Update 32

Here's a story I wrote which will be used for fundraising for the prison ministry here at the church where are we are staying and that houses Refuge Egypt.  I wrote it after my visit to the prison. 

"I was in prison and you came to me."  Matthew 25:36

It was a tiny slice of the life of the woman prisoner we met…mostly because of the hours of boredom and cold as we waited to be admitted to the visitation room.  Hours but not three years waiting as she has already endured. Finally, we were led into a chaotic and noisy room filled with female prisoners dressed entirely in white and family members with bags of food, blankets and books for their loved one.  The woman I came to visit had no family in Egypt.  

My visit had been arranged by the Prison Ministry of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt.  This outreach program provides transportation to/from the Kanater prison as well as funds to purchase many items necessary to survive in prison to women and men from foreign countries.  Those funds come from generous donations by individuals and groups.  We are writing to invite you to be one of those generous individuals.  Perhaps hearing the rest of my story will inspire you to donate.

The woman I met with was from Italy.  She had come to Egypt on a holiday with a friend.  For some reason beyond her understanding, the police invaded her hotel room and arrested her for "thinking of buying drugs."  She was taken to prison and now for three years, she has waited for her day in court.  Her family in Italy has spent thousands of dollars on lawyers yet there has been no opportunity for her to plead her case.

Her young daughter grows up without her.  Her husband visits when he can.  In the meantime, the Prison Ministry visitors are her only outside contact.  She tells me prison has strengthened her faith as it is all she has now.  She says she will be brave and bold.  Just before I left, the other women who had been visited by Prison Ministry volunteers joined hands and as a group, they sang "You are close.  Alleluia!"  Dressed in all white tunics, (required outfit) it was like a choir of Angels singing.

Please help fulfill Jesus' words, "I was in prison and you came to me" by donating to this most worthy cause.  

 

 

Update 31 by Roger

You probably have heard...
"you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone! They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
In Cairo, the opera house burned so they replaced it with a parking lot.

We find ourselves in a place where we are constantly reminded that what we've got is SO much more.

The refugees travel a good distance to wait in line for hours so that they can register to get some food. Then they return another day to wait again and finally get a bag that will feed them for only a few meals. They will qualify to come back in about one month for another bag. There is no way to know how they manage between visits. Few appear to have jobs.

Maybe we don't know what we've got, but we know that it feels very wrong for these friendly, grateful people to have so little. They are beautiful people with gorgeous babies and they deal with all of the issues that others face but with very few resources and almost no money.

When asked about eating, Hazma, man in our class, said that he doesn't eat breakfast...he doesn't eat lunch, either. He does not complain about it. It is just how it is.

Update 30

It's so nice having a grocery store close & a frig so we can have lunch & snacks in our room. Most mornings Rog goes to the breakfast room for coffee, cheese sandwich & yogurt with honey and brings me back boiled eggs, cheese, bread & yogurt. I chop the eggs & add mayo and tada...we enjoy egg salad sandwiches for lunch along with Pringles, fruit & a Coke Lite. Some days we make PB sandwiches...PB is expensive at $7 a jar. Since we're working here on campus all day...it's nice to be so close to lunch. We have cheese & cracker & yogurt for snacks. My supply of M & M's I brought from home keeps my sweet tooth happy.
We almost always go out for dinner. There's a huge selection of restaurants close by...cheap Egyptian street food to some elaborate places we probably will not go to. We usually share a meal for about $6 or less and that's enough. There's Lebanese, Syrian, Sudanese, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Pizza Hut, McD, KFC and lots of just family owned no names. There's a Syrian place right on this campus which we've been too several times...service is slow & we've never gotten what we thought we'd ordered...but the owner loves us & he and all his workers touch their hearts & say thank you and shake our hands when we leave. It's hard to sneak by there as they stand at the door and invite us in. We have to say we're just going for a walk!
Desserts are expensive and usually only in coffee shops. We've indulged a few times. There's a bakery on the corner we turn on coming & going and often it has warm goodies cooling & calling our name when we walk by. Why not???
I've must say I've enjoyed the food here more than anywhere else we've traveled to...even without real Diet Coke. Probably won't be losing my normal 5-10 lbs this winter!!


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Pyramids

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Sphinx

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Pyramids

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Update 29

We made it to the Pyramids!!! It is a sight to behold!!! They've certainly stood the test of time...4500+years and counting.
We'd met a guy at the Metro stop (our white skin says tourist loud & clear) who led us right to the carriage & horse stables where he set us up with a guide & ride (we're sure he got a cut) and in no time, our guide maneuvered us through the huge crowd of 99% Egyptians ...mostly by squeezing around the barriers & pushing and shoving, making a space for us.
The panoramic view you get as you enter is surreal. Massive. Iconic. Dusty. By carriage we passed the majority of the visitors and reached the base of the pyramid quickly. Then we climbed onto two kneeling camels who then rose up to about 7'. We rode around the base of a pyramid which once stood 146m high but has been lowered by the wind & rain by 9m and it's limestone finish all but gone. At one point, my camel refused to step over a chain, broke his lead rope & headed back to where we started. Luckily rather slowly. Many guides kept saying, "It's okay lady!" After about 200' of unleashed freedom...another guide slowly reached up & grabbed my camel's bridle. I kinda thought it was exciting!
Next we crawled down into the tunnel leading to the tomb inside the pyramid. It was totally dark so good thing our phone had a flashlight! The tunnel ended at the sarcophagus. Eerie . It was a heavy thought just thinking about the weight above you! We hiked around a bit then got back in the carriage to get to the sphinx that has stood guard in from for all these years. He still sits proudly and majestically in spite of some missing pieces.
These pyramids & the sphinx are the only one of the Seven Ancient Wonders that remains.
Sooo...you'd think after over 4000 years of being a tourist site, they'd have it set up perfectly. Far from it!!! The entrance gate was jammed & we were literally pushed through it. The area all around the pyramids was congested and chaotic. Horsing galloping, carts, camels & people going in every which direction. Poop everywhere. People climbing up on the pyramids and picnicking on fallen blocks. The tunnels into the pyramids completely dark with only a dirty fluorescent light lying on the ground by the sarcophagus.
All I can say is, it's a good thing those ancient Egyptians built mighty strong & durable pyramids cause we were thrilled to be able to see them!!
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Update 28

I was out in search of a Coke Lite...my regular vendor was not open...and I not only found a Coke Lite but also ended up with US movies!! How?? Long story...
It all started when the clerk (who turned out to be the manager) of a nearby store spoke English to me. We chit chatted for a bit and then I asked him where he learned his English. He grinned & said, "Hollywood movies! I Love Hollywood movies!" I said we had not been able to find any movies in English on our tv and asked him what channel they were on. Again the big grin when he told me, "I download them. I have so many. If you want I'll download for you!" He told me to check to see of our tv had a USB port & if so, let him know. We did, so I did. Rog joined me. We asked our newest friend where to buy a flash drive. He said to follow him. We did. He left work & walked us to a shop. We took the flash drive back to his store, he pulled out his computer, showed us many movies to pick from. We picked out a few & while he downloaded them, insisted on treating Roger to a cup of Turkish coffee. In about 10 minutes, we had 10 movies. I think he was more excited than us!
We made a stop at the grocery store where I'd previously spied microwave popcorn which I came home, popped in the breakfast nook microwave...and BabbaBingBabbaBoom...
Movie & Popcorn Night!!
(The Bird Box)

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Update 27

The priest here had mentioned to us that there would be a special musical performance on Friday night so we planned to attend for a while just hear some of the local talent.  Why not??  

We have noticed very little music here on the streets or even in shops and restaurants, so  it was a surprise to find the church full of people excitedly awaiting the performance.  
The performance started (20min late/known here as Egyptian time) with a grand piano soon followed by a violin.  It was soon clear that they were both very talented and they played music that was not familiar to us but it was excellent. Possibly classical Egyptian if there is such a category? 
In the hands of the performer the violin seemed to come alive and  live on its own.  It was hard to believe that the man was actually using it to make the sounds that we heard. 
Again there was a plan to honor us as volunteers and have us recognized but we had slipped out early to have popcorn and a movie.  How gauche of us!  As we left the director actually followed us and asked if we liked the performance. How can you explain that it was great but you also chose to leave early?  


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Update 26 by Roger

We were invited to attend an opening of a new tech room which is in the 2nd floor of the building where we are staying.  We thought they were just being polite asking us to come.  We were told that we would meet the Bishop of the Anglican Church whose office is also in this building.  

We arrived on time but as usual waited about 1/2 hour for others to arrive.  Then we were told that the Director of the Alexandria Library was coming.  When he arrived he shook our hands along with clergy and priests who were there.  They asked us to move to the front.  We were being treated like very special visitors!      

 After consuming a plate of sweet desserts, there were some speeches which focused on the the importance of using technology to help Egypt advance.

It was also emphasized that all religions and atheists, too, should work together to make Egypt a better place for all.

Then we, along with all of the notable priests and directors, were escorted into the new tech room. It is modern and everyone admired the fine job that had been done to complete it.

We felt more than a little out of place to be included with this group, then they passed out souvenir gifts to all of the dignitaries who attended-a plain black pen in a nice box. Again, we were included.  

Never did actually get introduced to the Bishop; however, we did meet his wife. They have shown appreciation for our presence here in many ways!

We just never know what's will happen next around here!

Update 25

On Sunday, we decided to check out other areas in or near Cairo. We headed for a large park marked on our map...of course Roger got us there...but the park was totally over grown, dilapidated & full of dogs & litter. What a shame!! Where do the almost 20 million people living in Cairo go to enjoy nature & open space?
On our walk back, we went by an enormous pink complex with spacious & manicured gardens. We just got a glimpse of it when the thick medal door opened to let someone out. We asked the guard about the complex and he said, "Police Night Club. For police only." Guess it's a fringe benefit for the policemen here!
Rog had studied the metro system & since Monica (American RE staff member) had invited us to visit her at the refugee community center she & her husband run, we headed there by metro.
The metro was quick, clean & not very crowded on a Sunday afternoon. We rode for about 40 minutes & got off near her center.
Monica had arranged for us to meet her at the only US restaurant around, KFC. It was a bit of a challenge to wade through the bustling market streets of this impoverished area, over the tracks & around a block...but we found it. We enjoyed a KFC meal while we waited. Two of their staff timidly asked for a picture with them. We do stick out as foreigners ...especially in this area.
Monica found us & we all climbed into a TukTuk which took us to their center. Two mattresses & a pile of lumber blocked the door. When we started to move them, a man (probably the one who owned the stuff) came to help.
Their center's goals are to empower the refugees and encourage & build positive relationships between the refugees from all countries. They teach life skills, provide activities & teach English.
We sat in on the English class Monica was teaching. She is a natural—though was only trained as an engineer. She asked for our input so Rog pulled out a balloon & we played a review game that went well. Then she splint the class into 3 groups & each of us spent time practicing reading. I was in my happy place!
I'm amazed that not only did Monica leave the comforts of USA behind but also now lives with her husband & two small children in such a poor area and spends her free time lifting up the refugees there. In her RE office there are many bible quotes about what Jesus says about helping other and the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" She knows and does it wholeheartedly !!
An image I will carry for a long time is of a young boy in torn shorts & no shirt sitting on the tracks fanning a small fire in the cool evening.

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Update 24

We teach around 20 students...mostly 18-23 yr olds...two days a week for 1/1/2 hours each. What a joy! Rog and I bounce the main teaching back & forth and add humor & jabs. We and the students laugh often. We teach Level 3 which means they can converse some with us but between their accent and use of grammar, we strain to understand bu there's progress each time we meet...both in them and us. We've also subbed in Level 1 & Level 8 so we've seen the range. It was good to get that perspective. The course was developed by Cambridge and the teacher's manual is much like many of the ones we've used before but with the ESL (English as Second Language) component added. Rog & I study and plan out the lesson so it flows well. The hour & a half flies by. As the students leave, each stops to shake each of our hands and say thank you teacher.
Did you ever stop to think how lucky we are not only to be born in our rich & bountiful USA...but to have English...our own language...the universal language? It's the language that so many people want and need to learn to be more successful!

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Babies

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The courtyard

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Food supplies

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Update 23

The longer we're here...the more jobs RE has for us...which gives me less time to write! We've done lots of teaching, editing for staff who need to write reports in English (which most have no training in), book binding, sorting & distributing clothing, registering new refugees and whatever else comes us. In between jobs, we've been filling rice & lentil bags. We start with a grain sack full, scoop about 5 cups of rice/beans into a bag & tie & repeat. We get about 25 bags per grain sack. There's piles of grain bags pilled up to the ceiling—job security!! After we get a huge pile of both rice & bean bags—we put one of each along with prepackaged bags of macaroni & sugar and a bottle of oil into a large bag. That's what each family will get when they are approved.
Yesterday was distribution day and we had the privilege to hand a bag to each of the 175 or so refugees families who qualified...so many appreciative smiles!! It only took 2 hours but I still feel the glow!
We'll need to start bagging more for the next round...but those smiles will make the job so satisfying!

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Update 22

We've moved onto the RE campus and are now even more accessible to the RE staff, our students and the many refugees who sit in the courtyard in front...waiting for interviews, food, clothing, classes, rides or just waiting. It's a safe spot to sit and enjoy each other's company and the sun.
When I see babies...which is almost always...I make a beeline to them. The Mom's are happy to let me hold their babies. I play patty cake, peek-a-boo, make silly faces and always manage to get toothless smiles and sweet coos. And I can understand everything they say...they speak the same language as the American babies!!
Yesterday I met a young man with a 20 day old baby. She'd only been in Egypt for 3 months...do the math...she was 7 months pregnant when she journey here from Eritrea . How desperate was she to leave home then??
Usually I hand out several balloons to the older kids which makes their faces light up...their parents also give me a huge smile. Hours later I see them still playing with their balloon ...such a satisfying feeling.
Rog is usually hanging out with the older young adults who mill around here and love practicing their English.
We've seen a few of them a number of time. A young 16 year old from South Sudan using a crutch told us his back was injured in the war...and his whole family killed. Somehow he's gotten passage to the UK where he'l get an operation & then hopefully find a job. He spoke with a lilt in his voice & his eyes shone with excitement. He asked for our email so he could write & practice his English. I so wanted to hand him lots of $$ to ease his path...but have to respect RE rules to let them make the $ decision.
Another young man eager to find work has talked to us almost daily. He was a teacher in his home village...now a war zone.
If we new Arabic...the stories would be endless.
A large stone shaped like a book sits in the middle of the courtyard. It reads " Out of Egypt Have I called My Son." Truly this church embodies Jesus' command to care for the vulnerable! Perhaps His words sunk in more here where He spent part of His life. We feel so humbled to be a small part of it.

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Mosque pics

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Update 21 by Roger

The Iraqi
We had been wandering the Egyptian National Museum for almost three hours. Mummy after mummy, King Tut's treasures, and display cases filled with toy size replicas of people and tools which were placed in the tombs to serve the pharaoh in the afterlife.
We were in an enclosed area when he came up and asked if we were Americans. He was from Iraq and he had lost three family members during U.S. military action there.
He asked, Why does a country that has everything continue to kill millions of people all over the world? He listed country after country along with huge numbers killed in each. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan just to start.
As we listened I thought about the reasons / justifcations for each conflict and also how grateful I have been for our soldiers who put their lives on the line to serve our country.
He said that the Americans he meets are good people but our government is out of control. His opinion...but how many people around the the world also think this is true?

Ottoman museum pics

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