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RE: Hibernating Dreams - 11/18/2008 11:18:48 AM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 1053
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: offline
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Don't all jump in at once!
Maybe I should prime the pump ...
Around 30 years ago, I learned that the Republic of Turkey is the largest unevangelized country on earth. At that time, there were approximately one missionary and one native convert for every million Turks. Well, says I to myself, says I, why not invest my life where the need is greatest? and commenced to fantasize about someday becoming one of the really rare, unique, and precious missionaries!
However, successful missionary service requires a special kind of favor with God and man, an inborn charisma that I did not possess. A faithful pastor's straight talk headed me off in a more fruitful direction: discerning my calling under God, learning how to take care of a wife and children, how to serve faithfully in my own church ...
Finally, in 2005, a local university's "Language Partners Program" connected me to sharp young grad students from that country who wanted coaching on their English, and were eager to coach my family on Turkish language and culture.
An ex-girlfriend of my son's went to China to teach English and evangelize. When she arrived, she discovered that the locals already had their social networks up and running -- and "foreign devils" could not expect to be invited!
These young students, however, are on foreign soil, far from home, family, culture. They respond enthusiastically to an offer of friendship from American Christians who show respect for them and their culture. Although I yearn to serve summer semesters as a teacher at Turkish universities (I'm working on a dissertation with that door-opening, bridge-building function in mind) -- I can perhaps achieve far more right here, a few people at a time.
(BTW -- Turkish uses a Latin alphabet, has a ruthlessly consistent and logical grammar, and is fun to learn!)
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
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