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