Eric Murphy Update August 2014

SUMMER CAMPS ARE AWESOME!


Montenegro … Camp Monty 2014 was a huge success. Directed by Rick DeYoung it was a privilege for me to be on hand to watch just how far this camp has come … how much progress has been made. Last year 350 campers … this year around 400. Danijel Petkovski and Rick were our speakers … they were extra special. On Monday night the lead singer from the Bolyki Boys in Budapest, Hungary, Balazs presented a top notch concert. Balazs or Bali is a professional singer who has given concerts from Shanghai, China to Zagreb, Croatia … more than 200 concerts across Europe and Asia. The Montenegrins loved his music and have asked when he will return for another concert. 

On Wednesday night John McGuinness led a group from Hamilton, NJ, in a concert that was well received by campers and families. Both concerts were open air events and we battled rain delays both nights, but, the delay just added to the anticipation of the audience each night. 

The movie theater that we rented was packed! Absolutely jam packed full! SRO … Standing Room Only. We had evangelistic meetings there on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with about 30 young people coming to Christ. 

Sports, sports, sports with basketball, soccer, tennis, American football and baseball attracted many young people along with English language instruction. Parents were lined up to thank me for coming to Montenegro telling me that their teens LOVES Camp Monty and LOVES all of those who came to teach or play sports. 

What about the groups from the States when they left to return to their homes? Tears! Yes, tears from the Montenegrins and tears shed by the Americans as they left. 

Stay tuned for more information about how we continue the ministry with this young people from the summer into the fall and winter. Some exciting developments are in the works . . .

Romania … I was in Romania for two weeks at Camp MIA led by our director there, Iulian Avramescu, at a site close to Arad, Romania. As for me, I could not speak during the first week as high blood pressure problems laid me low. God knew I would have these problems in that He sent us a group from Senatobia, MS, which included a nurse. She was a great help for me. 

Right before camp I was in Budapest, Hungary where I visited my Chinese doctor who is board certified in both Hungary and China, western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. She is very good. She put me on blood pressure medication before I traveled to Romania. Truth being told I was in a bad physical condition. Why? Stress from Lynne’s suffering and passing plus other sources and my weight not being in good control … time for change. After the American nurse at camp treated me she wanted help from a Romania doctor which resulted in my medication being doubled and two more medications were added. Oh boy, what a time. My nurse explained that it would take about four weeks to adjust to living with lower blood pressure. Her prediction is right on target as I’m feeling much better … four weeks later.

God helped me do the evangelism during the second week of camp in Romania and many were saved. But, I was very weak. Time to travel to Montenegro. If you would have been traveling with me you would have seen that I could barely move. I asked for assistance in each airport which really helped in Istanbul in their humongous airport. Somehow, some way God helped me survive to make it to Montenegro. I was there for what I call the pre-camp week getting things organized. Much had already been done by locals … a big blessing. Then, our team starting coming from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. During the middle of Camp Monty I started feeling somewhat better. 

Meanwhile, back in Romania, Iulian, was leading Camp MIA and he had his hands full. 27 Turkish kids who live in a small town in Romania close to the border came to his camp. They were incorrigible kids … undisciplined beyond measure. 10 of them had lice and the counselor were struggling to fight the battle to rid them of lice while trying to get their attention asking them to cooperate. It was a struggle … tough and difficult. Would you believe that these kids are so poor that some of them had never seen a shower before? I’m serious. They were totally amazed watching the water come down from the shower head. To give you a better idea they live in “homes” made out of corn stalks and mud with pieces of tin serving as a roof. 

We thank God that they received Christ! Iulian and his staff smile we they talk about this, but, you can see the fatigue in their eyes and bodies. These kids wore them out. By the time that I returned from Montenegro to join Iulian in his other camp location close to Bucharest 209, altogether, had come to Christ during the four weeks of Camp MIA.

This week I had strength to speak and we saw around 55 of the 63 campers come to Christ. Children’s week … some of the cutest kids in the world are here. We are not finished as we have one more week to go. Be sure to check back for my next Update telling you more exciting details. Before I return to the States I will be with their leadership team for a staff meeting right after the camp ends. Plans are underway for 2015!

How am I doing? Much better! Thank you for your prayers. 

Eric Murphy
Executive Director
LIFE IMPACT FOR ETRNITY


www.lifeimpactforeternity.org


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