Home from Southeast Asia!

Hello friends & family!

I am so happy to be sending you a little update on my recent adventures and future plans! I hope that all of you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I was privileged to spend the 2011/2012 holiday season in Taiwan and other parts of southeast Asia this year. Here are a few of the highlights...

Ministry at a military school in Taiwan
(we performed dramas centered on Jesus, preached the Gospel, played games, and got to know them)

Our wonderful team of 5 girl students, along with my co-leader, Jimmy, and I headed to Taiwan at the beginning of December. Taiwan is, religiously-speaking, a very open country. We were able to visit many different elementary, middle, and high school classes, a university, a military school, among various churches and youth groups. During these visits we performed different dances, skits, and dramas centered on the origin of Christmas. We also preached the Good News of how much Jesus loves each and every one of them. We met many young people who chose to give their lives to Jesus, and others who were touched - and sometimes surprised - to hear the true meaning behind why we celebrate Christmas. Our entire team grew closer with each other, grew close with our Taiwanese contacts & friends, and continued to be amazed at the wonderful things the Lord was doing all around us. We had so much fun!

After celebrating the beginning of 2012 in Taiwan, we headed to another country for the next 7 weeks of our missions outreach. Because of security concerns (and being unable to email our contacts regarding specific ministries), we were unsure as to what type of ministry we would be able to do. To our surprise and excitement, God gave us wonderful contacts who had set up plenty of different ministries for us to take part in. We were set up to help out at a local elementary school during the week, running english conversation times in a cafe on the weekends, and a Bible study for older folks at a local restaurant every Thursday. These were all weekly planned events. But, what we weren’t expecting was all of the doors to open in front of us! On a couple occasions, we found ourselves able to worship Jesus - guitar, voices, and all - in the middle of the city! Considering that the country we were in is a religiously-closed nation, this is not typically a safe thing to do. But, the city we stayed in is a little less strict (plus we were singing mainly unknown worship songs to the Lord, which helps). In addition to worshiping our Jesus in the open, we were also able to help the long-term missionaries there form new relationships and connections with a local government church branch. This country allows government churches, but they are very strict in the regulations, and typically the attendants, though believing in Jesus, are not necessarily walking in depth of relationship with Him. Our team were the first foreigners to be invited to run a Bible study in one of the church branches, and perform dances, dramas, and preach in the main church. This was a huge honor for our team, but an even more amazing open door for the long-term missionaries here. God is so clever! We were even able to run a three-day Winter English Camp for Korean missionary kids to this country.  It was not easy, but the Lord taught our team so much about His great love for his children. What a blessing!

We had been hoping to visit a village at some point in these three months. But, due to high costs, it was looking like we would not be able to. Well, with God all things are possible! (Mark 10:27) The woman we had connected with to help run the Bible study on Thursdays, really took to our team. :) Long story short, she felt led to pay for our team to visit a few villages in the countryside. She even provided all of the costs of the trip; transportation, food, etc. We were able to see a new part of the country, and were especially excited at the opportunity to love on and witness to the two translators with us who did not know Jesus. We visited a few villages in the area, praying everywhere we went, and even worshiping publicly on one occasion. God paved the path, and we just got to walk in it!

I have never seen more unplanned doors opening on an outreach before. My heart truly is to spur on the long-term missionaries everywhere I go. Three months is still a short-term mission, as far as I am concerned. And, being able to help open new doors for our long-term contacts is one of my greatest privileges. 

At the beginning of this quarter & outreach, the Lord told me that this was going to be a FUN outreach! It was difficult for me to imagine. But, knowing that my God is faithful to fulfill His promises always, I clung to that word, reminding myself of it multiple times while on outreach. And, I can confidently say that this was the most FUN I have had on an outreach. I love watching God move and love in other countries! It causes me to look forward to the day when all of those who choose Jesus will worship God together! All nations, tribes, and tongues. What a beautiful sound! What a wonderful day! It’s coming!! 

So, thank you again to all of you who supported me in this particular outreach. Your financial and prayer support makes all the difference. And, God used it! Thank you for partnering with me. :)

And, Lord, I love you! Thank you for an incredible outreach. Thank you for teaching me more and more about your love for ALL people and the wonderful ways You love to fulfill Your promises. I love my life with you, Lord! I am privileged to be loved by You, to love You back, and to love others in Your name. :)

~Megan

Taiwan!!

Hi friends! I have been in Taiwan for almost 4 weeks now. Our team leaves this country (headed for another) on January 2nd! This particular outreach is probably the most fun I've had. From the beginning, our students have been incredible. They love to pray for each other, those we meet in ministry/outreach times, and also strangers on the street. They have beautiful hearts, desirous to see people know the awesome love of Jesus that each of them have experienced. I love my team! Personally, I am loving this outreach! The Taiwanese people are no exception to the other Asian cultures I have been privileged to experience. They are so kind, hospitable, and generous. The food is wonderful! Can I just say.... Bubble tea for about $1...that is a steal! It costs me $4 without tip in Seattle.  In addition to enjoying Taiwanese people and culture, our team has been blessed with a wonderful contact/guide/babysitter. :) She makes life for Jimmy and I much easier. She has arranged wonderful ministries for us during these 4 weeks, has helped us purchase food for the team, has been a skilled and faithful translator. But, much more than that, Mayi has become a true friend to all of us. I love her dearly! Among other  incredible things that have happened so far: - we performed dramas, dances and preached the Gospel of Jesus to a room of about 30 university students who did not know Jesus, and EVERY ONE OF THEM said they wanted to know Jesus!!! (these were just some of the salvations that we have seen) - our students have been boldly preaching the Gospel and sharing their personal stories of Jesus in front of public markets, inside elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, churches, youth groups, and a military school.  - we have been able to partner with local churches as they reached out to their communities during the Christmas season; desiring that the Taiwanese people would have an accurate understanding of what the true origin of Christmas is...Jesus Christ's birth! Not Santa! It has been a blessing to love and serve the country of Taiwan. We are blessed as a team and are excited to see all that God has for us in the next 7 weeks!  Prayer requests: • For good rest as we prepare to travel to a new country... • For fresh boldness to preach the Gospel in creative ways... • For comfort from God, as communication with friends/family will be greatly limited during our next part of outreach... • Wisdom, safety, and peace...  Thank you to all of you who are partnering with me during this season. Your support and prayers are greatly needed and appreciated! I will be unable to update you from the 2nd of January - the 21st of February. But, I will catch you all up then, when I arrive back to Honolulu. :) Blessings! ~Megan Sheng dan kuai le & shing nien kuai le (merry Christmas and a happy new year!) forgive me as my spelling may be a bit off... :)

Leaving on a jet plane!

Hi friends!

At this time tomorrow, I will be on a plane headed for southeast Asia! My team is very ready. All of my student's finances came in, and she was even still able to be on our same flight! :) Major answered prayer. :)

I am blessed with an incredible co-leader - Jimmy - and five incredibly beautiful, kind, and loving women. Please, be praying for us as we continue to grow closer to the Lord, each other, and immerse ourselves in new cultures, loving on the local people. :) I am so excited!

Of the couple of outreaches I have been blessed to go on in the past couple of years, I am definitely most excited about this one. Perhaps it's the ways that the Lord has been growing and stretching me. Or, maybe it is the promises He has been making to me regarding this particular outreach. We are going to have FUN! But, either way, I am going with great expectations that the Lord is already moving in these countries, and I just get to be a part of it. :) I'm believing that I will fall so in love with these cultures, that coming back to Hawaii will be a difficult thing for me. :)

This is my first Christmas away from my dad. I know...I'm 28 years old. How is that possible?! But, I have a wonderful dad and actually enjoy spending the holidays with him. Though I know there may be times that this is a sad thing for me, it is an honor to be missing a family Christmas so that I can see people meet Jesus in another country! It is an honor to serve my God.

This has been an incredible lecture phase (September - now), and I have great expectations of the wonderful things God is wanting to do in and through my team over the next few months. He has shown Himself to be a great provider, healer, and restorer! I can't wait to see all He has in store!!

I will do my best to send updates while I am in Taiwan (until January 2nd). But, after that I will be unavailable until I arrive back in Hawaii on February 21st. :)

So, thank you again to all of you who have jumped on this outreach with me; both in financial support, and through your prayers and love. I truly would not want to do this without all of you!

Lots and lots of love!
~Megan

Believing for provision...

Hi friends!

Well, this week I am happy to say that ALL of my financial needs have been provided for for this current outreach! Thank you again to all of you who have provided financially. It is so completely appreciated! And, I love that so many of you are wanting to partner with me (whether in finances, prayer, or both) during this season. Thank you!

With that being said, my team is in need of prayer and finances! One of my students, whom I love dearly, is still in need of over $2,000. She has been contacting people that the Lord has been highlighting to her to ask if they would consider supporting her. She has been seeking the Lord to see finances come in. And, as a team, we are seeking the Lord to see what we can be doing. So, I am asking if there is anyone who would like to consider/pray about helping my student get on outreach. :) Let me know!

On another note, we are having outreach prep week this week. So excited! We will have great team times to work on different dances, skits, and dramas in preparation for the school performances we'll be doing in Taiwan.

Here are a few prayer requests for those of you who love to talk to the Lord!

- Financial provision!!!
- Continued unity in our little family (ie: team) of 7
- Great communication & productivity as we practice & prepare for outreach this week
- For me personally, that I would be able to manage my time wisely, not stress out, and be able to find time to rest...


Thank you thank you thank you!
~Megan

An answered prayer...

Our beautiful school! (with a few staff missing)

This has been a week to remember. I've watched as the number of needed funds has dropped about $20,000! The school, as a whole, is still in need of about $30,000. But, what a blessing! (Please be praying with us for this money to come in!)

For me, personally, I have seen so many of my friends feeling led to support me on this outreach. I continue to be surprised and blessed by those of you who have given. :) Thank you! I had mentioned to you all that I was still in need of about $800. Well, that number is now down to about $230! (Just received another donation this morning).

Some of you may have also noticed that I have added a "Donations" page that you can click on at the top of my blog. On it is a "Donate" PayPal button. So exciting for me! I feel like I've entered the 21st century! Haha. :) Hopefully this will be an easier way for people to donate in the future than sending checks.

On another note...there has been a particular prayer request I have had for the last couple of months. As I continue to live my life here in Hawaii, I have been mentioning my desire (and efforts) to get more involved in the greater community of Honolulu. One of the things that would make this a lot easier would be to have a car. So, feeling led by the Lord to ask Him, I began asking back in September for Him to provide me with a car. More specifically, I asked Him to have someone GIVE me a car. Only a few people knew I was praying for this. Well...it happened!!!! Friends of mine on the island (one of them a past student) are being given a car in March by their friends who are moving off of the island. As they were praying about what to do with her current car, they felt led to give it to me! It is completely paid off and in great condition! A Ford Focus! I am overwhelmed this week by the obedient generosity of others and the great provision & kindness of my Heavenly Father. :) He truly is a Father who loves to give His children good gifts (Matthew 7:11).

Lastly, I am learning this week that my hope and provision truly is in Him. God will not call me somewhere and then not provide the basic needs for me to get there. I am believing! I am believing that this outreach is going to be the most fruitful (spiritually) that I have been on yet. I'm believing that my students are going to thrive in Asia, loving on people, praying for people, and serving people. I'm believing that, as a team of seven, we are going to grow closer and closer as a family, learning how to love each other well.

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:35

Blessings! And, have a great weekend!

~Megan

Trusting...

Hi all!

Our staff meal time last week...got blessed by our leaders with steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus! Mmm...

This has been another wonderful week! Prayed for a couple more people on Sunday...both completely healed! So exciting. :)

Then, this week I got some great reports back from our group of students that heads to University of Hawaii campus (about 10 minute walk from our base) each week to talk with them, hang out, pray for them, etc. Well, one guy on crutches got COMPLETELY healed! He was able to walk around totally fine without them. One of my friends went up to another guy who didn't really seem to want to talk, but my friend persisted in asking if she could pray for him. He said yes. She prayed for the Holy Spirit to come. Holy Spirit came. ;) The guy, feeling the Holy Spirit tangibly, asked what was happening and if he could feel it other times, too? She said, absolutely...he just needed to give his heart and life to Jesus. He said yes! :) Another group of young men came up to some of our girl students, acting all tough, and asking for prayer as a joke. Hehe. So, the girls started praying for them, hearing God's voice clearly for these guys. Well, they all started breaking down, crying...the girls were getting direct words from God for these guys, encouraging them that God truly is real and loves them. God is real! He is even showing up on college campuses!! :) Bringing healing, salvation and encouragement. Sounds like the Gospel (Good News), ya?! :)

On another note, our school is currently waiting to see around $56,000 total come in for our 3 outreach teams. Wait, watch, and see that number drop to $0.00. :) My team needs a little over $5,000 by the end of next week (as we are a much smaller team). And, to break it down further, I am needing about $800 of that total. Fully believing God will provide!

If any of you feel led at all to partner with me in this outreach, you can send checks (payable to Megan Robbert) to: 2707 Hipawai Pl.
                    Honolulu, HI 96822

I will also be setting up a PayPal button on my blog shortly, if that is more convenient. :)

All for now! It's been a great week, and I am greatly looking forward to my rest day tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy your weekends!

Lots of love
~Megan

A Week of Healing!

I'm going to start with the highlights of the week! This week, our lectures were focused on the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday afternoon, after lecture, I was walking out of the kitchen with my plate of food and getting ready to eat my delicious lunch. All of a sudden, there was a sudden shooting pain in my left knee. I do NOT have knee problems and it came out of nowhere. There have been times in the past when God has brought a sudden pain in my body. This is one of the ways that He sometimes shows me that there is someone near me (in proximity) that needs healing in that part of their body. There were about 4 picnic tables full of people eating. So I loudly asked all of them, "is there anyone who has pain in their left knee?" Two people immediately raised their hands. So, I went over to both of them. The first one I prayed for was a 13-year-old young man on our base whose mom is on staff here. Apparently he had a knee injury a little while back, and is in fairly constant pain. He later told me that his knee was wrapped up when I prayed for it. (I couldn't see, since he was sitting at the picnic table). So, I laid my hands on him (they do that in the Bible) and I prayed for the Holy Spirit to bring healing and commanded healing over his body. I asked him how he was feeling, and he said it was fine! I asked him if he had pain before I prayed...yes. I asked him if he had any pain now...no! That was 3 days ago, and when I checked in again with him last night, still 100% healed! I also prayed for the other person about 20 minutes later when I realized she needed prayer, too. (Note to self: always pray for everyone who says they have pain and want healing in a situation like this.) I prayed. Not sure if she is healed, but my knee pain went away entirely, letting me know that what needed to be prayed for was good! :) Yay God!

That's not all! Tonight, a couple of my friends and I decided to head to Barnes and Noble to relax, grab a cup of decaf., and read a book. (Some of you may have already read my Facebook status, but this story includes more!!!) I sit down at a table, getting ready to read my students' journals from this week. Suddenly, my attention was grabbed by a conversation happening next to me. A man, probably in his mid-40's, was talking with a couple other women around the same age, telling them about a pain he had been having in his right arm all day. Immediately, I felt the Lord stir up faith for healing. They were preparing to leave, so I quickly interrupted their conversation, saying that I overheard that he was having pain, I'm a Christian and believe Jesus heals, and could I pray for you? The woman next to him, said yes for him. (Haha). He stuck out his arm to me, saying sure. So, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to come and bring healing from the root of the problem. (Sometimes when I pray for healing, the Holy Spirit shows that He is doing something by making my hands heat up...this started happening). So, I took my hands off and asked him how he was feeling. He moved his arm around briefly and said that it felt a little better. (Not the answer I was looking for, but I KNEW God had healed). So, I looked at him, smiled, and said, "ya?" He moves it again, barely looks at me, shockingly says, "ya...that's creepy." I could tell by his reaction that all of the pain was now completely gone! As he quickly walked away toward his friends, I told him that Jesus heals and God loves him!

But, that's not all!!!! So, then, about an hour and a half passes as I'm reading my girls' journals and began reading one of my books. All of a sudden, I feel the Lord telling me to go to the Christian book aisle of the store. (I didn't hear an audible voice, just a small thought in my mind...that's how I hear Him a lot). So, I put my book down and walked to that aisle, thinking maybe someone would be there. No one really was, so I picked up a book and started reading. About 3-4 minutes later, a young man (probably early-20's) walks into the aisle and asks me if I was the one that prayed for that guy earlier. I said yes, smiling. :) (God...what are you doing? Hehe). He said, that he didn't know much about miracles or if that guy received a miracle, but that while I was praying he had felt something he'd never felt before. I smiled widely and said that it was the Holy Spirit he was feeling. That God is super real and loves to heal people! I asked if he was a Christian, and he said yes. We talked about the Holy Spirit for a little bit, and then I asked if I could pray for him have the Holy Spirit come fill him up in a new way. He said, yes...so I did! And, the Holy Spirit filled him! I asked what he was feeling, and he said he was feeling joy, calm and peace. I said...ya, that's the Holy Spirit. Then, I prayed, asking God if there was anything He wanted to say to encourage this young man. I was able to share with him a couple things. Specifically, I felt the Lord highlight a part of the Bible where it talks about armor that God gives us as believers to battle with the spiritual realm (demons, etc.). The two pieces of armor that God highlighted specifically were the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) and the shield of faith. I told him this, and he smiled as it resonated with him. He told me he had just been reading that particular passage. Ephesians 6:10-18. Amazing!!

Lessen of the week: God is real, Jesus reigns over death/sickness, and the Holy Spirit heals!!! My life is awesome!! I love working for God! Also, this week, God was reminding me that my calling, gifts, and skills from Him are always meant to be a BLESSING, not a burden. :)

There is so much more that God has done this week, but I know this blog is already quite long. Praying that this encourages all of you!

Much love!

Megan