Faith to Rise

I've been thinking about life's "race" these past weeks.  

There have been such great seasons and memories on life's run so far. There has been laughter.  Growth.  Deep friendships and global family that I can't imagine life without. There have been breathtaking views of God and His creation.  There have been moments when God did what I couldn't do. He helped me. He fought for me. He taught me. He held me.  While running, I've felt His hand in mine. He has helped me to stand on heights and to run with courage. In my weakness, He's proven strong!  I'm so grateful for Him with me!

Sometimes life's run has also been VERY hard.  You go up hills that are too steep. Paths suddenly become dark. There are deserts and valleys that bring fatigue, loss and sorrow.  There are times when I have felt very alone. There have been times when I've tripped and have fallen hard.  Some of my biggest falls have been my own fault.  You can go down a wrong path.  You can be unwise with your heart. You can get pushed by those you thought were with you.  Sometimes those closest to you can bring the biggest disappointment and pain.  Sin in yourself or in the people you know might show itself and the sight of it can be so disturbing that you fall in shock.  When you fall down from these hard times and seasons, how can you get up?  How can you have faith to rise and keep going?

The past weeks of "the race and running" here in Ethiopia so far in 2026 has held so many blessings. Water at long last has been "fixed" at my compound. It's ON after over a year of almost nothing. I really have no words for how much of a difference that has made in life here.  A smile comes to my face still when the water flows.  Am I living a dream? :-)

For over a year, filling these saved my life

At EvaSUE- nine of our ten regions successfully hosted events for students the past month, serving thousands around the country. What a huge blessing for me to continue running with this humble and impactful EvaSUE team of brothers and sisters in Christ!  One highlight for me was giving a "Youth Culture" training at one of our Addis regional events.  I felt God's Spirit throughout this seminar and saw on students faces the stirring of Him in them.  What a blessing!

Youth Culture Seminar - One of the three days at Central 1 Leadership Summit 

I also had the privilege last week to travel to Zeway, two hours south of Addis, to give training for over 50 youth at a church.  I taught on Discipleship, SHAPE and Youth Culture.  I again felt God with me and was so honored for this opportunity.  A boat ride on a nearby lake while there refreshed me. As the boat sped along the water and hippos popped their heads up - I felt like nothing was impossible for our big God!

Hippo in the water

Last week, a big group of EvaSUE staff worked on a curriculum draft that will be used for years to come.  What an honor to be part of this time!

EvaSUE Curriculum Writing workshop

At the end of last week, my work permit cleared the Labor Office, in record time. I felt quite a bit dazed as my EvaSUE teammate and I left the Labor office location. WHAT had just happened? How did I have a work permit in my hand in less than two hours when in years past it had taken days and even weeks. God is good!

All of these blessings were just some of the highlights of these past weeks here, but there was also a big shock back in my home area of Ohio that also brought hard days and hard running. News came of a death that brought horror, it hit my church and so many that I know, many of you probably reading this were impacted. How could this happen? You just wanted to stop, fall down, and have a hard cry.  That shouldn't have happened.  But it does on life's run. Sin is still there.  If unchecked and hidden, it can ruin and is still ruining lives. It's devastating. Lord have mercy!

What gives us faith to rise up and continue, when sadness and sorrow and tragedy overwhelms?  How can we continue? Why should we?  

God keeps bringing Hebrews 12: 1-3 to my mind.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God's been reminding me that ...

We have a cloud of witnesses. All of those listed in Hebrews 11 and so many others have already run life's race and finished well for Jesus. They are witnesses for us. None were perfect, but they stayed faithful!  They kept going! So can we! And Jesus is our supreme example! 

-We must keep throwing off what trips us up and the sin that can entangle us. Very easily we can fall or go the wrong way.   We have to be intentional to check our lives often. How is my run looking? How is yours?  We have to stay vigilant.  We have to also stay in community to check each other.  God's Spirit is there to help us, teach us, convict us, comfort us, and give us guidance and boldness. We have armor to put on and to fight with as Satan tries to hit us.  We can run a good race and finish!  Is anything in your way now, making you stumble? Throw it off quickly!

-We must fix our eyes on Jesus and keep our eyes on Him. Our run is to Him and for Him.  He's our Good Shepherd. When we keep our eyes on Him, He shows us the way. In our weakness, He gives us His strength. He carries us if needed. We are not alone ever!  Our gaze must stay FIXED on Him.  Is He who you are looking at and living for?  Is He what and who you're seeking more than anything or anyone else?  We have to check our eyes and our hearts.  How can we keep focused on Jesus?  We have to make time to BE with Him.  Prayer, worship, Bible study, serving, witnessing.  Listening to Him, obeying what He says. He is with us.  He's a good leader, the best, He can be trusted! He can lead us home and help us run a good race!  Are your eyes fixed on Him?

-If we feel discouraged, we can be encouraged as we "consider Him" (Jesus)  and all He went through to give us life and the chance to know Him, love Him, represent Him, and be with Him forever.  This can give us courage and faith to rise!  What love He had for us to give us everything so we could live! He believes in us!

Why keep running? It's for Jesus! To live is Christ, to die is gain.  People are watching our lives. They need to see us get up and keep running. Jesus Himself is our reward!  Our Savior and King awaits!  We can't take anything to heaven with us except people.  Let's show the world our King is worth running for and towards!

Wherever God places us and however long He gives us, may we run the race well and may we all one day hear Him say- "Well done good and faithful servant!"  And may we also be able to say, " I have  fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!"

Please pray this for me. May we all have faith to rise and keep running!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray my residence ID clears immigration this coming week, for a smooth and easy process.  God can do it again!

-EvaSUE is busy this month, we are listening to God for our new annual theme and book from the Bible that will be our focus of study- please pray God leads us.  We will continue working on the curriculum draft for students. And we have a Regional Coordinator Consultation meeting at the end of March.  Pray for God to lead us. 

-Pray for Tipp City and the church and community impacted by a great loss. May God help all get up and keep running. Ashley is now part of the "great cloud of witnesses"! I look forward to meeting her in heaven one day!

-Please join me in wishing my amazing parents, Jim and Rosie, a very blessed anniversary on March 26th. They are the very best!  They are heroes of faith for me and so many of us!  We love you!

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom on March 26th!

Many are fasting here for the countdown to Easter- may this time of repentance and reflection bring deep devotion and renewed commitments to follow Jesus.  May many awaken to the truth of who He is!

Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!

If you'd like to give to the work here, you can do so through this link below:

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

Thank you again and may God bless the month of March for you and this countdown to Easter.

May God give us all faith to rise and courage to keep running the race!

Room to Breathe ... Thoughts for A New Year

Sometimes in life, you can feel out of breath.  You may feel squeezed and under pressure, unable to move. Maybe you don't have time or space to even come up for air. 

If you do have room to breathe, maybe your environment is toxic and negative.  What can you do?  

Right before I traveled to the US for the holidays,  I couldn't catch my breath in my home. It felt like asthma.  Was I allergic to something?  It's scary when you can't breathe.

This was on my mind as I traveled home for Christmas.

Now, back in Ethiopia, I took a ton of time this past week to REALLY deep clean my house. I called in help.  I hope this will remedy things in my house. It had me thinking again about the importance of making sure we have room to breathe and good air. 

Deep cleaning my house

Many people, I believe, are living with little room to breathe. Time is tight. Money is tight. Schedules are too busy. This lack of room to breathe can make you feel sick and can lead to so many problems. When you don't have time and space to breathe, it's easy to lose your life,  your health, your peace, your joy, your perspective, your family, your friends, your courage, your hope. You can also overreact, or not react as quickly as you need to. You can make poor decisions.  

Also, what we breathe into our lives can also be toxic if we are not careful. If we do have room to breathe or come up to get a breath, we can breathe in negativity. We can also breathe in nothing that really helps us get renewed.   Breathing in wrong things can also cause big health issues.

The Bible tells us that  ...

God created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone  .... Isaiah 42:5

God gives life ...Romans 4:17 

we are stewards of life and what's He's given us... Psalm 24:1; 1 Peter 4:10

God can help us ...

He is the sustainer of life ... Psalm 54:4

We also read that...

In Him, we live and move and have our being...Acts 17:28

and that 

Jesus came to give us life, life in abundance  ... John 10:10

I believe most of us want to honor God with what He's given us.  We want to move as He leads us. But sometimes I think we get off pace and quickly lose our room to breathe and this can be dangerous.

If you're struggling already in this new year, here are some easy steps God has been challenging me with that I wanted to share:

Check your breathing.  Are you struggling?  When people ask us often if we are good, we usually say we are, but are you REALLY? Look at your life. Look in the mirror. Are you taking care of what God has given you? Is your relationship with Him growing and prioritized? What does your life look like? How is your family? Your work? Your finances? Your quiet time with God?  If you're not sure how you're really doing, ask those around you.  They can usually tell you. God's Spirit and His Word can also help us really see how we are and what we are becoming. God wants to have wisdom with our life and to live it well, in honor of Him.  Thankfully, He can help us!

Teach me to number my days, that we might have a heart of wisdom ... Psalm 90:12

Check your "spaces." Do you have space to breathe?  Do you have time and space DAILY where and when you can just "be" with God?  We can't make it without Him.  We see Jesus getting up early in the morning to be with His Father.  We see Him making space for his disciples to get away for awhile. He modeled what we need to do. Relationships are built when time is spent together.  If you only meet God in church on Sunday or a few times a week, it's NOT ENOUGH. He is our life, our breath.  The more intentional time you spend with Him, the more He breathes into you the ability to go on. 

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus went away to a solitary place where He prayed ... Mark 1:35

Come away with me to a quiet place (Jesus to his disciples) ... Mark 6:31

If you seek me, you will find me if you seek me with your whole heart ... Jeremiah 29:13

Remain in me ... John 15

Check your air. What are you breathing into your life? What are you looking at? What are you watching? Listening to? What are you spending time doing and who are you spending time with? Input leads to output. What you put into your mind and heart will come out of you. Is God first and most? Are you breathing in His Word, His promises, His truth? What you breathe in matters.  Many times we try to rest and what we end up putting inside of us actually makes things worse. We look at things just to divert our attention.  Other times we can empty our minds without letting God reset us with His truth and refresh us in His presence. When we come back from the vacation or time away, we almost need another vacation from our vacation. We're not better or ready to face what is still there.  When you are squeezed, what is deep inside of you comes out.  God wants us to put His Word and His truth inside of us. It has power to change us with the help of His Spirit.  We can be renewed, cleaned, restored, refreshed... if we're plugged into the right thing. If we're breathing in God's Presence and Word and truth into our lives all the time, what comes out of us, even under pressure, will be His truth, His love, His perspective, His character.  What are you breathing in? If it's negativity, hatred, lies... those will come out of you.  If it's nothing, you will stay downcast and without energy. No change will come.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen to me and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fares ... Isaiah 55:2

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be ... Matthew 6:21

Set your thoughts on things above ... Colossians 3:2

What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth ... Matthew 15:11

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path ... Psalm 119:105

Seek first my kingdom ... Matthew 6:33

Change anything that God leads you to. That might mean deep cleaning. It might mean quitting some things. It might mean big decluttering. It might mean adding some things in. It will probably involve reprioritizing things in your life as the Spirit leads. Do you need air? Space to breathe? God Himself? He's ready to be all you need and to fill you with His presence!  

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you ... Ezekiel 36: 26-27

Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives. And humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls ... James 1:21

Mary has chosen the better thing and what she has will not be taken from her ...(story of Mary and Martha)... Luke 10:38-42

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me ... Psalm 51:10-12

If you purify me from my sins, I will be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow ... Psalm 51:7

Let God check your breathing, your spaces, what you're breathing in.  Let Him show you changes you can make so you can know Him more and be more healthier with Him in the new year. 

He is ready to walk you and me into a new chapter!  Let's trust Him!

Praises

-I had an amazing but busy December in Ethiopia.   I was privileged to give training to our 1st and 2nd year EvaSUE staff. We also had our Regional Coordinator Consultation training.  I love my EvaSUE teammates so much and feel humbled to be with them in the work here.

Most of our EvaSUE National Service Center team based in Addis

-I was able to travel to the US for Christmas and had an amazing time with my family. I praise God for this time.  I was able to breathe and reflect!  God did so much in 2025! I'm so grateful!

-I was able to attend the Urbana Conference in Phoenix, Arizona- with my sister and some of my EvaSUE teammates in late December. This conference was a breath of fresh air for us all. The missional teachings and worship by over 7000 college students was deeply moving. The interviews, testimonies, all were huge blessings. I'm so thankful I was able to attend.  I will be sharing more in another blog post soon about Urbana.  I'm still processing and reflecting on it all!  

Some of our EvaSUE teammates at Urbana in Phoenix

I returned to Ethiopia a week ago and have been settling in for the year ahead.

Some other praises / prayer requests for the new year: 

-for EvaSUE- pray for us as prepare for regional events that begin in one week and continue into March, that God will bless these events. We pray an outpouring of God's Spirit on young people that will push out from here to the ends of the earth! 

-I was short on fundraising goals for this year. If you'd like to make a one-time donation to help cover my time at home or to help with my ministry expenses for 2026, it's not too late to give, you can make a donation through this link:

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

Thank you for those of you who have given and continue to give. I'm so grateful to get to continue to represent God here!!!

Pray for EvaSUE again- that God will unify us and give us wisdom to serve God and students with excellence in every way.  May this be EvaSUE's greatest chapter yet!

Please join me in praising God for my amazing Dad, the handsome and charming -Jim Garrett. We are so thankful for his leadership of our family! He's a role model for us all and for so many others.  We wish him a very happy birthday on January 23rd. We love him so much! He loves us all so well!  

Happy B-day Dad on January 23rd

How can I pray for you in the new year?  I'd be honored to pray for you.

Again, may this new year be a new chance for us all to know God more deeply and share Him with the world! 

Blessed New Year to You All!