The past years have held shocking events globally. There have been tragedies and wars, hurricanes, political craziness. One reaction for many seems to have been a disconnection of people from each other. It has seemed too crazy and dangerous to go outside... so we stay in.
When Covid hit, we closed doors. Many went "online" for school and work and even for church. This seemed safer. Many have not gone back. The past years became about survival. Some still sit in that disconnection.
I felt that happen for me as well. In some ways, I have kept walls up and defenses high. I think it was a way to guard from what might come. And that led to isolation for me, more than I realized.
Here in Ethiopia, though God has given me great work and a new foundation to thrive on for the past two years, the country overall is still shaky underneath of what looks like an improving situation. There is still struggle and unease. Some regions of the country are not okay. Many people want to get out if they can. So, I think I still kept my guard up and held some things at arms length. Why hold tight to what you might have to leave or lose?
I'm so thankful though that God can get our attention when it's needed. The past months, I have felt God calling me more and more to reconnect fully with others in community here, even beyond what I've ever done before.
He said this in a profound way to me in August that gave me a final push.
Towards the end of August, our EvaSUE Team had just finished our National Leadership Summit. It was our biggest and best event yet. It had been an exhausting but epic week of God at work among the 1000 students who had gathered. As the staff went into a few days of retreat time after, I got news that one of our EvaSUE staff had a death in the family. His uncle, who was like his spiritual dad, had passed away quickly. It was a shocking blow to this brother and his family. I turned from the retreat and headed to give support.
It's interesting how some of my deepest lessons here in Ethiopia have been by gravesides. In places of mourning and loss, your heart breaks and your head can clear. As I sat at the funeral of this uncle, named Belay Yirko, I heard one person after another call him "my spiritual father." There were many stories shared of how he had opened his life fully to those around him and served people and loved them. When I went to the family's home, I witnessed what seemed like thousands of people coming to pay respect to the family. And as I washed plates with the family to continue to serve more guests, I heard God say very loudly to me that I needed to "ADD PLATES" to my life. I needed to open up my life fully and return to living in community with others. It was time!
Adding plates
For me, the past few years here, especially the holidays, have felt hard. I missed my family and not having a family of my own. Many people had left and it didn't feel safe to go out or to go far, so, I honestly largely hid.
Yet, I heard God say during this funeral time with this family that holidays and times of loneliness are the greatest times when I can serve people. God said when I add plates... He would add "family" to me in this way.
For me, it was a profound word!!!
So, I began. I began to open my doors and have been opening back up my life here... to neighbors, to former students, to other missionaries, to those on the road or to those God brings to my heart. And the feeling I've had in response is GREAT JOY. And all systems in me that had felt misaligned or had been disconnected have begun to surge again with health. WHAT??? Praise God!!!
Ethiopia New Year celebration set-up with neighbors |
Global Outreach Missionaries celebrating Meskel together |
Two are better than one... Ecclesiastes 4
Freely you have received...freely give ... Matthew 10:8
It is more blessed to give than to receive ... Acts 20:35
Practice hospitality ... Galatians 5:13-14
Carry each other's burdens ... Galatians 6:2
Encourage one another and build each other up ... 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Don't forsake the meeting together of each other... Hebrews 10:25
For even Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ... Mark 10:45
God has been reminding me that NOW is the time for the people of God, to come OUT of our closed doors and closed homes and closed churches and closed lives! We need to love and serve our neighbors, even our enemies. The least, the lost, the broken, the downcast, anyone and everyone God puts in our path.... we can give a plate to. Give food, compassion, grace, love. Many need to hear about Jesus and to see Him. This happens when we serve! We are called to go OUT to where people are.
If like me, sometimes, maybe, your table feels empty. Maybe you have empty seats for various reasons. Maybe someone you loved is gone. Maybe the seat you have saved has never been filled. Maybe the holidays are hard for you. You feel lonely. I believe God wants us to add plates, to add people, into our family and lives. Invite someone for coffee or dinner. Host people in your home. Open up your life and serve. And watch what God will do! He will give you "family" and will fill you with joy!
I was so grateful for the reminder of all of this through the life testimony of Belay Yirko. One day, in heaven, I hope to find him and to say thank you!!!
Belay Yirko (Ababi) ... A Life Well Lived!
May I give more and more and more plates in the days to come!
May all of us open our lives and do the same!
Praises and Prayer Requests
-Praise God for good planning days with EvaSUE. Our National Service Center team and the two teams I sit on have had annual planning days. We are so excited for all God has ahead.
EvaSUE's Student Ministry Team ...Planning Days |
-Please pray for staff and students who have returned to their regions, that God will bless their school year and that they will reach their campuses and the surrounding areas for Jesus...to the ends of the earth.
-Please pray for areas of the country that are still not safe, for staff and students in these areas to be brave and to hold up light. This great song has encouraged me, reminding that it's Jesus who makes us brave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJynUa60Jtw
-Please pray for ten newly recruited EvaSUE staff and the training that will begin with them at the end of this month, that we will equip them well
-Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to the amazing Rosie Garrett (my Mom) on October 27th. We are so grateful for her and my Dad!
-Please pray for fundraising I still need to do for the time ahead... I need raise money to reimburse my ministry funds (my goal is 5000). I also need to begin fundraising for a trip home for Christmas. If you'd like to give a one-time gift for any of those needs, you can give through this link:
https://www.globaloutreach.
Thank you so much and I pray a blessed fall season to you all!
May we "add plates" as God gives us opportunities!