Prayer in Faith

“It is good that we should have to submit to what we do not understand. it teaches us the laws of faith and hope. 
It is good that we should have to do what we should rather not, in circumstances not of our choice. 
It is good that there should be always something to prick us on, something to remind us that we are in an enemy’s country, belonging to a marching column. 
It is good that we should meet with checks and failures in what we undertake to keep us humble and prayerful. 
All these things belong to sowing in tears. 
God seems to have laid out the order of things in His Church, not for a general and brilliant triumph but for the hidden sanctification of the individual souls which compose it.”
{Janet Erskine}

Turkey: Looking Back

Grace with friends from English school

Well, I've been back State-side for twelve days now. It's hard to believe I was actually in Antalya less than two weeks ago!

Above all of the feelings that came with the hardships of the trip, I have a great joy from the countless lessons learned. I watched in awe as I again saw my God work in truly amazing ways in the hearts of our friends and in us in the past five weeks. Through the trip itself, our team, the Turks, and my personal devotions, He again interwove so many convictions, challenges, and so much encouragement as He revealed Himself yet further. I'll do my best at putting it into words, but you'll quickly see the focus of this post is clearly not on my eloquence.

Darlene with our host, Yula

Of the many lessons, one of the biggest was certainly the incredible impact of my relational investment in the lives of others. It's amazing what can happen when you make the choice to take your focus off of yourself and take the time to genuinely get to know someone! Taking a personal interest in the life of another will help you get below the surface and begin friendships. It paves the way for the a relationship that exemplifies true compassion.