It is now December. We are spending this month in Istanbul, Turkey. Our assignment for this month is: Christmas caroling. 🙂 What a perfect fit for us! It is only by God’s grace that we were chosen for such an honor. With four guitarists on the team, two who can play percussion rhythm, and a violinist, and seven incredible voices reflecting worshipful hearts, we were made to worship. We were given the highest honor anyone can receive on earth and that is to lead a “birthday procession” for King Jesus.
We sing in an International choir comprised of Africans, Kirks, Turks, Fins, and Americans. It’s an awesome experience everytime we sing, a taste of Heaven that comes down. Just imagine it….standing in a diverse choir made up of people from several different nations, singing in their native accents Christmas songs in Turkish, English, Italian, and French, all from one church body and all under one headship Jesus Christ. It really is an amazing chorus!
I didn’t realize, however, singing in the choir was only half the work in getting this “birthday procession” going. The other half is to go where the people are and let them know about the Christmas caroling concerts that were happening on the 19th and 20th. Two American “field workers” Liz and Roger who go to the church along with a Finnish “field worker” (Tina) and a Turk (Umed) took my team to the malls and shopping center to post posters letting people know of the concerts. We were hoping to sing a couple of carols at the malls, but we didn’t have permission to do so. We couldn’t just put up posters anywhere without having to go to the store manager or mall manager first for permission. Advertising is a little more controlled here than in the States. Plus with a lack of Turkish, asking permission was…ummmm…let’s just say you had to be creative. 🙂
Yet, God is faithful to provide. Even though we weren’t permitted to carol in the malls, we were invited to perform in two other churches. One performance on the 18th and the other on the 26th.
Our first performance (on the 18th) went well. It was raining and cold that night, but that didn’t stop the gospel message from being preached. Although the number of choir members outnumbered the number of people in the audience, two people made decisions to live for Jesus Christ. Praise God!
Our second performance (on the 19th) happened at a Catholic church. It was a “sold out” event even when the concert was free to the public. Every seat was filled. People were standing in the back, while more people were making they way into the church throughout the performance. With the help of cathedral structure, our voices were lifted to the heavens and the church was filled with a glorious sound. Not only was the choir singing, but all those in the audience were singing. If only you can imagine. The gospel was being preached even among those who didn’t yet believe.
“But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!…So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
-Romans 10:14-15,17
