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感謝主！在敘利亞政權更迭、伊斯坦堡市長被捕的情況下，「吹號者事工」得以順利完成土耳其東部根源盟約之旅。這是一次超乎想像的旅程，我們能夠和ㄧ群志同道合的弟兄姐妹造訪人類文明起源和上帝與先祖立約之地。這也是 「吹號者事工」與 「主恩旅遊 Grace tour」 合作的第四次旅行。
Thanks be to the Lord! Amid a regime change in Syria and demonstrations over the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, Trumpeter Ministries was able to successfully complete the Roots and Covenant Tour in eastern Türkiye. It was an unimaginable journey that we took together as a group of like-minded brothers and sisters, setting foot in the region where human civilization began and where God made a covenant with our ancestors. It was also the fourth trip that Trumpeter Ministries has taken in collaboration with Grace Tours.
Thanks be to the Lord! Amid a regime change in Syria and demonstrations over the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, Trumpeter Ministries was able to successfully complete the Roots and Covenant Tour in eastern Türkiye. It was an unimaginable journey that we took together as a group of like-minded brothers and sisters, setting foot in the region where human civilization began and where God made a covenant with our ancestors. It was also the fourth trip that Trumpeter Ministries has taken in collaboration with Grace Tours.
亞美尼亞：第一個基督教國家 Armenia: The First Christian Nation
亞美尼亞在主後301年成為第一個以基督教立國的國家且持續到今天。當我們參觀與亞美尼亞人民及其基督教信仰相關的歷史遺跡時，教會歷史變得生動起來，儘管我們只能參觀土耳其境內的遺跡。我們在卡爾斯參觀的亞美尼亞教堂建於公元10世紀初，名為12使徒教堂，這提醒我們，如果沒有使徒們的宣教工作，天國就無法向外擴展。當我們站立在古老的亞美尼亞教堂內敬拜時，我們被提醒每一代基督徒都需要繼續向每個國家傳福音。因為「以耶和華為 神的，那國有福了！耶和華揀選為自己產業的，那民有福了！」（詩篇 33:12）
Armenia became the first Christian nation in 301 AD and remains a Christian nation today. Church history came alive as we visited historical sites related to the Armenian people and to their Christian faith, even though we were only able to visit sites within Turkiye. The name of the Armenian church we visited in Kars, built in the early 10th century AD, was 12 Apostles Church, which reminds us that, without the missionary work of the Apostles, the Kingdom of God would not have extended outward as it did. As we stood and worshipped in prayer inside the ancient Armenian church, we were reminded that Christians in each generation need to continue to spread the gospel to every nation. For, indeed, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!” (Psalm 33:12)
亞美尼亞在主後301年成為第一個以基督教立國的國家且持續到今天。當我們參觀與亞美尼亞人民及其基督教信仰相關的歷史遺跡時，教會歷史變得生動起來，儘管我們只能參觀土耳其境內的遺跡。我們在卡爾斯參觀的亞美尼亞教堂建於公元10世紀初，名為12使徒教堂，這提醒我們，如果沒有使徒們的宣教工作，天國就無法向外擴展。當我們站立在古老的亞美尼亞教堂內敬拜時，我們被提醒每一代基督徒都需要繼續向每個國家傳福音。因為「以耶和華為 神的，那國有福了！耶和華揀選為自己產業的，那民有福了！」（詩篇 33:12）
Armenia became the first Christian nation in 301 AD and remains a Christian nation today. Church history came alive as we visited historical sites related to the Armenian people and to their Christian faith, even though we were only able to visit sites within Turkiye. The name of the Armenian church we visited in Kars, built in the early 10th century AD, was 12 Apostles Church, which reminds us that, without the missionary work of the Apostles, the Kingdom of God would not have extended outward as it did. As we stood and worshipped in prayer inside the ancient Armenian church, we were reminded that Christians in each generation need to continue to spread the gospel to every nation. For, indeed, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!” (Psalm 33:12)
12 使徒教會, 卡爾斯/ 12 Apostles Church, Kars
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土耳其和亞美尼亞邊境/Border of Turkiye and Armenia
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亞拉臘山：挪亞之約 Mt. Ararat: The Covenant of Noah
當我第一次看到雄偉的、白雪皚皚的亞拉臘山時，那是一種超現實的景象。我想起全球洪水的記載不是人為的傳說，《創世記》的紀錄也不是。《創世記》8:4 明確指出亞拉臘山是洪水退卻後諾亞方舟的著陸點。
我們非常幸運，晴朗的天空讓我們可以欣賞到整個亞拉臘山的壯麗景色。這一地區也是土耳其最東端，是整個土耳其第一個看到日出的地方。隔天清晨，我剛好看到了日出的尾聲；我祈禱基督之光從那裡升起，照耀土耳其的國家和人民。
卡爾斯城堡是一座位於卡爾斯市東北部的堡壘，建於 1153 年。在參觀期間，我們被天空中出現的彩虹所震撼。 這讓我們想起了《創世記》9:15 所記載的上帝的約定，祂永遠不會再用洪水毀滅地球。我們的上帝確實是一位仁慈的上帝，祂「不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改」。（彼得後書 3:9）
《創世記》8:4 「……七月十七日，方舟停在亞拉臘山上。」
《創世記》9:13,15 「我把彩虹放在雲中，這就是我與地立約的記號了。……不再有洪水氾濫去毀滅一切有血肉的了。」
The first glimpse I had of the mighty, snow-covered Mt. Ararat was a surreal sight. I was reminded that the account of the global flood is not a manmade legend, neither is the Genesis record. Genesis 8:4 specifies Mt. Ararat as being the landing place of Noah’s ark when the flood waters subsided.
We were very fortunate that clear skies afforded us an excellent view of Mt. Ararat in its entirety. The area is also the farthest east in Turkiye, the first place to see the sun rise in all of Turkiye. I was able to catch the tail end of the sunrise early one morning; I prayed that the Light of Christ would rise from there and shine over the country of Turkiye and its people.
The Castle of Kars, a former fortress located in the northeast city of Kars, was built in 1153. During our visit, we were awed by the appearance of an overarching rainbow which appeared in the sky. We were reminded of God’s covenant recorded in Genesis 9:15 that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Truly our God is a God of mercy, and He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Genesis 8:4 “…and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.”
Genesis 9:13,15 “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth… And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
當我第一次看到雄偉的、白雪皚皚的亞拉臘山時，那是一種超現實的景象。我想起全球洪水的記載不是人為的傳說，《創世記》的紀錄也不是。《創世記》8:4 明確指出亞拉臘山是洪水退卻後諾亞方舟的著陸點。
我們非常幸運，晴朗的天空讓我們可以欣賞到整個亞拉臘山的壯麗景色。這一地區也是土耳其最東端，是整個土耳其第一個看到日出的地方。隔天清晨，我剛好看到了日出的尾聲；我祈禱基督之光從那裡升起，照耀土耳其的國家和人民。
卡爾斯城堡是一座位於卡爾斯市東北部的堡壘，建於 1153 年。在參觀期間，我們被天空中出現的彩虹所震撼。 這讓我們想起了《創世記》9:15 所記載的上帝的約定，祂永遠不會再用洪水毀滅地球。我們的上帝確實是一位仁慈的上帝，祂「不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改」。（彼得後書 3:9）
《創世記》8:4 「……七月十七日，方舟停在亞拉臘山上。」
《創世記》9:13,15 「我把彩虹放在雲中，這就是我與地立約的記號了。……不再有洪水氾濫去毀滅一切有血肉的了。」
The first glimpse I had of the mighty, snow-covered Mt. Ararat was a surreal sight. I was reminded that the account of the global flood is not a manmade legend, neither is the Genesis record. Genesis 8:4 specifies Mt. Ararat as being the landing place of Noah’s ark when the flood waters subsided.
We were very fortunate that clear skies afforded us an excellent view of Mt. Ararat in its entirety. The area is also the farthest east in Turkiye, the first place to see the sun rise in all of Turkiye. I was able to catch the tail end of the sunrise early one morning; I prayed that the Light of Christ would rise from there and shine over the country of Turkiye and its people.
The Castle of Kars, a former fortress located in the northeast city of Kars, was built in 1153. During our visit, we were awed by the appearance of an overarching rainbow which appeared in the sky. We were reminded of God’s covenant recorded in Genesis 9:15 that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Truly our God is a God of mercy, and He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Genesis 8:4 “…and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.”
Genesis 9:13,15 “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth… And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
亞拉臘山 Mt. Ararat
亞拉臘山的日出
Sunrise over Mt. Ararat |
卡爾斯城堡的彩虹
Rainbow from Kars Castle |
底格里斯河：文明的搖籃 The Tigris River: The Cradle of Civilization
底格里斯河是《創世記》2:10-14 中提到的滋潤伊甸園的第三條河。清晨，我們在濛濛細雨中乘船遊覽美麗的底格里斯河，經過石灰岩洞穴住宅和令人驚嘆的岩層，感覺就像在仙境中航行。我們很榮幸成為「主恩旅遊」第一個搭船遊河的團。我們很盡興地在船上一起跳庫德舞。
這個小鎮名叫哈桑凱伊夫Hasankeyf，是我們的庫德族導遊Chattin的家鄉。 （不幸的是，由於政府建造了伊利蘇大壩，我們導遊童年居住的村莊現在被淹沒了。）Chattin 給了我們一份特別的款待，他邀請他的父母、祖母、叔叔和阿姨到鎮上與我們見面，並請我們喝咖啡和茶。熱情好客在現代社會早已成為被遺忘，但在這裡它依然存在並且實踐。我們的中文導遊 Tina 告訴我們，伊甸園的面積可能比許多人想像的還要大。我們已經踏入了被稱為文明搖籃的地區。
《創世記》 2:14a 「第三條河名叫底格里斯，它流到亞述的東邊。」
The Tigris River is the third river mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14 that watered the Garden of Eden. Our early morning boat ride on the beautiful Tigris River under a misty rain felt like a cruise in a wonderland as we passed by the side of limestone cave dwellings and breathtaking rock formations. We were blessed to be the first of Grace Tours to have such a boat ride which was just newly available. We enjoyed doing a Kurdish dance on the boat together.
The town, Hasankeyf, was the hometown of our Kurdish tour guide Chattin. (Unfortunately, our guide’s childhood village is now under water due to the government’s building of the Ilisu Dam.) Chattin gave us a special treat by inviting his parents, grandmother, uncle and aunt to meet us in town and treating us to coffee and tea. Hospitality is a long lost virtue in modern society but it is still alive and practiced here. We were told by our Grace Tours Chinese-speaking tour guide Tina that the Garden of Eden might have covered a larger area than many think. We had stepped into the region called the Cradle of Civilization.
Genesis 2:14a “And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria.”
底格里斯河是《創世記》2:10-14 中提到的滋潤伊甸園的第三條河。清晨，我們在濛濛細雨中乘船遊覽美麗的底格里斯河，經過石灰岩洞穴住宅和令人驚嘆的岩層，感覺就像在仙境中航行。我們很榮幸成為「主恩旅遊」第一個搭船遊河的團。我們很盡興地在船上一起跳庫德舞。
這個小鎮名叫哈桑凱伊夫Hasankeyf，是我們的庫德族導遊Chattin的家鄉。 （不幸的是，由於政府建造了伊利蘇大壩，我們導遊童年居住的村莊現在被淹沒了。）Chattin 給了我們一份特別的款待，他邀請他的父母、祖母、叔叔和阿姨到鎮上與我們見面，並請我們喝咖啡和茶。熱情好客在現代社會早已成為被遺忘，但在這裡它依然存在並且實踐。我們的中文導遊 Tina 告訴我們，伊甸園的面積可能比許多人想像的還要大。我們已經踏入了被稱為文明搖籃的地區。
《創世記》 2:14a 「第三條河名叫底格里斯，它流到亞述的東邊。」
The Tigris River is the third river mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14 that watered the Garden of Eden. Our early morning boat ride on the beautiful Tigris River under a misty rain felt like a cruise in a wonderland as we passed by the side of limestone cave dwellings and breathtaking rock formations. We were blessed to be the first of Grace Tours to have such a boat ride which was just newly available. We enjoyed doing a Kurdish dance on the boat together.
The town, Hasankeyf, was the hometown of our Kurdish tour guide Chattin. (Unfortunately, our guide’s childhood village is now under water due to the government’s building of the Ilisu Dam.) Chattin gave us a special treat by inviting his parents, grandmother, uncle and aunt to meet us in town and treating us to coffee and tea. Hospitality is a long lost virtue in modern society but it is still alive and practiced here. We were told by our Grace Tours Chinese-speaking tour guide Tina that the Garden of Eden might have covered a larger area than many think. We had stepped into the region called the Cradle of Civilization.
Genesis 2:14a “And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria.”
我們導遊的親戚 Our Tour Guide’s Relatives
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底格里斯河 Tigris River
吾珥和哈蘭：亞伯拉罕之約 Ur and Harran: The Covenant of Abraham
吾珥的地理位置尚有爭議，但哈蘭的地理位置是肯定的。哈蘭的民間圓頂蜂巢房屋令人驚嘆：儘管外面乾燥炎熱，但裡面卻涼爽舒適。令人難以置信的是，亞伯拉罕家族的四代人都在哈蘭長大：利百加、拉結、利亞和雅各的 11 個兒子。因著信心，我們都是亞伯拉罕的子孫！願我們也承接亞伯拉罕的信心。（加拉太書 3:7-9）
上帝呼召亞伯拉罕「你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。」 （創 12:1）為了被上帝使用，我們首先需要走出我們的「舒適圈」。我鼓勵團友們，參加這次旅行我們已經走出了自己的「舒適圈」；當然，這次旅行之後，我們都能夠以更多的被上帝使用！我們永遠不會因為年紀太大而無法開始這段旅程，就像亞伯拉罕 75 歲時離開哈蘭一樣。
註：哈蘭 (Harran) 是該城市的現名，而希伯來聖經則稱為哈蘭 (Haran)。
The location of Ur is debatable but that of Harran is for sure. The Vernacular Domed Beehive houses of Harran were amazing: cool and comfortable inside in spite of the dry, hot temperature outside. It was mind blowing that here in Harran four generations of Abraham’s family were nurtured: Rebekah, Rachel, Leah and Jacob’s 11 sons. By faith we are all sons of Abraham! May we also inherit the faith of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7-9)
God called Abraham to go from “your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1) To be used by God, we need to first come out of our “comfort zone”. I encouraged our group members that by joining this tour we had already all come out of our “comfort zone”; surely, after this trip we can all be used by God in even greater ways! And we are never too old to start this journey as Abraham left Harran when he was 75.
Note: Harran is the city’s current name whereas the Hebrew Scriptures refer to it as Haran.
吾珥的地理位置尚有爭議，但哈蘭的地理位置是肯定的。哈蘭的民間圓頂蜂巢房屋令人驚嘆：儘管外面乾燥炎熱，但裡面卻涼爽舒適。令人難以置信的是，亞伯拉罕家族的四代人都在哈蘭長大：利百加、拉結、利亞和雅各的 11 個兒子。因著信心，我們都是亞伯拉罕的子孫！願我們也承接亞伯拉罕的信心。（加拉太書 3:7-9）
上帝呼召亞伯拉罕「你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去。」 （創 12:1）為了被上帝使用，我們首先需要走出我們的「舒適圈」。我鼓勵團友們，參加這次旅行我們已經走出了自己的「舒適圈」；當然，這次旅行之後，我們都能夠以更多的被上帝使用！我們永遠不會因為年紀太大而無法開始這段旅程，就像亞伯拉罕 75 歲時離開哈蘭一樣。
註：哈蘭 (Harran) 是該城市的現名，而希伯來聖經則稱為哈蘭 (Haran)。
The location of Ur is debatable but that of Harran is for sure. The Vernacular Domed Beehive houses of Harran were amazing: cool and comfortable inside in spite of the dry, hot temperature outside. It was mind blowing that here in Harran four generations of Abraham’s family were nurtured: Rebekah, Rachel, Leah and Jacob’s 11 sons. By faith we are all sons of Abraham! May we also inherit the faith of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7-9)
God called Abraham to go from “your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1) To be used by God, we need to first come out of our “comfort zone”. I encouraged our group members that by joining this tour we had already all come out of our “comfort zone”; surely, after this trip we can all be used by God in even greater ways! And we are never too old to start this journey as Abraham left Harran when he was 75.
Note: Harran is the city’s current name whereas the Hebrew Scriptures refer to it as Haran.
哈蘭蜂巢屋 Beehive House of Harran
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亞伯拉罕出生洞穴/魚池, 烏爾法
Balıklıgöl (Pool of Abraham) |
雅各井, 哈蘭 Jacob Well, Harran
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安提阿：保羅的宣教總部 Antioch: Paul’s Headquarters for Missions
使徒行傳 11:26 記載，門徒稱為「基督徒」是從安提阿開始的。安提阿是羅馬帝國的第三大城市，也是保羅宣教工作的總部。
2023 年 2 月 6 日發生的地震使這座城市遭到嚴重破壞。 （我們的庫德族導遊在地震發生後自願協助救援工作了六個月；在此期間，他遇到了他現在的未婚妻。）當我們開車或步行穿過這座城市時，我們看到地震造成了很多建築損壞，也注意到了許多居民的臨時住房。由於地震，許多旅行團現在都不再前往安提阿，但 「主恩旅遊」是少數幾個已經再次訪問這座具有歷史意義的城市的旅行團之一，旨在為當地的百姓帶來物質和屬靈的祝福。
Acts 11:26 states that “in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and also was the headquarters for Paul’s mission work.
This city was greatly damaged by the earthquake that occurred on Feb. 6, 2023. (Our Kurdish tour guide had volunteered to help out with the rescue work for six months after the earthquake; while doing this he had met his now-fiance.) As we drove or walked through the city, we observed much structural damage from the earthquake as well as noticed many areas of temporary housing for residents. Due to the earthquake, many tours now skip Antioch, but Grace Tours is one of the few that has already again begun to visit this historically significant city in order to bring material and spiritual blessing to the people.
使徒行傳 11:26 記載，門徒稱為「基督徒」是從安提阿開始的。安提阿是羅馬帝國的第三大城市，也是保羅宣教工作的總部。
2023 年 2 月 6 日發生的地震使這座城市遭到嚴重破壞。 （我們的庫德族導遊在地震發生後自願協助救援工作了六個月；在此期間，他遇到了他現在的未婚妻。）當我們開車或步行穿過這座城市時，我們看到地震造成了很多建築損壞，也注意到了許多居民的臨時住房。由於地震，許多旅行團現在都不再前往安提阿，但 「主恩旅遊」是少數幾個已經再次訪問這座具有歷史意義的城市的旅行團之一，旨在為當地的百姓帶來物質和屬靈的祝福。
Acts 11:26 states that “in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and also was the headquarters for Paul’s mission work.
This city was greatly damaged by the earthquake that occurred on Feb. 6, 2023. (Our Kurdish tour guide had volunteered to help out with the rescue work for six months after the earthquake; while doing this he had met his now-fiance.) As we drove or walked through the city, we observed much structural damage from the earthquake as well as noticed many areas of temporary housing for residents. Due to the earthquake, many tours now skip Antioch, but Grace Tours is one of the few that has already again begun to visit this historically significant city in order to bring material and spiritual blessing to the people.
荒廢的博物館 Abandoned Museum
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安提阿的市集 The Marketplace at Antioch
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洗禮與宣教 The Baptism and Missions
最大的喜樂是看到人們成為上帝的兒女。去年，錢弟兄和他的妻子參加了我們去土耳其西部的旅行，當時他還沒有受洗成為信徒。今年的旅行前，一位「吹號者事工」的同工帶領錢弟兄一起學習了洗禮的課程，之後錢弟兄決定接受耶穌為救主和主！我們在安提阿的聖彼得洞穴教堂為錢弟兄施洗。這次洗禮也讓這趟旅行成為了「宣教之旅」。安提阿的宣教工作至今仍在持續！
在宣教方面，來自台灣的美芳姊妹也加入了我們的行程，她接受並回應了上帝的呼召，來土耳其宣教。 她將在伊斯坦堡待三個月，學習當地語言，為成為宣教士的生活做準備。在聖彼得洞穴教堂，我們也為「主恩旅遊」的團隊抹油禱告。願神興起更多的華人基督徒，跟隨大使命，去贏得未得之民！
The greatest joy is to see individuals becoming children of God. Last year, Brother Chan and his wife had joined our trip to western Turkiye while he was not yet a baptized believer. Before this year’s trip, a Trumpeter Ministries co-worker went through baptism class material with Brother Chan and consequently Brother Chan made the decision to accept Jesus as his Savior and the Lord! We baptized Brother Chan in the Cave Church of St. Peter in Antioch. The baptism resulted in making this trip also a “mission trip”. The mission work of Antioch is still continuing today!
Related to missions, Sister Mei-Fung from Taiwan had joined our tour having received and answered God’s call to reach the people of Turkiye. She will spend three months in Istanbul to learn the language and to prepare herself for life as a missionary. In the Cave Church of St. Peter, we also prayed for the team of Grace Tours. May God raise up more Chinese Christians to follow the Great Commission to the unreached world!
最大的喜樂是看到人們成為上帝的兒女。去年，錢弟兄和他的妻子參加了我們去土耳其西部的旅行，當時他還沒有受洗成為信徒。今年的旅行前，一位「吹號者事工」的同工帶領錢弟兄一起學習了洗禮的課程，之後錢弟兄決定接受耶穌為救主和主！我們在安提阿的聖彼得洞穴教堂為錢弟兄施洗。這次洗禮也讓這趟旅行成為了「宣教之旅」。安提阿的宣教工作至今仍在持續！
在宣教方面，來自台灣的美芳姊妹也加入了我們的行程，她接受並回應了上帝的呼召，來土耳其宣教。 她將在伊斯坦堡待三個月，學習當地語言，為成為宣教士的生活做準備。在聖彼得洞穴教堂，我們也為「主恩旅遊」的團隊抹油禱告。願神興起更多的華人基督徒，跟隨大使命，去贏得未得之民！
The greatest joy is to see individuals becoming children of God. Last year, Brother Chan and his wife had joined our trip to western Turkiye while he was not yet a baptized believer. Before this year’s trip, a Trumpeter Ministries co-worker went through baptism class material with Brother Chan and consequently Brother Chan made the decision to accept Jesus as his Savior and the Lord! We baptized Brother Chan in the Cave Church of St. Peter in Antioch. The baptism resulted in making this trip also a “mission trip”. The mission work of Antioch is still continuing today!
Related to missions, Sister Mei-Fung from Taiwan had joined our tour having received and answered God’s call to reach the people of Turkiye. She will spend three months in Istanbul to learn the language and to prepare herself for life as a missionary. In the Cave Church of St. Peter, we also prayed for the team of Grace Tours. May God raise up more Chinese Christians to follow the Great Commission to the unreached world!
為錢弟兄施洗 Baptized Brother Chan
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為「主恩旅遊」的團隊抹油禱告prayed Pray for the team of Grace Tours
聖彼得洞穴教堂 the Cave Church of St. Peter
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牧師團隊 The Pastoral Team
我們這趟旅程的一個特別之處是，我們的旅行團成員中一共有四位牧師。令人驚訝的是，其中三位（包括我自己）都是美南浸信會神學院（SBTS）的校友！雖然我們不是同時在神學院，但上帝把我們聚集在土耳其。此外，來自新加坡的麥牧師和他的妻子琳達也加入了我們的行程，這對我們團隊來說是一個很大的驚喜！雖然我們之前沒有見過麥牧師和他的妻子，但當我們了解到他們透過職場和幫助窮人來服事上帝的異象時，我們受到了極大的激勵。 非常感謝每位牧師每天早晨的信息分享，以及在用餐時間、個人分享時對團員的輔導和幫助。
A special aspect of our trip was that there were totally four pastors among our tour group members. Amazingly, three of them (including myself) are fellow alumni of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)! Although we had not been students at the same time, God gathered us together in Turkiye. Additionally, Pastor Mak and his wife Linda from Singapore joined our tour which was a great plus for our group! Although we had not met Pastor Mak and his wife before, when we learned of their vision to serve God through the marketplace and through reaching the poor, we were greatly inspired. I am very grateful for each pastor’s morning messages and counseling of tour members during the meal times and through times of personal sharing.
我們這趟旅程的一個特別之處是，我們的旅行團成員中一共有四位牧師。令人驚訝的是，其中三位（包括我自己）都是美南浸信會神學院（SBTS）的校友！雖然我們不是同時在神學院，但上帝把我們聚集在土耳其。此外，來自新加坡的麥牧師和他的妻子琳達也加入了我們的行程，這對我們團隊來說是一個很大的驚喜！雖然我們之前沒有見過麥牧師和他的妻子，但當我們了解到他們透過職場和幫助窮人來服事上帝的異象時，我們受到了極大的激勵。 非常感謝每位牧師每天早晨的信息分享，以及在用餐時間、個人分享時對團員的輔導和幫助。
A special aspect of our trip was that there were totally four pastors among our tour group members. Amazingly, three of them (including myself) are fellow alumni of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)! Although we had not been students at the same time, God gathered us together in Turkiye. Additionally, Pastor Mak and his wife Linda from Singapore joined our tour which was a great plus for our group! Although we had not met Pastor Mak and his wife before, when we learned of their vision to serve God through the marketplace and through reaching the poor, we were greatly inspired. I am very grateful for each pastor’s morning messages and counseling of tour members during the meal times and through times of personal sharing.
魏德義牧師, Pastor Mak, Me, 楊華東牧師 (左至右)
大家庭 The BIG Family
聖經遺址旅遊學習團的美妙之處在於，我們可以與來自世界各地、對上帝的國度懷有同樣心志的弟兄姊妹一起旅行學習。正如我在旅途中對我們團員提到的那樣，那些「敢於」來到土耳其東部的人都是勇敢的「戰士」。這次的團員來自美國不同地區，還有加拿大，台灣，新加坡！我們講英語、普通話和粵語，年齡從 9 歲到 70 多歲不等。我們在車上敬拜並分享自己的見證。我們一起吃飯、一起歡笑和彼此代禱。我們確實是基督裡的一個大家庭！我們被提醒，根本不存在「獨行的基督徒」；讓我們一起踏上前往天堂的旅程。令人驚訝的是，透過簡單的交談，我發現一位來自台灣的團員竟然是我的遠房親戚：舅媽的表妹 -「表舅媽」！世界真是太小了。
The beauty of a biblical sites tour group is that we can travel with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world who have the same heart and mind for God’s Kingdom. As I mentioned to our group during the trip, those who had “dared” to come to the Eastern part of Turkiye are courageous warriors. This time, group members came together from different parts of America, from Canada, Taiwan, and Singapore! We spoke English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and ranged in age from 9 years old to 70-something years old. We worshiped and shared testimonies on the bus. We ate, laughed and prayed together. Truly we were a BIG family in Christ! We are reminded that there is no such thing as a “loner Christian”; we all travel together on our journey to Heaven. An amazing occurrence was that through simple conversation, I discovered that one tour member from Taiwan was actually my distant relative: my aunt’s first cousin, 舅妈 “jiu ma”! The world is so small.
聖經遺址旅遊學習團的美妙之處在於，我們可以與來自世界各地、對上帝的國度懷有同樣心志的弟兄姊妹一起旅行學習。正如我在旅途中對我們團員提到的那樣，那些「敢於」來到土耳其東部的人都是勇敢的「戰士」。這次的團員來自美國不同地區，還有加拿大，台灣，新加坡！我們講英語、普通話和粵語，年齡從 9 歲到 70 多歲不等。我們在車上敬拜並分享自己的見證。我們一起吃飯、一起歡笑和彼此代禱。我們確實是基督裡的一個大家庭！我們被提醒，根本不存在「獨行的基督徒」；讓我們一起踏上前往天堂的旅程。令人驚訝的是，透過簡單的交談，我發現一位來自台灣的團員竟然是我的遠房親戚：舅媽的表妹 -「表舅媽」！世界真是太小了。
The beauty of a biblical sites tour group is that we can travel with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world who have the same heart and mind for God’s Kingdom. As I mentioned to our group during the trip, those who had “dared” to come to the Eastern part of Turkiye are courageous warriors. This time, group members came together from different parts of America, from Canada, Taiwan, and Singapore! We spoke English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and ranged in age from 9 years old to 70-something years old. We worshiped and shared testimonies on the bus. We ate, laughed and prayed together. Truly we were a BIG family in Christ! We are reminded that there is no such thing as a “loner Christian”; we all travel together on our journey to Heaven. An amazing occurrence was that through simple conversation, I discovered that one tour member from Taiwan was actually my distant relative: my aunt’s first cousin, 舅妈 “jiu ma”! The world is so small.
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慶生會 Birthday Celebration
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我的表舅媽 My Auntie
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主恩旅遊團隊 The Grace Tours Team
「主恩旅遊」 的團隊再次為我們所有人提供了難忘的體驗。我們的庫爾德導遊 Chattin 英語說得很好，知識淵博，而且非常擅長庫德舞蹈和唱歌。Tina是我們的聖經老師，也是導遊，她針對我們所參觀的地方提供了許多聖經見解。至於我們了不起的「隊長」(大巴司機），對他來說，沒有什麼陡峭的山路或狹窄的彎路太難；他也經常和我們一起去觀光。負責接送我們往返機場的工作人員非常負責且樂於助人。 「主恩旅遊」 的老闆熊弟兄 (Brother Spade) 全家也和我們一起待了幾天，他們熱愛上帝和土耳其的心大大地激勵我們所有人！
Again the Grace Tours team provided an unforgettable experience for all of us. Chattin, our Kurdish tour guide, spoke very good English, was very knowledgeable, and was very talented in Kurdish dance and in singing. Tina, our Bible teacher and Grace Tours tour guide, provided much biblical insight regarding the places we visited. As for our amazing “Captain” (bus driver), no steep mountain road or narrow winding road was too difficult for him; he often joined us for sightseeing, too. The Grace Tours staff members who transported us from and to the airport were responsible and helpful. The family of Grace Tour’s owner, Brother Spade, also joined us for a few days, their heart for God and dedication to reach the people of Turkiye inspiring us all!
「主恩旅遊」 的團隊再次為我們所有人提供了難忘的體驗。我們的庫爾德導遊 Chattin 英語說得很好，知識淵博，而且非常擅長庫德舞蹈和唱歌。Tina是我們的聖經老師，也是導遊，她針對我們所參觀的地方提供了許多聖經見解。至於我們了不起的「隊長」(大巴司機），對他來說，沒有什麼陡峭的山路或狹窄的彎路太難；他也經常和我們一起去觀光。負責接送我們往返機場的工作人員非常負責且樂於助人。 「主恩旅遊」 的老闆熊弟兄 (Brother Spade) 全家也和我們一起待了幾天，他們熱愛上帝和土耳其的心大大地激勵我們所有人！
Again the Grace Tours team provided an unforgettable experience for all of us. Chattin, our Kurdish tour guide, spoke very good English, was very knowledgeable, and was very talented in Kurdish dance and in singing. Tina, our Bible teacher and Grace Tours tour guide, provided much biblical insight regarding the places we visited. As for our amazing “Captain” (bus driver), no steep mountain road or narrow winding road was too difficult for him; he often joined us for sightseeing, too. The Grace Tours staff members who transported us from and to the airport were responsible and helpful. The family of Grace Tour’s owner, Brother Spade, also joined us for a few days, their heart for God and dedication to reach the people of Turkiye inspiring us all!
我們的「隊長」（司機）和導遊 Our “Captain” (driver) & Tour Guide
我們的聖經老師Tina Our Bible Teacher Tina
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主恩旅遊熊弟兄全家 The Whole Family of Brother Spade
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結論 Conclusion
這是我第三次去土耳其。我喜歡上土耳其茶的味道，甚至從加濟安泰普的銅匠市集買了一個精緻的銅茶壺和 6 個土耳其茶杯！更重要的是，我非常敬佩這片土地和人民（尤其是這個國家東部的人民）。我們在參觀的每個景點或城鎮都受到了人們的熱烈歡迎，許多人甚至主動要和我們一起拍照！可悲的是，土耳其的基督教人口估計僅佔總人口的 0.2% 左右，總人口在 203,500 至 37 萬人之間。 而土耳其的新教教徒只有 7,000 至 10,000 人。這片土地曾經是保羅宣教工作的中心，但如今只剩下非常少的基督徒。願上帝興起更多的基督徒，特別是華人基督徒，去到土耳其這個國家！
主的聲音仍在呼喚：「我要差遣誰呢？誰肯為我們去呢？」祂在等我們說：「我在這裡！請差遣我。」(以賽亞書 6:8)
This is the third time that I have been to Turkiye. I love the flavor of Turkish tea and even bought a lovely copper teapot and 6 Turkish tea cups from the Coppersmith Bazaar in Gaziantep! More importantly, I greatly admire the land and the people (especially on the eastern side of the country). Every site or town we visited, we were warmly greeted by the people, many even wanting to take photographs with us! Sadly, the Christian population in Turkiye is estimated to be only around 0.2% of the total population, which is between 203,500 and 370,000 people. Protestant Christians comprise only between 7,000 and 10,000 people in Turkiye. The land used to be the center of Paul’s mission work, yet today only a relatively small number of Christians remain. May God raise up more Christians, especially Chinese, to reach the country of Turkiye!
The voice of the Lord is calling, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” He waits for us to say, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
這是我第三次去土耳其。我喜歡上土耳其茶的味道，甚至從加濟安泰普的銅匠市集買了一個精緻的銅茶壺和 6 個土耳其茶杯！更重要的是，我非常敬佩這片土地和人民（尤其是這個國家東部的人民）。我們在參觀的每個景點或城鎮都受到了人們的熱烈歡迎，許多人甚至主動要和我們一起拍照！可悲的是，土耳其的基督教人口估計僅佔總人口的 0.2% 左右，總人口在 203,500 至 37 萬人之間。 而土耳其的新教教徒只有 7,000 至 10,000 人。這片土地曾經是保羅宣教工作的中心，但如今只剩下非常少的基督徒。願上帝興起更多的基督徒，特別是華人基督徒，去到土耳其這個國家！
主的聲音仍在呼喚：「我要差遣誰呢？誰肯為我們去呢？」祂在等我們說：「我在這裡！請差遣我。」(以賽亞書 6:8)
This is the third time that I have been to Turkiye. I love the flavor of Turkish tea and even bought a lovely copper teapot and 6 Turkish tea cups from the Coppersmith Bazaar in Gaziantep! More importantly, I greatly admire the land and the people (especially on the eastern side of the country). Every site or town we visited, we were warmly greeted by the people, many even wanting to take photographs with us! Sadly, the Christian population in Turkiye is estimated to be only around 0.2% of the total population, which is between 203,500 and 370,000 people. Protestant Christians comprise only between 7,000 and 10,000 people in Turkiye. The land used to be the center of Paul’s mission work, yet today only a relatively small number of Christians remain. May God raise up more Christians, especially Chinese, to reach the country of Turkiye!
The voice of the Lord is calling, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” He waits for us to say, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
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警戒危險、集結行動、一起爭戰、一同歡慶
