11 Months have come to a close. Partnering with 11 radical missionaries from all over the world following God’s calling in their lives has been completed. Experiencing 11 vastly unique cultures from 3 different continents has run its course. This life changing trip has finished, but the journey has just begun.
Going on this trip has shown me so much of the world. I have seen God being worshipped in so many different ways and in so many languages. I have seen people from all different backgrounds sacrifice so much of their lives to bring God glory and further His kingdom. I met people who have cut off all ties to their family and defied their government to serve our God. I have witnessed people love the untouchables. I saw the hungry and dying be reprieved by generous donations and dedicated hard work. I have experienced unfailing and undeserved love by humans allowing Jesus to guide their relationships. I know people who refuse to give up or deny a good God in the hardest of life circumstances.
I have also seen God being cut out of societies and christians being persecuted for their beliefs. I have seen false idols and temples ordained in gold in people’s attempt to find an accepting god. I have seen people devote their entire lives to an empty, cold religion. I have stared evil straight in the face and experienced direct attacks from the enemy. I have witnessed a million things in life that just don’t seem ‘fair.’ I met people who will never be able to walk again or speak for themselves. I met people who have sold themselves to the devil to provide for their family. I saw disaster kill thousands of people. I saw the hurts and uncertainties of life.
Through it all I learned so much about serving and sacrificial love. I helped serve special needs children. I reached out and protected children who were at risk in their community and didn’t have safe families. I helped recovering drug addicts fight the power of temptation with scripture. I hitch-hiked through Africa bringing the hope of the Gospel to remote communities without power or running water. I delivered food and water filters to remote earthquake victims in Nepal. I taught English through comprehension of Bible stories in a closed country. I was a big brother to 100 orphaned boys, discipling them and providing biblical guidance. I did my fair share of farming and yard work. I loved the unloveable.
Thank you for believing in me and supporting me. This was a huge step of faith for all of us, yet God proved Himself faithful. It was far from easy. I barely made it out alive. Being robbed, losing valuables, experiencing natural disaster, seeing my friend lose her ability to walk, being attacked with a machete; none of which you expect when you wake up for a new day, but what can we really expect in God’s will. He has shown and revealed such a sweeter, more fulfilling life where those things don’t matter. We have been called to a higher standard of living. I know the Lord has called me to a unconventional way of living. I have a passion and heart for the cultures of the world and their acknowledgment of our Father.
Using these passions, I will return to work with AIM. In the future they plan on leading many trips across central Asia that are even more dangerous and less accessible. They are countries that many residents have never heard His name or of His saving grace. I will be meeting with radical missionaries in these countries that have sacrificed everything for the sake of the gospel. I will be going out as an ambassador and pioneer for new World Race Routes. We will set up organizations and churches that hundreds of young missionaries will impact in the future. I will be using my experience with traveling logistics to pave the way for large groups of Christ followers to spread their light in dark areas.
Please prayerfully consider supporting this journey and effort that will have a lasting impact on this region of the world for years to come!
Follow my new blog at zachmurphy.kingdomjourneys.org!
In Christ,
-Zach
