God Uses Our Story For His Glory

As I am writing this blog I’m currently in Romania… again! We get to end the World Race how we started in the same country. How God orchestrated this is so beautiful. In November we were in Ukraine and we now get to be a part of helping the refugees in various ways. Wow! We are partnering with Hope Church in Craiova, Romania for our last month + I’m asking for you to please pray as we interact with the people of Romania and Ukraine. This ministry is working hard to be a light + the hands and feet of Jesus. They currently have 8 houses for the refugees, they are transporting people to neighboring countries and from out of Ukraine as well as bringing food and supplies into Ukraine weekly. I got to be a part of bringing two woman to Budapest, Hungary last week and we recieved an update that they have been reunited with their family in Germany after fleeing Ukraine! If you would like to help, please consider donating toward the supplies, gas etc that is necessary for this aid to continue! 

You can learn more + donate at this link: https://www.hoperomania.org/hope-for-ukraine.html 

Now we will travel back in time to February when we were serving in the country of Turkey! I would love to share some of the ministry highlights from that month with you. We were partnered with a church in a town on the western side of the country. We were in a very conservative Muslim area. I want to remind you that according to the Turkish government, 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim. The main location of the church we were with this month was in another city and my team got to partner with the newer location in a city about an hour away! We became very close with the pastor and his wife. For safety purposes we are going to call them Adrian and Victoria! 

Ministry looked like many different things this month. Some days were spent traveling hours away to other cities with Adrian as he connected with believers in those cities because they did not have a church nearby to attend. I was blown away at his faithfulness to connect with the few believers that were in other cities. Some days were spent doing childcare during church services or helping Victoria with their 2 children while Adrian was gone for most of the day. Other days were spent cleaning or painting the church and the location where missionary teams stay. 

There were 3 specific ministry moments this month that I want to praise the Lord for and highlight!

The first one was while I was sitting in a coffee shop on my day off. I ordered my drink like normal and many of the employees there were young adults. I was sitting at a table for around an hour when 2 of the young employees approached my table and asked if I wanted to grab food with them. Let’s say their names are Beka and Frank. I was shocked and surprised that they wanted to spend time with me! It felt so random as I had not chatted with them much but I knew it was a wonderful opportunity from God! I instantly said yes and asked when. They said “tonight after we are done work at 11!” To be honest that is WAY past my bedtime but I knew I needed to say yes and I invited some of my teammates to join! 

Over the month we were able to hang out with Beka and Frank multiple times and laugh together for hours. They spoke a decent amount of English which was very helpful. We got to share with them that we are Christians and they shared their parents are muslim. It appears that many in the younger generation are not exactly claiming Islam as their belief but the belief of their parents. I’m believing that many will come to know Jesus in this next generation and influence other generations now and to come! We ended up getting to pray with them and there were tears in their eyes and ours as we said goodbye. I still chat with Beka occasionally! 

The next really beautiful opportunity I had was to share my testimony during one of the church services. I shared the good, the bad and the ugly parts! I shared how I struggled with father figures growing up and how my family was broken after a suicide attempt from my step father, how I searched for love and approval in men, money, education etc and how Jesus healed me and changed everything! The pastor shared with us that the people in the church were touched by our stories. Many people in Turkey and other countries believe that life in America must be better, easier and more pleasant than on this side of the world. After hearing our stories they were able to understand that wherever you are there is hurt, pain and brokenness and that wherever you are God is able to save and deliver through His son, Jesus! 

Lastly, my teammate Katie and I got to spend the night at our host’s home. Adrian was on an overnight ministry trip to another city with some of our other teammates and we got to keep Victoria company and help with the kids! That night Victoria invited over a newer believer, Monica, for a ladies night with us. Monica has been meeting with Adrian and Victoria weekly to ask questions and learn the basics of Christianity and following Jesus. On this night specifically she began to open up more with Victoria. Victoria asked if she could translate some things with us. Monica was struggling in relationships with multiple men. She didn’t know what to do. Victoria asked if I could share encouragement and I was able to share my testimony again and encourage her to pursue Jesus and allow Him to satisfy her and fill every void because only He can! 

Turkey was a particularly hard month in different ways. It was my first month team leading, many of us were struggling with spiritual warfare in some way and most days were emotionally and spiritually tiring. However, looking back I am so thankful for this month. I am thankful for how God continues to use the testimony that He has given me, for the people we met and especially our sweet hosts who are some of the most sacrificial people I’ve ever met. They continue to walk in obedience and serve the Lord faithfully in a city with not many believers. Please pray for them, their family and their ministry. 

Thank you, God, for Turkey! 

Here are some random pictures from our time in Turkey! 

Taking a ferry with our host to a Bible study in another city. 

Church service with 6 people! 

A soup that I was deceived into eating… made from sheep head and feet. It is called kelle paca! 

My team and I got to visit Ephesus and walk where Paul walked! 

I also got to live out a dream of mine in a hot air balloon!! 

Thank you for your continued support, prayers and for taking the time to read these updates! I hope to see many of you in just 36 days!