Being On Mission with God

Melanie here!  I feel like I have so much to blog about....so much goes on in a week here!  I will do my best to share what has happened without making it too lengthy.

Harry and Pam Goodhew were here this past week to teach us about Mission Theology.  He was the arch bishop of the Sydney diacese (basically means he was the head bishop in the Anglican churches of Sydney--the leader of the leaders), so we were extremely blessed to have him teach us on this topic.  We worked through the book, The Mission of God's People by Christopher J.H. Wright, and got a broad overview of God's entire story--from Creation to New Creation.  He opened my eyes to some really awesome things!  For example, Jesus' 40-day fast represented Israel's 40 years in the desert.  Jesus went through the same testing, but overcame the trials and brought glory to God.  Another thing I found interesting was how Jesus had 12 apostles....and how those 12 men represented the 12 redeemed tribes of Israel.  The book is full of practical theology, and I'm looking forward to reading it in more detail once I'm home.

Harry gave us a paper with part of God's story and had us put them in order.

We are a special bunch :)

On Friday, we got to visit a local special needs school and lead a program for the students.  We taught them some songs, shared a couple testimonies, performed a couple Meke dances, shared a skit (the Rescue Boat story for those that know E.E.), and taught a quick lesson about the Gospel.  I had a blast and we were all really encouraged by that trip.

Teaching the students some songs.

The "Rescue Boat" skit.  

Performing a Meke dance!

 

    

The group with all the students!

After the special needs school, we were able to visit the local prison!  They pulled a good amount of the inmates in a room, and we were able to share a couple testimonies and get in groups to connect and have gospel conversations.  Several of the inmates made the decision to receive Jesus and their Lord and Savior, so we were really encouraged by that visit as well!

Billy sharing his testimony with the inmates.

On Saturday, we had an awesome day of exploring another island!  We took a boat to Mana Island, and got to snorkel, get our grub on at a buffet, and just enjoy the "postcard" side of Fiji.

On the boat at the port.

Maba and Billy

Billy and I snorkeling

Enjoying the beach!

Sam the man and Billy

Yesterday was our last Sunday as a group...its crazy how fast the internship has gone!  We had 3 churches to choose from, so I decided to go to Nabila (pronounced Nambila) village, and Billy went to a place called Harvest Church.  Nabila is the first church we went to, so I thought it would be fun to go back and say goodbye to everyone.  There, I was asked to share a song, so I sang one that I had witten.  After the service, we at lunch with the church members, and had afternoon tea.  I left the village so filled and encouraged.  Some of our team members had done an OJT with some of the people near the Harvest Church, and Billy and a couple of the guys were hoping to see them there.  Praise God that the people they had led to Christ were at the church!

Billy, Alec, and Pete praying over a member.

Billy and Alec praying over a lady who needed healing in her ankle.

Sharing my song.

Lunch!  In the villages, meals are eaten on a mat.

Hangin' out at the ocean with some of the kids from Nabila.

Some of the kids.  They are so fun!

This week, Norman Blackaby from the U.S. was supposed to come, but he was not able to make it for health reasons.  Please be praying for his recovery.  

Today, we looked at Isaiah 55 in detail.  What I got out of it was to not limit God with my own human perspective.  I love verses 8 and 9: "'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord.  'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.'"

We also got to hear Langdon's story. He is the main leader of the internship and is an AWESOME leader! I was really encouraged by his faith, and his desire to trust God even in tough times.  After afternoon tea, we learned about support raising, and how to build a ministry team.  It was a very productive and encouraging day. 

Tomorrow, we are going to visit Christine's (one of the interns) village.  There is a lot of opposition to the Gospel, so please be praying for us.  She was telling me how there have been death threats towards the people who are attending church, and the children are being beaten up for going to Sunday School.  The village is very traditional Fijian, so I'm excited to visit there.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!!

Prayer Requests:

• Our team as we visit Navala village...pray for safety, for opportunities to connect with the locals and share the Gospel, and for encouragement to the locals.
• For all of us interns as we finish up the internship.  Pray for God's guidance as we transition back home.
• Pray for flights back home...most of the team is leaving on Saturday.  Billy and I will be staying until the 31st.
• Pray for Sara and Maba (two of the leaders) as they are moving to America (Sara is from Florida, but Maba is from Fiji) in August.  They need prayers for jobs, finances, and transition into a new environment (Sara has been in Fiji for 5 years).