2. Istanbul & the Earthquake

We landed in Istanbul, the largest city as well as the capital of Turkey.

As we drove through the city of Izmir we saw signs of the latest and the strongest earthquake the country had ever had. This earthquake had just happened in August (just 2 months before our trip) and then again in September before our departure in October. The first one was at 3:05 AM and was almost 7.0 on the rector scale, lasting 45 seconds. There were over 20,000 deaths and over 30,000 injured during this.  We saw it as a manifested sign of the shaking that was happening over the land from the spiritual warfare in the heavenlies through this corporate prayer that had been going on and the event that was to take place in Ephesus.

The streets were lined with tents. People would sleep in them and only go into their homes briefly during the day to get something and bring it back to their tent. They feared for more quakes at anytime.

Many houses were unsafe to live in so the streets were lined with tents where the residents lived.

This was the Blue Mosque, a place of prayer and worship for the Muslims. It is known for the blue tiles that adorned the walls of its interior.

The tall spindly minarets were seen all over the city of Istanbul. On these minarets were loud speakers that sounded five times during the day calling them to pray.

Internally a mosque is sparse having little or no furniture.

Women may attend the mosque but they sit separately from the men.

The people sit on the floor and pray in the direction of Mecca .

Muslim priest leaving from worship.

 As a team we were learning alot about the country and people of Turkey.

We took opportunities to speak with them and share God's love, being lights in a dark nation.

God loves these people.

Next - Hierapolis & St. Sophia