Devotion to a cause, whether it’s centered around a mission-driven organization or a religious belief, is a fervent and strong affection. It can manifest itself in prayer, piety or action.
For Olympia resident Dennis Murphy, his devotion is focused on a long-standing dream to serve others in a third world country.
“For many years, I’ve wanted to travel to a third world country on a mission trip. But, I always seemed to find an excuse. Time, money, or even just answering the question ‘how do I get started’ plagued me,” said Murphy.
Murphy is making this dream a reality. In early 2014, he will join a team of 25 people from Church of Living Water to Cambodia. The mission trip is led by Pastor Tim Wimberly and his wife, Dhana.
The missionaries will be serving over 70 children living in four homes supported by Church of Living Water. While Murphy plans to spend most of the mission time “loving the children,” he will also contribute to maintenance projects, rebuilding kitchens and building a big toy play structure for the kids. Murphy and the team will also continue working on a security fence around the property.
“I know the next step in life is to go on this mission,” commented Murphy, who left the security of corporate employment earlier this year.
Murphy expects the trip to be transformational. “I plan to be wrecked from the inside out,” he said. “This mission will start a blazing fire that’s waiting to burn inside me.”
“I have always admired how the people who appear to have the least are the happiest,” he noted. Murphy’s life long goals include funding an orphanage and contributing to methods that reduce homeless situations in our own communities.
Despite the long list of building projects, Murphy, who claims to not be much of a handy man, feels called to this mission.
“I feel called to accomplish something bigger in life, far bigger than what I have accomplished thus far. This mission seems to be a big step towards the end result of that journey,” he summarized.
To learn more about supporting Murphy and the mission trip, click here.
