metzl visit

The Metzl crew came to visit us at CIT on Saturday. It was quite a treat to have them here. We discovered Josh's newest hidden talent (throwing a frisbee), discovered CIT's poison ivy (don't worry, I steered clear), had a vegetarian picnic, played dominoes, and attempted to take some photos. Molly of course was her usual ham self. Josh sort of reminded me of a wind up car gone crazy and ended up skinning his knee instead. Poor kid. I guess his top-bunk nap in our "guest room" gave him more energy than he needed. Anyway, it was a delight to have them here.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

what's for dinner?

One of the delights of being here, totally unrelated to cross-cultural training (I think), has been dinner. Someone before us left the fabulous Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites, and so far we haven't cooked a single thing outside of it. If you're not familiar with the other Moosewood cookbooks, they're mostly vegetarian (but include fish) and TASTY! These are also refreshingly light after six weeks of fundraising eating. The cooking has taken a little longer than I normally allot, but it's definitely been worth it. Also, after a long day of thinking, there's something sweet about spending an hour chopping and mixing. Here's what we had for dinner (leftovers for lunch) last week:

Saturday: Tropical gazpacho, Mexican pasta salad, Banana-mango shakes

Sunday: Wild rice waldorf salad, Bean and bean gumbo

Monday: Baked sweet potato salad, Mahi-mahi with pineapple chutney

Tuesday: Corn and bean stuffed baked potatoes, Carrot orange salad

Wednesday: Spinach avocado grapefruit salad, Corn and potato soup

Thursday: Spanish potato garlic soup, Caeser salad

Tonight: Savannah beans and greens soup, Cornbread

Highlights for the week to come include Chilled beet and buttermilk soup (Tim is nervous), Mushroom pate almondine on rye, Greek spinach rice balls, and Mango coconut cucumber salad. I love to look in the refrigerator and see it packed full of fresh veggies! I think I've realized recently that although I enjoy eating meat, I don't really like cooking with it. A vegetarian kitchen feels much cleaner and safer!

Things we use often: blender, soup pot, cutting board, onions
Things we haven't used at all: meat, flour, frying pan, butter, the oven (well, once, for baking potatoes)

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Hannah Murray |

mission preparation

In our discussion in class today, one woman said, "They don't want to hear a reasoned explanation. They want to see something beautiful." She was talking about taking the message of God's love to Ireland. I expect her insight will predominantly be true for those in Puerto Supe as well. Isn't it true in North Carolina?

Her perspective has significant implications for mission preparation. My emphasis is not on learning what to say, how to defend God's messages through arguments, developing good teaching for reaching out to nonbelievers and for the spiritual growth of believers. The emphasis is on submitting myself more and more to the precious grace of God, that He can continually shape me into the image of Jesus. The emphasis is on personal emotional growth in the power of the Holy Spirit, working through the issues that hold me back from experiencing life, people and God to the full. The emphasis is on growing in love, understanding and devotion in my marriage, that it would truly be a picture of the relationship between God and His people (as the Bible describes it in Ephesians). A more whole, healed, free me is the "something beautiful" that brings me joy, brings God pleasure, and invites others into the restoration offered through Jesus Christ.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

confession

As of this afternoon, we are $50/month away from meeting our monthly support need. When we got the latest pledge, I took about 10 minutes to be really excited. Then I started looking at what I could do next to find the final $50/month. It feels like I've been in that place for at least two weeks now- desperate to tie up loose ends and get to the finish line! For many, that could be a value-neutral desire. I realized today that for me, it's not.

This afternoon, I sat down to journal and pray, to ask God to remind me again that it was His work and not mine that raised this amount of money in this amount of time. It's a hard lesson for me to hold on to. My temptation is to give myself a good pat on the back for being such a gosh darn good person. The truth is that this is His mission and His funds will back it up in His time.

As I processed that a little further, I realized that one of the reasons I am so anxious to get 100% of our support met is that I think it will either show me to be a better person/Christian or at least convince others that I am. I have been putting all of my energy and emotion (i.e. worship) into meeting our support goal because my heart longs to win the praise and admiration of other people. But what did the praise of men ever do to earn my worship? When did the praise of men forsake heaven to find me? When did the praise of men die in my place? It is no more worthy of my worship than a carved walrus on the mantle.

Father, you alone are worthy of all of my worship. This relationship is my life. Consume me, and burn away the weeds that entangle my heart. Give me the freedom of worshipping you alone. In Jesus' name.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

Center for Intercultural Training

Here we are in Union Mills, NC (pop. 2500). This is my first attempt at video, so bear with me!

So far CIT has been much better than we expected (I guess we were a little skeptical in our expectations). The people, both staff and students, seem warm, interesting, and pretty darn normal! The daily schedule is generous on free time, 8:30-12 in the morning and then 1:30-3 in the afternoon. The content of the teaching has been interesting, and the teaching methods have really made it come alive. I am impressed with the standard of excellence we see here.

In case you're wondering what we're learning, the module we're on right now is called Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (first four weeks). They gave us 17 written objectives, but I'll try to summarize them for you:

Examine culture shock and ways to cope.
Identify potential problems affecting men, women, singles, marriages and families on the mission field, and talk about how to turn that around so that this is a positive, growing experience for all.
Learn practical information and tools regarding health overseas.
Discuss cross-cultural stuff: perspectives, research tools, data of social organization, areas of personal ethnocentrism, worldview issues....
Grow in personal faith and talk about how to continue that on the field.
Write a 15 page research paper on the target culture.

Read More 4 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

precious friends

Update from Google Analytics: Besides NC, the most visits to this blog come from Florida and Kentucky. That data is probably only meaningful to me and two others- my two dearest friends who live there. When I read it today, it sent chills down my spine. Jenny (right, living in Jacksonville, FL with her Navy pilot husband) and Mary (the bride, living in Louisville, KY with her Southern seminarian husband and her precious daughter) came into my life about the same time, halfway through my sophomore year of college when I was new to this life of faith and wondering if I would ever have any like-minded friends. At the time, I never dreamed we would be in this place.

Can I explain what it means to me to have these precious friends, sisters, partners in a life of faith and ministry? Can I tell you what they have done and been for me these past 7 years? Where would I be without their steadfast friendship, their counsel, their contagious passion for the person and glory of God? These are the women who have shaped me and continue shaping me into the woman God designed me to be. In the coming years, they too will minister in Puerto Supe through the influence they have had on me. This mission is so much the fruit of their presence in my life.

Who knew that internet data could say so much? And yet to me it speaks deeply- that there are two women out there who are invested in my life and ministry, engaged in the work God is calling me to do, committed to me even when we are apart.

Let me also mention my precious friends the Finks and Metzls, who will never get such acclaim because they live in Charlotte. Too many people. Skews the data. Nonetheless, as I was writing this I remembered that they read this silly blog every morning and night. I can't get sappy about too many people in one post, but if I allowed myself, I'd go there next.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

not on my plane

Today I booked our flights to Peru (we're leaving on October 31st). While reading about checking our instruments, I came across a very exciting page dealing with the more unique items you may need to check. Click here to view the page.

Here are a few of my favorites:

-Antlers

-Paintball Equipment

-Vaulting Poles

-Parachute Equipment

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Timothy Murray |

there are two kinds of people in the world

...those who acknowledge indicator lights and those who think their arrogance can somehow overcome physical reality. Unfortunately I (Tim) am of the latter.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7)

For the last two weeks I have had a check engine light in my car show up at random times and even though it would stay around for a couple of days eventually it always went away. Well Saturday I found out about a new light. It’s called the “Water Temperature Indicator.” On our way to Nashville our car over heated and blew the water pump (and maybe the timing belt but the jury is still out on that one).

A state trooper came by almost immediately and called a tow truck for us. The problem was that it was 2 pm on Saturday in the middle of nowhere, so the tow truck drove us to the only place to rent a car, which consisted of a 30 minute trip to the Asheville airport. Once we arrived, the rental company told me the only vehicle they had were small SUVs and they had a 100 mile a day limit (Nashville was still another 300 miles) and to get unlimited mileage I would have to pay about double the price. In the end, due to Hertz’s 1-800 number and a friendly employee, I was able to get a car for a reasonable price.

Finally, after leaving the airport, we realized that we left the lock box with all of our passports, papers and valuables in our car which was being towed to Tryon, NC (about 20 minutes from where we’re going to cultural training). After much debate we decided to chase down the tow truck to retrieve anything we couldn’t replace - we had 5 huge duffle bags with everything we were taking to Peru in the car. Despite the chaos of it all, we managed to only lose 2 hours of driving time.

Kyle Young has told us several times the most important key to staying on the mission field is to have a sense of humor. Well I think we’re getting our chance.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Timothy Murray |

moving

At breakfast Saturday morning, Josh Metzl asked, "Go to Tim’s house?" Marty reminded him that we said goodbye to Tim’s house Friday night. I’m not sure it’s sunk in for me, either. Nonetheless, I am overwhelmed today with a deep gratitude for the experience of fun and friendship that God gave us. Molly (Warner, not Metzl!) spent the afternoon helping us pack up what little we have left (a huge morale booster). After work, Alex, Mark and Jessica, the Metzl crew, and Randy came over to help out. It turned out to be both fun and easy. With 9 adults plus Josh (who helped) and Molly Metzl (who smiled), everyone had time both to catch up and pitch in. It was chaotic to some degree but in this precious community way. When we were all done, the storage unit was packed full to the top and the house was sparkling clean. My sweet house, which didn’t look or feel any less mine despite the emptiness.

As we were turning out the lights, I felt a wave of sadness. 2.5 years in this, my first house. 3 years in my first job. And here it all goes. We’re leaving it behind to move off to a country we don’t know anything about and where we know no one. Because we were all leaving to get pizza, I didn’t really have time to digest the moment. Probably a good thing for now.

Our Wolfman pizza dinner with the Landons and Warners turned out to be one of those moments I know I will remember always. There was something so not unique about it. It felt like it could be every missionary’s story- late night dinner in an old pizza parlor with friends the night before heading off. It was beautiful and simple and right. I feel infinitely grateful for these friends, their realness to me, their reliability, their servant hearts. I would not be the person I am without their steadfast support. In January 2003, when I felt God telling me that He would send me to the mission field at some other time in the future when I could be sent from a community and into a community, I had no idea how lovely and essential community could be. These are the people who hold me up by their prayers and presence.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

morning

Now is the season that I really should be praying more, but it seems like my first instinct is to go to something else for solace from the chaos and direction for the day- food, Tim, busyness. Thanks to anyone who prayed for me yesterday! This morning when I woke up my first thought was to spend some quiet time reading the Bible and praying. I'm glad I did. A few messages really stuck out to me.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) If anyone can claim weakness, I think it's me. I'm a bumbling ball of overdramatic emotions and MESS. When we were interviewing with South America Mission, one guy said he thought we had more emotional baggage than anyone else they had appointed as missionaries. My thought is that if emotional baggage disqualifies me from working for God, what's the point of being a Christian? (Give me the benefit of the doubt here- I do know a couple good answers to that semi-heretical question.) The truth is that God is bigger than all my emotional baggage. His grace is more than sufficient for all my weakness. And one thing I have noticed about God is that He seems to enjoy making big, beautiful things happen through little, messy people.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalm 20:7) One of my more substantial weaknesses is a tendency toward deep disappointment. I've learned in my head and am learning in my heart that when my hope is is God (not what I want Him to do for me), I am not disappointed. So I'm trying these days to let go of trusting so much in other things- Tim to make me happy, technology to solve my problems, my plans to work out, money to buy me the desires of my heart.... If I can trust that God's plans for my day, my life are better than mine, I save myself a lot of heartache.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

prayer requests for our 3 last days

If you are a pray-er, pray for us!

that in the midst of all this transition and chaos, we will take quiet time for God and for each other
that someone will rent our house soon (http://charlotte.craigslist.org/apa/392287717.html)
that we will use our time wisely over these last few days

I feel like I'm caught up in a movie that is too good to be reality, and at the same time, I'm scared that the plot conflict is about to hit hard. Will we survive this move? Will everyone in Charlotte forget about us? Will our sacrifice and our presence in Puerto Supe really make any difference at all?

Lord, help me to put following You above seeing the results of my labor. Keep me grounded in heaven and not on earth. Teach me to find my identity, my worth, my purpose in you and not in the things I do. And let this offering we give bring you honor and joy. In Jesus' name.

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Hannah Murray |

one week to go

It's crazy around here! With the yard sale tomorrow, we have been working hard to price mounds of stuff. Anna came over to help with signs yesterday, but after the DOWNPOUR last night, I'm off soon to check up on them. Mom is here sleeping on the couch (our guest bedroom is gone) and helping out. Two more support meetings today. Winnie (the dog) is loving the chaos I think.

So far we are at 68% of our monthly budget, with 16 people making up that number. I still feel shocked by the speed and ease of raising financial support. It makes me think of the verse in Psalms: Be still, and know that I am God. We still believe that 100% of our budget will be raised soon (specifically by the time we leave for Peru- end of Oct). We have 10-15 more people in Charlotte who have indicated that they want give us monthly financial support but are not sure about the amount yet and lots more people outside of Charlotte to talk to on the phone.

Our cross-cultural training in Rutherfordton, NC is Sept. 4- Oct. 18. We have been getting more and more information about it and think it will be a rewarding season. We will be in class 8:30-12 and 1:30-3 Monday through Friday but the rest of our time is free. I know I will need to rest like a good introvert does, and they have also indicated that we will have a lot of homework. After 4 years of Davidson, I'll bet their version of "a lot" is pretty manageable. We'll be living in an apartment and near the rest of the 35-40 (not including kids) students in the program. I'm still not exactly sure what we'll be learning, but I'll find out soon enough!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Hannah Murray |

metzl visit

what's for dinner?

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confession

Center for Intercultural Training

precious friends

not on my plane

there are two kinds of people in the world

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one week to go

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