Caution to Women Missionaries

We received an atypical security warning from the Embassy this evening warning that there were credible threats against female missionaries in Egypt.

This doesn't immediately alarm us because we are not missionaries, but Christian workers here by invitation of government recognized Churches and given permit to be here and work with the Christian population.

However, this is the first warning (and we've received countless in our 9 months here) that specifies a gender or occupation in its warning to American citizens.  This is curious and we wish we could know more about the cause of such a warning.

Though we may not feel danger, and though someone planning such danger may not recognize the visa and process that grants us service here, there apparently is a risk posed to people here in Egypt.  As you pray for us this weekend, pray for any who may be in harms way to know peace and protection, and pray for those who would break peace and cause harm to life--pray that they may know true peace and love that would rather seek to save and not condemn.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support...

Grace, Mercy & Peace.

Crimes Against Religion

While the Egyptian interpol office continues to seek international warrants against those responsible for making the YouTube film that incited so much regional rage, they are also prosecuting those who have insulted religion within their own country.

In what may come to a shock in the Western world, and may never make the newsfeed of FoxNews, CNN, or your big three network broadcasts, Egypt is prosecuting crimes against Christianity.  Three defendants will stand trial next Sunday for their parts in burning a Bible outside the US Embassy during the protests regarding the YouTube film, and insulting Christianity in newspaper interviews.  (note: the burning of the Bible is a bit out of character for Muslims as they themselves hold that the Torah and Gospel are holy books.)

As the Middle East continues to wrestle with the notion of Freedom of Expression, the authorities in Egypt are at least eager for justice not just for Islam but also for Christianity.  Though the charges will be presented in a misdemeanor court, this is a huge gesture as anxiety levels among Egypt's Christian minority remain high at the thought of repercussions by Islamists still upset about the film and the possibility of Coptic Christian involvement.

A new report indicates that the level of Coptic anxiety had been high ever since the election of Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammad Morsi to the Presidency.  According to the NGO Egyptian Federation of Human Rights, 93,000 Coptics had relocated outside of Egypt since the election.  One of the reasons stated in the report was for lack of justice in attacks against Coptics and Churches.

Perhaps the steps taken to bring these three accused of insulting Christianity will see greater steps taken to protect freedom of religion here in Egypt and decrease the anxiety level of Egypt's Christian population.

Touring Pyramids

Random notes from our family's tour of Memphis, Sakara, Giza, and more.

Ancient living took place on the east of the Nile because the sun rose in the east, the beginning. All 114 Egyptian pyramids are on the west bank of the nile, where the sun sets, as representing the end of life.

Sphinx meant blended, wisdom of man in the head and the power of the animal body--lions, representing the most feared of the animals in Africa. These were guardians of the tombs.

No ancient residences can be found in Egypt--there is no clear archaeological remains of dwellings to know how these great civilizations lived--because burial place were to be eternal homes and so the latter are built with the best materials and greater attention to detail/perfection.

Imhotep (one who comes in peace), who was second to Pharaoh & possible perfecter of the pyramid designs, may have been Biblical Joseph according to new archeological findings and postulations.

Body hair was impure and all would be removed; however, interaction with foreigners who thought long beards represented wisdom. So, and the statues represent this, Pharaohs would have these fake braided beards that were attached with straps--you can see the straps across the cheeks on the statutes. When the beard on the statue is curved, the statue was created after he death of the subject--straight beards were during the life.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest; his sons pyramid is slightly smaller out of respect, but he built it on a higher elevation -- now, the Great Pyramid has about 9 meters of erosion at the top, while the remaining original limestone casing of the second pyramid is intact, preserving the top.  The limestone casing was removed in a primitive effort to find the entrances.

Napoleon should be credited with much of our knowledge of the Giza pyramid site.  When he arrived, he brought dozens of scholars who recorded details about the pyramids and area before the limestone coverings were removed.  When he arrived, only the sphinx's head was exposed and he ordered his men to dig and find the body below--surprised to find the body of a lion along the way.

Here's a few pics of our day...

the smaller sphinx at Memphis, the original & coronation capital of Egypt

large statue of Ramses II

burial site of a nobel in Sakara, near Step Pyramid
-- best and amazing carvings lined the walls within

the mound above is the remains of a badly weathered and plundered early pyramid;
we went in 45 meters down at about 45 degrees (hunched over),
then after a couple meters to stand, we hunched over and went another 25 meters
to the burial room and treasure room.

in the mummy's sarcophagus -- the first order of business for a pyramid robber
was to smash the head of the mummy so not to be chased taking their riches.

The Step Pyramid, an early model, is painstakingly being restored by
dating and returning fallen bricks like a giant puzzle to the pyramid.

from the court yard of the Step Pyramid looking into the temple

a magnificent oasis for traditional Egyptian lunch

it's impossible for pics to tell you how magnificent the scale
and engineering marvel these ancient wonders really are.

family at the pyramids

we rode camels, too -- a great deal of balance and trepidation went into this kiss

kissing the Sphinx is a traditional pose

the sun begins setting on our wonderful experience