After the Rains...

I've learned to really love the rainy season here in Ethiopia.

I've always loved the sun...but having lived here in Addis for almost a decade and for most of the year- the sun shines... the gentle rains of June-July- August... almost feels like the fall season in the USA.

The fall season is my favorite time of year in US. I love the changing colors of the trees, football games, jackets, blankets, pumpkin candles and latte flavors.  I miss those days...

Well, the rains finished here in Ethiopia and the sun has been blazing.

With September, came Ethiopia's new year and new school years began for me and it has been a whirlwind. I've meant to to write an update many times, but days have zoomed.

I will do my best to share some of the big highlights in this blog post...

With the new year... I found myself and the three ladies that are like sisters to me (Shali, Hilina and Hidi)... praying over several huge things.  My Dad had two hip replacement surgeries...as most people know. The second one had some complications though, with the hip dislocating twice. So, on New Year's Day here (Sept 12)...my Dad had to have an emergency third surgery. That felt so stressful. Also in September.. Shali's sister was due to deliver a baby and Hidi's sister needed emergency surgery in Italy.  How do you celebrate life and a new year when your family is literally in hospital beds facing surgeries that could change their lives forever? I felt like we were all holding our breath and praying for miracles.. and we were.  And God did bless with huge miracles in September!  My dad's third surgery worked! Shali's sister delivered a healthy baby girl in South Africa and Hidi's sister also had successful surgery in Italy! God can take care of our families! Praise God! God hears us when we pray!  (ps... a church in Italy... was a great blessing to Hidi's sister...that will have to be written about in a whole other blog post...was so deeply touched by this church!)

 Other big things were happening / are happening with Hidi, Hilina and Shali...

Hidi won a place at GMA ...Africa... the Global Music Award competition. She is currently in Nigeria for 6 weeks competing against 30 gospel singers from all over Africa for the chance to win an international recording contract. To see Hidi chase her God dream was a blessing for us all. She's the only one representing Ethiopia.  Keep her in prayer! We are so proud of her!

Hilina and her husband Peniel...also gave us great and amazing news the past few months.  A baby is on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We all all screamed in delight and cried and have already experienced with Hilina the illness and changing mood swings of early pregnancy.  ha ha. We can't wait to welcome this new little one next year. We got our first photo of him/ her this past week and are still smiling! God is good!

Dad to Be, Mom to Be with Hidi :-)

Shali is set to leave this week for Poland for a two year Masters Program. Super excited for this lovely sister and the chance God has opened up for her.  We will miss her here too much!  Keep her in prayer as these details come together and she jumps with courage into this next chapter of her life this coming week!

Shali with her Dad- Kenna, New Years Day Sept 2019

On top of all the above family and life events... both schools I work at started and Amharic learning continued...

ETC was first. I began teaching in late August three classes... Communication, Intro to Youth Ministry, and Integral Mission.  I love the continued opportunities God has given me through ETC to help build His church here and consider it a great honor to know these students and be part of their stories and equipping for God's Work in and through them!

Intro to Youth Ministry Class

Communication Class

Integral Mission Class

Hope University College also began and my role for this semester has changed. The Dean of Students is on leave in USA and Management has asked me to cover her role.  This has been a huge step up and opportunity. I love the students at our school and feel humbled and honored to work with them in a greater way this year. Please pray for me as I manage a huge work load- to be the Dean of over 1000 students on our campus - that God will give wisdom and favor. Orientations were last week and continue this week.  Keep those in prayer.

Amharic learning for me continues as well. Keep that in prayer also. May God help me learn quickly.

When we think of rain, we can often think of storms. And though "rains" have ended here and were cozy and needed... storms continue...bad ones...in other places...storms fueled by hatred and violence and clashes... here and around the world. I'm amazed to see the numbers of cities and countries in conflict with protests in so many places. So many people now feel storms of injustice and poverty and corruption and they want freedom and rights and change and yet it keeps raining for them...with no sun or relief yet in sight.

Even here in Ethiopia, those storms are here as well. This past week, I could see smoke from fires lit on roads of people protesting. It's shocking.

So- what can we do in the storms of life when they continue to rage? One thing God has been teaching me and reminding me is that storms will continue to come and may rage around us, but they don't have to be IN us. God can give peace, joy, a steady hand and heart...that speaks and shines in darkness. God can calm storms and can calm us.  God is our light and hope. We need to show people Him... He can bring peace. May God help us all..

In this world, you will have trouble... but take heart, I have overcome the world
John 16:33

One other note on this time of year...it's birthday time. Our wonderful and amazing Mom- Rosie Garrett- celebrates her birthday today- October 27.

And my sister- Noel- Oct 29...Tuesday.

So very honored to have my Mom and Sister to celebrate...two amazing ladies and examples for me. My Mom- she's stylish, classy, funny, caring, she has a pastor's heart and loves us so much... she's a great cook and a great writer. So many things and ways she blessed us. She's a model of a Proverbs 31 woman.  Happy Birthday Mom...no words for how much we love you! We will celebrate you here today!

And B...my younger sister by five minutes.  ha ha. No words also for Noel Garrett. She's the humblest person I know and always thinks of others before herself. She serves, she gives, she models Jesus and lives Him out in her life. I've watched her in USA, in Czech, in Ethiopia, in Haiti...around the world. She's a missionary and a true Jesus follower. Her obedience has impacted my life and continues to.  I really can't believe I'm so blessed to have this Sister and Mom as my own. And then there's the great Jim Garrett. No words for him as well. He's loved us all and has led us so well. Now we also have Mike Martin- my sister's husband. An amazing pastor. So humbled to be part of this tribe.  Thank you God! Wishing this tribe a great weekend of birthday celebrations and continued blessings!

My Mom and Sister

Mom and B, A (me) and Dad 

B and Mike

Mike and Dad

Please pray for this week... and the months between now and Christmas. For Shali- Hidi- Hilina...and Nigeria, Poland, Motherhood...for dreams and plans and families and life- that God will be honored through all.

Please pray for ETC and Hope Univ College- that classes and teaching and leading will be done with wisdom and courage

Please pray for Ethiopia- for peace for the leadership and that tension will calm. Next year is an election year and God needs to help here.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister, recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize; pray for wisdom as He leads here

For the hard rains of life that people are experiencing globally- that God's light will be seen and felt and that encouragement will come in and through God's church and in and through each of us.

I do need to raise funds to come home for Christmas. Please pray about that if God would lead you to give.

Keep my family in prayer. And Happy B-day again to the Garrett women the next few days.

How can I pray for you?

Blessings this late October / Early November.. may God be our strength!

With Love from Ethiopia 

Breaking Point...Finding Courage to Do What Needs Done...

The calendar year is 2011 here in Ethiopia.

In less than one month, a new year will begin.

A new school year will start for me this week...

Looking back at the last year (Sept to Sept), what did God do? What did I learn?

Time goes fast in life. Years can pass in a blink. If you're not careful to think about your life and move to change things as God leads, you can go down wrong roads, get lost, and/or live outside of God's perfect plan for your life.

I was thinking the past few weeks about "breaking points" in life. Times that come when you KNOW something has to give, some areas HAVE to change. You can't continue as things are. You're tired of that area. Do you have one or two of those areas in your life?

We don't often don't like times in life when change is needed or happens. Change can be scary and it moves us out of our comfort zone. We get used to things and we often don't take action to change what needs changed. We don't look at closets that should be cleaned or conversations that need to be had. We think ... another day is best to face that. And we just never go there.

The problem is those unhealthy things or areas can cause an implosion. They can distract us and discourage us.  They can hold us back from moving ahead. Many of us have heard quotes or sayings for years about how change is necessary and requires work. And we may acknowledge the wisdom in those, but don't apply those to our own lives. Maybe you've heard some of these ...

But if we're honest, we don't like to really look at our lives and make the changes that need to be made. We may have to add things or cut other things. And those changes can be painful.

I think we often reach times in life though when we KNOW and desire change. And the good news is, God can help us do what needs done! Thank goodness...in weakness, He is strong. And the joy of Him is our strength!

God gives us great stewardship and responsibility of our lives. He gives us the authority and ability to move forward and to manage our lives, families, finances, and work with success. But, often, we get stuck and don't do what needs done for God to help us move forward.

For me, there has been a few big areas I've been looking at and making changes in and there's more to go as a new school year and Ethiopia year approaches. I'm tired of not doing some things and not getting some things done, and I'm at a breaking point. If I don't do these things now... I probably never will.

One big change I have made this past year was strategically adding in Amharic learning. Learning a language is alot of work. For years I had hoped I would naturally learn the language here. But it never happened on a deep level. So, this year, I changed my program, adjusted my budget and schedule, and added that in.  Though an increase in work, the change was needed and has been so so so good. I'm thankful to have made this move.

Another big thing I've noticed is the small apartment I live in ... has needed alot of change for a LONG time. Piles needed cleaned, appliances needed maintenanced. But I put it off with many excuses. I didn't want to take the time or the money to do what needed done. And honestly- some of the piles and closets...I was convinced were homes of the monster spiders, lizards and other unknown species that I would see crawl across my floor. And I didn't want to disrupt the mommas or papas there. But whose house was it? It's God's and mine that He gave me. So, come on Holly... me talking to myself...fix it, clean it, kick out and clean out what shouldn't be there!

So, this past month, my home has sincerely been a disaster. With the help of many, I've cleaned and had help cleaning piles and stacks and walls of things. We cleaned behind and above things and under things. I've had appliances maintenanced and have gotten new furniture. It's been SHOCKING the change. Why did I not do this years ago?  Hopefully in the next few weeks, it will be done. Again, it was a great and needed move!

I did find a frog in a pile.  And I did find only the head of a rat (the body missing)... the head was stuck in a cobweb attached to one of my bags. Yep. After screaming and nearly fainting, it was done. Cleaned. Out with the old and dirty, in with the new and clean. This is how our lives should be. Constantly checking , evaluating,  and doing what needs done to keep healthy and to be good managers/stewards of our lives, homes, relationships, churches... for the glory and honor of God!

Are you at a breaking point in some area of your life?  Are you tired of not facing the conversation, the dirt, the unhealthiness? Are you tired of not checking something off  your to do list? That thing has been there for years. It's time to get it done and move forward!

The good news is God offers to help us. His Spirit can empower us and lead us. God knows us and loves us. He knows the areas we hide from everyone else. He knows the things that need cleaned, changed. He promises to help us if we ask. He is making us new and can bring great things out of messes. He can take broken pieces and create a masterpiece. But we have to give Him ALL and ask Him to help us, to heal us, to move us forward. He says He will!!!

I will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,  the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair... (Isaiah 61:3)

In all you do, do it all for the glory of God... (Colossians 3:17)

Teach us to number our days ... (Psalm 90:12)

Watch carefully how you live, don't be unwise but wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil... (Ephesians 5:15)

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10)

For everything there is a season... a time to break down, a time to build...(Ecclesiastes 3)

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Will you let Him move in your heart and life? To break from you what needs broken off? To help you add in what needs added? Will you let Him give you strength, courage, to do what needs done so you can move forward?  He promises to go with you.  He's worthy of our trust and will help us turn a new page and will write a new chapter if we let Him.

He who began a good work in you will complete it... (Philippians 1:6)

I am making all things new... (Revelation 21:5)

O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.. 
(Isaiah 64:8 )

What do you need to do? Maybe live on a budget, get your mind/body healthy... get a checkup...join a small group/church... change jobs, start something, finish something... the time is now.

Sometimes you can't see the change that's needed or even make the needed change on your own. God's people and His Spirit can help you do what needs done. 

Please pray for me as I continue to look hard at my life and to make the changes with God's help that need to happen, so my life can be maximized for Him and by Him and with Him!   I will pray the same for you!

Happy new school year for those starting or sending those to school. And Happy New Year 2012 to Ethiopia in mid September. May God be with us and may we live our best days for His Glory as the journey continues for us all!

Praises/Prayer Requests
-My family gives praise for my Dad's second hip replacement surgery's success a few weeks ago. Please continue to pray for the amazing and charming Jim Garrett, we love him so much. May God fully heal him!

-Please keep my sister and her husband, Mike Martin, in prayer as they have now moved to Morrow, Ohio. Please pray wisdom, provision, and blessing for them as they pastor/lead a church there. We know God will use them in great ways!

-I'm very thankful for the busy few months back in Ethiopia since my sister and Mike's wedding...
I had the honor of helping with our Hope University College's graduation in mid July. Over 220 students crossed their college education finish line. It was a great celebration.

I taught a two week Intensive course at ETC- Health and Sport for the Church, this finished a few weeks ago. This was a great class and a time to challenge church leaders here to think of ways to use health and sport in and through the church as bridges to build relationships with people.

I had the honor of guest speaking for a youth group for two weeks. I did a series on Identity.  A highlight was the second week when several of my former students joined me in sharing their own lives and stories. So grateful to be part of the family of God!

And I was the guest speaker for a debut concert for one of my former students in Addis. I've continued in Bible study with three girls and I love these ladies so much. I'm grateful to live life with them and grow together in God

I'm continuing to take full time language classes.

I'm grateful for all God has done and continues to do here!

-Please pray for our new school year that starts at ETC this coming week. I will be teaching three courses: Intro to Youth Ministry; Integral Mission; and Communication. I'm humbled and honored to get to be part of life here... with some of the greatest people in the world.

-Please keep Ethiopia in prayer as she moves into a new year. The past few years have been unstable. Next year is a possible election. Pray for wisdom of the leadership.  God has this place and land!

How can I pray for you?
Please share and know I'm grateful for each of you.

Blessings from here and may God do a new thing in your hearts, lives, families, in the new fall season!