Rise Up!

It feels like a heaviness has blanketed much of the world the past few years.  

We've been pushed down and trampled in many ways by so many different things.

Covid and war, racism and struggling economies, disappointment and prolonged or surprising storms have knocked many people to the ground and as a natural reaction, we've stayed down. We've taken the position of defense. We've stayed shielding our faces, our families, our churches. We've huddled down.  We've braced for the next thing as it has seemed wave after wave after wave of struggle and crisis has hit again and again.  We've prayed for relief, when would breakthrough come?

At EvaSUE, we've been planning for what to say and teach on to the thousands in our ministry here in the year ahead. What does God want us to say? How do we respond in a world where crisis after crisis after crisis seems to be the "new normal?"  How are we, as faithful witnesses of the kingdom and actual citizens of heaven, to respond when we've been knocked down?  We've prayed, asking God for wisdom...

As I shared in many previous posts, the past few years here have not been easy.  As the world shook, I felt God uprooting me from the major platforms He'd given me here.  Was this the end of my time in Ethiopia? Would He pull me up to put me somewhere else?  I literally felt a part of me has been bracing for that.  And some amount of sorrow had already been there.  Many times a week, I'd find myself thinking... would this be the last lecture? The last walk? The last cup of coffee? The last fasting season? The last holiday?  

My work permit and residence visa had been blocked since we started trying to process it in February.  And it seemed that this would be the deciding door.  Though it seemed God was planning to place me back in the ground here, that last big door was CLOSED and even locked and it looked insurmountable. And I felt shut out and only God Himself could pull me through!  Would it be His will? For I knew He could open that door and move that mountain if He wanted to.  

Have you been there too recently? Facing an impossible situation? There was no way out, no way around, no cure, no solution? You were pushed down and being held down and held back.  I think we've all been there and had those moments in the past few years.

The past few weeks here, as office after office told me NO, of course it's also been the countdown to Easter here and globally. It's fasting season so many here are praying more and remembering what Jesus did.  For my ETC class and just in my personal quiet time, I have been watching several series of the Chosen videos and was moved again and again by the life, communication, and miracles of Jesus!  

I saw Him calm storms. Heal the sick. Raise the dead! I saw Him REALLY see people and not judge. And I heard Him say again and again, "Rise Up! 

Would He tell me also, to RISE UP and walk into a new season here? Would He make a way?

I believe that at this unique time in history, God definitely doesn't want us to lose hope if we are pushed down. He wants us to remember WHO HE IS and WHAT HE'S SAID and WHAT HE'S DONE.  The end of our story is NOT DEFEAT. We have the ability to RISE UP because HE DID!

We are on the winning side! We are part of the family of God and we follow a resurrected King! Jesus rose up so we could also RISE. We are not a defeated people in a story where we lose! We are a victorious people where we have already WON!  

Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He has risen!  (Luke 24: 6-7)

I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live (John 11:25)

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves ... in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1: 13-14)

Shake yourself from the dust, Rise Up, oh captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck   (Isaiah 52:2)

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16)

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose to appoint you as a servant and a witness  (Acts 26:16)

Everyone born of God overcomes the world  (1 John 5:4)

We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved! (Hebrews 10:39)

God wants to rise up and celebrate that the end is already written. And we can have hope that He is able to break all chains, restore all relationships, set captives free! He can raise up anyone who is down and without hope!  

Do you need to remember this today? Believe this?  For you? For someone you know? God is sovereign. He is Author and Finisher of our life stories. We can hold to Him in hope! We can RISE UP!

As we remember our Risen King, Jesus, every day and as the Easter holiday approaches, may we remember He is able to reach down and pull us or those we love from the muck and mire and give us a place to stand. He is able to pull us out of ANY stuck position, leveling any mountain in our way! He can clear any mind, mend any heart, send any demon fleeing! He can heal any illness, level any mountain! He is still on the throne!  

We need to Rise UP! Raise our hands and give thanks that this is Our story!

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident  (Psalm 27:3)

No weapon formed against you will prevail, this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord  (Isaiah 54:17)

The people of the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles   (Isaiah 40:31)

If you're feeling pushed down. Defeated. Overwhelmed. Without hope. Dead. Buried. And done... Jesus says, Rise UP, I have come that you may have life and have to the full (John 10:10) Jesus says, Reach for Me and RISE UP!

 God's not done yet! 

Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 37: 23-24)

 Don't be afraid, I am the First and the Last (Revelation 1: 17-18)

Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning... (Psalm 30:5)

There are people globally who have no idea that they too can be lifted up. They are stuck in places where they are thirsty and there's no water. They sit in chains and in darkness and there is no light. 

God wants us as His people to go these places and share about the One who can lift them up...who can redeem them, change them, free them, and love them! Let's RISE UP and get the good news of a Risen Savior to those who need it! The world is waiting and needing this GOOD NEWS!

Guess what? My work permit and visa came through! God said...rise up, pick up your visa and continue to walk and work here. I've uprooted you but I'm replanting you, better, stronger, and more stable now on me and in me. God showed me my foundation is Him and He will help continue to write my story here. Praise God! 

In the checkout, FINISH LINE...
Year 12 in Ethiopia Approved! God made a WAY!!!

May this be my greatest season yet for God and if I get knocked down again, may I quickly rise back up and lift Jesus up because He saves!  May we all do the same where He plants us! 

Praises

-My work permit and residence ID was approved this past week! Praise God for His provision!!!

-The EvaSUE team finished a very busy month and had great growth and success across all regions, so thankful for this incredible ministry and team!  We did host visitors from Global Outreach International (my mission sending organization) That was a great blessing. Here are a few pictures from the regions and one of us with the Global Outreach Team...

Taking Global Outreach International leaders out for authentic Ethiopian food

-My parents celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. So thankful for amazing parents!

the best parents- Jim and Rosie Garrett!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for Ethiopia as there is still scattered fighting areas and the economy is still not good. Pray for wisdom for the government

-As fasting continues here and the countdown to Easter on April 16th, pray that the people of God will unite and repent and that revival will come through churches and through young people. That the gospel will be shared here and it will go out to the nations

-Pray for our EvaSUE team as more regional events happen in April and planning continues for the busy rainy season time ahead and a new school year ahead, that God will lead us

-Pray for my one ETC class as it continues, that God will use me to teach well.

Some of my ETC students this semester

-Pray for two of my dear sisters here, Hilina with the birth of her 2nd child (a girl) happening in mid April and for Hidi and her wedding in late May. That all will go well as we celebrate these big life events together!

Hilina and Hidi

Let's Celebrate our RISEN KING- JESUS 

and also RISE UP in this new season in His power! 

Blessed Easter season to all celebrating soon!  Because Jesus lives, so can WE!

FACING MOUNTAINS ... Needing Fresh Wind

Many times in life, we find ourselves looking at a mountain. 

We face a problem that's too big; an illness that is too painful; a bill that we can't pay; a relationship that we can't mend; a sin we can't shake free of. 

We can feel stuck. Overwhelmed. Fearful. 

How can we get around that mountain? It's big. It's blocking the way ahead. 

Many times when we face a mountain, our energy can already feel drained. Our breathing is already labored.  We have no energy to go on. We need something to change. We need the mountain to be moved. We need fresh wind to blow so we have energy. We may feel desperate.  Where do we go from here? What is the way?

Most of us the past few years have faced mountains. We have faced a depletion of energy. We have felt desperate. 

The amazing thing about these moments of desperation, times when we face a mountain with no way around it, when we most feel like giving up ... is often when God does the biggest of moves in our lives and stories.  He can set up miracles in these situations.  It's all about how we respond at the base of the mountain. 

This past week...it was time again for me to begin the annual process of applying for another work permit and residence ID. Last year... was one of the most difficult times I had faced in twelve years.  It caused me to travel twice to Kenya and was a pain with cost and Covid restrictions, etc. This time though I was thinking... it should be easier.  This time I wasn't changing organizations. It was now a renewal. My other EvaSUE American co-worker had just passed through.  But, when our EvaSUE worker who was handling my case emerged from the first needed office for my paperwork to pass through, he had bad news. NO pass. The door was CLOSED. He said, they said "NO." 

A mountain emerged.  Not again!

Yet, shockingly at that moment and as the week continued, my heart and spirit felt light. I experienced a deep peace. God had already been speaking to me and He has continued to speak to me.  

He's been reminding me of three big things:

What He has already done.

What He already said (His promises)

and Who He IS.  

He kept saying... right now, just be still... He was going to fight this fight for me! 

God is the Mountain Mover! He is the Way Maker! 

He would blow fresh wind into me to help me.  

I'm actually excited to see what He will do.  Let it be God!  Bring revival in my life and renewed courage and faith. I plan to praise Him as I face this mountain and may His will be done!

God is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble...Therefore we will not fear...though the earth give way... "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46)

I believe God's people (His Church) globally is literally at the base of a ton of big mountains on every continent. Crisis after crisis has risen around us.  Corruption. Division. Racism. Sin. We want relief.  We feel a growing desperation.  What will we do? God doesn't want us as the church to fight each other and rip each other apart as we face these mountains. I believe He's wanting us to fall our faces and be renewed as His people. He's wanting REVIVAL!  The mountain shouldn't freak us out. The desperation and the bigness of all we face should make us hit our knees. The craziness of the world should humble us and remind us of all that is important. We should repent, be reconciled to God and to each other... and in that humility, we can be unified, sanctified, and raised up anew! He can level the mountains! He is up to something big I believe.  Could it for us, His Church, His people, to get busy focusing on Him and lifting Him up to the nations?

God can pour out His Spirit on us...a fresh wind.... so we worship Him and witness for Him to the ends of the earth. I believe He's already on the move to revive us.  As we've seen stories from Asbury University in the United States... may this movement continue!

If you're desperate, facing a mountain...don't fear! Let God bring a revival in you and through you. Let that desperation make you run into the presence of God, not away from Him.  He has fresh wind to fill you with. Fresh perspective. Fresh vision. Fresh energy. Fresh courage. He is able to level any mountain in His time and way! Let Him do His work in you and through you while you wait for Him to move...

"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from the wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 4:14)

"I will pour out my Spirit on all people...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Joel 2:28 ; 32)

"Be still and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37)

"Don't be afraid, the battle is not yours, but mine." (2 Chronicles 20:15)

"Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit" says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6)

Let Revival come God. Forgive us and raise us up anew in You. Your will be done!

Praises

-Praise God for the new staff and mission mobilizers we were able to launch through EvaSUE the past few months. Our over 100 staff are now in their regions, we thank God for these humble servants and kingdom workers- may God anoint them to witness well!  We thank God for the Regional Coordinators and all the staff God has given us...

New Campus Mission Mobilizers

Regional Coordinators

-Praise God for the chance to teach and train in Addis and visit staff around the country. So thankful for the amazing EvaSUE team!

-Praise God for the new ETC class that started.  I will meet with these current and future church leaders once a week through May as we talk about "Cross Cultural Communication" at this critical time in the history of the church.  May God challenge us as we think about what He wants to say through His church across cultures...

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for many struggling with medical issues. 

-Please pray again for God to level the mountain of my work permit block and for it to get passed through ... it expires on March 23

-Please pray for the coming month of March- a very busy time for EvaSUE as regional leadership conferences and staff trainings happen in all regions

-Please pray for Ethiopia, there are many issues that the government needs wisdom about.

-Please pray for protection from spiritual attacks

-If you'd like to join my prayer team or contribute to the work, here is the link:

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

Thank you for all who have prayed and given!!!

-Pray again for revival here! May God send fresh wind on us so He is lifted up!

May God lift up His Church globally as we face the mountains with courage!

Running a New Road ...

Though I'm back in Ethiopia now ... entering my 12th year.... 

I still in many ways feel like it's a new road, a different road, I'm now traveling on. 

Many of the foundations and platforms God had given me to stand on and largely take some confidence in ... fell away in the last year or so.

And when I returned this time... though much of life here in Ethiopia seems the same ... it does feel different and new.  

I have new work and complete confidence that this is exactly where God wants me to be.  

Yet I still feel like I'm closing my eyes a bit... afraid to look around and I'm still trying to stand up on wobbly legs... as I look ahead at a new road with a new team and a new foundation.

I've been thinking alot about the seasons of life and how God works through those seasons. 

Sometimes God doesn't open things up. He holds in you in a hard place or says to keep walking on the same road.  There have been many seasons like that for me.  Those have difficulty. Why doesn't change come? Why doesn't something new open?  Often what I've seen is He doesn't change the road, He changes YOU on that hard road in that stretched position.  

Other times...God does open a new thing and new road. He changes things. Here He also says... move forward. Be brave. Don't do things the way you always have.  Trust me. This is MY  CALL.  I can show this new way and help you run a good race.

Do I trust Him?  Do you? With whatever road He says to run on at this time in life?

God can help us to "stand on the heights" and He can make our legs "stable."  He can do in us and through us more than we can ask or imagine.

How do you feel on the road you're on?  

Maybe you're already tired. Maybe you've already detoured.  Maybe the way looks lonely. You've lost someone or something and the road ahead looks too hard to go it alone.  

Maybe the road ahead is a good one and you're excited but also scared or nervous.  What will happen? Can you you run a good race? Can you finish? 

Whatever road it is ... God wants us to take courage and be brave in the New Year. 

He gives us encouragement to keep running .... whatever the road is....or what it looks like ....

It is God that arms me with strength and keeps my way secure; He makes my feet like that of a deer, He enables me to stand on the heights 

2 Samuel 22: 33-34

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. 

Romans 12:1

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint

Isaiah 40:31

...run in such a way to get the prize 

1 Corinthians 9:24

God can help us say...

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race....

2 Timothy 4:7

.

May we trust Him and press on!

...forget what is behind and press on towards what is ahead ... 

Philippians 3:13

May we run our best race yet in the New Year! May He strengthen us and give us courage! 

May we remember - He goes with us! And never leaves.  May we trust Him and follow Him until the finish line!

Praises

I was so thankful for holiday time with family. Christmas, shopping for a new "buddy" ...  very grateful for my Dad, Mom, Sister- Noel and Mike.  

Please join me in wishing the great and amazing, best Dad in the world, Jim Garrett a very happy birthday on 1-23. Us Garrett girls love and appreciate him so much!  

I'm so thankful for Global Outreach International- as my new mission sending organization. If you'd like to give a one time gift or join my monthy support team, please let me know or give through this link:         

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

I'm so excited for what God is going to do in the time ahead for this new road was His call!

Thank you so much for those of you who have prayed and given.  We are partnered here together and I believe it's a strategic time and God is up to something big. 

Prayers

-pray for continued peace for Ethiopia

-pray for my work permit that will need renewed in this first quarter of the year- that it will pass through easily

-pray for traveling and work I've been given with EvaSUE - that God will give me confidence to be all He's made me to be and do with this amazing ministry.  

-pray for new EvaSUE staff launching this month and for many activities and trainings that will happen in this first quarter

-pray for a trip out of Addis this weekend to Bahir Dar- that God will keep us safe and the visit with EvaSUE staff will be great

Bahir Dar

-pray for one class that I will be giving at ETC- starting at the end of this month.

Thank you for the prayers!

May we run the road God has us on with courage in 2023! 

Thoughts on Shifting Seasons and the Need to RESET ...

In many parts of the world, the season is shifting to winter. From the beautiful colors of fall and leaves changing ... to more dark days of cold with snow... it's a season shift. 

Here in Ethiopia, our rainy season has finally shifted to sun and blue skies. 

Seasons shift and things change in life, this is all part of the journey.

I think for many of us though, the past few years have held TOO MUCH shifting and shaking and change.

Covid brought illness and death, masks and quarantine. War and inflation and corruption of leadership seemed to spread, along with natural disasters. Peace was disrupted. 

The world seemed to tilt off its axis. Biblical values and principles seemed to fall out of the foundation of people and countries, and even many churches.  

What was happening to the world???

When things shift and upend, it's interesting to see our own response and the response of others. Do we freak out? Become dismayed? Overwhelmed? 

I'm thankful for God's Word that promises us that we will be okay when things shake ...

I have set the Lord before me, I will not be shaken ... Psalm 16:8

But to be honest, I have felt shaken by the past few years.   

And God has been telling me in recent days ... things have shifted Holly ... but I AM HERE. You need to RESET.  I can help you!

It's funny how God can get your attention.  He did that last week for me...

Last week, I had much to do online.  Online work here can be challenging because often "mabrat yellum" or "network yellum" (light and network- not working). As I was trying to download and print documents while praying light and the network held, I managed to catch a "virus" from a flash drive. LOVELY!  There was a big response from my IT tech team in USA...  my laptop disconnected from the internet. My computer was "isolated" and I was told I needed to do several things before I could get reconnected.  The timing couldn't have been worse.

Yet, God would use this technology problem to teach me a lesson, He's so creative! As I worked through getting my laptop to RESET, God would teach me how He wanted me to go through the same steps  ... so He could RESET my life.  

For my laptop, the first thing that my IT people did was to "ISOLATE" my computer. My computer needed disconnected from the internet so it could be checked.  This is what God often wants to do in our lives. He wants to get us ALONE with Him.  He might lead us into a time of solitude.  

Times of loneliness we often don't like.  We often stay busy or comfortable or entertained or even medicated... so we don't have to be alone.  If there's sin or connections we shouldn't have, if there's misplaced trust or misplaced priorities, we might feel those in how we're living. Yet, we might ignore those or hide from God so we don't have to face them or correct them.  So sometimes,  God will lead us into a desert or wilderness.  He might put us in a hard place and keep us there awhile. Why? Because it's often at the bottom, in the pit, in a storm, even a prison cell, where we can hear God best and see ourselves best.  God might call us to a season where it's just Him and us, ALONE.  And He wants us to see Him, know Him, and love Him and BE JUST WITH HIM during this time.

If you feel in a lonely place... and don't know why... remember God is with you. He's there!  He might just want you to Himself so He can talk to you and you can hear Him.  Listen for Him. Be with Him...

When you pray, go into your room and close the door, and pray to your Father.... Matthew 6:6

Come away by yourself to a secluded place and rest awhile .... Mark 6:31

Jesus left and went to a secluded place ... Luke 5:16

The Lord is near to all who call on Him ... Psalm 145: 18-19

If God has called you into a time alone.... don't fear. He is there and may just be preparing to RESET you!  He might also be trying to RESET others around you also.  He might need them alone with Him so they can hear too. Trust Him in the solitude! He has a plan!

My IT tech team told me...next... I needed to SCAN my files for viruses.  And they needed to SCAN my laptop from that side as well.  If I didn't allow these scans, my laptop could self destruct.  Often when seasons shift and God wants to do a new thing in our lives, He will test us and check us for our good. He can "scan" us to show us unhealth that might be there. Small things can become big and can destroy us if not taken care of. We may have connected to wrong things or people. We may have gotten misaligned.  We may be holding onto hurt or pride. Our priorities might not be right. Our discipline could be off. We may have things in our foundation that mean more to us than God and we have to let Him show us these areas so we can face them.  Bitterness, guilt, shame, sin, unforgiveness ... all need removed from our lives. They can poison us.  God already knows it all and sees it all.  He wants us to open those areas up to Him and let Him clean those and heal those.  We often don't like unhealthy areas to be seen. And often areas that need cut out or removed, can feel painful.  But this scan and check is for OUR GOOD. God wants us to move forward and be healthy in the next season. Let Him scan you and check you and do what needs done!

Search me oh God know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, see if there be any wicked way in me ... Psalm 139:23

I have tested you in the furnace of affliction ... Isaiah 48:10

God disciplines those He loves.... No discipline is  pleasant at the time, but painful. But later it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it ... Hebrews 12:11

The testing of your faith produces endurance  ... James 1:2

God knows the way I take. When He refines me, I shall come forth as gold ... Job 23:10

The next thing my IT team told me to do was to POWER DOWN.  My computer needed shut all the way down so the new realignment could kick in.  God reminded me here of the cross. We are called to stay on the cross.  We are to nail our will and our way to Jesus and surrender everything to Him!  This  can be scary and painful. It's letting go of control and trusting God to raise you up anew. It's like baptism. You leave it all and let it be buried and then trust that when God raises you up... you will indeed RISE  ...

I am crucified with Christ  ... Galatians 2:20

Consider yourselves dead to sin ...  Romans 6:11

If you do not give up everything to follow me, then you are not worthy to be my disciples ... Luke 14:33

He must increase, I must decrease ... John 3:30

Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time ... James 4:10

Take up your cross daily and follow Me ... Luke 9:23

Is there anything you need to surrender to God? Anything you need to nail to the cross? Anything you need to give fully to God? Anything you need to let go of? A dream? A relationship? A job? A plan?  You are promised in that surrender to God,  you will find life. Don't hold onto what you shouldn't! Let it be powered down and turned off!  If God tells you to do that, DO IT!  

Finally, I was told to POWER BACK on and that the RESET would happen. And it did! My computer turned on and was reconnected to the internet.  The virus was gone and all things were working!  

God is able to do the same in our lives, to RESET us for the new season ahead ....

The old is gone, the new has come ... 2 Corinthians 5:17

I will heal you and restore you ... Psalm 71: 20-21

Instead of shame, you will receive a double portion. and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance ... Isaiah 61:7

After you have suffered awhile, I myself will restore you ... 1 Peter 5:10

He will lift you up and will keep lifting you up .... Ezekiel 3:12

Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength ... they will run on ... Isaiah 40:31

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love Him ...  1 Corinthians 2:9

I'm so thankful that God is able to RESET us in Him. He can isolate us, scan us, power us down and then power us back up ... resetting us for a new season in Him and for Him. 

May we trust you God! 

May this new "winter season" season ahead... be one of health and healing and resetting in Jesus Christ for us all. 

Please pray for me as I pray this for you. May we be RESET in Him and trust that our greatest season yet is still ahead!

Praises and Prayer Requests

-Praise for good health and birthdays, fall-winter season for my family in USA and my global family. 

-Pray for my continued transition to Global Outreach International. I'm still needing to raise one time and monthly support for that. if you'd like to give a one time gift or be a new monthly giver, you can do that now through this link-   https://www.globaloutreach.org/giving/missionary-details/holly-garrett  I need to raise support for my trip home at Christmas and to restock on supplies. Thank you if you can pray about giving to this need.

-Pray for EvaSUE as we continue in the coming time to train new staff and to work on new curriculum and a teaching path for our 50,000 students. Pray for students back to campus now... that God will help them be faithful witnesses of the kindgom and that this witness will create a movement for Jesus to the nations!

-Pray for the new peace agreement signed recently for Ethiopia- that peace will hold and aid will get to all the areas and people that it desperately

-Pray for my long-time friend Belay who recently moved to Canada- that God will bless him in this new place.  He will be missed here

I pray as the Thanksgiving holiday arrives at the end of this month, that we all give thanks to God for keeping us and helping us to RESET. He is so worthy of our thanks and gratitude!

Know I'm grateful for each of you!  

 Blessed November to all you as it continues... 

With Gratitude and Thanks from Ethiopia

A Return to the Fields ...

It has been a very busy late summer and early fall season back in Ethiopia...

Rains have been heavy but they are getting less. The sun will soon return, marking another season shift. 

I know many people globally are also in this time of shifting from summer into fall, from vacations and time off to work and school, from hot weather to cooler fall temperatures.  

Maybe you are also like me...I can't believe it's already this many days into September already!  

There has much activity and transition and movement here ... I'm still reflecting on it all.

Over the past few months .. I've gotten a look at the "youth" generation of Ethiopia... younger brothers and sisters in Christ ... who are usually far out in their regions and doing the hard work of sharing the gospel and making disciples on university and college campuses all over the country.  

I saw buses and taxis pull in with them inside ... as busload and taxi-load after busload and taxi-load arrived bringing them together from all corners of Ethiopia. 

They were gathering for the two national conferences EvaSUE hosts each rainy season. 

Some of these students looked dusty... some looked drenched in rain.  Most carried backpacks and many looked tired from travel but all arrived EXPECTANT for God to speak.  They came to be refreshed, recharged and recommissioned to serve back in their fields. An anointing was needed and I believe God indeed did anoint and speak!!!

EvaSUE staff first hosted 700 plus campus fellowship leaders from all over Ethiopia for the National Leadership Summit.  They received a week of training on how to be "Faithful Witnesses of the Kingdom." They heard a challenge to SEE, WITNESS, and ENDURE with powerful expository teaching from the book of Revelation.  I was deeply moved to see the respect, the humility, the prayer, the unity, the repentance and the power of God cover these dear servants.  

Three weeks later, over 400 mission mobilizer students came together to get trained for mission at the National Mission Summit. Testimonies were given and current statistics on what God was doing globally were shared. God again moved and spoke and stirred and anointed these students for the fields they were called to.

My pieces at both conferences went so well and I was so thankful to help contribute some new ideas and strategies for these students. I taught Biblical Leadership and on Sport Evangelism. I helped lead mass sport and helped organize art and creative activities to reinforce main plenary sessions. I also helped with story collection- testimonies of God at work... recording these to be shared later on various platforms.  I was amazed at how everyone had a story to tell! Praise God! What an honor to be part of mobilizing a generation for Jesus Christ! I couldn't help but feel I was part of something big that God would water to get the remaining task done... that God would mobilize this humble team to get the gospel to the remaining people groups of the world who are still unreached. Let it be God!

My Creative Design Team- Yoyo, Tita, Edu

Art display

mass sport in the morning

I'm so thankful for my supporters, prayer partners, new friends, and for Global Outreach International- for the prayers, financial contributions... these all made it possible for the work and seeds tossed to get done!

The most moving activity of these weeks for me was a prayer activity we had at the Leadership Summit.  Robel (EvaSUE's main leader) preached on turning from Babylon and called everyone to repent and to turn towards God's plan and way. Students wrote repentance and prayers and then turned to go through a prayer line of EvaSUE staff... as they left the building ... receiving a "Faithful Witness of the Kingdom" wristband... marking them and their commitment to turn from Babylon and to go back to the fields. The staff wept as we prayed for them, students wept as they exited.  It reminded me of the verse:

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them... Psalm 126:6 

These students were returning to hard areas, "fields," that in many places of the country have drought, extreme need, fighting, and war.  But these students had counted the cost and were saying... we will go back, we will return, the gospel is worth it ... Jesus needs shared!  I will never forget that prayer line and power of God felt there... and the example these young people showed!

Sometimes God calls us to hard "fields." Fields we wouldn't choose and fields we'd rather leave from.  We might not like where God is telling to go and or where God is telling us to stand and stay.  These fields can be painful and uncomfortable. There can be persecution and cost. It may even cost you your life. But if God calls you to a field and tells you to hold your position, He WILL give you what you need and shape you in that field. Nothing is better than being where God tells you to be and standing when He tells you to stand. He can accomplish in you and through you what needs done! Help us God to be faithful to you and to trust you! Give us sight! Give us opportunities to witness! Give us strength to endure!

Open your eyes and look at the fields, they are ripe for harvest... John 4:35

You will receive power when my Spirit comes you and you will be my witnesses... Acts 1:8 

He who endures to the end will be saved... Matthew 24:13

After the conferences and all of the work, things still have felt busy ... 

We celebrated the Ethiopian New Year last weekend.  The last Ethiopian calendar year Sept to Sept ... was one my hardest. Lots of job stress and change, instability in Ethiopia, sickness and death and Covid was everywhere... Yet, we gathered and gave thanks to God for seeing us through.  For He is good and has still been with us!

Two of my best sisters here had big news to share in the past month.  One is a big congratulations to Hidi...on her engagement to Yodi. Very excited for all God is up to in the coming time ....

Hidi and Yodi .... Engaged!

I started a new class at ETC, Intro to Missions. This class of 35 will meet every Thursday night this fall semester. I'm so thankful for this chance to continue to build into current and future church leaders here. 

ETC Intro to Missions, Fall 2022 Class

So thankful for all! Please keep us in prayer here...

Prayer Requests

-Fighting has started again in the northern part of Ethiopia. Please pray for peace and for wisdom for the leadership.  Pray that people in these areas will share the gospel and respond to the gospel.  

-EvaSUE- as we continue to reflect and plan for the school year ahead and all God is up to ... that we will let God lead and ready us for our place in it all

-for my transition to go under Global Outreach International fully by the end of the year, appreciate them so much!  I will be sending more information in the time ahead how you can join my team through them.

Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership!  I am blessed by each of you.

Blessed FALL season to you all... May we give God our best as we return to the fields!!!