Friends, Flights, Food, and Farewells


Saturday, October 15, 2006



Up early and out the door by 7:15. We had a 9:00 am flight to catch that would take us back to Istanbul. Our guide would see us to the airport, and we were all reluctant to part with her. Her spirit was as lovely as her countenance, and we would all miss her, especially Marla. Over the past three days she and Marla had developed quite an attraction. Nearing the airport she turned to me and said that she’d grown quite fond of Marla and our family. We exchanged email addresses and promised to stay in touch, and as as we all unloaded the bus, we hugged one more time, inviting one another to visit our respective homes. I hoped that we would someday get to see her again.

Our flight was booked solid, and security was tight. As we crossed the tarmac and boarded our plane, I was sad to say goodbye to the Western Coast of Turkey, and even more the people I’d met. I never expected to see such marvelous historical sites, or to make friends that would so deeply impact my heart.


We arrived in Istanbul around 12:30, and then met up with our bus. Joe talked the driver into dropping Don and Lynne at the airport hotel where they would stay the night and then catch a 5:00 am flight to Amsterdam and then to New York. It was sad to say good bye to them even though we knew we’d see them back in Orlando in a few days. Their departure from the group was another sign that our time in Turkey was drawing to an end.

Checking back into the hotel SABA felt a bit sad too. This was our last night here, and none of use wanted to leave this otherworldly place. Don and I talked about the great challenge we would have explaining this incredible trip to others. How could we possibly communicate what the Lord had done in our hearts and lives? How could we adequately describe the things and places we’d seen? Especially, how could we communicate to others our love for brothers and sisters in Christ living in this exotic country? Only one thing was certain in our minds, we wanted to come back.

We all met around 5 to discuss our dinner options. Dan was all for finding a new and cool restaurant, but the rest of us were tired, and weren’t terribly supportive of an adventurous last night… we ended up back at the buffet near the tram stop. One of our contacts met us for dinner and we talked about the work of the Lord in Istanbul. This country, so rich in Christian history, was now 99% Muslim. The church in Turkey needs our prayers and support. As I pushed the last of my food around on my plate, I prayed that the Lord would find us useful for His purposes here.

There was just a little time left to the evening, so Don, Randy, Marla, and I strolled a bit up and down the street. I stopped at a small shop and bought the small round tablecloth that had caught my eye earlier in the week. (I got a GREAT deal!) We wandered back to the hotel, knowing we’d need to pack and prepare for the long trip home.

Hearing someone call my name, I turned to see Mary Beth and Sam coming up behind us. They wanted to say goodbye tonight, as they’d be catching an earlier flight back than the rest of us. We promised to stay in touch and moved on into the hotel.

Bedtime was quick— we were exhausted. I set my phone’s alarm for 6:00 am, and fell into bed. If I fell asleep quickly I might just get 6 hours sleep. My mind was preoccupied with the early flight to New York, and the long hours of flying ahead of us. I could feel sleep beginning to wash over me and could still hear the noise of the crowds from our sidewalk dinner. On our last night in Turkey, I prayed for my friends, prayed for our ministry here, and prayed that the Lord would make a way for us to return.