Methodist church. It was such a testimony for
everyone in that area (who are Maba’s relatives) to see how far God has taken
Maba since he was a young boy. I learned so much during our time there about
Maba’s family history and more about the Fijian culture. An amazing experience
was having a beach picnic with all Maba’s cousins. The boys went free diving
for fish then we cooked them on an open fire. The girls cooked the cassava then
filled bowls with saltwater from the ocean and mixed it with lemon and chili to
dip the fresh fish in as you eat! What a delicious meal it was!
·
EE SEMESTER
GRADUATION
After
8 weeks of teaching in our local church, 17 church members finished the Adult
EE training. They were able to have several opportunities to go out on OJT and
share the Gospel in town. Some were nervous at first, but the Holy Spirit gave
them courage and the words to say. They were so excited to learn an easy way of
witnessing to others. Last week Tuesday we had a graduation ceremony for the to
receive their EE certificates and the church prepared a special dinner for
everyone. Those trained were so moved by all they had learned and there are pumped up to go out and witness as a way of life! I also taught some of the youth from our church small group a Fiji
meke dance and we were able to perform it during the ceremony, which was great
fun! Maba and I are so blessed by how God is using us in this church to equip
others and disciple young people.
·
SUVA ROAD TRIP
We
traveled to Suva for a few days to help my old roommate/close friend Lavenia
and her husband throw a first birthday party for their daughter Akeneta. It was
fun to help her plan and organize everything. Maba and I prepared decorations
and assisted with errands and the food. We wanted to make sure this little baby
girl had the best birthday party ever! It was a great celebration with over 150
people in attendance! And I was so blessed to be part of it as they are my
family. We don't see them often so it meant alot to me to spend quality time with them.
·
BIRTHDAY WEEK
Birthdays
are special and fun. It was always like that growing up in my family. And I was
so blessed to be spoiled by my husband in different ways! Also, my family also
sent me a package that also had some treats for Maba, my sister-in-law baked me
a beautiful rainbow cake, and our church small group also threw me a little
birthday gathering. Then on Sunday my real birthday, we arrived at the EE
Centre where they celebrated with me again with a big chocolate cake! Wow – 27
feels great! God is so good!
·
PACIFIC
INTERNSHIP
This
week 27 individuals arrived in Fiji at the EE Training Centre. They come from
10 different nations and will be here for 6 weeks. Maba and I are part of the
leadership team to be with the group. I’m so excited to serve in this way and
fellowship with them! They are all here to seek God’s unique and specific
calling for their lives. They a great bunch of young people with the heart and
passion to grow in faith and be obedient to God’s will for them. We were
blessed as some of the American and Australian interns brought us some goodies
such as toiletries, household supplies, Christian books, and lots of
chocolate!!!
You
can follow our blog at http://pacificinternship2013.blogspot.com
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support!
We are unable to do the work we do without them. God ceases to amaze us with
opportunities to serve! People continue to be ministered to, people continue to
receive Jesus, and people are partnering with us on the mission field. May
we all glorify God in acting with grace and speaking in ways that are full of
grace! God bless you all!
Prayer Needs
·
Pacific Interns seeking God’s call for their lives
·
Internship leaders (myself, Maba, Langdon, Training centre staff)
·
Trip to Vanuatu next week to hold EE trainings with an Australian
mission team
·
Personal and ministry expenses
Ways
to Support:
Online - www.eeworks.org
*Click on "Support" then "Online Giving"
*Type "Sarah Abadines 6124" in the box provided
*Type in amount and complete the given instructions
*Click on "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
-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
BE BLESSED,
SARAH &
MABA