Monday, June 30, 2014

Living in His Greatness

Our local church using Hope for Kids

Pacific Interns - team bonding at the Mudpools

Dinner date for my 28th birthday

Celebrating my birthday with the interns - prayer of blessing

Maba, Bill, an Edward sharing the Good News in Nabila village

Pacific Interns and villagers after church


Maba enjoying quality time with his mom

Greeting Steph at the airport - reunited!

Sharing the Gospel in the village with these children

 “Because he who is in you is greater than the he
who is in the world.” I John 4:4

During the month of June we have been able to reflect on God’s sovereignty. We also experienced His grace and power over our circumstances that enable us to keep investing in the lives of His people that come across our path. I just finished a book called “Greater” by Steven Furtick which has been super encouraging yet challenging as we continue to follow God’s leading in our lives. I’d love to share a few insights the author gave that really impacted me and I pray that it touches your heart as well.

*God desires us to live in His GREATNESS so that we would have greater vision, greater impact, and greater effectiveness in the things He has called us to.
*God doesn’t just do GREATER things exclusively through GREAT people. He does GREATER things through those who are willing to trust Him in GREATER ways.
*God’s great ambition in leading us into GREATER things isn’t for us to know WHAT TO DO but to know WHO HE IS.
*When we EMBRACE our limitations then God can begin to use us in GREATER ways BEYOND those limitations.

The declaration of my heart lately has been:
“GREAT things He has done and GREATER things yet to come!”

5 Years!!! – Since June 29, 2009
I stand in awe of my Savior and Lord as I celebrate 5 years as a missionary in Fiji. He has stretched me spiritually in more ways than I can count. He has strengthened me as a leader, teacher, and mentor within ministry. He has provided for me in miraculous ways. He has sustained me through highs and lows of persevering on the field. He has poured out His grace and favor empowering me to do the work. Praise the Lord God Almighty! To Him be all the glory, honor, and praise! Thank you all for being part of this ministry team and supporting us through prayers, giving, and encouragement! We are so blessed!

June Happenings

Rejuvenation  – After helping with the staff-training course at the EE Centre, Maba and I were able to take about a week off to rest and prepare for the next mission group. We were so grateful to be at our home for a little while to be reenergized, spend time with family, and catch up with those in the local church community whom we disciple and do ministry with. It was also a blessing to be present for a Sunday service at our home church.

Hope for Kids – This month I was able to continue to build up the new local H4K workers here and see them in action. It was so encouraging to see them take the initiative to help churches that were trained and promote the ministry of Hope for Kids. Our team was also able to conduct a great deal of follow-up to churches that have been trained over the past few years. The feedback and results were extremely encouraging. Many Sunday school teachers shared that the children never want to miss a session and have great stories of sharing the Gospel with their friends! In our local church there are about 15 children being trained and it was so fun to see them excited to work in their activity books and practice the Gospel Pathway hand actions!

Pacific Interns – On June 16th the internship began so we are back again full-time staying at the EE Centre. This is the 3rd year we are blessed to be part of the leadership team. The group of 13 represents 5 different nations: USA, China, Finland, Australia, and Fiji, and they are a truly special group of spiritually mature and focused individuals. We are enjoying getting to know them and hearing their testimonies. The past 2 weeks they have been learning about their strengths and gifts, casting a vision, understanding God’s call, and evangelism. Maba and I wear different hats during the internship as we lead and serve from organizing daily worship, teaching and training, leading outreach teams, helping them adjust to the Fijian culture, outlining program details, running errands, and offering encouragement and support. We thank the Lord for the unity and great dynamics among the team! The interns have shared how beneficial and challenging the sessions and outreach events have been so far as they embrace being away from their normal routines and cultures. Four more weeks to go and we’re excited for how God is going to reveal Himself to them in great ways and do amazing things around them!

OJT Testimonies:
*One group went and spoke to a Hindu woman at her home. She was a bit resistant to the Gospel at first. During the Gospel presentation she fainted and collapsed. The team was a bit shocked and nervous. After a few minutes she was able to stand up, and she said that she had an overwhelming sense that she was meant to really listen to what they shared and make a step to believe in Jesus! She prayed to receive Christ with them and asked them to please come back again to share more. How amazing!
*Maba went with Bill and Edward (both from the US) to Nabila village and were able to meet with a couple and their nephew.  They were able to share the whole Gospel and the 3 people were eager to accept Christ and live with hope and purpose! Maba’s group was able to connect them to a nearby church and ask the leaders to follow-up with the family.
*I was able to share with a Class 6 student one afternoon. She believed in Jesus but her family did not attend church regularly. I shared with her the importance of growing in faith and asked her how she would like to grow. She shared that she wants to have more Christian friends and be more involved at church and Sunday school. I encouraged her to keep studying God’s Word and praying for opportunities to be surrounded with the right people and environments to grow spiritually. It was a joy to see her desire to know more about God!

What’s ahead for the Pacific Interns?
·      Partnering with an Australian youth mission team for EE trainings                    and fellowship
·      Getting equipped in Island EE, XEE, and Hope for Kids
·      Seeing and experiencing other areas of Fiji
·      Theology and Missions sessions with Archbishop Harry from Sydney
·      Sessions on God’s call with Norman Blackaby from the US
·      Community projects in villages, schools, and prisons

Reunited Back in January, I shared about Stephanie Orr from Australia who was part of our mission team to the outer island of Kadavu. She was so blessed by her time here that she was ready to come again with her church youth mission team to continue to be part of missions in the Pacific. Steph has returned now as a leader with the group for a 2 weeks mission trip. It has been a blessing to see her in action pouring into the young ones on the team and teaching up front. We have been able to catch up and encourage one another about the different ways God has been moving in our lives personally and spiritually. Steph continues to minister to Aboriginal communities in Sydney as she pursues her degree in and is very involved with the youth at her church. Next week she will work together with myself and our local EE workers to conduct a Hope for Kids workshop in Suva. I’m excited to see her teach and be stretched in her strengths!
           
Prayer Needs
Local EE trainings during the next 2 weeks
Interns group as they seek God’s call on their lives and pursue ministry opportunities
Our leadership team as we serve the interns
Young people in EE Fiji we are discipling

Thank you for cheering us on with your support through prayers and giving! It’s such a blessing to serve others together and allowing God to use us in different ways to speak truth and love on people. We hope you have been encouraged our stories from this past month. 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

Blessed,

Sarah & Maba

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