Roaming Cattle, Pouring Rain and Memorable Macchiatos...Week One

It's hard to believe we've only been here a week. It feels like much longer. I think when you shake off the fast pace of the western world and slow down to really breathe, walk, and connect with people...days seem much more full and you feel much more tired too. All has been well here. :-)

Our first week has largely been one of meeting the staff and the community workers, full of learning and observing. I'm always so humbled and blessed to meet people serving God sacrificially and faithfully- may I also live my life in the same way- putting others first and loving God most- depending on His strength.

I've always found Addis Ababa to be very interesting. Women roast corn on the side of the roads and sell vegetables. Kids play soccer wherever they can find a dry place to kick and run, these things remind me of Kenya. People greet each other with bows, handshakes, and kisses on the cheeks. You feel a great sense of community. There's a deep religious feel to here as well, with the calls to worship and many observing traditional religious dress, you feel a sense of tradition and reverence that you can't miss.  And of course, the beautiful kids of Ethiopia and their smiles can make your day. 

There are also big obvious contrasts of wealth and poverty in Addis. Even in nicer parts of the city, you can find women and children begging or kids sleeping on the streets- reminding you that poverty is still deeply rooted here and there is much that needs done.

My thoughts have been- what is our part, as westerners, in helping a place like Ethiopia to lift people out of poverty? I'm convinced the local church is the key to empowerment- them initiating the change in their own communities. But it's all very multi-layered, so I look forward to peeling that onion more, so I understand best strategies and can hopefully share what I learn with others in the time ahead.

I've sincerely loved being here. I've chuckled many times this past week. Huge herds of cattle are EVERYWHERE- and even cows cross bridges on their own like it's no big deal. 

I've also been amazed at the intense rain that has been falling in the morning and night- leaving in its wake- loud choruses of frogs enjoying the water I assume- and large amounts of mud- coating our shoes and jeans.

I've been grateful for the hot showers when they've been there and for the roof of our guesthouse that has held up during the storms. And for the amazing sunrises and sunsets after storms, reminding us of God's promises of a new day.

I've also been grateful for the macchiato (coffee) meetings we've had- with new and old friends- and teammates. Also- lunches and dinners of injera followed by popcorn and bunna, priceless :-) Times of prayer and discussion of God's provision, mission strategies and just life overall...have been WONDERFUL.

Noel and a french vanilla macchiato, yep- they have those here :-)

Me with one of my favorite sistas, she's going to teach us how to cook :-)

Thank you for your prayers, they've been felt!

We did plan out our September schedule this past week. It's going to be very busy. Noel's Czech teammate- Kristyna arrives on Tuesday and will be with us a month. It will be good to have her here. Noel and her will be focusing on Exodus, their family empowerment project they're doing in partnership with Hope in View. We will all be visiting families, having trainings and retreats for kids and their families, and serving the staff as they serve. I will also begin meeting with various NGO's and ministries in Ethiopia- to discuss empowerment strategies and what is working and what hasn't been working. Excited again for that onion peeling. :-)

This coming week, please pray for:

1. Kristyna's safe arrival on Tuesday
2. Continued good health and good favor with the staff here and the community workers, etc.
3. A trip to the western part of Ethiopia on Friday through Sunday- where will be helping to facilitate a follow-up training for over ten rural churches and their leadership team.
4. Good preparation time and planning for a kids retreat to the south- next Monday-Wednesday.

Thank you for praying for us and helping us be here. It wouldn't be possible without you.

Our prayers are with you as well.

Hope you have a blessed and restful weekend and start to your coming week. As schools kick off, etc, may God give you His courage, His peace, His guidance in all. May His kingdom advance through our lives, our obedience to His call, and by His love.

Keep in touch.

Many Blessings from Ethiopia,

Holly with Noel

Addis...

As I descended into Ethiopia this past Friday morning, I couldn't help but gawk at the amazing view from my plane window. Every shade of green seemed represented and it was breathtaking. Seeing the mountains and fields reminded me of God's incredible provision to get me here for this season and I felt a huge amount of gratitude for the time that lies ahead. A fresh start, a new chapter of some kind is definitely underway, and this is God's story to continue to write. 

 

My twin sister, Noel, was waiting for me in baggage claim. And my reunion time with her has been sweet. My sister has been a missionary in the Czech Republic for the past five years. During those years, our times together have often been short and over a holiday of some kind. It has been years since we've served together in the same place, so we have felt amazed that God has granted us this time. 

 (Holly on the left, Noel on the right)

It's truly hilarious to see someone who looks and sounds just like you. And to see people's reaction to that is equally funny. We're very similar, yet very different- having worked in different parts of the world for a long time. So we've loved debriefing over the past few days already- on what we've learned and experienced.

We've had tons of rain, and surprisingly some sun as well. (rainy season ends soon, but it's still here). We've had tons of walks, more than one macchiato, and have enjoyed observing the sights, sounds and pulse of Addis Ababa and its surrounding communities. This capital city of Ethiopia is our home base.

This coming week we will be meeting with the staff of Hope in View, the organization we're serving with, to go over our schedule. We've already discussed visiting families; meeting volunteers and helping facilitate trainings, I'm excited to research church-based small groups and empowerment strategies being implemented by various organizations and NGOs. We both pray God uses us in whatever way He deems most needed for our time here.

We are living in a two-story guesthouse in the south part of Addis. It's just Noel and I here now and we have wonderful views from our roof of our community and the surrounding area. You can hear birds chirping; donkeys braying; children playing; neighbors talking; Amharic music pulsing; and calls to worship sounding at almost any time during the day. We also hear frequent knocks on gates and it's hard to tell if someone is knocking on your own gate or the neighbor's gate. You can also smell in the air-a hint of flowers and grass mixed with what smells like incense and spices. It's pleasant and definitely unique. Cattle roam the streets everywhere, which I'm used to seeing here. Goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, and huge cows. We don't the see the owners around, but we're told they're there and if you mess with any of the cattle, you'll meet the owner soon enough. In our neighborhood, you can actually get a horse and cart ride to the main road. I've seen these in other parts of Ethiopia, but not here in Addis- so it's fun to use that as an option if your legs get tired. 

our guesthouse- on the left

view from our roof

And of course, the beautiful people of Ethiopia, their warmth and hospitality make you feel right at home.

Hope this gives you a small picture of life here.  I'm excited to keep you posted in the days ahead.

Here are prayer requests for this coming week:

• A good schedule to be put together on Monday for the coming months 
• That we stay healthy. Noel is getting over a cold
• That a meeting with volunteers goes well.
• That God will give good connections and favor with everyone we meet.

Thanks for following these updates.

More soon...

Much love from Addis- Holly (with Noel)

It Takes a Village...

It takes a village to raise a child- African proverb

As I have prepared to go back to Africa over the past month, I've been so blessed to re-connect with many people who have been part of helping me "grow up" in the faith.  And in remembering the way behind, I can see where God truly has blessed me with being part of His great family- a family that supports you, prays for you, and loves you unconditionally, through all seasons. 

When bridges I have been standing on have crumbled- this tribe has been present- laying down their prayers, their finances, their support- to be the bridge for me.  The big "C" church has been with me through it all, and I'm so grateful! 

And my prayer is that I can also be that bridge for others- a support, a comfort, an encouragement, an advocate, a bridge- to help raise others up for God's kingdom, fellow workers in God's fields.

Today, as I begin packing for Ethiopia, I feel humbled and excited.  The great adventure continues.

For all who have played a part in my story, for those who have been bridges for me, my tribe in the villages and seasons of my life...I say THANK YOU!  Mesi anpil. Merci. Shukran. Gracias. Asante sana. Amesegënallô !!!!

May all of us run forward together as we follow our Great Shepherd.

I'm also feeling very grateful for my Garrett tribe: my wonderful parents- Jim and Rosie, and my sister-Noel- shown here below in Ethiopia  (I'm very excited to be re-united my sister in Ethiopia this week. We will be serving there together for the next several months)

Hope you will follow with me on the journey.  Here goes....

Getting Ready...

I'm preparing to enter a new phase in my journey of following God into the "fields."  This next jump will take me back to Africa- this time being based in Ethiopia.  I hope many of you will follow my journey through this blog.  Much more to come in the days ahead...