Today is National Sovereignty day as well as Children’s day in Turkey. This day is celebrated every April 23rd. It is done in honor of Turkey’s establishment of its republic in 1920. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23rd to the children of Turkey to recognise that children are the future of the nation. A unique way the day is celebrated is that children take over the government of Turkey for the day. Children replace the normal members of the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss children’s issues and even sign executive orders relating to educational or environmental policies. Turkey is able to celebrate this day because it won it independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1920. Although they celebrate their freedom, our heart and desire is to see Turkey set free from the bondage of sin and be free in Christ. It is true children are the future of the nation of Turkey, and we pray that God would see many of them saved and turned to Christ so that Turkey will be once again a nation burning bright with the truth of the Gospel!
