In His Strength, NOT Ours

Pacific Interns 2013

Family Reunion!

Meke dance at youth rally in Vanuatu

Traveling together :)

Maba teaching during the EE clinic

Community project painting a village church

Cascades waterfalls - sightseeing in Port Vila

H4K OJT in Pango village

Nabila village weekend

July/August 2013

Ministry Update

“The task before us is never as great as the power behind” – Anonymous

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9

During the past 2 months God has shown Himself strong on our behalf over and over again. As He gives us opportunities to serve and lead, we continue to be lifted up in faith, stretched in ministry, and stand in awe of God’s power and grace over our daily lives. I’m currently reading “Because He Loves Me” by Elyse Fitzpatrick and it has encouraged me in so many ways. For example, the author writes that God’s work is always redemptive and He has done all He has done so that our lives would overflow with loving praise for His glorious grace! How amazing is our God?! Even when we are anxious about responsibilities on the mission field or come across a difficult situation, we praise God that He is greater than anything we ever face in life! And we've recently received some mission support that has helped us greatly. There’s a lot to share so stay tuned and be blessed!

PACIFIC INTERNSHIP

For 6 weeks, 27 individuals were in Fiji at the EE Training Centre. They came from 10 different nations (USA, Mexico, England, Romania, Khazakstan, Australia, China, India, Fiji, and Vanuatu). Maba and I were part of the leadership team to organize the internship and serve the group. The interns were seeking God’s unique calling for their lives. The internship consisted of teaching sessions to help the individuals discover their strengths, passions, and further understand their role in God’s Kingdom. The group also carried out community projects and EE trainings. It was a blessing to pour into these interns and share our testimonies of being in full-time ministry. We were also able to share about the culture, lifestyle, and religious background in Fiji, provide some basic language lessons, and teach cultural dances. We saw God move in many ways. Many of them received direction and confirmation from the Lord regarding their next steps in pursuing God’s will for their lives.

Maba and I especially enjoyed times of leading worship and devotion. I’d like to share with you what we spoke on and hope it encourages you. Maba spoke on Psalm 40:1-3 about waiting patiently for the Lord and trusting God to lift us up from whatever pit, mud, and mire we may be facing in our lives, whether a physical, cultural, financial, mental, or emotional distraction, that is hindering us from carrying out His will for us. Maba encouraged them to declare that God is our Deliverer and Counselor! During my session I spoke on Ephesians 2:10 and 4:1-13. I encouraged the group to declare that we all are a unique masterpiece of God who has gone before us in all things! I challenged them to always pursue peace and unity in the body of Christ where God is over all (Sovereign and in supreme authority), through all (by Jesus we are all saved), and in all (the Holy Spirit dwells in us). We each have our gifts of grace for individual and corporate purposes in His Kingdom.

During the internship the team traveled to Vanuatu. It was such a blessing to do missions overseas with my husband for the 2^nd time. This year we worked in Pango village. It’s such a blessing to also serve with the EE Vanuatu team, they are like family to us! During the adult EE training, 9 churches were represented by 29 trainees where 174 heard the Gospel and 98 prayed to receive Christ. During the Hope for Kids workshop, 11 churches were represented by 26 trainees. One afternoon we conducted an OJT at the local primary school where 65 students heard the Gospel and 27 prayed to receive Christ. We also hosted a youth rally in the village where over 100 people attended. Maba led the event and the Pacific interns team performed a Fiji traditional dance called a “meke”. It was a great night of fellowship with the local Nivans. Also during that week I got to spend time with one of my best friends Sally! I cherished those moments since we only see each other once or twice a year. Since we are older than Sally, in Fijian culture her little daughter Jen calls me “NaLevu” (big mom) and calls Maba “TaLevu” (big dad)! Hehe We had a great time catching up! Maba and I also stumbled upon a Filipino restaurant! I was ecstatic to find it! I had Maba try a traditional fried pork dish with garlic rice and a dessert called halo-halo. It made me feel like I was at home or in the Philippines with family!

Another part of the internship is to have the team spend time in a local village to immerse themselves in the culture/lifestyle. We hosted a youth rally where the interns led the program with worship, testimonies, and special items. There were 8 local youth groups present, and they were all very encouraged by all the interns shared. One morning we did a community project by painting an Assembly of God church in the village. The senior pastor and church members were so blessed. Sunday service was encouraging as we observed the villagers with so much joy in their faith despite lacking in other areas of life.

We prepared the interns to run an EE clinic by teaching them how to present the dramas, demonstrations, and teaching sessions. It was amazing to see these young people step up and embrace their roles. They particularly enjoyed the OJT outings as they saw God move within many different situations and among many different kinds of people. During that week Maba and I invited the whole team to our place. It was fun to have them visit our home and give them an idea of how we live outside the EE centre.

For 4 weeks of the internship, our dear friend from Florida joined our leadership team. Amberly was an intern from last year and is one of our amazing financial supporters! I was so grateful to have a girlfriend from home around for a bit. She brought “home” to us in different ways. Maba and I learned so much from her about intentionally listening to others and praying specifically for God’s people. She has great wisdom with a beautiful Shepherd’s heart for the children of God. She provided so much encouragement to us.

During the last week of the internship the group did something special and memorable together. We washed each other’s feet on the veranda serving one another and praying for each other. It was a powerful time of fellowship! It was the first time Maba and I had done that and it was extremely humbling.

We gave the interns an opportunity to share their heart to encourage and affirm one another by writing letters. Maba and I were so blessed by what some of the interns expressed to us. For example:

Joy (Youth Worker in Australia) – “I praise God for the way you are able to influence so many young people. I love the way you and Maba serve Jesus together!”

Faith (recent OneHope Intern in England) – “Seeing how you have stepped out in faith for missions encourages me to be able to do the same and observing your God-centered marriage is something I truly admire!”

Naomi (Hope for Kids worker in India) – “Sarah you are like a sister to me and Maba you are an amazing person with a patient heart.”

David (EE volunteer in Florida) – “You both are always serving in ways that exemplify Christ in all you do. Maba you’re strong and courageous yet have a gentle and caring spirit, and Sarah you are a godly, virtuous woman who fully trusts the Lord.”

The blog website is: http://pacificinternship2013.blogspot.com - Here you can read about the interns sharing their experiences and testimonies from the 6 weeks!

Since the internship ended and everyone has gone back to their homes, we have taken time to rest and recover physically and spiritually. Maba and I have been craving the Word and spending lots of time in prayer as seek direction from the Lord for our future. It has been so nice to be at home again doing things we love like cooking together, taking long walks, and spending time with our nieces and nephews. We’ve also jumped back into local church ministry which has been wonderful.

What’s NEXT?

Our ministry goals for the rest of 2013 include the following:

o   Follow-up churches that have been trained in Island EE and Hope for Kids as well as ministry contacts from OJTs.

o   Follow-up locals who recently attended the Pacific Internship

o   Continue involvement with our local church

o   Strengthen our ministry team of local IFWs and young people volunteers

o   Serve the national EE ministry in any way we can

We are so blessed by your prayers and support! Thank you for being part of our ministry team and helping reach both those who are lost and seeking a Savior and those who are pursuing God’s call in their lives. We are having an eternal impact in Fiji and globally. May we continue to serve the Lord together wherever He has placed us! To Him be all glory, honor, and praise.

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

*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

BE BLESSED,

SARAH & MABA

June 2013 Ministry Update

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 29^th – 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

*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

BE BLESSED,

SARAH & MABA

Unending Blessings

January/February 2013

Ministry Update

Psalm 21:6

“Surely you have granted him UNENDING blessings and made him glad with the JOY of your presence.”

The verse above sums up our time in the USA. God continually demonstrated His faithfulness and poured out His blessings upon us. We have been refreshed and refilled by His Spirit. We rejoice in the Lord and in His presence and grace that surrounds us! Rejoice with us! Thank you to all of you who were part of our time in the States. It truly was special in so many ways! I saw Maba grow in amazing ways as a person, leader, husband, and missionary during his time in the US, which blessed me so much. And God taught me to serve and reach out in new ways. We praise God for speaking to us and refining us during the past 4 months!  

It’s been about 2 months since I last wrote you all. January and February were very busy months for us. We did a little more traveling, support-raising, and creating more memories together as newlyweds. And Maba had lots of new experiences!

Jan/Feb Highlights:

·      Orlando weekend with UCF friends – It meant so much to me for Maba to meet a special group of ladies that I hold near to my heart. And I was able to meet my dear friend’s husband and she got to meet Maba as we (unfortunately) both missed each other’s weddings in 2012. Maba also attended his first basketball games (College and NBA) which he loved!

·      Trip to Asheville, North Carolina – Maba and I spent quality time with our family friend Amy (she attended our wedding in Fiji) and her family. It was so great to experience of a change of pace, scenery, and weather! We really enjoyed hiking and seeing snow! (Maba was like a little kid playing in it!) We also visited the EE offices and had great fellowship with some of the staff.

·      Guest Speakers at a local Young Adult ministry – I was able to share about our ministry and our passions and Maba preached the Word. It was a wonderful time of fellowship! Many young people were moved and encouraged.

·      Blessings from the “CLAN” – Maba and I were wonderfully surprised by our Filipino family friends whom we share a strong bond with and we call ourselves the CLAN. They blessed us with all kinds of supplies we needed to bring back to Fiji such as toiletries, household materials, and everyday goods! We were so moved by the body of Christ that day!

·      Support-Raising – One Sunday we were able to sing and share during a local church service. We taught the worship team a Fiji song and we all sang it together. You could, without a doubt, sense the Holy Spirit in that place during that time of worship! We also shared our heart with the congregation and challenged them to declare the name of Jesus with any more delay or hesitation. We were so blessed by the encouragement and financial giving of some of the people who were moved invest in building God’s Kingdom.

·      Sharing the gift of Salvation – during a friend’s birthday party Maba had the opportunity to share the Gospel with a young guy from Haiti. It was amazing to see these 2 Islanders connect! And we just love how God opens doors for us to witness. After Maba shared, this young guy was speechless. He had been rocked to his core and told Maba that he will be thinking and taking to heart all Maba shared. Please be praying for Jay that his spiritual eyes and heart will be opened!

·      Replay – wedding reception – My parents threw us a newlywed party, and it was wonderful to celebrate with family and friends in the US! Maba and I were so blessed and had a lot of fun! It was a big, last hurrah before returning to Fiji.

·      New Experiences for Maba – BOWLING! He loved it! And going to a zoo (Miami Zoo), he was so in awe of all the different animals J Maba also observed how basketball is such a popular sport in the US. He’s a Miami Heat fan now! Haha He also now understands how prideful people get about the University they attended! GO UCF KNIGHTS! Maba now loves the games of Scrabble and JENGA (haha)

Packing to come to Fiji was an such an experience! We brought back 4 big luggages with us. Praise God everything came in one piece, nothing lost! Saying our “see you laters” and “thank you’s” was bittersweet, that’s for sure. During our flight we reflected on how God continues to lead us and answer our prayers. We understand more and more the love He has for us! And we see His hand upon us every step of the way although we are so unworthy and undeserving!

We arrived safely in Fiji Thursday Feb. 21st! We have unpacked and settled in a bit. Please pray for Maba as today (Friday Feb. 22), he flew to another island for a relative’s funeral. He will spend 5 days there, so pray for me as I’m home by myself and not used to be separated from him (haha).

Thank you for your continuing support! Many people were encouraged and challenged during our time in the US. We praise God for your hearts to give and reach out to those in need. Hand in hand, side by side we are all working together to bring the love of Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life to those around us locally and internationally! We are so excited to get back on the field and see all that God has in store for the ministry!

Prayer Needs

·      Maba following-up with EE trained churches

·      Myself working with local Kids and Youth EE staff members

·      Catching up with young people that we mentor together

·      Continual support-raising

·      More opportunities to reach out (schools, kids clubs, etc.)

Ways to Support:

Online - www.eeworks.org
*Click on "Ways to 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

BE BLESSED,

SARAH & MABA

New Experiences

November/December Update

Happy New Year Everyone!

Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

This verse is our latest memory verse and I hope it encourages you this week. 2013 has just begun, and my prayer is that I will meditate on this verse and truly live it out. During a recent quiet time, God challenged me in different ways. I realize more and more how much I need His wisdom to direct my days. I crave a greater understanding of the power and grace in the hope of the Gospel so that I will continue to rearrange and shape my life in ways that bring glory to the Lord and prompt a life of sacrifice. God reminded me that the Holy Spirit dwells in me….BUT – are my actions, thoughts, and deeds being driven by the Spirit?? That is something we all need to be constantly asking ourselves as we live out each day in faith.

Maba and I have been here for 2 months, and we have enjoyed every minute! For me it has been a time of rest and being refilled as well as catching up with family, friends, and supporters. For Maba on the other hand it has been a trip of a lifetime as everything is new and different. It’s been wonderful to slow down from being on the field and experience being here in the Sates together as a married couple. We are so blessed by the love and support from all of you. And we thank God for my family who has surrounded us with such care and their provision. Everyone has embraced Maba and has been encouraged by our story and the work we do in the Pacific. It’s been fun to show Maba where I grew up, went to school, and attended church and to introduce Maba to all the special and important people in my life that he’s only heard about or seen pictures of. It was very special for Maba to see Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and attend a service as it is the place where EE came out from and where I developed my faith and passion for missions. Maba has also experienced different personal and family traditions, which I hold dear to my heart. He was brave in cold weather when we traveled to NYC and Atlanta! And he rode his first rollercoaster and free-fall ride at Disney, which he had a blast on! When we took him to Sea World, he really liked the penguins, manatees, and killer whales J

The holidays were unique for Maba. Thanksgiving was full-on and all American. For Christmas, it was his first time seeing a real Christmas tree with presents underneath. He was a like a little kid opening all his presents! And he was a trooper attending all the festivities we participated in! New Year’s he saw what a big celebration it is for most people with the crowds, noise, and fireworks.

Maba’s first impressions of the U.S.

“Wow it’s such a big place with so many places to go and too many places to eat. People love food here.”

“I-95, Turnpike, I-75…..definitely intense and scary at first.”

“New York City is mind-blowing”

“I love Mexican food and sushi!”

Regarding our support-raising, it has been both challenging and rewarding. We continue to see God’s faithfulness and provision. We have really enjoyed meeting up with many of you and other supporters in the local area as well as in Orlando, Tampa, and Georgia. Our Open House last month was a great time of fellowship! Maba has learned so much and has now experienced for himself what I usually do when I come to the U.S. once a year to raise mission funds. I am so glad we can now share in this aspect of missionary work together. We have also had many opportunities to reach out to young people and church communities. We praise God for leading us to the right places and times to encourage someone where they’re at and offer insight and prayer. We have shared in schools, church small groups, sang Fijian songs during church services, and we look forward to the other events we have set up while we are still here. On Christmas Eve Maba was asked to speak at a small Filipino church my family is involved with. He spoke on Hebrews 1:1-3 with the topic “Who is that Baby?” I was so proud to see him in boldness and faith share what the Lord had laid upon his heart. Everyone was so blessed by the word he brought that evening!

Currently we are 67% to our monthly mission support goal. Amen for that! Thank you so much for continuing to partner with us through prayer and giving. You are reaching out in mighty ways for His glory! Please continue to keep this ministry and us in your prayers. We have about a month and a half before we head back to Fiji. We are going to cherish the time we have left here and take this time to truly seek the Lord’s direction and prepare our hearts and minds for what’s ahead.

I have attached our recent ministry brochure which most of you may already have. Please feel free to pass it along to anyone you believe would be encouraged by it or  whom would be interested to support this ministry!

Ways to Support:

Online - www.eeworks.org
*Click on "Ways to 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

Blessed beyond measure,

Sarah & Maba