Revelry

Here is how our Evangelism Explosion clinic in Suva, Fiji had an impact on Sally’s life. 

Enjoy Jeremy’s testimony!

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the first two videos so far. As a continuation of people sharing their own testimonies from the trip, here is Josh’s. 

Many of you have read about what God has done through our Mission Intern to Fiji 2008. Now we have the opportunity to listen directly to them. My apologies as video anything isn’t a strong suit. Check out as there will be more to come!

When you asked Dr. Kennedy for one word to describe the ministry of Evangelism Explosion, he said “multiply.” This summer was an opportunity to see how God was multiplying the work done last summer. 

Many of you read the story about Adi (pronounced Andy) here. How she was led to faith in Christ by two of our interns, Kelsey and Emma, and then came to join us this summer as an intern herself. In less than a year she went from not having a relationship with God to teaching, training, and sharing with others how they could have that same relationship. 

Another surprise was our intern Tevita. He was trained in our Suva clinic last year, and then helped train a church plant in the Highlands. He joined us and continued to live out his faith in front of us. One day he gave a homeless Indian women all his money, then proceeded to sit down and share the gospel with her. A couple weeks later he stops mid-conversation with one man to grab another walking by. While engaging him in conversation he found out that this young man came to Nadi to commit suicide. Earlier that day his fiance ended their engagement. Tevita proceeded to led both, the Indian woman and the suicidal man, to faith in Christ. What a challenge and encouragement!

As I reflect back on this summer, brokenness seems to best describe this years interns. Each wrestling with where they’ve stumbled and how to get their relationship with God back on track. One intern admitting a struggle with suicide, another that her friends convinced her that she would never make anything of herself, another still looking for direction as she recently graduated from college. All of us, however, went home with a holy-unrest with where our friends, family, and acquaintances are with their eternal life. I’ve included several of their video testimonies here. Enjoy!

I appreciate your patience as I reintegrate back into the American culture. I’m pushing past jet-lag and looking forward to updating you all as to what God has done this summer. Stay tuned as there is more to come. 

Last week we held our first clinic of the summer. It was such a great surprise to find that the majority of participants were younger (18-30 yrs. old.) It was a fun dynamic having their excitement and enthusiasm as we marched through the training. Sixteen of the thrity-three stayed in the training center with us. Every morning at four am they would start their devotions and then transition into a time of worship. It made for an early morning for our late sleepers, but their enthusiasm was contagious.

This weeks on-the-job training time was interesting. Steven, our trainee, Juanita, my jr. trainer, and myself spent the week visiting one family. The first day we meet Tiki (I’ve changed the names, but the story is legit) as he thought we were coming to file a complaint with him. Tiki is the only police officer in Nadi in charge of all of the crimes committed against tourists. After Juanita shared the whole gospel, Tiki prayed to receive Christ with us. The following day we went to follow up with Tiki and speak with his wife Sari.

Much to our surprise Sari was at church and unable to meet with us. After tea, Tiki  excused himself to handle a case, so his cousin Joka spoke with us. Joka was helping look after Tiki and Sar’s kids. After we shared the gospel with Joka, she prayed to receive Christ. Thursday we set up an appointment to meet with Joka and Sari. 

Thursday rolled around and we went to follow-up with Tiki ,Joka, and meet Sari. Tiki was out, and we were able to finally meet Sari. As it turns out, Sari is a Christian and has been praying for Tiki for the last 8 yrs. What a joy it is to be an answer to prayer! 

Sari shared that the reason Tiki wasn’t home was that he was scared to talk to us. The power of the gospel has been convicting him of sins he has committed and so he doesn’t like to be around us. Please join me in praying for their family as God continues to work in their lives. 

Tomorrow starts round two of our clinics. Please continue praying for unity as we have combined the Australian and Interns into one location. That God would surprise us by what He chooses to do through us.

vinaka!

At home one of my hobbies is going to the gym. When I travel it becomes an adventure trying to find ways to stay in shape. Being gone for 7 weeks has it’s added challenge. I discussed doing push-ups on coconuts, pull-ups on the I beam in the building and running. Much to my surprise this year, we have a gym! Well…sort of. I feel like Rocky when he was training in Russia. Steel bars with concrete buckets on the end has become the benching bar, curling bar, and upright rows. We have a steel shaft with metal rims for a dead-lifting and pretend curling. Not sure if it will keep my in shape, but it has kept me entertained!

It’s hard to believe that Tuesday marks the half way point. The vast majority of our time this summer has been spent in preparation. Last Saturday we held our first refresher clinic at the Living Way Church with Pastor Conan. Six of his finest joined us as we went through the first half of the Island EE Material. Pstr. Conan’s excitement is contagious as we discuss implementing EE after we are gone.
The greatest highlight so far has been seeing the new crew get excited about sharing their faith. Jeremy’s desire, joy, and excitement after each OJT permeates the group. More than just sharing on during teaching times, but while shopping for souvenirs. He can’t seem to help himself.

Prayer
It’s been incredible to see God stretching and challenging us to place our whole trust in Him alone for our futures, and stripping us of idols in our lives. God is in our midst and not allowing us to just be hearers of the words, but doers. Please continue praying for guidance and direction for our group.
As we look to the remainder of the trip, the next three weeks will be a blur. We are learning XEE Tuesday, painting houses in a local village Wed / Thurs, Friday preparing for Saturday’s refresher clinic, and then two weeks of EE clinics (one in Nadi and the other in Suva) before flying home. Please pray for: unity, rest, rest, and guidance for the weeks to come. Thank you so much for your help and prayers for our ministry!

We’ve all heard: “you can take a boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of a boy.” As Nakiti has transitioned from village life to life in the training center, he has brought some of the village or country, with him. This year we have 2 dogs (Brownie and Muddie), 2 pigs, 2 goats, a tractor, and our favorite fijian carb…kasava. For you fan favorites of fresh lemon tea, a lemon tree out back as well. None of this has effected life at the training center, it just adds a new dimension to life in Tunalia!