A Sabbath Rhythm

One HUGE difference between a short-term trip and living somewhere for an extended period of time is the rhythm. Instead of all our efforts being bent towards a specific project or sightseeing, one must abide by the natural order of life in their new locale. From grocery shopping to exercise, private devotion and corporate worship; rhythmic markers in our lives cannot be overlooked for two-months!

Maybe this is on my mind because I'm doing lots of reading on the old covenant these days and this rhythm of life is predominant, "Six days you are to work and the seventh is a day of rest and remembrance, holy to the Lord." How much wisdom there is in this command! Even a machine that is left to run continuously will wear out and break-down. How much more so for human beings made in the image of our all wise Maker. We need time for maintenance & correction, meditation & reflection otherwise we're likely to go off course and have a long route back to the narrow way! The Father gave us 7-day periods to work, rest, reflect and begin again. We would be wise to keep to that rhythm.

As we have reached the half-way point of our time here we spent this weekend in reflection over the past month and anticipating the next. The past weeks have been filled with language & culture lessons, excursions, ESL lessons, and surprises (all Turkish style - i.e. "however it seems to happen"). The next few weeks will get more intense and more intentional: moving in with a Turkish family, visiting with fellow workers in the area, and giving ourselves more to prayer for the Father's vision. In our reading together these days our focus has been the parable of the Vine and how the Vinedresser prunes in order to get more fruit. Pray with us through this important time of vision and discernment.

Well, it's off to the beach now! It's about 15 miles away, the picture at hand shows why we do little swimming near our apartment. We'll be doing some "Bump, Set, Spike" with our Turkish brothers and sisters. We've been so lovingly welcomed and invited by them on various occasions, may tonight be another chance for rejoicing together.

Until next time, we're so glad for your love and support.

(P.S.-Germany won 3-2 in the 90th minute, they got the last second "miracle" this time! We were there wearing our red and white though "Kirmizi - Beyaz")

What a Cut! My Day at the Kuafor...

My first international hair cut ever! I have to say that I was a litle nervous. Taking a look around at some of the European hairstyles made me a little bit scared. All worked out though!

The first thing they did was wash my hair and gave me a little scalp massage. That was wonderful! Next came the cut. He (They are all men!) took off about 4 inches total. He started with the bangs. Somewhat short for my taste, but they will grow. Then he gave me this great length all the way around and added on a few layers. Turned out very good. Finally, the styling part came along. How Wonderful! they blow dry your air and style it! It is so relaxing that you could fall asleep if you wanted to.

It was a great experience and one that I reccomend to all. You never know what you might get!!! ;-)

Çay, Kahve, and the Café

Affectionately known as Paul's Place, this café serves as our center for daily activity. As the only barista on shift everyday, Rachel is quickly picking up all sorts of useful Turkish phrases and going way beyond that! Monday she was cooking up a storm: Lentil stew over noodles, Turkish vegetable salad, and her (now "world famous") chocolate cake. She did a great job but has enjoyed getting back to the normal "Çay istermusin?" (Would you like some tea?)

It's a cultural experience to sit around and just observe at times. We often do this at home, it's called "people watching". (You know who you are out there!) But in another culture it takes on a whole new dimension because you may think you understand the situation you observe but in reality it's totally different. Take this morning, for example...

I'm sitting in the garden planning an English lesson. A group of foreigners and Turks come sit at my table with their breakfast pastries. A Turkish friend of mine turns to me and offers some..."no, thanks"..."no, try some"..."no, thanks"..."really, you're not hungry"..."no, but thank you". Most would assume this a bit pushy and even rude. My friend quickly explained though that all Turks offer at least three times and most Turks receiving will not take it until the third offer. Ha! Good to know.

This is our way to stay out of the sun from 11:00-3:00 and learn the Turkish language and culture and it is an amazing privilege. So, the next time you're out people watching at Starbucks or the mall, stop and ask yourself "why do we do that?" You might just learn something new about your own culture.

A Brief Musing

Wrote this to my brother today, thought it might be helpful for all of you to read as well:

Hey Andrew,

Hope all is well with you and that you have a good journey back to the states soon. Amazing that you're time is almost up, ours will soon be as well! This intership's been a lot different than mine in 2006. For one we've really been learning more about what it's like to live here: cooking for ourselves, shopping at pazar weekly, using public transportation, learning and using Turkish as much as is possible, fighting mental/spiritual/physical exhaustion in the heat, trying to work on and encourage our marriage amid all this "newness", and on and on... This makes a two-week trip seem like a vacation and my past two-month internship seem like an adventure. This is giving us a better taste of what long-term life and work may be like here and it's just plain hard-work sometimes!! And I'm not complaining, just being honest. When your language ability has been reduced to that of a two-year old yet you're expected to live like an adult it can be frustrating and exhilarating all at the same time!

Maybe you're experience has been similar, maybe more like mine two years ago. I don't know, can't wait to debrief with you in August sometime before school starts. Press on until then!

Running with you,
Marcus

Turkiyeeeeee!!

For those of you who know me (Marcus), I don't stay up late at night! So, on various occasions when I do violate my "bedtime" it is for a very good reason. Rachel, on the other hand, is glad to stay up late, any reason will do well for her :-) But Friday night was reason enough for both of us: Turkey v. Croatia (Eurocup 2008 Quarterfinals)!

So there we were, the only two foreigners crammed into my friend's cafe, huddled around the TV screen. My friend has a nice cafe, but it was hot and stuffy yet no one seemed to mind. You see, for most of the world soccer is the sport of choice. (In Antalya there are whole newspapers that only carry soccer news!!!) Yeah, people play basketball, beach volley, tennis, and other sports, but soccer has reached almost sacred proportions for those without the true deity. Well, it wasn't worship on Friday, but the atmosphere was electric when the game started.

Rachel was enjoying a smoothie during the first half, helped keep he engaged. The second half it was on to water and she began to wilt. The score was still zero-zero! 90 minutes burned and only 12 shots on goal, none scored. First overtime, no goals! Second overtime, no goals...until 1:19 minutes, Croatia scored on a cross-header combo. The room was dead silent. One minute to go and all hope was lost. People began to mill about, say their goodbyes and and 1:20+2 Turkey scored and impossible goal. The somber faces were suddenly alight with joy. People were dancing on the tables in the cafe (only 2 dishes broken), shouting, hugging, laughing, praising, "a miracle!" they said. (Turkey went on to win in PK's 3-1.)

Now if that isn't a cultural experience for you I don't know what is. As we walked home and discussed the night I realized something though. If I am to love these people I must love the things that they love. Not fanatical worship of a sport, far from it...but learn to enjoy their tastes, cheer for their football team in an important match, stay up late for something if they seem to think it's so important. Only then can we truly love them and become one with them and communicate a higher love. Wasn't this already done on our behalf? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." Putting aside his heavenly tastes for our sake and live among us.

Well, after an American lunch today (ahem...McDonald's) I'm not feeling very Turkish. But it is food for thought. What am I willing to stay up late for and what should I learn to be willing to stay up late for.

Learning with you, Marcus & Rachel

(We've got Germany on Wednesday, another late night :-)

Adventures!.....

So as Marcus Said I am at home right now sick. Trying to figure out what is wrong with my body and why it doesn't like me. :-) Have you ever been gone from home sick just wishing that you could have chicken noodle soup or toast or your favorite comport food in your own bed? That's how I feel now. What I wouldn't give for saltine crackers!
Life has been very difficult here, but good. We are learning so much and listening for what we are supposed to do. It is not easy. especially on days when you are in bed or the bathroom constantly!
We have faced many adventures since we've been here. From: extreme runners and scary dogs, ridding on crazy buses where you learn to jump off fast, hiking in the mountains in flip flops trying not to break a leg, driving 9 canoes and stuff in a little pickup down switchback roads hoping no one is coming at you on the one way road, learning to like milk in a box, and shopping all on your own not knowing what your asking for! It has been an amazing adventure so far and we are looking forward to the rest that are coming. Soon it will all be over and we will be forging through the adventure of coming home again. We can't wait to share all of the stories with you.

Until we write again. Rachel

Run, Marcus, Run!

As many of you know, I am currently in training for the Chicago Marathon along with my brother Stephan. But, did you know that running is considered an extreme sport in Turkey? There are numerous reasons for such a qualification: bus drivers who seem to "aim" for pedestrians, small pathways that often force off-roading, numerous walkers that serve as cones to zig-zag around, intense heat & humidity that saps the life out of any who dare, and of course the dogs!

This morning I was on the return side of my 5 miles and within sight of home. At this point the pathway is very narrow forcing passers-by to use the road (look out for busses) or part of a gravel parking lot that is severly overgrown. The walker in front of me chose the road (ha!) so I chose the pathway in order to pass him. As I commited to my route I noticed a stray dog headed the opposite direction I was going. Like most dogs, he passed by harmlessly looking rather thin and sickly. I thought to myself, "I wonder what these strays eat around here?" As soon as I passed the dog I spied another sitting in the shade of an overgrown bush. He seemed rather docile as well, more intent on avoiding the sun than hassling joggers. Right!

1 foot away he sprang into action letting out a low growl. I thought, "OH, that's what they eat!" Not wanting to rile the beast I slowed to a walk making myself look as big as possible. He matched my pace and snarled some more and then I realized his "buddy" had turned around behind me. So now I'm trapped between two strays, a guardrail for the road, and a huge bush that needed some trimming. Great! But from the road I heard a voice "Hosh! Hosh!" My new walking friend whom I had just left in the dust came to my rescue. The dogs didn't seem too eager to challenge two "extreme athletes" and I was rescued. With a humble "sowl (thanks)" I continued on my way. I am currently in the process of locating a lead pipe to run with, until then I think I'll brave the busses!

* * *

Running to another note, Rachel and I are into our second full week in Turkey. Everyday is a new adventure with more than dogs to wrestle with. A hungry dog I can understand but sometimes the difficulties of cross-cultural living are too much. Rachel is very ill today with some stomach reaction to food, please remember her in your prayers. I'm still planning ESL lessons today from our apartment but it's tough to constantly know she is miserable. Hopefully it will pass as it did last week!

Every occasion is an opportunity to learn, to be here, to observe life in Turkey. In America, if you're sick you go grab some medecine at the pharmacy. How do you do that in another country when you only speak the language in a very basic way? Or worse, do you do anything since you don't know what's wrong? Opportunities to learn, opportunities to be here, opportunities...we're learning. We are quite confident that this summer is to be all about that. Not so much doing but being here and learning about life here. Paul prayed, "that [we] would be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding..." Ask this for us as we for you!

Well, till next time: never stop learning, never stop praying, and never stop running! (especially when being chased by hungry dogs or veering busses)

Do, Do, Do...

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

-William Cowper

One thing you must know about Turkey are the relationships. Life here is not so much about productivity, being "on-time", or earning your place in society; it's about relationships. This is not to say that relationships are not important in America or the West. Of course not! How many lattes have you listened over or late night telephone calls have you made to use the "free" minutes? Of course relationships are important! What I am speaking of is the day to day lifestyle of the Turkish people. It's more like this, we are concerned about what we do and how well it's done, here the concern is about who does the work and how well the time is spent together. Or perhaps, we are concerned about how much is accomplished in an afternoon, here the concern is how much everyone benefited from the time.

In reality, we're still figuring this out. What does that mean for our English class? How should I go about tutoring in English? How shall I best serve tea all afternoon? Is it still OK to plan out my day by time or should I just "be flexible"? These are questions we're wrestling through right now. When feelings of uselessness arise or the urge to get out and "do" something takes over we have to ask, "is this the Spirit of God or just my cultural upbringing?" When the day has passed and you can barely point back to anything accomplished is that entirely wrong? Really?

We're living in that limbo now and wanted to clue you in to our struggle. We know that for the present we are meant to be here, meant to be learners, meant to be servants...but after that it's still quite a mystery. We're being available, we're learning about how we fit in here, and we're serving as opportunity arises.

May we all keep a learning ear heavenward lest we forget the mystery of our God!

"A Camping we have gone..."


Have you ever lain awake at night, eyes fixed beyond the confines of the ceiling wondering "what on earth am I doing here?" That was this past weekend as Rachel and I accompanied a group of international students on a camping trip. We drove an hour+ down the coast to a place near the ruins of Olympos and setup our tents in a mulberry patch. (which now are stuck all over the bottom of my shoes!) So, that first night I lay awake in a stifflingly hot tent that was too short for my legs to strech out and wondered...


Rachel and I have been in Turkey for 5 days now and only this morning did we both finally feel adjusted in body, mind, and spirit. Body: it's hot and humid here in Antalya; someone mentioned that God must have made it so beautiful here so that people can endure the summer! As we learn to shop and cook for ourselves, it feels like we're relearning everything, the most basic realities of life. And amid this I'm continuing my marathon training and we're looking for a way that Rachel can swim (it's all cliffs near our apartment so we need to find a way down to the sea). Mind: english, turkish, english, turkish, erkish, tuglish, ahhhh! I'm definately rusty and Rachel is making a valient effort as she works in the cafe. Lord willing my tutoring students will help me as much as I help them and Rachel is making a list every morning of words to practice thoughout the day. Spirit: being displaced and unsettled is very draining and makes us cling to the Word all the more. Getting on a schedule is helping but at this time we're learning what it is to "cry out to God". He is very good!


So, back to Olympos...we setup camp and headed to the beach (rock, pebble, and gravel). The boys enjoyed when I would launch them into the sea, taught them to skip stones, and then they began chasing "rubbish" up and down the surf. (I ended up carrying it back to the waste bin!) Then football/soccer, 3 on 1 (I was the 1), while the ladies worked on dinner, we did the dishes. Then a night hike up to see the sacred flames that come out of the mountain (methane gas reserves; did I mention all of this is in flip-flop sandals). The next day we explored the Olympos ruins and spent the whole day in the sun as the boys played. Rachel and I are still wearing some of the sun...ouch!



Well, we're expecting the unexpected and living each day for what God has in store. Thank you for your continued encouragement, we'll write again soon.