March '14 Update Challenging yet Heartwarming

Blessing a mom and new baby

Couples Weekend Retreat

Quality time together at a Cultural Show

Field Worker interviews at the EE Centre

Lifting our spirits with fellowship

Teaching Hope for Kids

Hospital visitation

Hosting fellow EE workers at home

Maba harvesting bananas from our yard

“By standing firm you will gain life.” Luke 21:19

“All things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as

 it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10

March was a challenging yet heartwarming month to say the least. We faced circumstances that brought us to our knees, caused us to weep, and made us yearn for our Lord and Savior. And God met us within these situations that recharged our battery in every way, reminded us of the hope we have in Christ, and filled us with a renewed sense of security in His grace and provision. The scriptures above encouraged us throughout this month to not limit our vision of what God can do and to trust that God’s purposes will always be accomplished despite our trying circumstances.

March Ministry Highlights

·      Young Adults Fellowship – Some of the young people in our church were feeling a bit down so Maba and I organized several outings and fellowship nights to lift their spirits and encourage them spiritually. It was lighthearted fun being unified in Christ and supporting one another. It was wonderful to see them persevere and hold fast to their faith. It’s always an honor for us to be used to help young people discern what is important and affirm them as children of God.

·      Loved ones before the Lord – This month was a real reminder of how precious this life is but also of the great things to come when God calls us home. Several of Maba’s relatives and a small group member passed away this month. We praise God for giving life and taking His own in His perfect timing. Maba was thankful to have visited his aunt at the hospital and pray with her before she passed away and share to his cousins the assurance of salvation. Maba’s cousin passed unexpectedly which was overwhelming for the family and church community. Maba was able to spend time with their family to help them sort out things and prepare for the service.

·      Hospital Visitations – Maba and I spent a great deal of time visiting friends, family, and people in the local community at the hospital and praying over them. Several illnesses have been going around and there has been an outbreak of Dengue Fever in major regions of Fiji. We praise God for covering us with His protection and healing. One young girl who just had an operation was moved to tears when we shared the Gospel with her and prayed with her. We look forward to having glorified bodies in heaven where there is no sickness and no pain!

·      Couples Weekend Retreat – Maba and I had a wonderful weekend with my dear friend/sister Lavenia and her husband plus their little girl. It was a much needed Spring Getaway to catch up on life, marriage, and ministry together. We met halfway at the Coral Coast and had a great time doing what we love – swimming and eating! It was fun to rest and relax and enjoy each other’s company since our last weekend trip together during Thanksgiving last year.

·      Fundraising & Provision – We hosted a successful Afternoon Tea & Treats Fundraiser at our home one Saturday afternoon. We are so thankful for our mission supporters here in Fiji who continue to pray and give to this ministry. And we were so blessed by family who helped us with all the preparations and refreshments. It was a great event to also bring our family and friends together for fun and fellowship. We have been praying for God to meet us in our financial needs and this month we saw God answer our prayers in unexpected ways!

·      New Opportunities – God has presented us with open doors to promote EE and teach Hope for Kids in a local church. This church has welcomed us with open arms and is even allowing EE Fiji to host a training in the coming months. The senior pastor has met with us several times and it’s been so encouraging and refreshing to fellowship with someone who is greatly mission-minded and sensitive to the spiritual needs within the local church community. And we are excited to start new Bible studies with young men and woman in our local area.

·      EE Follow-up & Hospitality – We were able to contact the churches on the island of Kadavu (where we took a team in January) and they have informed us that they have started implementing Hope for Kids in Sunday school and villages! So exciting to hear the testimonies and positive feedback from these areas! Also this month we were able to host fellow EE workers from remote, interior areas of different island for several days. It was humbling to hear their stories of ministry, pray together, and bless them as they are family to us. We hope to conduct more EE trainings in their area later this year. Plus, I got to meet with Rusila (another EE worker and young person we mentor) several times and because of her ministry efforts her local church has increased in number and their network of reaching out has expanded! I’m so blessed to have Rusila has a prayer partner as well and it’s always such a joy to share with her and encourage one another in personal and ministry matters.

·      EE Field Worker Interviews and Meetings – We traveled to the EE Centre to help with interviews. We continue to see the great need for field workers and train up more people to pass the baton to as things expand in ministry. We also met with one of our EE supervisors to share our heart and burdens and discuss the future. We thank God for the constructive and beneficial conversation to help us think things through and prepare for what’s ahead.

Prayer Needs

·      Promotion and Organization for EE trainings in May

·      Teaching Hope for Kids in local churches

·      Training young people to delegate responsiblities to

·      Upcoming EE staff training course (6-weeks) at the EE centre

·      Great need for Financial Support

Thank you for encouraging our hearts and spirits with your prayers and support! We are greatly moved by the ways God is using us here to minister, meet the needs of others, and witness with His message of hope. We hope you have been blessed through this update. Please feel free to share this ministry update with those who will also be encouraged and/or led to support financially!

Ways to Support:

Online - www.eeworks.org
*Click on "Support" then "Online Giving"
*Type "Sarah Maba 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 Maba 6124" (all checks tax deductible)
Mail to: Evangelism Explosion International
P.O. Box 23820 Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33307-3820

Rooted in Christ,

SARAH & MABA