Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 4/27/2011
"It would seem that Our Lord finds
our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures,
fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us,
like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he
cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far
too easily pleased." C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”
During our time in Nicaragua, we worked
for a brief time with a US-based organization called “Amigos for Christ”- an
organization that has offered monumental aid to the Nicaraguan population
following the destruction of Hurricane Mitch. We learned that following the
hurricane, hundreds of Nicaraguans were displaced from their homes and had been
living around local dumps for years, spending their time scavenging the dump
for food and anything that others consider trash that they, perhaps, could sell
for a small profit. The staff of “Amigos for Christ” has worked tirelessly and
created an entire community of new homes for the displaced people- a community
that provides school for their children, job opportunities for the unemployed,
and daily fellowship with those in similar situations. The community that the
organization has created essentially provides a brand new start- a brand new
life- for those that had formerly seemed to be in a hopeless situation. On our
first day working with Amigos for Christ, we visited one of the dumps where so
many displaced people had lived for years. The landfill that was laid out
before my eyes was ridden with years of worthless junk and stenches that I
struggled to breathe in (and I can tell you from my hospital experience that I
have taken in my share of unpleasant odors). This was a repulsive place even to
visit- definitely no place to build a home. To my surprise, though, many people
had erected make-shift shacks that served as their homes. Our contact explained
to us “Even though we have offered these people a new start and homes in an actual
community, they are resistant to leaving. Even though this is a dump, they've
built their homes here”. This broke my heart…these people don't have to live in
a dump; there is hope offered to them. They could go to a place where there is
life, a place created just for them, a place that requires them to do nothing
in return. But, they have settled…they have made their homes in a place less
than what they were created for, and refuse to leave.
What dumps do we create for ourselves? What trash do we sit
in and make our dwelling-places in while there is real life offered to us? Are
we far too easily pleased with the entirely temporal pleasures that even subtly
fill up our lives…things as insidious as busyness, entertainment, or a
seemingly comfortable life? Where do we consider our true home…have we built
for ourselves a home in a place that is a “dump” relative to what we were
created for?
“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is
destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built
by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly
dwelling…” (2 Corinthians 5: 1-2)
“Don't let your eyes get used to darkness, the light is
coming soon. Don't let your heart get used to sadness, put your hope in what is
true.” JJ Heller, “Back Home”
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 4/23/2011
NICARAGUA
After spending three wonderful months in Southeast Asia, O Squad made our final hop across the ocean to begin our last leg of the World Race...Central America. First stop: Nicaragua. We had the opportunity to work with an incredible organization called Vision Nicaragua (you should check them out!). Our days were filled with a variety of activities including manual labor, cleaning, food distribution, and baptisms.
Once we got over the initial shock of living at the base of an active volcano with tarantulas as our roommates, we finally got to work...
Our home in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua
Our (unwelcome) eight-legged guest
We spent many days in Nicaragua painting a local church...
Although, we actually spent most of the time hanging out with the kids from the school next door...
We spent some days digging ditches for piping so that villages could have running water that they have never had before...
And we spent some days at the local pool doing baptisms for new believers (and playing with the kids)...
On my favorite days, we spent time hanging out with wonderful kids in the local village of Bethel...
And sometimes we got a chance to pack up rice and beans and distribute food in some of the villages surrounding Chichigalpa, many of which never fully recovered from Hurricane Mitch...
And, every once in a while we took a day off to hit the beach...
Or to have some fun on the playground...
Our month in Nicaragua was a great time to experience true ministry- pouring ourselves out for the lives of others- in so many different settings. We fell in love with the children, got dirty digging ditches, and saw life reborn through baptisms. It was a wonderful way to start out our last continent of the race.
Stay tuned for some upcoming updates on our time in El Salvador...
With Love, Angela
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 4/22/2011
Okay, okay...I admit it. Blogging is not my strong point. I know many of you have been waiting for an update on what Team Harmony has been doing the last few months, and I apologize for the delay. I am going to try to give an update on what we have done in the last few months through a summary of pictures. Enjoy...
Vietnam
Country #9 of the race presented us with an opportunity to "ATL" ("Ask the Lord"). Our team was given a list of possible countries in Southeast Asia to travel to, and asked to seek the Lords' guidance on where He was leading us. After weeks of prayer, we unanimously decided that we were being led to Vietnam. Heading to Vietnam would present us with a couple of challenges that we had not yet faced. To begin with, Vietnam is a closed country- we would not be able to openly evangelize or share our faith in public. We would have to be much more careful with the way we spoke, the words we used, and the people we came in contact with. Furthermore, we did not have a ministry contact in Vietnam- this meant that we would have to be very intentional in finding ministry opportunities- much more so than any other month of the race. Thankfully, the Lord was so faithful to clearly lead us exactly where we were supposed to be...
We spent our first two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, working with a brand new covert church that is geared to the Internationals living in the city. We learned how to use code language in our everyday conversation as we addressed each other as "M's" (missionaries) working at a "C" (church) and often going on "P-walks" (prayer walks).
We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City just in time to experience preparations for "Tet", the nations' largest annual holiday. In celebration, there was a flower festival on just about every corner...
After spending a week in Ho Chi Minh City, we traveled to the capital city of Hanoi. Since we had no ministry set up in Hanoi, we made a "bucket list" of things we would like to accomplish while in the city. The first item on our list included offering to wash dishes at a local restaurant while asking nothing in return. Since most establishments were closed in honor of the Tet holiday, we quickly became friends with the staff at the one restaurant the was consistently open...the "Gecko". We knew right away that this would be the spot for us to volunteer to do the dishes...
The staff at the "Gecko" was so thrilled with our offer that they immediately put us to work. We spent many days in the next two weeks working at the restaurant as waitresses, bartenders, and cooks. More than anything, we spent our time building relationships with the staff and many customers...
To complete the next item on our "bucket list" we planted rocks with scriptures written on them in the park in hopes of laying a foundation of truth in the city...
Our next "bucket list" item included playing worship songs in the city park, counteracting the spirit of oppression with a spirit of praise. As we sang to the Lord, Kris and Carrie painted beautiful pictures, which drew quite a crowd...
Finally, we made "Happy Valentines Day" cards and delivered them to the American Embassy to show a little love...
Our month in Vietnam was an incredible time for our team to daily listen to the Spirit's guidance to lead us to exactly where we were supposed to be. I will never forget the relationships that I built that month and the ways that I saw the Spirit move, even in a country that openly denies God. God's love is pursuing this country and He is moving even in spite of spiritual oppression.
My friend Son, who we worked with at "Gecko", is one of the many people we met in Vietnam that will remain in my heart. I pray often for the love of God to continue pursuing Son and to break down walls in his heart. He has an incredibly precious spirit...
As always, thank you so much for your continued prayers. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog chronicling our adventures in Nicaragua...
With Love, Angela
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 1/16/2011
Month 8: Cambodia.
I've been looking forward to coming to Cambodia for a majority of the race, primarily because multiple World Race alumni I have spoken to, when asked the question “What was your favorite country on the race?” will respond “Oh, definitely Cambodia.” I've never really gotten a straight answer as to why Cambodia is such an overwhelming race favorite, but I entered the month with a sense of brimming anticipation, ready to experience the country that so many people recall fondly. A couple weeks ago, soon after arriving in Phnom Penh, I quickly realized why Cambodia is a frequent favorite on the World Race…the people.
I can't really think of anything with which to compare the Cambodian people. As soon as we met our contact for the month (Pastor Keat Kove…a Cambodian who lived through the Killing Fields era before meeting Christ, going to Bible school and building a church and adjoined school from the ground up), I knew that there was something special in this country. It's not even something I can put easily into words (which is why, I suppose, none of the World Race alumni I spoke to could easily articulate why they so loved Cambodia)…there is simply a beauty (best word I can think of for it) in the Cambodian people that is a rare find. The Cambodian people welcome with open arms and love with a unique enthusiasm.
Soon after my team arrived in Phnom Penh, we visited the site of the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum, gaining a mere glimpse of this country's dark history. The Cambodian people endured years of atrocities that bring me physical pain even to imagine, but they remain a people marked with love and acceptance. I think even for an individual to respond to such pain and hatred with anything other than bitterness is a beautiful thing; the resiliency with which the Cambodian people have responded is nothing short of miraculous. Although the majority of this country is classified as Buddhist, I truly believe that this is a country that is being claimed by the One True God. I see His thumbprints all over the lives of these people; lives marked with love and grace.
My team has spent our time in Cambodia working with Cambodian Mission Outreach, a ministry that encompasses New Life in Christ Church and New Hope School. We spend our days teaching English to Cambodians of all ages, ranging from pre-school to adults learning English in evening classes. While I definitely don't consider teaching to be my natural gifting, it is hard not to genuinely enjoy the classes…the students are so eager both to learn and to love. Each morning, I teach a class of about twenty five second graders. One day this last week, this class was in rare form, causing more disruptions than my patience can handle (which, I suppose, isn't unexpected with this age group). I spent the majority of the class yelling over the loud voices of children with the hope of disciplining. By the end of the period, my frustration had reached peak height and I was just ready to be done with the class. However, as soon as the class bell rang to signal the children to leave, the entire class ran up to the front of the room and a huge mass of children circled around me in a group hug and yelled “I love you Teacher Angela, really big!!!”. It's just simply hard to be upset after that. The Cambodian people truly have a way of stealing your heart.
We have only three days left here in Phnom Penh before we head to Siem Reap, Cambodia for debrief and then on to our “ATL” (Ask the Lord) month. I have truly enjoyed our time in Cambodia and will never forget the relationships built in this country.
Also, at a youth service the other night, two teammates and I did a choreographed dance to Justin Bieber's “Baby”. Doesn't get much better than that☺
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 12/23/2010
Each night here in Chiang Mai, we have gone into the bars on (what we call) “Bar Street” and built relationships with many of the women who work there every night. As a group, we have hoped for the chance to be able to take some of these women out of the bar and spend time with them in an environment where they feel freedom from any pressures to serve customers or to portray any particular image. At last, we had that opportunity. Each night, part of our group goes to the bars and part of the group stays back to intercede and cover the night in prayer. Last night, I stayed back, but will relay the stories that were told to me from my teammates who went out…
Oi is 19 years old. She has been working in the bar for about two months now. She is probably one of the friendliest, most inviting girls on Bar Street, so many of us have built a friendship with her. As the team went out last night, it was decided that they would attempt to “purchase” Oi for the night (I still have yet to find a way to describe this in a way that sounds humane, so this is the best that I can do). Ultimately, we would like to take all the girls we have formed friendships with out for the night, but because of our budget, we knew that we would have to choose the one or two girls that we had gotten closest to. When the girls arrived at the bar and asked Oi if she would allow them to take her out for the night, Oi's friend chimed in that she would like to come along. Another girl that most of us have built a friendship with, Kuk, said that she would also like to join. We had decided on a budget that allowed us to take two girls out for the night (at most), but the girls decided to give a deal for the night….we could pay the price for two and take out all three!
The three girls left the bar with my teammates and immediately asked “what would you like for us to do tonight?”. These girls are so accustomed to being “purchased” for the sole purpose of fulfilling the desires of someone else and, essentially, being taken advantage of. One of my teammates explained that this night was simply about them; a night when they did not have to worry about serving any customers or being used for anything; simply a night for them to have fun and enjoy themselves. The girls could not believe it…one girl, Kuk, stopped and yelled at the top of her lungs “FREEDOM!!!!!!!!”. They walked through the streets with victorious looks on their faces, knowing that they had at least one night that they could just enjoy. A night when their bodies weren't being used for the pleasure of someone else. A night when nobody else could dictate what they wanted them to do.
Tears filled my eyes as my teammates told me stories from their night out with our sweet friends. I loved that they had an opportunity to take these girls out and show them that they are treasured as people…not because of their bodies or the services that they provide. I loved the freedom these girls felt just to be themselves for the night, knowing that they were cared for. At the same time, though, my heart broke thinking of what every other night is like for these girls. For a few hours last night, they got a taste of freedom. So many other nights, though, what they experience is slavery. They are led to believe that their only purpose is to fulfill the desires of others. They are made to think that their bodies are objects; that they must look a certain way and provide particular services in order to be wanted. They rarely get a glimpse of what it means to be treasured simply for who they are. Their lives are so often dictated by lies, confusion, and oppression.
We have spent three weeks here building relationships with these women and attempting to show them that, despite their experiences, they are genuinely loved. We have tried to show them that there is a God who loves them so deeply that He sent us specifically to them to illustrate His love. We have tried to give them a taste of freedom from what they experience day after day. Tonight, we will take a few members of a new missionary group out to the streets and introduce them to the girls that we have built friendships with. This group from Berlin will be here for the next two months, watering the seed that we have planted in these few weeks. While we have seen only small changes during our time here, God is simply using our team as a small piece of the puzzle as He shows His own love to His daughters here in Chiang Mai.
“I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it…there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom…” Jeremiah 33:7-11
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Posted in Mission Trip Thoughts by Angela Murray on 12/17/2010
Our ministry here in Chiang Mai, Thailand is primarily focused on showing God's love to hurting women and men in the red light district whose lives are steeped in the darkness of Thailand's booming sex industry. Our time on the streets can get incredibly heavy- really, it's just straight warfare- so, each night as part of our team goes out to spend time in the bars, some of us stay back to intercede and cover our teammates in prayer protection. We also spend a great deal of time praying for the hearts of each person they are interacting with- mostly women who have been hurt and taken advantage of; who experience very little genuine love and whose identities' and hearts have been bruised and wounded.
Last night, I stayed back to intercede. After some time, I realized how distracted my thoughts were. I have an incredibly opportunity to intercede…to bring kingdom to these streets through my prayers; to change things in the spiritual through my communion with God and the requests I bring before Him. And yet, my thoughts seem to be centering around just about anything else. I quickly became so aware of the distraction and anxiety in my own heart, rooted deeply in selfishness. I've learned that, when I recognize these things inside of myself- things that don't reflect the heart of God- it's futile to try to will myself to change. The only way for my heart to change- to reflect more the heart of God- is to ask the One who created my heart in the first place to bring transformation. So, I'm asking Him for transformation. I want my heart to be crying for the injustice of what's happening around me rather than thinking of my own cares and anxieties. I want my heart to truly reflect the heart of the One who is love.
So, here is my prayer. Just a short journal entry (true stream of consciousness), asking the Lord for change...
God, I ask you to slow down my thoughts. Give me your thoughts.
God, take away…
all this pressure i put on myself. my heaviness of thought. my unbelief in who you are. my insecurities. my longing to figure things out. my tendency to be so hard on myself and others. my discontentment and restlessness. my confusion and any feelings of being overwhelmed. my tendency towards anxiety and longing for control. my focus on peripheral things. my focus on myself. my resistance to believing your words for me. my distracting thoughts and inability to listen to you. my focus on earthly things. my resistance to diving in deeper with you. my fear of complete freedom. my desire for temporal satisfaction. my foolishness. paradigms that hinder me. anything that dilutes my passion. shame that i unknowingly cling to. selfishness. impatience.
Instead, God, put in me…
humility. the ability to think only about you. unheard of amounts of wisdom. more faith than i've ever known. the ability to have a still heart and listen to your voice. the belief that your voice matters more than my own. a new confidence in your love for me. eyes that see only you. selflessness. a heart that genuinely loves you and longs to praise only you. a love for your word and the ability to believe every word in a way that changes me. a heart that is fertile soil. a selfless, genuine love for absolutely everyone around me. the ability to see peoples' needs. the ability to see outside of myself. the ability to love the way that you do. revelation of what your love is like. new dreams. hope and joy. ease and relaxation. complete trust in you. confidence in who you created me to be. a pure heart. a pure mind. freedom from anxiety. desire for only the eternal. wisdom to know what is eternal. complete peace. kindness and gentleness. the desire to intercede on behalf of others. the ability to know what to intercede for. eyes to see spiritual reality. freedom from performance. a genuine heart. the ability to share truth in love. the fruits of the Spirit. feet that go on the heights with you. the ability to communicate my heart clearly. freedom from useless desires. new depths of creativity. the desire to always praise you with the creativity you've given me. a fire to see your kingdom on this earth. child like faith. love for the least of these. love for everyone else. love for those who don't love me. your thoughts towards others. patience. the capacity to receive more of your love every day. homesickness for heaven. passion that leads to action. love that changes things.
Please pray for our teams here in Chiang Mai…that the true heart of God would shine through us as we walk these streets, building relationships with the sons and daughters of God who are unknowingly crying out for His love.
With Love, Angela
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 12/9/2010
This is a letter recently written by one of my friends on Osquad. Please take the time to read it...it paints a good picture of why we are here in Thailand.
With Love, Angela
I hope this letter finds you well, that your Christmas shopping is
almost finished, and the crisp winter weather is to your liking. I hope
the nights are filled with hot chocolate and warm beds. I hope you are
surrounded by your friends and family. Tonight I hope you are loved.
Tonight I am riding in the back of a truck through Chang Mai, Thailand.
It is a warm and humid 65 degrees and there is the delicious smell of
spices in the air. It is going to be a long night and I won't get to bed
until 2 or 3 am (that's about noon in California), but this is what you
may not know about tonight.
Tonight 20,000 - 30,000 street
children are impoverished, hungry and in danger of being exploited on
the streets of Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Tonight
girls, age 13-15, who were sold to pimps by their parents for 5,000 -
10,000 baht ($160- $325), are working in bars and brothels of Chang Mai.
Tonight
a rural family will eat thanks to the 300 million dollars transferred
yearly by women engaged in prostitution in urban areas.
Tonight
18-20% of all Thai women aged 18-30 are in sexual slavery
Tonight
the streets are walked by men who sell sex because it is the only work
they know, the work they have been doing since they were children.
Tonight
the industry is booming and 2.8 million sex workers, including 800,000
minors under the age of 18 are available for purchase in Thailand.
This
past weekend over 1 million people changed their face book profile
pictures to favorite childhood cartoons to combat child abuse. Over 1
million people were willing to take the time to change their profile to
voice an opinion that child abuse is not acceptable. What if they were
willing to do more? What if those 1million people descended on Thailand
and outnumbered the 500,000 foreign tourists who buy women and children
for prostitution every year, 2 to 1? What if each one of those 1 million
people took personal interest a woman or child trapped in Thailand's
sex industry and showed them real love? What if?
I can't stop sex
tourism, I can't deliver a crushing blow to the sex industry or end
human trafficking. What I can do is buy a woman or child for the evening
and keep them from having to do sex work that night. I can talk to them
about the foundations and the resources available to help them out of
trap of the sex industry. I can become their friend and let them know
not everyone in the world wants to use them... I can't do these things if I
am not here.
At the moment there are 43 June 2010 world racers
in Thailand. We are working with orphans, street kids and sex workers.
We are building houses, doing out reach, making friends and even picking
up trash. We have spent the last six months and hope to spend the next
five (11 total) working with existing ministries in Europe, Africa,
Asia and Central America to bring the Love and the word of God to the
people. On December 15th,the final support goal for the world race
requires each of us to have $14,300 donated or pledged to continue on
the race, without it we will be forced to abandon our work and have to
return home to the U.S. There are currently 11 racers in danger of
leaving the field. 11 racers! That's 11 friends, 11 pairs of hands and
feet, 11 smiling faces, 11 people doing the work and giving the love
that you want to. I know finances are tight, I know Christmas is coming
and there are so many things to do and to buy, I know I am asking a lot
but if I don't ask you can't help.
Below is a link for each at
risk racer and the amount they need to raise in the next 7 days, take a
little time (maybe the amount it would take to change a profile picture)
and read our blogs, read about what we have been doing, what we have
been learning and who we are becoming and if you feel moved to help
please pick a racer and commit to make a one time or monthly (for the
next 5 months) donation to support their mission.
James:2-14-17
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does
not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and
destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are
needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if
it does not have works, is dead.
Tom and Casey Kowatch, Colorado
-$4,446 http://www.thomasandcaseykowatch.theworldrace.org
Rachelle Uribe, California-$3,575 http://www.rachelleuribe.theworldrace.org
Lili Mejia, Texas-
$2,515 http://www.lilimejia.theworldrace.org
Anna Matthews, South Carolina- $2,100 http://www.annamatthews.theworldrace.org
Kris Tippett,
Maryland- $2,088 http://www.kristippett.theworldrace.orgCarrie Campbell, Florida- $2,000 http://www.carriecampbell.theworldrace.org
Nathan Salley,
Colorado- $1,800 http://www.nathansalley.theworldrace.org
Garrett McNeill, North Carolina- $1,500 http://www.garrettmcneill.theworldrace.org
Dan
Montenegro, Texas- $400 http://www.danielmontenegro.theworldrace.org
Sarah Hogan, Oklahoma- $390 http://www.sarahhogan.theworldrace.org
The
Lord has called us to this and I have no doubt He will provide the
finances necessary for His will to be accomplished. We are inviting you
to partner with us, with God in the work he is doing in Thailand,
Cambodia, Nicaragua, Guatemala and wherever else He sends our squad.
Thank
you for reading, may God bless and keep you!
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 12/9/2010
Dear Supporters,
You have been so generous as I have been on this journey of the World Race. Your prayers and financial support have been overwhelming! I wanted to let you know that I am fully funded on this trip, thanks to your generosity.
As I shared in a previous blog, I recently became part of a new team (Team Harmony). I am so excited about this team and believe that the Lord will do so much, not only in Southeast Asia, but also in my own life, through this particular team. Many of my team members, however, are not fully funded and are in danger of being sent home. The final deadline for support is on December 15....less than a week away! I'm asking you to consider doing anything you can to support these teammates of mine, as I believe it is so important for them to be on the field right now. Our God is moving through them and in them in such powerful ways, and I desperately want that work to continue! Please visit the blog sites of my teammates and consider supporting them in any way you can.
www.kristippett.theworldrace.org ($2,088 to raise)
www.thomasandcaseykowatch.theworldrace.org/ ($4,446 left to raise)
www.carriecampbell.theworldrace.org ($2,000 left to raise)
Thank you so much!
With Love, Angela
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 12/9/2010
O-Squad recently finished three months of ministry in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania). Here is a brief re-cap...
Kenya
Team Wellspring spent September in Isibania, Kenya working with Deliverance Church. We primarily preached at churches and secondary schools.
This particular school found out that I am a nurse, and asked me, on the spot, to teach these children all about cholera. Too bad I know very little about cholera...
One of the largest schools we spoke at...over 700 Kenyan students!
We met some wonderful people during our time in Kenya!
Uganda
We began our month in Uganda by whitewater rafting the Nile River
In Lira, Uganda we worked with Christian Renewal Churches, traveling into remote villages that have been torn apart by the LRA and preaching about hope and redemption. In most villages, we were welcomed by women such as these who would run behind our car singing and dancing in celebration.
We had so many opportunities to preach and fellowship with other Christians in remote villages. This is Brittany Priess dancing with her friend, Janice.
One of our friends at the church made us all new clothes as our "going away" present...so much pattern!
Tanzania
We spent the month of November in Iringa, Tanzania where we had opportunities for all kinds of different ministry. Here, we are playing "red light, green light" with children at a local orphanage.
Our translator, Peter Brian was an amazing friend and a wonderful man of God who helped us so much, and challenged us as well. We love you and miss you, Peter Brian!
We had the opportunity to work in the kitchen at Neema Craft, a restaurant and shop that employs the physically handicapped and deaf who otherwise would not have employment opportunities in this society that generally shuns the disabled.
We spent a weekend in some of the more remote villages where we preached in churches, evangelized in markets, and hung out with some wonderful kids!
My wonderful teammate Justin Jue treated us all to Thanksgiving dinner at our favorite local spot, Neema Craft. Thanks J. Jue!
Overall, we had a wonderful three months in East Africa. We met amazing people, built a strong foundation as a team, and saw the Lord move in amazing ways...both around us and inside of us. Thank you all for your continued prayers as we continue this journey in Southeast Asia for the next three months.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
With Love, Angela
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Posted in General Posts by Angela Murray on 12/9/2010
Okay, so I have a lot to catch everyone up on from the last month or so. Here goes...
Team Wellspring spent November in Iringa, Tanzania. After hearing stories from other squads about their time in Tanzania, I have to say that I wasn't exactly brimming with anticipation about this month. The word "dread" may have more accurately characterized my thoughts. Lucky for me, my God is all about redeeming things...I think my time in Tanzania was actually my favorite so far on the race! We spent our time there working with a church called Evangelistic Assemblies of God, pastored by Jacob ChaCha. As we pulled into Iringa on our very first day there, Brittany Priess and I looked out the bus window and noticed a man standing amongst the crowd. We simultaneously looked at each other immediately and both said "I hope that's our contact." There is a peace and humility that radiates from Pastor ChaCha that can be sensed even from a distance. It truly was a gift that God gave to our team to be able to spend a month with this wonderful man of God and his family.
Our ministry in Iringa looked different everyday. We spent time working at orphanages, speaking at Universities, running children's programs at church, or doing "door to door" ministry. During our last weekend in Iringa, our team split up into groups of two and travelled to neighboring villages to preach in churches and markets. Brittany Cox and I travelled together, and took advantage of opportunities to play with some of the village children.
One of the sweet boys we met in the village
Team Wellspring truly enjoyed our time in Tanzania (despite all six of us battling malaria...praise God for healing!). Through my team, I was able to experience so much of the Lord's patience and joy during my month in Tanzania. I am so thankful for the way that Team Wellspring has encouraged me to seek more intimacy with the Lord, helped me to laugh when things get hard, and pointed out gifts that God has given me that can be used for His kingdom. This team has truly been a gift to me.
The girls of Team Wellspring: Brittany Priess, Brittany Cox, myself, and Jenny Hill
After finishing our ministry time in Iringa, we met all of Osquad in Nairobi for our second official debrief. We had a wonderful time reflecting on our last few months in Africa, and were able to spend some time with World Race director Micheal Hyndes and his wife Kathy. Time with the whole squad is always encouraging and refreshing.
At the end of debrief, we got some news...team changes. I have truly enjoyed my last few months with Team Wellspring, so I immediately had to surrender my attitude to the Lord regarding team changes. But, like I said before, my God is about redemption. He gave me a sweet gift of a new team that I love and believe will push me even further in this race. My new team is "Team Harmony". Here they are...
Kris Tippett, Carrie Campbell, Tom and Casey Kowatch, Tyler Samuelson, myself, Garrett McNeill
I am so excited for the work that the Lord will do through Team Harmony. Just a few days ago, we traveled to Thailand to begin three months of ministry in Asia. This month, the guys and girls are split up so that the guys can have a month of "man-istry". All the men are working together at an orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand while the women of the squad are in teams scattered all over Thailand. The girls of my team (along with one other team) are in Chiang Mai this month. During the day, we will be working at a Christian owned coffee shop near a large university (along with working with some of the university students). At night, we will be going into the bars in Chiang Mai's teeming "red light" district and building relationships with girls who have been trapped in prostitution, sharing the truth that there is freedom and love available for them. Pray, as always, that we would make the most of every opportunity here in Thailand. Thank you so much for your constant flow of prayers and support!
Love, Angela
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captive and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1
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