Last day...

5:30 am wake up call came a little early as we are coming to a close of our trip. We headed to the airport to fly into Istanbul for our last teaching site. Friendships have been formed, new relationships have budded and a deep respect for the teaching team for a job well done. We have had the most wonderful trip together which includes sweating in busses, waking up in the middle of the night because the air conditioning went out, hiking, climbing, racing down a mountain to catch a ferry back to the cruise ship all while dodging donkeys. We have shared meals, testimonies, teaching moments, swollen ankles and laughter. We have been impressed by the young and the "vintage" for keeping up, providing insight, and genuine caring for those around them. This has been a trip to remember. Logistically brilliant. To move 39 people from Planes, busses, hotels, meals, location sites, tickets, reservations, and not losing a single person.

The takeaway from our visit of the Hagia Sophia and our Turkey/Greece trip...

As we ended our time at the Hagia Sophia outside the court yard, we sat around reflecting on what we have seen since the beginnings of our journey to now. We shared how the early churches began as a house church and now it seems to be heading towards becoming a big church. In Acts 19:10, all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks has lead to people today establishing church buildings as the focus as seen here in Hagia Sophia. If we are to be disciple makers like the early apostles how are we doing life in this world.

Brad challenged us with the following questions to ponder:

1. Is there anyone pouring into you?
2. Who are you discipling?

Brad states in order to not become like people who value church before disciplining people, we need to reconnect with the Spirit of God and have God do something beyond just inviting people to church verses leading them to faith.

Final thoughts...

"For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" - Acts 13:47. Here we have journeyed. What was the beginning of the ends of the earth. The bringing of salvation by Jesus' first followers transforming lives, people groups, nations. Now is the time of Ramadan for Islam here, and the call to prayer fills the air. The teachings of Islam appear to have snuffed out the light. But God. His risen Son at His right hand intercedes insuring the gates of hell will not prevail. No. As His 21st century followers, we are His lights for these 21 century Gentiles. Will we join the winds of His Kingdom come?

By the Three Moms (Heather, Anita and Pattie)