Our first few days in Turkey was resting and exploring with our hostel being right behind the Hagia Sophia museum. We had no ministry point here so we were trusting God to open new doors for us. So between just trying to process Israel and trying to soak up Istanbul, we took it pretty slow, praying on where we should go and what we should do. Our only other mission was to apply for our Macedonia visas, which we prayed about a lot. But God is good and the application process went super smooth, something that is impossible according to the locals. So now we wait…
Istanbul is amazingly beautiful!! I was so inspired by the South African that we met in Bethlehem’s lifestyle of connecting with people that I decided to also just go into the street and mingle. What a blessing. I took my map (super tourist) and started walking. Everywhere people stopped me to talk and try to get me to buy something (sales technique) but after a while of just listening to their stories and asking about who they are, they all started warming up and we chatted away. I realised that people just what to be heard and have someone to tell their story to. So I just listened, so that they would know I value them. As I walked I met a few men drinking tea who invited me to join them. With no hesitation I sat down and started talking (crazy I know!!) and soon another ‘tourist’ girl came to sit down. For more than an hour we talked and laughed and drank tea. Just loving these strangers. Amazing!!
After 5days of sorting out admin we felt God calling us to go to Izmir. This is where most Syrian refugees take the boats to get to Greece, despite all borders being closed. The situation has become so dire that most of the people will still risk their lives trying to get into Europe, feeling that they would commit suicide if they stay in Turkey any longer. This is really something to pray for as God has big plans for these people. And so the trip to Izmir started.
Having a limited budget, we decided to hike to Izmir in smaller groups. So we took a bus to Izmit, and started our journeys from there. My group was called ‘the thirsty’ (given by our leader with no explanation) and consisted of me, Lucas and Danielle. Before we left, we prayed together as a team and felt God calling us to go along the coast, walking with Him hand in hand, and that we are going to have to trust Him. With this we set out on our journey.
As we started walking, we soon got picked up by a truck driver who was heading to Bursa and who couldn’t speak a word English….so naturally we got in! Jip, Global changes you….. As we couldn’t talk to the driver, the three of us had a conversation about how we are not scared to die for Jesus and that no one could threaten us with death because that means we get to be with Him sooner. Little did we know that the driver was recording our whole conversation!! Wow!!! At some point we stopped for some tea, where we could get some Wi-Fi to use Google translate. Now we could communicate and the conversation was flowing. Soon he invited us to stay over at his house and offering that his wife cooks for us. WOW!!! Amazing meal, laughed a lot, and a warm bed. His daughter even gave Danielle and I each a scarf and a pair of socks for Lucas. Blessed beyond all expectation!!! Next morning we watched the sun rise, did Bible study together and went on our way with loads of snacks from our new friends. Soon we got picked up by another truck driver who took us all the way to Edremit on the coast. Here we spent about 90min singing praise and worship songs with me playing my Yukalely in the truck as once again communication was difficult. At some point he put of the radio and just listened to us. The Next lift took us a little bit down the coast and also offered that we stay with him. Wow, once again we have a place to sleep without us asking. God provides in abundance!! This man could speak a little English and I spent about 3hours with him teaching me Turkish. I thought God was teaching me to once again just love him by listening and taking an interest in him. When we had to leave the next morning he was quite upset as he wanted us to stay another day. But soon he warmed up again and started teaching me more words, which I wrote down with the previous lesson. And so we went off to the next town to find the refugees…..no luck. It is like they are hiding. After a few hours of praying and looking, we felt released to re-join the group and two more lifts got us there. I am pretty sure that the last lift was still slightly drunk from the night before, but as I prayed for protection over the car I heard God say ‘don’t worry; it is not your time yet’. So I relaxed and sang and laughed with the new friends.
Finally in Izmir…..or so we thought. It took us 3hours to move 8km to the meeting point. But we made it. Still not knowing what God’s plan for us is, we start looking for a place to sleep. Finally we decide to pitch our tents in a public park next to the sea and metro station. The police seemed okay with it but everyone said it was unsafe. So we tried to sleep, very aware of everyone staring and looking at us. At 12h45 we got woken up and instructed to move by the police because the grass has to be watered….so we move all our tents and wait for them to finish. An hour later they decide not to water the grass and we can move back. Most hilarious night ever!! With some dodge characters still in the neighbourhood, our boys made shifts keeping watch. So this morning we woke up surrounded by commuters on their way to work….hehehheeheheheh yes, this is now our new normal…
As we took the day to pray while some felt God calling them to explore places, I found myself in a 7hour long conversation about God with a Turkish guy. I never thought those Turkish lessons would come in handy as this guy couldn’t speak any English. But God met us and somehow helped bridge the language barrier and we could understand each other. WOW!!! I could answer every question and he kept asking more! GOD IS GOOD!
And so we understood why our team was ‘the thirsty’ – because we met thirsty people and we could be living water to them. All of them lonely or forgotten and looking for something they were unaware of. So we showed them love and gave them some spirit. What a blessing!!!
So now we pray without ceasing.
What an adventure….
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