Arrest in Turkey
Andrew Brunson, a seasoned missionary, and his wife Norine had served in Turkey since 1993, driven by a deep commitment to share God's love. However, on October 7, 2016, their lives changed dramatically. Summoned under the guise of a visa renewal, Andrew was arrested and held in a Turkish prison. His wife was initially detained with him but released after 13 days. Andrew faced charges of terrorism and espionage, leading to 735 days of imprisonment under harsh conditions, including solitary confinement.
Wrestling with God's Silence
Andrew's faith was tested as he lost the sense of God's presence he had relied on. He confessed, "I said, God, as long as I have your presence, I could do anything. And then I lost all sense of his presence for the entire time I was in prison... I felt abandoned by God." Confronted with despair, Andrew wrestled with suicidal thoughts but made a conscious decision to cling to his faith. "God, whatever you do or do not do, I will still follow you," he resolved.
Choosing Faithfulness
Despite the absence of divine reassurance, Andrew's commitment did not waver. He understood that God was asking him, "Andrew, are you going to be faithful when you don't feel my presence?" He chose to embrace suffering, believing it highlighted God's incomparable worth. "I hope to display for everyone his incomparable worth," Andrew stated, embracing his circumstances as a testament to his faith.
Freedom and Redemption
The situation drew international attention, with high-level U.S. officials advocating for his release. On October 12, 2018, Andrew was convicted but released the same day, returning to the United States. Reflecting on his ordeal, Andrew shared, "I feel like they stole two years from me, but it's -- God has redeemed it. My faith has deepened as I went through this." His unwavering faith and love for Turkey remained, as he hoped his suffering would bring blessing to the nation.
Through his trial, Andrew Brunson emerged with a proven faith, crediting God's grace for sustaining him.
