Elaine (North America) has worked in Türkiye for four years and Sarah (Western Europe) for three. The good friends frequently go on prayer walks, making themselves available for the Holy Spirit to use.
Walking through the neighbourhood, we prayed for God to guide us to someone who needed to hear the good news.
As we passed a local skatepark, we noticed a woman watching her son ride a scooter. They were the only ones there, and I felt the Holy Spirit prompting us to speak with her. I shared this with my friend, and in that moment, God impressed on my friend’s heart how to share with the woman.
We approached her with a smile. “Hi, how are you?” we asked. She looked startled at first but didn’t walk away, so we continued.
“We follow the teachings of Jesus, and we love to pray,” I explained. “As we were praying, we noticed you and your son. God gave us a picture — something to share with you. It’s as if you’re carrying a heavy burden on your back, so heavy that it’s pushing you over. You cannot carry it alone.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “My name is Hediye*,” she said, her voice trembling. “God has sent you to me.”
She buried her face in her hands and began to weep. Through her tears, she shared her story.
“My home was destroyed in the earthquake,” she began. “We were trapped under the rubble but were eventually rescued. I couldn’t move afterwards and spent 10 months in the hospital. We lost everything in our village and were forced to move to this city a few months ago. Here, we feel so alone.”
Hediye reached for both our hands and pulled us down to sit with her.
“A couple of months ago, my son was diagnosed with leukaemia,” she said, her voice breaking. “We have another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I can’t stop worrying.”
Moved by her words, my friend gently took out a New Testament and held Hediye’s hand. She began to read aloud:
“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’" – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
My friend repeated the verse several times, her voice calm and full of compassion. As the words sank in, Hediye began to cry even more deeply, touched by the healing love Jesus offered.
For the next 20 minutes, we prayed over her and her son. When we finished, I handed her the New Testament. “When I read this, I experience love, hope, peace and the presence of Jesus,” I told her. “We want you to experience this as well.”
Hediye clutched the book to her chest. “I will read this, even though my family will disapprove,” she said. “Thank you, thank you.
"God sent you here to me and to pray for my son.”
As we walked away, we prayed that Hediye and her whole household would be saved.
*name changed
Share On Your Socials
Searching for truth, Ahmet travels to Africa and Europe before returning to Turkey to share Jesus with his family and friends.
At 04:00 on 6 February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by several large aftershocks, took place near the city of Gaziantep, Türkiye, in the southeastern part of the country. People across Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel were reported to have felt it. Since then, OM's partners have responded to help many.
In the midst of the destruction caused by earthquakes in Turkey, small communities of Jesus followers continue to demonstrate what it means to love one another.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February 2023 surprised people across Turkey and surrounding countries, but God is still at work in painful times.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey shifted Jabari's ministry to Syrian refugees from primarily on social media to in person. He and his wife now see an openness in many to hear the good news.
Over a year ago, early in the morning of February 6th, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by large aftershocks, took place in the southeastern part of Turkey. Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Israel also felt its effects. Teams in Turkey wanted to encourage communities of Jesus followers to bring relief and help to those affected.
People impacted by an earthquake in 2023, experienced the love of Christ through Jesus followers eager to help.
In serving and loving those who had come to the table, one family found their hope restored after an earthquake destroyed their home.
After Serah accepted an invitation to join a new friend for a meal, it quickly grew into a weekly prayer meeting with a large group of women.
Over half of all believers from a Muslim background in Türkiye can chart their spiritual pilgrimage through the Bible Correspondence Course (BCC).
Through trials and troubles, Alan and Vicki experienced God's love and peace, sharing it with others wherever they go.
Aneli, a Mexican physiotherapist, gave up her comfortable home, job, and being close to family to use her professional skills to reach out to special needs people in Albania. Her plans seem to come to a halt with the coronavirus pandemic, however, until God opens the door for her to share His love in a beautiful, unplanned way.
When Patrick prayed for the Lord to lead him to one person whom he could further train and equip, Samuel was not the obvious choice.
Igor undergoes transformation in his life before God can use him to serve the people he used to hate in the Cacausus region.
“Life with God is an adventure, and do you trust Him enough to say 'Yes!' to that adventure?” When Jenna Montgomery heard a conference speaker say that, it was the final confirmation that she needed to step out. “God wanted me to use my professional skills to invest in something eternal,” she said in an interview with OM Journalist Nicky Andrews.
Searching for truth, Ahmet travels to Africa and Europe before returning to Turkey to share Jesus with his family and friends.
A young lady finds a way to engage more in the society and share God’s love with those who have never experienced it.
Randy uses his skillset to serve God and share His love with others, first on the OM ships, now in a basement print shop.
A garden plot has become a gathering place for men to sit and talk with one another, and the most popular topic: religion.
Takoradi, Ghana :: Logos Hope returns to Takoradi.
