A Life that Shines ...

Last weekend, the MESKEL holiday celebration came again here in Ethiopia.  

Streets were decorated and crosses were put up and placed around the city. 

Big bonfires were built high... with a cross at the top of each.

.

History here says a bonfire was lit by one of Ethiopia's leaders long ago. The smoke from that fire led to the finding of a piece of the cross that Jesus died on.  

Here is more about the Meskel holiday:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meskel

Watching these big bonfires get built and then get lit ... all over the city ... is something to see!

I smiled in my area ... watching the activity surrounding it all ...

The bonfire built by our school compound gate

Meskel Eve... heading to watch the bonfire get lit

Lighting it Up

Watching it burn

And though I've seen this holiday for many years now... it's had me thinking this past week more and more about our lives and how they are supposed to be light in the dark... and how our lives also should be marked by a cross... one that is lit!

The cross (Meskel... in Amharic) is a significant symbol for so many reasons.   

For Christians ... it symbolizes an unbelievable sacrifice that was made. God's Son Jesus came and offered his life as a sacrifice for our sin. A perfect God has to punish sin ... but Jesus took the full wrath of God's punishment for our sin on Himself!   In this unbelievable move and act of love, Jesus became a door for us back to God. By accepting what Jesus did on our behalf, it changes everything for us.

You can now choose to stay separated from God...condemned and guilty...for now and into eternity...

Or you can choose to be WITH GOD through accepting Jesus's gift and sacrifice ... you can stand... FORGIVEN, INCLUDED in God's family, REDEEMED and NOT GUILTY...able to walk and talk and know God freely and forever!  

What an incredible move Jesus made and what an incredible gift we are offered...salvation and the ability to be part of God's family... not based on what we did or need to do... but on what Jesus did on the cross!

It's good news for us and for the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many people today sit in darkness and despair.  They are hopeless and feel stuck and abandoned, overwhelmed, discouraged, empty, and lonely.  

We have good news for all those in the dark and feeling these things...

John 3: 16-17..."For God so loved the world ...He gave His only Son..that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

1 Corinthians 15: 55-57..."God gives us victory over sin and death in Jesus..."

In our lives, we should carry with us the evidence of what Jesus did on the cross and what it means. 

The Bible tells us ...

Luke 9:23... If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me...

Why?

The cross represents JESUS, our Savior!  Carrying the cross daily in our lives shows people Him...it's a  surrender to and an acceptance of Jesus as our Savior and King.  We carry a cross....as we say.... "not my will, but yours be done." It's a  humility, a reverence, a gratitude, a connection to God in Jesus that we have.  It's peace with God. It's hope!  It's a commitment to live as Jesus lived and to serve and love others as He has loved us.

What's amazing to me is this cross in our lives can also be lit by God's Spirit.  As God pours His life and hope and joy and peace and love into our lives ... it becomes light in us ... as we are healed and made new. As we are changed and transformed...this becomes a shining light that others can see.

Do people see in you ... a life that shines?  Is there a cross? Can they see Jesus?

You might say ... "Holly... I'm not shining. I'm not lit. I'm just trying to survive.  The past year or more has made me tired, frustrated and overwhelmed.  People don't see Jesus in me ... I don't think. They see my stress and my fear and my fatigue."  

Covid has been terrifying globally.

My Dad first called Covid "spooky"- like a weird twilight zone or sci-fi movie that didn't seem really real or even possible.  

What we've learned is it's real and it can quickly take you down and even take your life. It gives perspective and makes you realize how short life can be and how quickly it can end.

So how do we respond? What can we do if the world seems to be getting darker and darker.... more and more scary...

Things that can make us afraid and overwhelmed have actually been with us from the beginning....

There have always been storms in us... and around us... that can make us terrified.

Maybe Covid hasn't terrified you...or made you afraid... but other things can or will....

A doctor's report.  Job loss. A relationship ends. A bill can't be paid. Other sickness comes, Disease. A death comes of someone you love. There is a fire. A flood. An earthquake. A War. ....The list is endless...  And of course- there's Satan- wanting to make us hide our light. He wants to crush us and the light in us.

But I believe God wants our crosses and our lives... to still be seen...standing tall and lit up... no matter what we face! 

Matthew 5:14 ..."You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.."

Matthew 5:15-16... "Let your light shine before men...."

The world needs to see the cross and the light and love of God.  The world needs hope and the good news that Jesus died to give us.  We have hope that isn't based on how we feel or what we see. It's based on who we are in Jesus and the promises God has given us!

This world is not our home and we're only passing through. To live is Christ, to die is gain. 

We have eternity with God, free from pain and suffering to enjoy forever. It's an amazing, undeserved eternity.  And life here on earth, we can live in victory and with hope and joy.  And our hope doesn't waiver or shift. Our end is already written, our lives already saved in Jesus Christ!  

Now, God wants us shine this truth and hold it up. We need to run to the darkness with this good news to share!

If your light seems dim and the cross not evident...

Just get close to God. Let Him breathe His hope and light onto your life and remind you of the cross and what has already been done for you...

See Jesus and embrace Him ... then watch your life be set ABLAZE!

May our lives be lights that shine!!!

Please pray this for me.  The world needs Jesus and we have Him to share!!!

PRAISES

Celebrations and Holidays...

I was able to attend Hope University's Graduation in late August and it was a great joy to see many of my best students finish. I enjoyed visiting graduation parties and saying "well done" to so many.

Hope University's Graduation ... 420 finished!

OC- a top Hope University Food Science Student who graduated, one of my favorite students! 
Pictured here with his lovely wife!

Sami- one of my best Arch graduating class students

Architecture 5th Year Graduates... See Ya :-)

Arch 5 Celebration Trip... Victory Walk

Gech and Jimmy... two of my favorite Hope Graduates...Environment Students

September brought the Ethiopian New Year - 2014. I really do love that I'm seven years younger here...

I was able to spend time with the Kenna family and also with Hilina (who is now my neighbor)and her family. I'm so thankful for these dear families that God has blessed me with!

Kenna Family...Love them!

Hilina and family

Hilina and Noah!  

ETC did give me a class to teach this semester... Introduction to Missions. This class has been a huge blessing for me!!!  I praise God for these wonderful church leaders and the chance to challenge them to reach the world for Jesus!

EvaSUE- I have had the chance to continue meeting with the staff of EvaSUE. This is a great campus ministry and connection point for me and could lead to future work and partnership. Keep this in prayer.

EvaSUE Leadership Conference...

I've been grateful for cups of coffee and good memories with many of the other family God has given me here too...

Catching up with Hidi, love this sister of mine

Catching up with friend and "coach"  Belay

Celebrating Abu's 22nd birthday, with Yabi...love these two!

May God lead us and light us in the way ahead!

PRAYER REQUESTS

A huge struggle this past month has been with my sister and her husband Mike both catching breakthrough cases of Covid. Please continue to pray for them as they recover.

Covid also has made many here sick... including some of my closest neighbors and students. Please pray for all.  

For Hope Univ- starting a new school year soon (week of October 11)- please pray that God will place me where He wills it and give me work that is meaningful for Him.

For ETC- for my class- that God will light me up every week and speak through me to these wonderful church leaders.

For good health and protection, for my Dad, Mom, Sister and Mike too...for health, healing 

-For Ethiopia, there is still fighting in different regions and a huge problem in the north Tigray area. Pray for the government- for wisdom and resolution and peace.

For EvaSUE- and my possible partnership with them in work-ministry in the time ahead; that God will open that up as He wills it.

Thank you for the prayers!

How can I pray for you?

May the crosses in our lives be lit and may we shine in the dark with the good news of Jesus!

Blessings to you and your family this fall season!  

GENTLE RAINS and FALLING TANDEM...

The gentle rains of this time of year have arrived in this part of the world.  

Sometimes the rains come heavy and strong and sudden. 

But mostly they are gentle and welcomed. 

They make you feel sleepy and though they often cause traffic jams, flooding to roads, and power outages, they are still overall peaceful.

Since returning back to Addis, I still feel largely grateful to be back.  I know that God sustains our lives and opens and closes doors before us and behind us...and I feel truly humbled to be back in this beautiful land with people I love and I'm ready to work and serve and give God my best here.  

Having now caught up with many students, friends, neighbors, staff, and those I consider to be family, ... the reunions again have been so sweet! 

And as I have listened to the gentle rains coming down the mountains and through the city, though those are peaceful, I still feel much instability and uncertainty here for what is ahead for Ethiopia. Covid remains with little access to vaccines. Cases are rising again and the delta variant is suspected for the surge. More urgent in peoples' lives is the economy with crazy high and fluctuating prices and the situation in the northern part of the country. There is growing fighting, famine, and fear.

What will the future hold? For life here? The places we work? For ministry?

It seems like in so ways many of us are still "falling" and are not sure of what things will be like when we land. There's discomfort in the unknown.

God has had me thinking about this more and more- as power goes on and off. As the rains hit my roof. As I sit in traffic and sip on the best coffee in the world....again... while listening to the gentle rains...

And for some reason, what God keeps bringing to my mind about this is tandem parachute jumping.

I'm not sure why. I've never jumped out of an airplane. Nor do I ever want to.

And how people can get a good selfie or have someone snap a good picture of them while falling is beyond me. How can you smile when falling???

I think my face would be more like this... HA HA...

If I ever had to jump out of a plane for some reason, I'd definitely choose to do it "tandem" as the people in these pictures did. That means an instructor is strapped to your back. That would mean if you fainted or froze, which would likely be me, your instructor could still pull what needed pulled and get you safely down.

God has been reminding me, that in life ... there are TONS of falls that happen. We trip ourselves. We get pushed. Yet God has been reminding me... thanks to Jesus...when we fall, we ALWAYS fall tandem. God is strapped to us... so we don't have to freak out or faint.  We can get down safely and rise back up!

God's Word supports this ...

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. Though they stumble, they will never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand  (Psalm 37:23-24)

Though the righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again... (Proverbs 24:16)

The Lord upholds all who fall ... (Psalm 145: 14-16)

Nations fall down and collapse, but we rise up and stand firm (Psalm 20:8)

If you're in a free-fall now for whatever reason, be encouraged! If you're in God's family through Jesus, you are "falling tandem."

God will guide your fall!!!

Maybe Covid has wrecked your business or finances. Maybe your health has had a scare and seems to be going downhill. Maybe a relationship ended or someone disappointed you. Maybe you've lost a job and nothing seems to be opening up.  Maybe you're single or married and something just seems unsettled.  Maybe sin has caused you to fall, or fall again, and you're plummeting down. There is fear and panic and sorrow and shame and loss.

Again, remember, if you're in God's family, you're falling "tandem." God is with you and can get you to where you need to be and can even give you an amazing ride as you fall!

What I've learned about these "free-fall" times- is they can actually become cherished because we learn to trust God and His voice the most when we are falling. While falling, He can show us Himself in new ways and show us things we have never seen before. We can actually sing our best songs of praise WHILE falling.  We can actually smile and worship God best at this time!

What I've also learned is your best ministry can happen while you're falling. There's a connection to God, a deep dependence, a humility, that God can speak through your life to others. People watch you. And you can bless them, by how you fall. Your fall becomes a powerful testimony, a bright light, as God opens new ministries and new insights and takes you to new places as you fall tandem- connected to Him!

Trust your Instructor! He has grace to give you, new chapters to write in your life. A fall is not the end, it can be a beginning! Trust God - who is with you!!!!

The Lord sustains all who falls and lifts up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14 )

I will be with you always, even to the end... (Matthew 28:20) 

Those who trust in the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles..(Isaiah 40:31)

He lifted me ... and gave me a place to stand...blessed is the one who makes the Lord his trust (Psalm 40: 2-4)

May we trust Him while falling and honor Him as we do!!!

Praises-Prayer Requests

Praises again for the reunions with staff-students-friends-family here. May God bless these relationships!

love having Hilina, Peniel, and little Noah as my neighbors!
What a Blessing and Joy!

Prayers for peace, health, safety, and for Ethiopia overall and for the leaders of the country

Prayers for open doors for work and ministry opportunities and courage in tandem falling and in advising others who are falling

Hope University- Prayers for the semester ending, Graduation at the end of August, my work with them in the time ahead- that God will lead.

Architecture GC- five years done!

Environmental Science GC- finishing 4 year degrees

IT grad- 4 years done!

some of my favorite graduates 

ETC- I've been asked to teach a class this semester- Intro to Mission - which will start after a few weeks. Pray for my preparation for this course- and that I can do my best with God's help to equip church leaders in mission.  I'm humbled for the chance!

love teaching at ETC!

and please pray that in the gentle rains...and tandem falls...that God will be honored by my life.

Blessings to you this fall season!

Thank you for the prayers and know I'm praying for you as well!

An Open Road ...

We all like the way ahead of us to be "open" ...

It seems the past 18 or so months with Covid hitting globally, the word we have heard and dreaded the most is "closed." 

School is closed. Work is closed. Travel is closed.  

What a difficult season it has been for so many.  

I think for years to come, we will still be thinking about lessons learned and the valleys passed through during this pandemic time.

In June, when I boarded a plane from Ethiopia to the USA, I prayed.... God... please keep the way "OPEN" ... so I could see my family and get the Covid vaccine. 

And I prayed for my way back to Ethiopia to stay OPEN so I could return to live with the people I love so much.  

Would God keep open what seemed to be shutting?  I braced for His will and His perfect plan and slipped in and out of a barely cracked "open door."

The way stayed "open" for me to get to the USA safely.  

Immediately I was warmed by the temperatures in Ohio and was shocked by the loud noises of what seemed like an Egypt plaque of bugs in the skies and trees. Cicada bugs had decided to visit Ohio when I did.  That was lovely. Ha ha. Also shocking was how late the sun stayed in the skies- until almost 9pm every day.  Had it always been that way? I appreciated my mask because I froze in air conditioning. And on my first full day back... I started the Covid vaccine process. I don't think many realize how fortunate you are to have access to this if you do.  I got emotional on both the first and second vaccine shots, knowing how so many around the world would love the chance to get vaccinated and how many didn't have the chance or take the opportunity and didn't make it.

Listening for cicadas...not a fan...

cicada

I enjoyed rest and time with my family so much. It had a been a long time it seemed since I was home for more than a month in the summer time. I visited with my Dad and Mom- enjoying Father's Day, shopping, and big walks. I was amazed at the big clean pieces of ginger in supermarkets and the overall selection of food available. A few times we opened windows and I could hear grass being cut and it reminded me of my childhood. I had icecream and lemonade. I was able to see some new movies in theaters with recliner seating. Oh my gosh. So so so nice.  I visited with my sister- Noel- and her husband Mike. We went to the zoo and biked around their lake. Even in 90 degree weather and I was sincerely melting, it was fun and so enjoyable. I celebrated the 4th of July (America's birthday) and dressed in red, white and blue... even getting our dog, Buddy, in his own patriotic attire, ha ha.

I love my family soooooo much and truly cherished the time!

Big, clean ginger 

Movies

Shopping

The most shocking animal at the zoo for me

Mike, Noel, and my Mom...checking out the reptiles :-)

A lion lounging, I don't like any size of cat 

Giraffes...always a favorite

Cold in AC

So much fun with My Mom 

4th of July... finding red, white, and blue 

Buddy in his buggy and USA scarf, ha ha

Also very memorable.... my Mom and I had a good laugh one day... that I will never forget. It's one of those laughs that come from deep in your gut that maybe happens once in a decade....we cried our eyes out, literally, we laughed so hard. We will never forget it. ha ha ha ha ha ha.

When the vaccine had finally almost fully set in my arm- I was only down to about a week left stateside and I quickly had the privilege to speak at some churches and do some presentations about Ethiopia. To have time with many of my long time supporters and share about all God has been up to in the last ten years of my time in Ethiopia...was humbling and so encouraging. To share the stories and introduce the family God has given me was a privilege-...  so so so good!

.

Thankfully, the door to return to Ethiopia remained...OPEN...so thankfully this past week...I slipped back into the land I love.

Arriving back in Addis is and can be shocking, even after living here for so long. 

Rainy season had definitely fully arrived. 

My backyard looked like a jungle. 

My first week welcomed me with bug traffic on my floor and about three days with no POWER, it continues to be off and on.

I quickly remembered that power is a luxury for most of the world and to not take electricity and a good network for granted. 

But I was and I am so happy to be back!

The reunions have been so sweet. With friends, neighbors, students, and the family God has given me here. 

big rains are here

Catching up with my trainer-friend-coach- Belay

Lunch with my new neighbors...Hilina and her family

Noah(T-p) - soooo cute

Catching up with Abu

I feel hopeful for the way ahead here...  and so thankful for the open door to return.

Though my "work" here might shift significantly in the time ahead, what I hear God saying is that ...

 HE IS My Place, My Portion. He always has been. It is He is Who I stand with and in!

With Him, the way is OPEN and the future... is His to write... He will open things in His time and way.

 I can trust Him!!

We can trust Him!!

He positions us and plants us. He lifts our head and establishes our steps. 

The way is OPEN because He is for us and with us!

He is..."my portion; my cup"... He has "made my lot secure" and He is at  "my right hand.. I will not be shaken..." (Psalm 16: 6-8).  

AMEN!  

The way with God is OPEN ahead of us, He makes a way when there is not one to be seen!

God is the Author and the Finisher of our life stories. 

On the highest and brightest mountains, He is there. 

In the darkest of valleys, He is there too. He carries us if we let Him. 

He never leaves us or forsakes us and His promises REMAIN for us.  

Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. 

He will finish what He started in us!

He opens and shuts the path before us, we can trust Him timing!  

He parts seas and levels mountains.  

He calms storms and crushes evil.

He removes obstacles and gives favor. 

He plants our feet and enables us to stand. 

His Spirit emboldens us and empowers us to be effective. 

His gives beauty for ashes and a spirit of joy for mourning.

He is our our Good Shepherd!

We have to nothing to fear about the future and our best days are still ahead, not behind!

You have taken hold of my right hand. You will guide me with your plan, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you and I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever... (Psalm 73:23-26)

Do not fear, for I am with you. I have summoned you by name, you are mine... Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way.... (Isaiah 43)

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water.  It will not fear when heat comes, its leaves will always be green. It has no worries in a year of drought and its leaves will never fail to bare fruit. ... (.Jeremiah 17:18)

If your way feels closed or you feel that something is blocking you in this season.......remember God is with you and He makes a way. 

We can sing in the dark and in the tight spaces because our story is not done or finished!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what I have prepared for those who love me..... (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I have set before you an open door... that no one can shut. (Revelation 3:8)

Our best days for God are still ahead and an OPEN road of life with Him is before us!

May we trust Him and move forward with confidence and hope!  

This is my prayer for my life and I will pray this for you as well!!!

Thank for continuing the journey with me!!! Your prayers mean so much!!!

Praises

-for the safe travel to the USA, time with family, and the Covid vaccine received

-for the safe return to Ethiopia

-for the Peace in Ethiopia, since the elections, so far

-for ETC- it had its graduation while I was away and I was so happy to see many of my best students finish their theology education. May God use these humble servants and bless them!

ETC... 2021 Graduates

Excited for this first graduating class of MA students in Youth Ministry

Prayer Requests

-for Clarity with work- that God opens up where that best is in my time ahead

-for Effectiveness

-for Good health

-for Peace in Ethiopia and wise leadership,  also for relief and remedy for the Tigray area and people there

-for Graduation at Hope Univ at the end of August- some of my best students will be finishing three, four and five year degree programs. Pray it's a great finale for them!

Arch, Year Five....finish line soon...GC

Arch , Year Five, GC

Jimmy, OC, Gech, ...Environment and Food Science GC Classes...
finishing soon, Year Four Students

Thank you again for your support and prayers!  Please let me know how I can pray for you as as well.

May again...we stand in the open place God gives us and represent Him well and never lose hope!