Merry Christmas!

So, it feels like this just happened...

This was right after we landed in Seattle on July 12 -
where did the time go?!?!?

August 11 -  we flew from Los Angeles to back to Cairo

August 12 - we arrive in Cairo

August 13 - the kids are back in school, I (Ken) am on a plane to Beirut

August 14-18 - in Lebanon, mostly for Ana Terzo Camp

August 31-Sept 7 - back to Lebanon, mostly for Heart for Lebanon retreat/meetings

Sept 13 - resume weekly CCF Kids program

Sept 18-19 - in the hospital with Titus for surgery to reset severely dislocated thumb, resulting in weekly doctor follow-up visits

Oct 13-16 - in Germany for meetings with colleagues and national leadership

Nov 6-10 - in Budapest for the Lectures

Nov 20 - car's clutch breakdown

Nov 21-23 - back to Beirut for the Teen Discipleship launch

Nov 26-30 - in Athens for 3W Staff meeting

Dec 4-5 - Grace battles kidney "granules"

Dec 12 - CCF's annual Christmas bazaar

Dec 13 - car accident

and, Dec 13 - CCF Kids last program of the calendar year

I had to go back through all of those events, trips, and surprises over the past few months because each seemed to keep us hopping at an incredible pace.  I didn't include most of the daily or weekly routine.  Nor did I include 4 birthdays, a musical, a band concert, a Christmas pageant, and all the prep/practices that went into those events.  We had a busy summer, it has remained busy ever since--and, as Keli likes to remind me, it was busy before we left for summer!

So, what's now:

hot chocolate before the annual MCC Christmas Pageant

Christmas Break - with the exception of the few Christmas events that follow in the next section of this post, we will take it "easy" with the kids.  We have had some garden work begin; each year there is a lot of garden work that has to take place at this time to get it ready to be green and wonderful for the rest of the year.  Trees were trimmed, flowers and bushes will be removed or relocated, and either sod or new grass seed has to be sown.  In addition to the garden, another big villa project will begin this break to renovate the lower level of one villa; the changes will better host the children's program each week, and get us one step closer to having the other villa's overhaul complete.

But the best part of Christmas break, what we enjoy most, is taking a break with the kids.  We catch up on television shows (currently, Once Upon A Time), play games, stay up late, sleep late, and go shopping--Christmas Eve shopping trips are a breeze because usually no one is in the malls at this time here in Egypt, with  most of the emphasis on January 7 (Orthodox Christmas).  And we clean up rooms or cars or other living spaces that have just gathered a semester's worth of clutter.

So, what's next:
Dec 21 - CCF annual Christmas Candlelight service - the Cairo Christian Fellowship share this

an old Candlelight service pic from 2012

annual tradition with their host church, the St. Andrew United Church of Cairo, where they have worshipped since the late 1950's!  This is always a special service and we are so thankful to be included in the CCF family.

Dec 24 - Maadi Community Church's annual Christmas Eve Candlelight - the local international

the annual Christmas PJ pic is a favorite tradition in our home

church also has an annual candlelight service, and it's nice to go over and share this moment as a family, and to be led rather than doing the leading.  And the kids will get their annual Christmas Eve present - new PJ's :)

Dec 25 - Christmas at home - cinnamon rolls & bacon are served after stockings and gifts--but all of that waits (as it had for all Oldham's before me) until the parents get their coffee ;)

Dec 28 - CCF Christmas Choir presentation - the CCF have a member who directs the Heliopolis Evangelical Church choir, and some who sing within the group, too.  Actually, many CCF used to sing in this choir until the last few years.  Having a Christmas choral presentation between the western and eastern Christmas dates is a great way to tie the season together.

One note, this last quarter has had the highest attendance in the weekly CCF worship since our arrival in 2012.  There has not only been renewed interest, but also a bit of renewed confidence in moving about the city each Sunday night.  In addition, during the weekend we were in Greece, the CCF held a retreat with nearly 50 participants--they were unable to hold this last year due to security and lack of interest!  The two services mentioned above (Dec 21 and 28) are usually two of the highest attendances each year, so we're ending 2014 with a lot of momentum for the future.

So, what's next year:
January 1 - our 21st wedding anniversary, and couldn't be happier :)

21 years! But we're only 25!

January 7 - in addition to Coptic Christmas, it is also our 3rd Anniversary in Cairo

And after that, it just gets busier--seriously.  We'll resume the CCF Kids program, weekly CCF Worship, and the kids will go back to school--but in addition to the norm in Cairo, the travel picks up!  As a family, there are already 12 trips scheduled in the next 5 months!

We will also have 2 or 3 visits from friends and family all before next summer.  Wow!

It has been quite a year, and there's quite a lot to look forward to in 2015, but for now, we'll take a breath and try to take in as much of the Christmas holiday with our children and the CCF.  This is such a wonderful and special time and we are reminded of just how blessed we are to be able to share the holiday together and in service to the Church internationally.

Thank you for your continuing interest, thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support--all that has been done, all that is planning to be done, and all that we are still yet imagining is possible only through God's grace and provision through your partnership.

Here's a jpg of our Christmas letter...if it's not real clear, you can contact us for a better copy :)

Back in Budapest

Three Worlds is an exciting and fruitful ministry team serving the Church of God throughout Europe and the Middle East.  It is hard for us to imagine fulfilling the calling we have to the Church in the Middle East without working with this team.  Under the strategic vision and coordination of Regional Directors Patrick and Jamie Nachtigall, our family serves with a team to resource and support the ministries throughout this region along three specific goals that we often call our "3W

Eastern European Pastors (from left to right):
Lazslo (35, Hungary)
Andrei (40, Russia)
Peti (29, Hungary)
Ilya (32, Russia)

Prism":

1. To Equip and Empower Accountable Leadership, especially among those under 45-years of age;
2. To Inspire and Encourage Next Generation ministries within each congregation and country; and,
3. Create Healthy Inner-connectivity among members within each congregation, among the congregations within each country, and between countries.

There is potential for overlap in those goals that creates exciting opportunities of great synergy.  This weekend is one of those great opportunities.

I'm back in Budapest, Hungary for the fall Budapest Lectures.  The Budapest Lectures are a

Along the bank of the Danube River, which splits Buda
from Pest, there is this haunting memorial of bronze shoes.
During WWII, before executing a group of Jewish citizens,
it was realized their shoes were too valuable to be lost;
so before they were shot to fall to their death,
they had to remove their shoes.
Shoes more important than people; a tragic reminder
that evil does exist in our world.

cooperative effort between the Church of God in Hungary and Three Worlds to provide leadership development opportunities for the leaders in the region.  My last time in Hungary, which was my first, was to speak for the Lectures in the summer of 2013.  This time, I'm here to help facilitate the weekend's events.  The participants for this weekend will be the young pastors, Peti and Lazslo (both less than 35 years), and leaders from their two Hungarian congregations; joining them are two young leaders from Bulgaria, Kenneth and Svetlana, who were brought by teammates Dave & Kathy Simpson who have been serving the Bulgarian Church for nearly 10 years.  

Speaking this weekend will be the sharp, genuinely joyful, and young pastor Andrei Kolegov of the Church of God in Chelyabinsk, Russia.  This congregation has seen great fruitfulness over the past several years, including growth, a successful building project, planting additional fellowships, and more.  I have met Pastor Andrei through the years on different occasions in the States; he is a true delight to be around, with a sincere love for Jesus and serving.

Pastor Andrei will be sharing a great topic for the smaller congregations of Hungary and Bulgaria:

Pastor Andrei, with Pastor Ilya to his left,  sharing his personal
testimony and call to ministry in an informal meet and greet
earlier tonight.  We had English to Russian,
and English to Hungarian translations happening this weekend.

"Creating Fruitful Ministries in Post-Communism Cultures."  No one from the West could properly speak into the cultural conundrum that these churches experience everyday in multiple ways.  Andrei will also speak on "Necessity for, and How to, Establish International Accountability."  And one of the co-pastors, Ilya, will share "How to Navigate Phases of Growth in a Healthy Way."  As with all Budapest Lectures, there is equal time for discussion after each presentation, and these topics are especially helpful to the Hungarian churches as they are on a similar structural path as the Chelyabinsk congregation.

What a great win-win-win-win opportunity for the region!  Empowering young leaders to have an opportunity to share their experience, and grow through that experience; Encouraging other young pastors with similar contexts in the process.  Inspiring leadership to think about effective outreach to their communities, and overcoming cultural obstacles.  And creating greater connection and healthy partnerships between congregations and countries.

On Sunday, I will be honored to share with the Church of God in Rákospalota at the invitation of

Like an increasing number of European and American cities,
Budapest now has a large, scenic ferris wheel,
similar to the London Eye.  This was a surprisingly new sight
since our visit in 2013.

Pastor Lazslo.  This is mutually exciting because there are members of this congregation who have been reaching out to refugees and immigrants from the Middle East who are beginning to settle into Hungary.  The congregation has been having many congregations about Middle Eastern culture and how does the Church interact with those who may only known Islam.  

It has been fun to see these Hungarian friends again, and to get better acquainted with the Russian pastors.  I am excited for the Lectures tomorrow and the worship services on Sunday. I have been blessed the past 24 hours getting to see and spend time with our teammates Dave and Kathy.  Budapest is a beautiful city, easy to walk, oozing with history and culture, cheaper than a lot of your European cities, tourist friendly, and more.  I hope that all of our family can make a future trip together.  If you have a chance to travel to Europe, I'd highly encourage you to take several days here--if you do, I'd be happy to make some recommendations for you.

Pray for the Budapest Lectures this weekend.  Pray for the Church throughout Europe and the Middle East to continue to grow and develop along these specific goals.  Pray for the Three Worlds team to have wisdom and favor to create similar opportunities to benefit the Church, within the region and beyond.

Thank you for your continuing interest, prayers, and support...

Threats

This needs a disclaimer like a rearview mirror: map is more green than it appears!

Moving to and living internationally carries its own set of risks no matter the location.  In moving to and living in the Middle East for the last several years as a family of five, we have had many friends and family express concern for us in "such an environment."  The timing of our preparation to move (prior to and throughout the January 2011 revolution that toppled Mubarak), as well as the events within our first year of living in Cairo (anniversary of the revolution, dissatisfaction with SCAF, Parliament elections, Morsi's election)--all of that has only added to the discomfort of others that we are here in such a place at such a time.

And yet, this transition to this place and in such times has actually increased our own personal comfort levels with risk.  We're not callous to or oblivious to risk; on the contrary, we are reminded every day.  At times the risk seems minimal and distant, and at other times it seems too close.  Such is the life we are privileged to lead in serving this region.

The following, once again, is not a critique of current events or our host country of Egypt.  This merely updates friends and family to what we're experiencing as we serve here.  The following lists news links to a variety of sources; you can click on each one to read further if you like.  We'll conclude with our own thoughts after listing the current state of events that we see/hear reported...

Regional Threats
In a previous post, we commented on the improvements we had witnessed as police in Cairo were taking an active role in traffic situations throughout the city, city squares were being cleaned, government projects were being completed and new ones launched.

And for all the good that we have witnessed, the reminders of threats all around have been clearly made in the last couple weeks.

After more than three years of war in Syria, the world was growing a bit numb to news of war and atrocities.  But then ISIS sprang up and seemed to cause a fresh panic as they systematically sought to take control of areas in Syria and Iraq, with a goal of a new caliphate state that would reach from Mediterranean to Persian Gulf.  The terrors that this group were bringing to the towns and communities they occupied were rumored, and pictures and testimonies slowly filtered through the media.  Perhaps none more disturbing than this recent CNN post with video captured secretively (WARNING: disturbing images)

ISIS has had their eye on Lebanon with their scheme, and though they were repelled in August, they keep trying.  Al Jazeera reports the latest group as "ISIS inspired" militants who fought Lebanese military in Tripoli from Friday, October 23 until today; thankfully, the Lebanese army looks to have once again restored the fragile peace in their second largest city, in the north of the tiny country.

Meanwhile, here in Egypt, the threats get closer.

The Sinai has long been a place of unrest and trouble with terrorist groups hiding in the vast wilderness.  Police and military were attacked last week by such groups who take their inspiration from ISIS-like groups;  this attack led to at least 30 dead. 

On the other side of Egypt, Libya has had it's share of unrest and ISIS inspired militants have taken a town near to the Egyptian border.  Such proximity has prompted the Egyptian military in the western part of the country to be prepared to defend themselves from terrorist attack.

Unfortunately, the threats are not so far away, just on the borders of Egypt.

Threats in Cairo
Last week, a bomb strategically placed near to a police security post at Cairo University, exploded and injured eleven.  The group claiming responsibility stated the bomb was targeting these security personnel in protest of the "coup" that led to former President Morsi's ouster, yet they stated they also intentionally made the explosive less powerful to avoid injuring others.

And even closer than that, the US State Department warned their citizens in Egypt that credible threats against American and international school teachers had been made on a Jihadist website; the statement went on to mention that the community in which we live is an example of locations with high potential targets.  The community in which we live has really been spared a lot of trouble and insecurity as the international community contributes to the economy and daily life of so many of the residents here, as well as representing foreign business interests that are vital to the Egyptian economy--foreign businesses that are not just Western nations, but Asian and African as well.  Negative events here would trigger a chain of events that would painfully affect all of Egypt;  and, knowing that, some of the best security in the community are the local Egyptians who live and work here, too.

Government Responses
So what is the response to the growing terror threats within Egypt's borders?

There are of course increased military measures and police presence in areas that may be targeted.  We have seen an increase around our kids' school and throughout our community.  We have seen cars pulled over and searched.

There may also be an increase in military trials of civilians who participate in terror events--now not just those events that target the military, but also over threats to roads, rail and other infrastructure.

Rumored/leaked reports of a plan to increase monitoring of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and potentially WhatsApp and Viber.

There are of course many critics to these plans of action; those who say they are invasive and too strict.  And those who say that these are not the right or enough steps to answer the threats that exist.

Our Thoughts
Life goes on for us here in Egypt.  Though we are aware of all of the above, and keep up with any updating information, daily routines lead us from day to the next, from one week to the next.  The kids school schedule and activities keep them and us busy; our own service to the school community continues.

Our ministries within the community continue; Keli serves with the local international church's women's Bible study that includes many of our CCF Kids' moms.  We have the CCF Kids program each Saturday that fills the garden with laughing, playing children and happy families.  The CCF continue to meet downtown for worship, with actually increasing number and excitement.  The Church of God throughout Egypt report many good developments within the various ministries of the congregations.  The Church within Lebanon continues to move toward the launch of a teen discipleship program that we helped them to create.

Would our lives be even more secure and stable if we lived and served in Europe?   Maybe; but en route to Germany through usually peaceful Austria this month, I read of a pro-Kurdish demonstration that was attacked by extremists.  While in Germany, there were strikes that interrupted the rail service that we were depending upon.  I will be in Budapest next week, and I read of thousands in an anti-government protests over an internet usage tax.  We'll be in Athens as a family at the end of the month, and Greece has had their share of unrest.

On this side of the world, we have had other nationalities ask us if we fear living in the US.  When we asked why would they ask that, they responded that it seems like the risk of a fatal shooting is so great everywhere in America.

The point is unrest is just about everywhere; threats abound within our world.  The benefit of having constant, instant news is that we are subject to constant, instant fears--whether well-founded or irrational.

Though I have greatly enjoyed several of M. Night Shyamalan's movies, I couldn't get through After Earth.  I wanted it to be good, but I don't think many thought it was.  Though the disappointing box-office returns and critics didn't like After Earth with Will and Jaden Smith in 2013, co-writers M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta gave us what I think is a brilliant thought, shared in this 1 minute clip from the movie...



"Danger is Real, Fear is a Choice."

How is it that Hollywood sees and tells that, but in the Church we promote safety and security as if threats were indicators of living "wrong."

Our Savior told his disciples, within hours of his betrayal according to the Gospel of John, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world," (John 16:33, emphasis mine).  Yet somehow, along the way to modernity shaped by Christendom as the dominant religion on the planet, we have bought into the fallacy that faith and life are somehow, supernaturally protected from threats and risks, if we're living "right".  (For more on this thought, See Erwin McManus' video here or read his book, The Barbarian Way)

06-01-14 - The Barbarian Way - Erwin McManus from Fusion Community on Vimeo.

Again, we are not callous to threats.  We take them seriously and we live with an awareness to threats; but we do not live subject to fear.  The internet and social media programs that fueled accountability to protests and demonstrations that led to the ouster of President Mubarak in 2011, are also the programs that can fuel unrest and incite greater risk today.  The "inspiration" of ISIS to groups around the planet have led to increased risk, and it should not come as a surprise that our community is now linked among potential targets.

Through it all, we are at peace.

There is so much good happening among those whom we serve, and we are excited for what the future will bring, no matter the risks that may also come.

Thank you for your continuing interest, support and encouragement of our family and those we serve.  Thank you for your continuing concern for the region and what can be done to serve those facing not only threats, but severe loss of property, livelihood and peace.  No individual or group can meet every need, but we see great partnership with those around the world with those serving in desperate circumstances.  We pray the Lord continues to strengthen us to do even more.

Ten Years Ago

10 years ago...

It's my birthday, again--the annual trip through the calendar has been completed, and starts again all in on moment.  I am now 42 year old--nothing spectacular about that number; I'm not aware of anyone who did anything history changing at 42--there probably is, I'm just not aware of it.

I'm beyond "over the hill" for the younger crowd, and still just a young guy for the retired crowd.  In terms of life-expectancy, maybe I'm halfway--maybe not even halfway if medical advances continue--or maybe less than half my lifetime left if the Cairo pollution gets the better of my my lungs, or the traffic gets me as a part of the 20+ per day who die on Egypt roads & rails.  You never know--I'm not trying to be morbid or fatalistic--I'm very grateful for every day and every amazing bit of wonderful health and strength I get to enjoy (& take for granted).

I learned a long time ago that this life is fragile and precious.

And ten years ago, I got a reminder.  

After a routine birthday celebrating my 32nd year, I felt like my warranty had run out.  All day long, I had an increasing chest pain and pressure that seemed to be radiating outward.  I had enough sense and pastoral experience at the hospital beds of parishioners to know I shouldn't take it lightly, but I was only 32, and I continued to ignore it all day long.  

I went to bed, but couldn't get comfortable.  In fact, the pressure seemed to only grow worse.  I woke Keli up in the middle of the night after I had gotten my self dressed; I told her I was going a couple blocks away to the small, local hospital's ER.  Let me pause here to say what I know: that you shouldn't drive yourself to the ER while having chest pains--and the pain I was feeling was nothing compared to the agony I put Keli through by not fully waking her and giving her a chance to object.  

Anyway, I drove myself to the ER, and  what they say is true: if you complain of chest pains, they get you inside quickly.  There wasn't really too many others there on that night; as they hooked me up to the EKG and heart monitors, they nurse typed in all my information to the computer.  When she asked my age, I asked what time was it.  She was confused when she answered sometime after midnight; I replied that I just turned 32, yesterday.

When the blood work came back with positives for the enzymes that are present when your body has a blood clot, I was given my first nitro patch, and told I would need to undress and put on a gown.  I was hooked up to an IV and taken to the cardiac unit.  When we got to the room, they told me to lay down, and I asked for a moment to sit down.  They were concerned that lying down hurt me, but I assured them I was fine--I explained that I just needed a minute to wrap my head around what was happening.  

Keli came in shortly after, as she was as shell-shocked as I was.  More tests and lots of observation followed.  I was surprised by the swift decision from the church council to give me the upcoming Sunday "off"--without my consent, as I objected that it was days away and I would be out in no time.  They wisely, and with care not critique, stood by their decision.  Hospital visitors--church members, family, Tony Wieger as state pastor, and fellow pastors called or came by--it was strange to be on that side of the bed.  

I was released after a few days without further incident, except the continuous insult of "heart healthy" food and Satan's own invention, Sanka, every morning.  The doctors were scratching their heads as much as we were trying to understand what  had led to my mysterious, brief condition.  The questions continued as I went through routine follow up--stress tests and blood work confirmed that I was indeed healthy, despite this anomaly. 

And that was it.

And that's been it since then.

No baby aspirins. No changes to diet.  No prescription for exercise.  And thank the Lord God Almighty, not a sip more of Sanka.

Just the relief that my warranty did not run out.  And the continuing day to day joy of the life and loves of which I have been so richly blessed.  

I can hardly remember my life then, and I know I could never have imagined my life now.  Ten years is a long time; I am thankful and privileged to have lived these ten, just as I have been to live all 42.  

I'm working on eating better--though I'm not really good at it.  And more exercise, too because I know I need it--not because I'm preparing for any marathons, but because it's good preventative medicine.

But more than those things, what do I want more in the next ten years?

In ten years time, all our kids will likely be out of or completing college.  Our time of influence in shaping their lives before adulthood is rapidly decreasing.  I am extremely proud of each of our kids, and even more hopeful for the young woman and men Grace, Titus, & Zeke are daily becoming.  I want more special memories with each of them individually, and together--and, of course, with my beloved wife Keli, who makes my life so much more than ordinary.

On the flip side of that equation, I hope our parents know how much we love and value all their care and investment in our lives.  Opportunities with both sets of our parents are fewer now, but all the more precious.  

I hope the Lord grants me many more years than ten--there is so much more we want and think we can do to help make this world a better place.  At 42, I like to think I'm just getting started--but if all I get is 42, I'll still be the most blessed guy I know.

Egypt Right Now: An Outsider's Perspective From the Inside

(Note: the observations and questions made below are not made with a critical intent.  We are grateful guests within the country of Egypt, and our lives are richer for having lived here.  We have a western lens from which we view life and events here, but that lens is becoming increasingly more appreciative of the Middle Eastern perspectives, and definitely far, far less tainted by American culture and media.  We share these events and observations for the benefit of those who love us and want to know about our lives and service in Egypt.)

We've been back in the Middle East for six weeks after two months away visiting with friends and

Advertisements like this one appeared throughout NYC ahead of
Egypt President El Sisi's visit to the United Nations earlier this month.
Under the caption of "Peace, Prosperity & Growth",
there are (L-R) Abu Simbel Temple, new factory, wind turbines,
the Giza Pyramids, a cargo ship, and an off-shore drilling platform.
(Our nephew Jake took this pic of the
banner ad on the back of a bus in Manhattan.)

family in the USA.  We're nearing the conclusion of our third year of living in Egypt; three very unique years of change, uncertainty, more change, and more uncertainty.

We left knowing that our return trip was near the anniversary of difficult events that may lead to additional difficulties.  And so, as we made our return, we were not sure what we would find.

We have taken our time in writing an update regarding the state of the country we now call home.  We wanted to settle into our routines, talk with other international guests

As the US P-R campaign became public here in Egypt,
many young people scoffed at the effort and created their
own representations that circulated throughout social media,
 like this one captured via Twitter.
Sadly, the image on the left depicts an actual event here in Egypt--
between September 24-25, a man hung himself from a billboard
along a major highway.

like our own family, as well as Egyptians citizens we serve and those we have met.  We've been able to interact again with old and young, Christian and Muslim, Egyptians and foreigners.  And this is what we have discovered:

Egypt seems to be increasing in peace and stability.

The anniversary of the Rabaa Square clearing (see Dispersing Protestors and In the Shadow of Heartache) did not result in additional violent protests.  This was a huge, controversial event that you would expect would lead to passionate demonstration, but turnouts and controversy were low.

As we have driven around town, there seems to be increasingly more police presence and activity, resulting in more order in this chaotic city.  No parking areas are being enforced leaving roads clear for traffic to flow a little more freely; police are taking charge of stopping and releasing traffic at major roundabouts.  Police are helping school children and families cross streets near to schools as they have gotten back into session this past week.  

This doesn't mean that all is peaceful and well.  As President Sisi stated in this recent interview with Charlie Rose (video below), Egypt's border with Libya has moments of contention, the Sinai has pockets of extremists who attack Egyptian forces nearly daily, and there are still militant issues that come close to or within the metropolitan areas from time to time, like a recent bombing near the Cairo foreign ministry building. 

Still, the day to day life has not been as affected by marches; we do not have the weekly scheduling of protests.  Though some younger people are especially critical on this point, stating that the lack of protests does not indicate an acceptance of all that is happening.  No, they would argue, the lack of protests are the result of a controversial "anti-protest law" put in place in November 2013.  Under this new legal restriction, protestors have to file for permission to protest--meanwhile, many young people especially have been protesting the protest law, leading to regularly appearing stories like this one, "Security Forces Arrest 16 Protestors in Tahrir Square."

 Speaking of Tahrir Square, Cairo's now iconic epicenter of revolution, is a much cleaner and orderly place--largely from keeping out regular protests.  The Square has a visible police and military presence, and can be shut off from traffic easily due to large metal gates constructed at roadways that come into the Square.  The Metro train line still does not stop at Sadat station that runs below Tahrir--though rumors are that it may open "soon."

Tahrir is not the only cleaner square throughout the city.  An effort to clean up and spruce up the traffic centers has definitely been undertaken.  Old, dying vegetation has been replaced with grass, flowers, and newly planted trees.  Many squares now have flag poles with massive Egyptian colors flying.  And vendors are being cleared from street corners and squares; selling in this way is now subject to a fine, and an alternative location for these "startups" has been provided, though I am not sure how many have taken to the new market space--but it does make a difference in attempting to move through the city streets. 

This pic is from this news story
citing the death of 14 people in this accident :(

But moving through those city streets may still be the larger threat to the Egyptian population.  An article a few years ago shocked many as it reported nearly 20 people a day die on Egyptian roads; a number that is reportedly skewed lower as one is not counted as a traffic fatality unless you are dead at the scene.  Poorly maintained roads lined with debris, coupled with disregard for traffic rules by motorists,  and further complicated with irregular road way traffic from tuk-tuks to donkey carts to pedestrians, all traveling with, against or across traffic--all this creates danger on a continuous basis.  Egypt's struggling tourism did not need an August 22nd tour bus crash which killed 33 near the popular Sharm el Shiekh resort community near the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.  But out of this tragedy, regulation for traffic is coming--buses and large trucks now have specific operating hours--making the new laws was easy enough and now the hard part of enforcement begins.

Egypt is seeing needed improvements, and has need for much more improvement.

Aside from the beautification of the various traffic circles and sidewalk areas, there are many long term projects that have been finished, and roadways are being repaired.  Prior to our move nearly three years ago, one of the Metro stations near us began a reconstruction--it was going on months before our arrival and seemed to move at the pace of one brick per day in all our time here.  When we left for the summer, there was still much work to be done--but, when we returned, it was nearly completed--more took place in those two months than in the several years prior.

Other improvements are also underway.  A massive expansion and deepening of the Suez Canal is underway.  Plans to expand the Metro system from it's two current lines to more six in the next several years has been "fast-tracked."

For all that is planned, improvements cannot come fast enough.  Egypt is attempting to address it's energy needs with potential wind farms, partnership in solar energy, drilling rights in the Western Desert and Mediterranean, and building another 6 traditional power plants, too--all a part of President El Sisi's appeal at the United Nations for investment in Egypt's energy needs.  These are good plans, and will provide jobs which are desperately needed here within Egypt--but the need for increased energy for the demands of this country, especially in the summer months, is extremely high.  Rolling brownouts last about an hour, and though things have improved in the last month, they still happen regularly in some parts of the city; before the last month, some complained of these happening six or more times per day.  One day last month, power was out for 10 hours straight through most of the city of Cairo--in the midst of sweltering heat.

While the new Egyptian government seeks to bring "Peace, Prosperity and Growth" to

This pic appeared with The Clarion Project story linked at left.

Egypt on the world stage, Peace will need to be addressed through decline in the staggering rate of sexual harassment of women in the country; the UN's 2013 report of 99.6 women reporting being harassed in some manner pointed the finger at a sad epidemic to which the new President began to try correct.  El-Sisi's visit and apology to a rape victim were a good start--but more has to be done to continue the fight against this type of victimization experienced by women of all ages, all nationalities, and all religions. 

Peace needs to be further established in a Growth of mental health services.  The caricature above of the actual event of a man hanging himself from an Egyptian billboard only highlighted the growing downward spiral of depression throughout Egypt.  This Cairo Scene article relays some telling statistics of the need for more compassionate and educated approaches to helping people deal with the struggles experienced throughout the country on a daily basis within each community.

And Prosperity will surely be linked to a Growth in jobs for so many unemployed.  Again, the possibility of new power plants and developing new energy sources is a great start.  The expansion of the Metro system throughout Cairo could also lead to jobs, not just in the building, but also in each location for a functioning network.  Many subsidies were cut at the beginning of the summer, raising prices at the fuel pump and at stores--but will this be enough to generate the income needed by the government for all theses development goals?    

Sure, question marks still remain large within and over Egypt.  But we're experiencing a different Egypt today than when we arrived nearly three years ago.  And, we still love it here--love the people, love the responsibilities, love the challenges.  We see God at work in the lives of people here, and we're excited to have the opportunity to walk along side of them.  And, the best part, is that as Egypt's stability has increased, so has our confidence in beginning to plan for groups to come stay and meet some of those we are serving here in Egypt.  Stay tuned and when we can make such an invitation, we will get the word out.

Until then, thank you for your continuing prayers, encouragement and support of our family and those we serve here throughout the Middle East.

Latest from Lebanon

Since our summer in the United States, I have spent almost as much time in Lebanon as I have in Egypt.  While Keli and the kids were beginning a new school year, I went back and forth to Lebanon twice; first to participate in the annual Ana Terzo young adult camp, and then again last week for the annual Heart for Lebanon fall staff retreat.  So, this is a good time to update you on what we're seeing experienced from the Christian community in Lebanon these days.

Ana Terzo 8
This was my third experience with the annual Ana Terzo camp ("I am third"), and my first where I

Most of the Terzo camp!

was not a speaker, but just a friend to these young adults.  This was the largest and most diverse in age; there was the younger spectrum of older teens, and there was the older spectrum of young marrieds who had their first child.  There were actually three babies at the camp next year.  With two engaged couples also in attendance, I told lay leader Shukri that this may quickly become a young family camp!  The speaker was Pastor Chadi from Jordan, coming from a Nazarene church.  Pastor Chadi delivered challenging messages encouraging the Terzos to take a greater grip on their faith in Jesus and His Word.

Three Worlds will be helping one of these young leaders make his way to attend the camp of the Paris Church of God.  This will be a wonderful bridge-building opportunity as we continue to seek connections among the Church throughout the Europe and Middle East region.


Church of God in Lebanon

Pastor Bassem Melki translates for
Bob Moss, CAO ChoG Ministries

While in Lebanon, I wanted to take time to visit Church of God pastors and congregations.  I had the opportunity to worship with both the Achrafieh congregations in Beirut--Mar Mitr and Sioufi.  After worshipping with Mar Mitr, I was invited to dinner with Pastor Joy Mallouh and his family in their home.  We were able to not only have a good visit, but we were also able to talk and pray together about a coming partnership between the Lebanon ChoG and Three Worlds to better disciple older teens in Lebanon.

Last Sunday, fellow H4L Board Member and Church of God Ministries CAO Bob Moss was invited to share the Word at Sioufi Church of God.  It was a wonderful morning greeting several of the church members.  I also was able to meet with a couple of young adults after worship for lunch; during that time, we discussed the ways they could help us in the proposed teen discipleship plan by participating as good examples and encouragement to the younger participants.


Nearby Crisis
The Syrian conflict continues to rage to the north of Lebanon, occasionally spilling over into the border communities.  The Iraqi crisis brought about by the development of ISIS radicals taking over a larger territory in Syria in Iraq not only led to an increase in Iraqi refugees into Lebanon, but also ISIS insurgents failing in their attempt to take over part of Lebanon's Bekaa valley at the beginning of August.  ISIS has also executed two Lebanese soldiers just as they did the American journalists.  And, there is also the Israel-Gaza clash to the south of Lebanon, that occasionally has Hezbollah factions in southern Lebanon contributing to the violent skirmishes.  That's three major world events pressing in on this tiny country--and not only is Lebanon absorbing refugees from these events, they are also absorbing the emotional and psychological strain, too.

In speaking with a leader of a Christian ministry not in either Church of God or H4L, he said that the "fear" and "dread" among the Christian community in Lebanon is the worst he had seen in his many years serving the country.  He sees it among the various denominations his organization serves.  He noted the panic that cries out for help, but in their panic, they lack a plan--and while many may give to such a cry for help, how and for what those funds will be distributed and used remains a mystery.


Heart for Lebanon

H4L continues to grow and exceed their dreams almost quarterly; new staff, increases in non-USA financial support, and new vision are only part of the story.  H4L is one of those Christian communities that not only has a plan, they continue to plan greater and broader ministries of service to reach or partner to reach more and more families.  As I and other American pastors/leaders gathered last week for the annual H4L staff retreat, we observed their smiles, their joy, their positive interaction, and their sincere prayers of faith.  At one point, I asked one of the other leaders, "Do you sense any 'doom or gloom' among these believers?"  To which he responded with an incredulous, "No, not at all!"

It wasn't that the H4L staff were unaware of the nearby crisis, or the car bombs, or the retaliatory strikes, or the possibility of another ISIS invasion--they knew these things probably better than most because they are on the front line of service to the victims of these events.  The difference was the faith to personally respond courageously; not fear, requesting for external contributions.

It's a joy to partner alongside of Ana Terzo, Church of God, and Heart for Lebanon--for planning and praying for greater Kingdom effectiveness, even in the midst of trouble.

Thank you for your continued encouragement, prayers and support for us and the believers in the Middle East.  Now that I am back in Cairo, the family begins a very busy week: returning to regular weekly CCF Kids and CCF Worship this weekend, and meetings with Church of God pastors next week.  We hope to have an update on these and other Egyptian ministry activities soon.

Going Home...

After two months exactly for Keli & the kids, and an additional 5 days for me;

After more than 5,000 road miles (not counting the generous ride provided by the Weiger's & Claussen's from OKC to Alabama);

After countless air miles on these flights:

- Cairo to Paris (x5)

- Paris to Minneapolis 

- Minneapolis to Sacramento

- Sacramento to Portland

- Paris to Atlanta (x4)

- Atlanta to Huntsville (x4)

- Portland to Denver (x3)

- Denver to OKC

- Birmingham to Seattle (x5)

- Denver to Nashville (x2)

- Atlanta to Portland (x4)

*not including Alexis' air miles!

After visits and meetings with these congregations or representatives of:

- North Modesto ChoG, CA

- Fresno 1st ChoG, CA

- Culver City ChoG, CA

- McDowell Mountain Community Church, AZ

- Antelope Road Christian Fellowship, CA

- Sunset Park ChoG, OR

- Rainier Community Church, OR

- 12th Ave ChoG, AL

- Rainbow City Community Church, AL

- 6th Ave ChoG, AL

- Riverchase Community Church, AL

- Olympia-Lacey ChoG, WA

- Fairview ChoG, WA

- Oak Park ChoG, OR

- Lynchwood ChoG, OR

- Holladay Park ChoG, OR

- Hoodview ChoG, OR

- Blue Mountain Community Church, WA

- Columbia Community Church, WA

- Centralia Community Church, WA

- Mt Scott ChoG, OR

- Rockwood ChoG, OR

After participating in all or part of these meetings:

- Heart for Lebanon Board of Director's meeting, Phoenix, AZ

- North American Convention of the ChoG, Be Bold, OKC

- Alabama Ministerial Assembly of the ChoG Campmeeting, Clanton, AL

- Pacific Northwest Association of the ChoG Family Camp, Double K Camp, WA

- Oregon/southwest Washington Association of the ChoG Summer Celebration, Warner Pacific College, OR

After not nearly enough time with family and friends;

After more calories than any family should healthily consume in a two month period;

After too little exercise;

After meeting and staying with some of the most wonderful, hospitable, and generous people on the planet;

After seeing beautiful places along scenic drives; witnessing the wonder of Multnomah Falls; climbing to the top of Beacon Rock in the Columbia River Gorge; a meditative walk through The Grotto; a time of quiet and reflection in Joshua Tree National Park; a Salem Volcanoes baseball game; Seaside, Oregon; and whirlwind tours through Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and the Evergreen Air & Space Museum;

After not knowing if we did enough to promote Children of Promise in Egypt, Ana Terzo in Lebanon, or the Next Gen Fund for Three Worlds; after wishing we could have done more to help Langford's and Weiger's get to the field more quickly;

After holding and seeing our newest family members (Lilian, Filla, Avery & Jillian) for the first time; 

After watching our kids grow in confidence and clarity in answering questions publicly and privately like Public Relations specialists;

After more daily blessings and countless amounts of encouragement, sincere prayers, generous gifts, genuine fellowship, and humbling honors than any person or family should be allowed to receive;

After all of that - and a memory that is fading and likely forgetting so much more - we are headed home to Cairo, Egypt.  

We are not looking forward to the travel that takes us on an early Monday morning flight from Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles, California; or overnight from LA to Paris, France tonight; or Paris to Cairo tomorrow.  

We are not looking forward to the likely late arrival to the villas and the frantic search for clothes and necessities for the first day of school early the next morning.

Though I am looking forward to being with the Ana Terzo camp, we are notlooking  forward to the quick turn around for me to repack and fly to Beirut less than 24 hours after landing.

But we are looking forward to being home--back to the CCF (eventually), back to the weekly Kids program, back to serving our community and the Egypt & Lebanon Churches.  Back to the rush & the wait & the chaos of Cairo traffic; back to the wonder of the Nile and the glimpse of pyramids on the horizon.  Back to fellowship with believers throughout Europe and Middle East.  Back to the routines and the uncertainties of this adventure.

Home is where and how you make it--and God has led us to make our home in Cairo.  By His providence and blessing and the prayers of many, we have been able to do that.  

We have enjoyed our summer--how could we not after all the blessings listed above?

None of us had a fit or shed a tear this morning with the prospect of returning to Cairo--that wasn't a powerless resignation that we have to return; it was a privileged realization that we get to return.  The work and the risk are outweighed by the joys and the adventures that await us.

We live in Cairo--a land of such amazing history--and we get to live there on the front row of history being written anew.  We have been invited to walk with others in such a place as this, at such a time as this.

We are the most fortunate people on the planet to be so loved and missed from wonderful people on multiple continents, and yet able to share the greatest love with all of them.  

Thank you for honoring us & loving us with your interest, prayers, support, encouragement, questions, and even concern.

Another Road Trip Playlist, Day 4

From Oregon back to Washington today as we head north one more time to meet with Outreach Pastor Elmer of the Centralia Community ChoG.  We are blessed by Centralia's partnership and sincere support of our family, and wish we could have spent more time with them.  In scheduling our time out west, we tried to give Sunday morning priorities to the congregations who did not have us on a Sunday morning before, or whom we had never met.  That wasn't always possible, and so we have also been scheduling Sunday and Wednesday evenings--but there are not enough of those prime days in the summer for everyone out in the northwest, and so we have had to do several of these weekday meetings, too.

We're trying to see everyone we can--time is running short, for sure, as we're just days from leaving the USA.  In less than a week, our kids will be sitting in a classroom and I'll be in Lebanon at the Ana Terzo camp.  That' really amazing and overwhelming to think about all at the same time.

So on the road lately, I've been remembering all the places and people we have been blessed to meet and share with during this trip.  It's been an amazing summer among amazing people--and to make road trips in this part of the country this summer has been amazing, filled with beauty and moments of sincere wonder at the creative work of God.

We're not done yet, but almost.

So today's song goes back in the vault to a truly classic song, "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong himself...


Thank you.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of safety and your beauty along every stretch of road.

Thank you Lord for your wonderful people who have greeted us, fed us, served us, encouraged us, prayed for us, sheltered us, blessed us, and loved us.  You know each of their names and where they are; bless them as they have blessed us that they may continue to be a source of blessing to others.

Thank you Lord for our family with whom we have been able to laugh and share time together again. Thank you for their understanding and support of your calling on our lives--and the support they also give us.  Thank you for the opportunity to see our newest family members, too.

Thank you for the home you've made for us in Cairo--for the people of the Church throughout Europe and Middle East to whom we have been sent to learn from, love, and encourage their own journeys and ministries, too.  Our hearts and minds comprehend you, your love and your purpose better for being there--we are better for being there and for knowing each of them.  Enable us with your strength and love and grace and wisdom to serve them as you would desire.

It's been an amazing summer--and as we look back with joy, we look forward with great anticipation of all the Lord has in store for us individually and together...

Another Road Trip Playlist, Day 3

Another day in Oregon, without too long of time on the road.  Today, the boys and I were able to begin with a wonderful, home-cooked breakfast with our hosts Owen and Joyce of the Newberg congregation.  They have a wonderful little country home where Owen restores tractors and where they raise their own beef and pork; that's right, we had some of the best bacon and french toast ever to begin our day :)

And then we got to know Pastor Matt Ingalls better over a cup of coffee at the Newberg Bakery--great town here.  Pastor Matt was a college buddy to our friend/future teammate Josh Weiger; and his wife Abbey knew Meghan & Rachel (formerly Chapman) from the 6th Avenue congregation.  I love the heart and vision he has brought to the River Street Church of God.  We've just got the coolest congregations supporting us--full of genuine, sincere believers offering wonderful service to their communities.  It's awesome--I love conversations like this and I've had them all summer.

Then, the boys and I hit the road (short trip) to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.  Several people in Oregon had encouraged us to take the boys there, and even contributed to help pay for the entrance fees.  I was pretty pumped - anytime we get to look at military aircraft and history, I'm ready.  I am a proud grandson of a WWII bomber pilot and I love any chance of meeting veterans and seeing things that he may have experienced.

To make the experience all the cooler, Evergreen hosts the "Spruce Goose", the famed air-boat invention of Howard Hughes--nearly all made of wood (because the government wouldn't free any metal for the project at the height of WWII), and boasting the widest wingspan of any aircraft ever, it is an engineering marvel.  My dad first told me the history of this goliath when I was a child and to have the opportunity to see it was more than exciting.

But that's not all...

Terry Shrout of the Salem congregation took the boys and I to a baseball game last week.  While there, Terry introduced me to a friend of his who happened to be the Executive Director of the museum.  He gave us his card and encourage us to call him upon our arrival.  We did, and are we ever glad we did.  He met us and gave us a VIP guided tour, taking a hold the exhibits, showing the boys how and why things worked, and got us behind the glass and into the Spruce Goose for an inside tour of this massive plane.  Titus got to sit in Howard Hughes' captain seat as we had this picture taken, too...

What a day--really cool stuff.  So, surrounded by jet fighters, WWII bombers, air and space replicas and restored projects all day, I had to go back in the music archives to pull out the theme song from "Top Gun" -- eat your heart out Patrick ;)

In the evening, we were able to share the River Street's simple supper with the community they serve, and then share with some of the congregation about the ministry they are supporting in Europe and Middle East.  One cute little girl up front shared that she was bored near the end of the presentation--classic moment--and during the prayer time for us, she began by praying "Thank you for this food".  She stopped, embarrassed by the little laughter in the prayer circle; but she came back up and prayed near the boys, "help them grow up safe."  Special moment.

A wonderful day among wonderful people -- we are so blessed.

Thank you for your continuing interest and prayers...

Another Road Trip Playlist, Day 2

Back on the road this morning, but not without a meeting with the amazing C3 congregation (Columbia Community Church) in the tri-cities area of eastern Washington.  This is one of the fastest growing congregations in the region, and we're their only "Church of God" supported mission personnel.  It was great to have them sign on with us before we left in January 2012, and even greater to share with them about the exciting ministry developments in Europe and Middle East.  Pastor Aaron, over small groups and outreach ministries, was extremely excited to hear about the next generation and relational focus of Three Worlds.  They will be looking to connect more and hopefully contribute to speaking into the ministries in the region in the coming years--gotta love conversations like that.

But, away from the exciting interactive dialogue to the highway...

When you are on these road trips, songs that are reflective are great in such beautiful areas--a lot of prayer and thinking and listening takes place on the open road.  But when you're tired and needing to push on, it really helps to have a song that moves, gets you singing, and almost dancing from the driver seat to keep the adrenaline flowing.  So, since we're gonna surpass another 2,000 miles on yet another rental this summer, we're needing some songs that move--fortunately, OneRepublic keeps cranking out the hits like we keep adding on the miles--their latest smash, "love runs out"


Why are we on the road so much?  Love -- there's so much love for us here in the Pacific northwest -- so many praying, supporting, encouraging churches.  We want to get to them and tell them what their loving support is encouraging us to do.  We will keep running to and fro each of them because their love is supporting.  And as we do, it inspires greater love for the people and work by and among the Egyptians, Lebanese, Syrian, and various European nations -- as we tell their story, their love is building not only for these international communities, but also for their own communities.  I can't tell you how amazing it is to tell the stories of the Middle East and Europe Christians and watch the ideas and passions of the American churches get stoked.  We'll keep going till the love runs out--but, conversations like this morning and what we're expecting to have tonight in Newberg, Oregon are only keep that love building and overflowing.

Thanks for your prayers for us as we're on the road.  God has blessed us with safety and beauty along the way...