CROSS-CHECK, Moving Forward 2014

When I came out of Ethiopia this past fall, I felt like I had just finished part of a long run through Africa.

For the past five years, I have lived and worked in and for Africa, the past two years based in Ethiopia. This had been God’s call for my life since 2008, and I had tried to be obedient to that call and run my very best as God led during that time. What an adventure it has been!

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia...my home for the past two years

in and for East Africa...five years and counting...

I’m so grateful for the road behind and to have learned right mission strategy in the process. I have also met global family that I can’t imagine now not knowing.

Since being stateside, I’ve had invaluable time with my family. We’ve had deep laughter sharing stories and sharing birthdays and holidays.

Also, we’ve shed tears sharing stories of struggle and disappointment and hard lessons learned.

But isn’t that life overall? It’s messy. We’re messy and make mistakes. But I’m so thankful for God with us through it all and that He gives us new mercy, new strength to continue.  The chance to live and love and breathe at all is such a gift.  And what a great journey He can take us on if we follow Him.

I have also taken this time to largely do a “cross check” on my life. To take a hard look at myself- how I’m living and serving - seeing if everything aligns to following Jesus and maximizing my life for Him. 

For we are called to represent Jesus and to share Him with others.  

Luke 9:23-24

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

The way Jesus came and laid down His life for others should be evident in my life.  He surrendered His life to His Father’s will- and constantly said..."not my will, but yours be done."   Am I doing the same?

Is humility and love for others evident in my life? Is there evidence of surrendered will- that I’m not an ambassador for myself or my culture, but for a King and a Kingdom I’ve given my life for?

These questions have been good for me to ponder in my quiet time. But also to ponder with others in one-on-one meetings and group time with those who know me best and will speak the truth in love.

These verses have also prompted and challenged me…

Lamentations 3:40

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.

Philippians 2:12-13

…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

How has my time in Africa changed me?

My sister told me in my first month home some funny changes she observed in me. She said I put more salt on things than I used to and I also wash my hands all the time, these things very much part of culture in Ethiopia. I also sprinkle basic Amharic into much of what I say, saying things like “eshy” for okay or “baka” for finished. Very funny.

Physically, my hair had grown lighter and my skin darker. Now that I've been stateside awhile, I've noticed more freckles- surely from the days spent in the open sun.

But there have been harder observations made and discussed among us. How have I grown to be more life Jesus? Have I? What areas need improved?

Is the cross I'm supposed to be carrying evident in my life? CROSS CHECKs can be painful. It’s like going to the doctor for a check-up. Checking your health and for things that should be there can lead to unwelcome shortcomings and discoveries.  But it’s necessary for improved life and good stewardship of what we’ve been given.

How can I be a better light and example in my time ahead? What can be strengthened, improved?

A few things I’ve been able improve since being home has been to get some extra education and training.

The first of these came in September when I was certified as a personal fitness trainer through YWAM (Youth with a Mission).  This 80 hour course was fantastic. I’ve always tried hard to be healthy and keep in shape and stay passionate about these things. During my time in Ethiopia, I also learned it could be a great platform for teaching, as many were wanting to feel better and be more healthy. This YWAM certification gave me the training I needed to teach fitness classes and train people one-on-one. I excited to see how I can use this in the time ahead.

Training days, Richmond, Virginia

Personal Trainer Certification, Accomplished!

The most recent education I’ve been getting is a 100-hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course from Xavier University in Cincinnati. For two more weeks, I’ll be taken this course and then will then have official certification to teach English internationally. I’ve been thrilled to add this knowledge to what I already know and get access to resources, etc. If teaching English continues to be what God wants me to do, I want to be the best teacher I can be.

Many have asked me, when are you going back to Ethiopia/Africa. And that has been a big prayer for me and my question back to God. I truly want to go back when I’m best ready and all things are checked and aligned so I can be the best I can be, before I return. That being said, I have one more stop to make before I hopefully get back into Africa.

I have been invited to get some training in PRAGUE, the Czech Republic. Yep, my sister’s home. I plan to stay with her for the next 3 to 4 months for specialized training and to serve and learn with her team there.

I’m very excited for this opportunity. There is an International school and church I will be serving with and gaining experience, while also working with an Ethiopian community in Prague. I will also be learning Amharic, Ethiopia’s language, while there through a Czech-Ethiopian friend of my sister’s. I will also learn from my sister’s mission organization, TEAM, how they connect and serve communities and about their model of discipleship.

My sister's team in Czech, January 2014

All of this I hope will make me stronger and more ready for Africa when I return-  I will keep you posted.

Please keep the next six or so months of training and transition time in prayer for me and thank you so much for continuing to follow my journey. I plan to finish my first book during this time as well and I’m excited to share that with you soon also.  

I’m holding to this promise for the way ahead…

Jeremiah 29:11-12 (the Message)

I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.  “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

Onward for our God in 2014!

May others see Jesus in me, greater than ever before!

Prayer Requests

-Please keep my final few weeks here in prayer- as I finish up my Xavier TEFL course in Cincinnati and prepare for the jump into Europe, that all will go smooth.

-Please keep my parents in prayer, that God will give them peace, joy and good health in 2014.

My Dad (the great and handsome Jim Garrett)- celebrated his birthday this past week, on Thursday, January 23. If you didn't wish him a happy 66th birthday, it's never too late via facebook or email. Thanks so much, we love him so much!

-Please pray for my sister, Noel, now back in the Czech. Please pray that as she settles into ministry and life there- that God will help that transition be smooth. And as I join her soon- that we will be a good team for this season as we learn together.
 

Thanks so much for your prayers!