Morley Update 2011 #27

Everybody,

Language is something that is always an issue for us in this ministry. Whether it's our on going struggle to learn Greek - as Kent and I are doing or trying to learn Farsi as are some of our team mates- it's never far from our minds. It may be a small frustration such as not being able to understand the announcements at church because the translator isn't in place yet - or the much bigger frustration of wanting to share your faith or have more than a surface level conversation with someone. For those on the team who are blessed with language there is the burden of always being the one who has to translate the "hard" subjects or just being constantly interrupted by people during the day who need something, or have a complaint or want you to translate a paper or .......

We have been blessed to add two Dari/Farsi speakers to our team recently as well as some Greeks. Donna and Aziz are here for a few weeks getting settled in their apartment before heading back to the states to finish getting their visa and planning to join us full time at the end of September. Aziz is Afghan and Donna is American but speaks Dari. I was in the children's room on Tuesday and it was Donna's first time telling the story. She did an excellent job with lots of expression and the kids were very focused. In fact when one child started to talk in the middle of the story, the others shushed him. We were blessed this week to have another Darhi speaker visiting as well. She was also in the kids room and between she and Donna, they were able to field some questions from the kids after the Bible Story. We had about 40 kids so the room was pretty full. As we were settling them into chairs suddenly a fight broke out between two of the boys who are about 10 years old. It took several of us to pull them apart as they were trying to punch and kick each other. We separated them and were so thankful that Cindy (the visitor) and Donna (the new team member) could speak to each of them in their own language and calm them down. They are both nice boys and not ones to fight but "N" has had a few more issues lately. His mother has taken his two sisters and gone ahead to Germany where she is hoping to get settled and then send for the father and the two boys. "N" and his brother were there that day without their father and I am sure that they are not getting much supervision these days as their father tries to work and take care of them. The other boy is one of my favorites and we often tease back and forth with his little English and my little Farsi. He was crying and very upset over the whole incident. After Donna talked to him and got him settled at a table with his craft I went over and gave him a hug and kiss. Later in the day he came up to me just to smile and show me he was okay. My heart goes out to these kids who live in such stressful circumstances. There is such instability in their lives. Some of the older ones have asked some good questions about Jesus and my hope and prayer is that He can become the one constant in their lives.

After lunch as I sat playing with one of the toddlers, one of the older girls came over and tapped me on the shoulder. She motioned for me to come and said "mother". Her mom is the woman I have been trying to have conversations with the last few weeks but we have about run the full gamut of her English and my Farsi. As I sat trying to talk with her and another woman, I noticed Cindy sitting off to the side. I pointed her out to my friend and said that she spoke Dari. A little later Cindy came over so I asked her to sit down. I had her ask "N" some questions about where she was living and practical matters and then I led the conversation to spiritual things by asking if "N" was fasting because she was praying or only because she was supposed to as
a Muslim. She answered through Cindy that you had to do certain things like fast once a year and wear the head covering because it says it in the Koran. I asked her if God would not love her unless she did these things. She said "no He won't love me because it is sin". I talked about the difference of doing things from love or from fear and then Cindy launched out on her own. They talked for some time. At one point "N" said to Cindy "Translate for Myrna" but I could get the gist of what they were saying and said to just go ahead. Kent and I have said before that this is something we like to do and part of what we feel our role is here. We get to know someone and take it as far as our limited language will allow and then introduce our friend to someone who can speak freely with them. At the end of the
conversation the women told Cindy that they both had the Ingil (the gospels) at home and would try reading it. Hopefully I can have someone else who speaks their language help me to talk more with them and answer any questions they might have.

Michales and Ritsa who are helping Kent and I with our Greek and Kiki our secretary have added a new dimension to the team because of THEIR language skills. We need Greek speakers to deal with our suppliers (food, paper goods etc.), the government and just the everyday activities of running a center for refugees in Athens. It is also necessary for keeping the lines of communication open with the Greek churches and local volunteers. Recently at the baptism of 4 men everything was translated back and forth into Farsi, English and Greek so that everyone attending could understand. Michales and Ritsa are also a great help with the kids because many of them are in Greek school and can speak Greek now so they can translate for their parents. Please continue to pray for Michales and Ritsa's support. With all the economic woes in Greece it is hard to get people to commit to monthly support especially since this is a new concept for many Greeks. They are generous with one time gifts but haven't always grasped the need for consistent support. Pray that God will raise up the right people to be a part of their financial team.

Our friend and team mate Nader, who for a long time had carried the load of being the only fluent Farsi speaker on the team is in need of prayer. His wife Ella is away in the Philippians and will not be back until December. She went to help with her adult children but things have not been going well. Her son has had medical problems and her daughter who has a small child is having her own difficulties. Ella as a mom wants to make everything all right but that is not always possible. Nader, beside having his work here has had the added pressure of trying to be a support and help long distance and also the financial pressure of medical bills etc. Added that has been his involvement in trying to help a friend's daughter who is going through a crisis here and Nader is feeling pretty burnt out. Please hold him, Ella and her children up in your prayers.

Continue to pray for us as we work on our Greek and on our team mates who are studying Greek or Farsi. Also pray that we will find ways to communicate that go beyond language. Pray for those on our team that DO have language skills that God would give them an extra measure of Grace and Patience as they carry a bigger load at times. Pray that our refugee friends will see God's love through us and that even with our limited voices HIS Voice would be heard. Thank you SO much for continuing to support us with your prayers, finances and notes of encouragement. 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 ;}