TO raise money and awareness for disaster relief, Pastor Mat and Victoria Murphy walked 15 miles from Pakpak Beach in San Antonio to Banzai Cliff in Marpi carrying a five-gallon water jug.
Pastor Mat and Victoria Murphy of Saipan Community Church walked from Pakpak Beach to Banzai Cliff to raise awareness about natural disasters that have struck Honduras and the Philippines.
Contributed photo
“We like to make a difference with what we have,” said Victoria.
The couple chose to raise awareness about recent natural disasters that have hit Honduras and the Philippines, causing devastation to countless individuals and families.
They have highlighted the work of Mission on the Move, “a non-denominational, evangelical Christian missions agency dedicated to serving underprivileged communities,” in Honduras, providing latrines and a clean water source to Honduran families living in tents after a hurricane destroyed their homes.
General Baptist Ministries’ disaster relief work in the Philippines amid the global Covid-19 pandemic was also highlighted by the young couple.
Pastor Mat and Victoria attend Saipan Community Church, one of the churches of General Baptist Ministries.
Carrying a five-gallon water jug was meant to remind the public about people who have to walk several miles just to access fresh water sources, then walk several miles back to their homes carrying gallons of water.
The couple observed that several random strangers stopped them along their journey to ask if the couple needed help.
“It was so nice,” said Victoria, noting that although they declined the offers, they appreciated the kindness and generosity of local community members.
They mentioned that two young women had gone out of their way to give the couple free bottles of cold water, which the couple gratefully accepted.
The young pastor and his wife brought several filled reusable water bottles during their journey, in an attempt to disburse the weight.
“We don’t expect to carry 45 pounds at a time [and] we need to drink water, [so] we brought a lot of water bottles,” said Victoria.
Utilizing a smart watch and a camera, the couple recorded the distance, pace, and time it took them to journey from the south to the north of the island.
It took them six hours to walk the 15-mile route from San Antonio to Marpi.
Afterwards, a friend of theirs came to pick them up.
“Wherever you are, make a difference with what you have…. Maybe it’s by… donating to a cause like Honduras or the Philippines that recently had natural disasters…or maybe it’s by…going outside and making a difference,” said Pastor Mat.
To view the Murphys’ journey, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hxtOfR6aMI&%3Bt=1s.
To donate to Mission on the Move Honduras disaster relief efforts, visit https://missiononthemove.kindful.com/embeds/f44a7ba6-e166-4e93-9fd8-d95e3223b84d?fbclid=IwAR32kNgIlQndapUhtNWAYl9iyUrKh–5zuNvIfSHuRKTGeLq1IiXAgsXW-s.
To donate to General Baptist Ministries’ Philippines disaster relief efforts, visit https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/gbgiving.
