Four Bomb Day

First of all, we are fine.  Thank you for the prayers and concern that have been sent this way for our family and those whom we are serving in Egypt.

It's the Eve of the 3rd 2011 January 25 Revolution anniversary--hopefully not the eve of a third revolution in three years.

We check news first on Twitter when I wake up in the mornings, as young reporters and activists throughout the region are usually commenting first on what's happening at any hour of the day. But before I could pull up Twitter, I had a message from a young friend in Beirut who heard about the Cairo explosion and wanted to make sure we were all right.

(Beirut citizen checking on Cairo resident--strange days!)

I then quickly flipped to Twitter where the reports were just coming in of an explosion; by the time the news was providing pictures, witness statements, and details, a second blast became the news.  

And then a third before a 11:00 am local time.

An ominous beginning for a weekend that anticipated possible trouble tomorrow.  

While walking to the local international church this evening, news of a fourth explosion came across the Twitter feed.  

Though a group claimed responsibility, first people on the scenes of the blasts chanted for the execution of Brotherhood members.  Calls have been made state authorities to stand up in the squares tomorrow in support of the interim government and "roadmap" - yet others plan to stand and shout their displeasure for one reason or another.

Things are tense and uncertain.  Yet we are at peace.

Remember to #PrayForEgypt this weekend, for the believers, for the communities full of innocents trapped in cycles of violence, for leaders to have wisdom AND humility.  Pray for peace.

Though all this going on, it's still a busy weekend of ministry for us.  Pray we are able to encourage and serve with wisdom and grace.