Let's begin by apologizing for the long absence in updates! The last month + has been an endless handoff between us as we have not often been in the same location together. A recap of what's been happening:
It really has been nonstop for us, and we are so thankful that Spring Break starts tonight so that we can get away for some family time and rest before jumping into more Easter events. We are blessed by a family in the Fellowship who are allowing us again to invade their vacation villa along the Red Sea--it will be an oasis on several levels. The busy-ness is also a blessing--we are amazed at the endless assortment of activities, ministries and wonderful people with whom we have the opportunity to know and serve.
Meanwhile, things have not slowed down in Egypt (or Lebanon), and news events are stacking up. There is no way to respond to and forward all the information links, but we'll comment on a few of the events impacting the region, and you can look up news stories on your own.
AGAIN: we are not political, cultural, or legal experts - we are but guests within these countries, seeking to learn from and serve those whom we walk alongside. We are not making any judgments or espousing any remedies for the unfolding events around us. We offer these reflections for those concerned and interested friends and family beyond this region who want to read this personal blog and gain a better understanding of what life is like for us at this time and in this place.
The elections have been set for May 26-27; we have heard from some Egyptians that the delayed date is intentional to put the election after the universities have finished their semester and students return home. This, if true, may prove wise as demonstrations on campuses throughout Egypt have been ongoing and often the flash points for clashes with police.
Parliamentary elections will take place some time after the Presidential elections.
The MB was labeled a "terrorist" organization by the interim government and those associated with the group were arrested and have been on a series of trials. Two controversial developments have resulted. First, journalists have also been arrested, including several Al Jazeera reporters, who claim they were doing a story whereas they are alleged to have been collaborating with MB members; this has created campaigns of protest by journalists. Secondly, the use of mass trials to attempt to get all the defendants prosecuted quickly led to 529 being sentenced to death in one judgement; this obviously drew a lot of attention around the world, and a lot of criticism.
On April 2, police were again targeted, this time at Cairo University, with bombs set to go off in succession. The first bomb went off, and then the second after enough time had elapsed for additional police to gather and respond to the injury and havoc created by the first; at least one officer died as a result, with others injured. You can see the second blast on this amateur video captured shortly after the first blast. The third happened much later, but fortunately was smaller and not near enough watching crowds, journalists, emergency personnel and investigators--this smaller blast led only to panic, not direct injury or death.
According to the UNHCR, on April 1 there are nearly 950,000 REGISTERED Syrian refugees in Lebanon, with another nearly 50,000 awaiting registration. These are the officially registered refugees--the number is estimated to be much, much higher. While the estimated population is well over 4 million people, there are whole communities in Lebanon in which the Syrian refugees outnumber the Lebanese; there are an increasing number of Lebanese leaving Lebanon, and it is estimated that far more Lebanese actually live outside of Lebanon.
The numbers alone help you to think about the internal stress on government infrastructure--schooling for children, providing for water, sanitation concerns, etc. When you factor in the economic challenges in a global recession, you can see this is a growing problem. But, when you consider that the Lebanese government functions on a razor's edge of balancing power among cultural and religious lines of Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and Christians, then you have increasing societal challenges with each refugee who crosses the border.
With no end in sight for the Syrian crisis, you can imagine the long-term challenges facing this little, beautiful country. We are inspired by the Church and organizations who are creatively searching for ways to offer hope at such a time as this.
So, that's a bit of what's happening for us. If you have specific questions, send us an email. Thanks for your ongoing prayers, encouragement and support...
#PrayForEgypt
#PrayForLebanon
#PrayForSyria
- Keli was in Rome at the end of February and beginning of March for the 3W Women's
Conference, which was a great event benefiting all who were involved.
3W hosted a fun Women's Conference
- Keli returned and I was off to Lebanon shortly after to join with Regional Coordinator Patrick Nachtigall in speaking for the shorter Spring staff retreat of Heart for Lebanon. We also were able to talk with and do some planning with the Ana Terzo young adult ministry leaders there in Beirut. These are both such a great groups to have the opportunity to encourage and inspire.
- When I returned, Keli took off again on a Women's Retreat sponsored by the local international community church; Keli is active in a weekly women's Bible study that includes several of the moms who bring their kids to the weekly CCF Kids program.
- When Keli returned, I joined the remarkable Sharon Skaggs to assist her with Children of
Promise site visits in Alexandria. Sharon is one of our illustrious predecessors, one of our supporters and cheerleaders, and the mother of our "boss" (Jamie Nachtigall). Sharon came to Egypt to visit her son Byron's family (who moved here over a year ago), and as a veteran board member of COP, was asked to conduct the site visits. I was able to get our first exposure to the work of the program as we interacted with several of the pastors whom we are here to assist. The program is developing wonderfully in Egypt, and we hope that we can help
Sharon (center) planning with Egypt COP leaders
encourage others to sponsor children in the Middle East.
Dozens of kids are awaiting COP
sponsors; can you help?
- I came back, and without a lot of planning, Keli and I both left at the invitation of Heart for Lebanon to return and contribute to some problem solving in a leadership retreat. This was our first time to leave the children in Egypt, and the first time we had traveled alone together in years. We had to hand off our children to three different families living near to the school; this helped each child to stay with a friend, while also enabling them to continue on their activity schedules without interruption--we are grateful for these networks of families that allowed such a trip to take place. We, once again, enjoyed the opportunity to walk and work alongside of the great Heart for Lebanon leaders; but, this trip also paved the way for Keli to be in Lebanon to greet Sharon when she came in for COP site visits there. I came back to Egypt and got the kids back home, while Keli stayed and walked along Sharon in Beirut.
- Keli has come back to Egypt now, and we're preparing for a big Cairo Christian Fellowship event tomorrow.
It really has been nonstop for us, and we are so thankful that Spring Break starts tonight so that we can get away for some family time and rest before jumping into more Easter events. We are blessed by a family in the Fellowship who are allowing us again to invade their vacation villa along the Red Sea--it will be an oasis on several levels. The busy-ness is also a blessing--we are amazed at the endless assortment of activities, ministries and wonderful people with whom we have the opportunity to know and serve.
Meanwhile, things have not slowed down in Egypt (or Lebanon), and news events are stacking up. There is no way to respond to and forward all the information links, but we'll comment on a few of the events impacting the region, and you can look up news stories on your own.
AGAIN: we are not political, cultural, or legal experts - we are but guests within these countries, seeking to learn from and serve those whom we walk alongside. We are not making any judgments or espousing any remedies for the unfolding events around us. We offer these reflections for those concerned and interested friends and family beyond this region who want to read this personal blog and gain a better understanding of what life is like for us at this time and in this place.
Egypt politics:
The face of the removal of former President Morsi was General Sisi; that event last summer led to super-star/hero status for Sisi. Many were urging him to run for President, and even his peers in the military urged him as to pursue this option as a "duty' to the people of Egypt. He recently resigned and declared his candidacy for the Presidency. He will virtually run unopposed, though the campaign for the last election's 3rd place finisher, Sabahi, is gaining some ground.The elections have been set for May 26-27; we have heard from some Egyptians that the delayed date is intentional to put the election after the universities have finished their semester and students return home. This, if true, may prove wise as demonstrations on campuses throughout Egypt have been ongoing and often the flash points for clashes with police.
Parliamentary elections will take place some time after the Presidential elections.
Dangerous "tit-for-tat":
The fallout from last summer's removal of Morsi led to sit-ins by Islamist groups, especially the Muslim Brotherhood. The sit-ins were becoming semi-permanent tent-cities within existing communities, and when they would not disperse peacefully, there was tragic loss of life. Different violent attacks have been carried out from the Sinai Peninsula and now into the cities along the Nile, including Cairo, mostly targeting police stations or checkpoints. Hundreds of officers have died since the summer due to these perceived "retaliatory" attacks.The MB was labeled a "terrorist" organization by the interim government and those associated with the group were arrested and have been on a series of trials. Two controversial developments have resulted. First, journalists have also been arrested, including several Al Jazeera reporters, who claim they were doing a story whereas they are alleged to have been collaborating with MB members; this has created campaigns of protest by journalists. Secondly, the use of mass trials to attempt to get all the defendants prosecuted quickly led to 529 being sentenced to death in one judgement; this obviously drew a lot of attention around the world, and a lot of criticism.
On April 2, police were again targeted, this time at Cairo University, with bombs set to go off in succession. The first bomb went off, and then the second after enough time had elapsed for additional police to gather and respond to the injury and havoc created by the first; at least one officer died as a result, with others injured. You can see the second blast on this amateur video captured shortly after the first blast. The third happened much later, but fortunately was smaller and not near enough watching crowds, journalists, emergency personnel and investigators--this smaller blast led only to panic, not direct injury or death.
A Generation Gap:
When we talk to Egyptians about all of these events, we get different responses. The divide is not between Christian and Muslim perspectives, but due to generational differences. Older generations seem to support Sisi, and even openly support or seek to validate the decisions of the arrests, trials, and judgments against the Muslim Brotherhood. Younger generations may have supported the removal of Morsi, but have been openly skeptical to quietly questioning the candidacy of Sisi, the trials/judgements, and the responses to each attack. The young people we talk to are obviously not favoring these violent actions, but are more uncertain about the future of Egypt.Meanwhile in Lebanon:
 |
| as Patrick pointed out, everyone has a fantastic view in Lebanon |
The numbers alone help you to think about the internal stress on government infrastructure--schooling for children, providing for water, sanitation concerns, etc. When you factor in the economic challenges in a global recession, you can see this is a growing problem. But, when you consider that the Lebanese government functions on a razor's edge of balancing power among cultural and religious lines of Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and Christians, then you have increasing societal challenges with each refugee who crosses the border.
With no end in sight for the Syrian crisis, you can imagine the long-term challenges facing this little, beautiful country. We are inspired by the Church and organizations who are creatively searching for ways to offer hope at such a time as this.
So, that's a bit of what's happening for us. If you have specific questions, send us an email. Thanks for your ongoing prayers, encouragement and support...
#PrayForEgypt
#PrayForLebanon
#PrayForSyria
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