he Turkish agent nodded to me, indicating it was my turn to approach passport control. Payment made and the visa stamped in my passport, I was soon clear to go. A short time later, bags and all, I was on my way with Paul Massey to his home to visit for a few days.

This was my first visit to Turkey, and I had been looking forward to it for quite a while. Next on my schedule were visits with the Smiths and Hopes. I wanted to get to know each family. The drive didn’t take very long, and the countryside was lush and beautiful. As the varied scenery passed my window, it reminded me of the changes in our lives over the past three years since we joined AFM.

It was a privilege to stay in each of the missionaries’ homes, share experiences and learn how the Lord is working. It was also a blessing to meet a number of their Turkish friends and church members. Though many of these people are poor by this world’s standards, they are truly hospitable and made me feel welcome and part of the family. It was humbling to hear their stories of how they came to Christ and the sacrifices they made to pursue their convictions. Indeed, how many of us would be willing to lose family and friends and be ostracized for our newfound faith?

Our missionaries have worked very hard to set up a legal church society and to acquire and renovate space for a church. That first Sabbath, my heart was full of joy as we lifted our voices in songs of praise and adoration. I didn’t have a clue what the Turkish words meant, but I knew our hearts were knit as one as we worshipped the Lord of the Sabbath on His special day. Perhaps this is what it will be like in heaven when every nation, tongue and people worships before the Lord.

Taking time to learn about the Turkish people and their history, I visited the sites of some of the seven churches of Revelation. It’s a strange feeling to walk down streets the apostle Paul walked. I tried to absorb and commit to memory the scenes before me—the tall, majestic columns, the huge amphitheatres, the wide main street in Ephesus with its remains of impressive buildings and the lizard-covered stones in Laodicea. I also got a chuckle from a sign in front of one of the stores outside the archaeological site in Ephesus: “Genuine Fake Watches.” At least the vendors were being honest!

That sign got me thinking about my relationship with Jesus. Is my walk with Jesus genuine, realistic, authentic and producing fruit in due season, or am I living a lie? Am I a “genuine fake?” Self analysis is a healthy practice and often bears good fruit. The apostle Paul encouraged us to adopt this practice when he said, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is in you, it means you have failed the test” (2 Cor. 13:5 NLT). May we all prove to be genuine in our walk with Jesus.