some raw thoughts

My heart has been sitting with some hard and heavy things recently. A lot of which is quite convicting. While I typically desire to have full and complete thoughts in my blogs, the truth is that I am still understanding and forming what this all means for my walk as a believer.

The 10/40 window is a rectangular area stretching from North Africa through the Middle East to Asia, covering 68 countries. Two-thirds of the world’s population lives within the 10/40 window. Additionally, three out of every five people in the 10/40 window have no access to the Gospel. It is the most unevangelized area in the world.

Good news friends !! There is a difference between the unreached and the unreachable !!

While living in the 10/40 window, I’ve been able to better understand the need of the world and the opportunity for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Mathew 24.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

Being a Christian in the 10/40 window is unnatural. Often, it leads to persecution or judgement by the community or even family and friends.

More good news !! The gospel is abnormal. The belief of a supernatural resurrection of a Jewish carpenter occurred on behalf of our sins- woah! The gospel contradicts the things of this world that us humans have constructed. The gospel is the thing that God used to save people and the church! So despite its strangeness or unfamiliarity to some, it is the most comforting and understandable thing.

Meeting individuals here who are followers of Jesus has encouraged me incredibly. The members of the church body in Turkey believe. They are all in for the gospel. They understand that their salvation is worth it. It is worth putting everything of this world at risk for the sake of the gospel and their relationship with Jesus.

They see it fitting to drive to another town to a building to worship and learn every Sunday because it’s the only church in the area. They see it fitting to invite each other to their homes and build relationships with each other throughout the week. They see it fitting to love the people around them, even when they reject the gospel.

It has been an honor to do life with these strong people for the past five weeks.

Listening to powerful testimonies of how many believers came to know the Lord has led me to think about the difference between being a Christian in Turkey vs. a Christian in America, a country with Christian roots.

It may be easy to be a Christian in America but I believe it is becoming less normal. While this may sound concerning, it actually may mean that cultural Christianity is become less common and strong disciples of Jesus are being made. We may be seeing a healthy pruning.

The Gospel should make our lives look radically different. 

Have I become too familiar? Do I long too much for the things in America that used to fuel my faith? Does my heart and life reflect a life of willing to lay down everything for the sake of the gospel? Do I sometimes forget that the God of the universe loves me and he sent His one and only son to die on a cross for MY sins?

Thank you God for saving my brothers and sisters in Turkey. Thank you for how they hold the gospel with great care and display your love to those around them. I pray that we would be reminded daily of the weight that the gospel holds and give ourselves to you as a daily offering. Amen!

Prayer Requests & Updates:
– My team will be celebrating Easter with our church family here. We will have church and dinner together. We have learned three new Turkish songs for worship. Kirsten will be leading our team through a something called a Seder Dinner on Friday. Read more about it on her blog here: https://kirstenhankins.theworldrace.org/post/the-last-supper/
– Next week, we will be going on a three day camping trip with a new friend here. Pray for safety.
– Continue to pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters as Ramadan continues. Pray for doors to be opened to share the gospel as they seek Allah.
– My team will be going to the southern part of Turkey for one week, near Tarsus (Paul’s hometown). Pray for opportunities to encourage and support victims of the earthquake that occurred there.
– Pray for my team as we have last conversations and time with friends we have made here. We trust God that with these relationships and place them in His hands.
– Team SDR is enjoying our last two weeks together before we return to Instanbul to switch teams with our squad.

Be well. Love well.
Mags