we're home!
after allowing ourselves a few days to recuperate, i think we all feel "normal" again. the funny thing about this trip: "normal" has been redefined.
i wish i could tell you everything i learned. i wish i could voice all of the thoughts and emotions in my head...but this would no longer be a blog, it would be an electronic book.
the Lord taught me many things during the two weeks in these middle eastern countries. i love politics and i love the news and i love hearing what our church is doing, and traveling to the middle east has put a face to the vision and heart of the church at battlecreek.
as i looked into the eyes of the people i met, i was overwhelmed by all i saw. this is not a lost cause...this is not too big. it is not to big for God. egypt isn't just full of coptics or muslims...it is full of people who have souls who were created by God in His image. their purpose is the same as ours--to glorify God in all that we do. they just need to be told.
i cannot wait to see the ways God continues to move in the middle east. i cannot wait to see how He uses me and my family. i cannot wait to see how He uses TCABC in His plan to bring the world to Himself.
thank you for praying for us and keeping up with this blog. we cannot express how much we appreciate your support during our time away. may the Lord bless you tremendously!
because of HIM,
kristi
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Home Sweet Home
9 of us made it home yesterday, and the remaining 5 are headed to Yemen to see and encourage friends there!!
While overseas, life seems to stand still, yet back home life has gone on. Tuesday evening we spent time reflecting on our trip and discussed how our lives have changed because of our trip. It was wonderful to hear how each person was affected by spending 8 days in Cairo. For most of us, we fell in love with the people and so wish we could spend more time with them and minister more to those in need. Sometimes in the scheme of things what we did on the trip seems small, but to God, I know what we did was huge. We were his hands and his feet, sharing his love with those who know him and those who don't. Matthew 25:35-40 says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
I am so thankful that I was able to be used by God to cause others to one day worship Him. For isn't that what life is all about?
Please continue to pray for the remaining 5 who will be in Yemen. They will be returning home to Tulsa on Monday.
Thank you also for praying for us, all of the team members were well and healthy in a matter of days because of your prayers!!
Liz
While overseas, life seems to stand still, yet back home life has gone on. Tuesday evening we spent time reflecting on our trip and discussed how our lives have changed because of our trip. It was wonderful to hear how each person was affected by spending 8 days in Cairo. For most of us, we fell in love with the people and so wish we could spend more time with them and minister more to those in need. Sometimes in the scheme of things what we did on the trip seems small, but to God, I know what we did was huge. We were his hands and his feet, sharing his love with those who know him and those who don't. Matthew 25:35-40 says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
I am so thankful that I was able to be used by God to cause others to one day worship Him. For isn't that what life is all about?
Please continue to pray for the remaining 5 who will be in Yemen. They will be returning home to Tulsa on Monday.
Thank you also for praying for us, all of the team members were well and healthy in a matter of days because of your prayers!!
Liz
Monday, January 7, 2008
Isaiah 60
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
We have adopted this verse as the motto for our trip. Every team member would like to do more, have more time, make a bigger impact, change more hearts, etc.
As we were about to begin a medical clinic, one of the Egyptian doctors said that God had given these verses for the team. One of the people helping to sponsor the trip had given these verses to me prior to the trip.
In every event, one of the people receiving ministry or witnessing the ministry comments on how the love of God shines through the team and is apparent to all involved. This was particularly evident today. Today we had the privilege of having Christmas dinner with a ministry for those with special needs. We were able to share the Christmas story, and we were thanked numerous times for being examples of God’s Love. By the way, Christmas dinner was at McDonalds.
Joe
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
We have adopted this verse as the motto for our trip. Every team member would like to do more, have more time, make a bigger impact, change more hearts, etc.
As we were about to begin a medical clinic, one of the Egyptian doctors said that God had given these verses for the team. One of the people helping to sponsor the trip had given these verses to me prior to the trip.
In every event, one of the people receiving ministry or witnessing the ministry comments on how the love of God shines through the team and is apparent to all involved. This was particularly evident today. Today we had the privilege of having Christmas dinner with a ministry for those with special needs. We were able to share the Christmas story, and we were thanked numerous times for being examples of God’s Love. By the way, Christmas dinner was at McDonalds.
Joe
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday January 5th
Today was a rather sickly day. We had several team members experience the all to familiar "Traveler's Diarrhea". Adam and Richard however were able to have a very good meeting with a bishop. The well team members went and toured "Old Cairo", and did some shopping. You would think that would not take very long, but we started at 11:30 and got home around 9:30. Everything in Egypt takes time. We spend a lot of time waiting. We are loving every minute of it though!! Everyday life is an adventure, we are never bored!!!
Yesterday was a great day as well. Not only was it Liz's 30th birthday, we were also able to visit an orphanage in Mukhattam. It was absolutely the most fun I have had at an orphanage yet. There were about 24 children living there, and almost 75% of them were boys, so needless to say it was rowdy!! I read them a Christmas story that they loved and then we passed out some gifts.
Cohen was the hit though. Immediately when we got there the boys were grabbing him and saying in arabic, "Look what I have found, a yellow haired monster." They were laughing histerically!!! Cohen was a little unsure, but he soon was playing with the boys, and holding his own!! They all were kissing him and telling them that they loved him!!!
It was great to share God's love with them!!!
Well off to bed soon, we have an early day tomorrow!!
Liz
Yesterday was a great day as well. Not only was it Liz's 30th birthday, we were also able to visit an orphanage in Mukhattam. It was absolutely the most fun I have had at an orphanage yet. There were about 24 children living there, and almost 75% of them were boys, so needless to say it was rowdy!! I read them a Christmas story that they loved and then we passed out some gifts.
Cohen was the hit though. Immediately when we got there the boys were grabbing him and saying in arabic, "Look what I have found, a yellow haired monster." They were laughing histerically!!! Cohen was a little unsure, but he soon was playing with the boys, and holding his own!! They all were kissing him and telling them that they loved him!!!
It was great to share God's love with them!!!
Well off to bed soon, we have an early day tomorrow!!
Liz
Friday, January 4, 2008
So, it's our third day in Egypt, but it seems like so much more than three days have gone by. Yesterday, January 3rd, we met a friend here who gave us a little preparation to do a medical clinical at a church in one of the garbage areas. I'm not sure about the rest of the crew, but i was definitely not ready for some of what we saw in those areas. It was a very dark and oppressive area where it seemed people were in desperate need of light; the light of Jesus.
At the medical clinical there were a variety of services available. There was a pediatrician, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, and an internal medicine doctor assessing patients, and a pharmacist was available with medications to fill prescriptions the doctors had prescribed. While the parents went through the clinic, a couple members of our group entertained the children with songs, dances, and stories; some of the men helped with carrying supplies and giving food to the people as they left the church. We were able to help about 80 or so patients with a variety of needs, and it was so fabulous to interact so closely and develop relationships with Egyptian people.
Well, we are going to have a team meeting and get ready to head out for the day. Continue to pray for us as we go out to share life with the people of Egypt.
-Lindsey
At the medical clinical there were a variety of services available. There was a pediatrician, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, and an internal medicine doctor assessing patients, and a pharmacist was available with medications to fill prescriptions the doctors had prescribed. While the parents went through the clinic, a couple members of our group entertained the children with songs, dances, and stories; some of the men helped with carrying supplies and giving food to the people as they left the church. We were able to help about 80 or so patients with a variety of needs, and it was so fabulous to interact so closely and develop relationships with Egyptian people.
Well, we are going to have a team meeting and get ready to head out for the day. Continue to pray for us as we go out to share life with the people of Egypt.
-Lindsey
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Plans
Yesterday, we had some time to get to know the city. We ate lunch at a place near the place we're staying in Heliopolis, bought a few items at the grocery store and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in downtown Cairo. A few of us walked down to the Nile from our restaurant before meeting up with the rest of our team. It was quite the journey, but well worth it.
Today, we will meet as a team for some training before we do our first medical clinic this afternoon. This clinic will be near a Coptic church in the garbage area of town. Please pray that the people there will not only get a physical need met, but a spiritual need as well. Pray that they would see something different in our lives and want to know about the Truth. Thank you all for your prayers so far. We are all doing pretty well and adjusting to the time and culture. This city and these people are wonderful. Among the traffic and buildings and foreign language and cab rides and everything else, there is this sense that God has something big planned. Big plans for a big city. He loves His people and longs for them to love Him. We are thankful we get to be a part of that.
April
Today, we will meet as a team for some training before we do our first medical clinic this afternoon. This clinic will be near a Coptic church in the garbage area of town. Please pray that the people there will not only get a physical need met, but a spiritual need as well. Pray that they would see something different in our lives and want to know about the Truth. Thank you all for your prayers so far. We are all doing pretty well and adjusting to the time and culture. This city and these people are wonderful. Among the traffic and buildings and foreign language and cab rides and everything else, there is this sense that God has something big planned. Big plans for a big city. He loves His people and longs for them to love Him. We are thankful we get to be a part of that.
April
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
we've arrived!
Good afternoon (here)!
We arrived in Cairo this morning at about 3am. After an easy pass through customs, a short bus ride, and a bit of luggage-juggling, we crawled into bed about 5am this morning. We are sitting in a cafe in Heliopolis enjoying the beautiful weather, good food, and feeling semi-rested.
We had a long layover in Amsterdam, and had a great opportunity to do a bit of sight seeing. We went to Anne Frank's house. The tour was really incredible. There were excerpts from her diary on the walls, along with a majority of the original flooring, wallpaper, and some of the artifacts left behind by her family. It felt surreal to be in her house after reading her diary. It was a great experience...seeing the place she wrote so many of her entries. The time also allowed for a boat ride on the canals of Amsterdam. The buildings were beautiful, and the ride allowed the team to see a lot of Amsterdam up close.
As we drove into Heliopolis last night, I could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that we are in Egypt. The city spoken of in the Bible is the same city I'm eating lunch in. It is incredible.
As I crawled into bed last night, thankful to arrive, I heard the call to prayer come over the city speakers. It struck a chord in my heart as I listened to the man proclaim greatness of Allah. After being so tired from such long travels, it was a great reminder of why the Lord has placed Egypt and the Middle East on our hearts.
We ask that you pray for the health of our team. Pray God's favor and hand on each of us as we battle fatigue and stomach bugs.
We love you all and look forward to telling more stories!
Kristi
We arrived in Cairo this morning at about 3am. After an easy pass through customs, a short bus ride, and a bit of luggage-juggling, we crawled into bed about 5am this morning. We are sitting in a cafe in Heliopolis enjoying the beautiful weather, good food, and feeling semi-rested.
We had a long layover in Amsterdam, and had a great opportunity to do a bit of sight seeing. We went to Anne Frank's house. The tour was really incredible. There were excerpts from her diary on the walls, along with a majority of the original flooring, wallpaper, and some of the artifacts left behind by her family. It felt surreal to be in her house after reading her diary. It was a great experience...seeing the place she wrote so many of her entries. The time also allowed for a boat ride on the canals of Amsterdam. The buildings were beautiful, and the ride allowed the team to see a lot of Amsterdam up close.
As we drove into Heliopolis last night, I could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that we are in Egypt. The city spoken of in the Bible is the same city I'm eating lunch in. It is incredible.
As I crawled into bed last night, thankful to arrive, I heard the call to prayer come over the city speakers. It struck a chord in my heart as I listened to the man proclaim greatness of Allah. After being so tired from such long travels, it was a great reminder of why the Lord has placed Egypt and the Middle East on our hearts.
We ask that you pray for the health of our team. Pray God's favor and hand on each of us as we battle fatigue and stomach bugs.
We love you all and look forward to telling more stories!
Kristi
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