Morley Update 2012 #27

Everyone -
And Time Marches On -- June 10 we welcomed two young intern women into our home for 6 weeks. They leave on Sunday and it seems like they just came. They have been a wonderful addition to our lives and the ministry. They are friends but nothing alike. Lindsey is blond and tall - which is why she was the person who had to kill the cockroach and tape over the mouse hole at camp. She is a little more quiet and really makes an effort to draw people out and include them. Charissa is dark haired and short. She is always up for anything. She says her mom calls her "my Korean blond" which explains why when someone said "Did you know you can't take a color picture of a Panda - they always come out black and white!" She got a puzzled serious look on her face and said "Is that true of other animals too?"

Both of "the girls" as we call them, jumped right into ministry. The spent the first week at camp working with the kids. While here they taught English, worked with the women and children, organized our craft cupboard and made up new crafts and filed them ready to use. They took women to the beach, visited in homes, mopped floors, chopped vegetables and did laundry. They spent their evening off each week helping at another local ministry serving their Love Meal. In short they allowed God to use them wherever and however He chose. We will miss them.

We have also had a young man as an intern this summer. He will be here until August 6. Charlie also jumped right into ministry with a week at camp and then working with the young men. He teaches an English class and meets with several guys during the week. Because he has taken the time to develop relationships with these guys it has given him opportunities to share the gospel. Always a willing servant, Charlie has also spent a lot of time at manual labors such as cleaning, preparing food and serving.

This summer we have had a lot of people coming and going. In fact we take "the girls" to the airport on Sunday morning and then after church we will go back to the airport to pick up a team that will be here for 10 days. In addition to "official" teams that come through IT we have local volunteers that live here and help out on a regular basis. We are also increasingly having teams who come on their own to Athens and are looking for places to serve. This week we have a wonderful team from Germany who are helping out. The two team leaders have both lived and worked in Afghanistan and speak the language - what a blessing for us. It has been a blessing for them as well because they are amazed at the opportunity and openness we have here to share the gospel - something you certainly don't experience when serving in a Middle Eastern country.

A big part of what I do here is take care of the communications and scheduling of interns, short term teams and volunteers. As you can imagine for each one coming there are quite a few emails back and forth with questions and information. Once they get here I do orientations and debriefs or arrange for that to be handled by someone else. I make sure they are settled in their hotel or house, that they have their money for expenses, that they have a phone, and that they know how to use the metro and find their way around town. We are blessed by these people as they bring a fresh look and enthusiasm to our team. They have different talents, extra time and willing hands to help out. Sometimes they bring extra finances for a grocery give away or a retreat and they almost always transport needed ministry items from the states - as well as treats for the team like peanut butter and chocolate chips! Not only are we (and the refugees) blessed, but those who come to serve are blessed as well. Their eyes are opened to the difficulties that people all over the world are facing. Sometimes they realize for the first time how fortunate they are just to have been born in a country where there is freedom and opportunity. Their hearts are broken as they hear people's stories or when have to say to someone once again, "I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do to help you but may I pray for you?" Although this is a ministry that can bring you to tears there are also times it can make you smile. Our short term workers, experience the joy of seeing a child happily at play while their mother relaxes with a cup of tea and chance to connect with friends. They watch as men who come in discouraged and beaten down, begin to hold their heads up as they sit around a table with their family or play a game of backgammon or chess. Often they experience the privilege of sharing the gospel and answering the eager questions of people who have never had a chance to hear the truth about Jesus. They see how Love transcends Language, how Caring quiets Controversy, and how a cup of tea and a kind word can open a heart. We are blessed to have these people serve along side us just as we are blessed to have YOU, our faithful supporters, also serving with us. I wish you could all have the experience of coming but I am so thankful that even without that you uphold us in prayer, encouragement and financial support. We love you all.

Just a reminder that we will be at Fern Ridge Christian Church (formerly Elmira Church of Christ) on August 12th. We will be speaking both at Sunday school at 9:30 and church at 10:45 - there will be a potluck afterwards. If you are in the area we would love to see you.

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
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