Turkey is a very beautiful country and the people there are very friendly, but they are not so quick to respond to a call to repentance. Therefore, in this culture, it is very important not only to proclaim the gospel but also to be that gospel, so that the people around could see in Christians the One in whom they believe.
Our brother and minister in this country shares from his own experience, “When my wife and I first came to Turkey, we were told that the Turks do not repent at all. Some believers have been living here with them for 10 years and have never seen anyone repent. But it often happens that people do not see the way God sees everything. During this time, we learned to understand the local people and are convinced that the Lord is doing His work here as well. For example, when a Turkish Muslim first heard how we pray to our Lord, he was motivated to seek the truth.
Our ministry to people in this culture takes place at home, on the street, during personal meetings, or visiting their families. Mostly it is communication at the table, meetings often can go on till late night time, and sometimes I have to stay overnight at their house, and sometimes they also come over to our house and stay at our house for two or three days. That is, living life with them is what discipleship is for us.
This is when a Uyghur Muslim, having heard the gospel once, comes to my house and whispers asking how he should live now and what to do. And also, the Uzbek who once took the Bible in his hands at my house and shouted that he is sinless and that Jesus cannot be the Son of God, but now, by God’s will, is looking for an opportunity after work to meet and talk with me about spiritual things.
Many of those we serve are uneducated – they have never picked up a book before, but they can listen and “read” people pretty well. You can’t be hypocritical and superficial with them, it’s important for them when we do not show ourselves, but show Christ in our lives.
Now we feel a special responsibility for the young families with whom we have become friends. During our frequent meetings, they open up about their problems and ask for advice. So, we pray together, and this is also one of our ministries. God can do amazing things through us because we carry a great treasure, precious, and spiritual. This power does not come from us but from God. We don’t have to be afraid to go talk about Jesus because we have the Spirit of God in us.
Brothers and sisters, may God bless you abundantly, and may His grace be with you. We love and hug you!”
Please continue to pray for our ministers and for those to whom they bring the Word of God!
