While in Turkey my team and I have been busy working on a home that will one day house missionaries and be a local church and house of prayer. We have spent days of work scraping paint off the floors and then scrubbing the remains away with acid. It’s not the most glamorous job, and can sometimes be frustrating knowing if only the people who painted used a drop cloth it wouldn’t even be part of our work, but it has given me plenty of time to be with God.
In the midst of cleaning the floors for hours I have had some of the sweetest moments worshipping God, all alone, singing loud with the music turned up high.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have had moments of fighting battles in prayer.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have interceded for many nations.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have processed many thoughts about God, myself, and this world.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have dreamed with God about the days ahead of me.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have listened to many pastors share messages of truth.
In the midst of cleaning floors for hours I have had some of the sweetest moments talking with others on my team.
Who knew scraping paint and scrubbing floors with acid would be a dwelling place. A place where I have been reminded that worship is a weapon, and the Word of God is my sword. Even when the task seems redundant, I will continue to praise God and say thank you for getting to be a part of His Kingdom in this way.
Outside of our work days in the home, my team and I get to do ministry in our local town and hang out with neighbors and friends we have made here. Once a week though our host takes us to surrounding areas to pray over the land and the people in nearby villages and cities.
The spiritual walls here are thick, and the only way for lives to be impacted by the gospel is to start with intercession and prayer. So once a week we walk the grounds for hours interceding and praying that Gods spirit would fall on this nation. That miracles would happen in Jesus name. That hearts would be softened and the veil would be removed from blind eyes. That unbelievers would be at a place of unrest, and left unsatisfied in their religion until finding the truth to fill their minds and their hearts. That ultimately the only name that would triumph and bring peace in their lives is the name of Yeshua (Jesus, Isa). Only God can make these things happen. So we walk and we pray and we look for where God is at work and join Him in those places.
Being in an unreached nation has reminded me that even the friendliest people, with beautiful hearts, can still be separated from God and destined to an eternity apart from Him. It is only by the name of Jesus that one will be reunited with God and spend eternity in Heaven. No other name, no other religion, and no amount of good works will ever bring someone into the Kingdom of Heaven. Nothing will bring us back into the original design of this world and relationship with God that was intended except the name of Jesus.
”“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.“
John 3:16
”So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“
Romans 10:17
”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8
”because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.“
Romans 10:9
”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“
John 14:6
The name of Jesus is the only name. The name that I will continue to learn more about and draw closer to. The name I will continue to proclaim all the days of my life. The name I will forever love.
The mission field in Turkey has been quite different than any other nation I have been to, but it has been a country I am so grateful to experience. Time has gone fast and there’s only two weeks left, but I know God will continue to teach me in these days!
So that’s a wrap on this update. I am still wrestling through good and bad days with my health but holding onto the truths and promises of God as best as I can. I would appreciate continued prayers for endurance and peace. Thank you for following this sweet journey that I have been gifted to be a small vessel on. God is faithful.
Last thing, my team has been given a really sweet opportunity to travel along the western part of Turkey this coming week to visit the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation! I’m so excited for this opportunity but it is going to be a little expensive considering it is a cost outside of our world race budget. As a team we are collectively about 40% of the way to our goal for this trip and still need some help. If you want to support us, reach out to me or Venmo me @adusek. We are so excited to get to see more of a glimpse of the Bible through this journey!
I love you Ashley, I’m praying for your health, for you to be well, for hearts to turn toward Jesus, and for the funds needed for the very exciting Turkey expedition to the 7 churches of Revelation!