Morley Update 2011 #12

Everyone,

My Love/Hate Relationship with Being in Greece

1. Most days I love shopping at the laiki . I like visiting with the lady that sells me potatoes and onions. I like buying fresh fruits and vegetables that haven't been sitting on the shelves of a store. I like seeing the rows of brightly colored eggplants, peppers and tomatoes. I like hearing the men shouting their prices, good naturedly trying to outdo one another. MOST DAYS. Today my arthritis is acting up and my knees hurt. But it was laiki and grocery shopping day so I hiked up the street pulling my cart and stopping at vendor after vendor to buy my veggies and fruit. Then I walked to two different grocery stores in order to the find the items I needed. By the time I headed home I was pulling a full cart and carrying a VERY heavy bag of groceries. As I trudged along stopping to change hands when I began to lose feeling in my arm and detouring around cars parked on the sidewalk, I thought how much I sometimes miss one stop shopping and pulling into my garage to unload my groceries.

2. Most days I love getting hugs from kids at the ARC. I love the fact that these little and not so little ones have gone from hiding behind their mothers to running up for a hug and wanting to be picked up. MOST DAYS. Lately whenever I get an especially long hug or when I hold someone on my lap, my head begins to itch and though I know it is most likely the power of suggestion, I am forced to go home, wash all my clothes and check my head for lice.

3.Most days I love building relationships. I love it when Kent or I find refugee friends that we can really relate to. I love it when I find a new woman who speaks English. I love it when Kent comes home excited because he met a man about his age who he can not only share with but with whom he feels a real connection. MOST DAYS. Some days I hate building relationships. Sometimes it is hard to love people and then not be able to do anything to meet their many needs. Sometimes its hard to watch people you love struggle with separation from their families, not having a place to live or being in an abusive relationship. And sometimes it's hard because just as you feel you have made a friend, the person is gone. Kent's friend "O" that he was so enjoying has moved on. We have not heard from our good friend George since we got back and don't know if he is here or in jail or gone.

4. Most days I'm very thankful for the "family" God has blessed us with in Greece. I love that we have good friends and "adopted" kids and grandkids. I love spending time with them, playing games or hanging out. MOST DAYS. Although I am thankful God has given us this team, I miss my family and friends in the States. I'm sad the the flip flops I sent in Emma's birthday box were too small because I don't see her enough to know her shoe size, I miss getting together for holidays and family gatherings. I miss going to garage sales with my friend Linda. I miss being able to pick up the phone and call my mom, or my sisters or brother or kids and not have to count up the hours to see what time it is there so I don't call in the middle of the night.

5. Most days I love my job. Yesterday we had a grocery give away and one woman who came told us that the night before she was very worried because they had no food in the house. She said "I prayed to Jesus to help us and then I found the ticket you gave me. I had forgotten about it. Today I am getting two bags of food because Jesus answered my prayer." I LOVE going to work and hearing stories like this. I love having conversations with kids, especially when they try to teach me to speak Farsi. I love watching people enjoy a meal and sit together as a family. MOST DAYS. Some days I am just tired. I'm physically tired from being on my feet, leaning over kids chairs to help with a craft or washing tables and mopping floors. I'm mentally tired from trying to understand someone who speaks little English or juggling schedules, housing and budgets for short term teams and individuals. I'm emotionally tired from hearing peoples stories and wanting to help. I'm tired because regardless of recent photos I'm no Spring Chicken anymore.

Despite this love/hate relationship, I have no regrets. The longer we are here the more I realize that this is exactly where God wants us for now. I am thankful that the good days far outweigh the bad. I am thankful that I am here serving with my husband who is wise, caring and can always make me smile and often laugh out loud. I am thankful that we have a caring team of supporters who stand with us in this work. Most of all I am thankful that this is GOD'S work and that He has allowed all of us to be a part of it. Please continue to pray for us and for our team leader's father-in-law after his stroke. He is making small improvements but still has a long road ahead. Also pray for Greece and your Greek brothers and sisters. The economic troubles are far from over and many Greeks who have faithfully supported this ministry are finding themselves is dire circumstances, losing business, homes and going bankrupt. We pray for you our supporters as we know that many of you face uncertain times and have had to tighten your belts. May God bless you for your faithfulness to us and to Him. We love you very much.

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
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