Morley Update 2010 #22

Everyone,

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.
Anatole France

When we came to Greece we found this to be very true. We longed to be here but it meant leaving behind people we loved and a life we enjoyed. Each time we were faced with a new change it seemed like we were jumping off a cliff hoping to land on our feet. As soon as we thought "Whew - we made it!" we would be faced with another leap of faith. Could we leave our families and friends? Could we leave our church? Could we leave our home, our business and a life we loved? We answered "Yes" and took the leap. Since we took that leap the leadership of the team has changed - twice. Programs we were involved with have changed - several times. Each time there was change we had to leave something behind in order to move ahead. Sometimes this was painful, sometimes this was a relief but it was always necessary. The one constant in refugee ministry is that it is always changing. People and programs come and go and each time that happens we remind ourselves that we are here to be a part of what God is doing here in Greece, not to follow a certain person or maintain a certain program. Our team is coming up on a big season of change. At the end of this month we will be losing two families who have served on the team for 2 years. They will be a big loss especially because we have far more women than men on the team. Next week we are having our team retreat and then in the middle of June we will close the ARC for a month to six weeks in order to make some much needed renovations on the building. Since we will not be able to use the ARC during that time it has forced us to "think outside the box" and figure out other ways to do ministry during this time. It is also a good time to reevaluate the ministries we are currently doing and see whether they still meet the needs of the refugees who are here now and whether they are a good use of our time and resources. As a team we have each invested parts of ourselves in the different ministries and it is sometimes hard to let those go. Please pray with us during this time that we will hold everything with an open hand and allow God to show us what to hold on to and what to let go. Also pray for unity among the team as we make these decisions. Pray for creativity in using the time we are closed wisely and that God will open our eyes to opportunities to minister. We are excited about what God is doing here and look at this next two months as an chance to gather ourselves and prepare for the work ahead. Thank you for being a part of this. We love you all.


Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@juno.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com

To Support:
Online go to: www.iteams.org/give
Or Send to:
International Teams
411 W. River Rd.
Elgin IL 60123
Please designate for the ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support. Thanks ;}

Morley Update 2010 #21

Everybody,

Two Myrnas. Could be a dream come true or maybe your worst nightmare. My sister Amy is visiting us for a week and a half and we look and sound very much alike. Kent has several times been in the other room when Amy was talking and said "Who are you talking about" and she has replied "a friend of mine, you don't know them" or something of that sort. His answer will be "I thought it was Myrna talking again". Yesterday we took Amy to the ARC with us for tea house. At one point one of the older ladies I always greet but do not have a relationship with came in. She spoke Farsi to Amy giving her a big hug and several kisses. She then looked up, saw me, got this sort of shocked look on her face and did a double take. It was nice to be able to introduce Amy to some of our refugee friends as well as our team mates. Amy likes to take photos so I am attaching a couple. One is a picture of Amy and I on Philapappou Hill overlooking the Acropolis and the other is with my friend "S" at the ARC. We are going to do some sightseeing today so I will close and write more next week.


Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@juno.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com

To Support:
Online go to: www.iteams.org/give
Or Send to:
International Teams
411 W. River Rd.
Elgin IL 60123
Please designate for the ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support. Thanks ;}

Morley Update 2010 #20

Everyone,

1. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink"......I was wearing shoes two sizes too small and you gave me yours. On Thursday I was sitting and practicing Greek with my Romanian friend "E". I was pretending to shop and we got to talking about European sizes instead of American sizes. I asked her what size shoe she wore. She held up her foot and said "Saranda duo (42) alla afti einai trianda octo (but these are 38). She then said "my feet hurt and I can only take small steps". I took her into the clothing room to see if we could find something for her. She winced and cried out when she took the shoes off her poor swollen feet. The only thing I could find that would fit her right then was a pair of flip flops. She sighed with relief and thanked me. I went home and got out a pair of perfectly good tennis shoes I had that were extras and put new insoles in them. I sent them with Christy to women's showers the next day to give to "E". On Monday I was coming out of the kitchen when I met "E". She threw her arms around me and kissed me and said "Thank you thank you". She then jumped up and down and said "Eimai pido horevo" (I am jumping dancing). All throughout the day she would come over to me and say "My feet are so happy." It brings tears to my eyes that such a small thing makes such a difference in someone's life.

2. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink".... I had no way to keep the food for my children cold and you gave me a refrigerator. Our friend "Z" had to move and her new place had no refrigerator. We found a used but good apartment sized one in the Athens News and Saturday Tasha and Kent and I split the cost to buy it for her. She was so thankful and we were so glad to be able to do it.

3. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... I was sick and you visited me". Kent has been in to see our friend "S" in the hospital several times this week. He is slowly gaining strength. His faith remain strong and he keeps trusting in God even through much adversity. Thank you for praying for him.

4. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink".... I was in despair and you took me for coffee. Kent continues to spend time with our friend Dr. "S". Since his wife's application for a visa was denied by the Greek Embassy it has been very difficult for him. He was saying to Kent the other day that he feels so helpless. Then he said something to the effect of: "I used to BE somebody. I was asked to speak at conventions, I was respected and looked up to. Here I am nobody and I have nothing." I think this is one of the hardest things for refugees. They just become one of the faceless mass of refugees and they are at the mercy of a corrupt system. Kent often takes refugee men and spends time with them doing ordinary things that help them to see themselves as individual people again and not just as a refugee. Please continue to pray for Dr. "S" and his family.

5. "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink".....I moved into a new house and you visited me. Yesterday Tasha, Christy, Kent and I went to our friend "S"s new home. It is a house that was abandoned even with furniture inside. It is old and the paint is peeling and there are areas of garbage everywhere but already they have been hard at work to make it a home. "M" her husband was trimming bushes in the tiny front yard when we arrived and had it all cleaned up by the time we left. He is getting ready to paint the living/sleeping area and there is another small back yard and a roof area to clean up. They share these two rooms plus a kitchen and small bath with a Pakistani man who is only there at night. I am so happy for them. Fixing it up will give "M" something positive to do with his time when he can't find work. They are together as a family instead of sharing with many others. The neighborhood they are in is not a teeming with refugees but a normal Greek neighborhood. "S" cooked some food for us and she found such joy in being able to entertain us in her home. Please pray for this family, that "M" can find work and that they will come to know the Lord. "S" is very close and "M" said to her one day "Hurry up and become a Christian so you can help me".

I realize this letter may be a bit heavy to practical works of service but that is one of the ways in which we show the love of God to these refugees. I know some of you have been wondering about the violence and unrest in Greece and how that is affecting us. This is not something new and is just making more headlines lately. The Greek people as a whole are unhappy about the cuts the government is being forced to make. Whenever there is unrest there is always a group that uses it as an excuse to vandalize and riot. We will continue to have demonstrations and strikes which do affect the ministry when the buses and metros go on strike since we can't get to work. As far as safety it is easy for us to avoid trouble spots but more difficult for our refugee friends who live in some of these areas. Please pray for them and for Greece. It is a country in crisis but often a crisis turns people back to God. As always we are thankful to be here and to be able to give a cup of cold water in His name. Thank you for making that possible.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@juno.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com

To Support:
Online go to: www.iteams.org/give
Or Send to:
International Teams
411 W. River Rd.
Elgin IL 60123
Please designate for the ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support. Thanks ;}

Morley Update 2010 #19

Everyone,

Here are your weekly snapshots:

1. Last Tuesday I spent the day getting ready for a birthday party for the two year old twin daughters of my friend "Z". In the morning I went shopping at Jumbo, one of my favorite stores in Greece. It is a large store filled with kids stuff, household decor, party things, kitchenware, school and office supplies etc. The prices are cheap and sometime so is the merchandise but I love it. I've found a lot of things there for making puppets, decorating for parties (and a wedding), and inexpensive gifts for kids. Since "Z" loves for us to take her and the kids to the sea, I got the girls sand toys, sun hats and sun glasses. I wanted to get them swimsuits but, although it has been in the high 70s here lately, the Greeks are still wearing jackets so they didn't have swimsuits in the store yet. When I got home I made the cake for the party. It was white with pink trim, flowers and butterflies. I even wrote the girls names in Farsi with frosting. See attached pictures

2. Wednesday morning Kent, I and our friend Sahar (a former refugee from Iran) went to a local school to speak. We got there at 10:15 planning to set up and speak to a group of kids in the 3rd and 4th grades at 11:00 and a group of older kids at 11:30. The teacher making the arrangements (who is a friend and roommate to one of our teammates) met us with the news that they wanted to squeeze in another group of kids in at 10:30. It was a mad scramble to find a cord to plug in the computer and set up chairs for 120 kids but we made it. It was fun to talk to a group of kids in English (reminded me of my VBS days). Sahar spoke with the kids about coming to Greece as a refugee and then I showed a power point presentation of some of the things we do with refugee children. I told of how some of the refugee families don't have a place to live. Afterward we let the kids ask questions and one little boy raised his hand and said "We have an extra bedroom, someone could come and stay with us." When our time was up there were still lots of hands raised. This school will be a valuable link for us as they have already donated van loads of supplies and will continue to do so in the future.

3. After we spoke at the school we raced home, picked up the birthday cake and parties supplies and headed for the ARC. While Kent had a leadership meeting I helped set up the room and decorate. At one point I was sitting with "Z" while she painted my finger nails with shocking pink polish for the party. She said "I very happy today. None of my children ever have a party before." "Z"s life is hard. She has had to move again and is staying with yet another family. Everyone she has ever known has abandoned her. A few weeks ago Nader spoke on the Lost Coin. Afterward "Z" told my friend Tasha. "I feel lost. Everyone leaves me. I want to believe in Jesus but I need to know that if I do He won't leave me too." Please continue to pray for "Z" and the other women who are seeking.

4. We had a good time at the party. Once again we all had to participate in the dancing. At one point "Z" was trying to teach me to do this Persian move where your body and shoulders are still and only your head moves from side to side. It did not go well and we ended up in each others arms laughing hysterically. The only negative to the party is that we had four separate instances of kids throwing up. This was a little too much to blame on the candy and excitement and sure enough five team members came down with the stomach flu on the weekend. So far Kent and I have managed to escape.

5. Last Friday Kent took Dr. "S" (our Pakistani friend), "D" (from Aghanistan) and Peshraw (our Kurdish friend) to Corinth for the day. They had a great time relaxing and being "tourists" instead of refugees. They are all believers and it is good for them to spend time together. Kent said they told him they would remember this day for the rest of their lives.

6. Yesterday our friend "H" came in to the ARC. I saw him talking to Kent and then Kent motioned for me to come over. He told me that "H" was leaving for another country in a few days and wanted to say goodbye. "H" was one of Kent's first English students. He didn't do too well in English and still speaks very little so most of our communication happens in a mix of English, Greek, Farsi and sign language. Although he didn't master English he did meet Jesus. We had "H" and couple of other refugee friends over to our home several times. He got to know some of the Persian believers. One day "H" and Kent, along with two other refugee friends, were visiting a refugee camp in a nearby town when they were stopped by the police. "H" and one of the other guys did not have proper papers so ended up in jail together. While they were there "KH" witnessed to "H" and they studied the bible together. When they got out "H" accepted Jesus and was baptized. "H" is also the refugee friend who was in jail for three months (again for papers) at the end of last year. Kent visited him regularly and took him food and other supplies. One of the hardest parts of this ministry is always having to say goodbye to people you have grown to love. We will miss "H" and ask you to pray with us that as he moves on he will find a place for himself and that he will meet other believers who can help him to grow in his faith.

7. A few more prayer requests. 1) Our refugee friend "S" is in the hospital and is very ill. The doctors do not know what is wrong with him. "S" is one of the first refugees we got to know here is Greece. He helped us move into our house. He is a strong believer and has been a help to the ministry in translating and witnessing to others. He lived in the nest for a time and finally left Greece and had made a life for himself in Switzerland. About 6 months ago he was deported back here where life has not been easy. Through it all he has maintained his faith and has been attending a bible study that Kent teaches. Please pray for his healing. Pray that the doctors will find out what is wrong with him. 2) Another request is for our friend "G"s son Mohamed. He is about 12 and a few nights ago he stepped on a broken piece of glass and nearly severed his big toe. They did surgery yesterday to sew it back on. Sahar left a Farsi bible at the hospital with them and "G" (who is one of the women seeking) was reading it and her husband was reading it as well. Please pray for Mohammed's recovery and for "G" and her husband to open their hearts to the Lord. 3) Also please pray for our team mate Carolyn and her fiancee "E". A couple of weeks ago "E" was hit by a car after he was able to push Carolyn out of the way. He recovered from his concussion but is still limping and in pain because of a badly sprained ankle. Pray for healing and for work for "E" and also our friend "Y". I'm sure you know of the trouble Greece is in with their economy. Refugees always have trouble finding work but the economic crisis has made this even harder. Pray for Greece and pray for our refugee friends. 4) I was just getting ready to send this when Kent received a call from Dr. "S". He was very upset having just got word that the Greek embassy in Pakistan has denied his wife a visa to come to Greece. He has not seen her or his two small children in over a year. He is a new Christian and trying to trust in God but it is hard. Please pray for him and his family.

Thank you for all you do for us. You do not know what a blessing it is to write these updates and know that they will be read by people who care and who uphold us in so many ways. I'm so glad we are doing this together! We love you all.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@juno.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com

To Support:
Online go to: www.iteams.org/give
Or Send to:
International Teams
411 W. River Rd.
Elgin IL 60123
Please designate for the ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support. Thanks ;}