This month we are featuring Adam Settle with the NO DAY WASTED podcast. Adam recently returned from traveling in the Middle East, where he interviewed and interacted with some of our Tying Vines project partners. Adam shared some of his experiences and is excited about what he learned and saw in his time there.
The 29-day trip began in Turkey. Adam and his fellow travelers, who included his mother and father spent 9 days with people from all over the world. During this time Adam met and interviewed people from North Africa and the Middle East. Adam shared that his time there revealed in a deeper way how we are all connected and the many things we have in common even though we are from different places. Over and over, he and his family saw how people crave community and search it out. “People who didn’t know each other, from different countries even, took every chance to be together whether it was just a trip to the mall or eating together in a restaurant. People are yearning for communitv.” Another meaningful experience was when they had time to worship together. Although in different languages it was special and a reminder of the global church and that we are all connected.
While In Turkey, Adam met a new connection with Tying Vines. Sami is a pastor from Egypt who now has a church in Turkey. It was fun to meet him and visit his church. Throughout their time in Turkey the team was helped by a translator who did amazing work. Adam is thrilled that in the fall he will attend the NO DAY WASTED fundraiser and share more exciting stories. “Without him helping us and translating we could never have collected the interviews that we did”, Adam shared.
Adam and the team traveling with him were also able to spend a few days in Israel after their time in Turkey. The next stop following Israel was a country in the Persian Gulf. Many people are familiar with the fact that the labor in many Gulf countries is provided by expatriates from primarily Pakistan, the Philippines, India, and Africa. The thousands of men and women are housed in what are known as Labor Camps. In many cases they-share space with up to 12 people per room. While in the Gulf Adam interviewed several people and was able to visit 5 different camps.
The trip exceeded Adam’s expectations on every front. The people he met and interviewed were wonderful and their stories inspiring. In the next few months, Adam will be compiling the interviews he collected and sharing them. Please take a few minutes to tune into the No Day Wasted podcast and hear about the exciting things God is doing all over the world.
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