Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House

03/03/2026

We have an updated needs and wish list posted on our website!

Be sure to check it out!

Murphyshelter.org

We thank all of you in advance for your continued prayers for the ministry, dedication to volunteer service, and those who give generously of their time, talents, and financial support.

As a quick shout out - yesterday (Monday, March 2) the Murphy United Methodist Church brought over some much needed supplies to which we are greatly appreciative of!

03/02/2026

. Sunny Point Baptist Church
Sunny Point stopped in today and shared a few songs and Pizza with us at The Friendship House. It was such a blessing to hear the instruments played together with song all in the name of God's Praise.

02/04/2026

We've been abundantly blessed as the new year was ushered in.

From supporting/advocating/helping FIVE (5) families with children obtain housing within the first month of 2026 to launching the Murphy Meals program, courtesy of my assistant, Johnny Walker and his efforts for this part of the program, to the continued support of our area churches, businesses, and community members, I cannot express our gratitude enough for the ways the ministry has been supported.

Even through this crazy weather, we are blessed with volunteers who are showing up in times of need.

At our store, The Murphy Homeless Shelter Thrift Store - our manager, Cindy Pascia fell on ice and was seriously injured, requiring surgery. Prayers started going up immediately and volunteers rallied together to offer what help they could.
At the shelter, the heat went out - one of our residents talked with our part-time maintenance guy, Dwayne White via phone and was able to restore it without much inconvenience.
I've already mentioned in a previous post about the bunk beds that showed up, but then we had a delivery of matching hats, gloves, and gators/scarves on the same day Johnny was promoting winter clothing during an evening meal.
What's more incredible is, almost instantaneously as the January Newsletter went out, we were blessed with a stackable washer and dryer set to replace an old one and a commitment from other donors to purchase the needed zippered bedbug mattress protectors!

Yes, the year has started out with a frenzy of activity, both good and bad. Through it all, we continue to praise God and especially now, we ask for continued prayers for Mrs. Cindy as she recovers from the surgery.

We also ask for continued prayers for the ministry as a whole - especially for abundant love and blessings for the men, women, and families with children God sends our way for us to serve in His name with love and grace.
It's not an easy task, for sure, and the house seems too quiet with so many families having moved all within weeks of one another - but we celebrate their successes with them and pray for God's guidance and blessings for the next phases of their journeys.

Blessings and love to all
- Peggy White House Manager

01/30/2026

Thank God Its Friday

It appears to be a little bit warmer, but Gods works doesnt stop. If youre hungry, a little short on funds or simply out and about, we welcome you to stop by The Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House and grab a slice a pizza.
We have 5 different types of pizza and one goal: Feed Gods People. Today(Friday Jan. 30th 2026) from 5:30 to 6:45pm. God Bless You All!

Any Questions about this meal of program please contact Johnny Walker 828-644-8400

01/29/2026

. God Continues to Bless!
Available during today's Murphy Meals serving of Creamy-Spinach Stuffed Trout paired with Greek Lemon-Dill Rice and served with Butternut Squash Soup will be an assortment of brand new winter clothes.
We have a few goodies and other pull overs which are brand new and perfect for braving the low temperatures. We are limited in what we have in house but have several more in storage that may be available.
Any questions about any winter clothing please call or txt Johnny Walker at 828-644-8400. God bless you all.

01/28/2026

Matthew 6:8 talks about God knowing what our needs are before we ever ask....

Last night (1/26) as I was laying down to try to sleep, many different thoughts racing through my brain, and, as per usual, mostly about the shelter.

This time I was hyper focused on reconfiguring the space in some of the rooms, trying to visualize how to add a couple beds here and there... Cause by now, y'all know my belief that there's always room for just one more.

Anyway, so I'm laying there, falling asleep to the thought that I'll need to somehow order just two more sets of metal bunk beds. I wasn't really praying, just thinking my thoughts.

Today (1/27) while I was meeting one on one with one of our residents, FedEx shows up to deliver a package.

TWO big, long, heavy boxes....

The very bunk beds I thought about as I fell asleep last night, God had already sent because He already knew.

I don't recall mentioning the need to anyone at any time before. I don't recall thinking we would need any more before last night.

But y'all... GOD!

Only God can orchestrate something like this.

And to beat it all, this favor showed up just after God scolded me and reminded me to get off my high horse and remember to be humble.

Only God!

Wow - that's ALL I know to share...

Only God.

Because God can. Because God will. And because God does!!!

What a mighty God we serve!!!

He provides correction and love simultaneously!

~ Peggy ~ Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House House Manager

12/08/2025

I find it so joyful when a house transforms into a home by the various noises children make.

Even though a family with 4 children have left the shelter, with new families that have come in, we now have 15 .... Yes, 15 children in the shelter. 🤗🤯

If you can imagine, the noise 🔊 level rises, especially in the dining area where acoustics echo!

And with 15 children plus the 16 to 20 adults we serve on a regular basis... Germs are everywhere! 🤢

Keeping clean can be a challenge, especially as supplies run out quickly. We don't want anyone getting 😷, so we are trying our best to work with each guest to ensure a healthy and clean 🫧 living environment.

I'd like to beseech the churches, community, and supporters to continue, as always, first and foremost to lift up the ministry in prayer 🙏🏻🤲🏻 and please consider donating to the ongoing needs for cleaning and replenishable paper supplies as well as food staples that are always needed.

Also, most importantly, if you or your church has a desire to be more actively involved with the shelter ministry, please reach out to me - I would 💕 love to discuss the varying areas of volunteer opportunities we have - at the shelter, for the shelter, and for the The Murphy Homeless Shelter Thrift Store

Please see our current needs list on our needs page at

murphyshelter.org

Blessings to you all - and thank you so many times over for all the donations that have been coming in to help us keep folks fed, clean, and with warm clothes. Your prayers and donations of all kinds have been instrumental in this ministry of sharing the love of Jesus with those in need!

Peggy White - 828-360-2064

The Murphy Homeless Shelter is in the town of Murphy in Cherokee County NC. We endeavor to express the love of Jesus to those in need.

11/19/2025

It's glorious to see how God moves within the community and reaches even further.

We have been receiving donations that are greatly appreciated. From food and replenishable supplies that have arrived from Walmart and Amazon delivery to clothing, crocheted mats, to folks reaching out wanting to know how they can help with Thanksgiving and Christmas.
It's truly a blessing.

But, perhaps my favorite donation so far is one that I had not yet made public. I'd only shared a need with one or two people and the guests at the shelter who heard me reading the reviews and weight capacity of a metal bunk bed -

At the time, we had six worn out wooden bunk bed frames that needed replaced, none more so than one a couple of young men were using that had been pieced together as a temporary hold until I could find a replacement.

Striving to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to the ministry, I was searching for twin over twin bunks that would hold up over time and because we serve people of varying ages, shapes, and sizes, I wanted one that would feel safe for everyone.

Last week, without making the need known, a brand new metal bunk bed was delivered to the shelter.
There was no return address, only from a fulfillment center. There was no note inside the packaging to identify the donor.

Needless to say, we praised God and went right to work assembling the new bed.

Even the young men who needed it the most pitched in to help assemble and remove the old bed.

We do not call this a miracle.

We call this being abundantly grateful for GOD'S FAVOR!

One down, five more to go.

Thank you to all the prayers warriors, to all those who listen and strive to see beyond the basics. We could have used a couple cots to make due... But God worked through someone so we didn't have to.

In moments like that, I can't do anything other than stand back in awe, praising and thanking the Father for His majesty!

❤️ Peggy White , House Manager

11/12/2025

Hello friends and supporters.
I have tried my hand at updating an older version of an Amazon gift registry of supplies desired for the shelter

It is my understanding supplies can be purchased directly from Amazon and sent straight to the shelter. In this manner, wherever you are, if you would like to contribute to the ongoing needs, now you have an option!

Items on the registry are suggested... Please feel free to browse for similar items that may be cheaper!

Prayers of blessings to all.

And please let me know if this works!!!
- Peggy White House Manager

Check out this Gift List I just created.

11/11/2025

Yesterday (11/10), I had the sweet pleasure to make a quick meal for the guests at the shelter.
I love cooking for a large crowd. What I love even more is when the people I'm cooking for want to pitch in.
This meal was unplanned, unorganized, and completely off the cuff.
One of the adults helped me sift through the meager shared food options and the sweetest helper, an 11 years-old young man, remained with me in the kitchen. We made a pot of soup large enough to feed 30 plus people, to their satisfaction, with seemingly nothing. A couple small packs of chicken, rapidly cooked from frozen, a few cans and one bag of mixed veggies, and 2 cups of rice with a hodgepodge of seasonings mixed in, added to our counter top turkey roaster, heated and stirred to "just right"
This young man and I didn't follow a recipe, we didn't measure a single thing. We decided what to add to the water-base by guess work and the way seasonings smelled together.

Here's what I found most enjoyable - God used a moment, just a brief one, to allow this child to use his energy for something productive and to demonstrate a hidden talent that could be fostered. God allowed this one on one cooking activity to break down some walls this young man has had up. God moved in such a way, that not only did this "nothingness soup" turn out to be a spectacular meal, but those who enjoyed it gave much due appreciation to the young man who helped prepare it.

What's even better still, following suit, another resident took this young man and a couple of the other kiddos to do a baking activity.

Y'all - I witnessed God move in these children and through the house as these kids were mentored and taught important kitchen life responsibilities from proper hand washing to cleaning up afterwards, with all the steps in between.

I love how God shows up in these seemingly mundane moments. Maybe the kids don't recognize Him yet - but I saw a whole bunch of adults that absolutely, certainly did.

And what better sound could there be in a house than a bunch of kids interacting & learning good life-skills lessons by adults who desire to come alongside them and help us mentor as we also mentor them?

God is so good

Also... Yesterday I had a planned activity. I didn't understand why, but during my devotion time, God gave me the scripture -
Proverbs 16:9
"The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps..."

I had planned to go into the shelter for a specific planned activity - only to discover a resident had already undertaken the much needed task. Since that activity had been done, at first I thought to just do the computer work, until God laid it on my heart to have something hearty and warm for everyone... That's when my helper offered to find and throw something together - so that's how we spent this Divine appointment!

Blessings all - and remember - just because YOU make plans, doesn't mean GOD doesn't have something more precious planned for your time.

Peggy White - House Manager

11/07/2025

When folks gather to help with a deep cleaning and rearranging project, we like to turn up the praise and worship music and make it a fun event.
Thanks so much to the folks that came out yesterday (11/06) to help with this task.
Your efforts made light work of a big need.

Y'all are rock stars for sure, covered by God's love, mercy, and grace.

Thanks again for supporting the mission by going that extra mile and bringing fun, laughter, and joy with you.
-Peggy

10/31/2025

Furniture sale at The Murphy Homeless Shelter Thrift Store

Today, October 31...