Church

While living overseas Anna and I have been regularly attending a fellowship of believers from all over the world at Union Church. While it has been good to worship alongside these people the service itself had left us longing for something more. When I came overseas one of my expectations and hopes was to attend a church with a different feel- different than the services I am used to attending in America. So, while Union was great it reminded us too much of the same. Once our new roommates arrived we decided as a whole, plus our friend Seth, to branch out and search for a new church. This led us to Beşiktaş Protestant on Sunday. Yesterday morning when I was getting ready I was really excited to try out this new church, and also a little nervous. Because I am living in a country that is not Christian church here can be very different than America- more of a small group feel- which when you don't know anyone can be really overwhelming.

We found the building with little trouble and were greeted warmly in another language. It quickly became evident to us based on the signs on the wall what we had assumed- the entire service was going to be in another language. I wanted different, well this was different. As we were seated people greeted us and some even attempted to talk to us- we carried the conversation as far as we could. Which isn't far. And then the service started. They opened in prayer followed by worship. And we sang to Jesus in another language. The first song I recognized, which made singing a whole lot easier. Worshiping the Creator of the universe in another language may be one of the sweetest things I have ever done. It wasn't even the fact that it was another language. It was worshiping in a language that represents a country that is lost. A country covered in darkness, a people blinded by the enemy. Singing about the greatness of God surrounded by national believers was such a point of hope. Hope that light CAN and WILL penetrate the darkness. I am pretty sure my roommates are sick of me saying "Hey guys. We worshiped Jesus in another language today."

Yesterday reminded me so much of God's heart for the nations and that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

Psalm 86:9

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

Listening to a sermon in another language was challenging, mostly because we had no idea what the pastor was talking about. Thankfully we had a new friend lean up to us at the start of the sermon and whisper in English to us the passage we were in. At least this way we were able to follow along somewhat. The end of the service was marked by introductions of all the guests- about halfway through this process I realized "Oh, that means us." Sometimes when no one is speaking in English reading body language of the person talking takes a while to kick in. But, the pastor came into the aisle asking who the foreigners were, that was the ONLY word we picked up out of his question as we are used to joking about the fact that we are "crazy foreigners", and we had to give our names and hometown to the congregation. Which was comical because I don't know how many of the people there understood what we were saying.

We were welcomed. People smiled at us. The people who spoke English came and talked with us. We ate lunch with them. We made a new friend from Germany. It was a great day. Definitely made the top ten list from my time here. I am praying about going back next week, I want to make sure I am attending where God wants me to attend, and that I am able to grow. But, I wouldn't trade yesterday.

"Hey guys. We worshiped Jesus in another language."