A Song To Sing and A Story To Tell ...

God has given us a song to sing, a story to tell, as we follow Him. Through valleys, in storms, in deserts, and dark nights, He sings over us, and He can give us the ability to praise Him no matter what our circumstances are.  He remains our Good Shepherd, our Faithful Father. We can stand on His promises and on His Word.  

Is there a song in you of worship for Him? Are you telling His story?  Your testimony?  This is what are able to do and are called to do as we follow Him!

At EvaSUE, our biggest and final school year event happened August 4th through the 8th. It was our National Leadership Summit (NLS), with over 1000 student leaders from all over the country attending. Our hosting location could only hold 700, so two other sleeping locations were also prepared.  On the night of check-in, a huge storm blew through the town, knocking down power lines and flooding roads. The rest of the week, we had to do our programs by a generator and most of the main compound had limited water and power and the network was also almost completely down.  In weakness though, God showed Himself strong. He helped us. He kept us safe. He encouraged as we were challenged to SEEK GOD.  I was amazed at all the singing and worshipping that could be heard! There was joy and peace and hope felt in God's presence together.  I believe everyone was encouraged and full of joy.  Praise God for an amazing week!

some of my Art team, they did another amazing gallery!

Day One of my Youth Culture Seminar

Mass Sport

Following the NLS, we went into a three-day EvaSUE staff retreat. Our over 100 EvaSUE staff traveled to another location for a time of rest, celebration, and fellowship.  Again, there was much singing!  God gave us joy and made our hearts glad.  What a privilege it is to follow Jesus and to make Him known among the nations!  I'm so thankful for my humble teammates and their examples of following Jesus!

Before the NLS, I got a hard health hit of what felt like Covid.  The months preceding that had also been a huge struggle with water and power issues on my compound, which are still there.  Thankfully, though tired now, I have a song in my heart. I'm so grateful to God for seeing me and us through another school year.  He gives us a song to sing, a story of Him at work in our lives to tell.  He remains good and faithful!

As schools start back soon for many, I pray that for us all, as the people of God, we stay close to our Good Shepherd. This song has encouraged me:    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P47xY8sUh0&list=RD5P47xY8sUh0&start_radio=1     

He leads us and stays with us on the journey! 

May we hear Him singing over us. And may we sing His praises and declare His name as we move on!

May we share the story of His great love to the ends of the earth!

Prayer Requests

I will travel to Kenya August 23-31 with Hidi, my sister in Christ here.  She will be singing in different places and I will speaking for youth and churches there. We praise God for this opportunity to do ministry together. She is also working to start an NGO called Alabaster Jar.  Praise God for my sister and the song God has given her to sing about the hope we have in Jesus!  I will share more about this in the time ahead.

I will travel to the US in early September for three weeks. I hope to see many of you then as I spend some time with my family and reload on supplies.  

If you'd like to help with my plane ticket and supplies, or to give for my return back here, you can give through this link:  https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

Please keep EvaSUE staff in prayer as we take some rest and start a new year, in mid-September.  May God unify and anoint our work so we advance God's Kingdom here by serving students!

Please also keep a "Vision Trip" of students and EvaSUE staff in prayer. This three-week mission trip begins next week and the team will be serving in two areas.

God Bless You All as the fall season approaches!

Thank you for your continued partnership and prayers!

Holly 

DO YOU TRUST ME?

God will often ask, “Do you trust me?”

I’ve learned through many years of trying to walk with God here in Ethiopia and in other places, that trusting God is key, but is challenging.  God’s way is usually not comfortable or easy or quick.  He works in His own way and in His own time.  Instead of stilling a storm, He may use that storm to actually answer a prayer. He might not heal a sickness or disease; He might not lift suffering. It can make no sense.  He might not bring reconciliation to a relationship or heal a broken body or mind.  Can He do these things? Yes. But sometimes, He seems still, even silent.  He might not bring the relationship you’ve been praying for, and He might allow solitude to continue years past when you thought it should be done.  He might keep prison doors locked. What are you doing God… we may ask.  Satan jumps in during all these times and whispers lies. He might say …” God doesn’t hear you. God doesn’t care. God has forgotten you. You won’t get breakthrough. You won’t get freedom. You’re done.”  He will tell you to rely on NO ONE but yourself. He will cause you to panic and make unwise moves.  Satan is a liar! God’s timing is not our own and even the outcome He brings might not be what we want.  But can God be trusted?  He can!  Just looking back at my own journey, I’ve seen God ask me to trust Him, then have reflected on my reactions and His actions. Many times, I’ve not waited on Him, I’ve not trusted Him. I leaned into Satan’s lies and became discouraged.  BUT, I’ve also seen God give me big grace during those times and teach me more about Him, thankfully. Other times, and I hope these times increase, I have trusted God, I haven’t moved, and I’ve waited and when I have done that, I have seen God move in big, unexplainable and unbelievable ways! He worked in a way I didn’t expect, and the impact was beyond what I could imagine! God deserves our trust!

This past month, we hosted our second largest summer event for EvaSUE, our National Mission Summit. A lot of things seemed to go wrong right before it.  Our lodging and location fell through, several staff had challenging family issues, there was an overall feeling from my side and from others of not feeling ready.  Yet, I heard God whispering throughout the weeks preceding this event saying… “Do you trust me?” 

Well, God pulled together an amazing week for us!  As only God is able to do, He speaks and leads when we are at the end of us.  Despite huge logistical challenges, close to 500 students and over 100 staff had an unforgettable and inspiring week of training!  God Himself backed us up and His Spirit I believe ignited a fire that will continue to burn in the time ahead.  God is able to move and work even when it doesn’t look possible for anything to happen!!! He is able!! We thank God for all He did at our National Mission Summit (NMS)!

The art team I led did an amazing gallery. I was so blessed to lead this team of talented graduates who creatively and passionately shared the overall theme and message of the week (from the book of Psalms- TO SEEK GOD- return, walk righteously, and trust).  There was also a strong challenge to GO to the ends of the earth with the good news of Jesus!

There was a “walk” –we created that took you through unreached people groups with a strong challenge to move to reach the unreached- those not just in the nations, but also those on campuses and in the students’ dorms.  The cross was there for students to make a commitment.

We also put up a huge mission gallery wall of our very own students doing mission all over the country this past school year.  This was also deeply encouraging for everyone to see.  God calls all of us to be mobilized and missional as we follow Jesus!

In one side of the main hall- we had a “Be Still” corner.  One student at a time would “be still” in that corner and spend one to two minutes inside- looking at and being reminded of God’s promises on the windows that were in front of them.  The few times I went inside myself, I grew calm and hopeful and encouraged. Why don’t we do this often during the day? What a difference this makes!

  

A prayer room was also created- where students could go and pray and be still before God. This room was also very challenging and moving. Many students were inside often during the week- crying out to God and humbling themselves before Him. 

I did a seminar on Youth Culture.  I shared new research I had received about the current youth generation. The new information says young people today are increasingly lonely and are struggling with mental health.  Many want safety more than anything else and they are open to spiritual conversation but are increasingly skeptical of institutionalized religion.  We need good strategy and compassion to go to where they are. Students in my seminars were largely learning about themselves and their own campuses and I was deeply moved to see their responses.  They were ready and committed and emboldened to be an advocate for youth and to reach them!  Praise God for youth reaching youth and even youth helping their local churches to reach and keep the youth engaged!

Praise God again for all He did and all He is able to do when we trust Him!

As God’s people, we MUST learn to trust Him. Whatever way He chooses to work and whatever results, He is God.  He knows what He’s doing.  He has a bigger purpose and plan at work than we realize.  When you think it’s over, it’s not. When you think nothing is going on or things are falling apart, it’s not.  God is at work!

What is God asking you to trust Him with today, in this season of life?

Release it all to Him and trust Him!  Watch what He is able to do!

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you- Psalm 56:3

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him, my heart trusts and I am helped – Psalm28:7

Blessed is the One who trusts in the Lord- Psalm 40:4

Let’s trust our God!

Prayer Requests

Please keep our final big summer national event coming up in early August in prayer. Our National Leadership Summit will be double the size of the National Mission Summit. We need to trust God again to lead us and help us. We still do not have a new hosting site.

Please pray for the water-power at my compound.  It’s been largely off for months now, and it’s extremely stretching for me and all of us.

Thank you so much for the support and prayers. God is doing so much through your partnership!

If you'd like to make a one-time donation for the work here, you can do so through this link:

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

Blessed summer season to you all as it continues!

Beside Still Waters ...

"Rest" often seems to elude us.  We try to rest, but our minds are busy.  We try to take a break, but often these times make us work harder for the times we don't work. We get busy and can often miss our lives, even God, if we're not careful.

At our EvaSUE National Staff Meeting last week, I shared with staff from Psalm 84: 5-7.  This chapter and these verses have always made me curious:

I asked our staff to reflect on these verses.  These "pilgrims" were on their way to worship God in the temple at Jerusalem.  Their hearts were "set" on the journey to be with God. They were so happy to be on the way.  They were able to keep going, from strength to strength. And what you saw coming from them in the hard places and valleys, was still health and life and hope and springs of water.  

What would you say about your life now? Do you go from strength to strength? Or do you live from one thing to another? Maybe... you go from one relationship to another; maybe you go from crisis to crisis; maybe you go from strength to weakness; maybe from vacation to vacation? Or do you from strength to strength?

Somehow, as the people of God, we are able to go from strength to strength.  If our hearts are SET on God and the journey with Him.  If we are focused on Him and are with Him, what comes out of us in the valleys, should still be a song of faith, worship, hope, joy and peace because of God in us.  This is able to be our story and our song as we journey on towards home with God.

What are you seeking? What is your heart set on? Is it God? Or is a blessing what you want most from God? God wants us to seek Him.  When we do, He will satisfy us in Him. He will tell us what to do and where to go and how to go. He will pour into us all we need. He will lead you beside still waters and restore you.  In Him, is rest.  This rest is not based on circumstances, it's based on faith and trust that we are His and are in His hands.  He will take care of us.  

Our staff last week, and then our regional coordinators the week before that, talked about this stillness that God tells us to have before Him.  He wants us to get in front of Him and just be still.  He wants to listen for Him. We don't like to "be still." We like to work hard and fast for a quick solution. Yet, God says, be still.

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted above the nations .... (Psalm 46:10)

Be still, I will fight for you (Exodus 14:14)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act (Psalm 37:7)

I will lead you beside still waters, I will restore your soul (Psalm 23)

May we go from strength to strength and bless people others as they watch our journey. May we seek Him. May we show people by our lives- our trust and hope in God!

Praises and Prayer Requests

-I took a few days out of Addis around our Easter (Fasika) holiday for time with God. I thank God for this rest I was able to have with Him.  

-We had a very successful EvaSUE Regional Coordinator Consultation week in mid-April. I appreciate so much getting to invest in and learn from my teammates. We praise God for all He did in the regions this past quarter!

-We had a very successful EvaSUE National Staff Meeting last week.  It was an amazing together out of Addis with our 105 staff. We had prayer, worship, training, and meetings, formal and informal. I was so happy to hear from our newest staff about their first year in some of the some of the hardest areas of this country. Praise God for His provision and protection over them and the impact they are having.  I was able to give a two-day seminar on "Balancing Life and Ministry."  I praise God for our EvaSUE staff-family!

-I want to give a big thank you to those who gave sacrificially this past quarter and met needs in big ways. God did so much through you! And for all you who faithfully give each month, thank you so much! God is answering prayers through your giving and impacting lives!

-I also want to give big thanks for the amazing and beautiful and fit and classy, best Mom in the world, Rosie Garrett. There are no words for how grateful we are for her life and impact on us Garretts-Martins and so many globally.  We will celebrate her this weekend on Mother's Day. We love you Mom!!! To all Moms- I wish you a blessed day and know we're grateful for you! Happy Mother's Day (on May 11th)

-Please pray for our water pump at our compound. We've had months now of inconsistent water supply. It's been alot of hauling water with jerry cans. We hope this will be fixed soon.

-Please keep our EvaSUE National Events in prayer.  We have to change locations this summer and this will cause a big rise in cost. If you'd like to give a one time donation to support these events, we'd be grateful!  You can do so through the link below.  If you want more specific information on needs, let me know too!

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

Thanks so much for your partnership with me here! 

Blessed month of May to you all!

Standing by Me

Who is standing by you?

Most of us feel better when we have someone standing beside us. There are tough times in life. We can run out of energy. We can run low on hope. We can run out of the ability to pray.  We can feel alone.

That's why God made us for community.  He made us to stay in relationship with Him, and with each other. Together, we can help each other keep going. We can encourage each other. We can carry each other's burdens.  

This past week, I went through the dreaded and never easy process here in Ethiopia to get my work permit and residence ID renewed.  This usually involves waiting in long lines and a high amount of stress builds.  It's a humbling process.  You're not permitted to present your own paperwork. An officer or agent of your organization or your top general manager or leader, has to stand by you and speak for you.  And usually, argue a bit, to pass you through.  

At the first office we had to pass through, the Labor Office, I watched Tewedaj, our EvaSUE officer, climb the stairs time and again, continuing to knock on doors and sit in lines to make sure my paperwork was moving the right way.  We had to make a scramble for more copies at one point and then make a bank run for a new charge at another point. When we thought we were through, time and again, we heard...No pass. No pass. No pass. Finally, at the end of the day last Friday, I saw Tewedaj come down from the Labor Office upstairs area with my paperwork in hand and a smile on his face.  He said, it's done.  I felt like laughing in relief and at the same time crying.  I think I was in shock.  God had done it again, the Labor Office was now finished!

The Labor Office in Addis

Our new EvaSUE General Secretary, Eyosyas, was up next to stand by me and represent me in the next step. It was time for the Immigration office yesterday.  This place in years past has always been challenging. We breezed through maybe five offices in about 35 minutes.  I sat behind Eyosyas as he represented me and we shockingly heard pass, pass, pass.  

Sitting behind Eyosyas, as he represented me

It was the fastest and easiest time I've ever had there.  I sat a bit dazed on the way home yesterday. 

Another year here in Ethiopia was given! How humbling!  I felt full of gratitude to be holding another one of these in hand....

It was amazing and a relief to have these brothers fighting for me and defending me.  They stood for me when I couldn't stand for myself. And many of my other teammates here had helped with the process as well. My one document that had been stuck for over a month pushed through right when the EvaSUE staff was praying for it.  

We can do this in the lives of each other.  Pray and stand for each other.  It's what we need to do for each other!

Also in my mind as I sat in office these past weeks, were the many times here when I didn't have anyone with me. I went in by myself. I remember the fear I had and the stress. 

I also remembered the seasons here when I also felt alone. 

Yet, what God has been reminding me of through these weeks is that I never actually stood alone here. God Himself was there the whole time, standing by me! He was in my corner, opening the doors at the right time, and giving me places to stand.  He was always standing by me, and still is!

God is for us and with us!  

Do not fear for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. (Isaiah 43)

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you  (Joshua 1:5)

Fear not for I am with you, I will uphold you with my right hand (Isaiah 41:10)

What are you facing in life now? Maybe no sees what you're struggling with.  Maybe you feel like you are alone. But God sees you. He's standing by you. You are not alone! He's there and He says to not be afraid!  He will see you through!  He doesn't leave us! He stays! 

As God stands for us, may we also stand by others in their times of sorrow or fear. When doors aren't opening, when illnesses are not leaving, when confusion is overwhelming, may we stand for each other and with each other.

There's no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friend (John 15:13)

May we represent God's love to people!  And keep standing when others don't!  

Praises and Prayer Requests 

-Praise God for the many successful regional events done by EvaSUE in February into March. Our staff hosted events all over the country and students were challenged and equipped to "Follow the King." The reports coming in from our staff are amazing! We're so thankful for all that God did and for all that He is doing in all regions! May the seeds of these events be watered! (there are pictures from all regions... too many to share... here are just a few....)

the East

Hawassa

Bahir Dar

Addis

 -Praise God that I was able to teach and train in two regions this past month. One of the regions, a northern area, involved a four-day stay. What a great opportunity to see a different part of the country and  God moving and working through our team and through students there!  

Loved my time in Dessie!

-I'm praising God again and giving thanks for my amazing parents, Jim and Rosie, celebrating another wedding anniversary on March 26th. They love God and each other so well!  Please wish them a Happy Anniversary with me on that day! They are so loved!

-Please be in prayer for a few more regional events to happen the last weekend in March here.

-Please also pray for our EvaSUE team as we gather to share about the regional events and begin planning for the national summer events this week into the time ahead.

-Also, please keep Ethiopia in prayer, some regions are not stable and a national election is soon.

-And let's all be in prayer for the Easter (Fasika) season as we countdown to remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus made to save us from sin!  The road He traveled for us, may we also be willing to travel for Him!

Thank you so much for your partnership and prayers! 

Let's keep following Jesus and standing in Him and for Him and for others!

Blessed Spring Season and Easter countdown to you all!

Surrounded and Held ...

As this new year has started and things are beginning to get busy, I'm still in shock as I travel to work, crossing streets and through communities here. There is massive construction underway all over the city. So many memories come to mind of years before here; ways I would walk, places I would have coffee and places where I would meet students. Change is everywhere. For me, it brings a mix of emotions; sadness to see former places gone and so many places looking gutted. I also feel deeply humbled to have had so many memories down so many roads here. I feel so much gratitude to have called Ethiopia my home. Many have left for various reasons over the years. Some have moved, some have passed into eternity. Through years and years and seasons here, how am I still here?  The only thing I can say is that I have no doubt that God has surrounded me and held me.  He never let me go.  It's so undeserved all the things I've gotten to do and the people I've had the privilege to walk through life with here. I'm so grateful!

God says He surrounds us. He hems us in. He goes before us and behind us. Even when we don't see Him or feel Him, He is there. He knows when we sit and when we rise. He knows every hair on our head. He sees the tears we cry when no one else sees. He witnesses every smile and hears every laugh. He sees every frustration and mistake. And He stays. He remains. He surrounds me.  He offers to surround us all. I'm so grateful and amazed!

God also holds us. I have no doubt God held me and is still holding me through my years here. His powerful right hand gave me courage to stand on platforms. He pushed me through traffic and shielded me through sickness, loss, solitude, even war. We are held by God! When storms rage, when friends leave, when disease attacks, when violence and war rips apart everything, when Satan whispers lies, God shields us. He lifts us up, stands us up, He rescues, redeems, pushes back darkness, demolishes strongholds and breaks chains! We don't have to fear what we are looking at.  God is ALWAYS bigger!  

Often we surround ourselves with wrong things, thinking those things will give us security or confidence or rest. We hold onto things and even allow ourselves be held by people or things that are not God and not from Him. Satan will lie to us and tell us that what surrounds us is what we need. He says what surrounds us is bigger than God.  He says what is holding us will overwhelm and overtake us. Satan is a liar!!!!

Who or what is surrounding you? Who or what is holding you? Make sure it is God!  Jesus paid for our place to be in God's hands.  We can stand in and with God because of Jesus! 

May we stay encouraged, confident, peaceful, and joyful as we know God and share Him with the world!  May we follow our Good Shepherd and trust He knows the way and will get us there!

Updates, Praises and Prayers

It's been a busy return to Ethiopia in early January. 

- I was able to celebrate my Dad's birthday on January 23rd from here. We're so thankful for the amazing Jim Garrett, 77 years young and the most humble and amazing Dad for us Garretts! Please high five him for his life and example any time you see him! We love him so much. Noah and Anna helped me celebrate my Dad here, also my EvaSUE teammates toasted him with snickers bars :-)

  

-We had training at EvaSUE with some international partners this month. One week was in our EvaSUE office and it focused us on how to keep our team healthy.  Then we had a Healthy Leader Retreat in the nearby lake town. This encouraged us to rest and we learned how to prevent burn-out. Praise God for the great training our partners gave!

Please pray...

-for EvaSUE- all our regions have regional events and area summits in February-March, ten regions! Please pray for staff traveling, for the plenary sessions and seminars, for the student leaders attending, for the funding needed- that God will anoint these gatherings for His glory and bring everything together according to His plan. This week, the East region has their summit! May students be challenged to "Follow the King"!

-for a Business for Kingdom impact competition EvaSUE is facilitating this month. We are so excited to have this opportunity to bless EvaSUE graduates with the chance to start kingdom businesses.  

-for my work permit and residence ID process- it will start this month and the expiration date is in late March. We pray the whole process will be smooth.  It needs prayer, it's never easy!

-for Ethiopia, there is an election in May that needs prayer. Also some regions are still experiencing unrest. Please pray for peace and for the Body of Christ to unify, pray, and lift up Jesus under very hard economic and political conditions.

If you'd like to join my support team or make a one-time donation for any of the regional events, you can do so through the link below. 

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

If you'd like more information on funding needs in any region, let me know as well.

Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!

Let's make a huge impact for Jesus in 2025 ... in honor and for the glory of the One who surrounds and holds us on life's journey! He is with us!