I still in many ways feel like it's a new road, a different road, I'm now traveling on.
Many of the foundations and platforms God had given me to stand on and largely take some confidence in ... fell away in the last year or so.
And when I returned this time... though much of life here in Ethiopia seems the same ... it does feel different and new.
I have new work and complete confidence that this is exactly where God wants me to be.
Yet I still feel like I'm closing my eyes a bit... afraid to look around and I'm still trying to stand up on wobbly legs... as I look ahead at a new road with a new team and a new foundation.
I've been thinking alot about the seasons of life and how God works through those seasons.
Sometimes God doesn't open things up. He holds in you in a hard place or says to keep walking on the same road. There have been many seasons like that for me. Those have difficulty. Why doesn't change come? Why doesn't something new open? Often what I've seen is He doesn't change the road, He changes YOU on that hard road in that stretched position.
Other times...God does open a new thing and new road. He changes things. Here He also says... move forward. Be brave. Don't do things the way you always have. Trust me. This is MY CALL. I can show this new way and help you run a good race.
Do I trust Him? Do you? With whatever road He says to run on at this time in life?
God can help us to "stand on the heights" and He can make our legs "stable." He can do in us and through us more than we can ask or imagine.
How do you feel on the road you're on?
Maybe you're already tired. Maybe you've already detoured. Maybe the way looks lonely. You've lost someone or something and the road ahead looks too hard to go it alone.
Maybe the road ahead is a good one and you're excited but also scared or nervous. What will happen? Can you you run a good race? Can you finish?
Whatever road it is ... God wants us to take courage and be brave in the New Year.
He gives us encouragement to keep running .... whatever the road is....or what it looks like ....
It is God that arms me with strength and keeps my way secure; He makes my feet like that of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights
2 Samuel 22: 33-34
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses; let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles; and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Romans 12:1
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint
Isaiah 40:31
...run in such a way to get the prize
1 Corinthians 9:24
God can help us say...
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race....
2 Timothy 4:7
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May we trust Him and press on!
...forget what is behind and press on towards what is ahead ...
Philippians 3:13
May we run our best race yet in the New Year! May He strengthen us and give us courage!
May we remember - He goes with us! And never leaves. May we trust Him and follow Him until the finish line!
Praises
I was so thankful for holiday time with family. Christmas, shopping for a new "buddy" ... very grateful for my Dad, Mom, Sister- Noel and Mike.
Please join me in wishing the great and amazing, best Dad in the world, Jim Garrett a very happy birthday on 1-23. Us Garrett girls love and appreciate him so much!
I'm so thankful for Global Outreach International- as my new mission sending organization. If you'd like to give a one time gift or join my monthy support team, please let me know or give through this link:
https://globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett
I'm so excited for what God is going to do in the time ahead for this new road was His call!
Thank you so much for those of you who have prayed and given. We are partnered here together and I believe it's a strategic time and God is up to something big.
Prayers
-pray for continued peace for Ethiopia
-pray for my work permit that will need renewed in this first quarter of the year- that it will pass through easily
-pray for traveling and work I've been given with EvaSUE - that God will give me confidence to be all He's made me to be and do with this amazing ministry.
-pray for new EvaSUE staff launching this month and for many activities and trainings that will happen in this first quarter
-pray for a trip out of Addis this weekend to Bahir Dar- that God will keep us safe and the visit with EvaSUE staff will be great
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| Bahir Dar |
-pray for one class that I will be giving at ETC- starting at the end of this month.
Thank you for the prayers!
May we run the road God has us on with courage in 2023!
