In Turkey, we have been partnering with and located in the church, Kurtulus Kiliseler Dernegi
Canakkale. There are a few things we are doing with the church but it’s not a jam-packed schedule. We attend evening events; Wednesdays are English class, Thursdays Worship, Fridays Youth Group/Adventure, and Sundays are our church service which is tea time afterward. When we are not attending these events it’s open to us to ATL.
It seems English classes follow my teams wherever we go. I have taught English in every country. I now know that I need to get some tips from my mother because I now realize how much I don’t know about the English language.
On Thursday mornings we are now having one-on-one with our team members to grow in our intimacy with one another. In the afternoon, we have a teaching time with the pastor and with another team at a different location, zooms in. We are going through a series on cross-cultural missions and how to share the gospel effectively. Thursday night there is a worship session with a message.
Every other Friday we have youth group and on the other Fridays, we will be going to different locations by Canakkale for ALT. Saturdays are pretty much free except for cleaning the church. On Sunday we have service with tea and coffee chatting time afterwards.
I have found a difference between warmer and colder climate cultures. Warmer climates care less about punctuality and care more about community. Within the colder climates you have more isolation but they are very punctual on their timing. I’m starting to love the laid back approach. It’s hard when you are punctual and others are not but if you don’t plan to be on time it doesn’t really matter when they show up either.
The other day a lady from church invited us out to breakfast. After breakfast my team wanted to go get coffee and she just invited herself along. She wasn’t ready to leave yet and I loved that! I loved how community carried on into the wee hours of the day.
Overall I enjoy it here. I love the culture a lot and can see why God called me to the Middle East. There is a lot more hanging around a chatting in the warmer climates. People linger a little longer and enjoy each other more. I’m excited to come back but to Egypt!
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