Day 13 - Youth Group

[by Charlie]

As our time of ministry in Turkey is drawing to a close, I find my senses becoming more acute, my thoughts intensifying, and times with the people here feeling more precious. Today was peppered with episodes with people - sitting in Starbucks drinking frappacinos and talking for an hour with Melis...walking back to my host home and reflecting on my time in Turkey with Fahti...listening in on a conversation (in English no less!) between Halil and some Arab Muslims who were challenging his belief in Christianity...saying good-bye to Enes, whose last day as the cook at Paul’s Place was today and who won’t be here on Sunday. These times weren’t particularly special, but that is what makes them special – simply to be with the people and be included in their lives. I will leave feeling like I didn’t do enough, but knowing I was supposed to be here.

Tonight we led the Youth Group meeting. I started things off with a game from my youth ministry days which seemed to be a big hit (I will spare you the details), David helped lead the worship singing time, and Mike gave the message which was based on the letter to the Laodiceans (which I have learned is pronounced Laodikea). I was able to sing along in English as they sang in Turkish “As the Deer” and “Glorify Thy Name.” Somehow that felt special – a sort of neo-Pentecost declaring the works of God “each in our own language.”

As we finished one of our songs, we were drowned out the sudden broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer. Let me just be frank – it is one of the most obnoxious and hideous sounds I’ve ever heard, if for no other reason than it is amplified so loud that whatever ‘melody’ is present is distorted beyond measure. But as it drowned out our ability to sing, the song leader began to play his guitar quietly and invited people to pray. I was struck by the juxtaposition of the quiet prayers of young Christian believers with the loud, harsh call to prayer emanating from the Minaret behind us. I was sitting behind most of the students and found myself moved by the thought of the faith of these young people and how much of an “island” this church is in a sea of Islam. I could not help but think, “I know nothing of this kind of faithfulness.” It confirmed in me my decision earlier in the day to preach on the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego on Sunday. (sermon preparation occupied the latter half of my afternoon today). As Fahti and I talked during my walk home tonight, I said that in America it is almost too easy to become a Christian. Here in Turkey, when people come to Jesus and choose to follow him, they know what it will cost them. He said “yes.”

Other tidbits of the day included Suzy spending the afternoon at the beach preparing to lead the women’s conference tomorrow, my going to Melis’s father’s store and buying a couple of souvenirs, and Katie giving her IMPACT water bottle to Fahti because he made an off-hand comment that he liked it. When he expressed surprise at the quickness of her gift, she replied, “I’m Turkish now.” He then said he would treasure it forever. We also gave away the second and final horseshoe chain and ring puzzle to Bahar to take home to her family. She was delighted.

Faithfully (that is, what I know of faithfulness) in Christ Jesus,

Charlie

Young Turkish believer worshiping in song.


Playing "Touch Telephone" with the youth group.


Suzy presenting Pam with her belated birthday gift, and doing it with classic Suzy graciousness.


Our Impact Team as we enter Laodicea. We practically had the entire ancient city to ourselves that day. Note the bandage on Katie's leg. There's a story behind that. :)

Katie and Mike holding up the heated bath arches. Good thing we came along that day or thousands of years of history would have caved in.

A Wound Reopened to Help Others

[by Mike]

Again I find myself writing with the haunting, and actually quite annoying, sound of the Imam crying out the call to worship from the Minaret adjacent the church. I pause waiting for it to end so that I can think clearly enough to write.

Yesterday was so painful. As many of you know, Suzy and I, and truthfully David as well, lost a boy, Benjamin, at birth about 6 years ago. Yesterday, we were told that Yilmaz and Tanya awoke to the horrifying loss of their baby of 4 months. Regardless of the time of the loss (4 months or 9), the pain is the same. Suzy and I were asked to go with Pastor Hans and Pastor Erkan to the hospital and then to the cemetery. We did not know what we would see and what we would feel.

A tidal wave of pain and sadness overwhelmed me. The memories of this event and the realization that dear friends are experiencing this terrible pain was almost too much to take. It would take pages to explain the misery we felt.

It is very challenging to know what to write. This was and is so difficult for me. I watched the necessity for Yilmaz to be strong and set his emotions to the side. I remember doing this and waiting over a year to allow these feeling to be addressed. He was a sturdy support for his bride, loving and serving her "as Christ loved the church". His poor wife Tanya walked tenderly in his arms of comfort and wept continually. Your heart would break to see the sight.

We left the hospital in near silence, entered the van, and rode to the cemetery. We were driven to the Christian section and gazed into the grave as Erkan led us in Turkish hymns. The service was very emotional for all. As the men took turns with the shovels to help Yilmaz bury his daughter, Elizabet, Tanya wept and finally collapsed. Yilmaz, a slight man, rescued his solid wife and carried her into the van with strength from the Lord. You could see his desire to serve his bride and the pain and emptiness in Tanya.

Oh, the sadness.

When we went through this same event, we heard such useless and sometimes painful words from well-wishers and found that the most helpful individuals in our life were others who went through the same experience. Interestingly, I don't remember much of what they said and more that they were "just there". And this is how we were, present with little to say.

We never know how the Lord will use us. Why did the Lord want for us to be here? Sometimes it is exactly as one would expect. So I can preach and encourage the family with whom we are staying, to lead a parenting seminar, to lead a woman's conference, to play guitar and lead worship...these we expect. Perhaps the less expected events are the most important.

Mike