More Changes...

Well, we were supposed to leave today to drive back down to the Izmir area. But the show that we thought we had down there, was canceled...once again we were denied by the local government. It is becoming something like a broken record with this tour! We were all feeling a bit disappointed, frustrated, and not sure what to do next. We came together as a team to pray and worship. It was an awesome few hours of worshiping, and crying out to God for this country and it's people. Also, really just asking God what He wants us to do now. So, it was decided for us not to make the 9 hour drive down there for a bar gig that we had lined up just to fill a night while we were there. The bar was called and they understood that we could not afford to come just for that night (they weren't paying us)and now we are still in Istanbul. The leader of our team reminded us that for this tour, we were trying things that have never been done in Turkey and of course the enemy is not happy with us. We have felt that at every turn. So with all that, we are also not going to see Ephesus. I was really disappointed about this at first, but quickly decided that there is not anything anyone can do about it, and that I was still enjoying everything I have seen here in Istanbul. I really just had to pray for God to take away my disappointment (it took a few times praying it, because I wanted to keep taking it back!), but I think in the long run it worked! I am completely okay with missing Ephesus...it will just give us another reason to visit again someday!
Today (Wednesday) we woke up to a little rain. Jon had to be at a band practice and the boys and I decided to go with another team member to go sight seeing. We were going to go back to the European side to visit the Sultan's Palace. So, we took the train to the ferry stop, got on the ferry, and about half the way over there, it started to STORM! Thunder and lightning and lots of rain! Of course when we got off the ferry we had to walk. By the time we got to the palace, we were soaking wet, and cold. We decided not to go inside after all (it cost 10 lira per person). We decided that we would enjoy it more on a dry day when we weren't so miserable! So, we walked back down to the ferry, and went home. We were supposed to meet up with the team this evening for the band to do some street music, but decided against it because of the weather. The boys and I decided to have Burger King for dinner. Funny, it taste the same as it does in the States...you can take that to be good or bad! We have been here 21 days now, and my stomach has been fine, until tonight...thanks Burger King! Tomorrow we are meeting as a team again for more prayer and worship. I will try to write again tomorrow night!