Constitution, Copts, & other Egypt News

The Eid holiday provided us with plenty of time to put our feet up and just relax a bit--maybe too much ;)  It appears that all of Egypt enjoyed the holiday, but now several issues have quickly returned to the center of attention in Egyptian life as the populace returns to normal activities today.

Constitution Draft:
Perhaps the biggest and most controversial issue heading into the annual pilgrimage to Mecca was the publicly released first draft of a new Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.  The draft revealed that there was still much debate over specific wording in many areas; there were concerns over women's rights and potential restrictions on media, but the most intense debate and division is over the carry-over wording from the previous 1971 Constitution.

Article 2 from the 1971 Constitution includes: "Islam is the religion of the State, Arabic is its official language and the principles of Islamic Shariah form the main source of legislation."  Islamists, like the Salafi Nour Party and Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, are advocating that the "principles of Islamic Shariah" be changed to either remove the word "principles" or substitute "rulings" in place of "principles" to give Sharia a greater priority.

The debate has left the political and entered the religious realm as the issue has become topics for sermons; various fundamental Islamist leaders are teaching that support of the draft are outside the will of Allah, such as Adel Afifi (founder of Al-Asala party) who said that support of the draft is a "sin" and supporters will be "casting themselves into hell."

The political/religious debate is fueling the call for demonstrations; this Friday, November 2 was originally planned to demonstrate for the elevation of Sharia, but is now being postponed as many groups reference that many people are still returning from their trip to Mecca.

Many are accusing President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood for what they consider Islamist-favored policies and leadership.  Members of the Popular Current, Constitution Party, and others have been critical about these concerns, yet are refusing appointments by the Morsi administration to contribute; Hossam Moanis, spokesperson for the Popular Current, said, "We will not have representation in any political institution led by the Muslim Brotherhood unless we are elected to it.  We refuse to be appointed to any government institution by Muslim Brotherhood leaders because our social and economic agendas are different from theirs."

Now that the holiday has passed, the issues related to the formation of a new Constitution are likely to build--hopefully toward resolution.


Coptics

Meanwhile, Egypt's Christian minority representing 6-10% of the population, are in the midst of their own leadership decision.  Yesterday, Monday, October 29, Coptic Christians voted from 5 candidates to be their next Pope.  The names of the top 3 vote-recipients will be written on small papers and placed in the box on the altar of St. Mark's Cathedral; on Sunday, November 4, a blind-folded child will select one of the papers from the box--the individual whose name is selected will be ceremoniously recognized on November 18.

This selection of a new Coptic Pope comes at a critical time of Egyptian transition as well as religious tension.  Church authorities recently reported that discrimination of Christians appears to be on the rise, while their is also the uncertainty of the new Egypt government with Islamists winning majority of elected positions.  The new Pope will not only serve as a spiritual leader for Egyptian Christians, but also serve as a voice of Christian concerns and positions to government leaders.


In other news:
Various women's groups creating more awareness and press over harassment as they try to bring greater accountability to government prevention and punishment of such crimes.  The groups cited 727 cases of harassment in public areas during the Eid holiday.


Living in Egypt means adjusting your schedule considerably.  Take meals for instance: breakfast is after 10 am, lunch is 3-4 pm, and dinner is around 9 pm; we've found two different coffee shops closed at 8 am--not yet open!  Most stores follow this pattern as well; shopping is done in the evening hours--late evening hours.  But, while the economy struggles in Egypt, some government officials are proposing un-culturally correct changes, such as closing all stores, cafes, and the like at 10 pm!  Why? Because more electricity is used at night, and since the cost of electricity is subsidized by the government, this is one area they think that the growing deficit can be curbed.  Of course, this is not winning many votes among shop and cafe owners; in fact, one cafe owner said that he would "break the legs" of the one who tried to come in and enforce a 10 pm closing.

It's easy to see why traffic is a continuing problem in Egypt
(from Egyptian Gazette)

Traffic, congestion, and accidents continue to make headlines in Cairo; The Egyptian Gazette ran a story on Monday, October 29 with the headline, "Traffic accidents cost Egypt $1 bn annually".  Though the article lists different means to correct the issues, including these three needs:

1. the need for greater parking areas to prevent the double and triple parking that clogs up main roadways;
2. the need for microbus and taxi drivers to slow down and obey traffic laws; and,
3. the need for pedestrians to use the pedestrian bridges and crosswalks rather than just carelessly walking into roadways.

The conclusion of the article called for an overall attitude change among drivers and pedestrians alike--to live, drive, walk within the confines of existing traffic laws.  Hmmmm....they may be on to something ;)  We actually heard a public safety announcement on the radio while we were driving encouraging drivers to stay within the painted lanes of the road rather than creating confusion by squeezing between vehicles or vehicles and curbs.


Egyptians, like most of the world, are not only interested but highly informed on matters of US Presidential debates and election details.  As Americans, those of us overseas are regularly asked about our opinions, our positions, and for whom we would vote and why.  Our colleague in Bulgaria, Kathy, recently wrote that she came across an article by a Bulgarian article in an airline periodical that included the line "one of the greatest injustices in the modern world" -- what was this injustice?  That only American citizens have the opportunity vote for the President of the United States!



Thank you for your continued interest and support.  Pray for Egypt and the Middle East.

Grace, Mercy & Peace...

What is Eid al Adha?

As the news of an agreed cease-fire in Syria for Eid-al-Adha has been shared, many in the west may be asking what is this "Eid"?


We're beginning the Eid (festival) here tonight as, according to the Muslim calendar, the holidays begin on sunset the night before.  We're learning about this Islamic holiday ourselves.

Eid-al-Adha means "festival of sacrifice".

It is celebrated at the end of the annual "Hajj", or pilgrimage to Mecca.

It is a remembrance of Abraham's trial to sacrifice his only son; Christians will be familiar with this event as recorded in Genesis 22.  However, Muslims believe that the son to be sacrificed was not Isaac, but Ishmael (Hagar's son, Genesis 16).

Christians, particularly in the West, may be surprised to learn that Muslims believe that Abraham was not Jewish, but actually the first Muslim.

During the Eid-al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, goat, or camel in remembrance of the providential ram that was caught in the bush at the time of Abraham's difficult obedience.  Muslims do not count this as an act of atonement--they believe that piety is the only means of reaching God.  The name of "Allah" is invoked at the time of the sacrifice as a reminder that life is sacred.  The meat from the animal is then divided into thirds: a third is eaten by the family, another third is shared with family and friends, and the final third is shared with the poor.

Ironically, or fittingly, the slaughter of these
sheep over the next few days may prevent the
loss of lives in Syria.

Throughout the last couple weeks, we have seen herds of sheep and goats near intersections where the can be purchased and taken home until the Eid.  The sight is similar to make-shift Christmas tree lots or pumpkin patches in the States.  We have been told that though many Egyptian Muslims will sacrifice these in their bathtubs, many more will sacrifice these in the streets and that the blood of these slain animals fill the streets.

So, through an Old Testament event remembered by Muslims in 2012, God has once again provided the lamb(s) that may save sons and daughters for the next three days in Syria.  Perhaps leaders can take advantage of this cease fire and "break bread together" and come to further agreements and resolutions that will save lives and lead to greater, lasting peace.

In other news:
- Lebanon sees violence continue, but our friends at Heart for Lebanon continue to serve through their strategic initiatives, including service to Syrian refugees.

- Egypt is battling not in physical fights, but in words and rhetoric as the creation of a new constitution continues.

- New teammates Daniel, Christy, and Sophie Kihm just completed their site-visit to Holland where they are preparing to serve as a part of the Three-Worlds Team.  Pray for the Kihms as they continue to raise their support network, as well as for Zach & Audrey Langford as they prepare to go serve Liverpool.

View from the Top (Before I Go Over the Hill)

me, last week

That's right: tomorrow I turn 40 years old.

Just as I have heard countless others before me reflect, "I don't feel 40."
    How is it that time marches so slowly and deliberately to such moments and yet we are surprised when we get to them?
    I see our children and I remember so much of my life at their ages--I'm not the "senile and forgetful elder" I imagined so many 40+ year olds to be when I was 10, 12, or 14 (my children's ages).  Though the world has dramatically changed from the days when I grew up in the middle of Nowhere, Indiana, I can surprisingly remember and relate to my kids struggles, excitement, relationships, anxiety, and more; and yet, because the world has dramatically changed since I grew up, I'm glad that I grew up when I did, and even where I did.

I'm thankful for the people who helped me grow up, and the moments that shaped me along the way.
   I'm thankful for my father--his entrepreneurial, artistic spirit that really caught fire when he recommitted his life to Christ and pursued faith and Kingdom as he once pursued wealth.  I'm thankful that I had the front-row seat to a transformation that even my mother thought he would "grow out of"--I'm thankful he grew into it, leading to leaps of faith that inspired my own faith and leadership even years down the road.  I'm thankful he's become "Poppy" to my children and found new life in nurturing their young lives.

Christmas 2011 (Jillian missed this by 2 months)

  I'm thankful for my mother--for her journey from a Guyanese farmer's daughter to American mother of three.  I'm thankful for the years she became acculturated to American life the same as me, through Sesame Street and black-and-white reruns of so many shows.  I'm thankful for the attitude of gratitude that is so deeply imbedded in my soul because of her journey; and for even the color of my skin, my hair, and my eyes that link me to a diversity that I'm proud to share today, though it once caused me such pain--by the grace of God, the ignorance of others has made me wiser.
  I'm thankful for my father's parents--for my grandfather who now walks on water on the other shore; I can never write nor say enough of his influence throughout our family.  I'm even thankful for my grandmother whose constant demand for "better" is stamped within my DNA--and I'm thankful for the grace that has led me to pursue it differently than her.
  I'm thankful for my mother's parents, who (though not as involved in my childhood) left an impression of diversity and hardwork upon my life that I will never forget.
  I'm amazed my brother Brian and sister Indra survived me--I have been a terrible older brother for most of my life, and I'm sure that I could have been better even when I wasn't so terrible.  Of my few regrets in life, I regret not being a better friend to either and knowing them better.  Being the oldest, I charged out into life quickly while they were still pretty young--and then I failed to look back, and relate back to them.  I'm not too surprised that I'm now 40, but I'm always surprised at how much older they are, as if I still expect them to be the kids they were when I left at 18.  But they are well beyond kids these days, and I hope to be the better brother by being a better friend in the future--to them and Michael, my brother-in-law.
  I'm especially thankful for 2 of my many cousins--for David who loved basketball like me (I miss the hours of hoops); and for "John-Boy", whose life and gift to humanity was cut short at 14--there are special moments that break my heart because I remember him and how he did not have the opportunity to see what I see, do what I do, or go where I go.

I've now spent more years with my wife than without her.
   I can not write enough about Keli, not here, not now, nor in the rest of my lifetime.  I am not only better because of her in my life, I am constantly aware by her life how much better I can be.
   My life before her felt so tragic and fatalistic--perhaps at the impact of my cousin's brief life--and I could never imagine  life beyond mid-20's.  Then I was "smote"--with one glimpse of her smile and sparkling eyes on an August morning in central Indiana, I was forever and irrevocably drawn to Keli.  A day or two later, at a good old-fashioned invitation to tea in her dorm room, I had my first glimpse of life beyond 20-something and into 80-something--and it was with her.  I feel that each day with her since is inevitably leading us to a moment like that in the future.
   John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting) sings a song with the chorus, "If God made you, then He's in love with me."  I best know and experience the love of God for me through the gift of my wife, my companion.

There are a lot of Campers in this 6th Ave photo

And with my wife, came more family.
    I'm thankful for my inlaws--for all of them and their amazingly different personalities and ways of relating than my family of origin.  I'm thankful for your love for us and for our kids.  I'm thankful for how many of you relocated and partnered with us in Alabama.  I'm thankful for the relationship that Keli's parents and mine have and maintain even without our presence among them.

Grace is going to hate these pictures

    I'm thankful for an amazing daughter who is as rich an undeserved gift as her name suggests, Grace. So much of life bears imprints from biological, and so much from social--how you have captured so much of me in you is really a mystery.  Your crazy arguments and dramatic overplays of each and every situation are themselves an argument for cosmic karma revisiting my obnoxious teen years upon myself now as a parent!  And yet, you are uniquely you--loyal to those you love, a creative rebel, a girly barbarian, and sincerely gifted musically.  I already see it coming:  that day in which you charge into life and calling and don't look back, as I did--it simultaneously saddens and excites me.  Please do not mistake our discipline as doubt in who you were created to be, or our cautions as obstacles; we really are attempting to prepare you for a fantastic future.

Z & T with Marco last week

   I'm thankful for Titus--"God comforted us with the coming of Titus" (2 Corinthians 7:6) -- though you feel deeply like your mother and are like her in so many ways, your greatest likeness to me is in what I feel has been my greatest gift: imagination.  Because of their dreams, dreamers are perhaps the most misunderstood--yet without dreamers, the world would be dismal, dull and predictable.  Do not let the world, whether one person or many, squash or cause you to put away your dreaming--it will one day serve you and God's Kingdom purposes within/through you.  I pray you find the keys to unlocking a dream's potential--dependance on the dream-giver and determination--He will carry you through and give the strength to join your imagination and your intellect to result in resolute efforts to see dreams become reality and bring the Kingdom closer.

   I'm thankful for Zeke--the youngest, though not the least of our children.  You have the unfortunate dilemma of bearing the greatest resemblance to me--and so we are linked beyond name; others will be reminded of me when they see you, and I hope that I leave a legacy that makes that more positive than negative.  You also carry my greatest learning trait: you're a mimic--watching and repeating is how I grew to apply so much so quickly, just as you seem to do things easily today.  Be warned, as there is a danger in mimicry: easily "doing" can mask whether or not you are "being".  While you apply yourself to copying the physical, repeating the material, and producing the external results, remember to judge yourself by what you learned, what you will remember, and how you were changed for the good.  You're different, too: braver than I was, and you have a social charisma that exceeds anything I will ever possess.
   For all our kids: we will always love you, sacrifice for and defend you, and we will always support you--we're proud of you, we believe in you, we can't wait to see what you will do and the fulness of who you will become.

I'm humbled by the people God has put in our path.
   I have not (yet?) pursued a post-graduate education, but God granted me excellent teachers of an extra-graduate nature that have enriched, shaped, and paved the path in remarkable ways.
   Glendale Church of God, which became the Church at the Crossing, was the village who set the stage for my life.  Mable Collett, my elementary Sunday School teacher, is a giant on my path--I learned courage from a retired military elder who continued to step into the void of teaching the "rowdy 5" when everyone else felt it time to take a break.
   In addition to my birth family, I was blessed with a ministry couple who were in many ways like an extra set of spiritual parents who encouraged, inspired, believed in, defended, and sacrificed for me from the time I was a boy.  Even in the midst of their own personal pain in the past few years, I have heard from them discreetly and through others, encouraging me in these big steps to the Middle East.  Because of their role in my life, I am often asked about recent events--I know nothing and neither owes me an explanation--I owe them more than I can ever repay; a snot-nosed, scrawny, Indian, farm-kid from Nowhere would never have had the faith in himself to follow God these 40 years without their participation in my journey.  You will always be heroes of mine for different reasons.
   My best professor in my college years never taught any of my classes but invited me to be a student; Jim Lyon began his ministry at North Anderson Church of God, now Madison Park, the same day I arrived to attend Anderson University.  That gracious first conversation and invitation to lunch, that led to an open door invitation to reflect and ask for the next four years was worth more than I paid in tuition for the next 14 years.  I learned so much, not just in those few conversations, but also in observation of your leadership, your vision-casting, your story-telling, even your parenting--your socratic interactions became the modus operandi for how we have mentored young leaders.  And yet, for all of that, the way you stepped up not only to support us in this calling to the Middle East, but to encourage your friends and peers to support us as well literally made the way for us to be here today.  You have been and continue to be a great mentor.

3 of sources of pride
and humility

   Perhaps my/our greatest inspirations are those we have helped to inspire to faith and faithfulness along the way.  From the Anderson University years including ministry to Mt. Carmel, Illinois; to Tennessee and Scott Memorial Church of God in Chattanooga; to Alabama ministries, particularly Riverchase and Decatur 6th Avenue--there have been countless lives that have gone on in higher understanding, greater service, deeper sacrifice, and further reach and resolve than anything we could have exemplified.  It is our greatest joy to refer to each of you as friends.

At the top...
   I used to sit on the top of our barns and watch the sun set for nearly 360 degrees in the middle of Nowhere, Indiana.  I knew of far off places from stories told by my mother, and missionaries like my grandparents or their friends, and I had seen enough National Geographic magazines to know this was a large, amazing planet.  I would watch the sun set in the distance, wondering where it was retreating to and whether or not I would see those places one day.

we love this pic

   I always related to that Biblical dreamer Joseph, though I never dreamed I would serve the land he did.  To be in Egypt now is continually surreal; I can walk along the Nile, hear the wind through the reeds, and see the tops of pyramids in the distance.  The needs are daunting, the task is almost larger than I can dream, and our inadequacies lack adequate description to be accurate--yet, even though we're still figuring it all out, I/we know we're exactly where we're supposed to be.
   I get to learn and serve and figure this out with my wife--how great is that?  We are a part of a Team and a plan that doesn't pigeon-hole us to one place and one task, but gets our input and uses our experiences/gifts to fit a variety of needs, in a variety of places, with a variety of people.  We are grateful for the leadership of the Nachtigall's, and their growing friendship with our family, as well as the friendships with our growing Team.  For a couple like us who live to inspire and facilitate positive change, this is certainly the top.

3W Team, last week--can't wait to add our newest members to next year's group pic :)

Looking over the edge...
  There is so much I want to read, and learn, and write; I've been mentally formatting and planning little books in my brain that need to start being processed in black and white.  We need to return to Arabic lessons, and I want to do some independent French and German studies to try to recapture some of those lost lessons in the cobwebs of my mind that are being bumped as we attempt to remember and apply Arabic.
  This is the crucial time for our kids--some of the last formative years that we have with them before they start carving out their own paths beyond us.  We have been continually aware that what we're doing now may be more about God's preparation for their future than the results we can produce in our own lifetimes.
   It's nearly 19 years of marriage for us--impossible to believe, and not nearly enough--I'm excited about the ongoing future I share with my wife.
   There are new young people to inspire and encourage--they're already here, in this region, wrestling with direction and purpose and calling and destiny--somewhere our paths will cross and we'll get to travel with them for a bit.  That's exciting, it's why we're here--and, as with all those like them before, we will receive more than we pass on and become better ourselves for the experience.  We're looking forward to it.

Halftime?
   If the Lord continues to patiently wait rather than return, is this my halftime--or with current/future medical advances, have I merely reached a third? ;)
   Or, was halftime some unknown moment before this?

The "potholes" in Tanourine, Lebanon
(the itty-bitty people at the top end of the natural bridge
were among the first to repel into this natural wonder)

   When I repelled in Lebanon, I could keep touch with the face of the abyss for about half way down; descent was a matter of strategic, though clumsy, hops and landings.  And then, halfway down, I could no longer reach as the earth withdrew from me.  All that was left was to dangle or to drop--and if to drop would it be cautiously and slow, or quickly and wild?  (You can imagine the urging of those on the other end.)
   Like that repelling trip, the first half of my life was mostly clumsy and cautious--I played it safe early and pushed off harder into bigger jumps later.  But now I feel the earth withdrawing; I'm not near the end yet, but the voices of those who have gone before are a bit stronger.  I'm not content with dangling, and so I know what I will do: if the moments after this are short or long, days or decades, I'm throwing myself into that unknown with a smile on my face.

Look out below: here I come, over the hill...



   

Egypt News Updates

A few updates from the latest Egyptian news stories previously posted on our blog...

Accused Bible-desecrating Islamist has day in court postponed - (previously posted this story in Crimes Against Religion) - satellite channel owner Abu Islam, his son, and Al-Tahrir newspaper reporter Mohamed Gadallah all had their trials postponed.  They are charged with insulting Christianity and desecrating the Bible.  Abu Islam is specifically charged with ripping the Bible and giving inflammatory statements against Christianity in the interview to Gadallah.  There is no mention of the burning of the Bible, nor the location, both of which were previously reported as being outside the US Embassy in Cairo at the time of the protests resulting from the YouTube video that began on September 11.  The Coptic lawyer leading the prosecution is filing grievances with the national prosecutor for being assaulted by Abu Ismail supporters while trying to enter the courthouse.

Fired Prosecutor, who refused to leave, now allowed to stay after agreement with President Morsi - (previously posted this story in Intense Demonstrations Return to Cairo) - state prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud refused to be fired by President Morsi after his inability to present a case against 24 accused of manslaughter and attempted murder in the infamous "Camel Battle" from the January 2011 "revolution".  This appeared to conspiracists to be the latest of ongoing corruptions by the judicial system, many of which are holdover appointments from the previous Mubarak regime.  As a result, many citizens cried foul and took to the streets to protest; President Morsi sought to find agreement with the populace and issued an order of removal as well as reappointment to Mahmoud to be the new Vatican ambassador.  Mahmoud refused this "appointment" on the grounds that the executive branch couldn't dictate changes to the judicial branch; however, isn't the state prosecutor an office under the executive branch?  Nonetheless, even after a weekend of intense protests, the President and state prosecutor have suddenly and curiously reached an agreement that will allow Mahmoud to stay in his office until retirement.

Will last Friday's fights be repeated this Friday?
(Reuter's photo as shown in article on Ahram Online;
caption read: A member of the Muslim Brotherhood
and supporter of Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi
 punches an anti-Brotherhood protester
at Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising,
 in Cairo October 12, 2012.)

Protest the Protests - (previously posted this story also in Intense Demonstrations Return to Cairo) - last Friday's protests became a violent mix of people gathering for opposing purposes in Tahrir Square.  So, file this under "oxymorons", there will be a new protest/demonstration on this Friday, October 19, to protest the violent protests of last Friday.  The two leading parties that have issued joint statements yesterday for this protest of protests are the Constitution Party (founded by Mohamed El Baradei) and the Popular Current Party (which is actually a coalition of civilian parties--?is this the previously reported third current??); in the joint statement, they call for an investigation into who / what caused the escalation of tension and violence.  They state their intent is a peaceful march; yet, their statement seemed to point fingers at the "ruling party" (aka, the Muslim Brotherhood): as reported in the article previously linked:

      "The statement added that the clashes Friday occurred because “some of the members of the ruling party could not recognize the opposition’s right to express its opinion peacefully” and added that the Brotherhood tried to disrupt their protest and change its name.

     The statement accused the ruling party of repeating the mistakes of the former regime rather than working to achieve national consensus, and held Morsy and the Muslim Brotherhood responsible for violence during the clashes."

Today, former Parliamentarian About Hamed echoed the call for mass demonstrations on Friday, October 19; as opposed to the indirect reasons cited by the others yesterday, Hamed's accusations are directly aimed at the Muslim Brotherhood and encourages protests against their leadership.

Will the MB show up again to protest the protest of their protest?
Based on previous attempts to protest against the MB, their leaders, or their policies, it is highly likely that many members of the MB will be there.


And, finally,

Deadly Microbus Accident kills 14, injures six - (previously posted traffic dangers in Egypt in Trash, Traffic, and Tobacco).  We've commented often on the traffic and the dangerous activity that is driving in Cairo.  Perhaps the most universally agreed upon culprits of the dangerous conditions are the microbus drivers -- they drive "minivans" quickly along predetermined routes, transporting as many people as can fit or hang on from major intersection or transit station to another.  The more people, the more fares, the more money in their pocket--and so, the quicker they can pick-up and drop-off, the better for the driver.  This leads to a recklessness that is easily seen by the scratches, dents, and quick repairs of bumpers, fenders, doors, lights, etc. on each microbus.  The demand for this means of transportation is high, yet the costs that they inflict upon the community has to be higher -- regulation here has to be a priority, but how and what are the subjects of many questions.  Until those questions are answered, it's "watch out" for everyone else.


Thank you for your continuing prayers and concern for Egypt.

Grace, Mercy & Peace...

UPDATE: Intense Demonstrations Return in Cairo

The new grass, flowers, and trees that have replaced the former trodden soil, street vendors, debris and temporary dwellings in Tahrir Square will get a test today as another wave of demonstrations sweep through the iconic intersection.

And, as within previous demonstrations, there are various reasons why demonstrators will gather today:

1) President Mori's 100 day speech -- last Saturday, Mori gave his glowing self-evaluation after 100 days in office--an evaluation that has much disagreement by the populace.  There are to be several gathering today to share what they think of the President's first 100 days and their hopes for the near future of the President's leadership and policies.

2) The draft of the new constitution -- the ever-embattled Constituent Assembly has managed to come to enough of an agreement to release a draft for a new constitution for Egypt for public review.  This is a triumph in theory, but there are many who are already expressing displeasure over the proposed wording and outline of government, which in their assessment relies to heavily upon Islamic influences.  The draft obviously reflected a lot of notes and punctuation to indicate ongoing debate and decisions to be made--the draft is just that, a draft, not a completed proposal.  Nonetheless, there are many who are preparing to add their 2 piastres today.

3) Acquittal of the "Camel Battle" participants - this dramatic event has the potential to sway all attention away from the previous areas of demonstration.  For those who may not know, the "Camel Battle" was a dangerous ploy by pro-Mubarak demonstrators during the January 2011 "revolution" in which as many as 50 men riding horses and camels recklessly rode through the crowd with clubs (see video).


The 24 men who were on trial for manslaughter and attempted murder were all acquitted by the courts this past week.  President Morsi subsequently blamed and then fired the Prosecutor General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud (a holdover from the Mubarak regime) on grounds of presenting a weak case to the court; however, Mahmoud has refused to resign, stating that the Executive branch cannot remove members of the Judicial branch.  This dramatic back-and-forth will likely fuel some intense protests today, and potentially in the days to come.


Much has happened, and there are movements of significant changes beginning throughout Egypt; however, there is still much unrest: doctors protesting, cotton workers protesting, continuing education protests, transportation workers protesting, and even soccer protests are all springing up throughout the city of Cairo and around the country.  Meanwhile, security issues are continuing in the Sinai.

But, through it all, we remain at peace and continue to enjoy calm and favor as we serve here.  This past week, we've hosted teammates from Europe for the Three-Worlds annual staff meeting, and they can join our testimony of the oasis of calm we experience.  God is good, and he has called us to share his goodness through Grace, Mercy and Peace with this region.

UPDATE (5:12 pm local time, 11:12 EST)
"Judgment Day" is the name several groups have given to today's protests that have now become quite violent according to various reports as protestors on different sides of various issues have been attacking each other throughout the afternoon.  The Muslim Brotherhood have removed their stage and their organizers have left the square, stating they were insulted and assaulted by rival groups; earlier, it is reported that some revolutionary socialists attempted to block Brotherhood members from entering the square from one direction by throwing rocks.

First 100 Days, First 9 Months

Last Saturday, October 6, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi gave a speech regarding his first 100 days in office.  The timing of this speech drew some criticism because of the timing: October 6 is a popular holiday and annual remembrance from a war with Israel in 1973; some felt Morsi should have planned for fitting celebrations rather than using the holiday to talk about himself.  Overall, Morsi has been given mixed reviews in his first 100 days of office.

In a speech given to a largely Muslim Brotherhood support base who came to Cairo for the event, President Morsi stated "he has achieved 60 percent of his promises related to traffic, 70 percent for security, 75 percent for fuel, 80 percent for bread, but only 40 percent for hygiene." (The latter claim relates more to the cleanliness/pollution/garbage issues of Cairo, not medical care).

However, the above referenced article lists different numbers from their interviews and surveys:
- "64% of citizens have not seen any mobile or stationary police patrols"
- 57% say there is no change in traffic jams
- "86% of citizens still complain about the low supply of bread"
- "Eighty percent of citizens complain about the lack of garbage cans in their neighborhoods and 64 percent complain about the piles of garbage accumulated in their streets."

This brief Al Jazeera video documents some of the mixed feelings expressed by people on the street, as well as providing great visuals of these needs and the city...


Continue to pray for Egypt during these critical days.


As for us, we have passed the 9th month mark in our service to this region; have your pastor email to request our 3rd quarter report if they have not already received it.  We have been blessed by a wonderful start and a smooth acclimation period to ministry in the Middle East.

We had no time to celebrate and reflect on our first 9 months as a family because as we said "goodbye" to family who were visiting, we were saying "hello" to arriving Three-Worlds teammates who were gathering here for our annual staff meeting.  Coincidentally, we were attending last year's staff meeting in Berlin prior to making our first trip to Germany.  What a year!

The group learning at the base of the pyramid
(Patrick will post more/better pics on 3W website)

It's been an amazing time with our regional coordinators/team leaders: Patrick and Jamie Nachtigall and their son Marco.  We have also been privileged to welcome back the Phillips family (serving XZ Berlin) -- Kelley has had several trips to Egypt, Rhonda was just here making preparations for our arrival in January, but their son Christian had not visited Egypt before.  And we welcomed home Dave Simpson and his wife Kathy (serving in Bulgaria); Dave's parents served in Egypt 50 years ago, actually living in the other villa where he has been staying during this trip and reminiscing, but Kathy had never visited Egypt before.

The meetings were a good time of reflection, confession, strategizing, and sharing hope--and just unwinding a bit together.  We wish that our new teammates Kihms and Langfords could be here--but not yet.  We took time to visit the pyramids today as Kathy, Christian and Rhonda had not yet had that experience; and we ended the night on a felluca ride on the Nile.

Beginning tomorrow, the team will begin going their separate ways and back to their various fields of service.  We thank God for our team, and the opportunity to work better as a team to serve beyond Egypt and throughout the region.  There are exciting things on the horizon, and we're excited to be apart of the work.

Egypt's New "Funny Money"

Growing up, my dad told me that after British Guiana won their independence and became Guyana, one of the first orders of business was to print their own currency.  Gone were the pound sterlings and anything with the Queen's likeness--one problem though: no one accepted the new currency.  Without the Queen's likeness no one thought it was legitimate tender, and as a result, Guyana went back to printing a new currency with a picture of the Queen.  In fact, when I was there a few years ago, the Queen's picture is still on their currency!

Something similar occurred today while shopping in preparation for our retreat today.  The gentleman in front of me, about my age, was given his change that included this new, shiny, small, silver coin -- he looked at it and attempted to give it back to the cashier.  She explained that was a part of his change--he denied that it was real and pushed it back to her.  She attempted to assure him that it was real and pushed it back to him, but he left.

I thought perhaps it was from another country or something, like a Canadian penny circulating in the US.  When I received my change, I was surprised to see the familiar Mohammed Ali Mosque on one side, which I quickly associated with Cairo -- this was a new coin.

This is 10 piastres; the equivalent of $0.016 in US dollars.

Previously, the only coins in circulation were the pound (a must have in the car and on your person), the 50p, and 25p -- that's it.  There's no such thing as exact change in Cairo--sometimes it goes in your favor, and sometimes it doesn't--that's Cairo.

But the introduction of this new 10p is going to take some time.

Case in point: right after receiving this change, I went to purchase some coffee and the decorative Starbucks mugs marked with "Egypt" and "Cairo" for our guests.  The total rang up to 398.20 LE -- "hey, how 'bout that," I thought, "I just received 20p."

So, I put the two 10p coins down with my 400 pounds cash for payment.  The clerk looked at the coins curiously, showed her manager, and he took both and handed them back to me saying they were not needed.

I received 2 pounds back in change.

oh, Cairo...



Grace, Mercy & Peace...

Odds and Ends

So much going on at once, it would be difficult to take time and write about each one; so, I'll take a moment to give short synopsis on many...

Pat & Kathy in the garden

Family Farewell: after a a month long visit with Keli's mom, and additional visits during the month by Keli's sister Kathy, niece Ashlee, and nephew Jake, our first family visitors will end tonight when Keli's mom hops a flight back to the States. It's been great to have family around, and I know the kids are really going to miss it. It's been important for them as well, not just for the relationship, but for the peace of mind that has resulted from seeing our environment.  They were here during the Embassy protests on 9/11, and they were oblivious to any trouble in Cairo while friends and family back home were going berserk.  They know that we are safe having sensed that safety themselves--of all the souvenirs they will take back, this peace of mind is the greatest.

Welcome Team: when I take Pat to the airport tonight, I will just wait a couple hours for the first of the wave of Three Worlds Team members coming to Cairo.  The Phillips family arrives first, with the Simpsons and Nachtigall's coming just hours a part on Friday evening / Saturday morning.  Unfortunately, newbies Zach and Audrey, and the Kihm family will not be able to join us yet while they still prepare to go to their assigned fields (UK and Holland respectively).  We are having our annual staff retreat together; last year, we went to Berlin and followed that with our first visit to Cairo.  It's amazing to think how we've come full circle in such a short period of time.  We have much to discuss as a region, including what additional (if any) precautions we should have for our own assignment here in Cairo. But all work and no play would make for a very dull retreat, so we'll be sure to laugh a lot, see some sites, and just unwind together.

Bob the Builder, meet John the Renovator--can he make it better?  Yes, he can!:  We have been having the first fruits of a makeover to one of the villas in preparation for the retreat.  We have been aided in this process by a talented Egyptian Christian named John who has been overseeing the design, the work, and completion of a bathroom project that is long overdue.  Sharon Skaggs, one of our predecessors, emailed us regarding this plan and shared how she longed to see this done decades ago when they were here.  We can't wait to show you the transformation pics, and all the work that will be done -- don't worry, we're saving plenty to do for future work groups.

Tita's nephews returned from London to share with CCF

Tita Habib Memorial at CCF--the previously longest tenured member of the Cairo Christian Fellowship was remembered by 90 friends and family last Sunday night.  Tita was one of those lively, wonderful people that brought joy and activity to every group of which she was a part.  Her presence is missed, but her absence may have provided the opportunity to reconnect several with the fellowship she loved.

Egyptian news:
American University in Cairo continues to experience a strike from the student body, restricting students and teachers from entering the campus, in their demand for reducing the tuition.  Many students want to learn, are not protesting, and do not want to forfeit the term; so, the faculty have had to creatively search for off-campus classroom solutions so that they can get students the number of hours to qualify for term.  Administration officials are attempting to work through the disagreement peacefully  rather than having the police forcefully remove the demonstrators as this would just cause more trouble (imagine the headlines, "Americans use police to end demonstration near Tahrir" - not good).  Anyway, the tuition increase was agreed upon by the student body last spring, and it is not the only education protest happening in Egypt at this time...

Police continue to make their presence felt throughout Cairo, attempting to correct some traffic patterns that have created chaos and dangerous situations; they have also been more present along the Metro subway lines as well.  Order seems to be in the process of being restored to different aspects of life--this is a good step among many that need to be taken in these post-"revolution" days.

our family at Sakkara last week

Restoration of Sakkara pyramids lacks funds to continue; sadly, a huge effort to restore the famous "step" pyramid, one of the early pyramids of Egypt, no longer has the funds to continue.  Due to the ongoing struggles in the whole of the economy, the tourism that fuels the economy could continue to struggle if the precious landmarks are not protected, maintained, and improved.  Though the Giza pyramids with the Sphinx are always the main attraction, the Sakkara site with the earlier pyramids is a favorite among those in the know because of the access inside neighboring pyramids and tombs where ancient hieroglyphics are seen, many of which with original colors still preserved.

Well, that's all for now -- there's a lot more news to write about, but that's all I can squeeze into this work break ;)

Thanks for your ongoing interest, prayers, and support...

Grace, Mercy, Peace