Not a "Good Friday"

I'm not sure if anyone in the world now would say this Friday is "good" or that in a few more days ... we should prepare ourselves for a celebration.

In most places in the world... doors are closed...faces are covered...streets are empty.

Coronavirus has effected almost every country- drastically altering lives.

There is a heaviness and dread in many places... as "positive" cases and death rates increase.

A blanket of uncertainty and fear can be felt.

Will humanity come out of this alive? Will my family? My community? My country? Will I?

Will jobs be there?

Will life ever be like it was before? When there was freedom to move? Freedom to greet others and share meals? Freedom to travel? Or has those shifted forever into history?

All of those are big questions for this Friday that will still be there on Sunday.

Here in Ethiopia, Covid 19 has arrived. But we really don't know for sure it's reach. Testing is minimal. But it's influence has still been felt. Schools are closed. Gyms are closed. Many churches are closed. Many businesses and places where I like to study and work are closed.  For me- it's felt like a major disruption.

I think in Ethiopia the effects overall compared to other places have been minimal. Our supermarkets are still open. . Supplies still seem largely in stock. You have to wash your hands before entering places and you're spread out on taxis and in lines- but not everywhere. But people know its here.

There's not a feeling of celebration- as usually is the case now. As the Easter (Fasika) holiday approaches- there is usually anticipation and excitement mounting. This Sunday is Palm Sunday called Hosanna, usually such a colorful holiday. And next week is Easter, which will end a long time of fasting for many.

But again, the mood doesn't seem right. Faces seem downcast. There is fear in peoples' eyes.

This Friday and next Friday... doesn't feel good and probably won't feel good. There is stress and fear about so much.

Yet even if we don't feel like it's a "Good Friday" ... the fact remains though...that there was one.

Over 2000 years ago, a Friday happened that led to a Sunday that would change everything for all of us. That is why we can EVEN YET.. CELEBRATE!

God's Son Jesus came and in his final three days..on a Friday to a Sunday....He finished what He came to do. In an incredibly humble life marked with love and grace and power and truth, He finished it...dying a death that was supposed to mine and yours and then He ROSE. WHAT? He got up! And because He lives, so can we! Because He got up, so can we! Because He conquered Satan and death, so can we! We can rise!

Jesus paid for our sin and offers us forgiveness and a new life. Accepting that gift changes everything! Your identity and perspective and foundation shifts. Your eternity shifts. Our hope and our life becomes not about us but about Him. Our security and our purpose is not found in a relationship or in a job, but in God and with God. And nothing can separate us from Him.

We realize.. to live is Christ, to die is gain.

So when storms come, when plagues come.. and they will... it doesn't change the fact He's with us. We can endure. Sickness will come. Betrayal. Pain. It's part of life on the planet. But we can pass through and even rise because in us a risen Savior lives. We can overcome and be better from what we passed through!

So what will you do with you life now, your time?  In this weird period of history, during an epidemic, what will you do? How will you live?

You might say... I know what I will do after Covid 19 finishes. Well, maybe it won't finish... so what will you do NOW? Now is what we're given.

God wants us to love Him and love others NOW. How can you do that from your home? Even under "lockdown" or with social distancing?

As an American, we struggle with "down time." We think being still is often a waste. But God wants us to be with Him. Sit before Him. Study Him. Learn Him. Talk to Him. Worship Him. He's there. He's in your home. In your closet. Get in there with Him and shut the door. Be with Him!  This time can be treasured.

He also wants to love others. Check on them. Call them. It's time. Forgive. Why? You can. Maybe tomorrow... that will be even more difficult.  Love your family. Enjoy the time with them if you're with them. It's a gift.  I've loved seeing pictures of families together... having dinner, making funny videos, doing crafts, parents homeschooling kids... you won't forget these days.

If you have talent or a skill- use it for God during this time. Write. Draw. Paint. Plant. Sing. And share God's love and His message with others. This is still in your hand to do.

I've been trying to write the book I tried to write years ago. It's time to finish!

Some day soon I hope, when the "plague" has passed by, we...like the Israelites coming out of Egypt... will leave our homes with songs of gratitude and joy as we march out and shout we made it!

But even if we don't, we do have freedom to celebrate in Jesus Christ and we can march into forever with Him!

Be encouraged. For even if it's not a good Friday, we have a "Good Friday" to celebrate...when Jesus finished what He came to do.

And then came Sunday... He rose up and walked out in victory...so we can as well!

 Let's celebrate that Good Friday and that Resurrection Sunday because it changed everything!

Because He lives.. I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives...all fear is gone
Because I know, He holds the future.
My life is worth living just because I know He lives.

Victory in Jesus, My Savior Forever.

Celebrating that Good Friday with you and That Resurrection Sunday!

Praying for you and us All,
With Love from Ethiopia,
Holly

LIFE INTERRUPTED.... Keeping Hope and Finding Rhythm

Living in Ethiopia for many years now, what I've learned is that life here has daily "interruptions."

Power is interrupted. Network is interrupted. Huge cattle run through the streets interrupting forward progress. A donkey can bray outside your classroom for an hour disrupting your teaching. A sudden rain storm can cause blackouts. A sudden feeling of nausea can hit and you are sick in bed for a few hours or days. A lizard gets in your home and you can't catch it.

Tons and tons of interruptions here can have you automatically shifting to a plan B, C, D, E, F, even Z.

It's a culture where you have to just go with the flow, you hurry to wait, and you learn to do your best to relax and just take life as it comes.

And you definitely pray... because you do have many days and times when you remember that God is the One who keeps you safe and alive. And without Him ... life is too hard..

Despite learning to live very adaptable here and prayerful, the past month or so, has seen some MAJOR disruptions that has literally caused shock and has brought days and movement to a standstill.

For me coming back into the new year, I still hadn't found good rhythm just overall with a schedule. My ETC and HUC schedules and positions have changed and are shifting and that still is not set...so I was already feeling a bit of unsteadiness in my pace... when a first major shock came.

For me, the first major news that shook me here and others was an accident that happened. A well known British-Ethiopian.. Caleb Meakins... who was inspirational to many... was injured in a car accident and he was put into ICU for a week. For many who knew Caleb- he literally had such a bright light for God... that it felt like Addis suddenly had the lights turned off and the oxygen depleted. Accidents, even tragic ones, are not uncommon here. Yet, Caleb was a church youth leader, elder, business owner, ..so full of life and humor and creativity and energy...and he was so well known, so well respected, and so well liked and admired.. that the accident brought shock. And though his church family and many globally prayed for a miracle, he ended up passing away. For many here, the shock of that remains and there's still sadness.

Caleb and his Grandma

Caleb's Mom and Sisters at his funeral.

Then came the Coronavirus.  Goodness. Talk about something that has interrupted life for so many now globally. It's been shocking to see the news. To hear whole cities and now even countries on "lock down." Cruise ships unable to dock and let passengers off. People fighting over toilet paper. What? From here in Ethiopia, it looks like madness.

And people of course have been praying it stays out of this part of the world for so many reasons. But just a few days ago, the first reported case here was confirmed. So now.. there's uneasiness and fear. For here in Ethiopia, the medical facilities and supplies are not enough. It's a group-oriented culture. You share food, you share tables, you shake hands and you kiss cheeks in greeting. And I would also say...you sneeze freely and cough often. It's just part of life here. There's dust, heat, and your throat is often dry. And there are large populations of old people here. Literally, it seems, to stop the spread of it here would be impossible and it could wipe out a huge portion of the population. So what do we do now?

How can we keep hope and even rhythm when life is interrupted?

I think in this time of isolation or self quarantine for many, we can take the space given to really evaluate our lives....

What do we do in our lives and why? Are we maximizing our lives, living in appreciation of our days? Have we done what we've been made to do? If God does call us home now, have we had the conversations we've needed to have? Have we said sorry? Have we told people what they've meant to us? Have we shared with people about Jesus? 

And if and when life does return to normal...do we need a new rhythm ...new focus areas, new priorities?

My prayer has been..." God...teach me to number my days...and forgive me God for any time I've wasted or times I've missed. Give me new chances to share..to show you, to love you through my life and the days you give me that remain."

God is the Author of our days. Our time has already been set.  We don't have to be afraid. Our life is actually just a short "trip" ... through a world that is not actually our home. Our time here is not the biggest part of our existence. God has created people ...in His own image... to be with Him forever. And when this life ends, our life with Him continues. We don't have to fear the door we pass through. But we do need to be ready. And with the time we're given here, we need to do our best to leave a mark, bring a change...

Caleb said it well ...

With coronavirus, it's bad and dangerous.... But there was and is another "killer" still rampant on planet earth. And what you do NOW..about that...affects your forever. A long time ago, a virus.. sin... came into the world. It disrupted everything. Polluted everything. It was the worst virus without a cure. It caused brokenness, selfishness, greed, pride, and utter destitution and destruction of heart and life. It brought death... eternal separation from God forever. And you can still see it's here. But God gave the cure, the remedy... that can keep you vaccinated and safe with God forever. And that remedy- is a person- God's Son- Jesus Christ.  If you don't have this cure from this virus, that is the one you have to fear the most.

Caleb knew this and shared this. So should we...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkMiEQ4Pq68

In the disruptions of life... when we're reminded of it's brevity...we can stand on the hope we find in Jesus. We have been saved from sin and have life forever with God. God is for us, with us, and nothing can separate us from Him, In trouble, He's peace. His hope is living and doesn't change or fade. He's a rock we can climb on and rest on- a refuge and our great joy and portion.

We CAN keep running confidently towards home... inviting as many people as we can to go the same way.

In the disruptions of life...as they continue and even get worse.. may we keep our eyes on Jesus, our hope in Him, our message- Him, our strength- Him. May we keep pace and not lose heart or hope!

When the lights go out, the doors close, in isolation, in quarantine, in panic, in darkness... may the light of God's people... the hope of Jesus... be bright and shine in us for all to see! For our hope remains.

I'm praying for you! Please pray for me here as well.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for many who are still facing tragedy and loss here, that God will comfort

Please pray the coronavirus ..that it will not spread here. For protection of the vulnerable and wisdom for the government. For chances to share the hope of Jesus.

Please pray for ETC and HUC- that I will represent God well at both schools.  I have a Health and Sport Class at ETC. And we've just started a new semester at Hope. I'm transitioning to be the full-time Student Dean at the school- pray for that huge chance

Please pray for a good schedule at both schools and continued favor to speak, teach and lead

Please pray for good health and good impact

As the countdown to Easter continues, may we remember...the tomb is empty. Death has been conquered! and Our Savior lives!

Let me know how I can pray for you!

Here are some pictures...

Quiet Time with God... where perspective and hope is found

Health and Sport Class- ETC

HUC...new semester and office renovations

HUC's Student Parliament...so honored to work these student leaders

A NEW YEAR ... With the God Who Stays...

Landing back in January for another year in Ethiopia is always a quick adjustment.

One school, ETC, is preparing to start. The other school, HUC, is finishing the semester with exams.

There are two big holidays- Christmas and Timket.  January is huge...

Adds Ababa

Looking back, and planning ahead

Holidays

Christmas with the Kennas

Timket...

There's unpacking, cleaning, and reorganizing to do. The warm sun is shocking and the air often brings a cold and some nausea. But, having done it many times, I just try to get my legs back under me so I can stand up and run hard and confident into a new season.  I'm really so humbled to get to live life here.

My Dad's birthday is also in January...it's TODAY... January 23. More on than in a bit... because about the great Jim Garrett, there is so much to say about this amazing Dad!!! I'm so proud to be one His girls. Here we would say..."Abat-te..yene ambasa"..."my dad, he's a lion! We love him so much!

2020. A new year. What will the new year bring? May God take the lead!  All is in His hands and it's His call! We can trust Him to place us in His time and in His way.

When I was in Ohio for the holidays a few weeks ago, one song I heard repeatedly on the radio was "The God Who Stays" by Matthew West.

Those words have kept coming back to heart and mind as I've settled back in for another year here....

THE GOD WHO STAYS

(Verse One)

If I were You.… I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
'cause I feel just like a lost cause

If I were You.… I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
'cause I feel like I'm beyond repair
but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

(Chorus)
You're the God Who Stays, You're the God Who Stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God Who Stays

(Verse Two)
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way

…but somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

Have you ever like you've been left? Abandoned? Not chosen? Someone didn't stay for some reason.. and you felt forgotten and discarded?

Thinking back over my life, I've met so many people who have impacted me greatly. Some I thought would be there forever, but few have stayed.

Life has different seasons and God has different reasons for bringing people into your life.  This one quote I read rings very true ...

But a constant in every season of my life has been.. God! He stays. It's shocking His ability and consistency to give us grace. To not run when it's deserved. To not abandon us or give up on us. He stays!

I think there's no greater pain than to feel abandoned or left.

Sometimes just life causes people to leave. Death separates. Changes in jobs or schools can create distance. Sometimes we choose the break. Other times, sin does or selfishness. Other times God might tell you to let go.  But it all feels bad usually- to lose a connection. Satan likes to hit that wound over and over so confidence is crushed and hope. He wants you to lower your head and slump your shoulders and make you think you weren't enough for whatever reason and that you're alone. He's such a liar!

The good news is .. we have a God who stays! He believes in us...has chosen us. And He doesn't leave. Nothing can separate us from Him. We can base our life in Him and on Him and be fully satisfied in Him. That unconditional love is shocking.  He lifts our head, enables us to stand on the heights and says...I am here, I'm staying with you!

You are chosen people
1 Peter 2:9

Nothing can separate us from the love of God
Romans 8: 31-39

He enables to stand on the heights
Psalm 18:33

I'm so thankful for the God who stays with me!

If you're feeling abandoned in this new year already. Or maybe feeling like you've never been chosen at all, don't be fooled. You are GREATLY loved. You have been chosen and not left. God goes with you into this new year. A faithful partner, a forever friend, a reigning and victorious King, a Good Shepherd, your Savior and Merciful High Priest.  Take confidence in Him.  He's with You!

May this be my greatest year with Him and for Him! This is my prayer for 2020!

Listen to this song and be encouraged ...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMVSdIjBcg

Today, I'm also grateful for another who has stayed through all the years and seasons of my life. The great Jim Garrett, My Dad. He has stayed with us, provided, encouraged and remains. No words for the example He is for our family and how much we love Him!  Happy Birthday Dad! So thankful that God gave us YOU...to lead our family. We will celebrate you here and around the world!!!  You're an example to us all!  We're so proud of you! Please wish my Dad a Happy Birthday today or give him a hug or call (1-23-2020)

In 2020, may we stand on and with The God Who Stays. May we walk with Him and know Him, and we can thanks to Jesus. May we show others this unconditional love. May we share Him with others. Praying for you and please pray for me as well.

Other Prayer Requests for the New Year...

-Please keep ETC in prayer as the new semester continues to kick off this week.
-Please keep Hope University in prayer as my position transitions and that God places me in His best place.  The semester is finishing and is in final exams now.
-Please keep my work permit in prayer, it's in process and is always a challenge.
-Please pray for good health and great impact, leaning on the God who Stays!

How can I pray for you?

Grateful for you, Stay hopeful in God!

Holly 

LIGHT IN THE DARK... Thoughts for Christmas 2019 and the New Year 2020

Darkness fills many people’s lives and hearts and homes. Sin and selfishness, shame and guilt chase us and cause us to hide. The darkness in us is there. The darkness in others is there. People we love can let us down and disappoint, and we can walk around deeply wounded. We can disappoint ourselves. Making the same mistakes and knowing better but not turning. We might try to show others a happy face and life- but the reality is… life has hard seasons, darkness is constantly lurking, and it threatens to overwhelm us.

We have to make sure to stay in the light- which is Jesus. It’s not a religion you commit to, it’s a relationship. It’s a choice daily to stay with Him. Jesus is the light we need- a hope that doesn’t fade, a peace that isn’t circumstantial, and a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is our Savior, He runs to us when everyone else runs out. Through every season of life … this King, our Shepherd, our Merciful High Priest, the Lamb that was Slain, the Lion of Judah… walks with us and lights our way with His Word and His Presence.  There is light in the dark that we can hold to!

The Lion of Judah is our Friend - King 

This time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the decorations, flavors, lights, and shopping of the season.

May we pause to bow a knee and dip our heads and hearts in reverence to the greatest gift given to us from God- His Only Son… to do what none of us could do…to offer payment for our sin so we can be part of God’s family forever.  A light that gives life to us was born. Jesus came to light up the darkness and to never leave us!

Is there light in your life? In your home? In your marriage? In your church? Or is darkness invading? Push it back and stay in the light. Stay with God.  Stay connected to Him and watch what He can do in you and through you!

Matthew 4:16

Those living in darkness have seen a great light…

John 1:5

The light shines in darkness and the darkness does not overcome it…

John 8:12

Jesus says.. “I am the light of the world, those who follow me will never walk in darkness…”

 I’m home now from Ethiopia for a few weeks, and I really do love this time of year. The Christmas season is for Christ and I’m so happy to get to spend time celebrating Him with my family.

It’s also a time to pause and think of the past year and plan for the new year.

What happened in 2019? What did God teach me? Did His light in me shine? What did I learn?

When I look back at 2019, it’s shocking how many hills and valleys were passed through.  Personally, professionally, there were ups and downs, valleys and mountaintops. There were great cries and great laughs, there were great tears and great smiles. Such is life. May we live it well and love God well and represent Him well… lighting up all places for Him!  

As a new year starts soon….  May we check the light in us and if darkness is lurking to run from it in the name of Jesus!

May our lives tell the story and show the story … that light wins…. Jesus wins! Satan and darkness loses.  God is our portion!

Know Jesus. Unwrap Him in your heart and life. Follow Him, allow Him to reconstruct your wiring so you’re connected to Him, and shining for Him!

Thank you for those who have faithfully given to me and prayed for me! You’ve helped keep me in Ethiopia and I’m so grateful.  I’m truly humbled to get to live for God in such a beautiful country with beautiful people. What an honor it is to be stretched there, broken there, lit up there for our great God!

This past fall season, God moved my life from impact over hundreds to thousands. And positioned me to be used by Him in a greater way. May God light my heart and life today, tomorrow and into 2020 and may all honor Him!  May God light up the dark ..using my life as He wills…in the new year!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… filled with the light and love of Jesus!

Here are some pictures /highlights from this past year…

January 2019- Peniel and Hilina Wedding

My sister Noel and Mike's Wedding, June 2019

My Dad- three surgeries in 2019, both hips replaced

One full year of language learning

House renovated and clean, summer 2019

January Intensive Class 2019...Intro to Youth  Ministry

Health and Sport Class, ETC, Spring 2019

Intro to Youth Ministry, Fall 2019

Communication Class, Fall 2019

Health and Sport Class, Spring 2019

Health and Sport Class, Intensive July 2019

Integral Mission, Fall 2019

Kenna Family, all holidays celebrated with them

Hope Cup Football Tournament, Success, Spring 2019, HUC

HUC Graduation, July 2019

ETC Graduation, May 2019

Workout and gym time continued, 2019, All Year

Student Parliament ...New School Year October 2019

Student Parliament... Building Student Leaders

The Great Ethiopian Run with HUC Students

Hidi to Nigeria, she made it to the finals!

Shali moves to Poland for a two year Master's Program

HUC... Student Dean Position...October 2019 to now

Culture Day December 2019

Prayer Requests…

-I still need to raise money for my airline ticket back to Ethiopia in early Jan 2020. I also need to continue to raise money for supplies. Please pray these needs can be met and if you want to still give ...send to my home address. Thanks so much to those of you who have given so far.

-Ethiopia- May/June 2020...there will be a big election in Ethiopia for the Prime Minister. Please pray for peace!  God needs to help!

-Please pray for this holiday time, though it's short, I can get needed rest and visit with my Dad, Mom, Noel and Mike and many of you.

-Please pray for my return back to Ethiopia in early January… Please pray as I adjust my schedule, that God will position me at both schools as He wills

- Please pray for the Student Dean Position I've been doing at HUC, that God will use my life to bless the 2000 students and staff at the school

Please write or call me and let me know how I can pray for you this holiday season and new year.. I would love to hear from you. 

Blessings to You Always, I'm grateful for you!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy/Blessed New Year 2020!