Day 1 - In Country

Blog by Charlie
July 4, 2010

Despite over 30 hours with but a few wisps of sleep on the plane and finally getting to bed at 1:00 AM Antalya time, I was wide awake at 5:00 AM, which is my usual Sunday morning wake-up time. We are staying in the La Paloma hotel in “Old Town” Antalya (Caleici – pronounced Cally-ee-chee). Beautiful and quaint, right off a narrow cobblestone/brick road. We had a lovely outdoor continental breakfast in the courtyard and I had a chance to walk the streets a bit before we went to church at 1 PM.

Worship was held in an upstairs room without air conditioning. Turkey at this time is very hot and VERY HUMID. Everyone was sweating and waving fans of whatever could be devised. The man next to me kept mopping his brow with a handkerchief. Still, it was packed and enthusiastic. The worship leader, Erkan, acknowledged the miserable conditions and affirmed everyone attendance by stating, “...but we’re here because of God.” We were all asked to come up to the front and introduce ourselves, which we did. The sermon was translated to us via headphones by Pam, an American missionary from Seattle who has been working at the church for about 7 years. She had to be enclosed in a small sound booth and just about expired from the heat. Metin preached, one of the associate pastors and he talked about the importance of silence in order to hear God speak to us. I dozed off just a bit due to my lack of sleep, but for the most part hung in there. The singing was led by a robust little band, of which several songs had been written by one of the band members. The only song that was imported from the United States was “El Shaddai” by Amy Grant. I recognized that tune. Service lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Afterwards we had a “Fellowship” time in the courtyard of Paul’s Place (the international center where the church rents space) and I was treated to a unique drink made of milk, yogurt and something else of which I knew not. It was rather sour, but I suspect I could get used to it.

After that (it’s now about 3pm) it was a medium distance walk to Pasha Bay restaurant with about equal numbers of Impact and church members. I ordered a spicy lamb kebob, which was quite good. One nice treat was getting to see Tim Fearer, and we were able to sit next to each other at lunch. He will be here with us for a couple of days.

After lunch we took the tram to Antalya Beach and played volleyball and swam in the Mediterranean. Now that was a treat – water exceptionally clear and comfortable. Best ocean swim I’ve had in many years. Not nearly as salty as the Pacific...or so it seemed. Then we took the tram to another restaurant and had a light dinner around 10pm, though I just ordered a chocolate milkshake and nibbled on one half of Katie’s grilled cheese sandwich. Then back to the hotel.

The day was filled with a ‘getting used’ to being in Turkey feeling. For the Dobreskis, it was a happy reunion time with many of the friends they had made last year, and for the rest of us it was getting acquainted with new people we anticipate will become new friends for us. I had conversations with many – one young man who is unemployed in part because of his faith (a conversation translated part of the time by Tim, then by Pam, and finally by Murat – it was a tag team conversation!). Another conversation on the way to the restaurant was with one of the band members (guitar player) who shared how he became a believer. Everyone in that church has a story and I look forward to hearing them and getting to know the people behind them.

I close with a somewhat humorous ‘coincidental’ scripture that was my reading for today. From Luke 10, it’s when Jesus sends out the 70 and tells them to “.Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals..” I figured I got the ‘no bag’ part when I left the craft suitcase home.

Grateful to be here and for all your prayers,

Charlie



The Courtyard at La Paloma


Outside St. Paul's Place


During worship


Late Night Dinner