Refuge

The most impactful part of the trip occured the other day while we were in Antakya Hatay. (this area is southern Turkey- a matter of miles from the Syrian border) I just remembered the day was Sunday--because we visited a Christian church at noon. This service was obviously very different from Trinity but it seemed like home compared to the millions of Muslims I have been consumed by this past week. This church had been founded by a pastor who was sent from Spuyh Korea. His name was Jacob and he greeted us like he had known us for years. After we greeted a few people, we settled in the backrow. The service finally informally started after a few minutes (seemed like a lot longer to me). If the fact that the service was in a different language was not enough to deter me from paying attention, there were many other distractions. The pastor's kids (two twin girls around the age of 1-2) were the Cutest things EVER and running around like they owned the place. Also, people were entering and leaving as if the service had never even started. I recognized familiar parts of the service, such as the obvious sermon and communion. There was no confession or absolution-which definitely distinguished that church from my own. After the seemingly day-long service, we were greeted by more people and invited to tea in the church owned cafe below the church. We grabbed some tea and snacks and sat down in the fenced in courtyard outside. A young girl greeted us in English and continued to talk to us in almost perfect English.

Her name was Aria and she said she had studied her English in Iran and her family (sister Yelda who was 16 and mother) were refugees from Iran. I later found out that she wa 18-my age! And she was the first person my age who I had talked to or met while in Turkey! Plus she spoke English and was SO nice. She informed us that the English service started at two with the pastor my brother had met last time he attended. His name was Bob and that's all that he went by. He had an accent that indicated to me that he was from Iowa or somewhere north in America.

We moseyed upwards the small room off the cage and Aria introduced us to her mother and dosages who were just as nice (didn't think it was possible) as their outgoing relative. While we were standing and chatting, Aria talked about how hard it was for them to be in Iran as Crhistians and why they had to leave the country as refugees. turkey is famous for taking many refugees (like from Syria) BUT the Reuters have to wait for countries to accept tem. Aria said thy had been waiting for over a year to be accepted by the US, Austrailia, or Canada. I was thinking in my head how I would love to take the three back, take them to our church, and let them enjoy sharing their faith openly. Aria mentioned how hard it was to live in Muslim heavy areas and to still be a Christian. I believe I wrote on one of my first blogs how I felt alienated from people because of mugwort but think about these girls. They already stick out for not having their heads covered...imagine f peole knew their religion. How could I be so selfish as to say that sometimes I don't have freedom of religion? I was brought to tears talking to the girls and wished I could provide more hope for them. If only they could come to Amrrica with me, live in my home, all my plans for the future would change. I would stay locally for college and change my ambitions. After only minutes with these girls, I would change my life for them.

They asked us to pray for them. Mostly for us to prettier they would be accepted by a country. So, we stood hand in hand, instant friends, in the middle of a cafe, and prayed. I have never been sO moved. Their faiths were out of this world dispute their terrible situation. I am brought to tears writing this post knowing how much I have and wishing I could give it all to them. They deserve a life like mine. Blessed with freedom, new clothes, a home, and a church. These things seem so trivial to me-things I have taken advantage of my whole life. But I finally realized all I can do is pray. And I hope you will too. But if you don't pray or believe in a religion, keep them in your thoughts. Remember situations like this when you have to clean your room or go to a family member's house. Rememberthis when you are forces to go to church. Remember how BLESSED you are and always have been-despite minor obstacles or situations.

These girls were refugees looking for refuge. Refuge they could feel comfortable in, have hope in, believe in, and feel safe in. The physical representation was definitely this small church. But overall they found refuge in God and in fellow believers. She said this church has become her family. Ah. The memories of what she said bring me to tears even days after.

God is our refuge and strength. A PRESENT help in times of trouble. We will not fear.