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I probably hear that statement more than anything else here. Whenever I meet a Turkish person, they wonder why I cannot speak the language. When my White American host explains (in Turkish) that I am American, they are confused. How is it that the Turkish looking guy can’t speak Turkish, but the American looking guy is fluent?
Over the course of the conversation, we explain that my grandfather was born in a city in the eastern part of modern Turkey, and the person slaps his (usually a he) hands together and declares, “I knew you were Turkish!”
Well… not really. But they soon lecture me that it is shameful that I have forgotten my mother tongue.
People often ask me how I feel about visiting Turkey. What is it like for an Armenian person to talk, joke, interact and spend time with Turks? Our peoples are historical enemies, so how is it that I can visit the land of the Turks? And since so many people think I look Turkish, am I offended?
The short answer to that last question is, “not at all!” While we may be ethnically and religiously different, culturally we are more similar than I realized. I feel joy playing tavle (backgammon) or sipping black tea with the people I meet.
Yes, there were terrible and dark moments in our history that have created a rift that continue until today. As a follower of Jesus, I am learning how to walk in forgiveness and value the shalom (or peace) in friendships and relationships. I know that many Armenians (and Turks) would want nothing to do with the other, but as I am in relationship with the Turks, I see the joy of being in relationship with Turks rather than the need to stay away.
In the Letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of returning evil with good. The best response to evil is not vengeance (for that belongs to the Lord), but forgiveness and good. The power of good, forgiveness and peace will do much more for reconciliation and true justice than revenge and vengeance.
The Bible gives a radical teaching on loving our enemies. This is not just a proverb uttered by Jesus, but it is the story of God and God’s people, who would love those who offend, insult, and persecute. Honestly, I will never learn the lesson of loving my enemies within the American (or even Western) Church context. The teaching is too theoretical. Very few people (especially those of the majority culture and those of majority culture type churches) know what it means to harbor deep hatred and bitterness toward another.
The Lord has brought me to Turkey to teach me the deeper essence of loving those whom my people around me tell me are unlovable. I recently heard the account of St. Patrick who intentionally chose to love his enemies. The Lord sent him to his former captors to love them and influence them toward good when they meant to influence him toward evil. The Lord gave Joseph eyes to love his brothers and return evil for good. And the Lord has brought me to Turkey to soften my heart and love those who some say should never be loved.
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Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Thank you for reminding us that vengeance belongs to God. The amazing thing is that through Christ we’re able to reconcile and your story announces that gospel well.
What a wise voice! I’ve read it all with a feeling of deep respect.
When people like you defends something that I don’t agree with -like Armenian Genocide-, even it becomes a joy to listen to your thoughts.
God bless you and selam from Istanbul.
eddy, i loved this post. there is a peacefulness, trust and sweetness to it.
btw, i learn a lot from your posts. they are all very insightful.