It's fun because if you know me you know I love teenagers! These two active and very intelligent young ladies already have impressive lives. They are in boarding school at the Black Forest Academy, Black Forest, Germany. They play piano, violin, sing, write music, speak several languages and like to eat and cook among other things. Jisoo is Korean but was born in Nepal, parents were on the mission field and now they are in India. She is a very serious young woman and very talented.
Here is a picture of them with Verna taken at our Easter dinner party, Renata's in the background walking away, woops! Verna and her husband Ben are from the Seattle area, been here for 10 years but are getting ready to leave soon. They have sort of taken me under their wing. As I said before I am meeting so many wonderful people!
Our Easter celebration at St. Paul's began on Friday afternoon with a reenactment of the crucifixion. We were allowed the opportunity to carry a large wooden cross around the garden or to hammer a nail in it signifying Christ's taking our sins upon Himself. It was very emotional as you can imagine. Just before this service took place I met a young lady named Kaitlin who is here as a "worker" also. She had news for me which was extraordinary that I can share more of when I get home.
On Saturday we had an Easter celebration for the children which was well attended and afterwards me, Talya, Jisoo and 2 other young ladies traveresed the whole entire of city of Antalya to attend a "burn", more on that also when I get home.
Sunday we started with a sunrise service then a breakfast potluck, regular worship service and then 5 guests for dinner at Jim and Renata's house! If you are on Facebook you can see a picture of us at the table getting ready to eat our meal. We were 9 people and a baby and we had a great time eating and then playing the Apples to Apples game while eating handmade dark chocolates until it got late. See chocolates below made by "The Chocolate Hotel"
Yum!
And here's a picture from the Sunday breakfast potluck, this is me with Diny, Amy from New Zealand and Ashye from Antalya. Carla is taking the picture, she is a sweet young lady from Tennesse, her and Amy are roommates, here with "Y" as "workers". Below is a picture of Carla that I took on St. Paul's Steps. She and I have a friendship developing and we spent an afternoon together last week walking around the city exploring.
I think I had a breakthrough today with Belgin the cook. She has not been the most accepting of me. Mostly my ideas and my input have been rejected and it's been a real challenge, spiritually and emotionally for me. But today while discussing the conference that starts on Thursday she actually asked my opinion on things and accepted my input! It was great and guess what Renata was not around so with my limited turkish and her limited english we managed to communicate (on the subject of food of course!)
Tomorrow evening I will have been here for 5 weeks. St. Paul's Cultural Center is vibrant with activity and fascinating people everyday. Antalya is a fast paced, modern city with deep historical and spiritual roots. On the streets you can see everything from a fully covered woman to a woman in shorts and high heels, a very strange mix. Young people on the buses offer their seats to the elderly which touches my heart to see! I, with my graying hair have been the recipient of this kindness.
I am meeting men and women who have given their time and their lives to see the Turkish people come to know the One who created them, who died for them and who lives for them. It has been an amazing journey so far and I look forward to what lies ahead!
I want to again thank all of you who have supported me through your encouragement, your phone calls and emails, your finances and your friendship !!!
Hang in there with me we have 5 weeks still to go!
rosalie1011@gmail.com
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