The Journey with God ...

Sometimes in life, when you've been in the same place for some time, it's easy to forget where you've come from and the things you've passed through.  It's also easy to forget what's around you now and all there is to enjoy.  And it can also be hard to get up above the busyness and stress of the day to see the way ahead. Often what's around you pulls you down so you can feel unable to breathe let alone smile.

The past six weeks or so, I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya twice.  Both trips gave me a huge lift up above the road I had been on to let me look around.  It was needed more than I realized and it brought me great AWE.

The first trip to Kenya was with one of my best sisters from Ethiopia, Hidi (Heldana).  I mainly went to Kenya on this trip to support her singing and a new ministry she is starting. Hidi and I were able to reflect together about the journey behind us in Ethiopia. We've seen many seasons together. Ones that made us laugh and smile, others full of much pain and struggle. Overall, we remembered and celebrated the goodness of God through it all! He has been a faithful Father and never let us go!

Hidi

Hidi also scheduled me in different places to do ministry while in Nairobi.  She told me she wanted to stretch me.  I didn't think I had energy left after the busy summer, but I felt God use me and I was reminded that the message of Jesus is a global one. We are to stand on every stage at every opportunity, as He opens that up for us and to testify.  I was so encouraged that those in Nairobi wanted to hear what we had to say and testify about.  What an honor!

We gave a teaching for youth at Hebret Ethiopian Church in Nairobi. Hidi also was part of their worship program.  What a blessing to meet this church!

Sunday youth program

Later in the week- a youth leader team from a big church interviewed us about youth ministry overall and about making disciples at the college level.  It was such a great time of experience sharing.

I was also honored to be interviewed on a Kenyan podcast about discipleship. 

Pastor Kevin, Kenyan Podcaster 

A highlight of the week was also to get to visit Life in Abundance International, the organization that first took me into Ethiopia over ten years ago.  To see how God has blessed Life in Abundance was deeply moving.  

Loved seeing Jay and hearing about LIA and how it's grown

Another highlight from the week was getting to see CeCe Winans in concert.  To hear so many people worshipping under the open sky felt like a glimpse of heaven.  It was deeply moving.

The next week, Hidi was given a huge opportunity to take the stage of a major gospel music festival. She did so with courage and with little preparation.  God used her in a big way!  Praise God for the way He opens things up.  God loves surprises and this was huge for Hidi and her career!  I'm so thankful to be part of Hidi's story and testimony!  I will share more in coming blogs about her new ministry.

Hidi and I also did a game drive, "safari." That was also a big highlight. More on that below...

I traveled to the US for a few weeks, and it was great to see my family.  I thank God for the few weeks of rest.  I was stateside when the Charlie Kirk assassination happened. That was so shocking.

I was reminded that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. And we need to be willing to stand up for our faith and to speak truth in love.  There are definitely turning points in life when God will remind you of this in a big way. There are times when we get off course or go down wrong roads. God can use our time alone with Him or even storms or tragedies to make us realize we need to turn.  Thankfully, He helps us at those times!  I'm praying for the US and that a turning point really will happen for Jesus! In dark times, His light still shines.  God is over every part of our journey!

Before heading back to Ethiopia, I returned to Kenya for the Global Missions Conference hosted by Life in Abundance International.  This trip also had a strong impact on me of lifting me up above the roads I've been running on to look around.  I heard and gained so much from the time.  There were timely and relevant trainings given on how to mobilize the next generation for Jesus!  The challenge was to use "what is in your hand."  So much great content was given about digital media and about youth. God blessed the conference so much. I literally saw LIA staff who I hadn't seen in over ten years.  What a family reunion!  I was also able to see them celebrate LIA's 30 year anniversary. Praise God for this impactful ministry!  

Some of the LIA staff, country directors 

 some of Ethiopia's best influencers

I was also impacted to attend many weekly programs of a local church (Renewal Church).  What a blessing to be part of the Body of Christ globally and to see small groups and hear authentic worship. This was so inspiring!

mid-week prayer program- Renewal Church- Nairobi

I was also able to return to the podcast I had been interviewed on a few weeks before.  I was so inspired to see Kevin (the Kenyan podcaster) and Yonas (an Ethiopian podcaster and a friend from my home church in Addis) - share their stories.   They are both using various platforms to reach youth and people for Jesus.  Praise God for their courage and dedication!

Kevin and Yonas interviewing each other

You can listen to Kevin interviewing Yonas' here:   

https://youtu.be/d2L3x4TdWfo?si=6tmGroSJuFUBHonE

Then I actually did one more "game drive" while in Nairobi.  It's the only capital city in the world with a game park in the middle of it :-)

When I was on the first game drive a few weeks before with Hidi, I felt giddy, like a kid.  I stood almost frozen in place with a smile on my face, looking out with awe the whole time for the three hour game drive.  I had been on a game drive over ten years before in Kenya, but I had forgotten how much it impacted me.

I felt the wind, saw the open spaces, and remembered the bigness of God and my smallness. Both the first time and the second time refreshed me so much.  God reminded me of just the joy of Him and being in all that He has made. His creativity and humor also made me marvel.  I laughed at the bigness of an alligator lounging on the shore and the hugeness of rhinos. The rhino in my opinion has to be a cousin of a dinosaur.  I chuckled at the hilarious "clothes" of ostriches and how a male approaches a female. The girl is plain and brown in color. The guy has pink legs and looks like he has a black suit on. To win the female, the male ostrich actually dances for the female and she either accepts him or rejects him. Too funny.  I also whistled long at the roar and stately walk of a lion coming down a path. WHAT?  Again, a smile could not be taken from my face.   I felt joy on the journey, both times.  I kept looking around with eagerness and expectation of God showing off.  Which I think we often forget to do in our day to day lives.  God loves to surprise and delight us. We often just don't take time to look for Him and how He's moving.

I believe God wants us to get with Him often so He can lift us up above the storms we are in or in the heat or pain of what we may experiencing to remind us of the overall journey. Where we've come from, where we are heading, and Him with us in the present.  There is joy to be found in each moment. Each breath. We don't go alone.  He also wants us looking around with expectation at what He might do or could do in our lives.  He is always at work, even if we don't see it!!!

Nature declares the glory of the Lord (Psalm 19:1)

I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3)

You will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it ... (Isaiah 30:21)

He can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine ...  (Ephesians 3:20)

I've been reflecting on my return back into Ethiopia for a new school year about how the journey with God is truly a gift.  There is always more to see and experience with Him.  

May we remember the journey we are on with gladness and enjoy God with us!

Landing back in Addis ... the journey continues...

Please keep me in prayer here and I will do the same for you!

May we remember the journey with God is a gift!  May we live with purpose and intentionality!  May we not miss opportunities to know Him deeper and share Him!

Praises

-Congratulations to Daniel Bachman, my long-time friend in Louisville, KY. I was able to see his wedding while in the US.

-Happy Bday to Abu- 26 years old!  

Happy Birthday to Abu, 26 years old, mid Sept

-Happy Birthday in late October to my amazing Mom- Rosie, and to my sister- Noel!  I love these ladies and the great Jim Garrett (my handsome Dad) so much!  

My beautiful Mom watching my home church in Addis, ACLA 

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for EvaSUE- as we continue planning for the new school year ahead

-Pray for EvaSUE new staff who are in training for the next three weeks.

-Pray for the new year, 2018, in Ethiopia, that young people will be mobilized to reach their campuses for Jesus and that the kingdom of God will advance here and beyond, that Jesus will be shared and disciples made

-If you'd like to make a one-time donation to the work here or join my monthly support team, you can through this link:

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

Thank you and Blessings!