The following is a note from Amy, my sister-in-law. It gives a good description of what this time of year is like in Egypt. Enjoy!
Well, here in Egypt, we don’t celebrate Halloween or even Thanksgiving. But as Egyptians, we do have other significant occasions. Today is the first day of the Muslim Feast, where they celebrate and remember the story of Abraham sacrificing his son. But to them the son he was going to sacrifice was Ishmael, not Isaac. Yesterday streets were full of cows and sheep on their way to be slaughtered.
As Christians, this is a significant day for us where we pray that our brothers and sisters, those “sheep from the other fold” would know who is the real sacrifice, the Lamb of God who was driven as a sheep to slaughter so that He would take away our sins. Every year in our Arab countries, blood is shed for the wrong sacrifice. Many Christians pray on this day, and in some places we have overnight prayers all through the night before the first day of the feast. We pray and intercede for those in darkness, that the light would dawn upon them and they would know and accept the real Lamb of God come to save our fallen and broken lives.
On another more joyful note, we as Christians celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, the Christ Child. We don’t see many outward displays of Christmas around us. The streets aren’t decorated in this Islamic country, though some shops, malls and hotels in Cairo are. But as Christians, this makes it even the more precious to celebrate our Lord and Savior coming to our world in this land (The Middle East where Christ was born). Now what could be more special that that?!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come, may earth receive her King!
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Honey moon..
I found out not too long ago (maybe 24 hours?) that Amir is taking me on out honeymoon trip tonight! Well, we actually leave at 3 am tomorrow.
We are flying down to Luxor and then will be heading to the Red sea afterwards, making a grand total of 6 nights away! I literally feel like a princess :)
This also means a week away from the internet. I think I can cope...
We are flying down to Luxor and then will be heading to the Red sea afterwards, making a grand total of 6 nights away! I literally feel like a princess :)
This also means a week away from the internet. I think I can cope...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Egypt receives Joy...
Now, I love Joy and I think she is quite wonderful, but I don't really understand this. What I am going to describe next is plain ridiculous!
Amir and I went to the mall here and we decided to take Joy with us.
As soon as we entered the mall, people would come up and smile and talk to her. I'm used to this, she is a people magnet.
Then, people started stopping us, blocking our way in order to see her. Alright, she's cute. I know.
At this point, they started coming up to her and pinching and kissing her cheeks. I was somewhat taken aback by this, but thought, 'Ok, as long as she isn't getting fussy. It's a cultural thing, I guess.'
However, THEN, I noticed people taking her picture, as well as having their kids and friends pose with her. All the while she wasn't really smiling, but was acting apathetic to the attention and would stick her tongue out every now and then like a lizard.
If this happens again, Amir and I are considering making Joy shirts and selling them for a nice profit.
Amir and I went to the mall here and we decided to take Joy with us.
As soon as we entered the mall, people would come up and smile and talk to her. I'm used to this, she is a people magnet.
Then, people started stopping us, blocking our way in order to see her. Alright, she's cute. I know.
At this point, they started coming up to her and pinching and kissing her cheeks. I was somewhat taken aback by this, but thought, 'Ok, as long as she isn't getting fussy. It's a cultural thing, I guess.'
However, THEN, I noticed people taking her picture, as well as having their kids and friends pose with her. All the while she wasn't really smiling, but was acting apathetic to the attention and would stick her tongue out every now and then like a lizard.
If this happens again, Amir and I are considering making Joy shirts and selling them for a nice profit.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
You Have Watches, We Have Time.
Hello Dear Reader!
The title of this blog is a wonderful saying the Egyptians have regarding their concept of time. Althought this is a very busy city, I have noticed that people always have time to stop and talk (or invite you in for dinner, coffee, dessert, or all of the above!)
Hospitality and overflowing gratitude are common here and a heart could easily get used to it.
The days here are longer. Not the sunlight, but from rising to sleeping is about 16 to 17 hours. Sometimes more. The businesses here open at 9 or 10 am and don't close until at least 10 pm. This includes everything from larger tourist shops to the smallest allyway bakery.
The prices here would be something of great interest to any outsider. Here is the current currency conversion:
$1 (USD) = 5 Egyptian Pound (EgLE) so 1EgLE = $0.20 USD
Most things here are very cheap, especially food and services. I got a full French manicure and pedicure for a little under $4. We are able to get full meals from local eaterys for around $0.40-$0.60 each.
However, things like homes, cars, and any imported goods are much more pricey. Even though they end up still being a little cheaper than they are in the U.S., the average person here make about 600-1,000 pounds a month. Public workers (government) are paid much less than that.
Here are some examples of prices:
McRoyal with Cheese Meal at McDs: $5.00
Redbull: $2.00
1 kilo of Oranges: $0.50
1 gallon of Premium gasoline: $1.24 (this is incredibly high for Egypt)
Starbucks tall mocha: $3.50
When I meet someone who speaks English well, their first question is one of the two:
How is your family surving the economic bailout?
-or-
What do you think of Barack Obama?
Regarding the first question: There seems to be an idea that the Americans are suddenly poor and struggling to make ends meet. This might be true for some, but I tell people that a majority of the people suffering from this recession are the ones who have been living way outside of their means. However, I know that as the layoffs keep coming, more and more innocent people with been deeply affected.
The second question is the one I find the most interesting. I am often cautiously asked who I voted for. When I respond I voted for Obama, I am met with excitement in their voice as they express their happiness for America.
I feel it is not because they strongly dislike George Bush, but they associate all of the economic trouble and wanton war with his administration.
That's all for now.
Love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S.- At the old market I was asked very broken English: "You American?"
I replied I was, and the man shouted, "oh, Howdy!!!"
The title of this blog is a wonderful saying the Egyptians have regarding their concept of time. Althought this is a very busy city, I have noticed that people always have time to stop and talk (or invite you in for dinner, coffee, dessert, or all of the above!)
Hospitality and overflowing gratitude are common here and a heart could easily get used to it.
The days here are longer. Not the sunlight, but from rising to sleeping is about 16 to 17 hours. Sometimes more. The businesses here open at 9 or 10 am and don't close until at least 10 pm. This includes everything from larger tourist shops to the smallest allyway bakery.
The prices here would be something of great interest to any outsider. Here is the current currency conversion:
$1 (USD) = 5 Egyptian Pound (EgLE) so 1EgLE = $0.20 USD
Most things here are very cheap, especially food and services. I got a full French manicure and pedicure for a little under $4. We are able to get full meals from local eaterys for around $0.40-$0.60 each.
However, things like homes, cars, and any imported goods are much more pricey. Even though they end up still being a little cheaper than they are in the U.S., the average person here make about 600-1,000 pounds a month. Public workers (government) are paid much less than that.
Here are some examples of prices:
McRoyal with Cheese Meal at McDs: $5.00
Redbull: $2.00
1 kilo of Oranges: $0.50
1 gallon of Premium gasoline: $1.24 (this is incredibly high for Egypt)
Starbucks tall mocha: $3.50
When I meet someone who speaks English well, their first question is one of the two:
How is your family surving the economic bailout?
-or-
What do you think of Barack Obama?
Regarding the first question: There seems to be an idea that the Americans are suddenly poor and struggling to make ends meet. This might be true for some, but I tell people that a majority of the people suffering from this recession are the ones who have been living way outside of their means. However, I know that as the layoffs keep coming, more and more innocent people with been deeply affected.
The second question is the one I find the most interesting. I am often cautiously asked who I voted for. When I respond I voted for Obama, I am met with excitement in their voice as they express their happiness for America.
I feel it is not because they strongly dislike George Bush, but they associate all of the economic trouble and wanton war with his administration.
That's all for now.
Love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S.- At the old market I was asked very broken English: "You American?"
I replied I was, and the man shouted, "oh, Howdy!!!"
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
MarHaba!
Hello dearest friends and family,
We are here! It is almost 5 am and I am wide awake... waiting for the rest of of our family to wake up too.
The trip went very well. The first leg of the trip (the shortest one- only 2 1/2 hours) was the most difficult. The babies seemed to have fun overall. Benny and Joy made about 20 new friends. I will catch you up on the trip details later.
We arrived at Amir's parent's apartment at around 4 am. There are no houses here, so most people own apartments. We have a whole flat to ourselves! Amir's Grandparents bought an apartment a floor above Mama and Baba's place and they are letting us use it.
One of the most peculiar things about being here has been the Muslim call to worship- 5 times a day. I heard it for the first time a few hours after we got in. I had just gone up stairs by myself(at 5 am) when I heard the whole city come alive with moaning and singing- from people in their homes to Imams calling over the loud speaker of their mosks. It is a very solem but passionate cry.
Even though it is a calling out to Allah and the prophet Muhammed, I can't help be moved very deeply by it. It is also a great reminder: ' Yup, you're in Egypt!'
Today we will go to Teta and Giddu's (Benny and Joy's great grandparents) and hopefully see a couple of Amir's friends.
I am absolutly in LOVE with everything here. True, I am easily swooned, but I am positive even the biggest skeptic would be won over by the food alone. Throw in the sweetest, most wonderful family and I don't think it gets any better!
I am going to work on my Arabic now...
Lots and lots of love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S. It was 86 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze yesterday :)
We are here! It is almost 5 am and I am wide awake... waiting for the rest of of our family to wake up too.
The trip went very well. The first leg of the trip (the shortest one- only 2 1/2 hours) was the most difficult. The babies seemed to have fun overall. Benny and Joy made about 20 new friends. I will catch you up on the trip details later.
We arrived at Amir's parent's apartment at around 4 am. There are no houses here, so most people own apartments. We have a whole flat to ourselves! Amir's Grandparents bought an apartment a floor above Mama and Baba's place and they are letting us use it.
One of the most peculiar things about being here has been the Muslim call to worship- 5 times a day. I heard it for the first time a few hours after we got in. I had just gone up stairs by myself(at 5 am) when I heard the whole city come alive with moaning and singing- from people in their homes to Imams calling over the loud speaker of their mosks. It is a very solem but passionate cry.
Even though it is a calling out to Allah and the prophet Muhammed, I can't help be moved very deeply by it. It is also a great reminder: ' Yup, you're in Egypt!'
Today we will go to Teta and Giddu's (Benny and Joy's great grandparents) and hopefully see a couple of Amir's friends.
I am absolutly in LOVE with everything here. True, I am easily swooned, but I am positive even the biggest skeptic would be won over by the food alone. Throw in the sweetest, most wonderful family and I don't think it gets any better!
I am going to work on my Arabic now...
Lots and lots of love,
Sara in Egypt
P.S. It was 86 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze yesterday :)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Itinerary!!
Travel Reservation Details
Date: Monday, December 1 Flight: NW 610 Departs: Spokane-Int'l, WA (GEG) at 12:45PM
Arrives: Minneapolis/St. Paul-Int'l, MN (MSP) at 5:34PM
Class of Service: Economy Class (T) Seat: 29-B, 29-CFlight Duration: 2 hours 49 minutes
Approximate Miles: 1,173Meal Service: Snacks Aircraft: Boeing 757-200Note: Operated by
Northwest AirlinesNote: Check in with Northwest Airlines
Date: Monday, December 1 Flight: NW 56 Departs: Minneapolis/St. Paul-Int'l, MN (MSP) at
9:30PM Arrives: Amsterdam-Schiphol, Netherlands (AMS) at 12:40PM on Tuesday, December
2Class of Service: Economy Class (T) Seat: not assignedFlight Duration: Approximate Miles:
4,155Meal Service: Aircraft:Note: Operated by Northwest Airlines
Date: Tuesday, December 2 Flight: KL 553 Departs: Amsterdam-Schiphol, Netherlands (AMS)
at 9:00PM Arrives: Cairo-Int'l, Egypt (CAI) at 2:15AM on Wednesday, December 3Class of
Service: T Seat: 37-F, 37-GFlight Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes Approximate Miles:
2,042Meal Service: Meal Served Aircraft: 74MKL Confirmation Number: Z4D6AQ
Date: Wednesday, December 31 Flight: NW 8584/*KL 554 Departs: Cairo-Int'l, Egypt (CAI) at
4:15AM Arrives: Amsterdam-Schiphol, Netherlands (AMS) at 8:05AMClass of Service: Economy
Class (T) Seat: 37-E, 37-DFlight Duration: 4 hours 50 minutes Approximate Miles: 2,042Meal
Service: Meal Served Aircraft: 74M
Date: Wednesday, December 31 Flight: NW 41 Departs: Amsterdam-Schiphol, Netherlands
(AMS) at 10:20AM Arrives: Minneapolis/St. Paul-Int'l, MN (MSP) at 12:40PMClass of Service:
Economy Class (T) Seat: 31-F, 31-G AisleFlight Duration: 9 hours 20 minutes Approximate
Miles: 4,155Meal Service: Dinner Aircraft: Airbus A330
Date: Wednesday, December 31 Flight: NW 615 Departs: Minneapolis/St. Paul-Int'l, MN (MSP)
at 5:15PM Arrives: Spokane-Int'l, WA (GEG) at 6:24PMClass of Service: Economy Class (T)
Seat: 14-A Window, 14-BFlight Duration: 3 hours 9 minutes Approximate Miles: 1,173Meal
Service: Snacks Aircraft: Airbus A320
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Garbage City, Egypt
Amir and I hope to use this trip to create a slide show or small documentary about a place called Garbage City, Egypt. It is just what it sounds like; a city of garbage. Garbage City is located inside Cairo and its population is 98% Christian. This is the only community in Egypt that is only Christian. Inside the city lives very poor people. They make their living by collecting the garbage in Cairo, sorting it, and recycling what they can. Garbage collecting is the lowest job one can perform. They have very little knowledge of sanitation, contraceptives and have a very high mortality rate.We hope to raise awarness, prayer and financial support for the ministries supporting this community.
I also hope to interview a Muslim who has converted to Christianty. The stories I have heard are beautiful, amazing and unbelievable! Muslim women are told that their god values them at only half of what a man is worth... and that they will never be considered good enough or worthy enough by Allah.
I know I often feel I fall short of what I should be... but only when measured by my own standards. I couldn't imagine believing my whole life that god feels the same way!
...but then imagine being told:
"You have captured the heart of God and He cannot bear to live without you! God's dream is to make you right with Him... and the path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to have us back..."
And dear Reader, I hope that you would read that last part twice, because it is for you too! If you don't believe it, that is ok.
Just know that He wants you to know Him more than anything... and no matter how raggity, scuffed or broken your life might be, the desire of His heart is for you to call Him 'Father.'
... and if that isn't where you are at right now, He will be there when you are ready.
That's all for now.
I also hope to interview a Muslim who has converted to Christianty. The stories I have heard are beautiful, amazing and unbelievable! Muslim women are told that their god values them at only half of what a man is worth... and that they will never be considered good enough or worthy enough by Allah.
I know I often feel I fall short of what I should be... but only when measured by my own standards. I couldn't imagine believing my whole life that god feels the same way!
...but then imagine being told:
"You have captured the heart of God and He cannot bear to live without you! God's dream is to make you right with Him... and the path to the cross tells us exactly how far God will go to have us back..."
And dear Reader, I hope that you would read that last part twice, because it is for you too! If you don't believe it, that is ok.
Just know that He wants you to know Him more than anything... and no matter how raggity, scuffed or broken your life might be, the desire of His heart is for you to call Him 'Father.'
... and if that isn't where you are at right now, He will be there when you are ready.
That's all for now.
Friday, November 14, 2008
My feelings on the 2008 election
This current election season, I have found myself very sad over the state of our nation. Passionate hatred, the choice to be ignorant, and 'Fear and Smear' tactics have over come our country.
Being an American, I have a sense of pride in the progress we have made to embrace our differences. I kind of thought we were 'over' letting hate direct our decisions.
This isn't an argument in support of any presidential hopeful, but a mere plea to not belittle your faith by shoving it into a box marked Republican, Democrat, or anything inbetween. American policy isn't as simple as black and white, pro-life or pro-choice, and where an candidate claims to stand on the issue.
It is dangerous to assume you know a man's (or woman's) heart by their voting history, the church they attent or their family life. You can't know this. Maybe you will have the chance to get to truly know one, maybe two people's hearts on this planet. But don't trust in this as your sole reason for voting for a candidate.
"Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in man.Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in princes."-Psalm 118:8 & 9
So, as a follower of Christ, I actually have no hope in the current administration. Or the next one.
My hope is in the work that God is doing in people all around the world. I am voting and I am so thankful that I can.
Being an American, I have a sense of pride in the progress we have made to embrace our differences. I kind of thought we were 'over' letting hate direct our decisions.
This isn't an argument in support of any presidential hopeful, but a mere plea to not belittle your faith by shoving it into a box marked Republican, Democrat, or anything inbetween. American policy isn't as simple as black and white, pro-life or pro-choice, and where an candidate claims to stand on the issue.
It is dangerous to assume you know a man's (or woman's) heart by their voting history, the church they attent or their family life. You can't know this. Maybe you will have the chance to get to truly know one, maybe two people's hearts on this planet. But don't trust in this as your sole reason for voting for a candidate.
"Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in man.Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put one's trust in princes."-Psalm 118:8 & 9
So, as a follower of Christ, I actually have no hope in the current administration. Or the next one.
My hope is in the work that God is doing in people all around the world. I am voting and I am so thankful that I can.
..and the wonder of it all is that I'm living just to fall even more in love with you...
Today I am making aprons for my new Mother and Grandmother. I have been stressed out at the thought of all the work that is in front of me, and anxious since the end result will have to be perfect in order to give the garment to these amazing women. Otherwise I will completely start over.
My day was turned around after hearing an old Delirious? song on Pandora. While I will admit I can only stand 'Christian' music in small doses, I do enjoy starting my morning with Benny and Joy with worship music. I am thankful I did... my whole attitude on my day was turned around by this verse :
And the wonder of it all/ Is that I'm living just to fall/ Even more in love with you
How simple is this? How often do we forget that it comes down to loving out creator, our Father? And what is also awe-inspiring (I do passionately despise the overuse of the word 'awesome') is that when we turn our hearts to God, our lives follows!
How sweet it is that I am back to the foot of the cross, discovering the grace He has for me...
My day was turned around after hearing an old Delirious? song on Pandora. While I will admit I can only stand 'Christian' music in small doses, I do enjoy starting my morning with Benny and Joy with worship music. I am thankful I did... my whole attitude on my day was turned around by this verse :
And the wonder of it all/ Is that I'm living just to fall/ Even more in love with you
How simple is this? How often do we forget that it comes down to loving out creator, our Father? And what is also awe-inspiring (I do passionately despise the overuse of the word 'awesome') is that when we turn our hearts to God, our lives follows!
How sweet it is that I am back to the foot of the cross, discovering the grace He has for me...
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