Morley Update 2013 #26

Everyone,



Several people have been wanting to know what has happened with all my doctor tests so I wanted to write an update mostly about that. After many different scans, tests, blood workups, etc. Here is what they came up with. There seems to be no reason that my blood should be forming clots regularly so they have taken me off the blood thinners and I am taking an aspirin a day. My brain scan was in the neurologist's word "pristine" and he does not feel I have had a stroke but have been experiencing visual migraines. He has me on a new medication and since being on it I have only had a couple of short incidents of double vision and he told me if I started having problems I could double the dose. My heart looked fine except for some normal "aging". My inflammatory arthritis is in good control but I have severe osteoarthritis in my knees and back.



When they did a scan of my abdomen - they did a scan of my organs and I have some lesions in both kidneys. They don't know what these are so they did a second scan this week. They have remained stable. The doctor said that normally he would like to scan them again in a few months to see if there was still no change but he didn't know what to do since I was leaving. I told him that when I had my mammogram last month they found some calcifications that the radiologist said he wanted to look at again in 6 months. I said "how about a year since I don't live here?" He said "No, 6 months." I calculated and realized that 6 months would be February which happens to be the month of my mother's 90th birthday so I told him I would fly back for my mom's birthday and he could do another scan. When my other doctor heard this he was pleased and said they would scan my kidneys then as well and if the lesions remained stable then he would feel more comfortable leaving them for a longer time.



SO we were happy to be done with doctors and planned to spend the last few days here in OR with our family and then on Wednesday after seeing my primary care doctor one last time we planned to head out to CA to spend some time with Kent's Dad and his wife and other family there. However on Saturday Kent and I and Kate, our daughter, decided to do an easy 2 mile hike in to Sweet Creek Falls and then go over to the coast for the day. About a mile in to the hike I was going down some steep flat rocks to get a picture I wanted and slipped. I fell twisting my knee behind me. I managed to limp back to the car and we came home. I iced it and elevated it that day but yesterday we decided I needed to go to urgent care. Nothing was broken and the doctor believes it is just sprained but said it is hard to examine properly when it is so swollen and I am in so much pain. So today I am getting a splint put on it (they were closed yesterday) and I will have my primary care doctor check it again on Wednesday to see if she thinks it needs further attention. It is still painful this morning but seems a little less stiff so that is good I think. I believe we will still be able to leave OR on Wednesday as planned.



The team in Greece is back from the conference in Germany and the programs at the ARC are in full swing. Several people on the team were able to connect with refugees we knew in Greece who have moved on to Germany so that was very special. Pray for the team as they continue on. Pray for our new teammates as they navigate the system in getting permits, setting up a home, getting electricity etc. Pray for us as we travel and pray for healing for my knee. Thank you for upholding us during this protracted time away. Though we look forward to more family time we are both ready to be back and getting on with the work God has for us. We love you all and are so happy that we got to see so many of you - If we missed you we are sorry but know that we appreciate you and couldn't do what we do without you.



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 #25

Everyone,




We spent the last week resting and spending time reconnecting with family. On Monday the 12th we joined Kent's dad Charles and his wife Lee, and sister Nadene and her husband Don, in a house up on the Little North Fork of the Santiam River. It's a large house with a deck overlooking the creek below. Thursday we were joined by our sister in law Barb, her son Seth and his wife Christi along with their two children Ivy and Isaiah. Our daughter Katie and our son Ben also joined us that night. Friday our niece Tammy came and Saturday Katie's boyfriend John arrived. On Sunday afternoon there was an influx of another aunt and uncle and 5 more cousins for the afternoon. Since there was no internet we spent the time playing family games, hiking to waterfalls, swimming, reading and having a family sing along. We have a weird family tradition of singing "Rocky Top" on Christmas. I know this is not your typical Christmas song but then we are definitely not your typical family. We broke tradition this year and sang Rocky Top along with old Gospel with some Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and even a little Elton John thrown in. I love being a part of this crazy, fun loving, close knit family I married into.



After we left the house there on Monday the 19th we drove 1/2 hour to where my brother's family had joined together with another family who are close friends for their own mini reunion. We were just going to pop in to say hello but they talked us in to spending the night. There were 7 kids under the age of 6 in the house when everyone was there. I especially enjoyed visiting with my little great nieces from England and listening to their adorable British accents. I had a chance for a good talk with my niece from England and another chance to sit and chat with my other niece from Portland who I have seen but haven't had one on one time with - both of them are beautiful wives and mothers. Kent spent much of his time out in the boat with my brother water skiing. He had a great time but did ask after we got home where the Advil was so I think he found a few muscles he hadn't used in a while.



We are now settled back in at Veneta and will stay put for a little while - YAY! We are speaking at Bethany Church in Franklin on Sunday. In Greece most of the team is away in Germany for the International Teams European Conference. Pray that the team will be able to connect with some of our refugee friends who have moved on to Germany while they are there. Pray that the team will be rested and refreshed by their time away. Our new teammates have moved into our house in Greece and are getting settled. Please pray from them as they get the kids registered in school, find an apartment, and get moved, decide on a language school etc. They have been serving for the last 4 years in Afghanistan so already speak Dari but want to learn Greek. Because they are EU citizens they do not need to go through the process of getting a resident permit etc. which is a big load off their plate but there will still be plenty of adjustments. Since they lived with us for a week and a half this spring they at least know how to get around the city and where the shops are etc. Time is flying by and we can't believe it near the end of August already. Thank you all for your prayers and support during our home assignment. We have so enjoyed getting to see some of you and hope to see more of you in the coming weeks. 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: 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 #24

Everyone,



Just a quick update. We had a lovely week last week. We stayed in Turner OR in a little Apartment provided for us on the Convention Grounds. In the Evenings we were the Mission Speakers at Vacation Bible School. Kent taught the adult class and together we gave a 15 minute presentation to the kids and adults each night. An offering was collected that we will take with us when we return to Greece and buy food for a grocery give away - it was a small VBS but they raised 300 dollars.



Because we were doing a new presentation each night it kept me hopping to find new ways to present what we were doing. On the last night we played a Refugee Game. We had a Boy and a Girl represent the two teams. Their starting scenario was this:
Girl: You are a 12 year old girl and so you are not allowed to go to school past 5th grade. Soon you will be sold to marry an older man. Your mother decides to take you and your sisters and run away
Boy: Your family is accused of working against the government and now the Taliban is trying to put you in prison or kill your whole family. Your family decides to leave.
The game was played by taking turns choosing box #1 or box #2. These were up on the screen and were revealed after they were chosen. The choices were things like:
1) You have enough money to pay a smuggler to take you out of the country – ahead 1 space/ You don’t have money for a smuggler so go into hiding – stay where you are

2) Your father finds a little work so you can buy food to feed your family – ahead 1 space/ Without work your family is hungry and you must look for food in the garbage cans along the street – stay where you are

3) In Athens you are living in the park, it is cold and you are frightened because some nights men come to the park and begin to beat any refugees they find – back 1 space/ You found a room to share with two other families – it is crowded and dirty but at least you are off the street and safe at night. – ahead 1 space.

4) You hear about a place called Helping Hands and go there – ahead 1 space/ You try to get help but most people turn you away telling you that they don’t want you and to go back where you came from – back 1 space

5) At Helping Hands you get to take a shower and wash your clothes – ahead 1 space/ You have no where to take a bath and your clothes are dirty and smelly – back 1 space

6) You talk to the people at Helping Hands and they tell you how much God loves you and they teach you to pray – ahead 1 space/ You don’t feel like anyone loves you and you have no one to talk to – back 1 space

These are just a few of the choices but you get the idea. The last choice was this:

You finally get asylum and go to another country – Go to the finish/ You are denied asylum and sent back to your country – Back to the beginning.



At first it seemed a little mean to have the whole game win or lose hang on the last question but this is the reality of being a refugee. We have known refugees who have made it to a new country. They found a job, got an apartment, made a life and a year later were picked up for not having the proper papers and sent back to Greece where they had nothing.



Since the VBS was in the evening this left us with the day free (once we had our lessons prepared) to relax. One day we went to Silver Creek Falls a lovely state park with 10 different water falls - I hiked to 4 of them - Kent did all 10. Another day we did a little shopping and then met some friends who live in the area for a long lunch. One day we took our great niece and nephew to lunch and then out to see an animated film. It was a good week. We are back in Veneta for a few days before we go back to the Salem area to spend a few days staying at a house up on the Santiam with some of our family. There will be 19 of us for 4 days so it should be a great time. The team is Greece is getting ready to be closed for 2 weeks as most of the team heads to Germany to attend the International Teams Convention. It will also be a chance to connect with a few refugee friends who have moved on to that area. Pray for them - I know the team is tired and in need of a break. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. 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: 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 #23

Everyone,



I have found it is much easier to keep up with my weekly updates when we are in a regular routine. Sorry they have been a bit sporadic. Since I last wrote we spent some time with Willamette Christian Church in West Linn who have been faithful supporters from the beginning of our ministry. We met with their missions team, got to share with their leadership and join them for their morning prayer session and do a small group presentation in the evening. They also graciously printed up some prayer cards that we needed for our time at Week of Missions.



After a week spent at home working on presentations for a VBS and making a backdrop for Week of Missions as well as seeing a few friends, we left last Saturday and headed to the Salem area. We attended a school reunion for Kent on Saturday and attended church with friends in Salem on Sunday morning. We then drove an hour and a half over to the coast to set up our display at Winema Week of Missions. This is a big conference that is held every year at the coast which focuses on missions and brings together missionaries from all over to share what God is doing in the world. We set up our display and then headed back to Salem again to speak at Turner Christian Church for their evening service. This church is always a joy to speak at because many of the congregation are retired ministers, missionaries, bible professors or other people who were in full time Christian service - talk about preaching to the choir! They are always so encouraging and engaged in what we are doing.



After the service we drove back to the coast in time to climb into our bunk for the night. We spent the week listening to speakers, networking with other missionaries and sharing about our work with anyone who was interested. What we DIDN'T spend our time doing was walking on the beach in the sunshine. It was cloudy and cold all week and even drizzled several times. The only afternoon it was sunny at all was the afternoon that we were scheduled to give a presentation in the small chapel during the afternoon free time. The leader stood up to dismiss people and said "Get out there and enjoy the sun this afternoon because this is the only break we are supposed to get. For those interested Kent and Myrna Morley will be presenting their work in the chapel at 2:00." We learned a long time ago not to worry about how many people come to a presentation. Our job is to be there and share and God is able to bring the people in that he wants to hear.



A highlight of the week for us was that one of the main speakers was Fouad Masri the author of the Bridges series on How to Reach Muslims. We had been led through this series by a team mate who had taken the class in Spain. Fouad is from Lebanon and is a real ball of fire for the Lord. He was very encouraging to us in our work and is sending us materials to use in training our team. He also has said that he would like to visit us in Greece and see the work there for himself and to be an encouragement to the team.



We are back in Veneta for one day doing laundry and repacking our suitcase. We will be leaving in the morning to be in the Salem area next week as we participate in a VBS at Turner Christian Church. It is an evening VBS and we will be the missionary speakers and Kent will also be teaching the adult class.



News from Greece: The summer programs are in full swing. We have two interns as well as a short term team from Omaha in Greece at this time. Muslims are still celebrating Ramadan (July8-Aug 7). This is a time when they are fasting and seeking God. It is a time of spiritual warfare especially for new believers. Several men in the discipleship class reported feeling a lack of mental clarity and struggling with fatigue more than usual. Pray for protection for believers. This is also a time when God often uses dreams to speak to Muslim people. Pray that for those who are genuinely seeking truth, God will reveal himself to them.



Please pray for our friend "Ch". He is the young blind man we have shared about. Recently someone stole his keys and he was locked out of his house for two days. A friend looked through the window and everything in the house had been stolen including his laptop. One of our team mates has been working on getting him some software for the blind and it is supposed to be arriving in August. The team will be meeting with him to see how we can help.



I was encouraged in reading the last team meeting notes at how many Bible studies are happening. There is a seeker/believers class on Friday after tea house, a discipling class for new believers on Monday and Thursday (in cooperation with two other ministries), there is the men's question and answer time on Wednesday afternoon, and two women's bible studies on Thursdays one in the mornings and one in the afternoons. There is also a group that meets after the International Christian Fellowship Church on Sunday to discuss the sermon and worship and fellowship in Farsi - a couple of our team is involved in this. God is at work in Greece - His Word is going our and it will not return empty! Thank you for joining with us and with God in this 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: 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 #22

Everyone -

We had a great trip to WY. It was wonderful to once again connect with long time friends - it is amazing to think that we have all been friends for over 40 years. We lived near each other and spent time together when we were young marrieds and starting to have families but then scattered to different areas. The ties have remained strong however and though we don't see each other often we seem to be able to pick up the threads of our friendship easily. As we sat around the table or the living room, there were sweet times of laughter (some of it uncontrollable) as we reminisced and told stories. There were also tears as we went deeper and shared struggles and heartaches both past and ongoing. We had discussions on deep topics like marriage and healing, as well as things like whether bacon should be turned when cooking it in the oven, and the proper rules to Aggravation and Quarkle. Kent was in heaven as he operated different pieces of large machinery around the place and I reveled in the green grass and the quiet garden nestled next to a little stream that seemed to beckon to me from my window.

On Sunday we were blessed to share with our newest supporting church, Morning Star Baptist Church in Alpine, WY. We spoke at the morning service and then afterwards many of the congregation gathered at our friend Jim and Linda's house for a BBQ. We got a chance to visit with individuals and Kent joined in the afternoon volleyball game. That evening several people from the missions committee as well as others who were interested in learning more gathered again in Jim and Linda's living room for a more in depth presentation and a question and answer time. It was a day well spent. We have said to all of our churches that we do not want to be just a "name on the wall". We don't want people to say "Morleys? Oh yeah, I think they are missionaries - see here is their name on our missionary board on the back wall of the church." We want them to say "Morleys? They are working in Greece - let me tell you what God is doing there - just last week ....."

Our team mate Kenn sent an update about some of the men who were baptized at the recent camp. Kenn and a couple of guys from other ministries met with them to see how they were doing - he shared their testimonies which each began with:
"In the name of Jesus Christ I do not regret my decision". Even writing this brings tears to my eyes. I am always amazed and humbled that these people whose lives have been SO difficult and whose lives often become MORE difficult in many ways after they accept Jesus can say "I do NOT regret my decision". Here are a few excerpts from their testimonies: "Many who supported me before have cut me off. A cousin in Iran has stopped speaking to me.......I am encouraged when I am with you guys. Life is more difficult" "I had to move from the place I lived. I didn't have a place to live, only the park. I prayed and the next day I had a place to live with somebody." "I want to share my faith with my family. Pray for me, they might cut off their relations with me" There were several others but all had experienced some sort of shunning from others because of their decision. Please pray for these men and pray for our ministry and the other ministries involved in the camp (Hellenic Ministries and Oasis) as we join together to try and disciple these men and provide a support system for them.

We leave today for Portland and back to the rounds of doctor appointments. Please pray that we find some answers and not just more questions. The work in Greece continues and God is moving. God is also moving in our lives as we spend time here in the states. Thank you for your continual prayer and support. 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: 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 #21

Everyone,



We leave this evening for WY. We have had a good week in WA visiting with "old" or perhaps I should say "long time" friends and making new ones. We have been staying with our good friends Don and Margaret Kennedy who we have been close to since our high school days when they were first the youth pastors at Kent's church and then mine. In fact it was through them that Kent and I first met. We have had three small group meetings as well as a couple of personal meetings with supporters while we were here. It is always good to share about what God is doing in Athens. He is always at work but lately He seems to have been particularly busy or at least we are seeing the results very clearly. (In my letter to supporters I could give more detail but in this public place I need to limit what I say so that I allow the people involved to share their faith when and with whom they are comfortable - thank you for understanding.)



We got a note from a friend this week that another dear woman friend of ours is being baptized. The women are still very afraid of the other refugee women finding out about their decision to be baptized because of the shunning that will result so when they want to let the team know that they are going to be baptized and invite them to attend they (use a code phrase). One of our team mates said she wasn't in the loop about this so when someone asked her if she wanted to come to a (code phrase) she said she would see if she had time. When she found out what was really happening she was thrilled and of course attended with joy.



We also got word that a friend who is in our community group who has been a believer for some time was baptized. (I have removed details about this young man so as to not endanger him) God is giving these people courage to step out even when it could be uncomfortable or even dangerous for them. Please continue to hold them up in prayer.



It has been good to have a week away from doctor's and tests, please keep praying with us that we will have some answers before we return to Greece. As always thank you so much for joining with us and with the Lord in this amazing work. 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: 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 #20

Everyone,



First of all we have been hearing exciting news from Athens. We just finished the two camps that we do in cooperation with two other ministries in the area - Hellenic Ministries (who have a lovely camp facility) and Oasis. There was a week long camp for men and then a week long camp for families. These camps are always a highlight for our team and for refugees but this year several things happened to make them even more special.



At the family camp the children were taught for the first time from a discipleship tool developed by Samaritan's Purse called The Greatest Journey. Our team mate Donna put in many hours working to get this translated into Farsi. She writes "For me it was pure joy to see the children enjoying this colorful workbook, memorize Scripture verses and grasp an understanding of who Jesus is. Please pray that the lessons learned will continue to stir the hearts and minds of these children and their parents! God is at work in these precious ones!" At the end of the camp each of the children received a "Christmas" shoebox from Samaritans purse as well.



The truly exciting news is that after the men's camp 12 men were baptized and at the family camp a man and woman (not related) were baptized. At the end of this week two more women were baptized! This is SO exciting - especially for the women. We have had several women believers who have been afraid to be baptized because they haven't seen other women take this step and it is a very clear declaration of their faith which is extremely risky and scary for them. I believe that this will give other women the courage to step forward and we will see a rich harvest among the women in the coming weeks and months. Please pray for these new believers. Pray for protection and for peace and boldness in speaking out about their faith. Pray for family members who may have yet to come to faith. Pray that the many seeds planted at these camps will grow and bear fruit.



I had planned to give an update on my health situation but find I am tired of thinking about it and talking about it. Suffice to say I am up to 6 doctors now and they still don't have any definitive answers. I have appointments with three different doctors on Monday and Tuesday of next week and then we will head up to WA and on to WY. We will be back in Portland on the 10th of July when I will begin making the rounds of doctors again. It will be very nice to have a couple of weeks where we just don't have to think about this or travel back and forth to Portland (two hours each way) for appointments. Please pray that the doctors can find some answers and some solutions for the health issues I am facing.



Thank you all for your continual support and love. Though we are away from the work in Greece for the time we are glad to get a chance to share with many of you from our hearts. If you are in the WA area and would like to try and catch up with us between June 25 and July 2 please let me know. 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: 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 :)