
Sharon Murphy
I gave my heart, and my life, to Jesus when I was nine years old.
A child evangelist came to my church and, while performing some magic trick, made it very clear that Jesus loved us so much that He could take away the guilt I felt from my stubborn, rebellious ways. Someone prayed with me, and I felt forgiven and my guilt burden gone.
God guided me during my youth, and the Bible truths I learned sustained me through my adult years.

My desire was to marry a Christian man and to be “equally yoked,” as the Bible says. God gave us three children, and we enjoyed serving at church and other people in many ways.
I always wanted to be a foreign missionary. Only as I look back on my life do I realize that the many Bible studies with women and children in my home were indeed my mission. Twelve of those years I lived in South Africa, Israel, Holland, and Turkey.
Being married to a military man wasn’t always easy, but God was everywhere we were and never failed me. The years spent as a single mom during my husband’s time in Viet Nam, and other remote tours, grew my faith.
After a break in and rape, God showed me Psalm 37. Verse 8 says, Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
I learned not to fret because of evil doers, and to “commit my way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do it.”
My husband became a diabetic and eventually needed kidney dialysis for six years. That situation gave me a great opportunity to share with other patients how God takes our lives and cleans out our sin, just as dialysis takes the patient’s blood and cleanses it. And we can come back for new cleansing whenever we fail. The blood of Jesus that was shed for us sets us free with hope.
When my husband fell and broke his neck, he became totally bedridden. I wondered, “How long?” But God gave me strength, hope, and encouragement through reading the Bible daily for those two difficult years. Because of our faith and commitment to Christ, God has blessed us with 58 years of marriage.
At this time in my life, my joy in the Lord causes me to look for opportunities to share the love of Jesus. My message is that although you feel discouraged, there is hope because God is always there for us in times of trouble. I find that praying about everything and reading God’s promises in the Bible can get me through anything – even caring for a bedridden husband with a broken neck.
More Faith Stories
Stu Ross
We built the first church with great difficulty. We went back to the States and the board asked us to become mission staff with the Outreach Foundation. That was 25 years ago, just about, and we’ve gotten more involved with Kenya as days and years went on.
Olive Karuchi
I am a chef by profession. I’m happy because I do what I love. Now I work at Villadise Tours and Safaris, where I meet so many different people coming from far. Being helpful is just a blessing to other people.
Kathryn Lindsay
Then God started tugging on my heart. There was a church sermon series that was about taking your God-given dream off the shelf. I was like, “I don’t know what my dream is. God, if you have a dream for me you’re going to have to tell me what it is.”
Anne Joo
We attended church but maintained a passive religious life. Our family had been going to church and proclaiming, “Jesus is our Savior and Lord,” with our mouths only. It seemed that my heart was gradually drifting away from God.
Alice Wanjiku Gichira
So, I just put my faith in Jesus. I trust him and it is my prayer that my children and the entire community will know Jesus because of my faith. Our salvation should not be only our own. We should encourage other people.
Bevalyne Otulia
I’m no longer worried because I have come to learn that God’s timing is the best. You cannot hurry God. These days, all I do is wait, no matter what, I just wait. I know my time will come and that time is God’s time. So, I keep on waiting for God to do for me wonders.