Mmmmmm.....the Fiji air!

My journey to Fiji was full of such blessings!

Wednesday night I had a wonderful dinner with the family and my cousin KD which consisted of one of my favorite south FL meals - bbq from Jenkin's....YUM! What a great send-off meal hehe Then KD, my sister, and myself stayed up til 3am just snacking, bonding, and of course having a prayer date. I laughed....I cried.....I reminisced.....It was outta control! As it should've been :)

I woke up at 7am....showered and loaded the car with all my luggage. My family hit up Einstein's then I freaked out because I had forgotten a pillow. So before going to the airport we went to Ross to by myself a new pillow and pillowcase....a pillow was a MUST! The goodbye was quick enough that I didn't shed tears.....I had to say goodbye to my dad twice before he went to look after the car. I just had to. Then my mom, sister, and KD waited til I went through security.

I sat at my gate mass texting family and friends.....receiving responses of such encouragement and praise. When I got to Houston I first checked the monitors to see when Krista (college best friend) got in and at what gate. I literally ran to her gate.....her flight had been delayed so I made sure to go to the service desk and get her set up for her next connecting flight. She came outta that gate and we were ecstatic! JESUS did it! What an amazing and much needed blessing! Krista & I randomly and miraculously had a layover in Houston at the same time! She was flying from Wisconsin to Tampa and I was on my way to Fiji. We soaked up that next hour hanging out. We ate Wendy's and just talked everything out before having to say goodbye. GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!!!

I got to LA and met up with 2 of the interns - Megan and Karen. Super sweet girls. We totally clicked. After eating some McDonald's we waited forever at our gate....we were all delirious at this point haha Once we got on the flight we were able to crash and look forward to setting our feet on Fiji soil!

We got to Fiji around 5:30am....I had been traveling for over 24 hours. Whew! We went to the centre where I got a much needed shower. After visiting town for a bit I was able to lock myself in my room for several hours to unpack. My room now has a "homey feeling" which I love. Everything is organized and in its place. AMEN!

I'm pumped for these next 6 weeks to bond and grow with the interns. I look forward to see how God will use me during this course!

In Chapter 3 of "Let the Nations be Glad" by John Piper - he says -

We deny ourselves the fleeting pleasures of sin and luxury and self-absorption in order to seek the kingdom above all things."

Missions through Prayer

Chapter 2 Highlights

• Prayer gives us the significance of frontline forces working on our behalf and gives God the glory as our limitless Provider
• Prayer secures the supremacy of God in missions while connecting us with His endless grace for our every need
• "Life is war because the maintenance of our faith and the laying hold on eternal life is a constant fight"
• Most times we turn prayer into a domestic intercom where we ask God to increase our comforts in life
• When we turn prayer into that intercom for our conveniences, our faith begins to falter and prayer stops working
• The doctrine of election does NOT make missions unnecessary; it makes missions hopeful
• God does not place His Gospel and us, His people, in this world and leave us to fend for ourselves and wage this spiritual war on our own
• The purpose of prayer is that the Father be glorified and our joy may be full
• Prayer is the open admission that without Jesus Christ we can do nothing
• "Prayer humbles us as needy and exalts God as all-sufficient"
• "When missions moves forward by prayer, it magnifies the power of God. When it moves by human management, it magnifies man."
• Give yourself to prayer if you know for sure you are asking for things which are for His Glory
• The Gospel will push forth and triumph through prevailing prayer so that in all things God will be glorified through Jesus Christ

Lord-

May I pray with a heart and mind to glorify You

May I NOT use prayer as requests for increasing my comforts

May I lift up the Great Commission and all those on the mission field

May I continue to lean on You for my heart's desires and needs

May I rest in Your promises

May You use me to advance your Kingdom

May You mold me to keep up that genuine faith and passion for Your people

Ephesians 6:19-20

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

Missions through Worship

Currently reading "Let the Nations be Glad!" by John Piper

Highlights from Chapter 1

• Missions begins and ends with worship
• Reality is God equals overwhelming greatness
• It's possible to be distracted from God when trying to serve God
• Love for God's glory and mercy for the nations must be kept together
• We need to renounce self-reliance and wait for Him
• Delight in God so as to reflect His glory
• When a missionary leaves family, friends, and possessions behind it should be for the sake of the name of Jesus; for the sake of His reputation
• Missions exists because God's name is not being hallowed
• We should long for Jesus to receive the honor due His name
• The glory of God needs to saturate every aspect of our lives

God -

May I have a heart for Your name to be glorified

May I show Your grace and mercy to the nations

May I serve in order to point others to Your greatness

May I hallow Your name

May I not be wrapped up in trivial matters, but instead pour myself into worshipping You

Acts 17:25-28

"And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself GIVES all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would SEEK him and perhaps REACH OUT for him and FIND him, though he is not far from each eon of us. 'For in him we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE our being'. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring'."

No place like HOME

I love me some US of A :)

I've now been home for almost a month. It was definitely culture shock at first getting used to air-conditioning everywhere, hot water showers, and crazy Florida drivers. Since living in the laid back Fijian lifestyle it has definitely been hard to jump back into the "Go, go go!" lifestyle here in the States. I kept thinking, "Where am I right now??" haha

I have been so incredibly blessed by the time I've spent with family and friends catching up. Fellowship and quality time with loved ones is something I definitely missed. And of course going to my favorite South Florida eateries such as Cheesecake Factory, Cracker Barrel, Wings n' Things, Vito's, & Laspadas has brought me happiness :)

I praise God for being able to see and talk to most of you who have blessed me with prayers and financial support! I have truly enjoyed being able to share with you all through the internet, phone, or face-to-face about what God has been doing in, around, and through me being an EE missionary in Fiji. And thank you so much for your encouragement. It affirms why I do what I do. All of you should have received from me an update letter, business/prayer card, and support information in the mail. If you did not, please let me know at your earliest convenience to make sure that gets to you.

CHECK OUT http://crpc.org/fiji if you have not already seen it. The slideshow is pictures of my ministry with Fijian Gospel music in the background, and there is also an article I wrote. Please Enjoy!

Since being home God has given me many different opportunities to share about Fiji missions in the community. I have spoken in a few church services and in elementary, middle, and high school classes at Calvary Christian Academy and Westminster Academy. I was also be part of Missions Night at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church where I had a Fiji booth. I love being able to give people insight into missions in the South Pacific and challenge them in their faith. I have also been busy putting time and energy into my support raising to return to Fiji for another year. God has truly been pouring His blessings and faithfulness upon my efforts.

My annual budget goal is $18,000 which breaks down to $1,500 per month. As of right now, I am halfway to that goal!!! Amen! I am so moved and encouraged by those of you who are recommitting. I believe God has such great and mighty things planned for this next year!

As a result, I am now praying for individuals, families, or churches to partner with this ministry to help me reach that other half. That other half breaks down to 30 people committing to support $25 per month OR 15 people to support $50 per month. I hope that you will be praying for me as I prepare to go back to Fiji and to pray about how you can continue to see lives transformed in Fiji through supporting financially.

Support can be given online at www.eeworks.org

Click on "Ways to Support"

Then "Online Giving"

Type "Sarah Abadines 6124" in the box and follow instructions

"For I am not seeking my good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

-----I Corinthians 10:33

If you all have any prayer requests or questions about this ministry, please feel free to contact me by email sabadines23@bellsouth.net

Kalougata! (God bless in Fijian)

Sarah Abadines

God's Perfect Timing

After 9 months....here I am on US soil! Not yet in Ft. Lauderdale however. I'm in the LAX airport sitting aimlessly for too long of a layover. About 3 more hours til my connecting flight to Florida. Basically I'm traveling for 2 days straight coming from Fiji. I slept most of the flight from Nadi to LA, thank goodness because I sat next to a newlywed couple....and you know how that is. I was like oh goodness, why am I stuck in this seat when these two over here are googoogaga over each other?! haha Plus I totally thought I was arriving home Thursday morning at 6am which was a mistake because I land Friday morning. OOPS! My poor parents woke up early Thursday morning expect me to arrive and were wondering why their daughter didn't get off that plane! Ay yi yi....my bad lol

It is such perfect timing that I am going home to Florida . I knew I would need a break for a time of rest and rejuvenation, but God knew better than I did that I would greatly need the time back home for different reasons. I need that sense of community, fellowship, and nourishment from family and friends and church. It will be an adjustment being back in an affluent western culture. I have been immersed in the Fijian culture for the past 9 months. The Fijian language will probably come out of my mouth here and there that's for sure.

I'm looking forward to so many things!

*Quality time with my parents and seestar

*Catching up with all my precious family & friends

*Girls weekend with my UCF gals - Crazy 8's

*Dining at all my fave FL eateries :)

*Sharing my experiences with supporters

*Support raising to return to Fiji for another year of missions

I know my time at home will be busy and filled with all kinds of things to do. Settling back into the US way of life, meeting up with people, and preparing myself financially, physically, and spiritually to return to Fiji. I know God is molding me for this next phase of ministry and I'm so pumped for it! My mind is always running with what needs to be planned and organized next. I will definitely cherish each moment while I am home in the US. And of course I will be missing things about Fiji and special people there who have become important in my life.

I am in such awe of how God sustains me through all things. There's an old song performed by the Crabb family that really touches my heart. The lyrics are powerful and uplifting.

"Through the Fire"

So many times I've questioned certain circumstances Or things I could not understand Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision And my frustration gets so out of hand Its then I am reminded I've never been forsaken I've never had to stand the test alone As I look at all the victories The spirit rises up in me And its through the fire my weakness is made strong  

Chorus: He never promised that the cross would not get heavy And the hill would not be hard to climb He never offered our victories without fighting But He said help would always come in time Just remember when your standing in the valley of decision And the adversary says give in Just hold on, our Lord will show up And He will take you through the fire again  

Bridge: I know within myself that I would surely perish But if I trust the  hand of God, He'll shield the flames again, again

Chorus

Psalm 40:8 says, "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

Amen!

Be blessed ~ Sarah Abadines

Mountains....they shall be removed

So it's been awhile since I've blogged....

It's already 2010...and it's already the 3rd month. Whoa. I still remember when I first got to Fiji not knowing what my ministry would look like. The journey has been full of amazing experiences and its moments of conflict. Being a missionary truly means leaving everything behind and diving full-force into God's work without any hesitation. When you're willing and available that's when God can use you. We cannot afford to hold back.....the love of Christ compels us.

Cross-cultural missions is always an adventure. It's a lifestyle of learning and growth. Just when you think you've got it, something comes up and brings you back to reality that you are just breaking the surface. There is such a need to always be aware and sensitive in every aspect of ministry. There are moments when I know I belong and am becoming a local.....and there are those moments when I feel utterly alone and helpless. I praise God that He continues to sustain me through the ups and downs. Within each hardship God has been present. I am more than a conqueror! Every mountain that comes my way God gives me the strength to remove it. When I am discouraged or hurt, I stand against the evil one who wants me to give up and run or hide. Battles come and we stand firm and face them knowing we have victory. I am so blessed to have incredible friends and family back home who, despite being miles upon miles away, are fully present and available as my support system. Without it I would be completely lost. And God has placed special people here in Fiji that push me to press on and embrace me with arms open wide. There always people to receive me and build me up. As a missionary you go with the flow. You rise to the call. You go above and beyond. You never know what is gonna come next, but you trust that God is already there going before you and working mightily.

I'm constantly on the move and I love that. I get antsy being in one place....and I never want to waste a minute. My mind never stops thinking about what needs to come next in ministry. There are so many youth and children to reach out to, to challenge and inspire, to be encouraged in their faith, and to know that there is an awesome God waiting to create an intimate relationship with them!!! Since the local fijian youth course in December, I have seen the participants continue to grow in their gifts and talents as well as mentor others to witness as a way of life. I have 3 more weeks in Fiji before I go home to FL for 2 months for a time of rest and renewal as well as support raising. Right now I'm traveling around doing follow-up on youth as well as visiting churches and youth groups.

Praise Jesus for His neverending grace.....unfailing love.....compassion & mercy. Without it I would be drowning.

Always expect BIG THINGS FROM GOD!!!!

Sa vinaka na Kalou! (God is so good!)

Ministry all day everyday.....I love it!

I have just recently returned to Nadi after being gone for over two weeks on another island called Vanua Levu. I traveled there by boat and returned by plane. Traveling around Fiji these past few months has been such a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Wherever I am a home is there with a precious family to take me in and care for me. And God is constantly providing people my age in those homes as a source of companionship and fellowship. I love how God is going before me, knowing my every need before I see it.

The first week I was in a small area called Nabouwalu where the main part of town consisted of only two shops, the open market, post office, and police post. One never knew when the electricity would be working, and the nearest internet connection was five hours away. I stayed with Pastor Vilitati, a Fijian EE field worker, and his family. The church was right next to their home. Pastor Vilitati has such a passion for youth and evangelism. The Lord is truly using him in these areas as he is overseer of all youth ministry in Vanua Levu. I have grown close to him. He is such an example to me and has become like a father to me. My time there was relaxing and wonderful. I was humbled by their way of living. I was able to spend a great amount of time with the youth there encouraging them in their faith and calling while building relationships with them. I also traveled to a nearby village to speak at a youth gathering where I was able to challenge them in taking every moment to serve Christ wholeheartedly.

The second week I was in another town called Labasa(one of the main towns on the island). Several Fijian EE workers and I conducted an EE clinic at one of the biggest churches in town. There were twenty-two trainees from four different churches who attended the clinic. The trainers came from different places in Fiji to help with the clinic. Most of the trainers I had already known from past clinics so it was a nice little reunion. It was a blessing to see these trainers serve and make themselves available to help with another clinic. God is continuing to build up these youth to lead and equip others in sharing the Gospel. Many of them will be attending the youth conference I am organizing for December, so I am really looking forward to spending more time with them. All the trainees were so encouraged by the clinic. As a result, the host church will be starting a thirteen week semester of EE among their congregation! This week their church is fasting as they prepare to implement EE and recruit church members to train. Two of the youth trainers will be conducting the teaching during the semester. Praise God for those who are ready to do His work and proclaim Christ! During this week I stayed with another pastor and his family. I felt so at home with them. It was a wonderful time of bonding and sharing. I was also able to have several tutoring sessions with their daughter Ana who has been struggling in math. I really enjoyed using my background to help her. This family has taken me in as part of their family.

Since being back in Nadi, we have been preparing for the six week Implementation Field Worker(IFW) Training. We will be training over thirty people from India, Spain, Vanuatu, Fiji, Malaysia, African nations, etc to be full-time EE workers. It is a beautiful thing to fellowship with believers from all over the world! I am also working on further plans for the partnership of Kid’s EE with One Hope. It is such an exciting time. There is so much work to be done!

Prayer Requests:

Follow-up with the EE clinic just completed in Labasa

Finalizing plans for the December youth conference

IFW Training

One Hope & Kid’s EE partnership (preparing to launch new workshops globally)

Anshu (young Indian girl who received Christ during one of my OJTs)

Talatala Orisi, Radini Paulini, Jovesa, & Tevita...my family in Labasa :)

Hanging out with the kids after church

Precious children who have been trained in Kid's EE

Teaching the kids action songs during Sunday School

Me & Isimeli Maba

The clinic group

Break time: Seva, Bale, & Rusi

Some of the trainees at the clinic

EE clinic at Evangel Temple, Labasa

My OJT team during the clinic: Mere & Luisa....such godly passionate women!

Talatala Vilitati's church

after church with some of the gals, wearing my new jaba hehe

hanging out with some of the little boys

Saturday= youth day...visiting Buna in the hospital

Talatala Vilitati's house where I stayed in Nabouwalu....gunuti (breakfast)