The life changing power of international missions was vividly displayed during our recent trip to Turkey and Georgia. Our team of twelve, including Mark and Linda Turley, embarked on a fifteen-day journey that would challenge their perspectives and deepen their faith in unexpected ways.
The Turkish portion of our journey focused on immersing team members in the rich historical and cultural context of early Christianity. Walking through ancient Ephesus, with its magnificent white marble structures, and exploring the recently excavated ruins of Laodicea brought Scripture to life in remarkable ways. Standing in Laodicea, the team could see the geographical reality behind Jesus’ words in Revelation about being “lukewarm.” The city’s location between hot springs from Hierapolis and cold water from Colossae created the tepid water Jesus referenced when addressing this church. These physical connections to biblical narratives transformed abstract concepts into tangible realities.
During our time in Istanbul, we experienced the vibrant diversity of an international church, where believers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India, Bangladesh, and beyond gathered to worship. One particularly moving encounter involved Linda meeting a Canadian-Turkish woman named Nell who had recently come to faith after battling severe depression and multiple suicide attempts. This divine appointment allowed for prayer, encouragement, and the beginnings of a mentoring relationship that transcended cultural boundaries. Such moments of connection highlight how missions work often involves being present for God’s already-unfolding stories rather than imposing our own agendas.
The Republic of Georgia offered a striking contrast to Turkey. This small nation, roughly the size of New York state, with only 3.5 million Georgian citizens, demonstrated extraordinary hospitality that made our team feel instantly adopted into their family of believers. The Georgian Christians exhibited a relational depth that prioritized people over schedules, creating spaces for authentic fellowship that many on our team had never experienced before.
One of the most memorable experiences occurred in a village church in Sonori, near the Azerbaijan border. What began as a planned worship service and testimony sharing unexpectedly evolved into an elaborate feast when we discovered our hosts had butchered a pig specifically for our visit. The multi-hour celebration featured homemade everything – from bread to pickles to wine – served on a fifty-foot table under perfect weather conditions. During this meal, we witnessed a man named David, whose wife and son had been church members for years, being celebrated for his recent decision to follow Christ. The authenticity of this multi-generational family of faith, welcoming a new brother while simultaneously embracing our team, exemplified the true essence of the global church.
Beyond the spiritual experiences, the culinary adventures in Georgia introduced our team to distinctive dishes like Khinkali (meat dumplings with savory broth) and various forms of Khachapuri (cheese bread). The most memorable version, Adjarian Khachapuri, features an egg cracked atop stringy cheese in a boat-shaped bread – a culinary metaphor for the rich, complex culture we were experiencing.
What makes international missions truly life changing isn’t simply what we bring to others, but what God reveals to us through these cross-cultural encounters. Mark noted, “Don’t think too hard about it, just go… It’ll change your heart. It’ll change your life forever.” The purpose behind these experiences connects directly to Psalm 67: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us so that his name will be known among the nations.” We’re blessed not for our own benefit, but to extend that blessing to others around the world.
