When we were crossing part of the Mediterranean (specifically the Eceabat Sea) on a ferry to one of the Turkish islands, we met a woman named Ulku at one of the stops. We were looking at a history exhibit from World War I that was a replica of the soldiers fighting in the trenches when this woman walked up and asked if we wanted to know the story behind it… from there the conversation turned into one about God and her struggles with believing. Pastor Yordan then started to speak to her in Turkish and as we were waiting for translation, we saw that she started to become very emotional and started to cry pretty hard. He then told us she felt this overwhelming feeling (the Holy Spirit) and asked us to pray for her. I sensed that she walked away lighter than when she approached us.
It was then time to get back on the ferry for about an hour to our final destination, Gökçeada. Pastor Yordan was going to speak at a home church as well as continue to meet people and build relationships which we came to help with.
When we got off the ferry, we went to get some food before we were suppose to head to the home church. Taylor and I had to use the bathroom so we started walking along this dirt road (looking a bit abandoned with nobody in sight) to find a place that actually had one. On our way, we saw the woman who we had met on the other island! She immediately asked us if we wanted to come over for coffee, mentioning that she only lived down the road. Whaaat?!? So, after doing some listening prayer, our group decided that three of us would go to this woman’s home and the other two would go with Yordan.
Melissa, Shelby, and I ended up talking with Ulku as well as Fatmagul (her sister), Celal (her sister’s husband), and Gulcihan (her mother). Although, her mother didn’t speak much English or Turkish for that matter. She would simply look at us, smile, laugh, and occasionally call us by the wrong incorrectly pronounced names haha. We had such a good time not to mention an overall divine appointment from the Lord that night. Ulku shared a bit of her testimony with us which involved a lot of heartbreak. She then asked us our thoughts on love as well as some really great questions about God. Of course, the two go together so well that the conversation flowed into the love of the Lord and how he’s been the best love we have ever experienced and will EVER experience.
That night we discussed the love of God over Turkish coffee and homemade pilaf with a lovely woman who we just happened to meet while crossing the Mediterranean Sea and her wonderful family. That was actually one of her last days on the island because she would be moving to her winter home the following week.
This is just one more story of SO many this year where the Lord has brought people to me that I not only get to listen to and encourage, but who also challenge me and ask me good questions that have only strengthened my faith. God is so so good.
PRAISE REPORT: Since I wrote my last blog called “Marriage,” I have received $650 of my goal of being FULLY FUNDED!!!! Only $2,150 more to go. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. You guys have helped make this trip what it’s been. Love you all! God bless you guys!
