Turkey!

We arrived in Istanbul early Sunday morning and went straight to the hostel. The next day was filled with mosque visits, scavenger hunts, and getting to know our way in turkish culture. Then, we hopped on a bus and rode over to Edirne. We met our hosts and went home for our first meal in a turkish home. My host, D, was a college student studying physics :)

Over the next week we would visit different sites in Edirne. We went into several mosques; one during a call to prayer which was.... erie. We visited famous bridges and saw various historical sites of the former Ottoman Empire capital. But what mattered the most to each of us was the time we got to spend with the different hosts. We had dinner together each night. Some hosts would sight-see with us each day. We all went out together for M's birthday. We became friends.

The most precious time I had in Turkey was with my host, D, and her boyfriend, C. The Lord guided our conversation to be about the differences between Christianity and Islam. I was privileged to share with them that God has provided Jesus in our place, as our Saviour who saves us from judgement. I was able to share with D later about how God created us for relationship with Him and how He desires that with us.

In Edirne Islam is more tradition than anything else. D and C are very nominal Muslims, saying many times that all religions are the same. The work in Turkey is slow. There are only three families working to share the Good News of Christ in a region of 1.5 million people. We must pray for more laborers. We must ask God for a harvest from Turkey!