Everyone,
I am still figuring out my schedule and getting back into a routine as we settle in after being gone. I have continued to struggle with sleeplessness and finally have taken melatonin the last few nights and have slept better. Saturday was a happy day for me as I saw many of my refugee friends and was able to catch up with them and give them the little gifts I brought from America. It was a day of big hugs and lots of smiles. It has not been as easy for Kent. Two of the young men he has been closest to have moved on. "H" one of his first Kurdish English students has gone back to Kurdistan. "H" is now a Christian and has asked us to help him find a church in Kurdistan. We hope to connect him with our friends Sam and Fran as soon as they get back to Kurdistan following their trip to the states for Sam's surgery. "H" has called Kent a few times since we have been home but since his English is limited and Kent's Kurdish is non-existent they can't communicate too well over the phone. "S" another young man that Kent spent quite a bit of time talking to has also moved on to another European country. He to is now a Christian and we pray that he will find other Christians wherever he ends up. Kent friend "G" has not been in yet and has no phone so please pray with us that he will come to the ARC soon.
On Sunday we had a joyous reunion with Dr. Joseph as we picked him up and took him to church. After church we went with him to some friend's house for lunch and catching up. As you know things are hard for Dr. Joseph and he is often depressed and sad. Often in the evening the phone will ring and I know it is him because Kent is saying "I know, I'm so sorry. I wish I could do something to help....." Wednesday night the phone rang and it was Dr. Joseph. Kent side of the conversation was "You did? Really! That's great! I'm so glad. What good news". When he got off of the phone he told me that Dr. Joseph had been able to talk to his wife for a long time that night. He has not told her he is a Christian or anything about that for fear she would be very angry and maybe even divorce him. This night however he said to Kent, "I didn't really mean to but I told my wife that I had been learning more about Jesus. I told her about you and Myrna and Scott and Vicki. I said I had been going to church and it was wonderful and I was a different man". He said his wife replied "I'm glad. This is good." This is a BIG relief to him and a weight off his shoulders. Please pray now that his wife will soon be able to join him and experience the joy of knowing Jesus for herself.
Monday we took the motorbike and went for a 3 hour ride up in the mountains and along the coast with our friends Donna and Themis. We came back to their house (a little saddle sore) and noshed on bread and Tsatsiki while we grilled some chicken and made Persian rice and a greek salad. Good friends, Good food, Good Fellowship.
Tuesday was family meal day and once again it was a special time for catching up with refugee friends. Wednesday was prayer day and afterward we had a clothing give away. There were lots of clothes and MANY women and children. The room was in chaos with kids running around, women chattering, babies crying and music playing. In the midst of all this I looked over and Kent was standing to the side rocking a baby to sleep. I pointed this out to Christy and said "In case you ever wondered why I loved Kent, look over there." She looked and said, "Aaah" then she added "and by the way - I've never wondered." She said later the refugee women were talking about Kent and what a good man he was. So many of them are in abusive or loveless relationships and he is a good example to them of what a Christian man is like.
Yesterday we had 8 people for dinner. Rick Knox who is with IT US is visiting and it was good to see him again. There were also three men from France. Thierry is the president of IT France and was here looking into some possibilities for short term teams. With him were Allan and Brad, two other American missionaries to France, Tasha and Christy joined us as well. It is always good to gather with others who have a heart for missions and dream together.
Today I have been happily preparing bedrooms for our sister-in-law Barb and niece Tammy. They will be arriving tomorrow and staying for almost a month. We are very excited and look forward to sharing our work with them and taking them to some of our favorite places in Greece.
Thank you all once again for your faithfulness to the Lord and to us. We could not do this without you and you are never far from our thoughts.
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 ;}
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Morley Update 2011 #5
Everyone,
We are home in Greece and other than struggling a bit with jet lag (me) we are settled in. We arrived on Friday with ambitious plans to go to work on Saturday but soon realized that we were not up to it. We stayed home and took care of all the little things that need to be done after being gone three months. We had our "girls" Tasha and Christy over for dinner and dominoes and spent the evening laughing and catching up. We didn't go to church on Sunday since due to jet lag I couldn't get to sleep until after 3am. We hung around the house that day and I did not let myself take a nap thinking this would let me sleep that night. No such luck - I went to bed at 4am and still could not sleep for another hour or two. Monday we went to our friends Nader and Ella's house to celebrate Persian New Year with another Persian couple we know from when we were here five years ago. We ate until we could eat no more and then sat around telling jokes with Nader translating from Farsi to English and back again. By 6pm I was getting very tired so we went home and I went to bed at 9:30. I slept well until about 1am and then was awake on and off for the rest of the night.
Tuesday was our first day back at work. It was a Farsi family meal day. Before lunch I met a new young woman who speaks only Farsi but I was able to visit with her a little thanks to Tasha translating. After dinner I met a young woman who looked to be about 15 but who was really 20. She spoke a little English so we struggled through some conversation. She and her mother and sister are here, she has two brothers in Denmark and her father and two more sisters are in Afghanistan. She said she left because of the fighting and life was bad. I asked if her father would come and she said "No". She asked why I was here and I told her because God loves everyone and he loves refugees. Because I love God, I came to help and love the people he loves. She said "This is good". There are many new refugee faces and since Tuesday was "Group B" I didn't have a chance to see most of my friends who are in "Group A". We have a short week this week - Friday is a holiday (Greek Independence Day) so we have the day off. I want to close by sharing a story my team mate Lisa wrote in her last update.
Last Tuesday at the Farsi lunch, I watched a young Afghan woman come up to my Iranian friend, "E" after the gospel presentation and pull him aside to ask some questions. This always prompts me to pray. Later I heard that she wanted to know more about Jesus, but was afraid to tell her husband. She would not take a Bible because it was too obvious, but she took some small tracks to read. Later the same day, the husband corners "E" and says he wants to know more about Jesus, but is afraid to tell his wife. He loves his wife. They married for love and had to leave the country because another marriage had been arranged for her and it was not safe to stay in Iran. He is bold and willingly takes a Bible, but tucks it away. At the end of the day both seek "E" out to say “good-bye and thank you”. This is his first clue they are related. With a twinkle in his eye he tells her she must ask him about the Bible and he points it out under his arm. He tells him to ask her, what he gave to her. Both of their eyes are wide, initially with fear that "E" broke his word revealing their secret and then with wonder at what God must be doing. They left quickly; anxious to be alone and away from the eyes of those that watch. They have been calling all week with questions about what they are reading. They finished the gospel of Matthew the first night. They are now living in an apartment run by a local church where they can read their Bible without fear of being evicted or beaten.
It is good to be home and about the Father's business. One other item I forgot to mention. When we were at the airport just after arriving I was suddenly enveloped in a big hug. It was my friend "I" from Nigeria who I have know for 6 years. She had told me before we left that she and her husband and three children were thinking of going back to Nigeria. I asked if "J" would have work and she said "Maybe not but he has no work here and there at least we have family". They were at the airport that day and indeed traveling home to Nigeria. They have papers so can travel legally. I was so happy to be able to say goodbye. I am glad for her to be with her family again and I pray that she will be well and happy.
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 ;}
We are home in Greece and other than struggling a bit with jet lag (me) we are settled in. We arrived on Friday with ambitious plans to go to work on Saturday but soon realized that we were not up to it. We stayed home and took care of all the little things that need to be done after being gone three months. We had our "girls" Tasha and Christy over for dinner and dominoes and spent the evening laughing and catching up. We didn't go to church on Sunday since due to jet lag I couldn't get to sleep until after 3am. We hung around the house that day and I did not let myself take a nap thinking this would let me sleep that night. No such luck - I went to bed at 4am and still could not sleep for another hour or two. Monday we went to our friends Nader and Ella's house to celebrate Persian New Year with another Persian couple we know from when we were here five years ago. We ate until we could eat no more and then sat around telling jokes with Nader translating from Farsi to English and back again. By 6pm I was getting very tired so we went home and I went to bed at 9:30. I slept well until about 1am and then was awake on and off for the rest of the night.
Tuesday was our first day back at work. It was a Farsi family meal day. Before lunch I met a new young woman who speaks only Farsi but I was able to visit with her a little thanks to Tasha translating. After dinner I met a young woman who looked to be about 15 but who was really 20. She spoke a little English so we struggled through some conversation. She and her mother and sister are here, she has two brothers in Denmark and her father and two more sisters are in Afghanistan. She said she left because of the fighting and life was bad. I asked if her father would come and she said "No". She asked why I was here and I told her because God loves everyone and he loves refugees. Because I love God, I came to help and love the people he loves. She said "This is good". There are many new refugee faces and since Tuesday was "Group B" I didn't have a chance to see most of my friends who are in "Group A". We have a short week this week - Friday is a holiday (Greek Independence Day) so we have the day off. I want to close by sharing a story my team mate Lisa wrote in her last update.
Last Tuesday at the Farsi lunch, I watched a young Afghan woman come up to my Iranian friend, "E" after the gospel presentation and pull him aside to ask some questions. This always prompts me to pray. Later I heard that she wanted to know more about Jesus, but was afraid to tell her husband. She would not take a Bible because it was too obvious, but she took some small tracks to read. Later the same day, the husband corners "E" and says he wants to know more about Jesus, but is afraid to tell his wife. He loves his wife. They married for love and had to leave the country because another marriage had been arranged for her and it was not safe to stay in Iran. He is bold and willingly takes a Bible, but tucks it away. At the end of the day both seek "E" out to say “good-bye and thank you”. This is his first clue they are related. With a twinkle in his eye he tells her she must ask him about the Bible and he points it out under his arm. He tells him to ask her, what he gave to her. Both of their eyes are wide, initially with fear that "E" broke his word revealing their secret and then with wonder at what God must be doing. They left quickly; anxious to be alone and away from the eyes of those that watch. They have been calling all week with questions about what they are reading. They finished the gospel of Matthew the first night. They are now living in an apartment run by a local church where they can read their Bible without fear of being evicted or beaten.
It is good to be home and about the Father's business. One other item I forgot to mention. When we were at the airport just after arriving I was suddenly enveloped in a big hug. It was my friend "I" from Nigeria who I have know for 6 years. She had told me before we left that she and her husband and three children were thinking of going back to Nigeria. I asked if "J" would have work and she said "Maybe not but he has no work here and there at least we have family". They were at the airport that day and indeed traveling home to Nigeria. They have papers so can travel legally. I was so happy to be able to say goodbye. I am glad for her to be with her family again and I pray that she will be well and happy.
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 ;}
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
IMAGINE
Imagine that you are a 12 year old girl in Afghanistan. You come home from school one day and are told that you will soon be married to a man who is much, much older. You are frightened but you have no choice but to obey.
Imagine that you are a young man with a good mind and dreams for the future. Because you belong to the wrong ethnic group you are not allowed to attend school beyond the elementary level.
Imagine that you are a young woman 18 years old. Your father is dead and you and your mother and 2 sisters live with your Uncle.
You desperately want to attend school but because you are a girl your Uncle won’t allow it. You are only allowed to be in your house or in your own yard. You know that you will soon be forced to marry as men are willing to pay your uncle handsomely for a beautiful girl like you.
Imagine that you are a Christian man who is holding a bible study in your home. Imagine that the police break in and drag you away and you know the punishment for following Jesus is death. Imagine that on the way to the jail the police get into an accident and in the confusion you manage to escape. You hide all night under a bridge before you go back to your house. When you arrive your house is empty and padlocked and you have no idea where your family is or if they are even alive.
Imagine you are a teacher of 6th grade students. You love your students and you love being a teacher. One day the Taliban comes and sets fire to your school. Your arms still bear the scars of where you were burned trying to save the children. Then imagine that another day the Taliban comes and tells you that if you do not give them money they will kill your students. You don’t have any money so they slit the children’s throats in front of you.
Now imagine that because things are SO bad in your country you decide to run away. You know you will never be allowed to leave so you hire a smuggler to take you. You believe that if you can just reach the west you will be safe.
Imagine that you and your husband and little girl are walking over the mountains. You have been walking so long that your feet are bleeding and you begin to cry. Your little girl takes your hand, looks up into your face and says “Its okay Mama Nee, don’t cry, it’s okay”.
Imagine that after many days of walking you come to Turkey. There you are forced to live in horrible conditions sometimes up to 40 people sharing a room. But Turkey is not Western Culture and you believe if you can just get to Greece things will be better. Imagine that you don’t know how to swim and have never seen the sea. And yet because you are desperate you climb into a small rubber raft with 20 other people. It is night and you are very afraid. Many people have died when their boats have turned over. Your wife and children and even you begin to cry as the waves grow higher.
Imagine that just as you almost make it to shore the police boats come and you are forced to stand in the cold water at gun point. You are put in a camp and your husband is put in a jail. The camps are filled with rats and very dirty. You go for more than a day with nothing to eat and nothing to feed your children.
Imagine that after you are released the police give you a paper and tell you to go to Athina. But when you get there you have no place to sleep, nothing to eat and no where even to go to the toilet. You and your children are living in the park. The park is dirty and crowded with others who are just like you. They don’t want to be there either but they have no where else to go.
Imagine that people yell at you and throw things at you. Imagine that when you go to renew your paper you are told that you didn’t follow the instructions correctly and you cannot get a new paper. You cannot read even your own language, how do they expect you to read a paper written in Greek.
Imagine that you are a father who stands every day in the square hoping someone will hire him for a few hours. Or imagine that you are one of the lucky ones that find work in a sweat shop for 1 euro an hour. Because you do not have papers, you cannot rent a house so you are forced to pay someone who has taken over an abandoned building. Imagine living one room with a tiny bathroom. Imagine sharing that room with three other families totaling 20 people. Now imagine that you have to pay 600 Euros a month for that room.
Imagine that everywhere you go you feel unwanted and ashamed. You have lost hope and sometime even think of taking your own life.
Now imagine that all your life you have been told that Christians are bad. But one day you walk into a building where you are greeted as a friend. You are offered a cup of tea, or maybe a plate of macaroni or rice. Some days there are even packages of food given that you can take home to feed your family for several days.
Imagine that these same people love your children. There is a baby room where little ones are cuddled and toddlers play with toys. The older kids have their own room where they hear stories, make crafts and watch videos. Sometimes there are kid’s parties with games, puppets and good things to eat. Over time you see your children lose the frightened look in their eyes and begin to smile again.
Imagine that these people offer you a shower, clothes, and a place to sit down and rest. They might provide school supplies for your children or invite you into their homes. Maybe they come to visit you in your home or take you on an outing. Maybe they play chess or backgammon or basketball but they treat you as a friend and hope begins to grow in your heart.
These people listen to your story and cry with you. They ask if they can pray for you and then they begin to talk about Jesus.
Imagine that you know Jesus was a good man but you have never read a Bible or been able to ask questions about Jesus. You are given a chance to watch movies about Jesus, and given literature and Bibles to read in your own language. You can attend a Bible class or sometimes in the midst of chaos a little group gathers around a Bible and some of your questions are answered. Maybe Jesus comes to you in a dream or maybe you just see him in the lives of these people, who love you, but suddenly you see Him clearly and you want to know him for yourself.
This is how lives are transformed. This is what God is doing in Athens. This is a place called Helping Hands.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Morley Update #4
Everyone,
Well we are beginning the last leg of our trip home to Greece. We have been in Elgin at International Teams headquarters for the past three days having some meetings with the team of people here who work so hard to support us as we serve in Greece. Yesterday we had the privilege of sharing for a short time about our ministry with the staff at their weekly lunch together. These "home front" people are the unsung heroes of the missionary world. Many of them are former oversees missionaries themselves and they now serve here in the states making it possible for those of us on the field to continue to serve by managing our accounts and insurance, working with teams and individuals who come to help in the short term, training both new missionaries and providing on the field training and support where needed. They provide leadership and vision, keep us accountable and are our cheerleaders and prayer warriors. Some of you got to hear Kent preach about FIATs (Faith In Action Teams). He talked about the fact that there are former Muslims living in Greece and elsewhere who are now Christians because of our Faith In Action Team. You as our supporters and prayer partners are part of that team, the wonderful people we serve with in Greece are part of that team, and the staff here at Elgin are part of that team. Together we are bringing people to Jesus who could not get there by themselves. So as you pray for us on the field don't forget to pray for those serving here in the States as well.
On Friday we will fly to MA to spent a few more days with our kids and grandkids and then fly home to Athens on the 17th arriving on the 18th. Our time here was a great time to reconnect with family, friends and our supporters. God confirmed to us again that we are exactly where he wants us to be in Greece. Let me share a few praises. As you know we came home when we did because of visa problems. Because of an error we made we were told we needed to come home and start the process over to apply for our residence permit. This meant going to San Francisco to apply for a new visa. This is the first step and is usually a visa for 3 months which gives you time to go to Greece and go through the application process which includes an incredible amount of paper work that must all be translated and submitted, getting a lung xray and TB test, applying at your local government office and then waiting sometimes for months for a decision as to whether they will grant you your one year permit. I was dreading going through this process again. When we got to the Greek Consulate office a few weeks ago to pick up our passports with the new visas in them we were amazed to find that he gave us not only the normal three month visa but that he gave us the one year permit so we are good until March of 2012. This means we don't have to do anything when we get back to Greece until it is time to renew again next year. Hallelujah!!
Another praise concerns our team mate "N". While in Norway a year ago "N" was able to participate in broadcasting by satellite into Iran. He was able to preach, teach and do interviews with others. He has had the desire to continue to do that while in Greece but didn't have a camera of the professional quality needed to do this. We said we would maybe ask around in the states if we could find anything. We had been here for a month and were visiting one of our churches in the Seattle area. One morning we were having breakfast with friends and she happened to mention that the church had bought some video equipment that they were not using and were in fact trying to sell one of the cameras. I told them about "N" and his desire to continue to broadcast but about his lack of a camera. This couple immediately offered to buy the camera and send it home with us if it was what "N" needed. We put him in contact with their media guy and in fact the camera was exactly what he needed so we have it with us to take back to him. What a blessing and confirmation that God's hand is on 'N" and on his ministry!
As many of you know one of our supporting churches went through a rough time and closed it's doors. This meant that we needed to find a way to replace the support they had been giving as well as a bit more. All in all we were around 650 dollars a month short. Through the generosity of one of our churches as well as some individuals God has provided for our support. We continue to need partners in this area as there are extras (like the two root canals Kent needed) that aren't covered by our regular support but we are so thankful to have our day to day budget covered! Thank you to all of you who give faithfully so that we can continue on with the work in Athens.
In my last update I asked you to pray because our friend Dr. Joseph had not heard from his wife in Pakistan. He did hear and they are safe for the moment but please continue to pray that they can get out of the country and be reunited with him. Also pray for his application for asylum to be processed and granted. The work in Greece continues and we are excited about how God is moving in the lives of refugees. I want to share just one quick story that I received from a friend that I loved. Our refugee women's bible study has been studying the book of Matthew. The muslim women know about this book because it is part of the Injil (the Gospels) one of Islam's holy books. This particular day they needed to look quickly at a verse in Galatians. The women were very intrigued by this new book and had many questions. Was it about Jesus? What did it say? Could they read more of it? Tasha who was leading that day had trouble getting them to go back to Matthew so they could continue the lesson. There was much discussion that day and the study ran over by about an hour. Finally Tasha who wasn't feeling well that day said "We need to stop. That is all for today we will begin again next week". One of the women turned to another woman and said "Let's go to my house, Tasha can't stop us from reading the bible there!" I'm sure there was much secret reading of Galatians that day! God has created a hunger to know the truth in these women - pray for them that they will recognize the truth and accept it.
Thank you to everyone who made our trip so fruitful and so enjoyable. We loved being with you and spending time with you and now we return to the work God has called us to together. For those of you we missed seeing, know that you are always in our hearts and prayers. Thanks for being part of our team - my next update will come from Greece!
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 ;}
Well we are beginning the last leg of our trip home to Greece. We have been in Elgin at International Teams headquarters for the past three days having some meetings with the team of people here who work so hard to support us as we serve in Greece. Yesterday we had the privilege of sharing for a short time about our ministry with the staff at their weekly lunch together. These "home front" people are the unsung heroes of the missionary world. Many of them are former oversees missionaries themselves and they now serve here in the states making it possible for those of us on the field to continue to serve by managing our accounts and insurance, working with teams and individuals who come to help in the short term, training both new missionaries and providing on the field training and support where needed. They provide leadership and vision, keep us accountable and are our cheerleaders and prayer warriors. Some of you got to hear Kent preach about FIATs (Faith In Action Teams). He talked about the fact that there are former Muslims living in Greece and elsewhere who are now Christians because of our Faith In Action Team. You as our supporters and prayer partners are part of that team, the wonderful people we serve with in Greece are part of that team, and the staff here at Elgin are part of that team. Together we are bringing people to Jesus who could not get there by themselves. So as you pray for us on the field don't forget to pray for those serving here in the States as well.
On Friday we will fly to MA to spent a few more days with our kids and grandkids and then fly home to Athens on the 17th arriving on the 18th. Our time here was a great time to reconnect with family, friends and our supporters. God confirmed to us again that we are exactly where he wants us to be in Greece. Let me share a few praises. As you know we came home when we did because of visa problems. Because of an error we made we were told we needed to come home and start the process over to apply for our residence permit. This meant going to San Francisco to apply for a new visa. This is the first step and is usually a visa for 3 months which gives you time to go to Greece and go through the application process which includes an incredible amount of paper work that must all be translated and submitted, getting a lung xray and TB test, applying at your local government office and then waiting sometimes for months for a decision as to whether they will grant you your one year permit. I was dreading going through this process again. When we got to the Greek Consulate office a few weeks ago to pick up our passports with the new visas in them we were amazed to find that he gave us not only the normal three month visa but that he gave us the one year permit so we are good until March of 2012. This means we don't have to do anything when we get back to Greece until it is time to renew again next year. Hallelujah!!
Another praise concerns our team mate "N". While in Norway a year ago "N" was able to participate in broadcasting by satellite into Iran. He was able to preach, teach and do interviews with others. He has had the desire to continue to do that while in Greece but didn't have a camera of the professional quality needed to do this. We said we would maybe ask around in the states if we could find anything. We had been here for a month and were visiting one of our churches in the Seattle area. One morning we were having breakfast with friends and she happened to mention that the church had bought some video equipment that they were not using and were in fact trying to sell one of the cameras. I told them about "N" and his desire to continue to broadcast but about his lack of a camera. This couple immediately offered to buy the camera and send it home with us if it was what "N" needed. We put him in contact with their media guy and in fact the camera was exactly what he needed so we have it with us to take back to him. What a blessing and confirmation that God's hand is on 'N" and on his ministry!
As many of you know one of our supporting churches went through a rough time and closed it's doors. This meant that we needed to find a way to replace the support they had been giving as well as a bit more. All in all we were around 650 dollars a month short. Through the generosity of one of our churches as well as some individuals God has provided for our support. We continue to need partners in this area as there are extras (like the two root canals Kent needed) that aren't covered by our regular support but we are so thankful to have our day to day budget covered! Thank you to all of you who give faithfully so that we can continue on with the work in Athens.
In my last update I asked you to pray because our friend Dr. Joseph had not heard from his wife in Pakistan. He did hear and they are safe for the moment but please continue to pray that they can get out of the country and be reunited with him. Also pray for his application for asylum to be processed and granted. The work in Greece continues and we are excited about how God is moving in the lives of refugees. I want to share just one quick story that I received from a friend that I loved. Our refugee women's bible study has been studying the book of Matthew. The muslim women know about this book because it is part of the Injil (the Gospels) one of Islam's holy books. This particular day they needed to look quickly at a verse in Galatians. The women were very intrigued by this new book and had many questions. Was it about Jesus? What did it say? Could they read more of it? Tasha who was leading that day had trouble getting them to go back to Matthew so they could continue the lesson. There was much discussion that day and the study ran over by about an hour. Finally Tasha who wasn't feeling well that day said "We need to stop. That is all for today we will begin again next week". One of the women turned to another woman and said "Let's go to my house, Tasha can't stop us from reading the bible there!" I'm sure there was much secret reading of Galatians that day! God has created a hunger to know the truth in these women - pray for them that they will recognize the truth and accept it.
Thank you to everyone who made our trip so fruitful and so enjoyable. We loved being with you and spending time with you and now we return to the work God has called us to together. For those of you we missed seeing, know that you are always in our hearts and prayers. Thanks for being part of our team - my next update will come from Greece!
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 ;}
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Morley Update 2011 #3
Everyone-
I am sorry my updates have been so few and far between while in the states. Our internet has remained sketchy and I no longer have a normal schedule where I know when I sit down and write. We have been VERY busy speaking and connecting with friends, family and supporters. While we have enjoyed this and love to tell others about the work in Greece - we have found this to be very emotionally draining. While at work it is easy to get into a routine and though we have days when we feel frustrated and sad for people we are somehow able to balance that with the fun little things we do and the joy of watching God transform lives. One of the presentations we are doing in America is a collection of snippets of the hardships refugees face and how they came to Greece. Because these are all real people that we know, this dredges up emotions in us that we are sometimes able to put aside in the daily routine of work in Athens. I have also tried to balance staying on top of short term teams and individuals while here which at times had been difficult. Kent and I are both ready to be "home" and back to the work God has for us. Please pray for us that we finish our time here well before we head back.
We have two more speaking engagements on Sunday the 27th (morning at Willamina, evening at Turner) and then will leave OR on the 28th and head back to southern CA. We will stop in San Francisco to pick up our visa which should be all ready for us. After spending a few days with Kent's dad we head for Chicago. We will spend three days at International Teams headquarters in Elgin (March 8-10) and fly back to MA on the 11th to spend a little more time with our kids and grandkids there. We leave MA on the 17th of March and arrive back in Greece on the 18th.
While we look forward to returning home to Greece we are always torn to be leaving behind our family and friends here. I realize that from now on, wherever we are, a bit of our heart will always be somewhere else. Isn't that the way it will always be for Christians? My personal reading has been in Acts lately and it has been interesting to follow the missionary journeys of Paul throughout the region in which we now find ourselves. When Paul writes letters to the churches he establishes during these journeys, he is always torn between his love for the people he has ministered to (and his desire to see them again) and the knowledge that God is directing his steps to put him exactly where God wants him to be at that time. Of course ultimately his dilemma is even greater than that as he writes in Philippians 1:21-24. "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. For if I am to go on living in the flesh it will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body". As Christians we will always live knowing that this is not our final destination. But while we are here on earth "home" is wherever God takes us and we are so thankful to your part in helping us to continue to be at home in Greece. We have enjoyed seeing many of you during our time here in the states and look forward to seeing more of you in the next few weeks. Thank you for all you do for us.
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 ;}
I am sorry my updates have been so few and far between while in the states. Our internet has remained sketchy and I no longer have a normal schedule where I know when I sit down and write. We have been VERY busy speaking and connecting with friends, family and supporters. While we have enjoyed this and love to tell others about the work in Greece - we have found this to be very emotionally draining. While at work it is easy to get into a routine and though we have days when we feel frustrated and sad for people we are somehow able to balance that with the fun little things we do and the joy of watching God transform lives. One of the presentations we are doing in America is a collection of snippets of the hardships refugees face and how they came to Greece. Because these are all real people that we know, this dredges up emotions in us that we are sometimes able to put aside in the daily routine of work in Athens. I have also tried to balance staying on top of short term teams and individuals while here which at times had been difficult. Kent and I are both ready to be "home" and back to the work God has for us. Please pray for us that we finish our time here well before we head back.
We have two more speaking engagements on Sunday the 27th (morning at Willamina, evening at Turner) and then will leave OR on the 28th and head back to southern CA. We will stop in San Francisco to pick up our visa which should be all ready for us. After spending a few days with Kent's dad we head for Chicago. We will spend three days at International Teams headquarters in Elgin (March 8-10) and fly back to MA on the 11th to spend a little more time with our kids and grandkids there. We leave MA on the 17th of March and arrive back in Greece on the 18th.
While we look forward to returning home to Greece we are always torn to be leaving behind our family and friends here. I realize that from now on, wherever we are, a bit of our heart will always be somewhere else. Isn't that the way it will always be for Christians? My personal reading has been in Acts lately and it has been interesting to follow the missionary journeys of Paul throughout the region in which we now find ourselves. When Paul writes letters to the churches he establishes during these journeys, he is always torn between his love for the people he has ministered to (and his desire to see them again) and the knowledge that God is directing his steps to put him exactly where God wants him to be at that time. Of course ultimately his dilemma is even greater than that as he writes in Philippians 1:21-24. "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. For if I am to go on living in the flesh it will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body". As Christians we will always live knowing that this is not our final destination. But while we are here on earth "home" is wherever God takes us and we are so thankful to your part in helping us to continue to be at home in Greece. We have enjoyed seeing many of you during our time here in the states and look forward to seeing more of you in the next few weeks. Thank you for all you do for us.
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 ;}
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Morley Update 2011#2
Everyone,
It is harder to do updates when we are in the states as I never know where we will be and what our internet service will be like. At the moment we are comfortably tucked in at our friends Don and Margaret Kennedy's home in WA. We are here for the rest of the week. We spoke at Central Christian in Snohomish on Sunday. It was a real joy to reconnect with this congregation who has faithfully supported us from the beginning. It truly felt like coming home as we were greeting with hugs and welcomed back. We met with a small group here last night and will be with two small groups tonight. Tomorrow night we will travel 2 1/2 hours away to speak with a group in Cle Elam that Don works with. Thursday after breakfast out with friends (one of the things Kent and I miss about America) I think we will spent some time with our photographer friend Greg Silsby and do some shooting.
We have had a little change up in our schedule. We will not be at Willamette Christian in West Linn on the 6th but will instead be there on the 13th. The change is because their tech team is going to do a short video clip of us talking about refugees during their Sunday services. We are going to film this at the beginning of the week. We will also stay a few days more in Portland because a wonderful dentist who is on the mission team at Willamette is taking care of our dental work at a GREATLY reduced cost - what a gift!
So the plan for our schedule is to be back in Elmira on the evening of the 9th and to stay there through Saturday the 12th. We will go back to Portland the night of the 12th and be gone a few days again most likely returning on the 16th. Then we will be in the area until the end of February. Speaking at Bethany Church in Franklin on Sunday the 20th and Willamina the morning of the 27th. We will finish by speaking at Turner on the night of the 27th and leave for CA the next day.
THE BIG NEWS IS WE GOT OUR FBI CHECKS BACK!!! This means we should be able to pick up our visas with no trouble and return to be with Kent's Dad for a few days of rest after our whirlwind schedule in OR. We will fly to Chicago on March 7th (arriving on the morning of the 8th) and spend three days at head quarters in Elgin. Then on the 11th we fly back to MA to spend a few more day with our Grandkids and return to Greece as scheduled on March 18th. I inadvertently caused a bit of confusion by posting on face book that we were on schedule to arrive back to Greece on the 18th without designating clearly that it was MARCH 18th so the rumor may be circulating the we are coming home early which is not the case.
We are loving our time here reconnecting with family and friends but our hearts always turn back to our home in Greece and the people there who have grown so dear to us. Thanks you for your prayers for our travels, and visas and all that you do to encourage and uphold us. We love you.
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 ;}
It is harder to do updates when we are in the states as I never know where we will be and what our internet service will be like. At the moment we are comfortably tucked in at our friends Don and Margaret Kennedy's home in WA. We are here for the rest of the week. We spoke at Central Christian in Snohomish on Sunday. It was a real joy to reconnect with this congregation who has faithfully supported us from the beginning. It truly felt like coming home as we were greeting with hugs and welcomed back. We met with a small group here last night and will be with two small groups tonight. Tomorrow night we will travel 2 1/2 hours away to speak with a group in Cle Elam that Don works with. Thursday after breakfast out with friends (one of the things Kent and I miss about America) I think we will spent some time with our photographer friend Greg Silsby and do some shooting.
We have had a little change up in our schedule. We will not be at Willamette Christian in West Linn on the 6th but will instead be there on the 13th. The change is because their tech team is going to do a short video clip of us talking about refugees during their Sunday services. We are going to film this at the beginning of the week. We will also stay a few days more in Portland because a wonderful dentist who is on the mission team at Willamette is taking care of our dental work at a GREATLY reduced cost - what a gift!
So the plan for our schedule is to be back in Elmira on the evening of the 9th and to stay there through Saturday the 12th. We will go back to Portland the night of the 12th and be gone a few days again most likely returning on the 16th. Then we will be in the area until the end of February. Speaking at Bethany Church in Franklin on Sunday the 20th and Willamina the morning of the 27th. We will finish by speaking at Turner on the night of the 27th and leave for CA the next day.
THE BIG NEWS IS WE GOT OUR FBI CHECKS BACK!!! This means we should be able to pick up our visas with no trouble and return to be with Kent's Dad for a few days of rest after our whirlwind schedule in OR. We will fly to Chicago on March 7th (arriving on the morning of the 8th) and spend three days at head quarters in Elgin. Then on the 11th we fly back to MA to spend a few more day with our Grandkids and return to Greece as scheduled on March 18th. I inadvertently caused a bit of confusion by posting on face book that we were on schedule to arrive back to Greece on the 18th without designating clearly that it was MARCH 18th so the rumor may be circulating the we are coming home early which is not the case.
We are loving our time here reconnecting with family and friends but our hearts always turn back to our home in Greece and the people there who have grown so dear to us. Thanks you for your prayers for our travels, and visas and all that you do to encourage and uphold us. We love you.
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 ;}
Friday, January 21, 2011
Morley Update 2011 #1
Everyone,
I apologize for being so slow in getting out updates. Our schedule has been packed and our internet access sketchy. I have had a lot of short term team and intern emails to take care of when I have been able to be online and haven't seemed to be able to get to an update.
Our visit to the embassy in SF went well. We still didn't have the reply from our FBI check and had also forgotten to get a release from a doctor about communicable diseases. The man we met with gave us a lecture on our stupidity for letting our residence papers lapse and a second lecture about why our insurance should not have been accepted. This is typical for a Greek bureaucrat wanting to assert their authority and we just agreed with him that we were stupid and let him lecture. After he had finished taking our paper work without even really looking at it he asked when we wanted to pick up our visas. We told him we would be back through the end of February and he said he would have them ready and in the passports but if we didn't have our doctor reports and FBI check he would void them. Please continue to pray that our FBI check comes soon.
We have started our rounds of speaking engagements. We spoke for both Sunday School and Church at our home church of Elmira on Sunday. It was good to see everyone and the church had outfitted the parsonage so we would have our own place during our stay. It was SO nice to unpack all our clothes and settle in for a while. I am also REALLY enjoying turning on a tap and have HOT water any time I want! It is one of my favorite things about being in America. With all this hot water Kent and I have been able to up our personal hygiene standards which are very different here than when we are going to the ARC every day. In Greece we shower every few days and wear the same tea and bleach stained clothes all week. When I am at the ARC I tie my hair back and don't wear makeup. It has been fun to choose a different outfit, put on make up and wear my hair down.
We spoke on Thursday at a church in Eugene to a Seniors group. We will be in the Seattle area for a week starting next weekend. We speak at Central Christian Church in Snohomish on Sunday the 30th. They are faithful supporters and we look forward to getting reacquainted with the people there. We will come back down to the Portland area the weekend of the 6th to attend church at Willamette Christian another of our supporting churches and meet with their missions committee the following day. We have another missions committee meeting on the 10th and will speak either the 13th or 20th at Bethany in Franklin which is near Elmira. I believe we will be in Willamina the morning of Feb. 27th (I am waiting for confirmation) and then at Turner in the Salem area that evening. We head back to CA on the Feb. 28th.
We have one less speaking engagement that we thought we would have due to the sad news that one of our supporting churches was closing its doors. We are so sorry to have this happen because we had grown to love the congregation there. This also affects us financially as they were providing 400 dollars a month of our support. We believe that the Lord will be faithful to replace this but we would ask you to pray about whether the Lord would want you to become part of our team with monthly support. If you would like to do this you can follow the link at the bottom of the page to give online or send support to the address for International Teams below. Be sure to designate this for the Ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support.
I have one other prayer request. Our friend Dr. Joseph has not heard from his family for the last month. This is very nerve wracking for him and even more so as a couple of months ago a friend who had been helping to move them about in hiding was shot and killed by the Taliban. Please pray that he will get word soon that his family is safe and continue to pray that he will get asylum and that he will be able to get his wife and children out of Pakistan so they can be reunited. Time is flying by and I can't believe we have been in the states for a month already. We look forward to seeing some of you in our travels and we look forward to returning to Greece and continuing with the work God has given us. Thank you for all your support and love.
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 ;}
I apologize for being so slow in getting out updates. Our schedule has been packed and our internet access sketchy. I have had a lot of short term team and intern emails to take care of when I have been able to be online and haven't seemed to be able to get to an update.
Our visit to the embassy in SF went well. We still didn't have the reply from our FBI check and had also forgotten to get a release from a doctor about communicable diseases. The man we met with gave us a lecture on our stupidity for letting our residence papers lapse and a second lecture about why our insurance should not have been accepted. This is typical for a Greek bureaucrat wanting to assert their authority and we just agreed with him that we were stupid and let him lecture. After he had finished taking our paper work without even really looking at it he asked when we wanted to pick up our visas. We told him we would be back through the end of February and he said he would have them ready and in the passports but if we didn't have our doctor reports and FBI check he would void them. Please continue to pray that our FBI check comes soon.
We have started our rounds of speaking engagements. We spoke for both Sunday School and Church at our home church of Elmira on Sunday. It was good to see everyone and the church had outfitted the parsonage so we would have our own place during our stay. It was SO nice to unpack all our clothes and settle in for a while. I am also REALLY enjoying turning on a tap and have HOT water any time I want! It is one of my favorite things about being in America. With all this hot water Kent and I have been able to up our personal hygiene standards which are very different here than when we are going to the ARC every day. In Greece we shower every few days and wear the same tea and bleach stained clothes all week. When I am at the ARC I tie my hair back and don't wear makeup. It has been fun to choose a different outfit, put on make up and wear my hair down.
We spoke on Thursday at a church in Eugene to a Seniors group. We will be in the Seattle area for a week starting next weekend. We speak at Central Christian Church in Snohomish on Sunday the 30th. They are faithful supporters and we look forward to getting reacquainted with the people there. We will come back down to the Portland area the weekend of the 6th to attend church at Willamette Christian another of our supporting churches and meet with their missions committee the following day. We have another missions committee meeting on the 10th and will speak either the 13th or 20th at Bethany in Franklin which is near Elmira. I believe we will be in Willamina the morning of Feb. 27th (I am waiting for confirmation) and then at Turner in the Salem area that evening. We head back to CA on the Feb. 28th.
We have one less speaking engagement that we thought we would have due to the sad news that one of our supporting churches was closing its doors. We are so sorry to have this happen because we had grown to love the congregation there. This also affects us financially as they were providing 400 dollars a month of our support. We believe that the Lord will be faithful to replace this but we would ask you to pray about whether the Lord would want you to become part of our team with monthly support. If you would like to do this you can follow the link at the bottom of the page to give online or send support to the address for International Teams below. Be sure to designate this for the Ministry of Kent and Myrna Morley and indicate whether this is a one time gift or monthly support.
I have one other prayer request. Our friend Dr. Joseph has not heard from his family for the last month. This is very nerve wracking for him and even more so as a couple of months ago a friend who had been helping to move them about in hiding was shot and killed by the Taliban. Please pray that he will get word soon that his family is safe and continue to pray that he will get asylum and that he will be able to get his wife and children out of Pakistan so they can be reunited. Time is flying by and I can't believe we have been in the states for a month already. We look forward to seeing some of you in our travels and we look forward to returning to Greece and continuing with the work God has given us. Thank you for all your support and love.
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 ;}
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