Turkey Time is Up

 Our time in Turkey had come to a close.  We had a wonderful time with our family and a wonderful time seeing the work they do in Turkey and the country that they have come to love.  They were super hostesses and we are so grateful for our big trip there.

The last night we left all 11 kids to fend for themselves with a movie and pizza and we went out to a restaurant where the Campbell's take all of their visitors.  Uncle R ordered bread as an appetizer and requested to have our name written in it with sesame seeds.  So fun.

 

 The food was delicious and the company even better.

Getting creative with the earplugs.  NICE!

 We got a couple hours of sleep before heading to the airport at 1:00 a.m.  Some of the Fish Sticks were well-entertained and happy on the trip home. 

Some were not excited about having their picture made by Mom.

Some LOVED the chocolate mousse and was so happy her brother didn't want his.

Some were so happy to have a window seat and yummy food.

And others had their moments.

It was so fun for us to not have imagined pictures in our mind of where the cousins live, what their apartment looks like, what the school looks like and all the places that they frequent.  Now we can picture things clearly in our minds.  As most of you know, I've known my SIL long before she was my SIL.  We go way back to middle school friends.  She has always had a heart for the lost and she has always had a boldness that I admire and even envy.  It was so wonderful for me to see her in her element.  She and my BIL have really dove into the Turkish culture.  They know the language.  They know their neighbors and love on them.  They smile at the grumpy man who owns the little shop in the bottom of their apartment.  They have developed relationships with the man at the bakery, the owner of the manta shop, the man who makes the "Ross Special" for breakfast, etc.  These are places they frequent as a family and share the love of Christ in action and deed.  They bless them with gifts on holidays and bring their American family to meet them (us).  They invite them to the Christmas service at their place of worship.  They explore the country and learn the history and love to share it with others.  These are things beyond their job description of running Oasis International School.

In just the 10 short days we were there, my sister convicted me at least 2 times.  She doesn't know she did, but she did.  It was a good thing!  We were at the beach at the hotel and the events coordinator (who was a really whacky guy) started talking to us.  His arm had a tatoo on it that read "God is my only judge."  Grandma asked him what it said and he told us.  My SIL looked at him and said, "Yes, God is our only judge, but did you know you can stand before Him clean, with no sin?"  He looked shocked and said, "I can?"  She said, "Yes, you can.  Do you want me to tell you how?"  He eagerly said yes.  S then told him how Jesus had come to pay our penalty so that we could stand before God as our Judge perfectly clean.  He said he had never heard that and S asked him to remember it. He said he would.

Wow!!  I was stunned.  Why don't I do that?  I encounter people all the time and miss opportunities constantly.  Sara's heart for the eternity of others was very evident in her everyday dealings.

When we were in the ER with Tim's arm, we had lots of time with our Lithuanian translator.  S seized opportunities to tell her about the school in Ankara, to ask her where she stood with the Lord and to show Christ by following up with her by sending her a present for her help to us that rough day and a tract to point the way to eternal life.

This is Ross and Sara.  They are the real deal.  I am confident that this is not their "calling" but their life.  They seize every opportunity to share their faith even in the summers when they come home.  I love this family so much and was blessed by our time in Turkey.  We wanted to bless their family with a visit from home for the holidays but I assure you, the blessings were all ours!!!