Istanbul Instances: Sunday Morning Church

We didn't sleep that great Saturday night. Everyone heard everyone else all night. But we went downstairs to eat the simple Turkish breakfast provided, then got ready to hit the town. 

The guys studied a map to make our plan.

Though our hotel was old and on a back street, the kids woke up and opened curtains to find this beautiful view right outside.

They enjoyed the view and watching boats more than the cartoons on the tv. I don't believe they'd ever seen a cruise ship before (we saw plenty in Singapore, but I'm not sure they remembered it.). The idea of a floating hotel was intriguing to them.

We begged CC to let us ride a tram.

After our tram ride, we began walking the old cobblestone streets. In days long ago, homes that were wealthy would build a water source on the outside of their gate for the common folks to use. (You're going to see this sweater on me in every picture. I never warmed up enough to take it off!)

We walked straight uphill, but didn't mind it because we were passing such interesting houses and buildings.

Here's another picture I played around with. This is of Galata Tower, meaning Christ Tower. It was built in medieval times, in the year 1348.

CC suggested that we try to find the Dutch Embassy, where we could attend a church service. Walking, tram riding, and more walking landed us there. The Dutch have allowed believers to worship there for over 150 years.

This picture below was taken by me, but hardly explains the beauty this was to me. When you live in a place where so few believers live, meeting with other like-minded people holds a deep value. To be in a chapel built so long ago, with its old brick and rock walls, real wooden pews, big pipes for an organ behind, and especially to know that Christians are still meeting there....was a breath of fresh air for me spiritually. Everyone was so warm and friendly. If you go to church in this country, it is because you want to, not because there are social expectations. The music at Union Church of Istanbul was a mix of contemporary and very traditional. A long-haired man (who looked very much to me like a young Lionel Richie) played the drums. And yet, we read in unison the Apostle's Creed and sang, "Just As I Am." Communion was passed...grape juice around the outside of the tray, wine in the middle. It just struck me that the people had learned the meaning of unity. We all need each other, so we find a way to work around differences to the glory of God. This was just a perspective from an outsider. I appreciated it.

Just in front of me, a little Asian couple sat. We greeted each other and they told me they were from Singapore. I explained that my three older girls were born in Singapore, and we shared a hug. It's times like that that I know God is speaking to me. It was as if he said, "I have people all over. I have enough people who love Me that I can send them to this big city from that tiny island." It was also, if I can somehow put this in words, like for just a split second I was able to step back from my life and see it all at once in God's hand. He's known me all of my days...childhood, early married, the Singapore years, the new babies, the Turkey years. I am certain He arranged my seating that day just as a gentle reminder to me that He has all of my life in His hand, and though the days stretch on for me, none of them are lost to Him. The music was beautiful, the message was timely. May God be praised! (This was my favorite event of the trip.)