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!