So Wi-Fi in Turkey is either hard to find or a little
sketchy, so we apologize that we won’t be posting as much as we originally
planned to. But here’s a recap since we last posted! Tuesday we went to the
pazar for the first time to buy fresh fruits and veggies, and practice some of
our Turkish numbers (“bir, iki, uç, dört…”). It was so much like I had seen
in the movies, and we got lots of yummy foods for our house for only 15 lira!
My (Hannah’s) luggage also came in Tuesday, so I was full of gratitude for
these blessings. We continued our language learning Wednesday and Friday
mornings and did further prepping of our house and hearts. We attended a
Turkish church prayer service Thursday and with some help, we were able to
understand and pray with this congregation whose hearts are so sincere and
caring. Friday we helped prepare for the fair at had youth group at which we
got to sing many of the songs we’re familiar with from English worship songs in
Turkish. Singing songs we’re familiar with has easily become one of our
favorite ways to learn Turkish! Afterwards we all went to coffee and the park
and had a wonderful time of fellowship with the friends we had made, and met
new ones. A group of about 5 recently graduated college students have spent the
past school year here teaching English. Many are believers and a few of them
attend the church so it was wonderful getting to know them and hear their
stories.
Saturday was a glorious day! We helped for the larger portion
of the day at the church Mayfair and got to do crafts, play games and paint
faces with lots of sweet children. We also got to know some other church
members better as we served together. Afterwards we were pretty hot from being
outside all day and decided our team wanted to go for a swim together. This
became much more of an adventure than we imagined! We went down to where our
worker had showed us was a great place to jump off cliffs and swim, but at the
time there were quite a few fishermen and other swimmers. So I had the great
idea to hike around (up and down) some of the other cliffs to reach a different
place to jump in, out of the fishermen’s way. This proved to be fruitless, and
while getting to the place I hoped to jump in was not difficult, returning was
rough after realizing the location was not providential. So rough, in fact,
that I completely broke my shoe and tore my shorts! Yet, this didn’t stop us; we
then tried a completely different location, which was beautiful, with ancient
ruins and lots of greenery, but, alas, also had no easy access to the water.
Dismayed, we tried to buy me some new shoes (which ended up being only
socks…and some ice cream) and decided on plan C. We resolved to try once more
at the very first location and just swim beside the fishermen, and when we went
down, we found a group of our new friends had just arrived, so we got to swim
with them, which was way better than just going by ourselves! I was so excited
(and sweaty, ready to get into the water!) that I hadn’t fully thought through
that I was jumping off a cliff into the chilly Mediterranean, so upon arriving
I took off my cover up and jumped into the water. However when I did, my body
went into a little bit of a shock and I couldn’t breathe, but after about 20
seconds I was able to calm my breathing and was just fine. Some of our new
friends came to make sure I was fine and helped me be able to get used to the
ocean and notice things I may not have on my own. We swam around and had lots
of fun and great fellowship with our new friends.
Not only was this a great experience, but also I feel the
Lord used it to teach me a few things. First, I learned that this trip could be
a bit like our adventure. Getting there and achieving goals is certainly not
always the easiest or as we anticipate it to be, but there are some great
blessings that we get to experience in the midst of a crazy journey. Also, while
it may scare me a bit initially jumping in, God is quick to provide peace and
make the experience all the better the deeper we go. Finally we can be thankful
for all those around us and focus far more on the folks and beauty opposed to
the danger and scariness within situations.
Sunday we went to both services at church again then went to
lunch with some friends and had some time to relax and explore. Monday we went
a bit outside of town to ruins of a Roman road. As Paul and Silas sailed out
near where we’re staying, it is highly likely they may have walked this very road!
It was so wonderful getting to appreciate both the history and beauty of this
place as we hiked up a ways. It was a truly remarkable to be a part of! Tuesday
we had language class and bought groceries again at the pazar, and then this
morning we did some gardening outside our language school before class, and
prayed over the building and all that will take place there (as it’s the same
building where Casey and I will do a conversational/cultural class later in the
Summer).
Thank you for all your prayers and support so far! We have
surely felt them! Casey came down with a bad cold/flu thing Saturday and had to
rest until today(Wednesday), but thankfully she is doing much better now! I
know she would still appreciate your continued prayers, as would all our team
for our own health to not interfere with us getting to do what the Lord has
called us to. Please pray also that we continue to really learn the language so
more relationships may begin. Sağol (thank you and God bless)! Görüşürüz (see
you later)!
This was the first location I found, georgous, but not exactly safe to jump in and out of:(
The second location where we found lots of beautiful sights and ruins!
This was the first location I found, georgous, but not exactly safe to jump in and out of:(
The second location where we found lots of beautiful sights and ruins!
Ruins outside of the Roman road.
The actual road!
.JPG)
