Picnic in the Park

Yesterday we went as a church together to a park and held our service there. Afterwards we ate together and spent the afternoon doing things that you do in the park. It was really a great time. We sang songs together in both Turkish and English and drew some spectators. In place of the sermon, a number of the Turks shared testimonies. It was encouraging for both the Turks and the foreigners involved. Apparently in other years when they held this church service in the park, a number of the Turkish believers would disappear periodically whenever someone in uniform came around but this year, they were boldly and publicly testifying to their faith. In one of the open prayer times between songs, one Turkish woman loudly recited John 3:16-17 and continued praying, declaring her deep love for God, and praising him for the gift of Jesus.
It was a very eclectic group, not just Turks and workers attend this church, also a variety of expats from all walks of life attend. One English woman I met on Sunday said she had come to believe after she came to Turkey!
We shared the food that we'd all brought (definitely more than enough to go around), chatted, and played games. I met a lot more people, discovered that there are a few who live in my same neighbourhood in Istanbul. I briefly flew a kite for the first time in my life! All in all a great day.