Morley Update 2013 #16

Everyone,

Quick update - We fly out in two days for Mexico and then will have no internet access until May 6th. We are having a wonderful time enjoying our family. One of the things that is hard about being away is not being here to enjoy holidays and family events. Yesterday was our Granddaughter Emma's 10th birthday. I was so happy to be able to make her cake and also make some party favors for her spa party today. I feel sad sometimes because on birthdays and Christmas I usually just send a gift card because I am not around to know what to buy for the kids. Since we are all going to Mexico Emma had mentioned that she wished she had her own suitcase and didn't have to share one with her brother Adam for the trip. Grampy and I bought her a little make up case and wrapped it up with a note inside telling her to look in the closet. When she opened the closet and saw the lavender roller bag we had bought for her she let out a big "YES!". She immediately wanted to go upstairs and start packing. It was a special moment for this Grammy. Another special moment was when the candles on her cake caught the "softball" sign on fire. She had requested a softball cake and I got the paper sign a little too close to the candles. Both Grandmas blew out the sign before she blew out her candles! It was a great day filled with family, food, fun and fire! See Pictures Attached



Well I am off to the girly spa party now - Grampy and Adam are going to the ice cream store instead.




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: www.iteams.org select: US, Select: What do you want to do, Select: 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 :)

Morley Update 2013 #16

Everyone -



We are in the USA and enjoying time with our east coast family (two daughters, two grandkids, a son-in-law and future son-in-law and my sister). It has been a flurry of shopping for clothes for the wedding, swim suits for Mexico and dish shopping with my soon to be married second daughter. I haven't looked at Facebook once and only check my email every couple of days. In Mexico we will have no internet access so will be off the grid from April 30-May 6.



We left Greece in a flurry of Goodbyes. A couple of days before we left there was a going away party for Scott and Vicki McCracken who began the ministry in Athens as well as a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Helping Hands. It was great to look back over the beginnings and all the things God has done through this ministry over the years. There are people scattered over the world who became Christians in Athens many of whom have started fellowships of their own. We also saw the effects on churches who were influenced by what Helping Hands is doing and have started feeding programs, shower ministries or shelters for the people in their area both in Greece and the US as well.



At the celebration two refugee men shared their testimonies of coming to faith in Athens. Later another young man came to Kent to tell him goodbye and said "Some day I will get up and tell about how you became my friend and invited me to a camp where I accepted the Lord." No wonder we love this job!



I have a busy day ahead and as I said I will be off the grid for the next week so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from me. We are thankful for this time to reconnect with our family and look forward to seeing the rest of our family and many of you over the next few weeks and months.




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: www.iteams.org select: US, Select: What do you want to do, Select: 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 :)

Morley Update 2013 #15

Everyone,

It's hard to believe that in less than a week we will be leaving Greece for 6 months. The Lord has been gracious to provide for our needs. We were able to get our Greek and American taxes done, we are okay with our residence permit until we get back, we have paid our medical bills and I was able to get my medicine today that the pharmacist said there was little chance of getting. I have cleaned cupboards and closets to ready our house since we will have people living in it for all but a few weeks of the time we are gone. We have a place to stay while in OR and a car for that time. We have handed off most of our responsibilities in ministry. I have been working on and made good progress on our presentations for various speaking opportunities while we are home. We are filling our calendar with chances to share about the work.

Almost all that's left to do is packing and saying our goodbyes. And that's the hard part. On Friday we will hug our refugee friends knowing that we will likely never see some of them again. Many will leave during the six months we are away. Just this week two families that we have been close to are gone. One of them is Mustafa's family. I told you about him in a newsletter - he was the little boy who answered the question about what sin was by quoting what Kent had said in his Christmas sermon several weeks earlier. This week he did something that tugged at my heart. Often in class kids will hide crayons, or erasers, or pencil sharpeners etc. in their pockets because they want to take them home. We have tried to teach them that it is not okay to take things without asking but sometimes it seems like no one is listening. On Tuesday, Mustafa came up and handed "G" (the young Afghan man who helps teach) a broken crayon. He said, "I found this in my house and I knew it belonged here so I brought it back." I find that even as I write this tears well up in my eyes at this little boy's sweet, pure spirit. He and his younger sister have been here with their dad for some time while their mom went ahead. This week they are being reunited in Germany. Please pray that they will find other Christians who can continue to teach Mustafa and his family the truth about Jesus.

The second family that is leaving is "S" the young girl with cerebral palsy that became a Christian last year. As you may recall she is 12 years old and severally disabled but has a strong faith and is bold about speaking out for Jesus. This week she and her father and siblings will join her mom also in Germany. Please pray that there will be those in Germany who will water this little plant that is growing so bravely in such difficult circumstances.

A few weeks ago I wrote about a baby whose life was saved by the doctor at our doctor's day who found a heart problem. We were all very excited on Tuesday when the whole family including little "M" came. She has recovered well from her heart surgery and was all smiles as her mother showed her off to everyone. Pray for this family, their living situation is precarious because they only have one more month to stay in the hotel that is being paid for by the Greek Council for Refugees.

There was one other fun little moment this week. Tasha told us that one afternoon Kent was playing with a little boy at the ARC - if you know Kent he loves kids and they love him. Anyway Tasha said that the women saw him playing with this boy and said "Look the "BOSS" is playing with that boy". In their culture leaders are above others and glory in their positions. The concept of a "servant leader" is something very different so they are always amazed to see Kent rocking babies, playing with children, cleaning the floors or toilets and doing laundry. They are always watching us as a team, please pray that we are an example of God's love to them.

Well my next update will be written at my daughter's home in MA - we leave here on Tues. April 16. We are looking forward to some much needed rest and time with family as well as the many opportunities to talk about what God is doing in Athens. Our calendar is filling up but if you would like us to speak at your church, small group or ??? please let me know so I can plug you in to one of the spots we have left. We'll be seeing some of you soon.

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: www.iteams.org select: US, Select: What do you want to do, Select: 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 :)

Morley Update 2013 #14

Everyone -

I was sad because I felt like I was missing Easter this year. When I knew that we would be coming to the US in mid April, I thought how fun it would be to have Easter with my family. To go to an American Easter service and to make Easter baskets and have an Easter Egg hunt with my Grandchildren followed by a big family Easter dinner. But then…… I realized that Western Easter came early this year and was on April 1st when we would still be in Greece.



“Oh well”, I thought, “I LOVE Orthodox Easter in Greece – having friends in and walking up to the church to attend the midnight service, the fireworks and church bells going off at midnight, walking home with my candle, hearing everyone exclaim Christos Anesti – Alithos Anesti” (Christ is risen – Truly He has risen). But then…… I realized that Eastern Easter is very late this year and will not be until May 5th when we will already be in the states.



I felt like the Grinch had somehow stolen my Easter. I thought of the disciples so long ago and how they must have felt. It seemed that Satan had stolen their Easter. I’m sure like the Grinch Satan was rejoicing in the sad faces and tears of the followers of Jesus. But then…… on Sunday the women made their way through the early morning light to visit the tomb.



I picture Satan on that Sunday morning long ago, like the Grinch wanting to hear the sorrowful sounds of mourning from those who loved Jesus. As he stood listening he heard the sounds of weeping and his heart soared. But then……he realized that these were tears of joy not sorrow and that the one he thought he had defeated by death was alive!



I picture Satan on THIS Sunday morning, reveling in my sadness because I was missing my Easter. But then….after being up most of the night with leg cramps and having set our clock ahead one hour, I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30am to make my way up to the cobblestone path that winds through the Olive trees to the top of Philopappou Hill. I was tired, I had a headache and I’m sure Satan thought he had won.



But then……



“So he paused, and Satan put a hand to his ear.

And he did hear a sound rising out of the crowd,

it started out small,

then it shouted aloud!

But the sound wasn’t sad!

Why, this sound sounded glad!

For the Christians in Athens, the tall and the small

Were singing! Without any chocolate at all!

He HADN’T stopped Easter from coming! IT CAME!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

It came without baskets, it came without tags,

It came without bunnies or candy or eggs!

And he puzzled and puzzled, till his puzzler was sore.

Then Satan thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Easter,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Easter… perhaps…. means a little bit more.”



As the sun rose over the Acropolis, and I heard the songs and prayers in many languages I realized I hadn’t missed Easter after all. It came – Christos Anesti – Alithos Anesti!



My prayer is that no matter what you are going through, you have experienced the resurrection this year. I pray that you can say joyfully with us together – Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

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: www.iteams.org select: US, Select: What do you want to do, Select: 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 :)