Beside Still Waters ...

"Rest" often seems to elude us.  We try to rest, but our minds are busy.  We try to take a break, but often these times make us work harder for the times we don't work. We get busy and can often miss our lives, even God, if we're not careful.

At our EvaSUE National Staff Meeting last week, I shared with staff from Psalm 84: 5-7.  This chapter and these verses have always made me curious:

I asked our staff to reflect on these verses.  These "pilgrims" were on their way to worship God in the temple at Jerusalem.  Their hearts were "set" on the journey to be with God. They were so happy to be on the way.  They were able to keep going, from strength to strength. And what you saw coming from them in the hard places and valleys, was still health and life and hope and springs of water.  

What would you say about your life now? Do you go from strength to strength? Or do you live from one thing to another? Maybe... you go from one relationship to another; maybe you go from crisis to crisis; maybe you go from strength to weakness; maybe from vacation to vacation? Or do you from strength to strength?

Somehow, as the people of God, we are able to go from strength to strength.  If our hearts are SET on God and the journey with Him.  If we are focused on Him and are with Him, what comes out of us in the valleys, should still be a song of faith, worship, hope, joy and peace because of God in us.  This is able to be our story and our song as we journey on towards home with God.

What are you seeking? What is your heart set on? Is it God? Or is a blessing what you want most from God? God wants us to seek Him.  When we do, He will satisfy us in Him. He will tell us what to do and where to go and how to go. He will pour into us all we need. He will lead you beside still waters and restore you.  In Him, is rest.  This rest is not based on circumstances, it's based on faith and trust that we are His and are in His hands.  He will take care of us.  

Our staff last week, and then our regional coordinators the week before that, talked about this stillness that God tells us to have before Him.  He wants us to get in front of Him and just be still.  He wants to listen for Him. We don't like to "be still." We like to work hard and fast for a quick solution. Yet, God says, be still.

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted above the nations .... (Psalm 46:10)

Be still, I will fight for you (Exodus 14:14)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act (Psalm 37:7)

I will lead you beside still waters, I will restore your soul (Psalm 23)

May we go from strength to strength and bless people others as they watch our journey. May we seek Him. May we show people by our lives- our trust and hope in God!

Praises and Prayer Requests

-I took a few days out of Addis around our Easter (Fasika) holiday for time with God. I thank God for this rest I was able to have with Him.  

-We had a very successful EvaSUE Regional Coordinator Consultation week in mid-April. I appreciate so much getting to invest in and learn from my teammates. We praise God for all He did in the regions this past quarter!

-We had a very successful EvaSUE National Staff Meeting last week.  It was an amazing together out of Addis with our 105 staff. We had prayer, worship, training, and meetings, formal and informal. I was so happy to hear from our newest staff about their first year in some of the some of the hardest areas of this country. Praise God for His provision and protection over them and the impact they are having.  I was able to give a two-day seminar on "Balancing Life and Ministry."  I praise God for our EvaSUE staff-family!

-I want to give a big thank you to those who gave sacrificially this past quarter and met needs in big ways. God did so much through you! And for all you who faithfully give each month, thank you so much! God is answering prayers through your giving and impacting lives!

-I also want to give big thanks for the amazing and beautiful and fit and classy, best Mom in the world, Rosie Garrett. There are no words for how grateful we are for her life and impact on us Garretts-Martins and so many globally.  We will celebrate her this weekend on Mother's Day. We love you Mom!!! To all Moms- I wish you a blessed day and know we're grateful for you! Happy Mother's Day (on May 11th)

-Please pray for our water pump at our compound. We've had months now of inconsistent water supply. It's been alot of hauling water with jerry cans. We hope this will be fixed soon.

-Please keep our EvaSUE National Events in prayer.  We have to change locations this summer and this will cause a big rise in cost. If you'd like to give a one time donation to support these events, we'd be grateful!  You can do so through the link below.  If you want more specific information on needs, let me know too!

https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

Thanks so much for your partnership with me here! 

Blessed month of May to you all!

Standing by Me

Who is standing by you?

Most of us feel better when we have someone standing beside us. There are tough times in life. We can run out of energy. We can run low on hope. We can run out of the ability to pray.  We can feel alone.

That's why God made us for community.  He made us to stay in relationship with Him, and with each other. Together, we can help each other keep going. We can encourage each other. We can carry each other's burdens.  

This past week, I went through the dreaded and never easy process here in Ethiopia to get my work permit and residence ID renewed.  This usually involves waiting in long lines and a high amount of stress builds.  It's a humbling process.  You're not permitted to present your own paperwork. An officer or agent of your organization or your top general manager or leader, has to stand by you and speak for you.  And usually, argue a bit, to pass you through.  

At the first office we had to pass through, the Labor Office, I watched Tewedaj, our EvaSUE officer, climb the stairs time and again, continuing to knock on doors and sit in lines to make sure my paperwork was moving the right way.  We had to make a scramble for more copies at one point and then make a bank run for a new charge at another point. When we thought we were through, time and again, we heard...No pass. No pass. No pass. Finally, at the end of the day last Friday, I saw Tewedaj come down from the Labor Office upstairs area with my paperwork in hand and a smile on his face.  He said, it's done.  I felt like laughing in relief and at the same time crying.  I think I was in shock.  God had done it again, the Labor Office was now finished!

The Labor Office in Addis

Our new EvaSUE General Secretary, Eyosyas, was up next to stand by me and represent me in the next step. It was time for the Immigration office yesterday.  This place in years past has always been challenging. We breezed through maybe five offices in about 35 minutes.  I sat behind Eyosyas as he represented me and we shockingly heard pass, pass, pass.  

Sitting behind Eyosyas, as he represented me

It was the fastest and easiest time I've ever had there.  I sat a bit dazed on the way home yesterday. 

Another year here in Ethiopia was given! How humbling!  I felt full of gratitude to be holding another one of these in hand....

It was amazing and a relief to have these brothers fighting for me and defending me.  They stood for me when I couldn't stand for myself. And many of my other teammates here had helped with the process as well. My one document that had been stuck for over a month pushed through right when the EvaSUE staff was praying for it.  

We can do this in the lives of each other.  Pray and stand for each other.  It's what we need to do for each other!

Also in my mind as I sat in office these past weeks, were the many times here when I didn't have anyone with me. I went in by myself. I remember the fear I had and the stress. 

I also remembered the seasons here when I also felt alone. 

Yet, what God has been reminding me of through these weeks is that I never actually stood alone here. God Himself was there the whole time, standing by me! He was in my corner, opening the doors at the right time, and giving me places to stand.  He was always standing by me, and still is!

God is for us and with us!  

Do not fear for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. (Isaiah 43)

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you  (Joshua 1:5)

Fear not for I am with you, I will uphold you with my right hand (Isaiah 41:10)

What are you facing in life now? Maybe no sees what you're struggling with.  Maybe you feel like you are alone. But God sees you. He's standing by you. You are not alone! He's there and He says to not be afraid!  He will see you through!  He doesn't leave us! He stays! 

As God stands for us, may we also stand by others in their times of sorrow or fear. When doors aren't opening, when illnesses are not leaving, when confusion is overwhelming, may we stand for each other and with each other.

There's no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friend (John 15:13)

May we represent God's love to people!  And keep standing when others don't!  

Praises and Prayer Requests 

-Praise God for the many successful regional events done by EvaSUE in February into March. Our staff hosted events all over the country and students were challenged and equipped to "Follow the King." The reports coming in from our staff are amazing! We're so thankful for all that God did and for all that He is doing in all regions! May the seeds of these events be watered! (there are pictures from all regions... too many to share... here are just a few....)

the East

Hawassa

Bahir Dar

Addis

 -Praise God that I was able to teach and train in two regions this past month. One of the regions, a northern area, involved a four-day stay. What a great opportunity to see a different part of the country and  God moving and working through our team and through students there!  

Loved my time in Dessie!

-I'm praising God again and giving thanks for my amazing parents, Jim and Rosie, celebrating another wedding anniversary on March 26th. They love God and each other so well!  Please wish them a Happy Anniversary with me on that day! They are so loved!

-Please be in prayer for a few more regional events to happen the last weekend in March here.

-Please also pray for our EvaSUE team as we gather to share about the regional events and begin planning for the national summer events this week into the time ahead.

-Also, please keep Ethiopia in prayer, some regions are not stable and a national election is soon.

-And let's all be in prayer for the Easter (Fasika) season as we countdown to remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus made to save us from sin!  The road He traveled for us, may we also be willing to travel for Him!

Thank you so much for your partnership and prayers! 

Let's keep following Jesus and standing in Him and for Him and for others!

Blessed Spring Season and Easter countdown to you all!

Surrounded and Held ...

As this new year has started and things are beginning to get busy, I'm still in shock as I travel to work, crossing streets and through communities here. There is massive construction underway all over the city. So many memories come to mind of years before here; ways I would walk, places I would have coffee and places where I would meet students. Change is everywhere. For me, it brings a mix of emotions; sadness to see former places gone and so many places looking gutted. I also feel deeply humbled to have had so many memories down so many roads here. I feel so much gratitude to have called Ethiopia my home. Many have left for various reasons over the years. Some have moved, some have passed into eternity. Through years and years and seasons here, how am I still here?  The only thing I can say is that I have no doubt that God has surrounded me and held me.  He never let me go.  It's so undeserved all the things I've gotten to do and the people I've had the privilege to walk through life with here. I'm so grateful!

God says He surrounds us. He hems us in. He goes before us and behind us. Even when we don't see Him or feel Him, He is there. He knows when we sit and when we rise. He knows every hair on our head. He sees the tears we cry when no one else sees. He witnesses every smile and hears every laugh. He sees every frustration and mistake. And He stays. He remains. He surrounds me.  He offers to surround us all. I'm so grateful and amazed!

God also holds us. I have no doubt God held me and is still holding me through my years here. His powerful right hand gave me courage to stand on platforms. He pushed me through traffic and shielded me through sickness, loss, solitude, even war. We are held by God! When storms rage, when friends leave, when disease attacks, when violence and war rips apart everything, when Satan whispers lies, God shields us. He lifts us up, stands us up, He rescues, redeems, pushes back darkness, demolishes strongholds and breaks chains! We don't have to fear what we are looking at.  God is ALWAYS bigger!  

Often we surround ourselves with wrong things, thinking those things will give us security or confidence or rest. We hold onto things and even allow ourselves be held by people or things that are not God and not from Him. Satan will lie to us and tell us that what surrounds us is what we need. He says what surrounds us is bigger than God.  He says what is holding us will overwhelm and overtake us. Satan is a liar!!!!

Who or what is surrounding you? Who or what is holding you? Make sure it is God!  Jesus paid for our place to be in God's hands.  We can stand in and with God because of Jesus! 

May we stay encouraged, confident, peaceful, and joyful as we know God and share Him with the world!  May we follow our Good Shepherd and trust He knows the way and will get us there!

Updates, Praises and Prayers

It's been a busy return to Ethiopia in early January. 

- I was able to celebrate my Dad's birthday on January 23rd from here. We're so thankful for the amazing Jim Garrett, 77 years young and the most humble and amazing Dad for us Garretts! Please high five him for his life and example any time you see him! We love him so much. Noah and Anna helped me celebrate my Dad here, also my EvaSUE teammates toasted him with snickers bars :-)

  

-We had training at EvaSUE with some international partners this month. One week was in our EvaSUE office and it focused us on how to keep our team healthy.  Then we had a Healthy Leader Retreat in the nearby lake town. This encouraged us to rest and we learned how to prevent burn-out. Praise God for the great training our partners gave!

Please pray...

-for EvaSUE- all our regions have regional events and area summits in February-March, ten regions! Please pray for staff traveling, for the plenary sessions and seminars, for the student leaders attending, for the funding needed- that God will anoint these gatherings for His glory and bring everything together according to His plan. This week, the East region has their summit! May students be challenged to "Follow the King"!

-for a Business for Kingdom impact competition EvaSUE is facilitating this month. We are so excited to have this opportunity to bless EvaSUE graduates with the chance to start kingdom businesses.  

-for my work permit and residence ID process- it will start this month and the expiration date is in late March. We pray the whole process will be smooth.  It needs prayer, it's never easy!

-for Ethiopia, there is an election in May that needs prayer. Also some regions are still experiencing unrest. Please pray for peace and for the Body of Christ to unify, pray, and lift up Jesus under very hard economic and political conditions.

If you'd like to join my support team or make a one-time donation for any of the regional events, you can do so through the link below. 

https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

If you'd like more information on funding needs in any region, let me know as well.

Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!

Let's make a huge impact for Jesus in 2025 ... in honor and for the glory of the One who surrounds and holds us on life's journey! He is with us!  

A Light has Dawned ...

A verse that kept coming to my mind as 2024 finished and the new year began was:

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

Darkness is common in Ethiopia. Light goes out often. It seems all of us make a collective sigh when that happens. And when light returns, you hear people clap. Darkness in general often brings unease. It can make you afraid and insecure. There's a deeper haunting darkness that the world has and it's the effects of sin. This has devastating impact.

Yet that's not how our story ends or how God left it to end up.  Jesus came and brought light! He brought life, hope, peace and joy to all of us who lived in the land of the shadow of death. Again that shadow is still here. Wars rage. Sin rages. Darkness advances. Sicknesses attack. BUT light has dawned, a Savior came, the King arrived to forever get rid of the darkness! Thank you Jesus!

One great sermon I listened to over Christmas said when Jesus came, the One who would crush what was crushing you, was born! 

sermon link:  https://youtu.be/MppoSF3sWbI?si=xMaii7lNmvg9tJah

Jesus' life and light can fill us from within giving us perspective, strength, perseverance, hope, joy and peace even when fires rage, the ground shakes, and things seem to be going from bad to worse. He can give us resilience- the ability to not give up!  

We have a Savior who loves us. a King and Good Shepherd who can lead us and stand by us. And the end has already been written! He has already won and so have we! We have eternity with Him - without pain or sickness or death or sorrow. And now, we have His hand in ours and His light to lead us and His light to share with those who are still in darkness. We need to share about Jesus, the King, this Savior, Heaven's Champion, the one has already crushed the darkness!

May we share the light!!!!  

That is my prayer for 2025. 

May people see the light of Jesus in me, in us, and have the chance to respond! 

Praises and Prayer Requests from the End of 2024 and for the New Year 2025

-Praise God for the new staff who were trained and launched by EvaSUE in the last few months of 2024. Please pray God keeps these new staff safe and encouraged and impacting for Him.

-Praise God also for the northern part of Ethiopia and some of our Addis team who visited there to encourage students, may God bring healing to this area. Also pray for our new staff person there, for wisdom and courage and impact!

-Praise God for area leadership summits and Bible study trainings that have happened in different parts of the country and also for deepening connections made with local churches. We praise God for the chance to serve students all over the country and for the Body of Christ being strengthened!

Northwest Area Leadership Summit

-Praise God for the great consultation week we had with our regional coordinators.  We heard reports from the regions and had prayer and planning together with these key leaders.  I'm so thankful for this humble team to serve with! 

-Praise God that I was able to travel home for Christmas and New Years with my family. The few weeks in Ohio went fast. It was such a blessed time with my family!  I also praise God for the safe return to Ethiopia a few days ago.

-Praise God I was able to serve twice in children's ministry at Noel and Mike's local church. What a blessing the children were to be with as they learned about Ethiopia and prayed for me.  I'm so thankful for global family, the young and old and everyone in between, who make us the family of God together. 

-Please pray for the next one week of intensive meetings and training we have with the EvaSUE staff, that this will unify us and ignite us for the year ahead.  

-Please pray for our regions preparing regional leadership summits that begin in early February and will continue into March-April. That God will provide the funding and resources for these summits and God will pour out a blessing and anointing on the student leaders who gather.

-Please pray for a Spring Semester Course I've been asked to teach beginning in February at ETC (the Evangelical Theological College). I'm excited to teach a course here again for church leaders! May God bless the time!

-Please pray for a Business for Kingdom Impact competition that will be happening this quarter in partnership with Christian Life Center in Dayton, my home church. Pray that some new kingdom businesses will be launched here through this initiative. 

-Please keep my work permit and residence ID renewal process in prayer. It's not until March, but we have to begin praying now, it's never an easy thing to pass through.

-Please keep Ethiopia in prayer, for the economy, the government, for peace. It's also an election year (in May).  We need prayer!

-Thank you so much for those who gave extra support that helped me get home for Christmas and for those who helped with my return here! Also, thank you so much for all of you who give and continue to!  I'm honored to partner with you here for Our King!!!

If you'd like to give extra for the events coming up or if you'd like to join my monthly support team (if you're not part of that already), you can do so through this link:  

https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett

Thank you so much!

May 2025 be the best year yet for God!!!

Many Blessings to You and Your Family in the New Year!

With Gratitude from Ethiopia,

Holly