Hello dear Brides!!! I hope you’re enjoying reading what the Lord is doing in the lives of their Brides around the World \o/\o/ As you may know, Tara and I are back in Turkey where it all started last April—we are so happy and excited with this opportunity to be together and traveling again 🙂
We landed in Istanbul just 45 minutes from each other, I was coming from Brazil, and she was coming from France, where she fellowshipped with two beautiful brides. I can’t express how happy I was when I saw my dear friend, a sister to me again, we could not stop praising our Beloved HH for this incredible present.
We got in a cab, it was night, and Tara had her first experience of being in two continents at the same time (Europe and Asia) since Istanbul is the only city in the World located on two continents 🙂 divided by the Bosphorus Strait. When we got in our flat we rested and couldn’t wait for the morning to enjoy the city together, and, because it was night, we didn’t realize the stunning view that we had of Istanbul from our flat—only He could do even more than our expectations!! And to fully absorb His blessings, we also made sure to sit quietly during our mornings just to enjoy Him and the view He gave us!!!
We began our morning with a small Turkish breakfast, and soon we began visiting in the tourists sites 🙂 We went first to Grand Bazaar, all the Ottoman culture in one place, that is what I can use to describe this amazing place, it’s one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the World. After leaving the Bazaar, we went to one of my favorite places in Istanbul the biggest church constructed by the East Roman Empire, Hagia Sophia (that means Holy wisdom). I never get tired of seeing the greatness of this place and read about its history.
We also took the time to visit the Blue Mosque, that was built by the Sultan Ahmed to overpower and compete with the beauty of Hagia Sophia, but I am sure that who visits both places will agree that Hagia Sophia is stunning and can’t compare. The Blue Mosque is still being used today by the Muslims for prayers, and to visit you need to obey the dress code, ladies need to cover, legs, arms and head, and men need to cover their legs!!! It was so funny seen Tara all covered up :))) You should check our Instagram to see us in scarves (and Tara in the long skirt that had her wear because her jeans had tears, showing her knees). Hopefully, you’ll check our Instagram to look at all the places He led us!!!
Next, we visited the Topkapi Palace and the Archeological Museum. Topkapi Palace was the old house of the Sultan in Istanbul and was built in the ruins of the Byzantine Empire. There are many items displayed at the museum and we found very interesting the Sword used by King David 🙂
We met in Istanbul not just to visit and travel together again, but because this was set as a Divine Appointed for publishing. When I began my Journey in RMI one of the first desires that He put in my heart was to translate the truth that I found in English to Turkish. As you may remember, I’m Brazilian and Turkish is not even my second language. But I decided to obey and stay here to translate when everything was the opposite of what I was praying for. Even Christians friends thought that I should go home instead of being homeless and jobless in a foreign country. But it was like I could hear Him speak, saying WAIT and TRUST. And that is what I did! When I didn’t know what to do, I ran to Him and did what He gave me to do, to translate and to learn that He is my contentment and my everything. That if He is by my side no one will be against me.
He taught me about faith, revealed my sins, forgave me, opened His arms, and covered me with His amazing Love and Grace. Every day my life became more difficult and unbearable, but I had Him, and He is All that I needed. Instead of crying at being alone, I began to rejoice and enjoy the moments that we had together— to know Him more, and how I could please Him. Little by little, He continued changing me and molding me, and He is not done yet. When I was content with just Him, that’s when He began bringing people to my life, so I could share about what he was doing, and where I found hope.
I think that I didn’t share this before, but by the time Tara went to South Africa to fellowship and meet Yvonne, and I read that on the Daily Encouraging Blog, I prayed, telling Him of my desire to meet Tara. Asking Him to have her visit Turkey and that one day we could have the RYM book published and available in Turkish.
What I never imagined is that He would do much much more than I could have expected!!!!
Ephesians 3:20 TLB, “Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
And now He is opening the doors so that women in Turkey receive His truth. We will share more as it unfolds!!
Looking back at all the suffering that was necessary, I can jump with joy and praise and shout THANK YOU, my Beloved, for all You did and because Your ways are better than mine. I love the verse in John 13:7”Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” How true!!
I know that this is just the beginning, and You will Restore all things. For you, Brides, those of you who are new to this Journey. I want to say that I understand your pain and your suffering, but it’s necessary. Sometimes we pray asking Him to do what is necessary, and the trials that come our way are just the answers to our prayers. Don’t give up when things become difficult, instead, continue walking with your eyes upon Him. And soon you, too, will also be thanking Him for all the suffering—because it’s when you will discover Him as your Everything and the Love of your life!!!
““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. “ Philippians 4:10-13
~ Sara