Digging Wells For Africa

Water. We simply turn on the faucet and we have more fresh water that we need. However, there are places where people have to walk miles to collect water that is barely potable. Join me, Jill Murphy, in trying to raise $18,000 to dig a deep well in a village in Africa. A source of clean water for a village in Africa can cut the child mortality rate in half. Help me dig a well in Africa to save a generation of children. Help me share something that we take for granted. Donate today.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Been a long time

I know it has been a long time. I recently had an appendectomy. In laymen terms - I had my appendix removed. The very first day of the school year! I am on leave until Sept. 18th! I just wanted to say thank you to Robbie Manes. He is the most recent donor. Thank you Robbie, it means a lot to have your support. :) What’s up?! To let everyone know, we currently have an estimated $6,100! It is soo exciting. I hope you are all doing great. I hope to hear from you soon.

posted by Jill Murphy @ 5:54 PM   0 comments

Friday, August 11, 2006

Millions

Yes, it is 9:51 at night and I am still awake. For those of you who know me, you know I am up late. :) A teacher friend of mine suggested I rent a movie called Millions. She said she thought I would like it....she was right. I am writing to suggest it to all of you. It is about a boy who "finds" a lot of money. He tells his brother about it. He wants to give it to the poor, but his brother wants to buy things with it. Eventually his dad and his dad's girl friend find out about it and they too want to do selfish things with it. They even make him feel bad because he wants to do what is right. I won't give away the ending - let me just say it made me cry.

posted by Jill Murphy @ 10:57 PM   0 comments

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Sunday night group / Matt and Jessica's Church

I wanted to thank my Sunday night bible study group. They pulled together and had a garage sale to raise money for the mission project. Altogether they raised $290! A surprise gift came today....Matt and Jessica Foreman asked their church to raise money for Digging Wells for Africa and today they gave me a shoe box full of money they collected. Altogether it was $498. THANK YOU I keep telling Steve how amazed I am that God is using so many people to dig this well. I have a list of 31 people who have contributed to this fund. We have over $5,000! I shudder when I think about the fact I almost didn't start this because I thought it would be hard or weird or that God would need me to speak in front of groups of people. HE has provided for all my needs and I am so glad I was willing to trust Him.

posted by Jill Murphy @ 5:07 PM   0 comments

Meet Jill Murphy

My good friend Tiffany thought it would be a good idea to write a bit about myself so that people could get to know me and why I am trying to raise money for digging water wells in Africa. So, here it is, from the beginning. About a month ago I was sitting in our church service singing and praying. I felt God say to me that He wanted me to help others. Not just search out a mission trip to go on, but make helping others a part of my day-to-day life. Why wait for a trip when I can do it everyday! Make every moment count. These thoughts collided with my heart for children in Africa. My family and I give to World Vision when we can and we often receive newsletters about what is going on around the world. I read many articles about children, babies who go with out water! I have read articles about a one year old that weighed 10 pounds! When he cried, no tears came because he is soo dehydrated. I have read articles about women who walk 8 miles to get nasty water for their families to drink. I began thinking of how I use water daily and believe me, I have become VERY aware of how I waste water and very aware of how easy it is for me to get water. Water fountains are everywhere!!! When I wash my dishes I think about how if that kid were here right now, he would not believe his eyes! Water coming out so freely and clean just to clean my dishes. I think about if that woman were standing beside me, she would probably cry at the ease at which I just turn the faucet on to bathe my children. I extend no energy in my efforts to use water daily. Not compared to them. While all of these thoughts run through my head, I start to tell God, “I am soo plain. Nobody would listen to me. I am NOT a speaker; I would tremble badly if I had to speak in front of a crowd. I am a mom; I have too many things to do. How could I possibly add something to my plate? I am just a special education teacher in Ruston Louisiana, how can I possibly raise $16,000?!” God said, “Just be willing.” After I spoke with my husband and did a bit of praying, but really, how much praying needs to be done when you already feel God has spoken? I needed to break into action. So, here I am today; I stand as a wife, a mother, a teacher, a daughter, a sister…trying to raise money for a waterless village in Africa. God is good and He is leading me on this journey.