It feels like a heaviness has blanketed much of the world the past few years.
We've been pushed down and trampled in many ways by so many different things.
Covid and war, racism and struggling economies, disappointment and prolonged or surprising storms have knocked many people to the ground and as a natural reaction, we've stayed down. We've taken the position of defense. We've stayed shielding our faces, our families, our churches. We've huddled down. We've braced for the next thing as it has seemed wave after wave after wave of struggle and crisis has hit again and again. We've prayed for relief, when would breakthrough come?
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At EvaSUE, we've been planning for what to say and teach on to the thousands in our ministry here in the year ahead. What does God want us to say? How do we respond in a world where crisis after crisis after crisis seems to be the "new normal?" How are we, as faithful witnesses of the kingdom and actual citizens of heaven, to respond when we've been knocked down? We've prayed, asking God for wisdom...
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As I shared in many previous posts, the past few years here have not been easy. As the world shook, I felt God uprooting me from the major platforms He'd given me here. Was this the end of my time in Ethiopia? Would He pull me up to put me somewhere else? I literally felt a part of me has been bracing for that. And some amount of sorrow had already been there. Many times a week, I'd find myself thinking... would this be the last lecture? The last walk? The last cup of coffee? The last fasting season? The last holiday?
My work permit and residence visa had been blocked since we started trying to process it in February. And it seemed that this would be the deciding door. Though it seemed God was planning to place me back in the ground here, that last big door was CLOSED and even locked and it looked insurmountable. And I felt shut out and only God Himself could pull me through! Would it be His will? For I knew He could open that door and move that mountain if He wanted to.
Have you been there too recently? Facing an impossible situation? There was no way out, no way around, no cure, no solution? You were pushed down and being held down and held back. I think we've all been there and had those moments in the past few years.
The past few weeks here, as office after office told me NO, of course it's also been the countdown to Easter here and globally. It's fasting season so many here are praying more and remembering what Jesus did. For my ETC class and just in my personal quiet time, I have been watching several series of the Chosen videos and was moved again and again by the life, communication, and miracles of Jesus!
I saw Him calm storms. Heal the sick. Raise the dead! I saw Him REALLY see people and not judge. And I heard Him say again and again, "Rise Up!
Would He tell me also, to RISE UP and walk into a new season here? Would He make a way?
I believe that at this unique time in history, God definitely doesn't want us to lose hope if we are pushed down. He wants us to remember WHO HE IS and WHAT HE'S SAID and WHAT HE'S DONE. The end of our story is NOT DEFEAT. We have the ability to RISE UP because HE DID!
We are on the winning side! We are part of the family of God and we follow a resurrected King! Jesus rose up so we could also RISE. We are not a defeated people in a story where we lose! We are a victorious people where we have already WON!
Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He has risen! (Luke 24: 6-7)
I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live (John 11:25)
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves ... in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1: 13-14)
Shake yourself from the dust, Rise Up, oh captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck (Isaiah 52:2)
Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16)
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose to appoint you as a servant and a witness (Acts 26:16)
Everyone born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)
We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved! (Hebrews 10:39)
God wants to rise up and celebrate that the end is already written. And we can have hope that He is able to break all chains, restore all relationships, set captives free! He can raise up anyone who is down and without hope!
Do you need to remember this today? Believe this? For you? For someone you know? God is sovereign. He is Author and Finisher of our life stories. We can hold to Him in hope! We can RISE UP!
As we remember our Risen King, Jesus, every day and as the Easter holiday approaches, may we remember He is able to reach down and pull us or those we love from the muck and mire and give us a place to stand. He is able to pull us out of ANY stuck position, leveling any mountain in our way! He can clear any mind, mend any heart, send any demon fleeing! He can heal any illness, level any mountain! He is still on the throne!
We need to Rise UP! Raise our hands and give thanks that this is Our story!
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident (Psalm 27:3)
No weapon formed against you will prevail, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (Isaiah 54:17)
The people of the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)
If you're feeling pushed down. Defeated. Overwhelmed. Without hope. Dead. Buried. And done... Jesus says, Rise UP, I have come that you may have life and have to the full (John 10:10) Jesus says, Reach for Me and RISE UP!
God's not done yet!
Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 37: 23-24)
Don't be afraid, I am the First and the Last (Revelation 1: 17-18)
Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning... (Psalm 30:5)
There are people globally who have no idea that they too can be lifted up. They are stuck in places where they are thirsty and there's no water. They sit in chains and in darkness and there is no light.
God wants us as His people to go these places and share about the One who can lift them up...who can redeem them, change them, free them, and love them! Let's RISE UP and get the good news of a Risen Savior to those who need it! The world is waiting and needing this GOOD NEWS!
Guess what? My work permit and visa came through! God said...rise up, pick up your visa and continue to walk and work here. I've uprooted you but I'm replanting you, better, stronger, and more stable now on me and in me. God showed me my foundation is Him and He will help continue to write my story here. Praise God!
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| In the checkout, FINISH LINE... Year 12 in Ethiopia Approved! God made a WAY!!! |
May this be my greatest season yet for God and if I get knocked down again, may I quickly rise back up and lift Jesus up because He saves! May we all do the same where He plants us!
Praises
-My work permit and residence ID was approved this past week! Praise God for His provision!!!
-The EvaSUE team finished a very busy month and had great growth and success across all regions, so thankful for this incredible ministry and team! We did host visitors from Global Outreach International (my mission sending organization) That was a great blessing. Here are a few pictures from the regions and one of us with the Global Outreach Team...
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| Taking Global Outreach International leaders out for authentic Ethiopian food |
-My parents celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. So thankful for amazing parents!
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| the best parents- Jim and Rosie Garrett! |
Prayer Requests
-Please pray for Ethiopia as there is still scattered fighting areas and the economy is still not good. Pray for wisdom for the government
-As fasting continues here and the countdown to Easter on April 16th, pray that the people of God will unite and repent and that revival will come through churches and through young people. That the gospel will be shared here and it will go out to the nations
-Pray for our EvaSUE team as more regional events happen in April and planning continues for the busy rainy season time ahead and a new school year ahead, that God will lead us
-Pray for my one ETC class as it continues, that God will use me to teach well.
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| Some of my ETC students this semester |
-Pray for two of my dear sisters here, Hilina with the birth of her 2nd child (a girl) happening in mid April and for Hidi and her wedding in late May. That all will go well as we celebrate these big life events together!
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| Hilina and Hidi |
Let's Celebrate our RISEN KING- JESUS
