Praise and Prayer :)

The Black Rose.

This is the nick name for a young man who has stolen my heart.  A
nephew of one of the ladies on staff, the Black Rose has been hanging
around the Mission for his school holiday. At 18 years old, this young
man, whose real name is Mika, has a reputation of being a trouble
maker and the black sheep.  He has a very charismatic personality, and
is very engaging to be around, but from the time we've met him, I've
know he is living for the world and all its pleasures.

After attending our first Gen Y meeting, Mika told his auntie that he
would be making it to all the 7 weeks of our program.  I would guess
his motivation at this point was the young, pretty "kai valagi"
(white) girls who were doing the music! However, after many weeks of
praying and investing in this young man's life, 2 days ago,  the
'black rose' gave life to Jesus.  I have goose bumps as I write this,
because I was able to sit on the front row,and watch his heart be
turned.  I prayed for opportunities to reach his heart, and God has
given me some of the richest conversations with Mika, than any other
Fijian here.

Last week, I sat down with him and asked him the age old question.
Mika, if you were to get hit by a bus today, would you go to heaven?
His eyes were serious, and solemn.  "No", was his sure reply. As I
proceed to share with him the gospel and the cost of being a disciple,
he remained serious.  He was not ready to make a decision, but his
soul was being fought for in the heavenlies.  So many details I'd love
to share, but no time.

Just rejoice with me that after our last converstion, and final
evening of Gen Y, where Pastor Clarke spoke word for word many of the
things I shared with Mika, a decision was made, and Mika has joined
the kingdom of God with his whole heart.  No longer the Black Rose.  A
new birth has happened, and many angels are rejoicing in heaven with
us.

Mika will be heading back to his last year of secondary school soon on
a neighboring island.  I have a strong sense that he is one of the
youth that our heavenly Father is grooming to be a soul winner.  Would
you please join me in prayer for his protection from the enemy, who
will be working hard to distract and tempt him when he is away from a
Christian environment?  Also, if anyone wants to donate an mp3 player
or money for a cd player, we would love to get some teaching materials
in to his hands.

Gen Y was a huge success and we felt heavy spiritual warfare every
Thursday as we were preparing.  Now that the youth are all leaving,
pray for us to have wisdom on our next step in outreach.  Many adults
and children were attending each week, so we need to keep the fire
going somehow:)

In regards to my prayer request, I would like to ask you all to pray
for Mike's health.  He has really been deteriorating, and losing
strength here.  It seems like as he should be getting stronger, the
opposite is happening.  The praise part is that he has no anxiety
about it, and I know that healing will come, but we need wisdom for if
we should seek serious testing, etc.  The doctor is back, and will
being some testing on Mike, and is recommending dietary supplements,
etc.  Hopefully, nutrition and prayer will be all he needs, but we
want to be wise if there is more he should do.

Much love to you all,

Sara