April 18, 2007 started as a normal day for me. Wednesday morning I had hugged and kissed my dad on both cheeks. Just like any other school morning. Afterwards, my brother and I went to school. In the afternoon, around the time the school day ended, everything changed.
Around 2:30pm, and for reasons unknown to me, the school principal came to pick us up and told us to wait for our mom. Meanwhile, all our friends had gone home and we were almost the only people left in the school. My brother and I looked at each other like innocent children do and thought of a lot of positive things. We imagined that we were going to do something nice with our mom. But our mom took us home. That's when we realized something was wrong. Our mom would never normally pick us up from school. The fear, anxiety and questions painted on my mom's face were reflected in us.
The executioners lied to the Christians
The year was 2007, in spring, on April 18. On this day, at noon, five young men between the ages of 19 and 20 had walked up to the Christian publishing house Zirve and locked the door behind them. At the time, there were three Christian adults in the office who had agreed to meet with them to share the gospel.
Their names were Uğur Yüksel, Necati Aydin and my father, the German Tilmann Ekkehard Geske. Unfortunately, the intentions of the five men were not good. They had brought weapons with them. After torturing them, the five men killed Necati Aydin and Tilmann Geske by slitting their throats. They were planning to do the same to Ugur Yüksel when the police came to the office and stopped them. Ugur Yüksel lost his life due to blood loss.
The family was told nothing
Around 2pm, although many people knew what had happened, my family and I still knew nothing. Although we asked and searched for answers, no one would give them to us. When we arrived at the hospital where they told us my father was, they tried to distract us and did not tell us what had happened. Around 5pm, my mom's patience was wearing thin and she wanted to know the truth. One of the officers took courage and told us the terrible news. That day, my father died.
Five young men, Emre Günaydın, Cuma Özdemir, Salih Güler, Abuzer Yıldırım and Hamit Ceker, had killed three men at the Christian publishing house. By killing these men, they had brought grief to three families and Christians across the country.
On the men, who were young enough to be my older brothers, they found papers indicating that they had done this for Islam. But it was later revealed in court that the acts were not done for religious reasons, but due to an order from the army. These men were just the last link in the chain.
The order was given on the basis of information about the three martyrs that stemmed from false accusations and prejudices. But this information had nothing to do with the men's true lives, true characters and personalities.
There appeared to be sufficient evidence. Yet, due to lack of evidence, those suspected to have been involved in the planning were released. Justice will come on the day of the Lord.
After 9 years, it was decided that the five men should go to prison. Although they were only the last link in the chain, they were given the harshest sentence and I feel sorry for them. They will spend much of their lives within four walls. I would not wish this for my friend, nor for my enemy. I would not and could not wish it for anyone.
Sorrow on earth, but celebration in heaven
In these unjust times, there is something we tend to forget. Although April 18, 2007 was a sad day on this earth, in heaven it was a day of celebration in the presence of the Lord. It was the day brother Uğur, Uncle Necati and my father had crossed the finish line and won the victory. It was the day they came home as God's beloved children. The day they saw the face of the Father and the Father crowned them with the crown of victory.
"For to me life is Christ, and death is gain" (Philippians 1:21)
God is using Danish European Mission's intercessors and donors in Turkey
- Danish European Mission donors support Radio Shema, spreading the gospel in Turkey through radio and social media.
- Also supported is Kanal Hayat, which innovatively and creatively reaches out to young people with videos on social media and through television. The broadcasts also reach the Turkish diaspora in Europe.
- Finally, Danish European Mission donors support training of leaders for the Turkish church and church planting, including in the areas of Turkey where there are fewest Christians.
