Room to Breathe ... Thoughts for A New Year

Sometimes in life, you can feel out of breath.  You may feel squeezed and under pressure, unable to move. Maybe you don't have time or space to even come up for air. 

If you do have room to breathe, maybe your environment is toxic and negative.  What can you do?  

Right before I traveled to the US for the holidays,  I couldn't catch my breath in my home. It felt like asthma.  Was I allergic to something?  It's scary when you can't breathe.

This was on my mind as I traveled home for Christmas.

Now, back in Ethiopia, I took a ton of time this past week to REALLY deep clean my house. I called in help.  I hope this will remedy things in my house. It had me thinking again about the importance of making sure we have room to breathe and good air. 

Deep cleaning my house

Many people, I believe, are living with little room to breathe. Time is tight. Money is tight. Schedules are too busy. This lack of room to breathe can make you feel sick and can lead to so many problems. When you don't have time and space to breathe, it's easy to lose your life,  your health, your peace, your joy, your perspective, your family, your friends, your courage, your hope. You can also overreact, or not react as quickly as you need to. You can make poor decisions.  

Also, what we breathe into our lives can also be toxic if we are not careful. If we do have room to breathe or come up to get a breath, we can breathe in negativity. We can also breathe in nothing that really helps us get renewed.   Breathing in wrong things can also cause big health issues.

The Bible tells us that  ...

God created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone  .... Isaiah 42:5

God gives life ...Romans 4:17 

we are stewards of life and what's He's given us... Psalm 24:1; 1 Peter 4:10

God can help us ...

He is the sustainer of life ... Psalm 54:4

We also read that...

In Him, we live and move and have our being...Acts 17:28

and that 

Jesus came to give us life, life in abundance  ... John 10:10

I believe most of us want to honor God with what He's given us.  We want to move as He leads us. But sometimes I think we get off pace and quickly lose our room to breathe and this can be dangerous.

If you're struggling already in this new year, here are some easy steps God has been challenging me with that I wanted to share:

Check your breathing.  Are you struggling?  When people ask us often if we are good, we usually say we are, but are you REALLY? Look at your life. Look in the mirror. Are you taking care of what God has given you? Is your relationship with Him growing and prioritized? What does your life look like? How is your family? Your work? Your finances? Your quiet time with God?  If you're not sure how you're really doing, ask those around you.  They can usually tell you. God's Spirit and His Word can also help us really see how we are and what we are becoming. God wants to have wisdom with our life and to live it well, in honor of Him.  Thankfully, He can help us!

Teach me to number my days, that we might have a heart of wisdom ... Psalm 90:12

Check your "spaces." Do you have space to breathe?  Do you have time and space DAILY where and when you can just "be" with God?  We can't make it without Him.  We see Jesus getting up early in the morning to be with His Father.  We see Him making space for his disciples to get away for awhile. He modeled what we need to do. Relationships are built when time is spent together.  If you only meet God in church on Sunday or a few times a week, it's NOT ENOUGH. He is our life, our breath.  The more intentional time you spend with Him, the more He breathes into you the ability to go on. 

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus went away to a solitary place where He prayed ... Mark 1:35

Come away with me to a quiet place (Jesus to his disciples) ... Mark 6:31

If you seek me, you will find me if you seek me with your whole heart ... Jeremiah 29:13

Remain in me ... John 15

Check your air. What are you breathing into your life? What are you looking at? What are you watching? Listening to? What are you spending time doing and who are you spending time with? Input leads to output. What you put into your mind and heart will come out of you. Is God first and most? Are you breathing in His Word, His promises, His truth? What you breathe in matters.  Many times we try to rest and what we end up putting inside of us actually makes things worse. We look at things just to divert our attention.  Other times we can empty our minds without letting God reset us with His truth and refresh us in His presence. When we come back from the vacation or time away, we almost need another vacation from our vacation. We're not better or ready to face what is still there.  When you are squeezed, what is deep inside of you comes out.  God wants us to put His Word and His truth inside of us. It has power to change us with the help of His Spirit.  We can be renewed, cleaned, restored, refreshed... if we're plugged into the right thing. If we're breathing in God's Presence and Word and truth into our lives all the time, what comes out of us, even under pressure, will be His truth, His love, His perspective, His character.  What are you breathing in? If it's negativity, hatred, lies... those will come out of you.  If it's nothing, you will stay downcast and without energy. No change will come.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen to me and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fares ... Isaiah 55:2

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be ... Matthew 6:21

Set your thoughts on things above ... Colossians 3:2

What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth ... Matthew 15:11

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path ... Psalm 119:105

Seek first my kingdom ... Matthew 6:33

Change anything that God leads you to. That might mean deep cleaning. It might mean quitting some things. It might mean big decluttering. It might mean adding some things in. It will probably involve reprioritizing things in your life as the Spirit leads. Do you need air? Space to breathe? God Himself? He's ready to be all you need and to fill you with His presence!  

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you ... Ezekiel 36: 26-27

Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives. And humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls ... James 1:21

Mary has chosen the better thing and what she has will not be taken from her ...(story of Mary and Martha)... Luke 10:38-42

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me ... Psalm 51:10-12

If you purify me from my sins, I will be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow ... Psalm 51:7

Let God check your breathing, your spaces, what you're breathing in.  Let Him show you changes you can make so you can know Him more and be more healthier with Him in the new year. 

He is ready to walk you and me into a new chapter!  Let's trust Him!

Praises

-I had an amazing but busy December in Ethiopia.   I was privileged to give training to our 1st and 2nd year EvaSUE staff. We also had our Regional Coordinator Consultation training.  I love my EvaSUE teammates so much and feel humbled to be with them in the work here.

Most of our EvaSUE National Service Center team based in Addis

-I was able to travel to the US for Christmas and had an amazing time with my family. I praise God for this time.  I was able to breathe and reflect!  God did so much in 2025! I'm so grateful!

-I was able to attend the Urbana Conference in Phoenix, Arizona- with my sister and some of my EvaSUE teammates in late December. This conference was a breath of fresh air for us all. The missional teachings and worship by over 7000 college students was deeply moving. The interviews, testimonies, all were huge blessings. I'm so thankful I was able to attend.  I will be sharing more in another blog post soon about Urbana.  I'm still processing and reflecting on it all!  

Some of our EvaSUE teammates at Urbana in Phoenix

I returned to Ethiopia a week ago and have been settling in for the year ahead.

Some other praises / prayer requests for the new year: 

-for EvaSUE- pray for us as prepare for regional events that begin in one week and continue into March, that God will bless these events. We pray an outpouring of God's Spirit on young people that will push out from here to the ends of the earth! 

-I was short on fundraising goals for this year. If you'd like to make a one-time donation to help cover my time at home or to help with my ministry expenses for 2026, it's not too late to give, you can make a donation through this link:

 https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett         

Thank you for those of you who have given and continue to give. I'm so grateful to get to continue to represent God here!!!

Pray for EvaSUE again- that God will unify us and give us wisdom to serve God and students with excellence in every way.  May this be EvaSUE's greatest chapter yet!

Please join me in praising God for my amazing Dad, the handsome and charming -Jim Garrett. We are so thankful for his leadership of our family! He's a role model for us all and for so many others.  We wish him a very happy birthday on January 23rd. We love him so much! He loves us all so well!  

Happy B-day Dad on January 23rd

How can I pray for you in the new year?  I'd be honored to pray for you.

Again, may this new year be a new chance for us all to know God more deeply and share Him with the world! 

Blessed New Year to You All!

Gratitude Under Pressure

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  The house filled with warm and spicy smells of turkey cooking and pies baking. Through the years, I remember Thanksgiving eve activities of stuffing the turkey and candlelight services at church where there would be time for pause and reflection of God and His goodness over the past year.  Then came the holiday feasting. Fellowship with family and friends. Maybe a "turkey trot" and definitely good football. Often came a big hike to walk off the food. Then came big shopping on Black Friday into the weekend.   Many good memories.

But mostly I remember being so thankful for the chance to pause and give thanks to God for His many blessings.  

I've been reflecting this past week on when and why I show gratitude. It's definitely at Thanksgiving or holiday times. Often when life is good or breakthroughs come, gratitude is easy. It's much more difficult in the pressure times of life. When you feel you're stuck. Maybe you're in a job you don't like. A relationship is going bad. You're in a situation that is overwhelming you and God seems silent. Doors are shut. Bills are due. Your body is malfunctioning.  Does God really want and expect us to still thank Him at these times? 

Yes, but it's not easy.

Almost everyone I know here in Ethiopia and almost everyone I talk to globally has some kind of pressure happening in life. There is pressure from work- to meet deadlines and achieve goals. There is financial pressure to raise money or pay bills. There is pressure from family and relationships. There is ministry pressure and team pressure.  There is physical and mental pressure.  The demands of life remain and can grow big. We don't like to feel pressure. We want rescued when the pressure gets to be too much. We look for an escape.  What do you do when under pressure? 

Life on earth is filled with pressure and no one is immune. How we respond to pressure and what it can teach us is important to consider.  Do we praise God for the pressure and let Him help us and lead us, or do we collapse, complain and compromise?  Unfortunately, the latter is much more common.

The Bible tells us some interesting things about pressure and actually good news about it ...

Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1: 2-4

My strength is made perfect in weakness   2 Corinthians 12:9

You are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. 2 Corinthians 4:8

As I think about the year behind and the way ahead, there were times of big pressure. I didn't think I could do what God wanted me to do, I complained at times. I freaked out at other times.   I want to do better under pressure because what happened in those pressure points was what He has done all my life... He held me and helped me through pressure and I became better with Him and because of Him through those times.

What God has been teaching me and reminding me about pressure is ...

-Pressure can push what's inside of you - out.  It can show you things you try to hide. This can bring great humility which can lead to needed repentance.  What comes of us under pressure can be doubt, insecurity, fear, blame, shame, regret, complaining, anger.  God can show us these to help us address these things. They can destroy us from the inside out.  God wants to address what we try to hide.

-Satan works big in our pressure. He wants us to look at the load and not at God.  He wants us to compromise and complain and panic under the pressure. He distorts the reality of what is happening.  He makes us curse the storm or think the enemy is one thing or person or group when the reality is actually different. Satan makes us cynical and pessimistic, he divides us. He works to ruin our witness and diminish and distort our light. He robs us of peace and joy and hope that actually is ours to claim and stand on and in. He messes with us when we are under pressure, but we don't have to let him!

-God stays with us in the pressure. He might not take the pressure off, but He helps us hold in place. He meets us in the pressure and calms us. We learn about Him when we're with Him in the darkest of nights and hottest of fires.  He doesn't leave us.  

-God molds us in the pressure. The greatest work in our character can be done under the greatest pressure. As we learn and see His power, His love, His mercy, His provision, we learn to trust Him. Our faith increases. Our trust in Him increases. We grow and are transformed in the fire!

-In the pressure, can come the times of greatest ministry. In our weakness, He proves strong. Anointed ministry can happen when He's leading us, even when we are suffering. What starts to come out of us is actually worship and thanksgiving and gratitude ... it's shocking to see this in a life. Hope, joy, peace, courage, gratitude spills out... as you hold the Hand of the One who gives you Himself.  Others see us in the pressure and they see our gratitude and worship and our witness shines brightly!  It makes no sense and is a powerful testimony of God in us and with us!

Are you under pressure today? This Thanksgiving and holiday season?  How are you doing?

Jesus knew pressure. He had to also hold in place.  He did so for us. He now is our Merciful High Priest and Good Shepherd.  We can trust Him to help us.

Spend time with Him this Thanksgiving and holiday season. Let Him remind you of all the reasons why you have to be thankful.  As you see Him, the gratitude will come!

May we keep giving Him our gratitude in all seasons! May He shape us in the pressure to be more and more like Him!  Please pray this for me!

He is worthy of all our thanks!

Praises and Prayer Requests for the way ahead...

-Praise God for many weeks of training with our new staff and our second year staff.  We are so grateful for the amazing staff God has given us at EvaSUE! Please keep them in prayer as they launch into their regions.

Newest EvaSUE staff

-Praise God for many trainings we've given in the volatile north regions of Ethiopia, may God water these seeds.  Please pray for the remaining trainings we still have to give.

-Praise God for the Introduction to Missions Course I was able to give to church and ministry leaders in the Tigray area in the north.  This eight day intensive course was a blessing for me to give.  Please pray for this school and the students and this area of the country- that they will be encouraged and represent Jesus well!

Tigray Class, Mekelle

-Please pray for our Regional Coordinator consultation week the first week in December, that as our lead staff come in from their regions, that we can encourage them and give them wisdom in every area.

-Please pray for me as I think through my time in USA and travel home for the holidays.  I do need to raise support to come home.  I also need to build up my ministry fund for 2026. If you'd like to make a one-time donation for that or for my holiday travel or to join my monthly support team ... you can give through this link:  

https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett          

Thank you for whatever God puts on our hearts to give. And thank you for your prayers and partnership so much! God is doing amazing things here!

I wish you and your family and friends and churches a very blessed Thanksgiving!

With Gratitude to you All and Love,

Holly

The Journey with God ...

Sometimes in life, when you've been in the same place for some time, it's easy to forget where you've come from and the things you've passed through.  It's also easy to forget what's around you now and all there is to enjoy.  And it can also be hard to get up above the busyness and stress of the day to see the way ahead. Often what's around you pulls you down so you can feel unable to breathe let alone smile.

The past six weeks or so, I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya twice.  Both trips gave me a huge lift up above the road I had been on to let me look around.  It was needed more than I realized and it brought me great AWE.

The first trip to Kenya was with one of my best sisters from Ethiopia, Hidi (Heldana).  I mainly went to Kenya on this trip to support her singing and a new ministry she is starting. Hidi and I were able to reflect together about the journey behind us in Ethiopia. We've seen many seasons together. Ones that made us laugh and smile, others full of much pain and struggle. Overall, we remembered and celebrated the goodness of God through it all! He has been a faithful Father and never let us go!

Hidi

Hidi also scheduled me in different places to do ministry while in Nairobi.  She told me she wanted to stretch me.  I didn't think I had energy left after the busy summer, but I felt God use me and I was reminded that the message of Jesus is a global one. We are to stand on every stage at every opportunity, as He opens that up for us and to testify.  I was so encouraged that those in Nairobi wanted to hear what we had to say and testify about.  What an honor!

We gave a teaching for youth at Hebret Ethiopian Church in Nairobi. Hidi also was part of their worship program.  What a blessing to meet this church!

Sunday youth program

Later in the week- a youth leader team from a big church interviewed us about youth ministry overall and about making disciples at the college level.  It was such a great time of experience sharing.

I was also honored to be interviewed on a Kenyan podcast about discipleship. 

Pastor Kevin, Kenyan Podcaster 

A highlight of the week was also to get to visit Life in Abundance International, the organization that first took me into Ethiopia over ten years ago.  To see how God has blessed Life in Abundance was deeply moving.  

Loved seeing Jay and hearing about LIA and how it's grown

Another highlight from the week was getting to see CeCe Winans in concert.  To hear so many people worshipping under the open sky felt like a glimpse of heaven.  It was deeply moving.

The next week, Hidi was given a huge opportunity to take the stage of a major gospel music festival. She did so with courage and with little preparation.  God used her in a big way!  Praise God for the way He opens things up.  God loves surprises and this was huge for Hidi and her career!  I'm so thankful to be part of Hidi's story and testimony!  I will share more in coming blogs about her new ministry.

Hidi and I also did a game drive, "safari." That was also a big highlight. More on that below...

I traveled to the US for a few weeks, and it was great to see my family.  I thank God for the few weeks of rest.  I was stateside when the Charlie Kirk assassination happened. That was so shocking.

I was reminded that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. And we need to be willing to stand up for our faith and to speak truth in love.  There are definitely turning points in life when God will remind you of this in a big way. There are times when we get off course or go down wrong roads. God can use our time alone with Him or even storms or tragedies to make us realize we need to turn.  Thankfully, He helps us at those times!  I'm praying for the US and that a turning point really will happen for Jesus! In dark times, His light still shines.  God is over every part of our journey!

Before heading back to Ethiopia, I returned to Kenya for the Global Missions Conference hosted by Life in Abundance International.  This trip also had a strong impact on me of lifting me up above the roads I've been running on to look around.  I heard and gained so much from the time.  There were timely and relevant trainings given on how to mobilize the next generation for Jesus!  The challenge was to use "what is in your hand."  So much great content was given about digital media and about youth. God blessed the conference so much. I literally saw LIA staff who I hadn't seen in over ten years.  What a family reunion!  I was also able to see them celebrate LIA's 30 year anniversary. Praise God for this impactful ministry!  

Some of the LIA staff, country directors 

 some of Ethiopia's best influencers

I was also impacted to attend many weekly programs of a local church (Renewal Church).  What a blessing to be part of the Body of Christ globally and to see small groups and hear authentic worship. This was so inspiring!

mid-week prayer program- Renewal Church- Nairobi

I was also able to return to the podcast I had been interviewed on a few weeks before.  I was so inspired to see Kevin (the Kenyan podcaster) and Yonas (an Ethiopian podcaster and a friend from my home church in Addis) - share their stories.   They are both using various platforms to reach youth and people for Jesus.  Praise God for their courage and dedication!

Kevin and Yonas interviewing each other

You can listen to Kevin interviewing Yonas' here:   

https://youtu.be/d2L3x4TdWfo?si=6tmGroSJuFUBHonE

Then I actually did one more "game drive" while in Nairobi.  It's the only capital city in the world with a game park in the middle of it :-)

When I was on the first game drive a few weeks before with Hidi, I felt giddy, like a kid.  I stood almost frozen in place with a smile on my face, looking out with awe the whole time for the three hour game drive.  I had been on a game drive over ten years before in Kenya, but I had forgotten how much it impacted me.

I felt the wind, saw the open spaces, and remembered the bigness of God and my smallness. Both the first time and the second time refreshed me so much.  God reminded me of just the joy of Him and being in all that He has made. His creativity and humor also made me marvel.  I laughed at the bigness of an alligator lounging on the shore and the hugeness of rhinos. The rhino in my opinion has to be a cousin of a dinosaur.  I chuckled at the hilarious "clothes" of ostriches and how a male approaches a female. The girl is plain and brown in color. The guy has pink legs and looks like he has a black suit on. To win the female, the male ostrich actually dances for the female and she either accepts him or rejects him. Too funny.  I also whistled long at the roar and stately walk of a lion coming down a path. WHAT?  Again, a smile could not be taken from my face.   I felt joy on the journey, both times.  I kept looking around with eagerness and expectation of God showing off.  Which I think we often forget to do in our day to day lives.  God loves to surprise and delight us. We often just don't take time to look for Him and how He's moving.

I believe God wants us to get with Him often so He can lift us up above the storms we are in or in the heat or pain of what we may experiencing to remind us of the overall journey. Where we've come from, where we are heading, and Him with us in the present.  There is joy to be found in each moment. Each breath. We don't go alone.  He also wants us looking around with expectation at what He might do or could do in our lives.  He is always at work, even if we don't see it!!!

Nature declares the glory of the Lord (Psalm 19:1)

I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3)

You will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it ... (Isaiah 30:21)

He can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine ...  (Ephesians 3:20)

I've been reflecting on my return back into Ethiopia for a new school year about how the journey with God is truly a gift.  There is always more to see and experience with Him.  

May we remember the journey we are on with gladness and enjoy God with us!

Landing back in Addis ... the journey continues...

Please keep me in prayer here and I will do the same for you!

May we remember the journey with God is a gift!  May we live with purpose and intentionality!  May we not miss opportunities to know Him deeper and share Him!

Praises

-Congratulations to Daniel Bachman, my long-time friend in Louisville, KY. I was able to see his wedding while in the US.

-Happy Bday to Abu- 26 years old!  

Happy Birthday to Abu, 26 years old, mid Sept

-Happy Birthday in late October to my amazing Mom- Rosie, and to my sister- Noel!  I love these ladies and the great Jim Garrett (my handsome Dad) so much!  

My beautiful Mom watching my home church in Addis, ACLA 

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for EvaSUE- as we continue planning for the new school year ahead

-Pray for EvaSUE new staff who are in training for the next three weeks.

-Pray for the new year, 2018, in Ethiopia, that young people will be mobilized to reach their campuses for Jesus and that the kingdom of God will advance here and beyond, that Jesus will be shared and disciples made

-If you'd like to make a one-time donation to the work here or join my monthly support team, you can through this link:

 https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett                 

Thank you and Blessings!

A Song To Sing and A Story To Tell ...

God has given us a song to sing, a story to tell, as we follow Him. Through valleys, in storms, in deserts, and dark nights, He sings over us, and He can give us the ability to praise Him no matter what our circumstances are.  He remains our Good Shepherd, our Faithful Father. We can stand on His promises and on His Word.  

Is there a song in you of worship for Him? Are you telling His story?  Your testimony?  This is what are able to do and are called to do as we follow Him!

At EvaSUE, our biggest and final school year event happened August 4th through the 8th. It was our National Leadership Summit (NLS), with over 1000 student leaders from all over the country attending. Our hosting location could only hold 700, so two other sleeping locations were also prepared.  On the night of check-in, a huge storm blew through the town, knocking down power lines and flooding roads. The rest of the week, we had to do our programs by a generator and most of the main compound had limited water and power and the network was also almost completely down.  In weakness though, God showed Himself strong. He helped us. He kept us safe. He encouraged as we were challenged to SEEK GOD.  I was amazed at all the singing and worshipping that could be heard! There was joy and peace and hope felt in God's presence together.  I believe everyone was encouraged and full of joy.  Praise God for an amazing week!

some of my Art team, they did another amazing gallery!

Day One of my Youth Culture Seminar

Mass Sport

Following the NLS, we went into a three-day EvaSUE staff retreat. Our over 100 EvaSUE staff traveled to another location for a time of rest, celebration, and fellowship.  Again, there was much singing!  God gave us joy and made our hearts glad.  What a privilege it is to follow Jesus and to make Him known among the nations!  I'm so thankful for my humble teammates and their examples of following Jesus!

Before the NLS, I got a hard health hit of what felt like Covid.  The months preceding that had also been a huge struggle with water and power issues on my compound, which are still there.  Thankfully, though tired now, I have a song in my heart. I'm so grateful to God for seeing me and us through another school year.  He gives us a song to sing, a story of Him at work in our lives to tell.  He remains good and faithful!

As schools start back soon for many, I pray that for us all, as the people of God, we stay close to our Good Shepherd. This song has encouraged me:    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P47xY8sUh0&list=RD5P47xY8sUh0&start_radio=1     

He leads us and stays with us on the journey! 

May we hear Him singing over us. And may we sing His praises and declare His name as we move on!

May we share the story of His great love to the ends of the earth!

Prayer Requests

I will travel to Kenya August 23-31 with Hidi, my sister in Christ here.  She will be singing in different places and I will speaking for youth and churches there. We praise God for this opportunity to do ministry together. She is also working to start an NGO called Alabaster Jar.  Praise God for my sister and the song God has given her to sing about the hope we have in Jesus!  I will share more about this in the time ahead.

I will travel to the US in early September for three weeks. I hope to see many of you then as I spend some time with my family and reload on supplies.  

If you'd like to help with my plane ticket and supplies, or to give for my return back here, you can give through this link:  https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

Please keep EvaSUE staff in prayer as we take some rest and start a new year, in mid-September.  May God unify and anoint our work so we advance God's Kingdom here by serving students!

Please also keep a "Vision Trip" of students and EvaSUE staff in prayer. This three-week mission trip begins next week and the team will be serving in two areas.

God Bless You All as the fall season approaches!

Thank you for your continued partnership and prayers!

Holly