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Turkey has found a special spot in our hearts over the last couple of years. We have had the chance go there to play music twice. We went first in August of '98 for six weeks and played a total of 26 concerts over that time. We headed back there in September of '99, shortly following the major earthquake that rocked Turkey in mid-August. This tour lasted 3 weeks. We were able to meet some incredible people and also to see first hand some of the devastating effects that the earthquake had on the country. They were both truly memorable trips. Once again, we have decided to head back in August '00 for three weeks. This time we are hoping to have the opportunity to make it to Kazakstan as well. Plans are in the making. We have worked with a group called TACO (Turkey / Asia Creative Outreach) made up of Operation Mobilization and FEB International workers. We go and basically play our regular rock show at open air concerts, clubs, churches and other venues. Interpreters travel with us, and our lyrics are translated into Turkish and given to the audiences. We have the opportunity to share our faith from the stage and in person after the concerts. The goal of the concerts is to encourage listeners to sign up for a Bible correspondence course assembled by OM. Turkey is a 99.8% Muslim country with a population of 62,500,000. Although religious freedom is constitutionally guaranteed, Christian drama teams and ministry groups have been imprisoned or deported. Musicians are respected in the Turkish culture, making music one of the only accepted ministries in the country. Please pray for us as we head back there this August. |
