now it begins

This was our first week on Campus and the Lord provided so many conversations!  On the first day of campus we had a conversation our friend, *JoAnna, and her friend, *Jacob.  When he was in junior high he began to research Christianity and continued until his freshman year at university.  When he chose Islam at the time he said his friends laughed at him and were asking him why he was even interested in that.  And he also said that when he read things in the Bible, he couldn't understand certain things.  This lead to a great conversation in which we got to share the Truth about Jesus Christ.  His eyes are blinded to the truth but he's still searching and interested! We're hoping to connect him with the guys with us so they can continue this conversation with him! Pray the Lord would open His eyes.  Another cool thing about this conversation was JoAnna.  She was tracking right with us and when Jacob didn't understand something and spoke for us when we were unable to find the Turkish word or explain clearly in english through the language barrier... Praise God for her and pray through that conversation and her involvement the Gospel will become more clear!

Another day we met with *Ilanna, a student from last year.  She is our most devout friend and even covers how most modern women do here.  We began talking of superficial things at first and I was getting a little discouraged really praying the Lord would provide connections to spiritual things.  Something came up about culture so I then asked a cultural question.  This simple question led to almost 2 hours of conversation in which we were able to share the Gospel at least 4 times.  We talked of Jesus, punishment, sin, why Jesus came, the cross, what the Q'ran says, what the Bible says, baptism, the Truth of God's word, and much more! But through it all we learned more of where Ilanna stands.  She said that she is always searching, always asking why, wanting to know the Truth and what is right.  She said up til now Islam has been what she understands to be right, what she thinks is the best.  But if Ilanna were to find something different, more right and better she'd immediately switch! Praise God for her searching heart.  Pray her eyes would be open to the holes in her own beliefs and that she's meet Jesus in a real way.  As we were talking about Jesus and the cross she really began to understand the need for Jesus.  Not for herself but why we as Christ followers need Jesus.  Pray she'll see her need for Him too!