Morley Update 2012 #24

Everyone,

One word to describe the last week - HOT! We have entered the season of sweaty kisses and trudging around in the heat. A team mate posted a thread on face book of "how you know it is summer in Greece". Here are a few: 1. You start sweating at 7am 2. You want ice cream at every meal including breakfast 3. You get in the car and burn yourself on the seat belt buckle (or even the black seat) 4. You need to water your plants twice a day 5. Your clothes dry on the line before the next load is finished washing and my personal favorite 6. You get to snorkel in the beautiful Aegean Sea! (There's nothing like it after a hot day at work!)

Last week was a busy week and I am still finding my way as to what I can handle. We had meal day on Tuesday. Team Meeting was on Wednesday morning and then I came home and cooked for team fellowship that night. Thursday is my Laiki and shopping day and I walk to do this - right now the laiki is quite a few blocks away - it moves throughout the year. I am dripping sweat by the time I get there, buy my stuff and haul it home. I also had reports to do this week and of course my update to write. Friday I cleaned house, did laundry and prepared food for our community group of refugee guys. After they arrived we shared for a while and then I got up to grill the hamburgers. All at once everything went double and I had to lay down for 1/2 an hour until it passed. I have been having short bouts of seeing double again but this was the worst one I have had since I got home from the hospital. Since then I have felt "off" much of the time. My "good" ear is still giving me trouble and the doctor here has sort of given up on it. He says there is still fluid in it but he doesn't know what to do about it so I should just hope it goes away. I think I will try to see someone when we are in the states. We are planning a very quick trip home in August just to see family. We have been here for 4 years now and this would normally be the year we took a furlough but with all the changes on the team and other considerations we just don't feel we can be gone that long right now.

Things are going well at work - right now we have three interns here for several weeks. Lindsey and Chrissa are staying with us. They have jumped right into ministry, connecting well with the kids and the women. They are also working to prepare some crafts ahead for the kids room. Charlie has also adapted well. He is developing relationships with the men and helping out wherever needed. We have a lot of teams coming and going this summer - we only take one "official" team a month but more and more we are getting teams who will be in the area for another reason and want to serve with us for a day or two. This is a big help but it means a lot of juggling of the calendar, doing orientations and training of new people. Since I am the person who schedules all this pray that I will be wise in using volunteers but not overbooking so that it puts a strain on the team.

I asked you to pray for "G" a few weeks ago, he's the young refugee believer who helps out in our kids program and with other things - like cleaning the bathrooms each day! He has been trying for over a year to get his "red card" which makes him legal for the time being and means he doesn't have to be afraid of the police. Thank you for praying. When he walked in to the house for community group last Friday the first thing he did was to pull out his card and show it to me with a huge grin on his face! We still have many refugee friends who are facing issues with papers as well as some team mates. Carolyn has not been able to extend her visa and is heading home to Canada again in hopes that she will be able to come back and get a new stamp with no problems. Susie has not been able to get a resident permit and so has overstayed her visa which may become an issue when she wants to return home. Heather and Chris Shepherd, who are trying to join our team, have raised all their support and are ready to come. They have been turned down for two different types of visa and now have a Greek lawyer looking into it. This may mean they will have to join a different ministry if they aren't successful which would be a big loss for us. We have heard of several people trying to come to help at other ministries who are being turned down for visas as well. I think with all the confusion in government as well as the increasing antagonism towards foreigners it may get harder and harder to get papers approved. Please pray with us for these things.

Thank you for all you do to support us and the ministry here - God is at work.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@gmail.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com
To join our Support Team:
Online go to: https://www.iteams.org/us
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 2012 #23

Everyone -
Many of our team just finished another week at camp - this time it was a family camp. We kept the ARC going with a small crew and everything went fine. Last night we had a Team Fellowship - we decided to go with a "Camp" theme and have people share their highlights from camp. What an encouraging evening! Here are some of the things that were shared.

Christy shared that the last night one of the men in a family we have been working with stood up and was very bold about saying "These people are speaking the truth and you need to listen". She also told about a day that the women went kayaking. Afterward she said one of the women said "I did it. I was scared but I did it! I was the captain of my own boat!" Many of these women have lived their whole lives under oppression so it is encouraging to see them step out and feel empowered on their own. This gives them courage in their everyday lives and also courage to learn more about Jesus.

Tasha shared that they talked a lot about love during the discussion time. They shared about God's love and about love and kindness to others. She said that during the week almost every woman came up to her at some time and said "we see this love in you (the staff as a whole) - you are different than we are. we see that you do things because you love us and not because it is a duty." At the end of camp 6 women expressed a desire to join an ongoing Bible Study. Tasha also shared that one of the women who is very close to making a commitment to Christ but hasn't done so yet was riding on a big banana being towed behind the boat. The banana tipped over and the woman told Tasha that she thought "Oh no, I am going to die and I haven't accepted Jesus yet." she said "I'm glad I didn't die and I am still thinking about Jesus".

Lisa shared that the women at this camp seemed particularly attentive during the Bible discussion times. Aziz (our Afghan team mate) was translating for the women and they were bold in asking questions that they would not usually ask in front of a man.

Aziz shared that he liked translating for the women but that one night a women became angry and was speaking rudely and they had a hard time calming her down. He said he was surprised when a day later she came to him and apologized for her behavior because that is not something that comes easily in their culture.

Susie shared that little "S" the 11 year old girl in a wheelchair who accepted Christ recently asked her one night if anyone had accepted Jesus the night before - Susie told her that "yes one teen age girl did". She said "S" just lit up and was SO excited to hear this. On the last night "S" wanted to share with the group. On her own initiative she had made a craft of the tomb of Jesus. She held it up and said "I made this because I love Jesus". This little girl does not let her disability keep her from letting the Lord use her!

Kenn shared that at the men's camp (where they baptized 5 men) one of the men who is in a wheelchair and comes in to men's meal days on Fridays was very bold in his testimony. He was baptized with some difficulty but said "No one can stop me from making this decision, you can harm me but I will still follow Jesus." This may seem like a small thing but we know many people who have suffered physical abuse and have been ostracized for their faith.

Our interns shared how wonderful it was to see the kids happy and smiling as they played, did crafts and learned about Jesus. So much in their lives are hard and they grow up too fast. It is good to see them enjoy being a child.

God is moving among the Afghan people here in Athens. Many people have made decisions for Jesus or are very close. We truly believe the these next weeks and months will be very exciting as we see whole families come to Christ. Thank you again for choosing to be involved in what God is doing - thank you for praying, thank you for giving and thank you for encouraging. We love you all.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@gmail.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com
To join our Support Team:
Online go to: https://www.iteams.org/us
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 2012 #22

Everyone,

Sunday is Father's Day and I have been blessed to have some wonderful Dads in my life. My dad took us fishing and spent his whole time unsnarling lines and retying hooks. He worked hard to provide a good life for us. He is now the primary care giver for my mom and instead of running a business has become proficient at cooking and making their yard into a beautiful oasis. My father-in-law Charles welcomed me into the Morley clan and he and Kent tried to turn me into a farm girl. I can remember him standing on the porch laughing as I drove the tractor for the first time screaming in fear. He, like my dad, is a terrific gardener and when they lived on our place in Oregon with us we always had an abundance of produce. He now lives in CA where he still maintains a beautiful flower garden and is active in his community. Kent was a wonderful dad. He was always up for anything the kids wanted to do from jumping off the roof onto the trampoline, to playing "kick the can" in the dark. He was an example for his kids and they all not only love him but respect him as a man of integrity. My son-in-law Dave works hard so that Allison can be a "stay at home" mom. On his time off he takes the kids on outings, plays games or hikes in the woods with them. They just bought a farm house in the country and I see many happy days ahead. Our nephews have followed the examples set by their dads - Seth dressing as Darth Vader for Isaiah's Birthday party or painting Ivy's fingernails. Jeff taking his kids fishing and going to their sports events. Dean running with his sons and coaching their teams. Eddie raising two lovely young women, Mark with his harem of three beautiful little girls, and Erik and Aaron both welcoming sons this year. I am blessed with the earthly dads in my life.

But I am also blessed with a Heavenly Father. I don't know whether you had a loving dad or a neglectful one. I DO know that no matter how wonderful an earthly father is they are human and will fail at times. But God loves us perfectly. He longs to have a close relationship with each one of His children and there is always room in His family for new adopted "kids". Many of the refugees we work with have not experienced the love of a father. Often their father's were harsh or cruel. Others have fathers they love but they are far away or have even been killed - sometimes in front of their children.

Kent always seems to be surrounded by young men. On Tuesday I came out of the kids room to find him in the middle of a circle of about 6 guys all in their early 20s. They were all talking and laughing. I know many of these young men look to him as a father figure but he is always pointing them toward their Heavenly Father.

One of these young men "J" told Kent his heart breaking story. When he was 8 years old the Taliban asked him if his father had a gun. Not knowing that this was illegal "J" told them that "yes, he did". The Taliban came to his house and asked his father if he had a gun. He said "no" so they searched the house. When the gun was found the Taliban killed his father, his mother and his little sister in front of him. They then patted him on the head, gave him some sweets and told him he was a good boy for telling. At 8 years old he was on his own. He went to Iran where he worked sewing pockets on shirts but there was a taxi driver who took most of his money, threatening to send him back to Afghanistan if he did not give it to him. Eventually "J" found his way to Greece. He thinks he is 20 years old but is not sure. For these last 15 years he has carried a heavy load of guilt for what happened to his family believing himself to be responsible for their deaths. Kent talked to him about Jesus and shared how He can carry our burdens and give us peace and forgiveness. This week "J" was one of 5 men who were baptized at our men's camp. Praise the Lord!

Our men's camp went very well and we are now in the middle of our family camp. Pray for safety as the camp is on the sea and there are many small children. Pray for open hearts and ears to hear as the Word is shared in adult discussion groups and kids programs. Pray for the staff that they will have the energy and patience to endure the over 100 degree heat we are having while working VERY long days. Most of all pray that through our example and the things they learn these people will see that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and wants to be a part of their lives. Thanks to all who contributed to make these camps possible - because of you lives have been changed.

As always I want to close by thanking you for being a part of our team. We often share with others at how blessed we are to have such a wonderful support base, financially and in prayer. You truly are making a difference in the kingdom and we thank you for allowing us to be your hands and feet here in Greece. We love you all.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@gmail.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com
To join our Support Team:
Online go to: https://www.iteams.org/us
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 2012 #21

Everyone,
First of all please note WE HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS our new address is backhoeboy1@gmail.com please make sure to change this in your address book - thanks

Tomorrow is our 39th anniversary. We met in college and "Precious and Few" (are the moments we two can share) was our song. In the past 40 years there have been many precious moments. Calling Kent on the phone to tell him we were expecting our first child and hearing him whoop for joy. Sharing that joyous news three more times as our family grew to include all four of our wonderful children. Raising our children in the country where they played in the creek, built forts and "died" grasshoppers (don't ask). Buying our first home and doing a "project" a year - the yard and volleyball net, the pool, the deck, the horseshoe pit, the trampoline, the basketball hoop, the fire pit, the play area and finally the whole house remodel. Our home was the gathering place for family and friends. We hosted pool parties, pinochle parties, cider making parties, music jams, church picnics and family reunions. One of Ben's friend's brothers called our place "Ben's Circus House" while other friends referred to it as "Morley Land". We experienced the joy of our daughter's marriage to her wonderful husband and the excitement of becoming grandparents as our daughter was blessed with her own two children. Life was full and satisfying.

Then one day God called us to a new place. We have been in Greece for almost 4 years now and the precious moments keep coming. Our home is still a gathering place. Sometimes the air is filled with voices laughing and speaking English as the team comes together to share our lives and relax. Sometimes you can hear Farsi, Greek or other languages as we welcome refugees in for dinner, games, women's days or community group. We've had precious moments exploring this beautiful country we live in and had the joy of showing some of you around as well. Sometimes after a long hot day at the ARC we cool off in the turquoise blue Aegean Sea. Life is full and satisfying.

We've had times which while not maybe what we would have chosen are no less precious. We stood by Kent's brother's bed as he went home to be with the Lord. We said goodbye to Kent's mom a couple of years later. We've had illnesses, money woes and heart aches. We've experienced culture shock and missing our family and friends. Our life is a journey and we could have never predicted some of the twists and turns it would make. We still can't see all the road ahead. Greece is facing very tough times no matter what the outcome of the elections in a few weeks. We have gone through major changes on our team and are still making adjustments. My health although improving daily continues to be an issue. But although I can't see the future I am thankful that I have the Lord and that He knows what is ahead and He is not surprised or dismayed by what He sees. I am also thankful that I am on this journey with my best friend, a man of God who is committed to His best for our lives, our ministry and our marriage. 39 years - it seems like a lifetime and no time at all. I look forward to what the years ahead will bring "for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live".

Thank you for accompanying us on this journey. We love you all.

Serving Him Together,
Kent and Myrna Morley
Tripoleos 76
Elliniko 16777
Athens Greece
011 30 210 96 38 625
backhoeboy1@gmail.com
http://kent-uniquelymorley.blogspot.com
To join our Support Team:
Online go to: https://www.iteams.org/us
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 :)