El Fin

Defying time, impossibly long passport and customs lines, and rechecking luggage, the Lord miraculously got me through the craziness of O'Hare International Airport. I only had an hour and half from when I got off my plane from Istanbul to get to my next flight. Thank you Lord! Spending any more time in the airport was not exactly appealing to me at the time. :) With a few minutes even to get something to eat I boarded the plane absolutely stoked to get back to the Northwest. I think it gets more beautiful every time I come back. I will be home officially in a couple of days and will have more to update you all with as to the gaps in my reports. Thank you once again for remembering me in your prayers! I am grateful to be home and so affected by the events of the last month. Praise our Father!

Ephesus and Beyond! (think Buzz Lightyear)

What a crazy week this has been! I have so much to be thankful to the Lord for in all His provisions and blessings even in the hard times. Bri and I have been blissfully (sometimes blissfully uncomfortable) traveling around the Northern Aegean Coast of Turkey, reveling in the sunshine and salt water and ancient history. Ive seen quite a few museums, an incredible amount of really old rocks, some of which are carved into the shapes of people and animals, and have met more neat people. Absolutely wonderful! My apologies for not updating this site more frequently, and I will do my best to give you the best rundown possible on the last few weeks events. My time in the previous city will have to wait to be shared in its entirety, but I will do my best here. :)

So Bri and I returned with our team to Istanbul after an incredible amount of time serving the Turkish people, being served by them, and building relationships. I have been incredibly blessed by the people I met there and our whole team is dedicated to praying for them from now on. As I was listening to many of the workers share their insights and experiences, it was continually impressed upon me the intensity of the Holy Spirits work here and the imperative need for this country to respond to Him. The King of Kings is returning for His people and Turkey plays a very interesting role in the end times. Workers here have seen evidence and believe the Lord is bringing events to pass even in this land as we speak. It is incredibly exciting but sobering as well when I realized how many unreached areas there are here. Word is penetrating, but there are so many who have never heard. Please pray for the workers here, for their encouragement and support, as well as the work they have ahead of them. We spent a good majority of our time interceding in prayer every day, which was both a blessing and eye opening for me.

The Lord specifically, quickly and lavishly answered our prayers in ways that still blow my mind! Someone I have been praying for since I came to Turkey has come to Christ and the difference in him over our time there was so special to see. Others came as well and our team experienced an emotion similar to guilt as we saw the fruits of others' labors for many years. Work here is slow and requires so much of those here and it is SO incredible to be able to witness the fruits of the Holy Spirit's work! Praise our Lord! Please pray for the growth of these people into leaders of the work here.

Since that trip Bri and I said our goodbyes to our team and spent a night or two in Istanbul. Adding to our "firsts", we bought a plane ticket to Izmir less than 24 hours before we were to leave! A note to my parents; the following may cause you some stress post event. :) We had absolutely no idea where we were going to stay or what we were really going to do once we got to wherever we decided to go. We had a few destinations in mind but other than that the week was a blank slate! Sorry Mom and Dad - but no worries, we were very safe and under the blessing of an elderly couple who outfitted us with a cell phone and some directions to places they had been to before.

The day we left for the airport Bri became super sick again, throwing up on the plane and generally feeling terrible for about 24 hours. We found a hotel and recouperated before heading out again. It has been absolutely crazy how the Lord has provided us with places to stay (people have literally come running to us offering us crazy deals, even for Turkey, to have us stay in very comfortable places), free meals, very hospitable and nice people to help us find a bus, a taxi, a restaurant, how to get to the ferry, how to pay for the ferry, and so many other countless blessings that have made our trip easier and more enjoyable. I am SO SO grateful! We leave tomorrow back to Istanbul relaxed and rejuvenated. We will spend a few days with friends, resting from our relaxation, and seeing a few last sights. I fly out in a few days for the states and Bri is off to more traveling adventures!

Thank you SO SO SO much for all of your prayers - they truly have blessed me and I have clearly seen the Lord providing in innumerable ways. I have learned in the last three weeks the very specific and powerful nature of prayer and would encourage you all to continute seeking the Lord in this way. He delights in blessing His children and is already working to build His Kingdom. My time has run out but I will continue my report about Ephesus the next time I can. Again, thank you so much for taking time to read this and pray for the people here. It really changes hearts by the power of the Spirit. Blessings!

Made it back...and off again!

Hello everyone! Bri and I made it back safe and sound to Istanbul, and are off on another adventure! Thank you for your prayers as this trip was incredible and the Lord really moved. I will write more when I can but internet access is limited and very brief. We are praising the Lord for what He has done but also exhausted emotionally and physically. If you can, please pray that the Lord will sustain and provide for us in the next few days of travel.

For those of you I have not been able to get back to - have no fear for I will write again! The trip is wrapping up in the next ten days and I have much to tell. I am grateful for you all!

Moving On

We leave for the next city tomorrow morning. The team met today to pray for the people and the place and the work, asking the Lord to specifically move in the work we are doing there. I would appreciate your prayers in this as we go.

Basically we are doing an outreach that will involve various elements, physical and relational. We will be ministering mostly to the women and are praying for the Lord to work outside of language barriers. We will be gone until the end of the week, three of those days dedicated to city service especially. As we are mainly women our focus is going to be seeking out and striking up conversation with the women of the area. I ask for prayers specifically for this are of our week as the women are largely the most difficult to reach for various reasons. Please pray for wisdom to know what to say and spiritual discernment to know how to seek out these women. The heat is also difficult to deal with and I would appreciate prayer for my health and fighting fatigue. Thirdly, for our team to be united together and with the Holy Spirit.

I wish I could give more details but it is extremely important for the people here that we be very vague. I trust the Lord is leading hearts to prayer and that He will do marvelous things. The team is a neat group and I am excited to get to know them further. I will update when I can and when internet is available. Thank you all!

American Tourister

...is what I have been for the last 48 hours! Bri arrived safely yetserday (thank you for praying!) although she lost her bag (prayers are appreciated!) and we have been going nonstop since she got here. It has been an incredible experience to see the "leftovers" of ancient people that lived here long before we did. Remnants of Byzantium, Constantinople, and the Ottoman Empire are everywhere, some of which are much better off than remnants. I have had a very strange, but deep desire to see, if not stand on and acqueduct from ancient times and today.....I did! Silly, I know but I was way stoked! I will upload pictures when I have the capability. It has been such a blessing to have Bri here and to connect with a close friend again. She had an incredible time in Jerusalem and we are looking forward to the Lord working here as well.

We have seen quite a bit of the city as tourists with our guide Greg and have another day of it tomorrow with the rest of the team from San Diego. Im really looking forward to connecting with these girls as we will be serving with them for the next ten days. We leave for the next city on saturday after orientation friday. We will be doing a service project for the area, picking up garbage, etc. which they definitely need. Please pray for opportunities as we truly long to reach their hearts with the truth. Pray that the language barrier will not be a hindrance to the Lord working. His Spirit is powerful and actively pursuing these people before we even get there. The team is still growing, which is a blessing in so many ways including language as a few of them are mostly fluent in the language. We will have contact with all ages of people, young and old so it will be really neat to meet people our own age from a different culture. I admit to being rather nervous, however, and pray that the Lord will calm my heart with His promise that HE is the one doing the change, not me! I must only rely on His Spirit to lead and have the courage to merely follow. Thank you SO much for praying for the whole team in this. Humility, grace, and truth. We pray to go forward with these and the God of the universe at our side!

Again, thank you so much for your support...you all mean so much to me and you are most definitely impacting me while Im over here by your prayers and thoughts. Thanks as well for taking the time out of your day to read this blog. :) I know days are full and evenings even more so. Blessings!

Revelations

...that is what the pastor(s) spoke on today in church. And that is what I thought of as I looked upon the expanse of the city and sea and lights off the balcony tonight. The message and fellowship were wonderful today as I was so blessed to be in the presence of OUR family worshipping OUR Lord and Savior. In two different langues, I might add! :)

After a busy, tiring week a lovely, relaxing sunday was a blessing. My host parents and I were invited over to a family's house for dinner, slushies (yay for ice in hot weather! We take lots of things for granted...) a funny movie and uplifting conversation, I found myself reflecting on our balcony. The view is gorgeous, looking over the bright blue sea, and so many lights you couldnt believe it. Below me the buses still went zipping about like ants, men and women alike walked under the street lights on the still too hot streets, and God spoke something to me.

People are people are people. And they are all in need of HIM. 17 million people live their lives out in this city alone. 17 million! And the Lord knows each of them by name and loves them enough to give up His life for them. Not a revolutionary thought, I know, but when you are looking over the expanse of such a city the concept hits you a lot harder.

The following thought that struck me is difficult to explain, but I will try to convey what went through my mind and heart. Upon my arrival in Istanbul I was completely astounded at the immensity of the city. I have never before experienced such a man-made metropolis that possessed such life - everywhere you look something is moving, alive with color and change. Organization does not exist here. Twelve story apartment buildings soar into the sky, coexisting with businesses below them at street level. Few shops are identifiable to the inexperienced as a Target or Albertsons, or just a general supermarket. Each place is its own identity with a local owner and workers. Attempt to picture such an environment stacked upon itself with vibrant colors EVERYWHERE, thousands of people covering the streets, then multiply it by 17 million. That is Istanbul.

(Keep tracking with me...the thought I mentioned above is coming...)

My host of the first week spoke something simple, yet profound to me that whacked the proverbial nail on the head in my mind. While discussing how some people are called to serve overseas she stated earnestly, "Unless you are 100 percent sure of the calling from the Lord to go, dont. If you are a teacher, teach. If you are an engineer, design. But do what you do to serve the Lord, not just because it is what you do. Serve our Lord."

This woman has lived in Istanbul for over fifteen years giving her life to service. Yet she does this through everyday means, using the gifts God has given her. She knows this is where she is to be. Others back home in the states know they are to be doing exactly what they are doing at the time. Others (like myself) are not so sure at the moment what we are called to, but we still must focus all of our energy on honoring our God who put us in this state of uncertainty, with certainty! Wake up, thank God for another day to breathe, and start looking around throughout your day for ways to share the faith that changed you.

Teach the children in your class the principles your Lord teaches. Show your coworkers the love He gave you that has allowed you to be a different person, a person of faith. When someone walks into your restaurant with a scowl, or your kids come running into the house with mud all over their feet, show them Christ in whatever way you are gifted.

Serve our Lord.

Jesus doesnt want just more people to pack up and leave their hometown. If He asks you to, DO IT. But if He asks you to stay, STAY. Jesus wants His people to be faithful exactly where He has them right now.

Serve our Lord.

Changes

Hey hey everyone! I am now both geographically (on a minor scale) and personally relocated! I am again able to use the internet so I wanted to give a brief update. I am doing extremely well and so very blessed by the people I am staying with. I was with one lady for the first week and have now moved to another part of the city with another couple just in from outside of the country. Funny situation, actually as I met them outside of their new apartment even before they had got into it! They had been flying for over 30 hours and still welcomed me into their lives for the week! The Lord has really been providing for my personal needs and I have been much encouraged the last couple of days. As some of you know, it is a spiritually oppressive country and can be very wearing to those trying to work for the kingdom here. The language barrier is also alienating as communication is almost zero. My spirits were very lifted by being able to connect with other believers here and I am so grateful.

Our outreach is coming up soon and I covet your prayers as Bri arrives and we finish the last few details. Much of what we are going to be doing outside of the service project is unknown and dependent upon those we will be serving. It is actually a very high profile effort that could be both good and bad depending on how the Lord chooses to work. We spent a good amount of time in prayer as a group, asking the Lord to humble us, and give us wisdom as we go minister to people we dont know at all. The rest of our team arrives from the states a few days after Bri so please pray for team unity as well. The couple leading us is really neat and have five boys I have enjoyed getting to know. A lot like my family, actually. :)

I want to sincerely thank you all for your prayers - it means so much to know that you are thinking of me and the effort over here so many miles and hours away. Thank you for taking time out of your day and your thoughts to lift us up and to support me in what the Lord is leading me to do. I am SO grateful for the chance to be here and to learn. I have already been touched by the Lord in some specific areas and pray that my heart continues to soften before Him. He is faithful. I want to be, too. In His love,

Kimberly

Day One

I am the same yesterday, today, and forever...the alpha & omega...God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob...I am with you wherever you go.

These words came to my mind as I was chatting with one of the women I am working with here. I was listening to her tell me of her life, her God-ordained and recent marriage to a wonderful man, and to her dreams of the future. All difference of language, culture, and circumstance were stripped away as I saw in her what I know in myself: humanity. We grew up in completely different places, barely spoke the same language, yet we share an incredible kinship in that we have desires for our lives, people we love and have been impacted by, responsibilities that keep us grounded and our heads not quite completely out of the clouds, and most significantly a faith that keeps us grounded in our Savior. Elementary discovery, I know; but when you are thousands of miles from everything you know to be familiar and comfortable such similarities are more than comforting, they are faith-building. Our God is BIG. And man does He love us!

Speaking of love - that could be the only thing that could have caused the Lord to provide for me as He did on my 17 hour trip over here. You hear stories of the little (or big) miracles that people experience getting through tough spots...well my day was full of them! I wont list them all, but some of the most important. First, my friend Brittany was there at the very beginning to guide me through the intimidating steps of Seattle International flights. Thank you! I stumbled across a neglected luggage buggy which made my walk much quicker and more pleasant! On the flight to Turkey I was given a middle seat on a completely packed flight, which would have been very hard to sleep in to prepare for jet lag! Last minute the attendants went out of their way to switch me to an aisle seat - for those of you that have flown you know how much of a comfort this is! I sat next to a very sweet Turkish woman whose outgoing personality instantly relieved my uneasiness of going to an unknown culture.

Upon arriving at O'Hare I began looking for a way to get to my terminal, not worried as I had 3 hours to locate it. That surety should have prepared me instantly No one at that airport aparrently checked to make sure their directional signs were even close to accurate and time began to tick away as I was no closer to my gate. Praise the Lord, without even a question needing to be asked for directions I was drawn into a little group of complete strangers who were all trying desperately to get to Terminal 5 before our plane(s) left. Two hours, a wheelchair, a tram ride, and lots of walking later with only enough time to call my family left - I made it to my flight!

One particular blessing happened at the bookstore. As I was going about my duties I heard a very familiar voice come on over the radio - my perplexed look turned to a smile when I realised it was my very own home radio station based out of good ol' Walla Walla coming out of the speakers! A little touch of home that made me feel much better than it should have. :) God is with me no matter where I go. His word is being spread in Turkey - I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my ears!

In short, my bags all made it to the baggage claim, complete strangers offered assistance when I needed it, my host made it on time through incredibly congested traffic and we have had a wonderful time ever since! I have a cocker spaniel roommate and two lovely Turkish coworkers who are not delaying on my Turkish language lessons. So tesekkur ederim (thank you) to you all for your prayers! Please keep my friend Bri in mind as she is also in the midst of her travels as well. Gunaydin!

The Diagnosis

"Now the whole offer which Christianity makes is this: that we can, if we let God have His way, come to share in the life of Christ. If we do, we shall then be sharing a life which was begotten, not made, which always existed and always will exist. Christ is the Son of God. If we share in this kind of life we also shall be sons of God. We shall love the Father as He does and the Holy Ghost will arise in us. He came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life He has - by what I call 'good infection'. Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else." - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 177.

Becoming a part of something bigger, Someone bigger, this is the most we as humans can aspire to, although we often seek out other avenues. Lewis writes that those who share in the life of Christ become a part of something already established, that they are grafted into a, growing, thriving vine. In his gospel John calls this "abiding," taking on the identity of a child of the King and forsaking who we used to be.

Throughout the past few months the Lord has been illuminating my darkened understanding of my new reality as His child, patiently revealing the sweet promises He offers to those who die to themselves. By choosing Christ so many years ago I gave permission for an invasion of my soul - an infection so complete and final that it will continue to consume me until there is nothing left of the "me" I used to know.

So completely has this infection overtaken the hearts of His followers that it must be spread to others, passed on to those who will receive it. Don't worry - it is a good infection. It brings life where life as I would live it on my own brings death. How, when, where, or to whom it is spread is determined not by the one who carries it, but the One with whom it originates.

So my travels have always begun - by the guiding hand of my God, who is once again leading me to another culture and people and country. I will be leaving tomorrow for the beautiful and unknown land of Turkey to act upon the desires He has placed in my heart to serve His people. It is incredible how the Lord has provided all to place me on this path. He instilled in my own heart and the heart of a friend to go overseas to serve specifically this summer, which led us to plan a trip together to we-knew-not-where. Divine circumstances landed us, what seemed very last minute for such an in-depth trip, in a country we both knew next to nothing about with people we had never before heard of. Plans quickly fell into place and Bri and I are on our way to fulfill lifelong dreams! Many minute details along the way have been faithfully provided for by the Lord and His people, for which I am so grateful.

Throughout my trip, which will be a total of 5.5 weeks, I will be updating this site with happenings, stories, and (hopefully) pictures. I will soon have more up on the details of where I will be and what Bri and I will be doing. I would love to hear from you, but I ask that extreme discretion is taken in what is written. For example, please use the title "workers" when referring to who I am with in Turkey. Personal names other than my own are best not used. Thank you!

As I ponder what is to come about in the next 24 hours my heart is overwhelmed with what has ocurred over the last few months thanks to those who have loved and supported me so devotedly. My family for loving and relasing me, friends for continued prayers and support, and others who simply took an interest in my life and acted on it. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for making this possible & for serving the Lord in this way. I covet your prayers as Bri and I head into unfamiliar territory for us and all that goes along with that! Please pray we will be used as the Lord sees fit, that we would yield to His will and not our own, and that we would be open to learning. Also please lift up those we will be assisting and serving during our stay. The Lord is already working and will finish what He began. Again, thank you! You are in my prayers!