Image: Anders Graversen observes some of the devastation after the earthquake in Antioch.
Chairman of the Danish European Mission, Anders Graversen, our finance officer, Steven, and myself have visited Antioch in Turkey. The city where Christians were called Christians for the first time.
It was devastating to see families searching through collapsed apartment buildings for their belongings. One father told us that he had found some of his children's toys in the rubble.
Here we met with local Christians who are reaching out to earthquake victims.
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In the evening, many houses and apartment buildings lay dark and abandoned. Some houses are completely destroyed, while others have cracks. People dare not live in them if they are not safe.
In the middle of it all, the church is in action. A pastor we have worked with for several years in Izmir started the car a few hours after the first earthquakes and headed for Antioch.
Together with other Christian leaders, he started a relief organization a few years ago, and they had prepared how they would help if earthquakes hit Turkey again. And here we met him again, this time in Antioch - along with several volunteers.
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During our stay in Turkey, we went to villages where people slept in tents and gave families food and hygiene kits. In addition, the team has sanitation trucks where survivors could wash clothes, shower and use the toilet. It was great to see so much gratitude for the help.
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Emergency aid breaks down skepticism towards Christians
Authorities and civil society know that local Turkish convert Christians are behind this effort. Skepticism and prejudice can be broken down when Christians show God's love to those in need in action. It can spark interest in the church in a country where it has been regularly stigmatized and shamed in the media.
For example, politicians and officials have met with Christian relief workers, seen the work and expressed great appreciation for the effort. This contact doesn't make headlines, but it quietly benefits the reputation of the Convert Church among policy makers and authorities.
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for the great relief work of the Turkish Convert Church.
