Ah...once again it intimidatingly stares down at me for the hundredth time. At this point I'm seemingly immune to it's taunts as I casually put one foot in front of the other and begin the trek. Up and down everyday we conquer this steep hill. No matter how taxing it may have been, the journey itself was worth it.

Everyday we walked a good thirty to forty minutes plus from our place, on top of this hill, to our daily destinations. But, this isn't just another ordinary walk we made, no, this was one with a joyful, willing, purpose. This is one of the only times, when coming home drenched in sweat, body fatigued, and aching to the point of showing off my true age, that I laid down and thought "today was great and so worth it" while looking forward toward the next day and the rest of the time we had there. 

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to share but I will say this.

The wounds I got while playing soccer on a turf field were worth the relationships built with the guys during our Turkey vs. America scrimmages. These precious moments strengthening our bond and allowing our Father to move thru us revealing His love and purpose to those around us by first our actions and second by our words.

The scars that are forever there to remember the sweet time spent and invested while witnessing healings in all forms first hand and seeing people light up when simply asking them for prayer realizing in that moment how much personal investment in a persons well being is rare yet wanting.

The brokenness that my heart felt in realizing how much of hopelessness there is in a belief with no guarantee of where one will go after they die. A false hope that maybe if one does enough good things they can make it to God.

 All this led to a heartfelt devotion which drove me to set aside personal preferences of what I did and didn't want to do for the sake of those who were hungry in learning more about a loving Father who gave everything to have a personal relationship with them by showing them how precious and valuable they are. 

Honestly it's hard to describe and write in words how amazing this past month was in Turkey. From hanging with the students in and outside of English classes to sweet moments in other places witnessing the Father reveal Himself in different ways by making a huge impact in everyone's lives whether they realize it or not. As well as singing about a living King in the tombs of dead kings with every person in that space hearing sweet praises about Him. Ever single moment, every interaction, every single day was one hundred percent worth it. 

Out of all the places we've been to so far Turkey unexpectedly became one of my favorite places. Not to discredit the previous places we've been to so far or what was done at them it's just...Turkey was special in it's own way and it holds a special place in my heart. It was here that, through our willingness and intentional devotion, our faithful loving Father touched the hearts of those who didn't truly know Him and they were surely wrecked. I was surely wrecked.

Turkey I miss you and love you. Till we meet again. Be blessed and may the Father continue to reveal Himself to you.