Turkey Yurkey!

Erin
and I traveled south to a city named Izmir. Once there we took a taxi
to the top of the city and it was B E A utiful. Izmir is the third
largest city in Turkey, but still as nice as Istanbul. And yes Erin is
at least 500 feet off the ground in this picture. Izmir was nice, but
after we left there and went to Kushadasi our jaw dropped. This place
reminded us of San Diego a lot: on the water and really warm. Not as
crazy as Istanbul so that was nice. We got to pray for a guy that owned
a Hostel and helped him discover this new religion he was seeking
called Christianity. We also saw Christ when we gave a little girl some
chicken nuggets on the street and her face lit up. An angel came and
helped translate for us and then disappeared. But that is what they
do… remember?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                       
The stage is still here but all the people are not due to a massive
earthquake about 2000 years ago. Do you know what this place is? 
Ephesus. We were blown away by the size of this place and yet if you
were to stand in the middle of the stage and speak in a normal tone the
people could hear you just fine at the very top. The acoustics are
incredible. Paul had more of an influence speaking to the people in the
synagogue then here though. If you read Acts 19, this is where that
took place too. Erin and I stood down front and read both Ephesus and
Acts 19. After we were waiting for an applause but none came. At least
we tried. Amazing how many people come through this place a day and
have no idea the significance of it.

 

 

 

   

 Meet team Oasis. From right to left: Stacy, Paul (leader), Erin
(u beday), me, Ashley, Lauren, Heather, and our friend Ali. This is one
of the very few Christian churches in Istanbul. It was also our home
for a week or so before we went on our journey to find a certain people
group around Greece and Bulgaria (read Mission Complete blog). Ali had
just became a believer just a few months before we got there. It was
great to hear his story and trade some of our own. This is also where
we had our wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. It was perfect!! Thanx only
to my wonderful squad and all the girls who cooked for many hours in a
kitchen fit for a single man…Great job!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 One of the many many Mosques in this very large city. Did you
know that Istanbul is the third largest city in the world!! I have
heard up to 22 million people! At any given time you can see like seven
mosques just looking out over the city. The tall towers are called
minerets. This is where the speakers are placed and a guy from inside
sings out his prayer five times a day. Every Mosque has their own words
and yet the majority of this large city can’t even understand. He
speaks in Aramaic and that is also what you must pray in when you go to
pray five times a day. For what I have gathered this month they have
many rituals but not many people can really understand them even though
they practice them everyday. A very sad religion and I know that this
is not how God intended it. So far this is the country that needs God
in a big way the most. Please pray for them if you can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This month has really been amazing. Seeing God provide for Erin
and I lately has been a blessing too. We have only $7,471 left to
raise. Thank you all so much for you generous support and many prayers.
We have had a blast working for the kingdom and spreading the love of
Christ where it is most needed. Please continue to think of us as our
work is not even half way through. Next month we are off to Israel! I
am excited and also nervous at the same time. The leaders have asked us
to an electronic fast this next month so please bare with us as
internet will not be an option. Thank you for reading and just
following us on this journey.