From Istanbul to Turgutreis

It is hard to believe that we left Texas one week ago today. It has been a fast paced week. After spending 21/2 days in Istanbul we left Monday, Jan 12th for Turgutreis. Ethan and David were waiting at the airport to pick us up. When we arrived at our home, Rachelle and the boys was waiting for us. There was a lot of excitment. Ethan and Rachelle took us to what will be our home for the next season of our lives.

What a surprise awaited us. Ethan brought members from the Grace Bodrum Church to the house on Sunday after service, and they unpacked all the boxes, and washed dishes, cleaned, put books away and set up furniture. Rachelle had flowers all around the house. Also, Ethan let us know that the 4 boxes of summer clothes that we mailed had arrived. We also had another surprise. There was a 5th box also waiting for us, and it was our very first "care package" from a couple on our Marriage Team at NWF.

The weather has been cold. Our first night here, Pat woke up in the middle of the night shivering, and she has actually been cold since arriving. For those of you who know her, you know it has to be cold for her to say "I am cold."

We have now been in our home for 72 hours and the house is starting to look like and feel like home. We went grocery shopping this afternoon. So Pat was able to cook a home made meal (from scratch) this evening. We have only hit one little bump since being here. Our credit cards were shut down sometime on Tuesday. Actually our ATM card was deactivated. We were finally able to get them restored late last night our time. The lesson to be learned is if you are planning to leave the country and use your credit card, notify your bank and credit card holders that you are doing so.

We will begin ministry with couples next week. Pray that God will either make us aware of couples or couples will contact us that are in need of enrichment for their marriage.