With the current events in Central Asia, it has dawned on me that I have not given a recap of my Spring Break. I am sincerely apologetic for a nearly three month delay on what all I got to do. Aside from being in a city full of thousands years of history, walking amongst where some of the greatest Emperors walked, seeing infamous tourist sites, and tasting some of the most delicious foods--I was given an opportunity to learn more about what it truly means to walk in the Spirit.
Three others and myself were given "objectives" or "tasks" to accomplish two of the days. They were kinda like Amazing Race tasks. However, the goal was not to check them off necessarily. The point was to not rely on ourselves for help but be bold enough to ask the locals for assistance. While asking the locals for help, we would in exchange offer to them a gift that contained materials about the early chruch and Chr1st. The majority of the people who helped us were extremely thankful for the gift. Other days we got to meet with other workers who focus on different people groups. It was such a great opportunity to hear their heart for their people group and pary with them. One day was spent cleaning up space that will be used to provide a safe environment to learn English, build relationships, and ultimately be Light in the darkness. Two nights we got to participate in English clubs. One night it was much more open and co-ed; the other night it was gender separated due to the conservative neighborhood. That night I got to know numerous girls whose faith is considered hostile and violent. Yet, these girls were not hostile. They were, in fact, very open and sweet but bound to their religion's tradition and strongholds.
The greatest lesson I learned throughout the week was about the Spirit: how to be attentive to Him, how to walk in Him, and how the Spirit urges others. As we walked and traveled throughout the city, I had to be attentive to how He was speaking to me and the people and places He was pointing out to me. It might have been our bookbags or lost Bambi look that gave away the fact we needed help. But I believe it was the Spirit who led us to others, them to us, and made them open to give us help. Needless to say, many of these people are culturally bound to a religious thought and many identify their ultimate citizenship with their country but these materials passed out clearly explain how Life can only be found in Chr1st.
This lesson was not easily forgotten--throughout the day I was reminded to walk in the Spirit as the Call of Paryer went off. This was my first time to hear it in person---and boy nothing can prepare you for the first time you hear it. The deafening eeriness of the chanting and the people's dedication to its purpose was sombering but allowed me to see, even more, their need for Thee.
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| The Blue Mosque |
Here are people I got to interact with and places/districts that we meaningfully walked around.
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| Leila (L) and Sheyda (R) |
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| Hussein |
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| These sweet girls helped us track down Domino's at 11:00pm--Aygun (L) and Duygu (R) |
