Our visit began in Istanbul with a taste of the rich history in Türkiye. We saw how early Christian churches can be detected with a compass despite the fact they are now mosques, because the foundations are aligned to Jerusalem, not Mecca. Here, we met pastor A, who was excited to show us around and share both his testimony and his heart to serve.

Next, we travelled east to a small city overlooked by Mount Ararat, in the ‘cradle of civilisation’ close to the borders of Iran. I had visited this area previously with a group, when we had felt prompted to pray specifically for churches to be planted in provinces where there was no church. On this earlier visit, having missed our connecting bus, we found ourselves with time to spend there, which led to an unexpected hour of focussed intercession.

Returning this Autumn, it was amazing to be welcomed by the pastor of the first church in this same city! We spent time with him, his wife and young family, sharing stories, praying and worshipping together with tears of joy and thankfulness. It gave ‘all that we can ask or even think’ a whole new meaning! We were blessed by their love, their willingness to be the church of Jesus there, not forgetting the delicious traditional food they shared with us.

During our visit, the pastor and our group were invited to the new local university. Whilst sipping tea in the chancellor’s office, new prayers were forming in us, daring us to believe that an opening for the pastor to share at the university would come.

Yes, we can learn from history, the old stones—relics of another age; however, I realised that the joy of embracing new ‘living stones’—witnessing their boldness in sharing their faith and seeing people open to receive Bibles—will stay with me longer and I’m sure with my fellow travellers too.

Cappadocia