When It Rains .... It Pours

Well the rains have returned to Addis, rainy season having officially arrived.

I can hear the rains coming down the mountains or see them coming through the city before they get to me. And if I’m not paying attention, when crowds of people start running or street vendors start scrambling to pack up, I know I have seconds to get an umbrella up or to take cover before getting drenched to the bone.

For some reason, the rains seem longer and harder this year. There have been large chunks of ice mixed in.  Sometimes it sounds like my roof will cave in. The rains also change direction quickly and things start to flood. Taxis pull over. Traffic comes to a stop. Roads instantly become rivers.

Even the network and electricity seems tied to the downpours. When it rains, everything goes dark and things disconnect.  This is not new here, yet still remains a mystery to me.

When it rains here, it definitely pours.

For me, it seems, this is also what has been happening globally.  Torrents and torrents of problems have come crushing down on the world …one shoe drops… and then another… people are being crushed by storms and unexpected problems and heavy situations. It’s been shocking to observe.

If one thing hits, you hold your breath, waiting for the next thing. Not only are people masked, but they’re also holding their breath behind their masks.

The ability to breathe freely and easily, to relax, has seemed stolen. When will the next storm come? What bad thing will rain down next on families, communities, cities, countries, and the world?

Here in Ethiopia, we also have not been spared from the crush.

First of course… came coronavirus. What a crazy thing. Here in Ethiopia, it came slowly. But it did start to spread and is continuing to.

As numbers began increasing, things began closing. The storm came and rain fell. People hid in homes and behind masks. They shut schools and shops. Streets grew quiet. We waited and looked out the window. Would the germs reach into our compounds, into our bodies? There was worry and fear, as activity ground to a halt.  It seemed like a bad dream and still does.

As this storm pounded… and this trouble rained on us… then another came from a different direction that no one was expecting. Unrest came to our city.  A popular singer was murdered in Addis and it sparked days of unrest. Things were set on fire, mobs of people roamed the streets. Shocking.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53298845

Then the government blocked the internet to try to get control, disconnecting those of us who live here from easy communication from each other and from news. It was like the world went dark and silent.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/outrage-ethiopia-continuing-internet-blackout-190625105401629.html

Internet only now, weeks later, has slowly been turned back on.

And with it coming on, I’ve seen more shocking news from my home country, the USA. Racial unrest and covid cases increasing. So many problems!

And around the world, it seems ... no one has been spared from the pouring and blinding rains of sickness, insecurity, injustice and fear. Madness has arrived to our planet. No where seems unaffected.

What can we do? How can we survive? Even thrive, if that’s possible?

This madness…sickness, anger, racism, etc, has always been part of our planet. I think for many though, it was under cover. We medicate, isolate, insulate, so we don’t see it. But these things have always been part of the world. But these things have exploded now so we have a deep realization of the fragility and brevity of life and the sickness and madness here. We can't control it. And it's spreading. All of this can be overwhelming.

Yet, there's is hope and perspective and even peace and joy to be found!

God has continued to teach me during this time and remind me of so much. I’m so thankful that He’s not surprised by big crazy storms and no rain is too big or wind too strong to push us out of His arms. He has us and He has a plan. Life is about perspective and purpose. It about keeping our hands open.

NOTHING is ours to keep. We cling to things all the time…saying… it’s MINE! Job-MINE. Family- MINE. Health- MINE.  Relationship- MINE! My LIFE- MINE! But all we have is actually HIS. Our very lives are authored and sustained by God. We can’t cling to our lives or our stuff. We have to keep our hands open. He gives and takes away. We can praise Him whether those hands are full or not.

Psalm 100:3
Is is God who made us, we are His

Psalm 54:4
It is God who sustains our lives, He is our helper

Job 1:21
The Lord gives and take away, may the name of the Lord be praised

He’s been reminding me these days- that only with Him is there shelter. Storms come and rage, but He has a place, a rock, that is Him. He covers us. We might lose homes and jobs or other things, but the greatest thing we have, the salvation of our souls given to us in Jesus, can’t be shaken or taken! We guard that deposit in us, we nurture that relationship. Heaven is home. God is our shelter. Our work and purpose through all of our life here on earth is to worship Him and to know Him and to share to Him. We can do that... in masks or not. It’s our honor and our joy and privilege to make Him great!

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with His wings

Psalm 9:9

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed; a stronghold in times of trouble…

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock and my fortress; my deliverer

Psalm 27:5

In the day of trouble, He will conceal me… In the secret place of His tent, He will hide me, He will set me up on a rock

It’s interesting that God has been teaching me more things through where I live. My little one bedroom apartment has felt like a little cave in our gated and guarded compound. I’ve felt safe here.

The funny thing is …for most of my life here- I haven’t been at home much. So…the past months ..of having to do more at home and even work from home- God has taught me much about keeping my house in order- as I wrote about in my last blog.

An interesting thing recently - is a few of my colleagues/neighbors saw my home. And they wanted to help me fix it up. So as I let them in- and I have watched drop jaw as they cleaned and upgraded and decorated my little cave. I've just watched in amazement. That though covid and even when unrest was still around- inside my home ... it was upgrading. 

God has reminded me- the same can happen in us, His people, in me, during this time.

The Holy Spirit lives in you, in me, if you are in Jesus. And if you allow Him free access into every corner of your heart and mind and life- He can clean it, change it, heal it, restore it, redecorate it, YES even now when these storms are still pouring and pounding through the planet. He can do His best work when we’re quiet and humble and willing...NOW!

Many people say to me ..."after coronavirus is gone or calms down, then I will... do this or that or change this or add this." Yet, I believe God wants to do His greatest work in you, in me, NOW.

Will you let Him into every part of your life? Into your closets that you've hidden away? Let Him under your bed, behind your curtains, let Him take out the trash, clean out the cupboards. He can sweep things out, put other things in. Will you let Him? He is the ultimate interior designer. He can remake you from the inside out! NOW

Revelation 3:20
Behold I stand at the door and knock

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know, God's Spirit lives in you?

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things...I am making all things new

Philippians 1:6
He who begin a good work in you is able to complete it...

When people look at you now, talk to you now, what do you reflect? Do you reflect and project the storm back at people? The stress, the fear? The uncertainty?

Or do you glow from the inside, with a deep humility and realization that your life is not your own, God’s Spirit lives in you?

Do you reflect trust that God indeed is able to work all things for your good and can do immeasurably more than all you can think or imagine?

Do you show others that quiet trust, that confidence in your God, that your life and all of our lives is in His hands?

You can reflect Him and that peace and truth NOW! 

2 Corinthians 3:18
you are being changed to be like Him; you reflect His glory

It’s funny- some people here- I don’t recognize behind the masks. I actually talked to one person one day- thinking it was the President of our school- it wasn’t. Another time, a graduate of our school began talking to me- I had no idea who she was until much later in the conversation, ha ha.  

If people only see your eyes - what do they see? Who do they see? Your eyes can say alot. Fear. Fatigue. Anger. Stress. Or do they see peace? 

If people were to remove your mask- would you rage? Shout? Cry out? Or would there be a smile on your face and praise on your lips because you have peace and joy and God with you?

While the storms rage, may they not rage in me!!!

As storms and rains pour around me and even on me, as the outside shakes, may the inside of me- the most important part- my spirit- be remade, renewed by the Spirit of God! And may others see Him in me! 

If you feel the rains are pounding against you… and it’s not just raining, but pouring. If you feel like you’re getting hit from every direction and you can’t take it anymore… I have good news for you!!!

God invites you deep into the shelter of who He is. There’s peace, joy, hope, love, perspective, all you need in Him.

During the storm, stay with God. Cling to Him, safe in His presence.

And watch- as you are changed for the better!

Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him

Psalm 142:5

You are my shelter from the storm, my portion in the land of the living

2 Corinthians 4:16

So we do not lose heart...outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day...

And when the day comes, when you can go back out, people can be amazed at how different you have become. Stronger, sharper, more humble, grateful, holy, hopeful, trustful, bold, better and more like Jesus than when you went into “lockdown”.

You can become more beautiful WHILE the storm rages. God can upgrade you from the inside out. It’s shocking- His ability to do that. But He is willing to remake you, remake me! Are you willing?

I want this and need this!

Please pray this for me, as I pray this for you.

All things are possible with our God!

Praises/Prayer Requests

-Schools here need prayer and wisdom to finish. With the shutdown of internet and rioting, plus Covid, we're behind schedule.

-ETC is trying to finish. My class's new final deadline is this Wednesday. Pray we can finish.

 -Pray for ETC and wisdom as classes move online for the rainy season and fall season...and how to open that back up when the government gives permission.

-HUC is trying to finish. We are hoping to bring all students back to campus for a month or so of class, then an exam. We still have to have graduation as well, even it's it's virtual.  Pray for wisdom too as we try to get the 2000 plus students finished with their school year.

Some of our graduating class students... some of my best ever, may we help them finish ... 

-I did officially sign to be the Student Dean of HUC, what a huge honor! Please pray as I move my work permit back under HUC, that God will give grace and let the process be easy and also that I can figure out how to continue to help ETC as well.

-Please pray for peace for Ethiopia. It is an election time in the next one year or so and there is still big tension in the country. Pray wisdom for the government, fairness, justice, and wisdom for churches in helping things stay peaceful.

-Please pray health for all from Coronavirus. We're not sure actually how many here are infected. But numbers seem to be rising again. 

-Please pray for the USA- my family and prayer partners/supporters. Everything going on there troubles me deeply. May God help America! My Dad and Mom and Sister- Noel and her husband Mike... all are doing well, thanks to God!

-For everyone globally…for shelter and growth, even renewal – in and through these pouring rains and storms.

Thank you for praying and please let me know how I can pray for you and your families.

Stay encouraged. God is bigger. These rains will end.

Blessings from Ethiopia 

Lockdown, Sheltering in Place, Masked ...

... all such weird words.

Though I've lived in Africa now for almost a decade and years ago lived in Haiti, which was always under a state of emergency, these days have been hard. I know for some parts of the world, these conditions and words are common. But for me, here in Ethiopia and having grown up in the USA, these times are NOT normal.



The world has changed so much in just a short time.

Here in Ethiopia, where coronavirus cases are still small, and only in the past few days has the number began to increase, to watch the news and then feel the effects of this virus spreading has been shocking.

Schools and businesses closing, then wearing a mask enforced... WHAT happened to the world as we knew it?

Huge lessons I've learned so far as I've tried my best to work from home, close my doors, and cover my face.

I don't know if many of you have felt the same as me. But for me, it has overall been shocking and disturbing, like a bad movie. And for me ... I've felt the full range of emotions.

In the beginning, I actually laughed to see people here in masks. It looked ridiculous and many didn't wear them correctly. Then I became irritated when asked to wash my hands or put a mask on, it seemed extreme. Then came worry. If I coughed or sneezed or didn't feel well, which is part of living here, was I infected? I would wash my hands singing "happy birthday to me" two times through (I'm not sure where I saw to do that). Everything became weird, or as my dad has said..it's "spooky." I also felt grief. I missed my students. I missed the gym. I missed the freedom of movement. Our school campuses sit empty. I've felt sadness. Again, it's just overall shocking and weird, this time in history. Will things ever go back to the way it was before?


Now I know for those in the family of God, He tells us He is a strong tower. He calls us to take shelter in the shadow of His wings and to fear not. Yet maybe at no other time in history has such a global crush ...been felt. Where security and freedom and movement have been stilled and sidelined. And I think for every person, it's had an impact. Why has God allowed this now? I know students have struggled with this question. Our graduating class students... were at their last lap... and now they're struggling.

I've been wanting to blog for some time now. But I struggled with what to say or think because I was so shocked.

But I do want to try to share from here now what I've learned and observed so far about myself and what I feel like God has been teaching me and trying to remind me of during this time. I think He still has alot to teach me and help me with.

First of all, God has been teaching me about perspective. I've been reminded- this world is actually sick already, and it has been for a long time. There's a virus called sin and it spreads. It's a killer that brings destruction and death and separation from God forever. But a free vaccine has been given by God. It's Jesus. If you don't have Him, you're dead in your sins, no cure. The vaccine is not going to church or doing good works. It's not fasting or being a good person. It's Jesus. Either He's with and in you- having paid for your sin, or not. It's life's most important vaccine to consider now. Jesus gives perspective in storms...peace, joy, hope, relationship. He's with us as a good Shepherd and doesn't leave us.I've been thankful He's with me- giving me hope and perspective. On good days, bad days, blah days ...He's been with me, seeing me through. I'm so grateful for Him. He's my Savior. My vaccine. My friend. My King. This gives perspective.

If you're with Jesus, He's told us...this world is not home, we're only passing through.Heaven is home. We will be with God forever, maybe sooner than we think. We can be excited for that. A new body with no aches and pains. No tears. Time to catch up with people who are already there. Heaven will be sweet. So we hope in that. It's the not the end, it's a door to the biggest part of our lives. That will be a blessing- whenever it comes.

But if we're given the chance to continue here, that's also a blessing. Why? Because some people still don't know about Jesus. And they need to. We can't take stuff with us out of this world, but we can take people. Who else might need to know the good news about Jesus? Who can you share Him with? And you might say Holly, how can we share Him when churches are closed and there's social distancing? The church isn't closed, buildings are. The church is not a building, but a people. A people who actually do best in these circumstances. There's more on that ... below.

Another thing God has talked to be about during this time... has been issues with my "house". I'm usually not there. So being there- I saw to a greater degree what needed cleaned. What got in that I didn't realize. What needed fixed.

A SNAKE came in twice to my house while I was trying to "work from home." Yep.



Good gosh. Maybe for the past nine years...snakes came through my house every day and I just didn't know it. Not anymore. I closed its entry point. And it hasn't returned. Thank God!

Maybe like me- you've seen issues with "your house." That could be ...what's in your mind, your body, what's in your own personal space. Maybe you've seen what's in your home..with your family. Maybe you've seen things that have gotten in your house that shouldn't be there or things that need fixed. God can use these days to help us get our houses in order. To clean them. To fix them. To make them well. These can be blessed times if we allow God to help us see what we need to see and what do what needs done.

I've also learned that time matters. Even now... I think some have given up. They've stopped living or working or reaching out. I think God can use these days for Him. Otherwise- He'd already take us out if there was nothing else to do. If these are our last days and corona takes us all out- then there's work to do until that point. Jesus to share. Who can you call? Who can you share Him with? Who can you forgive? Who can you make peace with? Who can you love? What more can you learn about God and how you can bless Him? You can make Him smile by your creativity, your devotion, how you love and serve.

I've noticed also it's a time to get done what I should have done already and to try new things. Budget. Book Writing. Language learning. Cooking. I've found new favorites like running outside. I always liked running on the treadmills here in Addis in gyms because outside kills the lungs and clogs them- bugs can fly in your eyes and down your throat, people see you sweat. Not a fan. But I've learned to love morning runs... Addis is so very pretty at these times and God paints AMAZING colors - reminding me He's here.














I've also been reminded... life still has good here. Even in masks, there's love, there's life. One of my best girls had her first baby. Very big congratulations to Hilina Hailu and Peniel Yohannes on the birth of their first child, an adorable little guy named Noah! Another one of my favorite sisters here got married. Congratulations to Redi and Kb! Life is still good and God is still doing miracles.














And I've taken time to reflect. This has been good. Sometimes we're so busy, we don't reflect. What have I done with my life? What more is there to do?

And I've remembered my God and the family I'm part of. I've remembered what happened to people in the Bible when they were in prisons or dungeons. When they were up against the wall, it looked like the other shoe was going to drop on their heads, it looked over, finished....but what happened in those darkest nights ... amazing songs were sung, chains loosed, books written. Seas parted, tombs opened, bodies healed. In shut in places, the people of God can know God deeper. And come out- .... better, stronger, sharper, and more humble. They can have testimonies and ministries born from the darkest of nights and the hardest of times. That's our legacy, that's our heritage. What will be said of us when and if this time passes?

Every day during this pandemic is a battle. A battle of trust. Do I trust what the news says or trust what God says?

God says to trust Him. Darkness lasts for a night, joy comes in the morning.

May we do our best to honor our God by making His name great during these days!
This is my prayer.

Let me know how I can pray for you!

Prayer Requests from here

- Cases have been increasing daily this past week. Pray God's protection and peace and for His church here to shine
-ETC is finishing online, pray we can finale with students the best we can
-HUC is continuing online, please pray for wisdom as we try our best to help as many students as possible finish the semester
-Pray for my family in Ohio- my Dad and Mom, Noel and Mike. All are well and I thank God for that
-Pray for Ethiopia and the world, that Jesus is shared.

Praying for you from here,

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support for me, the work here, and my family!

I'm grateful for you...so much,

Holly

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