Alive and well in Canakkale, Turkey!!
This month has been a month of full on surrender; dying more to myself to live a life for my sacrificing Savior. Fo real…first hand have learned that astounding breakthrough happens when we fully let go of control and allow the Father to fight our battles for us. We get to claim the victory because it is finished, his love radiates from his blood shed.
Sin, death and the devil have NO POWER over us. We are free to celebrate and trust that God knew what he was doing when he made us!!
This month we are working with a local church!
I know there is question and some concern for my safety. I definitely have been informed and understand the area of the world I am living and serving has some risks, especially since we have American passports. What I also know and believe is that God is sovereign over it all and since he brought us here for a purpose he will fulfill that intended purpose. Greater things will be done in his name.
I appreciate and thank you for all your prayers not only for myself but for all the nations.
Truly my heart hurts for our world and all I can think is oof…
PEOPLE NEED JESUS!
After all we’re all created in the image of God. What an opportunity right before my eyes to give the best gift away, the love of the Father. People need to replace their fears and brokenness with prosperous healing treatment… HIS perfect love.
Through all of the news casts, U.S. embassy emails, and leadership updates, my eyes are fixed on Jesus. Asking him in prayer:
“God, what are your thoughts and your heart on the world violence, threats of war, and all these happenings?”
“What is your view on opposing nations or nations that are in cahoots?”
“God, how can I trust my nations governmental leadership?”
You may be surprised on an answer that he gives.
Among everything that has transpired in the world. GET.THIS.
Our local church has two services on Sunday. The first service is in Farsi also called Persian. Guess who speaks Persian. Iranians. We worship and have built relationships with Iranians in Turkey and worship the same God together on Sunday in a basement church of a country that is mainly Muslim. Talk about a mighty God who reigns over every circumstance!!
Here is another story for you!
We met Ava at church. An adorable mom from Iran. Here is her story..
Ava, an electric woman who sparked my eye right away. Thinking this woman loves Jesus. She has the sweetest baby boy named Caleb. Ava is a Persian woman who came to Turkey to study at university in 2016. As soon as she came to Turkey she was invited to church by an atheist on the street. AN ATHEIST.. what?? Having grown up Muslim she found it very hard to believe in a God that deeply wants a personal relationship with her. However, Her husbands faith in God came easy.
She went to church and learned about Jesus for eight months before deciding to commit her life to following Christ and living solely for Him. During this time, as her faith grew, she was trying to get into the university here in Turkey. In order to get in and finish her studies she had to pass a Turkish exam. The minimal score to pass was a 50%. She had been praying all morning to God that she would pass and she received a 49.5%. She sobbed and was unsure that God even heard her prayers. The university allowed her to have one more chance at passing. This test would be harder and in a subject she did not major in. They gave her reading material and 1 month to study. The day of her exam she did not feel prepared but was steadfast in prayer and stress free. She walked into her exam confident in the Lord. This exam was not only in Turkish, a language she still didn’t know, but it was also a written exam. She turned in her test having no idea how she put her pen to paper to physically write the Turkish language other than by the grace of God. She scored a 100% and was accepted into the university. Only 10 people passed that exam, 9 Turkish locals and only 1 foreigner, her. She has now been invited to move to Germany to continue studying tourist management.
Please surround Ava and her family in prayer, pray their visas will be approve and that God will provide a job for her husband in Germany. Pray that their faith and love may grow exponentially despite any odds against them, pray that unity and all of his glorious promises wash over them in times of feeling defeat or frustration. Pray that the Father uses them to bring their families and others in their lives meet Jesus and forever be changed.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
We love and are so encouraged by these body of believers. Their faith moves mountains and we believe overtime will change the world.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
