A Martyr's Wife

Christians often romanticize martyrdom. It seems a glorious thing to die for Christ, and we often elevate those who do to an unrealistic level of personal holiness. It can be very easy to forget the pain, struggle, and loneliness of those left behind when a faithful brother or sister is killed because they are a follower of Jesus.

On April 18, 2007, three Christian men were brutally murdered in Malatya, Turkey. Pastor Fikret shared about this event when he spoke at our church a short time ago (you can find that message here. You can also learn more about the murders by clicking here).

Among those killed was German missionary Tilman Geske, who left behind his wife, Susanne, and three children. Recently, Fikret forwarded a letter to me from Susanne, who gives an update on her life as the two-year anniversary of the killing approaches. I've pasted the letter into this post (below). She continues to work and minister in Turkey, even as the trial of her husbands killers drags on. What struck me most about the letter was how normal it sounded... she is a regular person who is trying to figure out how to remain faithful to the Lord while she raises three young children in a foreign land as a single parent.

Please join me in praying for her continued strength. Here is Susanne's letter... remember that english is not her first language:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1, 2

Hello Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors!!

I love to look up at the blue sky and the snow-covered mountains and be delighted at the nice view. But mostly I look up at my mountains of work and mountains of responsibility. It is not unusual that I then have the feeling of being overwhelmed and think I can never handle these mountains. It’s so great if I can then remind myself of the second part of the verse. I have a Lord who will help; not just anyone but the One who is the maker of heaven and earth. Should he not be able to help me?

HE does!!! Lately I felt really depressed. Everything grew out of my hands. However, I was able to have a looong phone call with two good friends. Two other friends visited me and helped me with my paper mountains. They sorted, classified, and recorded addresses from over 1000 letters and cards and answered some of them.

HE also helped us with our new resident permit, which we got within 3 days. And while my unbelieving “birth” father visited us we could feel His presence. It was a great week and the first time we spent so much time together.

Hurray a new baby!!! Our tiny little church increased: a young man who searched for an easy way to commit suicide in the internet came across a Christian site, chatted for hours and in the end gave his live to Jesus. He comes from a strong M. background but already told his fiancé and his mother. Please pray for protection and wisdom to talk to his father and sisters and that he can bear up (withstand) with the pressure that might come.

Because we don’t live in the western hemisphere we’re not tied to special dates and celebrate Easter one week earlier on the 5th of April. We decided to meet in our friend’s home but still invite new people. Please pray that they will attend. Please also remember of the non-believing wives of three of our men. Two of them sometimes attend but the third one doesn’t even know that her husband believes in Christ.

And what are my kids doing?? As always they are busy with school and are working hard. I really can’t complain. Michal is nearly every day in Facebook and keeps contact with a lot of Christian friends. Lukas still has trouble concentrating. He regularly does trial examinations to be ready for the big examination on the 7th of June. But sadly he can’t manage his time well and usually completely misses one subject (90 questions in 100 minutes). Please pray that he can practise a lot and manage to improve by summer. Miriam is our swimming girl. Last Friday she finished first in three competitions and won a cup.

What’s going on next?? I’ll be in Germany for a short trip from 7.-11.April to keep my promise to give an interview at a M. Conference. It’s my desire that the participants will be challenged.

On the 13th of April (Easter Monday) the trial continues. This time over 20 witnesses will be heard which may take some days. On the ensuing Saturday it will be two years without Tilmann, Necati and Ugur. There will be no special events but we expect some visitors.

We wish you a blessed Easter holiday

Susanne Geske with Michal, Lukas and Miriam