Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saludos de Peru!!
Hello friends! I am excited to be writing my first newsletter from Peru!! I arrived here on November 13 and it has been a whirlwind of activity since then. A small team from Jacksonville, Florida was already there when I arrived, so I went to a night service with them my second night here. It was a great feeling to worship with my fellow Peruvian Jesus lovers. On the 15th we celebrated Pastor Julio and Janet's 25th wedding anniversary with a ceremony in which they renewed their vows. It was a special time with family and I was privileged to be part of it. The following week was spent getting my room put together and spending time with the pastors' relatives.
This past week I started volunteering as the English teacher at a nearby school called PEPE's, teaching Christmas songs to the students. The students and the teachers are all fun to work with and it is a Christian school so it is nice to hear lessons being taught from the Bible! The school year ends in mid December, but I will be returning to teach when classes begin again in March.
Here at the church (Betesda) we have Sunday morning services, Wednesday evening services and the children's class on Saturdays. Jon Edwards, Deborah (Ps Julio's daughter) and I are putting together a Christmas presentation with the children so they can perform it when we have the Christmas service on December 22. My favorite part being here, I am not ashamed to say, is getting to know the kids! They are so eager to love :)
I am impressed with the faithfulness and honesty of the leadership here. Every message I've heard has been life-giving and challenging, but it's not just the way they talk - they live it as well. I look forward to learning from them and finding what God has in store for me here!
Lastly my wonderful friends, I want to thank you for being the best support family a girl could ask for. I have received many words of encouragement, which strengthen me each day. Never forget that you are a part of this work, too! Love you!
Laura Beth Murphree
Friday, November 8, 2013
Leaving the Known
In five days, I leave for Peru.
Today is the last full day I will spend in NY before I leave the country. Today is also the last full day I will spend in this house - ever. It is a strange feeling, knowing that your life is about to change pretty drastically and not only by one factor. My parents and I have lived here for almost 15 years and my father has turned what he bought as quite frankly, a mess, into a charming and welcoming home. Now, we are selling it and moving to a new town. Some people I know have lived in the same house their whole lives and feel no real attachment to it. Not so with me. I have purposely explored every inch of this property, getting to know it like a friend. I have specific memories attached to certain parts of the house and yard, landmarks of how I have grown as a person. Yes, I am very sentimental.
Some might say that I am too attached to passing things, especially in the light of a missionary calling. They are right. Probably the biggest lesson I have been learning in all of this preparation is that you can't hold on to anything except for God. I have been reminded of that phrase, "You can't take it with you," every time I feel like holding tightly onto what I have. It's not just because it won't fit in my suitcase (you can't fit an acre of land in, trust me) but because GOD HAS BETTER THINGS IN STORE FOR ME THAN MY PAST. All of my experiences, whether pleasant or painful, have been overseen and orchestrated by my loving heavenly Father. No object or piece of land has taught me anything, but rather has been a tool that He used to show Himself to me. That is what I long for, to see Him more clearly. To love like Him. To be more like Him. Holding on to what I know makes me comfortable is the best way to stall that kind of growth.
So, as I finish packing my suitcase and prepare to have my life changed (which is something you cannot really ever prepare for, it's always a surprise), my eyes must be locked on my Savior. There's no denying the pain of leaving behind what I love, but with Him at the helm there is no need for fear. As I write this I can't help but smile, my heart beating in anticipation of what we will do together in the coming days! A new chapter, a new adventure!
Today is the last full day I will spend in NY before I leave the country. Today is also the last full day I will spend in this house - ever. It is a strange feeling, knowing that your life is about to change pretty drastically and not only by one factor. My parents and I have lived here for almost 15 years and my father has turned what he bought as quite frankly, a mess, into a charming and welcoming home. Now, we are selling it and moving to a new town. Some people I know have lived in the same house their whole lives and feel no real attachment to it. Not so with me. I have purposely explored every inch of this property, getting to know it like a friend. I have specific memories attached to certain parts of the house and yard, landmarks of how I have grown as a person. Yes, I am very sentimental.
Some might say that I am too attached to passing things, especially in the light of a missionary calling. They are right. Probably the biggest lesson I have been learning in all of this preparation is that you can't hold on to anything except for God. I have been reminded of that phrase, "You can't take it with you," every time I feel like holding tightly onto what I have. It's not just because it won't fit in my suitcase (you can't fit an acre of land in, trust me) but because GOD HAS BETTER THINGS IN STORE FOR ME THAN MY PAST. All of my experiences, whether pleasant or painful, have been overseen and orchestrated by my loving heavenly Father. No object or piece of land has taught me anything, but rather has been a tool that He used to show Himself to me. That is what I long for, to see Him more clearly. To love like Him. To be more like Him. Holding on to what I know makes me comfortable is the best way to stall that kind of growth.
So, as I finish packing my suitcase and prepare to have my life changed (which is something you cannot really ever prepare for, it's always a surprise), my eyes must be locked on my Savior. There's no denying the pain of leaving behind what I love, but with Him at the helm there is no need for fear. As I write this I can't help but smile, my heart beating in anticipation of what we will do together in the coming days! A new chapter, a new adventure!
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