Misperceptions: Mine and theirs

The Egyptian people have been so accepting and loving toward us, and are part of a culture that truy practices hospitality toward strangers. I thought they might be aloof or even hostile - a misperception. The zebeleen, or garbage people,also showed us friendship and hospitality - but even more surprising to me - they have a joy of life, pride of workamanship and a hope for the future. As you look at the pictures we send from Zeriba (garbage city) perhaps you can imagine how the burden of my heart was made lighter by seeing how well the people are coping physically.

On the other hand, their spiritual condition is not so good. There are a few believers but most consider themselves Christians by birth and not by faith. But the Lord gave us tremendous freedom among the leaders and some of the seekers in the congregation. In our "training sessions" we began by investiagting their values and goals for life, and then taught them fom the Bible: What God's plan is, what man's part is in God's plan, that we cannot be part of God's plan unless we belong to God, and fineally, how to belong to God. In this leadership training we showed clearly the our salvation has nothing to do with our efforts, but only with God's grace. The simple truth of Romans 3:23 was absolutely life changing to both men and women who attended these sessions. It is a truth that is not taught by their leaders, but they see that it is in the Bible, and they hold the Bible in the utmost highest esteem.

I don't know what the future holds with regard to tcabc ministry among the Copts here in Cairo, but it seems that the Lord has opened a door of opportunity. The light of the Lord is shining forth in some very dark corners of this city of 20 million. Our enemy has had a stronghold here for so long that he will be difficult to dislodge, but as we told our Coptic friends, "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world". I am so grateful to God for putting it in my heart to come to Egypt, and for protecting my wife an family in my absence.

Dave

Coming Home

Sitting here with friends, having supper on our last night in Cairo, I look back on the trip and it feels like I have been gone for months. It is amazing the journey this has been. It has been a spiritual awakening like none other. I believe that He has sent me here to open my eyes to what is possible and to strengthen my faith in Him. There is a darkness in Cairo that is very present not only in the night but during the day as well. Its unlike any other feeling, the people and religion are empty. It is so very sad because the have not experienced the love of God. I believe it is the mission of all Christians, in Egypt and around the world to share the love of God to those around us.

The garbage city was like a light in a very dark world. And although the process will be long and hard, this light is slowly spreading. It will eventually drown out the darkness that Satan has created. To see into the hearts of the Egyptian people has been the greatest blessing. Most of us would look at where they live and what they do for a living and would feel pity for them, but to meet these people who have nothing, and to see that their generosity in the face of adversity, is indescribable. The hospitality we experienced was that of any five star hotel in the most prominent area, in the biggest city, in any country in the world. God has come into their hearts and is working, and it is truly an honor to be a part of this trip. There is much work, but it is nothing that the Lord cannot handle. Please pray for the Coptic churches here, and for the Muslim people to open their eyes and hearts to the love that our Lord has to offer them. Pray for the people to love their enemies so that they may see how JC lives in all of us.

Mandy

Garbage City in Cairo

Garbage City in Cairo

The first three days we have been working in the "zeriab" a very poor garbage area. In the mornings we told bible stories and had a craft. The children loved it and loved learning our names and talking to us. We touched them, hugged them and felt loved too! We spoke and had a question and answer time with the adults in the evening. They have a great knowledge of the bible and we were able to share much needed practical ways to apply God's word in their every day lives. They have been very open and extremely hospitable. In fact, going back the second day my heart was happy to see people I had just met because I felt the love and connection through J.C. Today is Thursday and we visited "mokattam" which is the largest well known garbage city of Cairo. We learned about the education and skills that they teach there and how it has helped that area considerably. We hope to find a way of duplicating a similar concept in the area we have been working with the Coptic church.

Our trip has brought together a group of believers who had not previously met. The connections that have been made are sure to make a huge impact in the future. It has truly been exciting to see what God is doing in Cairo!

~Sarah

Finding the light in Egypt

It is 1:05 a.m. and we just finished eating Egyptian pizza and watching the missionary's child belly dance. Egypt never ceases to surprise me. We have had lunch with a priest, visited a orphanage, accidently stumbled into an Egyptian wedding, watched Jason and Adam argue over a gift that they both wanted to buy, but Jason insisted on having the only one in America. Adam deferred and once again we had peace.
Our dorm (which is the only word I can think of to describe it) is another story. We have only had one outlet that worked so we had one lamp for light. The overhead light has never worked. When we tried to power up the computer it blew our only outlet so we have had no light. Today we decided to wash clothes. Our washer is in our bathroom. The only problem is that when you use too much water it starts coming out of the drain on the floor. Luckily for us they supplied us with a full-size spueezie and a mop. The only problem was that the washing machine made the air-conditioner in our room go out and all the other power in both rooms. No problem because they didn't work anyway. After 1 hour of washing we decided to hand wring our clothers and hang them in the closet. We took the rest of the clothes to the little iron man around the corner to wash and iron them for pennies. Egypt--- it is such an adventure!!! Other than that God has moved in some great ways. Oh, by the way I plugged in my receptacle into the wall plug and the overhead light came on... go figure! Ginny Hathorn

TU Furniture Fest

It is that time of year! A chance for you to bring your pickup (and your teenage son?) and help move in the International students at TU. Talk about a great opportunity to reach the world this Saturday August 18th! 80% of foreign leaders were educated in the United States. We’ll take you (and your truck) for one, two, or three hours, whatever time you can donate!

The info is below. Most importantly, we need trucks and warm (it will be warm) bodies, to help move the furniture around the TU campus/community.

There's an increase this Fall in enrollment numbers from overseas so wider opportunities for reaching our to our world for Christ. Pickup trucks, trailers, muscles, cold water and 'hospitality servers' greatly welcome! We start at 8:00 a.m. as usual, meeting at the Wesley center, 3019 E. 5th Street bringing the furniture to the site, setting up and preparing for arrival at noon of the students. Then meeting and serving the students, helping them get the items to their apartments.

"Adopting" An Orphanage

“Adopting” an Orphanage

There are both non-Christian and Christian orphanages around the world that long for additional help to better care for their children. We know that in some place those resources can be mismanaged and not used to care for the orphans, so it is best to have a personal knowledge and understanding of the country in which the orphanage is located and the directors of the orphanage itself. Because of this important criteria, I can only speak about and recommend people with whom I have personally worked.

Adopting an orphanage can taken on many forms including, but not limited to:

• support the orphanage in prayer
• correspond with children in the orphanage
• provide financial support
• provide for specific needs through donations
• donate time

Bulembu and ABC Ministries

Abandoned Babies for Christ (ABC Ministries) was grown out of God’s intersection of a South African couple working in Swaziland and abandoned children. Since it’s inception, ABC has taken in dozens of babies in need. Gerry and Robyn Richter are amazing people who have followed God in faith each step of the way. The children in the home are cared for lovingly and competently. ABC’s story and vision can be found at www.abcministry.org.za

During ABC’s journey, they have now joined with Bulembu Ministries in Swaziland. This village was an old mining village purchased by an organization for the purpose of meeting the needs of orphans in the country. A school, clinic, agricultural endeavors, and foster homes are some of the other facets of life in Bulembu. Several opportunities for partnership exist in Bulembu. More information can be found at www.bulembu.org

Child Sponsorship

*this is post 2 on a series of entries related to Orphan Care, the first post can be read here*

Child Sponsorship

The concept of child sponsorship is not a new one. Usually such endeavors cost around $30/month with various organizations. It is important to note in child sponsorship that some organizations focus on OVC’s while others sponsor various children in need. Both are worthy causes, but in the endeavor to help orphaned children, this should be considered. The child sponsorship programs below are specifically for orphaned children.

Orphan Care International

Dillon International partners with Orphan Care International to do just that. More information can be found at www.dillonadopt.org

Young Heroes

In addition, local organizations in specific countries may have child sponsorship opportunities as well since the burden of orphans on society has become great. The Young Heroes program in Swaziland is one such program. More information can be found at http://youngheroes.org.sz/