Eric Murphy Update June 2014

ARTICLES:

*Summer Camps About To Start
*Physical and Spiritual: What is going with me?
*On the Road

SUMMER CAMPS ABOUT TO START

Wrapping up the background work and all preparations for summer camps … creates excitement as I anticipate a wonderful experience in Romania and Montenegro. Can’t wait! Pray as a few last minute details need to be completed. As for me I will be in Romania close to Arad for counselor training and the first two weeks of camp. We have a team coming from Raleigh NC led by a friend who helped us get the camp started in Hungary years ago, George Tissiere. Then, a small group from the northwest corner of Mississippi will be with us during the second week.

After that I head to Montenegro to get everything ready for Camp Monty … two weeks there with the second week being Camp Monty 2014. Rick DeYoung will direct the camp while I help in the background, shake hands, give hugs, encourage people and build relationships. We have friends coming from California to Ohio to New Jersey to help us reach the Montenegrin youth.

As soon as the dust settles after Camp Monty I will fly back to Romania through Istanbul. The last two weeks of my time there will be in a youth camp about 90 minutes west of Bucharest, the capital. Our team at LIFE Romania will have two weeks close to Arad, then, move to Targoviste for four weeks of youth camp. So, I will join them for their final two weeks. Three groups from Texas will come over during those four weeks in eastern Romania. We are grateful for all those who come. Did I say that I can’t wait?

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL: WHAT IS GOING WITH ME?

June 8 found me in the same church where we celebrated Lynne’s life six months earlier to the date. I suddenly realized this when I walked into the door. My mind flooded with memories … good ones. Her celebration service [I choose this term rather than a funeral service] was quite an experience, so as I thought about that special day I re-lived it in my mind. Somehow this helped me.

Today I received a letter from someone who wrote that what I'm experiencing in my grief is very, very normal. Some advice was given on how to live out the grief or live through it, experience it and be at peace with the process. Very helpful. God is so good! What I mean is that although going through a tough experience is painful, yet, God helps a person through the hard times. We learn things that we would never learn in any other way. God sees us all the way through the process and we become better ... we mature. Somehow, some way, this is good for us. I don't resent what God has done or what He is doing. Not at all. No anger at God. That's the spiritual side. The physical side? My emotions? The loneliness ... trying to find my place ... the empty feeling ... finds me digging into God even more. I must admit that I've had days here & there when I was really quiet ... sort of wondering if I was in an emotional tornado. Then, I realize that I need more of God, so, I start talking to Him finding myself praising Him ... all based on the model of what God gave us in Psalms. 

The problem with my knee is much better, 90% better. I can take a slow walk now for about a half of a mile or about 1 KM. That helps so much ... stress reliever. I'm almost ready to return to the YMCA to do some light exercise. Well, this physical slowdown has played a part in my recent battle with my emotions. Message? God wanted me to release my stress & put it on His shoulders more than work it out through physical activity. God is at work in all of these things. Perhaps what I'm sharing will be of help to others. Hope so.

ON THE ROAD

Last month I wrote that I spent 17 days with our Romanian director, Iulian Avramescu. After this he went to Dallas, Texas for a one month furlough to visit his supporters and ask people to help with his needs for the summer camps at LIFE Romania. So, I joined him for six days in Dallas to help him. 23 quality days of mentoring, fellowship and more … the model that the Apostle Paul used with those who traveled with him … I love it.

Then, I traveled to Indianapolis to do some marriage counseling with a couple. The young lady came to our ministry in Hungary during her childhood, so, we “go way back”. They want me to perform their wedding ceremony on August 31, so, I will return to Indy after the summer camp season in Europe. While I was in Indiana I spent time with young men to cast a vision for LIFE asking them to join this vision not only in Europe, but also, in Costa Rica which will kick off their “summer” camp season in January. Then, I talked about Cuba, Columbia in South America, Bosnia and Albania in Europe … nothing there yet as far as Life Impact For Eternity is concerned … I was sharing my dreams. I have a passion to involve young adults to get them involved … their time, their talents, their brains and their hearts. This is burning inside of me! Join me in prayer for this.

Thank you for caring … greatly appreciated!

Eric Murphy
Executive Director
LIFE IMPACT FOR ETERNITY
3984 Manatee Avenue
Bradenton FL 34208
321 663 5710
[email protected]
[email protected]www.lifeimpactforeternity.org