I've been in Turkey for a year and a half now, and my initial commitment is up in October. Recently I was talking with one of my refugee friends and mentioned that my plan was to go home in October. She was upset and it suddenly hit me, my time in Turkey was coming to a close and I was not ready for that to happen!I had been wrestling with the decision of what do do after my two years here ended. At first I was torn, but as I thought and prayed I began to think of all the relationships I had formed with refugees, the programs I was involved in, and the way God was transforming me through the work here. There is so much left I want to do and so much left to learn!So I have decided to stay an additional year in Turkey to continuing working with the refugee population of Istanbul!I am so excited to have the opportunity to grow and serve more among these amazing people.
These two years have been by far the most challenging, growing, amazing, and hardest of my entire life. Every day is different (seriously, on Wednesday I translated for an african woman as she gave birth at a Turkish hosptial, and the next evening I led a Bbile study for a group of Iranian refugees) and each day brings new revelations of God's grace and sufficiency in my life.
As I've committed another year to these people I am excited, and honeslty a little nervous, to see what else the Lord has for me. But I know that as long as I seek to serve and follow Him I won't be led astray. I am so blessed by this opportunity to serve the Lord and grow in my faith. I'd encourage you all, no matter where you are in your journey, to consider taking yet another step of faith! Whether you are closing out your time in ministry, or just beginning, ask our Father if theres anything else you're holding onto, and then offer it up to him! It's incredible to see the good gifts he gives us when we offer Him our all!!