Turkey 2005: Finally back on line
Phew that was a hectic few days. When did I last post? Thursday I think - so here is the synopsis of what we have done since:
Friday: Sight-seeing in Istanbul - but I led a small group to the cymbal-selling district (having done the sights two years ago). We did NOT get lost this time (getting lost in an area before tends to give you a much better appreciation of the area than you might think!!) but we were late back to the apartment for leaving for the impromptu concert in the evening - which didn't please the organizer too much! And then everything that could go wrong at the concert DID indeed go wrong - so NOT a great show, but attended by about 250 people and a few conversations were held later by the Turkish speaking team members!
Saturday: Went to Ankara by coach (5 hours) then did a concert in the chapel on the US military base - to about 15 people. The concert itself went well, though, and a non-Christian American couple who were there talked extensively with the chaplain afterward and will be meeting with him again! THEN we stayed with American families for the night - and for me and Craig (the illusionist) that meant staying in a a very luxurious apartment with a charming family attached to the American Embassy legal staff!! REALLY nice shower and breakfast on Sunday!!
Sunday: Chapel in the morning (after the great breakfast) then a concert at a new church plant in the industrial part of the city in the afternoon - terrible electrical problems lead to a below-par show to the youth of various churches - but, again, non-Christian audience members were touched - and that is what this is all about, no?
Monday: 682 KM journey by minibus to Antakya - Syrian Antioch in the bible. Very hot - but since we are all getting on so well it was great fun - and the mountainous scenery was fantastic. We are now staying in a couple of apartments north of the city - very comfortable thank you very much (unlike last year!!!).
And so to today - we do a concert in a huge amphitheatre in the middle of town tonight - many hundreds expected. I have to leave NOW so I'll fill you in more tomorrow, but prayers for the smooth running and effectiveness of that concert would be appreciated.
In Christ,
Martin
Friday: Sight-seeing in Istanbul - but I led a small group to the cymbal-selling district (having done the sights two years ago). We did NOT get lost this time (getting lost in an area before tends to give you a much better appreciation of the area than you might think!!) but we were late back to the apartment for leaving for the impromptu concert in the evening - which didn't please the organizer too much! And then everything that could go wrong at the concert DID indeed go wrong - so NOT a great show, but attended by about 250 people and a few conversations were held later by the Turkish speaking team members!
Saturday: Went to Ankara by coach (5 hours) then did a concert in the chapel on the US military base - to about 15 people. The concert itself went well, though, and a non-Christian American couple who were there talked extensively with the chaplain afterward and will be meeting with him again! THEN we stayed with American families for the night - and for me and Craig (the illusionist) that meant staying in a a very luxurious apartment with a charming family attached to the American Embassy legal staff!! REALLY nice shower and breakfast on Sunday!!
Sunday: Chapel in the morning (after the great breakfast) then a concert at a new church plant in the industrial part of the city in the afternoon - terrible electrical problems lead to a below-par show to the youth of various churches - but, again, non-Christian audience members were touched - and that is what this is all about, no?
Monday: 682 KM journey by minibus to Antakya - Syrian Antioch in the bible. Very hot - but since we are all getting on so well it was great fun - and the mountainous scenery was fantastic. We are now staying in a couple of apartments north of the city - very comfortable thank you very much (unlike last year!!!).
And so to today - we do a concert in a huge amphitheatre in the middle of town tonight - many hundreds expected. I have to leave NOW so I'll fill you in more tomorrow, but prayers for the smooth running and effectiveness of that concert would be appreciated.
In Christ,
Martin
posted by Martin Bartlett at 1:10 PM
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