They don't raise turkeys in Turkey

“Miss. Strohmeyer, do they grow turkeys in Turkey?”

This has been the most popular question among my students, my siblings, and other children when I tell them that I will be teaching English in Turkey next year…that and “Do they eat a lot of turkey in Turkey?” While I knew that the answer to these questions was "No," I did not possess a knowledgeable response; I could not tell anyone anything about the country I would be living in next year.

Last Friday, however, I received the opportunity to visit the main office for Turkish World Outreach (TWO) - a small organization based in Grand Junction, Colorado, that equips, sends, and supports missionaries to Turks all over the world while also providing information to those who wish to pray for or know more about the Turkish people and culture. 

When I visited the office, a lovely elderly woman named Cherry simply bubbled over with excitement that I was going to teach in Turkey, the country to which she devoted thirteen years of in-country service for the Lord. She told me about all the missionaries TWO supports, connected me with some prayer chain letters, and gave me a stack of books, collections of articles, and pamphlets at least four inches high! 

In the past week, I have been devouring these books! I have information about Turkish customs, Turkish history, Turkish social life, Turkish  Islam, Turkey: The Lost Land of the Bible, how to prepare for culture shock, informative articles about preparing to live overseas, the Qur'an...after waiting for almost six months to find out where I would be teaching next year, this wealth of information is exactly what I needed. 

I am not an expert and I doubt I ever will be, but this mountain of information is such a blessing. I have been praying for God to prepare my heart for this coming year and He is doing exactly that! As I build a knowledge base, my heart is beginning to ache for service to and relationships with those trapped in Islam. I have no idea how to evangelize; in fact I am not comfortable with it. I am, however, comfortable serving, loving, and "doing life" with those around me...and that will be my ministry on top of teaching.

I leave for training in 25 days. (WOW!) For the next 25 days, I will be posting a blog a day with information about Turkey. One of the books Cherry gave me is a 30 day prayer book with specific, focused information on this country. I will be using it as a spring board to share with you about Turkey, my home for the next year. I challenge you, dear friends, to pray with me specifically for Turkey as I prepare to serve the Lord there in just a few weeks. 

I look forward to learning more with you! God bless!