Thinking about living overseas can be exciting, but it might also be a little nerve-wracking. What if you’ve never been to the country you’re thinking about going to? It can be really hard to imagine what it would even be like! In this series, we’re going to share creatively written journeys through different cities where we have GoCorps placements to help you imagine what it might be like to live in these places. As you read them, use your imagination to really picture yourself there. Pay attention to what you feel, what you notice, and what stands out to you; God might just be trying to get your attention!

As you begin to read, I invite you to pause for a moment to be still. Close your eyes and take a deep inhale and a full exhale. Clear your mind and invite the Lord into your imagination. Now, open your eyes…

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Imagine Istanbul, Turkey.

Your alarm goes off, although it isn’t your cell phone. It is the call to prayer rustling through the window. When you first got to the field, it startled and confused you, but now it is a gentle reminder of the beauty of the culture and the reason for your being here in this city. You start getting ready for the day, slowly going through your morning ritual. You check your phone to get an idea of the weather - you’ll be out all day. You grab your coat, a pair of good shoes, and you're off! 

When you first got to the field, it startled and confused you, but now it is a gentle reminder of the beauty of the culture and the reason for your being here in this city.

The cobblestone streets are jagged and uneven, as if they are telling your feet good morning. You may have to watch your step, but you know the city well by now. You head down the large hill, toes first to catch your step. Your nimble maneuvers mimic the cats around you. You take a second to stop and count, eight cats just on this street alone. Istanbul is known for the thousands of cats that roam the streets. You get to the main corner and decide to get a bite to eat. You don’t even have to look for what's around you. You hear the man right by the seaside yelling “SIMIT” and grab yourself one. The simit, a warm hoop of bread with sesame seeds, is the perfect morning snack before you head onto the boat taking you from Asia to Europe across the Bosphorus - the body of water separating the city. The wind flies through your hair as the seagulls around the boat fly with you.

The wind flies through your hair as the seagulls around the boat fly with you. 

Heading off the boat, you walk to your visit. You're planning on having some chai with a friend. Step after step, you hear the bustling of the day starting and the smell of cooked meats and tea roaming through the city. You look at your maps on your phone - just a couple minutes from the house. Your friend lives in a part of town that is known for housing many refugees and not being the best living area. But man does it have life. Women whipping towels from the windows to dry them. Children running around in the streets from every corner. Finally, you have arrived!

Step after step, you hear the bustling of the day starting and the smell of cooked meats and tea roaming through the city.

Luckily she lives on the fifth floor, so your legs are getting an extra workout today! As she opens the door, a wave of steam hits your face. She’s making maklube, your favorite Syrian dish. Your friend is a Syrian refugee who has been living in Istanbul for five years. You give her a hug before you sit down because you know that sometimes her days can be really tough in this city. Folding your legs around the table on the ground, you start serving yourself the food. The smells of the cumin and of chicken break through your nostrils. The conversation quickly fills the room just as the smells do. You talk about the past week, the past month, the past year! The hardships, the joys, and the hope in it all. She asks you if there is hope? You take time to reflect. And the conversation continues. 

The conversation quickly fills the room just as the smells do.

As you head home, you wonder if the city ever sleeps? Still alive and bustling, you meet up with a friend for a quick bite of Turkish delight. Fresh, gooey, melt in your mouth candy. No wonder C.S. Lewis got so much inspiration from this country. You and your teammate walk home together since you live just down the street from each other. One of the same cats from the morning is sitting at your apartment doorstep. You call it over, say iyi aksamlar, goodnight in Turkish as you head in for the day ready to rest your feet for a while until the new day begins. 

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Does the idea of living in the Middle East excite you? Does the thought of doing ministry by building relationships with refugees and Muslims quicken your heart rate? Would you thrive on using your passions and skills to make friends with people different from you and share with them the love of Christ? Check out our Middle East placements here or talk to a coach!