Day 6: Eastern Marmara

Open Doors

“On August 19, 1999, Eastern Marmara’s four provinces experienced a major and extensive forty-five second earthquake. Approximately sixty thousand people lost their homes and between twenty and thirty thousand people died. The numerous aftershocks kept citizens in constant fear for months. Unfortunately, these provinces will likely experience more earthquakes in the future since they are located on the major Anatolian fault line.” While some cities and areas have recovered from the earthquake due to vast wealth, many areas are still recovering (as of 2003).

Like we have seen with other natural disasters in the past decade – hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, tsunamis – the doors for Christ swing wide open during the aftermath as people are hungry and hurting for answers. 

Rich History

Bilecik (Bee-le-jeek): This province “is the original homeland of the small Turkish principality that eventually grew into the extensive Ottoman Empire” whose founding leaders “were deeply inspired to expand their territory” after Allah appeared to them in a vision. Also, in the northwest city of Iznik (ancient Nicea), the First Ecumenical Christian Council convened in AD 325 and wrote the Nicene Creed.

Kocaeli (Ko-ja-e-lee): Izmir, the capital of this province, sits on the ancient site of Nicomedia – a city once compared to the majesty of Alexandria, Egypt. This site was also the caital of the Roman province of Bithynia and a major center for emperor worship.

Sakarya (Sa-kar-ya): Sakarya is a province rich in agricultural history. The most notable historical landmark is the Justinianus Bridge built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in AD 533.

Yalova: Since Istanbul is accessible from Yalova by ferry across the Marmara Sea, this province represents a significant port through which agricultural produce is shipped.

*All information and quotes are taken from Turkey: The Lost Land of the Bible by Dr. Andrew Jackson.