“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

-  Psalm 68:5

The shocking murder of three Christians in Turkey on April 18, 2007, has left behind two widows, a grieving fiancé and five fatherless children.

Pastor Necati Aydin, 36, Tilmann Geske, 46, and Ugur Yuksel, 32, were tortured and then murdered with knives in the office of a Christian publishing house in Malatya, Turkey. According to statements from their confessed murderers leaked to the Turkish press, the five young Muslim suspects said they killed the three Christians because they were “attacking” Islam. Read More>>

Cards and letters of sympathy and encouragement may now be sent directly to the wives and children of Pastor Necati and Brother Tilmann.

But at this time, it is NOT possible to write directly to Ugur’s believing fiancé. Ever since the murders, contact has been restricted with this young woman, who still lives with her Muslim family in eastern Turkey. So please do not forget to keep her in your prayers at this difficult time of isolation from other believers.

Both of the widows, one Turkish and the other German, are remaining in Turkey with their children.

Semse Aydin and her son Elisa (Elisha), 6, and daughter Ester (Esther), 5, are currently living with her sister and brother-in-law in Izmit, in western Turkey. They are part of a Turkish congregation there in the city. In mid-June their landlord asked them to move out, admitting that the neighborhood was nervous about their presence there.

Susanne Geske remains in Malatya with her son Lukas, 10, and two daughters, Michel 13, and Miriam, 8.  At present the small Turkish congregation there continues to meet weekly in their home.  

Both families are struggling with some phases of denial, an inevitable part of the grief process. They request prayer that they will not be forgotten in the coming months, as each family claims the Lord’s comfort, healing and guidance in facing the daily realities of the loss of their husband and father.

Colorful greetings cards with a short message would be best. You may want to share a Scripture verse, including the reference, and assure them of your prayers. And consider using postage stamps, which will be of more interest to the children than an envelope just run through a postage meter.

Keep in mind that Semse and her children know only Turkish. Susanne and her oldest daughter know German, Turkish and English, while her two younger children know only German and Turkish.

CHILDREN ENCOURAGED TO WRITE

You are particularly encouraged to have children in your family and church send cards along with a page or two of their personal artwork to the children in these two families who have lost their father. 

You may also want to make note of the birthdays of both mothers and their children, to send them special cards on those days over the coming year:

Semse Aydin:  February 21
Elisa Aydin:   July 23 (turning 7 in 2007)
Ester Aydin:   July 26 (turning 6 in 2007)

Susanne Geske:  May 21
Michel:    March 21
Lukas:      September 22
Miriam:    January 3

Write to the two families separately.
Writing Guidelines:

• Please do not mention Open Doors in your letters.
• Print or write clearly, in simple language. (only write in English)
• Be sure to include the children’s names on the envelope.
• Do not say anything negative against Islam, Muslim extremists or the government.
• Share words of comfort and encouragement.
• Sign your name inside.
• Provide your name & country, not your full address 
• Don't send money with the letters 
• Be encouraging, keep the message brief, but include 1 - 2 Bible verses
  
  Send all letters to:

Open Doors
ATTN: Turkey Writing Campaign
PO Box 27001
Santa Ana, CA 92799

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