Life has ups and downs, doesn’t it? Many times you don’t know what the road ahead will bring.
Sometimes there are mountaintops… days when things seem to go right and doors open. There may be weeks or even years when you’re at your best. You’re in your sweet spot or at a great job or environment where you thrive. Relationships feel healthy and life is good.
My time at home with my family in the USA for the holidays was a mountaintop time. A time to celebrate and talk and laugh and walk and remember 2016. Then of course, Christmas- another mountaintop, I always enjoy and look forward to- remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Lord, and Friend.
Then there was my return to Ethiopia a little over a week ago- another mountaintop time. To reunite with staff and students and neighbors and friends, what a joy! And I got to celebrate Ethiopia’s Christmas on January 7. Loved that time with my friend and sister Shali and her family.
But life is not all mountaintops. There are also many valleys. When disappointment happens. Doors close. Relationships implode. Sickness invades. Death intrudes.
Already in this new year, there came a valley- it was over this past weekend.
The sister of one of my students passed away. As I traveled to Hilina’s home, my heart was grieved.
Her sister was young, her life so short.
For hours, the family, students, the church and the community wept and mourned this precious life.
Sitting in a mourning place for hours rocks something deep in you. It puts things in perspective.
Later, we walked to the grave site and buried this lovely girl. Though- we know we will see her again because she was in Jesus- it was still a valley. A hard hard hard valley to walk through.
This week, as I’ve been thinking about it all again, I’m just so thankful that through all of life, the mountains, valleys, and the in-betweens- we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. We have a merciful High Priest, a Good Shepherd, who goes with us and will never leave us alone. We have Jesus!!! We have promises from God’s Word to encourage us and His Spirit who is with us. Even in the darkest of valleys- ones where sorrow and sadness and loss cover you, God can bring you through. A new chapter can be written in your story.
May we encourage each other on the journey, remembering what God has said …
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
Jeremiah 31:13
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…
1 Corinthians 15:55
Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks to God- He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 30:5
Weeping may last for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him
Hebrews 4: 14-16
Therefore since we have a great high priest… let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us then approach the throne of grace with grace and confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
John 10:14
I am the good Shepherd… I lay down my life for the sheep
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end…
My prayer for 2017- is that whatever comes- my hand will be confidently in my Savior’s hand and that I will trust Him to lead me, to help me, and that the next chapter He writes with my life- will be my best for Him yet.
That the mountaintops will be savored, and the valleys will be passed through… and that I will come through them- stronger and with greater love for God and others.
Let’s be in prayer for each other in 2017! Here goes!
Prayer Requests
-Please pray for my student Hilina and her family as they continue to mourn the loss of their sister, daughter.
-Yesterday, I begin a two week intensive course at ETC, the Evangelical Theological College. This two week course is every evening and is focused on leadership in youth ministry. Please keep this class in prayer!
-My other three classes at ETC begin next week: Cross Cultural Communication; Small Group Ministry; and Evangelism and Discipleship. As I prepare and start those, please pray God will use me in these classes to help build the church here in Ethiopia.
-I finished classes this past week at Hope College and all that remains is the final exam this coming Wednesday. Please pray I can have a strong finish to the semester. There will be a short break time, then spring semester will start in February.
-Please keep my students and staff in prayer at both schools.
-Please keep my family- my Dad, Mom and Sister-Noel in prayer as they continue into the new year. I’m so thankful for them.
- A big shout to my Dad, the handsome and charming Jim Garrett- for his birthday on January 23. If you see him, high five him for me and hug him. He’s the best!
Thank you so much for all of you who pray for me and who gave for my time at home and supplies. Also, for my return here. May God richly bless you in the New Year!!!!
With love and thanks from Ethiopia-
Holly
Sometimes there are mountaintops… days when things seem to go right and doors open. There may be weeks or even years when you’re at your best. You’re in your sweet spot or at a great job or environment where you thrive. Relationships feel healthy and life is good.
My time at home with my family in the USA for the holidays was a mountaintop time. A time to celebrate and talk and laugh and walk and remember 2016. Then of course, Christmas- another mountaintop, I always enjoy and look forward to- remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Lord, and Friend.
Then there was my return to Ethiopia a little over a week ago- another mountaintop time. To reunite with staff and students and neighbors and friends, what a joy! And I got to celebrate Ethiopia’s Christmas on January 7. Loved that time with my friend and sister Shali and her family.
But life is not all mountaintops. There are also many valleys. When disappointment happens. Doors close. Relationships implode. Sickness invades. Death intrudes.
Already in this new year, there came a valley- it was over this past weekend.
The sister of one of my students passed away. As I traveled to Hilina’s home, my heart was grieved.
Her sister was young, her life so short.
For hours, the family, students, the church and the community wept and mourned this precious life.
Sitting in a mourning place for hours rocks something deep in you. It puts things in perspective.
Later, we walked to the grave site and buried this lovely girl. Though- we know we will see her again because she was in Jesus- it was still a valley. A hard hard hard valley to walk through.
This week, as I’ve been thinking about it all again, I’m just so thankful that through all of life, the mountains, valleys, and the in-betweens- we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. We have a merciful High Priest, a Good Shepherd, who goes with us and will never leave us alone. We have Jesus!!! We have promises from God’s Word to encourage us and His Spirit who is with us. Even in the darkest of valleys- ones where sorrow and sadness and loss cover you, God can bring you through. A new chapter can be written in your story.
May we encourage each other on the journey, remembering what God has said …
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
Jeremiah 31:13
I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…
1 Corinthians 15:55
Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks to God- He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 30:5
Weeping may last for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him
Hebrews 4: 14-16
Therefore since we have a great high priest… let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us then approach the throne of grace with grace and confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
John 10:14
I am the good Shepherd… I lay down my life for the sheep
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end…
My prayer for 2017- is that whatever comes- my hand will be confidently in my Savior’s hand and that I will trust Him to lead me, to help me, and that the next chapter He writes with my life- will be my best for Him yet.
That the mountaintops will be savored, and the valleys will be passed through… and that I will come through them- stronger and with greater love for God and others.
Let’s be in prayer for each other in 2017! Here goes!
Prayer Requests
-Please pray for my student Hilina and her family as they continue to mourn the loss of their sister, daughter.
-Yesterday, I begin a two week intensive course at ETC, the Evangelical Theological College. This two week course is every evening and is focused on leadership in youth ministry. Please keep this class in prayer!
-My other three classes at ETC begin next week: Cross Cultural Communication; Small Group Ministry; and Evangelism and Discipleship. As I prepare and start those, please pray God will use me in these classes to help build the church here in Ethiopia.
-I finished classes this past week at Hope College and all that remains is the final exam this coming Wednesday. Please pray I can have a strong finish to the semester. There will be a short break time, then spring semester will start in February.
-Please keep my students and staff in prayer at both schools.
-Please keep my family- my Dad, Mom and Sister-Noel in prayer as they continue into the new year. I’m so thankful for them.
- A big shout to my Dad, the handsome and charming Jim Garrett- for his birthday on January 23. If you see him, high five him for me and hug him. He’s the best!
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| Happy Birthday Dad on January 23, You are LOVED!!! |
With love and thanks from Ethiopia-
Holly
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