Dear friends,
I know that I say this every time I write, but I am so grateful to you for the support and prayers that you have given for me. There are days when I feel hopeless, dry or stressed, and then peace comes over me just when I need it most. When I receive a note of encouragement it lifts my spirits. Due to God's faithfulness and your love, my time here has been blessed and fruitful. I have learned more about life and God in the last three months than I could have imagined. The people that I have met and ministered to have ministered to me, even more than I to them I think!
As you should know, I came to Peru planning to live here for one full year. Before I left, I checked all the visa requirements for a US citizen traveling to Peru, and had the understanding that after 6 months I would have to renew my visa for the second 6 months. However, to live in Peru is to experience changes :) The government recently changed the laws and now they do not allow more than a 6 month tourist visa per year (In my case, 2014). This means that I cannot stay in Peru any later than May. I must return to my country of citizenship and return to Peru no earlier than January 2015.
Upon receiving this news, I contacted Tom Brazell, the International Ministires Director at Elim Fellowship. After much prayer and consideration with Tom and my leaders here on the field, I have concluded that my only option at this point is to return to NY in May, thus ending my one-year appointment. Needless to say, this is not what I had in mind. But I am secure in this - that God knew that this would happen, and He sent me anyway. He never sends without a purpose! If He allows it, I would like to return to Peru someday in the not-too far future. I promise that I will let you know if He does :)
I have purchased a plane ticket back to NY on May 1, and God willing I will arrive in Rochester on May 2 in the afternoon. I will be staying with my parents in their new home in Mt Morris- another new experience! I trust that God has great things in store for me even there, because He loves to show off His sovereignty!
However, I am still here in Piura for another two months, and my work is not finished yet! As long as I am still here, until the end of April , I ask that you would continue to stand behind me financially. As of May 2014, I will no longer need your monthly financial support.
Again I say THANK YOU for being so great :) for standing with me while I am on this journey, trusting that He who calls, knows all. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at blurph412@yahoo.com or message me on facebook.
Much love,
Laura
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
New Year, New Growth
It's been another month already?! That's how I feel whenever I look at the calendar. I'm caught up in the business of each week and before I know it....WHOOP there it is! The end of the month.
Thanks to God's mercy and grace, this month has been one of growth for me personally. How so? I've had to lay aside my perfectionism, take a serious look at my life in regards to what it means to be a Christian (Read Romans for more information :) and be honest about my inner thoughts and fears. That last one is especially hard, and still in progress. I'd like to share with you a passage that particularly spoke to me this past week. Romans 6:21-22 reads:
"What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, eternal life."
Wow. What fruit (behavior, ways of thinking, effected relationships) do I have to show from my past? Some good, some not so good, some down right nasty. But I have been SET FREE from those things because I have chosen to serve God. I can hand all my bad fruit over to Him, and in return He shows me how to grow excellent fruit, the kind described in Galatians 5 : ) This tells me loud clear that I have a great testimony. Just in case you had any doubts, YOU have the same testimony! If you don't have it yet, you can!
Speaking of fruit, your prayers have been bringing it! This month I spiced things up a bit and wrote an extra blog entry about being vulnerable (see below). I asked for prayer in regards to my relationships with the people here, and not long after that I began to feel more connected to the family. The children are still children :) but I have been experiencing extra peace when working with them that allows me to see them in a different light. They are needy, just like me. They are special and if God loves them, I can love them too. And I do, more and more each day.
The next big thing in my schedule is the VBS that Iglesia Betesda is putting on February 24th - 29th. The theme of the week is the Armour of God, and I will be teaching one of three age groups. Last year, about 90 children attended, but we are expecting a smaller group this year. I am asking you to pray that God would influence every word we say and decision we make regarding that week. Also pray that the children who come would be blessed, challenged and that they would grow in their faith!! We are excited!!
In closing...I appreciate you all so very very much, I can't tell you enough! Knowing that you are there, thinking of me and praying for me, gives me strength to "not grow weary in doing good."
Bless you!
Laura Beth
Contact Information:
1703 Dalton Road
Thanks to God's mercy and grace, this month has been one of growth for me personally. How so? I've had to lay aside my perfectionism, take a serious look at my life in regards to what it means to be a Christian (Read Romans for more information :) and be honest about my inner thoughts and fears. That last one is especially hard, and still in progress. I'd like to share with you a passage that particularly spoke to me this past week. Romans 6:21-22 reads:
"What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, eternal life."
Wow. What fruit (behavior, ways of thinking, effected relationships) do I have to show from my past? Some good, some not so good, some down right nasty. But I have been SET FREE from those things because I have chosen to serve God. I can hand all my bad fruit over to Him, and in return He shows me how to grow excellent fruit, the kind described in Galatians 5 : ) This tells me loud clear that I have a great testimony. Just in case you had any doubts, YOU have the same testimony! If you don't have it yet, you can!
Speaking of fruit, your prayers have been bringing it! This month I spiced things up a bit and wrote an extra blog entry about being vulnerable (see below). I asked for prayer in regards to my relationships with the people here, and not long after that I began to feel more connected to the family. The children are still children :) but I have been experiencing extra peace when working with them that allows me to see them in a different light. They are needy, just like me. They are special and if God loves them, I can love them too. And I do, more and more each day.
The next big thing in my schedule is the VBS that Iglesia Betesda is putting on February 24th - 29th. The theme of the week is the Armour of God, and I will be teaching one of three age groups. Last year, about 90 children attended, but we are expecting a smaller group this year. I am asking you to pray that God would influence every word we say and decision we make regarding that week. Also pray that the children who come would be blessed, challenged and that they would grow in their faith!! We are excited!!
In closing...I appreciate you all so very very much, I can't tell you enough! Knowing that you are there, thinking of me and praying for me, gives me strength to "not grow weary in doing good."
Bless you!
Laura Beth
Contact Information:
Laura Murphree
Casilla 814
Piura, Peru SA
1703 Dalton Road
Lima, NY 14485-9516
Tax-deductible contributions: Checks to Elim Fellowship
"Preferred for Laura Murphree's support"
OR Online Giving at www.elimfellowship.org
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