Dinner and the CIA

Did that title pique your curiosity?  We arrived at a city in East T two days ago.  The first thing that occurred was funny in hindsight but not at the time that it happened.  We met two people who spoke English on the bus and when we arrived at the oto park (bus terminal) we asked them to help us get a ride to the hotel.  One woman - a travel agent - disappeared, so David went with the gentleman to attempt to find a cab.  The woman found us a bus for 30 lire, and the gentleman 3 cabs for 20 lire each.  We opted for the bus - duh - but were confronted by angry cab drivers!  A shouting match ensued, but no blows were exchanged.  However, we found out once we were on the bus that the woman was having us delivered to the hotel where she worked - - a 4 star, and out of our price range :)  After much discussion, us in English and the driver in Turkish, David called one of our friends and he explained in Turkish that we were to be taken to OUR hotel.  Then, the price of the bus went up to 50 lire.  Seems the woman had slipped them some money to take us to her hotel.  We arrived safely, but tired and a little frayed!


Yesterday,  we attended a church service.  We met a young woman who speaks excellent English, and as a matter of fact had lived in Aspen for 5 months.  We went to lunch with her and 3 companions, but her friends weren't Christian.  We had a chance to share faith with them, as well as an incredible meal.  Three of our students went to play backgammon with them last evening.  One of the girls had an ex-boyfriend show up, and yes, he is Turkish CIA.  So, she told him where we were staying, how long we were staying, etc.
Please pray for protection for us, as well as wisdom.  We feel safe, but I would hate for us to be ejected from the country.  All that said, we are having such an incredible time.  We are blessed, and the Lord is with us.  Thank you for your prayers - - we feel them.





    

Leaving Rivendell

We have been in Rivendell for two weeks.  It is a retreat house, located in the woods outside of the city of Antalya.  We have had amazing times of praise and worship, intercession and fellowship here.  We have sent the students out to two local villages that haven't had prayer teams walking the streets yet, and they were able not only to pray and do some spiritual mapping, but also encountered and befriended some of the local people.  People in this country are naturally suspicious, so it's not an easy thing to make friends with the villagers.  Also, not a lot of people speak English, which also hampers friendships.  However, that said, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time here.  Our Christmas was quiet, but we did exchange secret santa gifts and we had stockings full of candy for everyone here.  Our hosts have been amazing, and we hope to stay in touch with them for many years to come.  We had an extended prayer and worship time on Christmas Day that was really fabulous!  We are excited about our next stop.  I will tell you where we've been after we leave our next city.  Turkey has been a dream come true and we have been so incredibly blessed here.  Please continue to stand with us in prayer, because team unity is a difficult thing with 19 people... we could use your intercession.  Thank you for all you are doing for us and standing in the gap.  More next time!

Izmir and the 7 Churches of Revelation

Today is Saturday, December 19th.  On Thursday, we went to the sites of two of the 7 churches - the sites of the cities, that is.  In the early days of the church,there weren't any church buildings. In fact, there were only home churches.  It wasn't until around the 3rd century that the Christians began to use a building to meet in.  They actually bought old basilicas - which were used for worship of Greek or Roman gods, and converted them to places where they met.  Cool info, huh?  Anyway, we went to Pergamum and Thyatira.  It was pretty incredible.  Even though there was false idol worship in these cities, they are the very same cities where Paul walked, and where Christianity spread to the Gentiles.  Tomorrow, we go to Smyrna and Ephesus.  Even as I am writing this, I am hearing the Muslim call to prayer.  It's really loud, but it still can't drown out Jesus in my heart, and in my spirit!  We are having an incredible time.
     This morning, we had an opportunity to worship, during a 24 hour prayer time, with some of the frontline workers here.  We also prayed for them, and shared words of the Lord that we felt for them.  It seemed to really bless and encourage them.  We go to three more cities of the 7 churches on Tuesday, ending in Laodicea, and then going on to Antalya where we will spend Christmas at a retreat house.  We have been so blessed in all we have put our hands to here.  Thank you for your continuing prayers!

Thoughts to consider

Here are a few thoughts to consider:
   We are in Izmir, which has a beautiful coastline and is very close to Smyrna.  A hundred years ago, 80% of the people were Christian.  Why should it be so difficult for them to believe in Jesus now?  Well, it seems that the ruler a hundred years ago, Attaturk, sent all the Christians away to Greece and other places, and traded them for Muslims.  There was a massive move of people after the first World War.  Of course, there's more to it, but we are walking on true Holy Ground, only the people here don't know it.  It seems surreal on many levels, and I am still trying to wrap my brain around all of it. I can picture Paul traveling through here and being stuck by its beauty.  We certainly are.  Anyway, just something for you to look up when you have time - - Attaturk, Turkey ruler, Christian exchange.  ???  Hopefully, we will have an update in a few days.  All here are doing well, and in His hands.

Izmir

We took a bus last night from Istanbul to Izmir.  We left around 10:30 in the evening and arrived this morning around 7:30.  It was a very nice bus, but the seats were terribly uncomfortable.  We crossed the sea by ferry on the bus - a new experience!  This is a really beautiful city.  About 100 years ago, it was 80% Christian, even though now the entire country is less than 1% Christian.  We met with our contact here, and then arrived at our hotel just in time for a typical breakfast.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives - oh, the olives are so good! - bread, honey and butter, with tea.  Everyone took a short nap, and then met in time to leave and go to a house of prayer and pray for several hours.  It was an incredible experience, but we are tired.  Tomorrow is orientation, lunch and then church.  Monday, we will have our first day off.  Please pray that the Lord will bring revival to this nation.  The people and the country are so beautiful!

We made it!

We are here!  What a beautiful country, and gracious people!  Not much time to fill you in, but we arrived with all luggage and no missed connections, despite many delays.  Thank you for staying in with us!  Pls reply and encourage when you can...

We made it to the airport!

Well, we made it to the airport.  I know that sounds like no big deal, but it began to snow last night and it's about 14 degrees outside.  At least two cars spun out in front of us, and ended up coming towards us on the interstate.  With 19 people, two vans and a trailer, it was treacherous.  But, we are sitting in the airport waiting to go now.  Woohoo!  Adventure, here we come!