Team Member- Raylene Murphy

Then I heard the LORD asking, “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

In July of 2008, I felt this pull on my heart for Africa. It was then when I wrote in my journal, “LORD, I want to go to Nigeria.” Seven months later I would be on a WOL team. One week before leaving, the plan would change, and I would have to pull out. Although I was disappointed, I knew that GOD was in control and that HE had a reason for it. As the year progressed, WOL short term Mission Teams formed and moved forward. For me, I had resoloved that I would serve locally (Mexico) and maybe go overseas the following year.

With this in mind, Tom, (my husband) Nick, (my son) and I agreed to help the Missions Department with the Annual Fireworks Booth Fundraiser. For me, this was very exciting. I was thrilled to meet and volunteer with those who were committed to going overseas. Before long, I felt myself wanting to go. So my husband and I attended a team meeting for Cambodia and Thiland. Neither of these dates would work for me. However, as result of attending the meetings, Tom felt GOD tugging on his heart, so he joined the Cambodia team.

Then, in casual conversation, Genievieve Shenton mentioned that she was on a team for Nigeria. The dates would fit into my family’s schedule and my family was supportive. The best part of this story is that after saying yes, I found out that the team would be ministering to women.

After moving forward, our team learned that Nigeria was postponed, and that Kenya was an option. For me, I knew that the location did not matter. In Missionary work, things change. Indeed, One can almost always plan on changes in schedules.
I had said, LORD, send me in 2008, I still say, LORD send me. I will go. I will go and I will be your servant, I will be your hands, I will be your feet, and I will tell them about your faithfulness and your never ending love and acceptance. I want to love others like I have never loved others. I want to see others through Jesus’ eyes. I am excited about what GOD is doing in me and what he is going to do through me.

By the way, our Team is facilitating a Women’s Conference, “Women of Worth.” GOD is so good!

For me, the Mission trip has already started. I look forward to meeting my Kenyan sisters and brothers. I am so very excited about what GOD is going to do. I pray that our team would be totally surrendered and led by the Holy Spirit.

“For I am the LORD your GOD, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD Almighty. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the ONE who says to Israel, ‘You are mine!’”
Isaiah 51:15-16