Testing the Times in Turkey

As has been the case for a decade, we have gladly been utilized as "guinea pigs" with TACO, as they sent out the UniShow to new areas, testing the response to outreaches.  This year, our scheduled tour in Turkey occurred just one month after the July 15 coup attempt and during the 3 month state of emergency in the country.  Permission had been received for shows in many cities and venues around Turkey but under the circumstances, all but 2 cancelled.  Since things seemed to have calmed down enough, and we still had these opportunities, our team of 9 decided to proceed, hoping to present 5 shows in 2 cities, Çanakkale and Istanbul, in 4 days.  These were the first public outreaches TACO had done in Turkey since the coup so we didn't know what to expect.

We had permission for 2 nights of shows in Çanakkale on August 19-20.  We presented in a great location along the seaside in a basketball court with surround seating next to the big wooden horse from the movie Troy.

Our 2 shows the first night in Çanakkale drew over 1,200 people total who were attentive and engaged.  With boats and sea as our backdrop, a team member shared how Jesus is her lighthouse in troubling times, before performing her song on harp "Ready for the Storm".  A lady later said she brought a friend to the show who was facing some difficulties and 'storms' in her walk as a new believer.  Her friend said our team member's music was "so encouraging" and she felt the song was sung "just for her".

Another team member won the crowd over and some were even moved to tears as she shared how her great, great grandfather was an ANZAC who fought and lost against the Turks in this area and died as a result, but because of the grace and forgiveness of Ataturk in victory, she and other Aussies have been welcomed with open arms back into Turkey.  She connected this forgiveness to how God wants to forgive each of us and show us His grace.  Dustin wrapped things up with a clear Gospel presentation while the audience listened to every word.

While most people were very positive about our presentations, there was one very verbally aggressive man who caused a scene after our second show the first night and tried to get others upset with what we were sharing.  Our translator called the police who came and eventually took the man away because the law is actually in our favor to share our beliefs freely.

Our plan the second night in Çanakkale was to do two shows again.  The first show went great with an enthusiastic and responsive crowd of 550.  However, afterward, a few angry and threatening people stirred things up so much that our leaders had to spend several hours in the police station correcting false statements that were made about what our group was doing.  Though several hundred people were awaiting our second show that night, it had to be canceled.

Once again, the uproar provided opportunities for us to share more with people.  As people approached one team member asking what the problem was, she told them some were upset that ironically, we had been sharing a message of peace and what God has done in our lives.  Those she was talking with thought it was terrible others would react that way.

A man, offended by the irate reaction of a loud minority, asked Katie what was going on.  Though he claimed to be an atheist, after she explained the Gospel which was causing the division, he said, "Don't give up; keep sharing this important message!"  He thanked her for their conversation, saying several times that it made him feel new.  He then connected with a local pastor and said he would join the fellowship meeting on Sunday.

Two other team members individually connected with students after shows and met up later with them to continue discussions about faith.  They plan to stay in contact with their new friends to keep building these relationships and speaking into their lives.

In total, after the 3 Çanakkale shows, 81 people filled out surveys and received packets with a DVD and other literature; 31 of these people said they were interested in talking with someone more about what we had shared!  These open shows in Çanakkale were a test of sorts since they were the first we've done in Turkey since the coup.  Çanakkale is one of the most open and liberal cities in Turkey so the negative reactions were unusual.  It's a shame that hundreds of people were happy with our presentations and 5 were not yet it prevented us from proceeding.

For our 4th and final show of this mini tour, we presented in a new neighborhood in Maltepe high on a hill in a plaza between shops and restaurants with the most amazing view of Istanbul any of us have seen.  A suicide bomber had killed 51 at a wedding in Gaziantep, Turkey the night before and often 3 days of countrywide mourning follow such a tragedy.  The venue organizer didn't mind us proceeding so the show went on.

Because this was a new contact, we kept this a closed event, as far as sharing.  One team member connected with the audience in a beautiful way, dedicating her "Ready for the Storm" solo to them in light of the recent difficulties, sharing how God is her strength in scary times.  Dustin shared how God will always be with us in trials to give us strength to go on. 

Afterward, many had great conversations with those in the audience.  Then our hosts provided a delicious meal for us at a nearby restaurant, apologizing that they couldn't give us more. They were very impressed and were not expecting such a quality presentation.  They definitely want us to return to put the great, underutilized venue to repeated good use.

Though we didn't have many shows on this tour, we are thankful for the opportunities we did have to share God's love during this tough time in Turkey.  We know God was at work through us and touched people with his love.