Morley Update 2013 #4

Everyone -

This is a day later than usual for 2 reasons - one our internet server was down for a day and two we were at an overnight event with a group of refugees. It has been a VERY busy week for us. On Friday night, we hosted our Community Group which consists of refugee believers who meet together twice a month. Scott McCracken and Kent and I meet with the group once a month and Kenn Dirrim and Frank Gonzoles meet with them the other time. We were missing a couple of regulars but it was still 11 people for dinner. We spend some time telling good things and bad things that are happening in our lives. Different people also bring something to share - a scripture, song, video clip or whatever. We finish the evening with a short bible study and prayer.

This week "M", who comes with her husband "V" and daughter shared. They have been living in very hard circumstances and "M" was due with a baby at any time. "V" is an excellent translator and is a big help to us and to other ministries. Recently one of those other ministries offered him a small amount of pay plus the rent for an apartment in exchange for a commitment to translate for them on a regular basis. They got a two bedroom apartment but had no furniture or appliances etc. "M" said she found herself worrying because the baby was due and she didn't have anything but she said God gave her the scripture in Matthew about not worrying and she felt at peace. On Sunday we told "V" we would help move some furniture from Helping Hands storage unit into their house. When we went to get the key we found that Hellenic Ministries (the ones providing the apartment) had found furniture for the whole house so there was everything they needed with the exception of a crib and a stove. Guess what? On top of our car was a crib that had been at the ARC and in the storage unit was a stove in perfect condition. We got the crib set up that day and moved the stove in on the next. Kent and I used some of the money that we hold out from our income every month for ministry and bought enough groceries to stock their pantry as well. A group of women got together and planned a shower for the baby on Monday but instead "M" went to the hospital and delivered a healthy baby girl. They will be moving into their new apartment this weekend. God is Good!

On Saturday we had a couple of guys who have been visiting our ministry over for dinner. We always enjoy sharing about the work with new people and had a great time. These men will be bringing groups to Athens fairly regularly and we look forward to having them volunteer with us when they do.

After our full weekend we had family meal day on Tuesday and team meeting on Wednesday. Much of our meeting was spent planning and gathering thing for an overnight event that we had on Thursday and Friday. There is a Christian Group in Athens that runs a facility called Bethel House. Part of it is an retirement home and part is a retreat center. They have offered to host events for us and this is our second time using them. It is wonderful because they provide a bus to pick up the refugees downtown and bring them out to the center. They provide all meals (plus a snack) as well as the facility for our use. For this event we invited 7 single men and their 11 children to come. These men are all in the country alone with their children while their wives and sometime other children are in another country trying to get asylum. In many case their children are small and they are struggling with how to take care of them, do laundry, cook and just survive in a place where they can't find work and are living very rough. We wanted this to be a time where we could give them a bit of a break and also a chance to ask questions and talk about Jesus and the bible.

We got to the center about 12 noon on Thursday. We got people settled in their rooms and then played outside on the cement soccer court until lunch. After lunch we had a rest time of an hour and then the women on our team took the kids while the men on our team had a Bible study and question and answer time with the men. The kids played with play doh, sang songs in Farsi, had a bible story in Farsi and colored pictures. Late that afternoon we had a game time with the fathers and children together. It was a time of fun and lots of laughter and they played musical chairs, did crazy relays races and played a hilarious game with lots of animal sounds. After dinner we showed a Farsi movie and then the women went up to bed while the men stayed on the same floor as the refugee men and kids. Kent said things went on very late there and kids were still awake when he went to bed at 11:30.

Today after breakfast we had a session with the men where we talked to them about parenting and gave them a chance to ask questions about practical household things. Since we had warm water and showers available the women decided to give some of the smaller kids a much needed bath. For most of the kids it wasn't a problem but there was one little guy (about 3) who had been scratching constantly. We asked his dad for clean clothes and told him we wanted to give him a bath and put lotion on him to soothe whatever was irritating him. The dad agreed and brought us the clothes and went down to the men's meeting. Donna started to take him into the bathroom but he resisted so she picked him up - it reminded me of trying to bathe a cat. He was kicking and screaming and when we finally peeled his hands off the door frame it took Donna and Lisa both to get him bathed and into clean clothes. We put the lotion on him and it was amazing to watch him playing quietly and happily without the constant scratching.

At the end of our time together we sent each family home with some toys that Matel had donated to us and a bag with some nutritional foods like canned milk, dried fruits and nuts and some fresh oranges. The men were all so grateful for everything and we hope that this little break will be a help to them as they continue on in very difficult circumstances. It was a rewarding but exhausting two days.

One last bit of news. There is a refugee woman who speaks a little English that I am close to. Just a couple of days ago she whispered to Tasha - "I'm a believer now but don't tell anyone". She also told "Z" who told her "you are not alone there are other women who are believers as well". The next day this woman was at a women's meeting at another ministry and stood up and told everyone "I am a Christian now and I want everyone to know it and to hear it from me". Praise the Lord for her boldness! Our prayer is that this will give other women who are believers the courage to share their faith as well.

Well I am tired and this is long enough. Thank you so much for your part in providing for "M" and "V" and their family and for the men who got a couple days respite from their difficult lives. We could not do what we do if we did not have you as part of our team. Rejoice with us for those that have come to belief and pray for those that are seeking. 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
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