Morley Update 2010 #50

Everyone,
I picked up a nasty cold from my grandkids and the last week has consisted of moving from the bed to the couch and back again. I still feel pretty bad today but am going to go down to my sister's for a change of scenery. Kent and the kids and grandkids are going to a first night celebration in Boston. I started on antibiotics today so please pray that they kick in soon. My bag finally arrived this morning only 12 days late. I am glad though because I really don't enjoy clothes shopping and wasn't looking forward to replacing things.

Some of you may have heard about the bomb that went off in Athens. It was in the neighborhood where a couple team mates live but thank goodness no one was hurt. The team is scattered at the moment with many people away for the holidays and the ARC closed until January 3rd.

We will leave MA on January 4th and fly to CA to spend a week with Kent's dad. We will drive to OR via San Francisco to apply for our visa. Please continue to pray for a miracle that our FBI background check will arrive in time. For those of you in the Elmira area we plan to speak at both Sunday School and Church and Elmira Church of Christ on Jan. 16th. and would love to have you join us. Sunday School starts at 9:30 and church at 10:45.

I haven't got any other news so will just wish you a Happy New Year.

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 #48

Everyone,

Two more sleeps and then we head for the States! We are mostly packed and ready to go. Kent is at work with men's ministry today and I am finishing up the last details, cleaning house and doing laundry. Getting ready to be gone for three months takes some doing. We both work tomorrow and are giving out 200-300 sack lunches so it will be a busy day. We fly from here early Sunday morning (for those of you in America it will be late Saturday night your time). Please pray for us as we go through the Airports that there will not be a problem because of our expired paperwork.

We finished out the week with our last two Christmas parties. I was not sad to take off my Elf costume for at least another year! One family gave us the best Christmas present ever. "A" and his wife both speak English and have two boys. They are a nice family and everyone on the team enjoys talking with them. At one of the Christmas parties they told Nader that they are ready to accept Jesus but they would like to do it "officially" on Christmas Day. They said this is an important decision and they always want to be able to remember when they made it and what better time than on Jesus' birthday. They are going to come to a team gathering at Scott and Vicki McCracken house on Christmas day to make their confession of faith and to have the team pray with them. We are sorry to miss being there for this but will be rejoicing with the angels on that day!

Please pray for the team here over the next weeks. As you may have seen on the news last week there were many strikes and even some rioting on Wednesday. Tuesday we start for the ARC in our car so we could give a team mate a ride since there was no public transportation that day. After fighting traffic for two hours and only getting to the first metro stop which is 10 minutes from our house, Brett told us to turn around and go home because traffic was even worse downtown. The few team mates that could get to the ARC served tea to a small number of refugees and closed early. On Wednesday there was limited public transportation and we took the bike in for a team meeting. On our way home many streets were roped off and we met groups of policemen marching down the street in riot gear. That night on the news there were pictures of rioting in that area. Thursday there was a total transportation strike again so we had to cancel women's showers. We will be open today and tomorrow but there are strikes scheduled for every day next week. The ARC is always closed the week between Christmas and New Years but may have to close early if the team and refugees can't get there.

Please pray for us as we say goodbye to our refugee friends tomorrow. Many are planning to try and leave and we may not see them again. "M" (the 18 year old girl who speaks English so well) and her family did not show up for the Christmas Party although they had tickets. I do not know if they are still here or not. If they are I hope they will come in on Saturday so I can say goodbye. Pray for the refugees as the cold weather has set in for a month or two. Many are still sleeping outside and even those with shelter often do not have any form of heat. Pray for the Greek government and the Greek people who are facing their own financial crisis and then have the refugee crisis as well. Pray for justice and mercy. Pray for those who have heard the message of Christmas, that they will consider it and want to know more. Pray for us as we begin the re-application for our resident permit. Especially please pray that our FBI background check will come in time to go to San Francisco as planned. Pray for us as we will be traveling to five different states during our time there. We will see many of your during that time but if not know that we are so thankful for your faithful support. We love you all - have a wonderful holiday.




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 #47

Everyone,

We have finished three of our Christmas parties and have two more to go - one tonight and one tomorrow night. The first party was the children's party last week. Then Monday night and Tuesday night we had two parties for Farsi speaking families. We met at 2:00 on Monday afternoon and started filling bags of gifts. We had different bags for babies, toddlers, girls, boys, teen girls, teen boys, men and women. We set up assembly lines and packed over 500 bags in 2 hours. These were stashed in the baby room to be handed out at each of the four parties. When we finished that we set up the room, moving tables and chairs and trying to configure things in a way that everyone had a view of the stage. We then covered the tables with colorful clothes and bright napkins, placing a lantern with a tea candle burning in the middle of each. The result was that our large room was transformed into a beautiful, festive and welcoming place.

We opened our doors at 5:30 and and waited for the 150 ticketed guests to arrive. The first night we didn't have quite that many because the buses were not running due to demonstrations. When many of the refugees families arrived they were tired because they had walked all the way. One lady told me they weren't going to come but her little girls cried so they made the trek. I think by the time they went home they all agreed it was worth the effort.

As they arrived we greeted them with "Christmas Moborak" and invited them to find a place at one of the tables. Table hosts welcomed their guests and filled out a sheet to be sent to the gift room so a bag of presents could be packed for their table. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive we escorted families in groups back to our photo room where we took a family portrait that they will receive next week. I had fun making the backdrop for this (see attached photo).

When our guests had all arrived we started the program. The Helping Hands Team sang three Christmas carols - O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World and Silent night. We have some good voices on the team and some people (like me) who just make a joyful noise. Both nights even though the songs were in English I saw women with tears in their eyes and we were roundly applauded when we finished.

Then it was time for the puppet show. (see attached picture) As I shared in my last update we told the story of Christmas but related it to them as refugees. We talked about long journeys, not having a place to stay and leaving your country for another because it was no longer safe for you to stay. I wasn't sure how the adults would respond to this but I saw many, many heads nodding as well as a few tears. After the puppet show we had Nader speak the first night and one of the leaders from our church spoke the second night and Nader translated.

When we finished the program we served the food - chicken, rice, salad and dessert. The first night our team did all the cooking and serving. The second night the church Kent and I attend, Νεα Ζοη (New Life), brought the food, did the decorations on the tables, served and cleaned up - what a blessing!! While the food was being served I hurried into the other room and changed into my Elf Costume. I sneaked out into the main room and went around to the tables passing out candy and greeting the kids. Afterward many of the children came to get their picture taken with me as did most of the teen age boys.

Once dinner was over it was time for gifts. Thanks to the generosity of churches, schools and individuals as well as many toys donated by Matell each person received a nice bag of gifts. There was much excitement even on the part of the adults as this is the first Christmas gift many of them have ever received. Once the gifts had been opened, hugs were given and pictures were taken, we said "Hadafis" (goodbye) and they all trooped happily homeward. When our guests were gone, tables were cleared, floors were swept and mopped and dishes were done. After the first party, I wasn't sure I could walk up our steps by the time we got home but we didn't have to be back the next day until 4:00 so I had a chance to rest up. The second party was much easier because the church was there to do most of the work and we got to enjoy our guests. Tonight we are on our own again with another Farsi party, this one for single men and any families who couldn't be accommodated for our first two parties. Tomorrow we will have a party for Greek and Arabic speakers. This will be a bit smaller with maybe 100 people and another church will be helping out with that one.

This was week of goodbyes as well. We are losing our three beloved interns who have been with us for the last three months. They have worked hard and endeared themselves to the team and the refugees. There have been many tears shed as children and women bid farewell to these young women who have poured themselves into their lives if only for a season. We also said goodbye to our short term team from Glad Tidings Church in Omaha. They were here for two weeks and a real blessing to us. We were sorry to see them go. Quite a few people on the team are going to be away over the holidays and several including us will be on furlough. Pray for the team left here as they minister with less hands to share the load. Pray for the last two parties and for our next week at work as we finish up and get ready to be away for three months. We are looking forward to spending time with family and friends and hope to be able to connect with many of you when we are home. At the same time it is very hard to leave this work and these people we love.

Our prayer for you is that in the midst of the bustle of the holidays, you will have time to reflect on the true gift of Christmas. As God reached down to us with the gift of love and peace and hope, so we must reach out to those around us and share that gift with them. 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 #46

Everyone,

This Wednesday we held the first of our Christmas parties. It was a party for children ages 7-12. This is the first time we have done a party where the parents left their children with us and came back to pick them up. Many of these families are fairly new so it was a real measure of trust that they were willing to do this. We had around 40 kids. They were divided into 4 teams. Each team took a turn at one of our four stations. There was a craft table - where they made a picture of the nativity with great stickers brought by our short term team - Thanks Glad Tidings!. There was a cookie table where they frosted and decorated cookies. There was a "Knock Down the Snowman" game and there was a Toy Village where they got to pick out three toys to take home (these were donated by Mattel).

When the kids arrived - I greeted them in my Elf costume - see attached picture. We started the day singing a song with lively action called Jump Into the Light. The kids loved it but I must say by the time we sang it through a couple of times this Elf was a little tired out. It was fun helping to lead kids in singing again though - it reminded me of all the musicals and VBS programs we did in Elmira! After the singing they went around to the different stations and then we gathered them again to hear the Christmas story in a puppet show. We talked about how Mary and Joseph had to walk a long way to go to Bethlehem and how tired they must have been. We asked the children if they remembered what it was like to walk and walk and to be tired - many of the children answered "Bali" (yes). We then told how Mary and Joseph couldn't find a place to stay and had to stay in a barn with no bed. We asked the kids if some of them had to sleep outside because they didn't have a house or a bed. "Bali". We talked about how the bad king wanted to kill all the little boys so Mary and Joseph and Jesus had to go live in another country until the bad king died. We ended with: Jesus knows what it is like to leave your home, to travel a long way, to not have a house, and to live in another country because your own country is not safe. He loves you very much. Christmas time is a time to remember when Jesus came down from heaven as a baby. My own heart was touched as I looked down into those little faces - some of them not so clean. I can see those serious big brown eyes looking up at me as they thought about Jesus not even having his own bed and how they know what that feels like. I have heard it said before that "Jesus was a refugee" but seeing this for the first time through a child's eyes brought it home to me in a very real way.

It was a good day and one I know the kids will remember. Please pray for the families who live in such hard circumstances. Also pray for this next week as we will be having 4 Christmas parties with about 150 people each time. This will be the first time many of these people have a chance to hear the Christmas story and it will be a wonderful night of music, puppets, food and a small gift for each person attending.

Last week I wrote to you about "S" and young man from Afghanistan who accepted Christ. I asked you to pray because there were several other young men who were interested. Thank you for praying. This last week one of those young men "G" surrendered his life to the Lord. Here is "G's" story told by our team mate Brett Sanner.

“G” left Afghanistan in order to pursue an education. It’s widely known that women in Afghanistan were denied educational opportunities under the Taliban. In certain regions, however, even men (especially men from certain minority ethnic groups, like “G”) were denied much beyond an elementary education. “G” was not satisfied with this. He dreamed of learning English and French, the “languages of education” as “G” put it. This hunger to learn led “G” to flee Afghanistan for Pakistan, and then India before eventually turning westward to Europe.

“G” first heard about Jesus in India. Since then, God’s Spirit has continued to pursue him. Now, roughly nine years later, “G” is ready to follow Jesus. As an Afghan, “G” faces almost certain rejection from family and friends. So what can compel such risk? Love. Legalism and moralism cannot provide the courage to risk. “G” says that understanding the love of God, however, compels him to risk everything. Jesus on the cross paints the picture clearly: God is love. It is this love that has wooed “G” for nearly a decade, and now it is this love to which “G” surrenders his life. Jesus lords over us in love. “G” gets it, and now has given his life to it.

Please pray for “G”. He asks specifically for boldness in living and sharing his faith. Pray for God’s love to be all the more evident to “G” as the persecution and rejection of the world begins. Also, “G” still has a great passion for learning; I know that he would appreciate greatly if you would pray that God would provide an opportunity for formal education.

Thank you again for your love and support for us and for the refugees we serve. Thank you for upholding us in prayer as we finish out the couple of hectic weeks before we return to the states. Our prayer for you is that during this wonderful time of year you have moments of peace and a chance to remember what we are truly celebrating. 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 ;}