We have traveled across this nation, down into Mexico and up to the  Alaskan Borders only to find that the place that God breaks our hearts was in a land full of Muslims.  Because of your prayers and your financial support we were able to fly into a country with absolutely no hindrances and plant seeds and harvest a few souls for God’s Kingdom.   After 37 hours of flying and lay-over's,  we entered Istanbul at 1 am on Oct. 31st. 2008.  Steve Seabury greeted us with the traditional greeting ( peck on each cheek) and declared you have just learned lesson #1.  We laughed and proceeded to their home on the other side of the city in a taxi which cost $80.00.  Ouch!  And that was only the beginning of the transportation shock that we would endure.  Auto-buses, High rise buses, transport buses, slow ferries, fast ferries, trains, and transits.  Horns honking, The call to prayer ringing in our ears from 5 am in the morning till 11 at night. (the Muslim prayer) 

We ministered the first Sunday in a new Asian/Turk church plant, which was not planned and did not finished ministering until 4 in the after-noon.  Many lives were touched and deliverances occurred.

We left on Thursday morning for the airport, (again) to fly to Cappadocia for  the Women's Conference and spent the next 4  days ministering to the missionary women and on the streets.  There seemed to be a fear among the missionaries and we had a great break through on Sunday Morning.   During the conference Larry and Steve seemed to find themselves traveling to some of the smaller towns and praying for Turks and finding the response overwhelming.  They had to ask first, “may we pray for you in the Name of Jesus” and if they said yes, the power of God would come on them and they would get the opportunity to share about Jesus as the Savior, Not just the prophet who died.

The Streets Cry Out For Freedom

We traveled from Istanbul down to the Syrian border to a city call Urfa.  This is the place were the Kurdish people were driven out of the city in the hundreds of thousands and massacred.  When we walked down these corridors where they had lived you could literally feel the anguish and fear in the streets.  It was un-believable.   We visited the grave sites of several places where many Christians had been martyred and tortured for their belief.  The Christian Hospital that was built is still standing and being used for a birthing home (maternity)  When we walked about the place on one of our missions, the guardsmen came chasing us down and demanding to know our reason for walking upon the property.  If we would have been Turkish, they would never have responded in that manner, but because we were white (some of blond)  we seemed to draw more attention than normal

Turkey Highlights

Gaziantep

Istanbul

Antioch

Ancient Antioch (Antakya) is  where we were first called Christians, but  today is a Muslim city of 144,000 people. There currently are 3 small evangelical churches in the city. Each time Steve and his  friends have  traveled there they have  lead people to Jesus. There is a great opening for the Gospel in the province of Hatay ( where Antakya is located). The mayor of one small town gave them  permission to pray for people in that city. They ask that you please pray for laborers to move there. There is a need for new converts to be discipled. People are getting saved but no one is discipling the new believers. There is no unity among the pastors in that community. Pray for unity. Pray for strength for the local believers.  Some of the leaders are worn out. Pray for times of refreshing for them.

Urfa

Faruk and Family

Urfa in need of prayer

Faruk and his family along with 3 other people are the only believers in a city of 350,000 people. He is under intense pressure and attack constantly. He needs prayer for protection from Muslim extremists and police harassment.. You could mention the death treats against him and the continuous police surveillance for 2 months. His family needs prayer. His children go to a school where they are harassed by the other students. They have no friends since they are the only Christians in their school. He has a Sunday meeting but for fellowship they have to travel to Gaziantep. He needs prayer for finances. He can meet the family's basic needs but that is about all he can afford. Faruk has a healing anointing and he is gaining the reputation as a healer. Pray for opportunities for him to share the Gospel and pray for people. He has a number of people in the USA praying for him. He also sends out a newsletter. Omer Faruk Cengiz"

peacemakerministriesturkey@yahoo.com.

Pilgrims going to
worship false God

The Cave where
Abraham was
said to be born

A dinner Break in the
Upper Café
overlooking city

The market where we
met the café owner and
Student from States

Arabian Women who
posed for us...they
begged us to take picture