Walking as He Walked...

The past weeks back here in Ethiopia have been so busy for our EvaSUE team.  Five regions hosted events and our team scattered and traveled to support staff all over the country.  I was excited to be part of the events in two regions- our Central Region and our South 1 Region. What would God do? What would I see? What would I learn... as we walked as Jesus walked?

The Central region is Addis- and the surrounding area. I was given a plenary teaching to do on "Discipleship and Mission" with the over 200 students.  I was also given some of the staff training during the Staff Retreat time that would follow. I decided to fully engage in this region's events- having never really seen what all of that looked like.  I moved to the other side of Addis- and largely just was there- and what I saw and experienced really did move me to the core.  

I think when you are not just hearing the teachings of Jesus but "doing as He did" - something tends to wake up in you.  As I tried my best to just serve under our amazing EvaSUE staff team, I felt "zinged" by the Holy Spirit (a good zing). I felt fire ignite in me.  I felt like shouting for joy and weeping in lament at the same time- at the goodness and power of God. I saw Jesus in how staff and students served each other.  I saw students authentically worshipping and jumping for Jesus and I felt my legs start to jump and my arms start to lift up as I also celebrated the Supremacy of Christ and that our King and our Savior is Lord of All! I was reminded of so many things during the Central Region events.  Through the teachings of Jeremiah and studying God's Word and in fellowship with others, I felt connected to why God has us here and what we are supposed to be doing. I also felt shepherded and sharpened and challenged and cared for by my brothers and sisters. That also had a touching effect on me.  I think sometimes we can feel isolated and lost and that no one really cares or sees us.  God reminded me again of the importance of staying connected to Him and each other! I came out of that region's events very spiritually encouraged! Praise God for this time together! I really believe God is positioning youth all over the country for an outpouring of His Spirit and a movement out of here to get the gospel to the ends of the earth!!!  I'm ready to see it and be part of it! Let it be your will and your timing God! Make us ready!

If you are to be my followers, you must take up your cross daily and follow me ... Matthew 16:24-25

Don't just be hearers of the Word, but doers ... James 1:22

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you to be my witnesses to the end of the earth ... Acts 1:8

My work permit and residence ID also were processing during these Central Regional event days. My laptop crashed during the week and my papers got stuck for almost a month in the second of four offices. And through an 11th hour move, which I have seen so many times of how God seems to like to move in the 11th hour, I watched in amazement as God Himself pushed my papers through at the last minute, right before the deadline, AGAIN!!! He is good!!!

Is my arm too short? Isaiah 59:1

God is mighty to save ... Zephaniah 3:17

Nothing is too hard for me ... Jeremiah 32:27

PRAISE GOD!!!!

This past week, I had the privilege of traveling to be part of another region's events in the South 1 Region- Hawassa. This time away also would deeply impact my life.  I was humbled on the shores of this lake area- by seeing again hundreds of students together before God seeking Him! I marveled again at the shepherding of our staff team and the heart of the students I met.  They are hungry for God. Seeking revival. Ready to go and do and be all God has called them to be and do.  I again felt zinged by walking as Jesus walked and doing as He did.  I was blessed to see my brothers and sisters in Christ- choosing to love and serve and follow Jesus faithfully.  One prayer time we had in a circle- with our arms around each other- lit me up for days after.  God's Spirit made us one and I felt Him. It must have been some of what the disciples had felt when they prayed together.  

Visiting staff in their homes, what a blessing

Be one, as I and the Father are one ... John 17

Don't grow weary in doing good, for your labor for the Lord is not in vain... Galatians 6: 9-12

Having arrived back in Addis in the middle of last week ... I've felt physically tired but so spiritually encouraged and challenged.

I also feel a good deal of shock that it's Palm Sunday and one week away from Easter already for most people in the world. Our Easter here is in early May and for that ... I'm thankful.  For now after a huge ministry push out, I feel like I need to retreat a bit ... to get some solitude with God and a LENT time.  I'm ready to do as Jesus did and seek some solitude, even a bit of wilderness time, when God can speak to me and check my heart and life.  It's so easy to get out of balance or lose your way.  I need to be quiet before God and let Him speak to me.  Put me in the fire if needed to get rid of what shouldn't be there, so I can come more like Him and ready to do more "walking as He walked." 

Maybe many of you have already done or are finishing a time of Lent in preparation for Easter, or maybe like me- you've been busy.  I think God wants us to have many LENT seasons where we quietly slip away and have time with Him.  

God is telling me to ...

"Return to me with all your heart...with fasting and weeping and mourning, rend your heart... return...for I am gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love." Joel 2: 12-13

"Rend your heart"- what does that even mean? I think it's a ripping out of it ... maybe?  He can give us a new heart. I think that's what I need. An undivided, sold-out heart for Jesus. Let it be God!

Around this time, over two thousand years ago, Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem...and entered the city.  Many welcomed Him ... with the waving of palm branches and shouts of joy. But Jesus knew what was coming and He still walked that direction...

I'm so humbled that Jesus gave His life for mine. He gave his life for my sin and to give me life. He did for us all!

May we remember Him this week as He finished it!!!

May we with courage also walk where He tells us to walk and finish what He's called us to do.

He's with us to the end! Nothing is greater than following in His footsteps!

Praises

-My sister (Noel) and her husband (Mike), both have new jobs - back in the Troy-Tipp City area of Ohio. Praise God for this provision!

-Please join me in wishing my amazing Dad and Mom- Jim and Rosie- another Happy Anniversary on Tuesday, March 26- I love how they love each other! I praise God for the best parents God gave to our family!!!

-Praise God again for the five regions who hosted big events with EvaSUE the past month- for safety, provision and a powerful work in the lives of students and staff! May God water these seeds!

-Praise God again for my new work permit and residence ID processing successfully just before the deadline. I'm always amazed at God and His ways!

-Praise God for another birthday (a big one- 30th) for my dear sister, neighbor and friend- Hilina Hailu; also for her sister Tihut's graduation from Dilla Univ with a 5 year Architecture Degree. (this one- not easy because of the past five years and all Ethiopia has passed through). So thankful for these amazing sisters! They bless me!

Hilina!

Tihut! Congratulations ...new Architect!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for EvaSUE as we host some events in the far west in the coming weeks; also as we have new staff training and Regional Coordinator consultation; then begin national events- that God will guide us

-Please pray for our new incoming EvaSUE General Secretary (Eyosiyas) and outgoing General Secretary (Robel)- as EvaSUE transitions leadership on July 1. Praise God for these humble and courageous leaders and their families!

Robel - Outgoing EvaSUE General Secretary

Welcome to Eyosiyas- incoming new EvaSUE General Secretary

-Please pray for Ethiopia overall- some regions are still not okay

If you'd like to make a special Easter donation to the work here or join my monthly support team, the work is vast and the need big. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering and giving:

 https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

Thank you for being with me here and for your support and prayers!

Blessed Palm Sunday and Easter Week to all celebrating! 

Thank you Jesus again for your great sacrifice and your call to walk as you walked! May we follow you with courage!

Throwing Net and Sharing Light ... Thoughts for Another Year "in the Fields"

Last week, I arrived back in Ethiopia. As I stepped into the morning sun, I couldn't help but feel so much gratitude for another return to live and work in this land and with people I love. I'm so grateful for the chance to serve here and to share with people in word and action about a Savior they can know.

God taught me and showed me so much during my two months in the US for the holidays. I took an extra month at this time for rest and connection with current supporters, friends and prayer partners, and new people as well. Despite all of the negative news we see and hear about the US, I actually heard the good news and was encouraged. I saw it on TV. I heard it in music. A children's choir sang: Go Tell it on the Mountain. And I said "eshi" (okay) with a smile. I heard the "good news" preached, thank God! I saw Jesus in peoples' actions and lives.  I saw the "Church"- God's people.  What a blessing!

I was very blessed to also spend added time with my family. I'm so grateful for the Garretts-Martins. I enjoyed shopping and gym times with my Mom. Coffee at McDonalds and watching football with my Dad. I enjoyed the shock of seeing it snow. I enjoyed playing with little Lucy, whose has grown but is still so cute. I loved walking with my sister and talks with her and Mike. We had a great Christmas Day! We got to celebrate together my sister's new job and to celebrate my Dad's birthday. So many great memories. 

There were times of big laughs too. I realized how much I have become like my Ethiopian family. I told my Mom we needed to "flip" her living room. She said "what?" I sketched out a new design and helped her re-arrange furniture. I helped her shop for a new rug and pillows and art. So funny, that is not like the Holly Garrett of before. I'm not an art type person. I also found myself thinking about stage design at church services and focusing on music in the car and at cafes. Ha ha. That is like my E family. They are into design and music. That brought a chuckle from my side. I hope their younger ages and style can rub off on me as well. :-) 

My living room design

The final art piece I added 

I had many meetings while at home with friends and current supporters and new ones. I connected with many I hadn't talked to or seen in years. These times were blessings. We shared tears. We shared struggles. We shared lives. And in those meetings, what kept coming to my mind was how we are able in each other's lives to "throw nets" and "share light" with each other. In being together, we can help throw net under each other. Words of encouragement, reminders of truth, can help catch us from falling. We can also light each other up. So many meetings, I felt spiritually zinged by. God reminds us throughout His word the importance of being together. 

Encourage one another and build each other up. Don't forsake the meeting together of each other, do it all the more as you see the day approaching ... Hebrews 10: 24-25 

Bear one another's burdens ... Galatians 6:2 

Confess your sins one to another and pray for each other that you may be healed ... James 5:16 

Walk in the light as He is in the light then you will have fellowship with each other... 1 John 1:7 

Let your light shine ... Matthew 5: 14-16 

Fan into flame your gifts ... 2 Timothy 1:6 

Two are better than one ... Ecclesiastes 4

The Ethiopian Fellowship from Christian Life Center in Dayton
 hosted my Mom and I for lunch, what a blessing!

Many people globally are disconnected and fragmented for many reasons. War, struggles, politics, and the impact of Covid have caused us to be more isolated. Many haven't connected back to a local church. Isolation is so dangerous for us. We are supposed to stick together. Together we can be resilient. When we fall, we have those around us to lift us up. We can light each other up.

 As people encouraged me while I was home, I felt net underneath me. I was reminded I have a team and they have my back. I felt lit up as they gave me space to testify and as they encouraged me to keep fighting the good fight. May we remember the power of being together. How we can throw nets under each other and give light to each other as we journey through life. What a blessing that is! 

Do you feel low on resilience? Are you isolated?  Do you feel like you need net under you, community around you? Does your light for Jesus feel dim or is trying to get snuffed out?  If so, get together or reconnect with the family of God. When you do, your life will start to blaze.  As you're connected to and encouraged, your life will light back up and help give light to others as well.

 

May we stick together in the new year!  

Here are some prayer requests for the way ahead here in Ethiopia:

 -Please pray for the coming days as I settle back in. 

 -As I start the process to renew my work permit and residence ID that all will go smooth. 

 -Please pray for regional events coming up in February and March. That we will ignite a movement here of young people that will take the good news to the ends of earth. I'm so humbled to get to get to serve with EvaSUE, an amazing team! 

Some of our EvaSUE staff

-Pray for Ethiopia, that in the midst of struggle, we will hold up light and throw nets and be all God has made us to be as His people! 

May we all do the same where He has us! 

Thank you again for partnering with me and for your prayers! 

I'm excited for 2024 and for all God has ahead for us.  May we keep together and serve God faithfully and with courage!