ANKARA, Turkey — Three bookfairs in three successive months have recently brought encouragement to the staff of the Bible Society in Turkey (BST).
Christians came to the Bible stand at the Antalya Bookfair in September and said how encouraging it was to find the BST represented. For 10 years a small group of Christians has been meeting in Antalya.
“Our attending the fair made them very happy,” said Mr Konutgan, a Translator with the BST, who filed these reports. “They came to visit our stand, praying and helping us. They were happy to see us sharing with other people about the Bible, and were encouraged by our attitude at the fair.
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“People who previously resented us and
gave us a hard time have now softened and accept us at this fair...It
is a proof of Jeremiah 23:29 which says: ‘“Is not my word
like fire?” declares the Lord. “And like a hammer that breaks
the rock into pieces?”’(NIV)
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“People from other stands commented on how patient our staff were with the people who ask difficult questions or make insulting remarks,” Mr Konutgan said. “We find that this kind of calm helpfulness touches people’s hearts.”
People frequently asked about ‘Jesus the prophet’. Staff explained that Jesus was far more than a prophet, and referred to the Scriptures in both Old and New Testaments that show this.
“People often commented that it was the first time they had heard anything like it,” said Mr Konutgan. “One young lady said, ‘We don’t hear this truth at school. They teach us wrong things.’”
The BST distributed more than 450 Scriptures at the Antalya Bookfair, including 12 videos. In addition, 20,000 Scripture calendars were given away.
At October’s Dolmabahçe Bookfair one lady started shouting at the BST, saying, “How dare you come here! You are dangerous people. You deceive our Turkish people…”
“She called the police,” said Mr Konutgan, “and demanded that we be removed. But the police told her to calm down. ”
At this fair the BST showed the Jesus film. Some 90 people stayed for the full two hours, and some of the staff from adjacent stands came over to watch it.
A group of students came to the stand and asked whether the New Testament was the original or the corrupt version their teacher had spoken of. The staff explained the falsehood of such teaching. One of the students bought a copy.
More than 1,500 Scriptures were distributed at this fair, including copies of the Jesus film on video cassette and on CD. Some 10,000 Scripture calendars were given to people who passed the Bible stand.
November saw the 19th Tuyap Bookfair in Istanbul, an event the BST has been attending for 18 years. There were 225 stands, and of all the bookfairs in Turkey, Tuyap seems to be the most liberal. There is less opposition to the Bible stand there, and people make a point of coming to greet the staff and asking for the Scripture calendar.
This year, the dignitaries who opened the fair stopped at the stand and were given complimentary copies of the Turkish Bible. A man approached the staff asking why they gave free copies to the ministers who could afford to pay.
“I want a Bible but I cannot afford it,” he said. “Can you give me a copy for nothing, please?” The staff offered him a Bible as a gift.
More than 4,400 Scriptures were distributed at the Tuyap Bookfair – including some 660 audio cassettes. More than 15,000 Scripture calendars were given away.
“People who previously resented us and gave us a hard time have now softened and accept us at this fair,” said Mr Konutgan. “For us, it is a proof of Jeremiah 23:29 which says, ‘“Is not my word like fire?” declares the Lord. “And like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?”’(NIV) The more people come into contact with the Bible and its teachings, the softer they become,” he added. (WR 357/25 - 1/2.01)