There has been a change of plans! (Welcome to the World Race! This is something that I’m getting quite used to.) Things with our contact in south eastern Turkey have been canceled due to various reasons. We will no longer be doing ethnography.
We took a few days to pray about it and see what God wants. It looks like this month has turned into an ATL month for us. That’s two in a row! We’re (and by we’re I mean team Sofia) pretty excited about it. We met with our contact who suggested a certain route through eastern Turkey. We would go to a large city or two, but mostly focus on the smaller towns along the way. He found out that several of us are musicians and suggested we use music as a way to connect with people and even raise some money if we need to. We have also heard that Turkish hospitality is legendary. We’ve even experienced some of it here in Istanbul. But the people we’ve met and talked to here say that people outside of touristy Istanbul are much more friendly and hospitable. We thought Istanbul was pretty good already, so we can’t wait to see what its like in the smaller towns!
So what exactly are we doing?
We are leaving our hostel and going to the bus station where we will pray, ask God which bus to get on and go. We hope to use music to make connections and that our actions will speak louder than words. But most of all, we are looking forward to seeing what God is going to do and how he’s going to provide and come through for us. We are extremely excited about building relationships with the Turkish people and cannot wait to see what real life is like outside of the bustling, busy tourist area.
As we were praying about this journey, this “Turkey Tour” ahead of us, here are a few verses that God gave us:
Matthew 10: 7-13
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
So with that, off we go into the great unknown! It just might be the best two weeks of our lives.
