Mohammed took us to the airport by 8 & we felt like we were leaving a good friend. Back in Cairo, we soon headed out to Refuge Egypt & quickly got put to work. Rog registering new refugees & I passed out & sorted clothes. Next @200 students came to pay ($6) & be assigned classes based on the results of last week's testing. Kind of chaotic. It took 4 staff & 4 volunteers to get it done in 3 hours. What made it so rewarding was knowing many of these young, eager kids came from countries where there had been no education for years due to war. As one boy said, "We are so blessed to be here!" And so are we.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Update 13
Another day...another temple! But we'd save the best for last: Karnak. More & bigger pillars, statues, gateways, carvings, sphinx...and tourist. Really the first time we waited in a line. We lost the crowd by hiking to the end...about 900 Ft and slowly making our way back gaping at the quantity, quality & size. I have no more descriptive words to use after writing about the sights we've already seen these last 3 days. You know that savoring feeling you get when you eat the last bite..the moist center of a gooey warm cinnamon bun...maybe that describes how I felt.
In the nearby Luxor Museum we saw 2 mummies—one believed to be Ramses I. It had been lying around in some Niagara Falls Oddity spot, then purchased for $2M by U of Georgia, examined & ID'd and finally put to rest in the Luxor Museum...a good will offering!:). Also in the museum was a wooden box...totally decorated...a smaller box also decorated that fit inside it...believed to be the coffin of a wealthy African woman who died almost 4000 years ago. Dang that's old! Most of the stone statues in the museum were found in 1989 right on the Karnak grounds. (See Louise it's not too late!)
Our taxi driver (same one we've been with many times), Mohammed took us to "the best Egyptian food" in Luxor. We shared the meal and as usual, it was more than enough. Of all our travels, I think I've enjoyed Egyptian food the best...except desserts aren't offered.
Then we went to the hotel that Mohammed had arranged—he probably got a cut for it & the restaurant too. It was also a relic of the past...once elegant & a gem...now fading fast. A huge empty dining room with dusty table, a pool surrounded by worn out lounge chairs, many broken mirrors, etc...but adequate for one night.
After grabbing our jackets, we headed to the Nile malecon where we'd met a boat owner earlier who'd promised us a romantic sunset ride for $20..and it was. We admired the large sail boats & fancy huge cruise ships...but as usual, we were happy to travel more simply.
It's amazing what you can see in just 3 days!
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In the nearby Luxor Museum we saw 2 mummies—one believed to be Ramses I. It had been lying around in some Niagara Falls Oddity spot, then purchased for $2M by U of Georgia, examined & ID'd and finally put to rest in the Luxor Museum...a good will offering!:). Also in the museum was a wooden box...totally decorated...a smaller box also decorated that fit inside it...believed to be the coffin of a wealthy African woman who died almost 4000 years ago. Dang that's old! Most of the stone statues in the museum were found in 1989 right on the Karnak grounds. (See Louise it's not too late!)
Our taxi driver (same one we've been with many times), Mohammed took us to "the best Egyptian food" in Luxor. We shared the meal and as usual, it was more than enough. Of all our travels, I think I've enjoyed Egyptian food the best...except desserts aren't offered.
Then we went to the hotel that Mohammed had arranged—he probably got a cut for it & the restaurant too. It was also a relic of the past...once elegant & a gem...now fading fast. A huge empty dining room with dusty table, a pool surrounded by worn out lounge chairs, many broken mirrors, etc...but adequate for one night.
After grabbing our jackets, we headed to the Nile malecon where we'd met a boat owner earlier who'd promised us a romantic sunset ride for $20..and it was. We admired the large sail boats & fancy huge cruise ships...but as usual, we were happy to travel more simply.
It's amazing what you can see in just 3 days!
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Sunday, January 20, 2019
Update 12
From our room I heard children chanting and so off I went to find the source. Under a cane stalked roof on a dusty floor covered particulate by mats, I found an older man with a long stick point to a chipped blackboard covered with Arabic & a mass of children chanting the words. Shortly, he cam over to see me & when I asked if I could stay, he grinned & said certainly. I watched as he moved among the grouped students...about 70...getting each group to recite or read from a book they held. Often 3 groups were reciting at the same time but different lessons. Kids not under his direct supervision were doing the what you'd expect...swatting each other, pulling hair, tossing paper wads...mostly the boys...made me smile.
At one point, the teacher brought 2 very young girls over & had them recite the ABC's & spell some words for me. He tenderly put his hand on the shoulder of one of them and said she is very smart & comes to school every day. Putting his hand on the other, he said she too was very smart but did not come to school as often...then shook his head.
After about 30 minutes, the teacher dismissed one group at a time having the last group clean up. Then the teacher came over sit by me (I was on a block of cement holding up a post.). When I told him I'd been a teacher, he grinned & said "Then you understand." As I'd suspected, he'd divided the kids by levels..not age...six mats...K-5. Pretty sure he didn't do a formal testing. If I understood him correctly, many of the kids go to another school maybe in the morning as he only taught in the afternoon.
He had been teaching 30 years. He grinned when I complimented him on the kindness he showed his students, the control he had over the large group & the respect the students had for him. I love being in classrooms..anywhere & everywhere!!
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At one point, the teacher brought 2 very young girls over & had them recite the ABC's & spell some words for me. He tenderly put his hand on the shoulder of one of them and said she is very smart & comes to school every day. Putting his hand on the other, he said she too was very smart but did not come to school as often...then shook his head.
After about 30 minutes, the teacher dismissed one group at a time having the last group clean up. Then the teacher came over sit by me (I was on a block of cement holding up a post.). When I told him I'd been a teacher, he grinned & said "Then you understand." As I'd suspected, he'd divided the kids by levels..not age...six mats...K-5. Pretty sure he didn't do a formal testing. If I understood him correctly, many of the kids go to another school maybe in the morning as he only taught in the afternoon.
He had been teaching 30 years. He grinned when I complimented him on the kindness he showed his students, the control he had over the large group & the respect the students had for him. I love being in classrooms..anywhere & everywhere!!
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Update 11
Makmoud is the eldest male of the family who runs our guest house. He enjoys visiting with us & we encourage it. Often he and several of his family are gathered around a fire outside their home in the early morning & again late evening. They always offer us tea which even I accept. He has 7 children & says "over 40 grandkids." He proudly took us into his home to show us pictures of his grandfather, father & some of his family pictures hanging on the adobe walls. He smiled saying his grandfather went by camel to Mecca. It took him 6 months one way. His father by car & he by airplane. His daughter showed us the gigantic bowl of bread dough she was going to bake in the outside domed oven later.
Each morning Makmoud wakes at 3 am & goes to his mosque to pray until 6 am. Talk about devotion! These mornings he's wrapped in a couple long blankets like coats...but says he like it better now than when it is hot. Warm weather brings mosquitoes, scorpions & cobras. Made us appreciate being here now & will stop moaning about being chilled!!!
Makmoud has a keen sense of humor and walks & talks very slowly. A feeling of peace and contentment seems to linger in his presence.
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Each morning Makmoud wakes at 3 am & goes to his mosque to pray until 6 am. Talk about devotion! These mornings he's wrapped in a couple long blankets like coats...but says he like it better now than when it is hot. Warm weather brings mosquitoes, scorpions & cobras. Made us appreciate being here now & will stop moaning about being chilled!!!
Makmoud has a keen sense of humor and walks & talks very slowly. A feeling of peace and contentment seems to linger in his presence.
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Update 10
The sun kissed the horizon & the prayers from the mosque filled the air as our techno colored balloon glided over the ruins of the ancient Egyptian temples & tombs, our guest house and the small village near of KomLoLa. Tiny men cutting sugar cane, women hanging clothes, cows & goats in stables, water being pumped in rice paddies, donkeys pulling cart loads of grass & veges, truckload of men on their way to work, roofs storing grains & straw...such a menagerie of scenes with only the occasional donkey bray & the whoosh of the fire lifting our balloon breaking the silence. Our first balloon ride...an excellent & uplifting experience !!
We came down from our high & took off most of our 5 layers of clothing then went off to explore the Rameseum ruins built by Ramses II who called it his Temple of a Million Years—that's a man with a vision! He'd be disappointed that only 29 of the original 130 columns still stand and the 18' statue of himself is mostly huge chunks lying at his feet...& it's only about 3000 years old.
As we finished eating lunch, we met Nubi who told us he was the grandson of the man who showed the famous archeologist Carter where to find King Tut's tome. He proudly pointed to the picture hunting in the restaurant showing his grandfather wearing the golden belt of King Tut & standing next to Carter. How can you doubt him?
Between admission fees, balloon ride, taxi rides & the every need to tip, it was time to find an ATM. When we asked about finding one, Nubi, of course, was a taxi driver too & you'd think in the Valley of the Kings that would be easy...wrong. Nubi took us to the nearest one. No go. Took us to one farther away. No go. So finally he dropped us at the ferry so we could cross the Nile to the East Bank of Luxor—much more developed part. With a sigh of relief, we found on ATM that worked.
It was close to a McD so, why not?? It was the first McD (besides India) where I couldn't just get a small burger...smallest one was the 1/4 lb.
Right across the stree was the Luxor Temple with a mosque built within the ruins. We were escorted first into the mosque where there were several open matted prayer rooms & 2 overly decorated caskets of a beloved sheikh & his son who lived 800 yrs ago. As we exited, our guide looked us in the eyes and said so sincerely, "All people, Muslims, Hindu, Christians should not look at faces but only into their hearts. All should live in peace." Shalom is a common greeting here. Wish it was everywhere!
We then checked out the rest of the Luxor Temple. This one is bigger & more preserved than ones we've already seen. I know...how can that be?? Almost 30 sphinx line both sides of the entrance...and the archeologist are still uncovering them. They believe the line of sphinx extends 3km to the entrance of the Karnak Temple! Imagine that!! Seeing all these magnificent carved stone work makes me thing of the slaves & Moses' words, "Let my people go." (Not sure if the time frame fits —will have to check that out.)
Back on the ferry (always one of my favorite rides), we went back to KimLoLa and our cozy guest house.
Sent from my iPhone
We came down from our high & took off most of our 5 layers of clothing then went off to explore the Rameseum ruins built by Ramses II who called it his Temple of a Million Years—that's a man with a vision! He'd be disappointed that only 29 of the original 130 columns still stand and the 18' statue of himself is mostly huge chunks lying at his feet...& it's only about 3000 years old.
As we finished eating lunch, we met Nubi who told us he was the grandson of the man who showed the famous archeologist Carter where to find King Tut's tome. He proudly pointed to the picture hunting in the restaurant showing his grandfather wearing the golden belt of King Tut & standing next to Carter. How can you doubt him?
Between admission fees, balloon ride, taxi rides & the every need to tip, it was time to find an ATM. When we asked about finding one, Nubi, of course, was a taxi driver too & you'd think in the Valley of the Kings that would be easy...wrong. Nubi took us to the nearest one. No go. Took us to one farther away. No go. So finally he dropped us at the ferry so we could cross the Nile to the East Bank of Luxor—much more developed part. With a sigh of relief, we found on ATM that worked.
It was close to a McD so, why not?? It was the first McD (besides India) where I couldn't just get a small burger...smallest one was the 1/4 lb.
Right across the stree was the Luxor Temple with a mosque built within the ruins. We were escorted first into the mosque where there were several open matted prayer rooms & 2 overly decorated caskets of a beloved sheikh & his son who lived 800 yrs ago. As we exited, our guide looked us in the eyes and said so sincerely, "All people, Muslims, Hindu, Christians should not look at faces but only into their hearts. All should live in peace." Shalom is a common greeting here. Wish it was everywhere!
We then checked out the rest of the Luxor Temple. This one is bigger & more preserved than ones we've already seen. I know...how can that be?? Almost 30 sphinx line both sides of the entrance...and the archeologist are still uncovering them. They believe the line of sphinx extends 3km to the entrance of the Karnak Temple! Imagine that!! Seeing all these magnificent carved stone work makes me thing of the slaves & Moses' words, "Let my people go." (Not sure if the time frame fits —will have to check that out.)
Back on the ferry (always one of my favorite rides), we went back to KimLoLa and our cozy guest house.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Update 9
Who knew there were so many tombs!!! Over 3000 already excavated in this area alone. We did our best to visit many of them in the Valley of the Queens and the Tombs of the Nobles...12 total. Considered the best (and most expensive $70 each) of all tombs anywhere is the tomb of the beloved & most beautiful one of 5 wives of Ramses, Nephertari. Worth every penny! Brilliant rich colors in intricate detail etched in 3D covering the walls & ceilings of the tomb's corridor & side rooms about 200' deep. Royalties with variety of jewels, headdresses, & clothing including leopard skins; slaves worshiping, preparing foods, headless, rowing boats & working; chariots pulled by galloping horses being whipped by drivers; lotus flowers; birds of all types especially fierce eagles & vultures & proud peacocks; the doglike figure embalming; grapes & wine makers; soldiers armed; cows alive & other butchered; barbers, bakers, fishermen & farmers plowing...I could go on and on and on....Each tomb unique though similar in many ways. Some with large statues, others pillars, fake tomb openings & side rooms. Simple unreal. 3500+/- old....and we celebrate a place after 100 years. We had the pleasure of having a 10 year old boy as our guide in the Valley of the Nobles. He was so charming and pleased to be with us. We taught him some English and he in turn, taught us some Arabic...and that children are children wherever we go.
When we tired of being enclosed in tombs, we walked by the remains of a palace & the ruins of the storage bins Joseph (yup, the many colored robe guy) had built during the 7 years of abundant wheat harvest in preparation for the 7 years of famine that he'd predicted. Talk about a bible story coming alive!
We had a traditional light supper of grilled vegetables, tahini & bread in the small village nearby. As we walked by the Temple of Mendin at Habu, many children ran out to greet us so I had them form a circle & we played Ring Around the Rosie..laughing as we fell. I wonder what made children laugh 3500 years ago in this same place??
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When we tired of being enclosed in tombs, we walked by the remains of a palace & the ruins of the storage bins Joseph (yup, the many colored robe guy) had built during the 7 years of abundant wheat harvest in preparation for the 7 years of famine that he'd predicted. Talk about a bible story coming alive!
We had a traditional light supper of grilled vegetables, tahini & bread in the small village nearby. As we walked by the Temple of Mendin at Habu, many children ran out to greet us so I had them form a circle & we played Ring Around the Rosie..laughing as we fell. I wonder what made children laugh 3500 years ago in this same place??
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Update 8
As we were leaving Refuge Egypt last night, we were told the office was closed till Monday...some holiday...so we figured it was time to get out of town....check out Luxor...so at 4 am we were up & off to the airport. Internet is amazing! So is Rog who booked us a flight & hotel in less than an hour.
We met a taxi driver at the airport who was a cousin of the owner of Nour El Gourna...where we'd booked a room...of course!! At 10:30 he was driving us to the Valley of the Kings. I've read about tombs many times..but being entombed in one in Egypt...one of those pinched me moments...is this for real?? 3500+ years old & still with such vivid colors & spectacular carvings with amazing details!! No doubt I'm in Egypt!
In awe we lingered in four tombs ...built in the time of Ramses'. Many tombs are not open to the public right now & there is excavating going on in many areas here. Most believe less than 10% has been discovered. I'm just in awe. But there was more! We taxied to the Al Bahari Temple. She sure built herself a nice place! Epic!!!
We came back to our hotel for a feast fit for a Pharaoh: bread, hummus, salad, rice, vegetable in a tomato sauce, fried egg plants, roasted chicken..and Coke Lite. Needing to walk that off, we took a stroll into the small village nearby conversing with many locals. When they asked about why we were in Cairo & hearing we are working with the refugees, two of them talked about loving that Egypt was open to refugees from all countries & that they did not make them stay in camps. Both spoke of their dislike of Trump.
We strolled by many donkeys & sheep that live within this village. On the hillside near us is another village with electricity & cable TV...but no water. The govt is closing it as it is probably on top of more tombs.
The sun set brilliantly behind the ruins of Colissi of Memon (60', 10000 ton statues )as it has for more than 3500 years...
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We met a taxi driver at the airport who was a cousin of the owner of Nour El Gourna...where we'd booked a room...of course!! At 10:30 he was driving us to the Valley of the Kings. I've read about tombs many times..but being entombed in one in Egypt...one of those pinched me moments...is this for real?? 3500+ years old & still with such vivid colors & spectacular carvings with amazing details!! No doubt I'm in Egypt!
In awe we lingered in four tombs ...built in the time of Ramses'. Many tombs are not open to the public right now & there is excavating going on in many areas here. Most believe less than 10% has been discovered. I'm just in awe. But there was more! We taxied to the Al Bahari Temple. She sure built herself a nice place! Epic!!!
We came back to our hotel for a feast fit for a Pharaoh: bread, hummus, salad, rice, vegetable in a tomato sauce, fried egg plants, roasted chicken..and Coke Lite. Needing to walk that off, we took a stroll into the small village nearby conversing with many locals. When they asked about why we were in Cairo & hearing we are working with the refugees, two of them talked about loving that Egypt was open to refugees from all countries & that they did not make them stay in camps. Both spoke of their dislike of Trump.
We strolled by many donkeys & sheep that live within this village. On the hillside near us is another village with electricity & cable TV...but no water. The govt is closing it as it is probably on top of more tombs.
The sun set brilliantly behind the ruins of Colissi of Memon (60', 10000 ton statues )as it has for more than 3500 years...
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Update 7
We're in an island surrounded by the Nile. This morning we took a stroll around the north section. Passed lots of embassy's : Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, etc.. All were heavily guarded. Got in the line at what seemed like the hot spot for lunch and got our first taameya—delicious deep fried hummus mixed with shredded verges, chopped cabbage & carrots all stuffed in a pita bread—which we watched ladies form & back as we waited for our sandwiches. It's a very traditional sandwich & cheap...4 for $1.50. Headed off for "work" next where I helped in the fundraising office for a while while Rog conversed with refugees waiting. From 3-6, we did more assessments. Since I'm doing the oral testing, I get to spend time visiting (while assessing). It's fascinating hearing their stories & their dreams. They are so very eager to learn more so they can get better jobs. Many wish they could go home but feel it's too dangerous. Their eyes sparkle with hope. I think of those trying to get into USA and I hurt for them. A Brazilian minister we me was asked to pastor in a Texas church & US denied him twice. Really!?
Jeremiah 22:3 is found on the Refuge Egypt website: "The Lord proclaims, do what is just & right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor. Don't exploit or mistreat the refugee, orphan or widow. "
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Jeremiah 22:3 is found on the Refuge Egypt website: "The Lord proclaims, do what is just & right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor. Don't exploit or mistreat the refugee, orphan or widow. "
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Update 6
Today we were in prison for almost 6 hours. It was a tiny slice of the life of the woman prisoners we met...mostly because of the hours of boredom & cold as we wanted to be admitted & then were able to leave. We'd boarded a van with 4 other women at 8 am, arrived at the prison at 9, waited outside until 10, then waited in a holding room till 1:30 along with over 100 others...all of us with bags of clothing, food, TP, etc. Things they lack & the prison expects families to supply. The prison ministry of All Saints visits the women from other countries. We met a lawyer who specialize in int'l law & does what she can to help free the girls. She says she has to lie a lot. Women have little to no rights here. Most were in prison on drug charges or prostitution ...anyways that's what they are accused of and though have been there for years...no trial.
I asked about US prisoners—she said they were none as the US Embassy scoops them up quickly and they are never guilty. But not so with many other countries.
We spent most of the visit talking to a lady from Italy that had come to Egypt with a friend and accused of thinking of buying drugs. Now in prison 3 years...no court hearing...and her young daughter is growing up without her. She told me she will be brave & bold now...later she will get her revenge.
It was chaotic & noisy in the visitation room add the language barrier and so mostly what we did was give hugs and listening as best we could to their story. One girl smiled often and said prison has strengthened her faith as it is all she has now.
When the first whistle blew, the ladies we'd come with & the prisoners we'd visited formed a circle holding hands and the prisoners sang "You are close. Alleluia!" Since the prisoners were dressed in long white tunics...it was like a choir of angels singing. Surreal. Then they asked Roger to pray. He reverently said something few could hear or understand but his caring face was enough for them.
Getting out was a madhouse of shoving & pushing till you were barreled out of the one man door. WHEW!
We had a nice conversation with the women we were with on our ride back to church. As soon as we got back, we got busy doing English assessments. It 7:30 before we got back to our room. Tired but glad to have gotten in and out of prison!
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I asked about US prisoners—she said they were none as the US Embassy scoops them up quickly and they are never guilty. But not so with many other countries.
We spent most of the visit talking to a lady from Italy that had come to Egypt with a friend and accused of thinking of buying drugs. Now in prison 3 years...no court hearing...and her young daughter is growing up without her. She told me she will be brave & bold now...later she will get her revenge.
It was chaotic & noisy in the visitation room add the language barrier and so mostly what we did was give hugs and listening as best we could to their story. One girl smiled often and said prison has strengthened her faith as it is all she has now.
When the first whistle blew, the ladies we'd come with & the prisoners we'd visited formed a circle holding hands and the prisoners sang "You are close. Alleluia!" Since the prisoners were dressed in long white tunics...it was like a choir of angels singing. Surreal. Then they asked Roger to pray. He reverently said something few could hear or understand but his caring face was enough for them.
Getting out was a madhouse of shoving & pushing till you were barreled out of the one man door. WHEW!
We had a nice conversation with the women we were with on our ride back to church. As soon as we got back, we got busy doing English assessments. It 7:30 before we got back to our room. Tired but glad to have gotten in and out of prison!
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Monday, January 14, 2019
Re: Update 3
Thanks for the update! Guess all is not smooth sailing now...
Jean
On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 12:43 PM Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
We'd arranged for the same taxi driver who'd picked us up to return us to the airport...at 5:15 am. He again was a well of interesting tidbits @ Athens...home to 6 million. Our flight snack was a nice goodbye to Athens: spinach pies & Greek yogurt with a side of honey. All was hunky dory until there wasn't any internet at the Cairo airport. I found a place to buy a SIM card. Since our Airbnb host had not contacted us, we called him & he told the taxi driver where to find our room...well...far from the room or building pictured online & to add insult to injury...the host said it wasn't paid & we needed to pay him...though we knew Airbnb doesn't do it like that. We decided to find something to eat, see the neighborhood & think it about it. Seems we were in the car repair area as the crumble, littered sidewalks were filled with vendors selling every possible car part, new & used. The side streets were crowded with cars with hoods wide open & men working on them. Most of the tall buildings were quite dilapidated & dirty. Eventually we found a street with food & tried the shawarma type sandwich with lots of extras...Guess who liked it & who didn't. We did eventually find a KFC & McD ...but too late. And besides they were kinda dirty too. We got back to our room & the host came knocking demanding $$. We paid. I contacted Airbnb and over the next couple hours, they said they'd give us a full refund & we booked another spot for tomorrow! Then we huddled down in the thick blankets...it was a cold room...& spent time flipping TV channels. We both felt it had actually been a worthwhile experience as many of the refugees we will be working with probably stay in places much worse. We had hot water & toilet. We had options for tomorrow!
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Re: Athens pictures
Great pictures, Jane. I especially like the first one of you and Rog. Looks rather chilly there. It's really nice here (she lied).
Picture #2: did Rog pick up anything from the Aphrodite Gold/Silver shop?
Picture #3: What exactly are we seeing here? The strata underneath the current floor?
Jean
On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 2:34 PM Terri Keppler <tlk1972@gmail.com> wrote:
These are great!On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 1:35 PM Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
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Update 5
We were in the think of it today. First met with the priest in charge of prison ministry & got info needed for tomorrow's visit. Then registered refugees & later signed them up for English classes. Did some English assessments. Sorted clothing & helped distribute. And in between, visited with the refugees whenever & however possible. Many spoke a little English. They were from Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and many from Eritrea...a country I'd never heard of! When I told a young man that...he laughed & said his chat box friends say the same thing...he also said he'd learned English on chat box. Who'd a thunk?? Another young man from there said he left home because everyone, girls & boys, had to join the military for their entire life. Met a young man from Sudan who'd left his University where he'd been studying engineering & on the soccer team. Said it was just too dangerous. A fellow from Syria was headed home. I asked how he felt about USA pulling out & he shook his head & said ISIS will get much stronger. I loved hearing the young girls giggling & visiting & seeing them help each other answer my questions. It was interesting to note that often they were not from the same country but seemed to be friends. Some wore hijab, some burqa & others nothing...seemed not a problems for them. Why to so many in this war torn world????
It was a long, busy day...but so rewarding!
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It was a long, busy day...but so rewarding!
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Update 4
Believe it or not we slept till 11 and then quickly packed up and quietly left...good riddance ! We hopped a taxi & crossed over the Nile...that seems weird to say. Our new room is much improved, though still cold, & very close to Refuge Egypt where we'll be volunteering. We went on a hunt to find the office & Monica who's are contact person...turns out she's from Pittsburgh ! She was eager to get us busy after a quick tour & overview of all they'd like us to do...all under the umbrella of the All Saints Episcopal Church. We left there feeling we'd found a good spot to volunteer...also left Hungary. Found a great spot close by where Rog ate 1/2 chicken & I had a hot dish of cannelloni ...great on another cold day! We picked up a few groceries then went back to our room to read, write, watch news & do a bit of laundry. Also booked this room for 8 more nights. Next morning breakfast was brought to our room...hard boiled eggs, bread, cheese & coffee. Then off we went to church...the young priest was from Ohio. Next we met the head of many of the outreach programs, Francine. The funding comes from many sources and part of what I will be doing is helping create letters requesting funds...a job I've enlisted help from my big hearted FIA friend, Sarah:). Also am trying to make a Michigan connection for funding for the deaf school Refuge Egypt would like start. (Currently deaf are put in a room with no teacher/no lessons.). ***Please feel free to jump in with suggestions!!!***. Rog & I will be teaching English classes starting next week. We've also been asked to visits prisoners ...many from Sudan, some USA...put there for no Visa or minor offenses. With no family in the area to support them, they get minimal service. Several have finished their sentence but have no $$ to fly home. Last month this church raised $$ so four could go home. Another side job we learned to day was how to scan documents & add them to files. We'll be doing that in our spare time...that looks like a never ending job...one girl, Monica from Egypt has been doing it full time for 3 years! Think we'll be busy. Ate left over breakfast in our room and then happened on a movie in English...the story of Lee Strobel who authored A Case for Christ. Ironic find since we're so close to the birthplace of Christianity . Can't plan these things...they just happen!!
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Saturday, January 12, 2019
Re: Cairo pictures
Great pictures!
On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 1:51 PM Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
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Re: Athens pictures
These are great!
On Sat, Jan 12, 2019 at 1:35 PM Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com> wrote:
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