Remembering Garrett Coble



Friday, May 11th a dear friend of mine, Garrett Coble went to be with Jesus. It still doesn't seem real. I still feel like I can pick up the phone call him. I met Garrett at Total Health were I worked as a massage therapist. Garrett came everyday to workout. He always told me he wanted to look good ladies. It still makes me smile. Garrett found out my love for Jesus and mission and we instantly became friends. Garrett introduced me to lifegroup and overflow. "Garrett, thank you for introducing me to the greatest people I know and to a place that I could come worship the Lord for an hour."

Friends from Lifegroup

Celebrating my birthday in Dallas with Trisha and Garrett

Garrett and I would talk about mission and life for hours. He really inspired me to follow my calling onto the mission field. Garrett was my number one supporter in what I do for the children of Ethiopia. I really wanted to share with you all my last conversations I had with Garrett on Facebook. Looking back God is amazing for the little things he gives you.

"I was just thinking about how incredible you are today. When I think about how short life is, and how long eternity will be to look back, I can't help to think that we're going to be looking at your life saying..."wow."

 
Garrett, I was just thinking how incredible you are since you left! People are looking at your life and saying "WOW"

"How much longer are you there? My family is working with an orphanage in Peru right now too. I hope someday you can go there."

Garrett, I hope that I get to see the place you have talked so much about:)


No! What!?!?! Who are you? Jobe!?!?! I'm so sorry. Please, please let me rent a room in your mansion in Heaven. You really are an inspiration. I can't wait until you get back on the field. Actually, sign me up as a supporter. Rebecca, you have the most beautiful, pure heart for missions I've ever seen in my life. I cannot wait to see what comes out of this trial. Hold on! Be strong! It's a season.

I got this message when I had malaria and was very very sick. I am sure dear friend that you were praying for me then. This message reminds how funny you were. Garrett, PLEASE let my rent a room in heaven where you are. Words can not express what you have done for me in my life in missions. Your spirit was so contagious and love for people. I wanted that to. I knew that what you had was Jesus in you. The Holy Spirit would come alive in you. You always taught me nothing was impossible with Christ. That all my dreams for the mission field could be done. You are an inspiration to me.

I had written Garrett about his fiance and this what he said...

Sometimes she's unbelievable, then I realize she is legit. She has a calling for Latin America, speaks spanish, and loves God with all her heart...and she's white! She's a perfect fit, and everyday that becomes more real.

Garrett and I would talk about him finding his perfect fit. I was so excited when he did. I never did get the chance to meet her, but I know that she will do great things for the kingdom of God, Garrett. Garrett always told me that he would marry a spanish decent women, so it was an inside joke about his fiance being white:)  I always knew you would, Garrett.

"I Am at total health. Made me think of you. Hope you're doing well."

Last Conversation with Garrett

"Thank you. That means a lot. I hope you know you are still my idol in missions. I know it's tough waiting, but I believe with all my heart every great missionary was in your shoes for a while, going through the fire before doing those great things. I'm honestly jealous of your life. Your heart, your love for those kids, and your willingness to step up to the plate and actually give it all. There's a special place in eternity, I'm sure of that. Thank you so much for everything you do."

Garrett, I am jealous of you! You get to be in heaven with the Lord!! I remember I came home from work and got this from you and tears streaming down my face. Garrett, the is a special place for you now, I am sure of that. I wish that I could tell how God used you to encourage me. I am so glad that I did write you back and tell you that are an inspiration to me and that you help spark a fire in me to fight for people souls. Life is so precious and people need to know about Christ.

Garrett, In 7 days I leave for Ethiopia for a 6 month mission and I am going to dedicate my trip to you. I am going to tell all of my kids about you. Garrett, if it were not for you financially, I could not be there to tell them about Christ. I will never forget you and what you did for me in my life. You changed the world for so many. I will truly miss you friend, I know I will see you soon! I will always keep fighting the fight of children's souls. I will never forget your words that you sent to me and I am so thankful for God for the little gift he gave me of your notes. See you soon:)  

Gifts from Ethiopia

Guess who is in America.... Sami!! Can you believe it!! The boy I met on the streets of Addis almost two years ago in now in a place he could only dream of. It is impossible to get visa to America and God gave one to Sami! A boy from the streets is getting to experience so much of life here in the states. I had the privilege to go hear Sami speak at a Ordinary Hero Benefit were he shared his story of how God changed his life.

He looks so handsome! I also got to pick up one day from Chattanooga to drive him back to Nashville. He saw my car and said, "it is beautiful."I mean my car is 12 years old and has seen its days, but Sami just reminded me I am blessed to have a car. When we saw each other we just talked and talked for hours. See because of this boy God used him to show me his friends. Now I can help his friends know the love of Jesus Christ. Because of Sami I got to meet Birhane(who by the way is Sami's best friend). Birhane has become a huge part of my life. I met Ashli York (his sponsor) who helped me a lot when I got to Ethiopia. I didn't know anyone and she became a sister to me. I met all of the street children who I love more the words can express. I also got to meet Heather Deckard:) When I first met Sami the first thing he said to me was... "Do you know Heather?" Of course I didn't  but Heather and I found each other on facebook and have kept in touch. I got to meet her for the first time briefly in Ethiopia this past Nov and a few weeks ago. See Heather met Sami six years ago on the streets of Addis when he was just 10 years old. She has continued to be apart of his life. That's what it is all about!! Showing these kids a CRAZY LOVE!!

I am so blessed that God put Sami in my life. God is using Sami for his glory and I pray that he know that God has given him a story that will glorify Gods name. God is going to do amazing things in his life. I CAN'T believe I get to watch it:) Sami is loved by so many and is an AMAZING young man! Love you Sami with all my heart!!

This leads me to my next story... When Sami came to America, he brought me a gift from Birhane:)

A letter...

This is what it said...

I am not sure if you can read it, but is the sweetest letter EVER!! It made me cry!! Birhane told me that he is the luckiest person because God sent me you!! He told me I was a gift from God and that his life is nothing without me. I am so humbled and blessed by this young boy. HE IS AMAZING person. I just know that God has HUGE plans for this boys life. I have been told by people that he is a bad boy and he is hopeless. NO ONE is hopeless! There is always hope with God. In this letter Birhane tells me that if you stop dreaming hope, that's when you stop believing hope. People told me that he would never go to school, that he will stay a street child. PEOPLE I have heard this from teachers. I have been sent away so many times trying to get Birhane into school last fall because no one would give him a chance. I kept going and going to school after school until finally after begging a principle, he agreed to let Birhane in school. I WANT people to know that Birhane for the first time ever will be completing a grade, the 8th grade. Today, his teacher say he is a good boy and makes good grades! Birhane can be very difficult at time but all he needed was to know that someone loved him and that there is something to fight for ... Hope! Hope of a better future, school and to be loved!

Birhane also sent me this...

Amharic/English bible! Birhane is learning alot about what love is and I always tell him to start learning from the one that created him. This is why I do what I do for these kids. I am fighting for there souls everyday. I can't believe what I get to do everyday!! Thank you Lord for the small gifts in life that you give us and the big ones too.