hanging out with Maba & friends at home - getting some down time from busyness in ministry
teaching the local Fiji youth about leadership & discipleship
the guys performing a Fiji meke for the Jasper boarding students during our outreach program
community service project painting a local church
praise & worship team evening practice
practice time during the EE clinic
group photo before our youth rally
the girls doing a dance item during the youth rally
young people having tea during fellowship after the rally
team building activities - beach outing
intense volleyball!
me & Maba in kalavata (matching) Fiji wear - Closing Ceremony
leaders and servers during the Graduation Night - Matia, La, myself, & Maba
Interns enjoying their last night together celebrating the 2 weeks course
the whole group being prayed over by the EE Fiji board members
Maba helping me pack and wearing my old high school hoodie sweater :) hehe
Me frustrated with packing haha....ohh the joys of packing
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” – Charles Wesley
My time and efforts this past month have been used to pour out my heart and passions in order to disciple young people around me in different ways. My prayer is to always impart something spiritually uplifting to the young people of this nation. I praise God for continuous. And I am so blessed to have people doing ministry with me side by side such as my roommate and sister Lavenia (Fijian EE staff)) and my boyfriend Maba, as well as other local EE staff.
The 3rd annual Fiji Local Interns Youth Course was held at the EE Centre from September 7-20. Twenty young people attended representing fourteen different churches and eight different regions of Fiji. Lavenia and I were so encouraged by the fact that this is the 3rd year we have conducted this discipleship training in Fiji! The two weeks program involved day and evening sessions touching different aspects of Christian living and various activities to promote fellowship and service. Most of the interns come from broken homes, lack of education, and low self-esteem. Our role as leaders was to uplift them and restore them to where God wants them to be as qualified instruments for His Kingdom. It was such a blessing to see each individual gain confidence in themselves and fully understand their identity in Christ. I could see sparks in them turn into consuming fires as they absorbed each teaching session and moments of fellowship together.
Running these courses is a really big job. Here’s an idea of all the preparation and organization of the course that I’m in charge of – ordering & printing materials and certificates, teaching & leading, conducting an EE clinic, daily grocery shopping runs for 35 people (interns, leaders, and catering staff) since I am the only one able/approved to drive, confirming bus transports & outreach activities for the group, handling the budget and funds, and making sure everyone is happy. WHEW. At the end of each day I am exhausted. I praise God for supernatural strength and energy. Also, Lavenia is there to help me lead and teach the young people. And this year Maba was there to help do big food shopping runs and errands and spend time bonding with the youth. Their presence and support are great blessings!
Let me describe several of the highlights from the two weeks course. One Friday night our group hosted an outreach fellowship for the students of a girl’s boarding school in a nearby town. The program included the interns sharing testimonies, icebreakers & games, and dance performances. Then at the end the interns each took a group of the students to sit and talk where they had an opportunity to share the Gospel. That evening 130 girls prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior! How amazing?! Our group was so encouraged that night. The following day we did a community service project by painting a church and the senior pastor’s home. We believe in meeting physical needs as well as spiritual ones. The pastor’s family and the church were so touched by our act of service that they prepared a huge feast for us. It was a wonderful day of serving and fellowship. The next week on Saturday we hosted a Youth Rally where 8 different church youth groups were present. It was a fun night of performances, testimonies, activities, and a special tea prepared afterwards. The climax of the two weeks was our Closing Ceremony. The EE Fiji National Director and Board Members were there to show their support as we handed out certificates and awards to the interns and celebrated all the growth and fellowship that occurred during the course. Our theme for the evening was “God’s heart chasers” as our prayer is to chase after God’s heart and burden for the lost.
I believe that each intern left the course with a renewed spirit and readiness to live out God’s calling on their lives. They soaked in so much from the two weeks, and they are excited to impart all they learned as they return to their homes and local churches.
Some of the comments from the interns:
Maika Sivo (young guy) – “This two weeks course has opened my mind and heart to know God’s calling in my life. The leaders and teachers pushed me to another level of my faith.”
Rusila Galo (19 year old girl) – “I have learned how to strengthen my relationship with God in so many different ways. I have been encouraged and challenged to not give up in ministry because God is faithful to complete what He has started. I can’t wait to go back and share to those in my youth group!”
Soroivalu Manoa (young guy) – “I have grown as a youth leader during the course. It aroused my spiritual appetite. The teaching was excellent, clear, and understandable. I enjoyed every moment of the two weeks.”
I hope this update has encouraged and blessed you. Thank you for your support in prayer and finance. You have planted seeds of growth and faith into these young people. There is nothing sweeter than being used to grow people in the body of Christ. Your love for the Lord is being poured out through your prayers and financial support across miles and oceans to build up people here in Fiji, the South Pacific, and beyond. Please be praying for these young people as they continue in faith and ministry.
Since the course ended earlier this week I have traveled back to my flat to do some cleaning up, repacking, and shopping in order to prepare to go home. I fly out October 4th and arrive in Florida the morning of October 5th!!! I can’t wait to be home. So much to look forward to! I will be home in the States for about 3 months to rest, catch up with everyone, and do another round of support raising. I know our God is faithful, and I am praying for renewed and added supporters who will continue to partner with me in this ministry. Lavenia and I have so many goals and visions for ministry next year that we are lifting up in prayer. We are really excited for what God will do. I am so blessed to be part of what God is already doing here in Fiji and the South Pacific.
Ways to Support:
Online - www.eeworks.org
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*Type "Sarah Abadines 6124" in the box provided
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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
“There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have limitless energy to serve him, great boldness to share him, and complete satisfaction in him.” – J.I. Packer
