Cowboys in Turkey

We Were Rock Stars

In 1999 I was invited to lead a band that was to represent the Turkish Government, Department of Tourism. It was an interesting opportunity. I put together a variety of friends from around the country. It was a great group of guys. A funny group of guys, a mature group of players. A group of people that once together I knew they would connect and they did. There was humor. There was some anger. There were frustrations. But then again, we had traveled thousands of miles together often playing in the heat and dust of Turkey.

When we got off the plane, Crystal, our daughter Kate, and I were greeted by the national media, which was very surprising. I guess we were sort of rock stars. And the government of course was promoting this. So they needed a lot of footage.

We did a few events beginning in the southern portion of the country. Moving North into different regions of Turkey where Paul's journeys took him.

The story I'm focusing on is, I  believe, in the town of Ishmet where the year before, we had been told that a man had come to an event and threw a grenade into a tent where they were distributing Christian materials. A mother and child were killed. Now, that tends to get your attention at least it got mine.

As the leader of this band and my connection relationally with Jesus and to offer that relationship to those who were present. We had good audiences wherever we performed. We were a jazz-based group and amazingly enough, jazz was very popular in Turkey. 

As we began the concert it was a good-sized crowd. It was indoors and I didn't think more about the grenade once we got set up, had sound checks, and were rolling. I was enjoying the concert time and the audience. But, oh, a short while into my gospel presentation. Into presenting my life in Christ two young men walked into the back of the room. Which isn't unusual. But these two young men were wearing floor-length coats like what you'd see those cowboys wear in rainy weather, dusty weather. But it was August in Turkey and it was very hot and very dry. There is no need for any coats whatsoever. We were wishing we could wear shorts and T-shirts. It would have been more comfortable. 

Here are these two young men wearing floor-length coats. I was probably a quarter way into my presentation talking about my life and my life in Christ. Then all of a sudden, back into my memory, came the thought of a grenade and a mother and a child dying. Why in August are two men wearing floor-length coats? Why are they standing at the back of the room? And why did they come in right as I was beginning the gospel presentation? 

As I continued one of them reached slowly inside his coat. I have to admit, I began to question what I should do. Do I continue? Do I put this crowd at risk? Do I put my own life at risk? Do I put my wife and daughter's life at risk, the band at risk? 

I had a choice to make. Do I walk in fear of what will come or do I continue with the message of my heart? I have to admit I was watching them closely. I was cautious but I decided at that moment if this was going to be my last moment. That something was going to happen radically in my life that would take me out of this world as we know it. Then I might as well go out giving my heart story of how Jesus changed my life. 

It was interesting because after I made that decision the young man took his hand out from his coat. They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and walked out of the room. 

I've often wondered what was going on in their minds to simply shrug their shoulders and leave. Did they see something that we didn't see? Was their angelic activity that we weren't aware of? Did something strike them in their spirit? I don't know. 

I only knew that day that it was feasible that our lives were saved. It's also feasible that he just had an itch.

We all have our moments in life when we have to make radical changes or decisions. I'll never forget that hot August day when two Turkish cowboys showed up. 

How about you? Have you had a story similar to mine? Do you have questions about our time in Turkey or this story in particular? 

Have a great week!

Byron

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