Not Quite Finished

So, our time of blessings in Turkey is about to end. Swimming more than a mile everyday (except Fridays because of the market), balloon rides, visits to ancient sites that have biblical history in them, sunsets every single day from our balcony, healthy and inexpensive eating (and losing weight), reading multiple books (Kate read more than me), the Bible, and articles that encouraged us, healing of my sprained ankle as we walked up and down many hills, and great coffee shops where we spent some mornings (and evenings). All in all, we are about ready to return to the States…

Are we going to miss this place on the edge of the Mediterranean? Absolutely. But we know God has more plans for us when we get back to the States. Medical issues that need attention (didn’t get enough in Jordan), people that we haven’t seen in five months that we have close relationships with, family that are waiting for us, planning our next overseas adventure, writing another book or adding to my last one (?), visiting friends in other states that we haven’t seen in a while, saying goodbye to our daughter who will be moving back to Kenya in the summer (and planning a trip there), and getting our condo back up to snuff after nearly half a year. I’m sure there are more things that we don’t know about, that God does, but we are eager and willing to listen to Him and do what He says to us.

In our last week here we have the mindset that this is the last time we will visit this place on the Medd. The first time we came from Africa, the second, third and fourth times from the Middle East, this time from the States (although we had a side trip to the ME and Europe). The Master has used His bucket of blessings, pouring out and over, to comfort us and enlighten us to actions that were in His word. Each time we visited an amphitheater we wondered if Paul had ever spoken there (or John or Peter, or Barnabas). Did Paul ever write some of his letters while sitting in them? Visiting ancient churches that were filled with early believers that were constantly persecuted was a special joy. This mindset will make me ask the Master a lot of questions once I get to heaven.

Thank you all for praying for us. We would never have experienced this rememberable joy without your intercession. We hope that we will be able to see MANY of you when we return and have a great time of reunion (Kate will do all the talking).