A family of our missionaries has been serving in Turkey for three years. They work among the Uyghur diaspora, as well as Turkmen, Uzbeks, and Afghans, many of whom live in the country illegally. They spread the gospel mainly through personal conversations, sometimes when they are invited over to someone’s house or in small groups. Even though many of these people are illiterate, they listen attentively and seek to know the truth. For obvious reasons, we cannot mention the names of these people, but we hope that a few short stories about the lives of the missionaries will help us feel the atmosphere in which they live.
Recently, the missionary prayed and asked God to meet new people and have good communication. And soon a friend introduced him to an Iranian who had arrived in Turkey the day before. During the conversation, that guy asked if they knew where the church was. The missionary was surprised and began to ask why he needed a church. The guy replied that he wanted to come to the church and meet Jesus there. It turns out that before coming to Turkey, he repented and started reading the Bible. Our brother told him that he himself reads the Injil (New Testament) and believes in Jesus. Now it’s the guy’s turn to wonder. This is how God arranged this meeting!
Interestingly, a month before, our brother had a short-term trip to another Turkish city where there was a small Iranian group. He attended a Sunday service there and got to know the minister’s family better. Such visits and communication always encourage Christians and strengthen their faith.
Our missionary, regularly visiting the Uighur district, stops at the office of his new friend. It is a very convenient place because many of their mutual acquaintances also go there. There is a pleasant atmosphere, and soft sofa beds on which you can comfortably sit, drink tea, and chat. From there, our brother always goes to another friend and stays with him for two days. Usually, several men gather there. They always talk about religion, and the missionary opens the Bible and reads the Word of God to them.
Once such a situation happened. One man, Circassian by nationality, brought chlorine from the bath, put it on the table, and said: “If you believe in Jesus and His words, drink it based on Mark 16:18: “They will take up snakes in their hands, and even if they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them.” Our brother replied that Jesus also said, “Do not tempt the Lord your God.” Then he opened the Bible and read aloud the context of the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Mark, that these words were intended for the disciples, and everything that was said to them was fulfilled.
The missionary with his wife and youngest son visited the area affected by the earthquake. Although some time has passed, the pain and grief of people who have lost their loved ones is still very deep. The brother went to the container city and listened to the people until late at night, told them about our Lord, comforted them, and prayed with them.
For some time, the missionaries took care of one Afghan family. A woman who has three minor children and who lived in Istanbul illegally and was caught by the police. The children were left alone. Her husband disappeared two years ago. A woman has nowhere to return to, she has no one in her homeland. They were looking for ways to help her. Thank God, in the end, this family was not deported, but allowed to stay.
However, many people with whom the missionaries had already built relationships and openly witnessed Christ were deported. Our brother stays in touch with them and continues to evangelize remotely.
