Tonight is our last night in Cairo--it has been a wonderful first trip to the land and people we have felt God calling us to serve since 2009. There's so much to share that it is hard to begin for fear of leaving something out. But I will try to give some details now, and then fill in the gaps later with pictures and maybe some video...
Arrival: we flew in from cool, green Switzerland last Friday. It was hot, but after a couple hours our Alabama skin adjusted quite well and we really didn't feel that bad at all. The airport was very modern; until we walked out from customs/immigration, when we surrounded by he multitude of taxi & bus drivers like any developing nation.
First look at Cairo: vast! Such a large city with such vast differences--from palm trees to desert, from high rises to shanties to everything in between, some are new and some look like they were started in 1970 and never completed. There are signs (the most of which) in Arabic, but many in English--Pepsi, Coke, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, and many more also have plenty of ad placement in Cairo. And the traffic, well, it is just as we had been warned!
Maadi: we came down the Corniche, a major roadway, that runs along the east bank of the Nile to where we turn east into our part of Maadi, we turn at the Nile TGIFridays :), and proceed to our street. This older garden district boasts some Pretty large houses for diplomats, embassies, and many expatriates--but there was a time in Egypt's history in which many fled and several homes were tore down and lots became high rise apartment buildings. As a result, this is not your typical diplomat neighborhood. This area has a unique modern history, but most significantly is the potential history to Christendom--according to Coptic (Egyptian Christian) church history, Maadi was the area from which the Holy family either crossed he Nile or caught a ride on a southern bound craft on their way to Upper Egypt as a part of their flight from Herod. (more on his in future posts).
The Villas: the villas were purchased in he late 1950's by Jamie's grandfather for the ChoG for about $11,000--they are worth considerably more now! And they are truly lovely, like something out of fantasy island. Well, they will be when properly restored, which is in process now.
Commuting: travel is by foot, until we get our car, but so much is just a nice walk away. Also, taxis are more than reasonable; and there's the train (Metro) for going into downtown--the train was similar to London's Underground, just above ground, dustier, and older trains. There's a special car reserved for ladies & children, which is optional.
CCF--we are truly excited about working with the faith journey of this most unique fellowship! I want to write more but the Internet is about to be cut off--So maybe more tomorrow as we travel to Berlin, and tren back home on Saturday.
Thank you all for your ongoing thoughts and prayers...
Arrival: we flew in from cool, green Switzerland last Friday. It was hot, but after a couple hours our Alabama skin adjusted quite well and we really didn't feel that bad at all. The airport was very modern; until we walked out from customs/immigration, when we surrounded by he multitude of taxi & bus drivers like any developing nation.
First look at Cairo: vast! Such a large city with such vast differences--from palm trees to desert, from high rises to shanties to everything in between, some are new and some look like they were started in 1970 and never completed. There are signs (the most of which) in Arabic, but many in English--Pepsi, Coke, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, and many more also have plenty of ad placement in Cairo. And the traffic, well, it is just as we had been warned!
Maadi: we came down the Corniche, a major roadway, that runs along the east bank of the Nile to where we turn east into our part of Maadi, we turn at the Nile TGIFridays :), and proceed to our street. This older garden district boasts some Pretty large houses for diplomats, embassies, and many expatriates--but there was a time in Egypt's history in which many fled and several homes were tore down and lots became high rise apartment buildings. As a result, this is not your typical diplomat neighborhood. This area has a unique modern history, but most significantly is the potential history to Christendom--according to Coptic (Egyptian Christian) church history, Maadi was the area from which the Holy family either crossed he Nile or caught a ride on a southern bound craft on their way to Upper Egypt as a part of their flight from Herod. (more on his in future posts).
The Villas: the villas were purchased in he late 1950's by Jamie's grandfather for the ChoG for about $11,000--they are worth considerably more now! And they are truly lovely, like something out of fantasy island. Well, they will be when properly restored, which is in process now.
Commuting: travel is by foot, until we get our car, but so much is just a nice walk away. Also, taxis are more than reasonable; and there's the train (Metro) for going into downtown--the train was similar to London's Underground, just above ground, dustier, and older trains. There's a special car reserved for ladies & children, which is optional.
CCF--we are truly excited about working with the faith journey of this most unique fellowship! I want to write more but the Internet is about to be cut off--So maybe more tomorrow as we travel to Berlin, and tren back home on Saturday.
Thank you all for your ongoing thoughts and prayers...
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