Turkey and Beyond...

Many of you are aware that I’m going to Turkey and Germany next week, but for those that are not, I thought I should take a moment and explain what is happening. I also would like to ask for your prayers.

Why Turkey and Germany?

Every two years, the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada holds a bi-annual general assembly. Traditionally, this has always been in a Canadian city and it is expected that a representative from every church attends the event. At the last assembly in Ottawa, however, it was requested from the 237 international workers that the next assembly be held outside of Canada to afford more of them the opportunity to attend. At first the idea was rejected as something that would end up costing too much, however, after research it was discovered that for many an international location would actually end up costing less. The reason being that while cost of flights would be more, they would be more than offset by the cost of accommodation, food and conference center fees.

So, after some deliberation, it was determined that Antalya, Turkey would be the choice for the 2010 Assembly. The plan is that all the delegates will spend a week in Turkey for the “formal” meetings and then afterward, they will scatter to spend a week with an international worker, exploring what they are doing, while afterward brining reports back to the home churches. In total, the delegates will be dispersing to over 40 locations.

In the end, I chose Germany and the BC District has graciously offered to subsidize all my costs for this second portion of the trip. My reason for choosing Germany was that this is the location Ralph and Ruth Shareski are church planting in. Many of you will remember them from their time with us at our CityWide last May (and previously at a couple of ASAP evenings). I’ve known these two for many years now, and over those years they have become people that I greatly admire. They are Spirit led servants, doing great work in a difficult land. I look forward to spending a few days with them, and have the sense that much encouragement will be imparted as I hear the story of their church plant.

All that to say, I’m quite looking forward to the next two weeks. It’s interesting to me that I just taught through Acts 13-14 at our CityWides and the Fall DeeperLife as these chapters record Paul’s travels to this very area. Sometimes the timing on things is quite incredible. As for writing back updates, as Turkey is a Muslim nation it has been encouraged that we keep our web correspondence while there to a minimum. I’ll do my best to jot a few notes down, but don’t expect daily updates (not to mention that the updates would probably be pretty boring, we do have one day to visit some sites but most of the time will be spent in meetings... “then the motion was passed that...”).

Praying

I do welcome your prayers for myself as I travel. Pray that the Lord will provide me with just what I need to take from this experience. Pray also that things will be imparted in Germany that are important for our own journey here. I also welcome your prayers for Jolie and the kids. We have additional help coming in every day, so that should be good but still it will be hard for all of us being apart for two weeks.

Thanks all. I love you greatly and I’m so looking forward to what God has in store for us in the months ahead.