Sacrifice

I have been reminded the past few weeks of the challenge God gave me when He told me to commit to internship.  He challenged me to embrace SACRIFICE.  At the time I didn't understand the fine-print of what internship or sacrifice would look like, but the picture is now unfolding before me... 

Sacrifice the closeness of family  -- I was reminded of how I miss one of my dear cousins; how I'll see her only three times this year, maybe less.  Same with the rest of my family, unless they come down to visit. 

Sacrifice the security of salary  -- I have NO CLUE where my rent money will come from for next month (or the rest of the year) other than the fact that God WILL provide.  And the fact that I'm basically helpless (apart from God) because I have no means or option of supporting myself.

Sacrifice convenience -- I have been daily reminded of the luxury running water is.  Several pipes burst on campus during the cold spell in early January and my apartment still has no running water after almost 3 weeks.  Thankfully my roommates and I can go to other apartments or the dorms to do dishes, take showers, etc.  I have been counting my blessings!

Sacrifice selfish desires and pride -- Oh, the joys of living in community!  Friction and confrontation are unavoidable.  I can try to hide in my fears, but it won't be long before I must deal with things.  Community living forces me to humble and submit myself, not allow myself to be offended, and put others needs and desires above my own. 

Sacrifice independence and control -- I was reminded that I no longer have complete control over my life.  I must follow schedule, submit to authority, report my productivity, etc.  Sometimes the rules insult my pride and independence.  But that pride has to go and I know if I really apply myself, great character will be formed in me this year. 


The truth is, all these realities I will experience in even greater measure when I become an overseas missionary -- what I've always dreamed of.  I will be far, far away from my family for years; I will have to trust God for much more than a few hundred dollars; I will surely live with unreliable water and power sources; I will be living in community of some sort that may not be as loving and gracious as this; and I will never have complete control over my life as long as I follow HIM! 

The funny thing is, I have to keep reminding myself that I AM a missionary! This isn't only training for the mission field, this IS the mission field and I am a missionary here and now!

I am so encouraged because God is doing a GREAT work in me.  I can feel it!  My faith is more tangible than ever because I am desparate for Him.  I am literally dependant on Him for everything, every day.  I can't wait to share with you all the testimonies of the provision and the miracles He is going to do!  You can't have a testimony without a test...  So as long as I persevere, I am bound to have a testimony.  :)


The Musicianary Midwife (in the grinder....)
Hannah Garrett

Video Update

Hello, hello:) ....drumroll.... Here is the long awaited video from Hannah and Davina! Woohoo!  Please share this with your family and friends and anyone who you think may be interested in what we're doing in Nashville.  We are praying for Prayerful & Financial Partners.  We SO appreciate ALL of YOU!!!








                                                                                      (Video credits to my sweet Daddy)

Nashville

Here I am! --sitting on my porch overlooking Clinton St in Nashville, TN.  This is my new home!  Almost everyone is here and we're getting ready for our new lives as musicianaries (musicians + missionaries) in the Hood.  Tomorrow we will get the run-down for the week, maybe a little sneak peak into the year, and our individual jobs will be assigned to us.  I am eagerly waiting to have a clearer picture of what my life will be like in 2014.  :) 

(May apartment is the top right.  I share with two lovely ladies!)

I have to admit...  More than once the thought popped into my head,

"Hannah, what on EARTH are you getting yourself into?!  Basically signing your life away for a solid year, not having a CLUE what the details are of where it will take you, and not only having virtually no money, but not even being able to provide for yourself...?  I  mean, who would do that to themselves????"

Well, the answer is simple.  Many in history have taken this risk in order to follow God in obedience to His will, and I am no exception.  Take Abraham for instance.  God literally tells him, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."  (Genesis 12:1)  He didn't even know where he was going, let alone what he would do there.  God told him to go and he went.  No questions asked.  "...So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him..."  (Genesis 12:4)

If we really think about it, as Christians, we never really know what the final outcome will be from an act of obedience -- if our lives are fully surrendered to Him.  He typically only shows us one puzzle piece at a time.  In retrospect we see that He carefully planned every step, but in the moment it seems ludicrous to march around a city seven times, to send home over 90% of your army, or even walk naked for three years.  (Exodus 6:15, Judges 7:2-8, Isaiah 20:3)

Sometimes fear and control get in the way and cause us to reject the Lord's plan because it's not going the way WE want it to...  Yet, how can we so easily forget that full surrender to God's will is the only way to escape complete disaster?  We know all too well the story of Jonah.  I know I can't hide from God, but I certainly don't want to run from Him! 

The truth is, if I would have run from God and His call back to Nashville, I would have a storm raging inside me right now.  There would be no peace, there would be no excitement and anticipation; there would be no hope or purpose.  I would be thrown and tossed by the waves of directionlessness, until finally I throw myself overboard in full surrender.  Then God would somehow swallow me up and take me to the horizon of Nashville.  God doesn't have a plan B.  Either you submit to His plan, or He gets you there the hard and fishy way.  I know for a FACT God would bring me right back here, no matter how much I might have kicked and screamed.

Thankfully, I didn't put up a fight.  I know I am in His will!  And that's exactly where I want to be -- not in the belly of a smelly fish...  I have hope; I have purpose and direction.  I have SO much anticipation because I know that God takes pride in what He does and He wants to use ME!!! 

Even if this were a horrible place to live with the worst case scenario, I would still be content to be in His will.  I heard a story today of an old missionary lady who said she is happy everywhere she goes, because Jesus is in her heart and He is her home!  I couldn't agree more.  Thankfully, this is far from the worst case scenario at the Foundry.  Though some things are tough (i.e. my apartment hasn't had water for days) I am surrounded by a loving, encouraging community of people who Love God and Serve People.  This is home!

...And so Hannah departed as the Lord had spoken to her, and Davina went with her.  And Hannah was 22 years old when she departed from Winchester, KY...  then Hannah took Davina her sister, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and they departed to go to the land of Nashville, TN.  So they came to the land of Nashville...  :)

Until next time,
Hannah Garrett (The Musicianary Midwife)

Newsletter December 2013

Beautiful Family & Friends,

My heart is overwhelmed with joy and anticipation of all that God is doing in my life! I wanted to take this time to let you know a little more detail about my life than you would get over an occasional facebook post. ;)

Midwife:

As you may know, I have been working hard the past 3 years to earn my CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) credential. I am about half-way through my clinicals as I apprenticed both here in KY and in the Philippines last year. This year looked a little different, however. When I returned from the Philippines the end of November 2012, I anxiously waited for God's next step; but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I fully intended to continue my clinicals through another internship, whether local or overseas, but God didn't open any doors. He had me stay at home January – August, working hard at Giovanni's (over-time many weeks) and volunteering with a youth group. All this time, I was waiting for the Lord's direction, and saving up for a car so I could have freedom to attend births. In June, the Lord spoke through my mom about me attending Thunder School. Long story short, this decision was confirmed by my dad and others, and I went to Thunder School 2013!

Thunder School! 
Let me tell you a little about my experience. :) This 3 month creative-evangelist equipping school has probably been the most dynamically transforming 3 months of my life! Growing up, I had always been creative and musically gifted. I got to express my creativity predominantly through ballet during grade school, but the musical side of me eagerly waited to be explored. After high school, I sang regularly with two different church worship teams, but I felt there was something more... I lacked the courage and direction to fully access my gifts. 

During Thunder School, I not only had the opportunity to participate in a weekly, one hour worship set, but my true identity as a worshiper was awakened. Who I am is defined by God; my gifts do not define me. As my identity in God was ingrained deeper and deeper, my courage soared! But what is courage without something to conquer? I had to conquer my fears; fears of failure, of looking foolish or not being perfect. And I did it! I looked my fears in the eye and overcame them. My biggest step of courage was on Creative Expression night, where I sang an original song (my first song ever) AND played the piano. I had virtually no experience playing piano or songwriting. Yeah, it was a big deal, but I knew I was ready to step into my destiny and I just had to DO IT!
 

Not only did I scratch the surface of my destiny as a worship leader, I was transformed by the foundational teachings as well. I also served in many outreaches: in a maximum security prison, on the streets, in a nursing home, at parks, rehab centers, and in our own church. It was INCREDIBLE!

 

Provision International:

Here's a little about the ministry that hosts Thunder School. Provision International was founded by Pastor Scott and Sarah MacLeod about 20 years ago in the inner-city of Nashville. Creative-Compassion is the substance of this ministry. They call themselves “musicianaries!”

Compassion:

Pastor Scott and Sarah's heart for people, and ultimately for God, compelled them to make a difference in a dark, hurting neighborhood. They started bringing the presence of God into this community through prayer meetings and worship sessions held at the Foundry (Provision's headquarters). As God led, they began going door-to-door, playing with children in the nearby park, feeding the homeless, meeting needs and simply loving on people. In addition, they started teaching and equipping others to reach the harvest. The community of missionaries at Provision has multiplied, and to this day, they continue these expressions of compassion. They have seen tremendous transformation in their neighborhood in recent years!
 

Creativity:

“Musicians are the prophets of the culture,” as Pastor Scott says. Put words to a catchy tune, and everyone is singing it; over and over and over again. We all know we become what we listen to, just like we become what we eat. Artists and musicians have the power to shape the future of a generation – and they are, whether by default or intentionally. Creativity is a HUGE weapon in the hands of a humble, willing servant of God. It's not about what we can gain from our gifts, but about how we can serve with our gifts. At Provision International there is opportunity, guidance and grace for creative people to arise and cultivate their weapons for the Kingdom of God.

Next Step:

So, what is the next step, you ask? Good question... Every Thunder School student has the opportunity to apply for internship – a year-long ministry program to implement what we learned in Thunder School. Upon arriving at the beginning of the semester, I was very stubbornly focused on not getting “stuck” down there and returning for internship, because I am SO eagerly waiting to re-enter the world of birth... But, you know the old saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans...” Needless to say, I strongly feel Him calling me back to serve with Provision International as an intern. He very gently showed me that He's not quite done with what He started in me the past 3 months, and He has more work for me to do. I was accepted, and I plan to return to Nashville January 10th, 2014! 

Although this may seem like a diversion of my original plan (to become a missionary midwife), it's actually the same road God has had me on all along, just not the way I expected. Yes, I am a missionary – here and now, wherever I am. During internship, I will get to continue all the outreaches mentioned above, and more. I will also have a weekly task working for Provision International, which is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. As an intern, I will:

• Support the ministry with my administrative gifts and heart of compassion
• Learn the details of how to run a successful ministry, and DO IT!
• Minister through my creative gifts, and further develop them (vocals, piano, guitar, art, dance)
• Feed the hungry, love the strangers, clothe the naked, nourish the sick, and visit those in prison (Matthew 25:35-36)

Not only will I be meeting needs (and fulfilling my dream) by being a missionary, but I get to use and develop the gifts God has given me to be more effective in the Kingdom. Most importantly, I will be in His will. How exciting is that?! :)

Support:

I knew at some point in my life I would become a full-time missionary in need of consistent support, but I never guessed it would be this soon! Because I will be a missionary volunteering my time, I will need support. My tasks of service will not allow time for another job, and each intern is responsible to raise their own support. Thankfully, the cost of living is relatively low. In order to pay for my every day needs (rent, food, gas, etc.) I will need $500 per month – that's only $6,000 for a whole year! 

If 100 people could pledge $5 per month, I would be set!
 

I would be honored if you partnered with me, if you believe in this mission. Even if you can't make a pledge, but would like to make a one-time donation of $5 or $10 – every little bit counts! If you are able and would like to donate more, feel free. I also greatly appreciate your prayerful support for me and the ministry. We are not serving in a developing nation, but every part of the world is in need of a Savior. I believe some places even in the United States are in a lot worse condition than we realize. There is so much need, and I know God has called me to Nashville for a reason!

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

(James 1:27)

Thank you SO MUCH for your time in reading my newsletter. I am honored that each of you have a place in my life. I pray God blesses each of you abundantly in this Christmas season, and the year to come. Thank you for your prayers and support of what God is doing in the earth – through me! I will be sure to keep in touch. :) And in case you were wondering, I'm certainly going to complete my Midwifery certification at some point – it's all in the Lord's time!

The Musicianary Midwife (in the making),

Hannah Garrett

trustinthelord412@gmail.com

To Donate:
For tax-deductible receipt:

• Write checks to "PROVISION INTERNATIONAL" with "HANNAH GARRETT" in memo line
• Donate through PayPal at Provision International via the "Donate" link
• Can be set up to reoccur monthly
• Write "FOR HANNAH GARRETT" under "Add special instructions to the seller"
• To Avoid PayPal's 3% Processing Fee (IF you have an existing PayPal account)
• On the home page click "Send Money"
• Use the following email address:  info@provisioninternational.com 
• Insert the amount desired
• Select "I'm sending money to Family or Friends"
• Write "FOR HANNAH GARRETT" under "Email to Recipient" (on the next page)

For all other gifts, write checks to:  "HANNAH GARRETT"


Mail checks to:
Provision International
ATTN: Hannah Garrett
1419 Clinton St.
Nashville, TN 37203


***Feel free to check out Provision Internatioal's website to learn more about the ministry!