It's catching

Ahmed sat with his eyes closed, strumming the local instrument which predates the guitar. Two sisters who were also baptized in the last six months stood nearby, worshiping in their native tongue, with a song written this week. Ahmet is excited about putting Scripture to music. The tunes flowed from the trio in simple, but completely fresh and ethnic worship. But Ahmed doesn't just write music; he also works a good job at a local restaurant and the entire staff has started coming to check out the fellowship. He is also growing in brotherly love. He heard that someone needed a new apartment; within the week he had combed the neighborhood and not only found the right place, but helped to paint it. When there was a struggle at church that required a level of maturity, the issue grew his faith. This is the face of the local fellowship our pilgrimage is rooted in. At home in this setting, this culture, we have a sweet relationship with our neighbors. The grandparent call us 'my dear one' and always have time for a cup of tea. The shop keepers pass the time of day and keep up on a loose tooth and the growth of the puppy. The men like to slap my husband on the back; the women and children light up, stopping to chat and invite us over.

In this culture the women go to market together, shell beans and cook together, put up food for the winter together, and prepare for weddings, births, and funerals together. So I was blessed today to walk the mile to a friend's house and spend the afternoon making decorations for her daughter's wedding. Meliz and her baby had come, as well as Deniz and her teen daughter. Gradually the house filled with friends. The talk centered around the thrill these new Believers shared to be taking part in their first Christian wedding. The mother of the bride was overwhelmed with joy, having lost her first marriage to in regionally normal domestic abuse.

My hostess bustled in the kitchen and came out with fresh green beans stewed in tomato, served with fresh yogurt, fresh bread, all preceded with a chicken noodle soup concocted of, yes, you got it, fresh chicken. By now the party included several neighbors, all of whom were Muslims, and poverty stricken. They tucked the food away in a wooden leg against the next few days when they might not fare as well. Meanwhile they drank in the love and affection that overflowed in our circle of fellowship. When I left that evening the hugged my neck hard, telling me how much they loved me. I had but met them that day, but they had drawn close to the love of Christ and found how healing and wholesome it is!

And contagious. Ahmed tells Mehmed; Meliz tells Deniz. In a world of darkness it's awesome to see how bright Light truly is! For those whose paths are crooked, recognizing a path the shows the Way to wholeness is like finding gold. For those caught in lies, Truth has a clarion call. How blessed I am to know Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Light!