Day 27
Turkey
Five years ago, an attempted coup resulted in the deaths of 251 people, more than 2000 wounded, and 150,000 public officials dismissed from their jobs. Almost 300,000 people have been arrested in the five years following, and arrests continue to this day. Last month 229 soldiers and military cadets were arrested. Many who have been found innocent were not given back their jobs. In this uncertain environment, many Turks are increasingly open to the Gospel. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters in Turkey, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (The Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:58).
Source: ‘Still not over’: Emotions high 5 years after failed Turkey coup (Al Jazeera)
Once the land of Paul’s missionary journeys, Turkey is now predominantly Muslim. In response to a failed coup in 2016, Turkey has continued to clamp down on anyone President Erdogan deems an enemy. Anyone seen to be anti Erdogan can be arrested or removed from their positions, increasing the atmosphere of state control. Dozens of long-term Christian missionaries have been deported or refused entrance. The COVID-19 impact has been significant across the nation, both on the health care system and the economy.
