Sham el Nissim is an Egyptian national holiday that has origins in Ancient Egypt; though a Pharonic festival of spring, its date was secured to the Monday after Eastern Easter after Egypt was largely evangelized by Christians at the end of the first century. It continues to be widely celebrated by all peoples of Egypt, regardless of religion, on this day.
Sham el Nissim means, literally to "smell the breeze" and is derived from the older Coptic language from a phrase that meant "green garden". For Egyptians, this day is the start (and perhaps the end!) of Spring as summer temperatures begin to rise quickly; traditionally, you are not supposed to wear short sleeves until after Sham el Nissim! One other tradition, that is equally loved and hated by Egyptians, is a "pickled/stinky fish" -- I was all prepared to try this "delicacy", but in my service to all the guests, I missed out as it was eaten before I got to the table. Not to worry, many of the CCF promised me that they would bring me some soon.
For the CCF, they celebrate this holiday by gathering together in the Maadi garden, which has been in bloom since our arrival--the sanctuary of green and beauty that we are spoiled by each day is a wonderful retreat for those surrounded by dry and dusty concrete roads and buildings. This year was our first Sham el Nissim, and we also invited many whom we have met to participate with us and the CCF.
This turned out to be quite an international gathering! We had our classmate and her visiting friend from her native Denmark; a Korean pastor and his family, whose son is Titus' friend; a family from Tennessee that includes a mother from Poland; a visiting friend from France joined one of the ladies from the CCF, and another American family. Wonderfully, everyone seemed to share a previous connection together, which just added to the serendipitous enjoyment of the beautiful day.
For example, we invited our Arabic teacher and her family to join us; they graciously accepted our invitation, though they really didn't know anything about us. As they arrived, they helped an older gentleman into the garden with the food he was contributing -- they knew him. As it turns out, our teacher's husband used to manage the food service for the conference center the CCF uses annually for a retreat; through that role, he became well acquainted with nearly all of the CCF members. He now serves an evangelical church in Heliopolis--the same church that had the choir that sang at the CCF Easter cantata, which is directed by and has a few CCF participants. He is also preparing to lead a week long event for teens and young adult Christians that he wants to inspire to greater service--and, he asked if we would be willing or had any ideas about how to contribute!
There were connections all like that throughout the garden as the children played, adults talked, and we all stuffed ourselves with more dessert than is good for our systems--it was quite a celebration. Here's some pictures of the garden and the interactions; by the way, Grace took many of the pictures you have seen this month...
Sham el Nissim means, literally to "smell the breeze" and is derived from the older Coptic language from a phrase that meant "green garden". For Egyptians, this day is the start (and perhaps the end!) of Spring as summer temperatures begin to rise quickly; traditionally, you are not supposed to wear short sleeves until after Sham el Nissim! One other tradition, that is equally loved and hated by Egyptians, is a "pickled/stinky fish" -- I was all prepared to try this "delicacy", but in my service to all the guests, I missed out as it was eaten before I got to the table. Not to worry, many of the CCF promised me that they would bring me some soon.
For the CCF, they celebrate this holiday by gathering together in the Maadi garden, which has been in bloom since our arrival--the sanctuary of green and beauty that we are spoiled by each day is a wonderful retreat for those surrounded by dry and dusty concrete roads and buildings. This year was our first Sham el Nissim, and we also invited many whom we have met to participate with us and the CCF.
This turned out to be quite an international gathering! We had our classmate and her visiting friend from her native Denmark; a Korean pastor and his family, whose son is Titus' friend; a family from Tennessee that includes a mother from Poland; a visiting friend from France joined one of the ladies from the CCF, and another American family. Wonderfully, everyone seemed to share a previous connection together, which just added to the serendipitous enjoyment of the beautiful day.
For example, we invited our Arabic teacher and her family to join us; they graciously accepted our invitation, though they really didn't know anything about us. As they arrived, they helped an older gentleman into the garden with the food he was contributing -- they knew him. As it turns out, our teacher's husband used to manage the food service for the conference center the CCF uses annually for a retreat; through that role, he became well acquainted with nearly all of the CCF members. He now serves an evangelical church in Heliopolis--the same church that had the choir that sang at the CCF Easter cantata, which is directed by and has a few CCF participants. He is also preparing to lead a week long event for teens and young adult Christians that he wants to inspire to greater service--and, he asked if we would be willing or had any ideas about how to contribute!
There were connections all like that throughout the garden as the children played, adults talked, and we all stuffed ourselves with more dessert than is good for our systems--it was quite a celebration. Here's some pictures of the garden and the interactions; by the way, Grace took many of the pictures you have seen this month...
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