God Stories

Ok, so this is almost embarrassing how little I update my blog. My last entry was in May, and it's October. You know, I guess it's because I was under the impression that I had to have something truly inspiring and life changing to write about before I made an entry, but really... I've come to the conclusion that is not necessarily true. I think sometimes the every day little incidents that happen on the streets, or in the office, or at home, or amongst a crowd of people- these little interactions and tidbits can sometimes be truly the most inspiring :) Because they are real stories about real people, in the practical- every day life.

We just started a new life group Monday nights for young adults at our church here in Maadi, and one thing that I really enjoy doing are "God stories." When we open up, we each go around the room and just tell one way we saw God through the past week. I LOVE the practical examples of His work. It is so encouraging because you see how His Spirit is STILL working in little ways every day! One of the guys shared about how someone did something to him on the soccer field that made him angry and he wanted to retaliate, but then the Spirit reminded him to "not let the sun go down while you are still angry" and prompted him to go talk to this rival. And he was able to share the love of the Father with this guy. Another friend in life group shared how God had revealed to him this week that it is possible to glorify Himself through the "daily work" he is doing at his job. He's started to see opportunities to build the Kingdom and is getting excited about it.

These are the things that keep renewing my faith. These little things are what remind me that the Holy Spirit is real, living, moving, working, renewing, empowering, comforting, convicting, etc. etc. He isn't passive or stale or uninvolved. He's fresh. And He's always working.

I realize that I need more of Him. I need more focus. I want him to somehow become the fabric of my life- interwoven through every circumstance, conversation, and life experience.

So anyway, I hope to be better at just communicating little God stories to you whenever I can. :) I hope it will be encouraging for you.

"That's Your Place"

Back in March, I did a kid's program called "Objective Detective." It was about a detective and his agent on a quest to uncover the evidence of an Unseen Dad. We had 10 precious children (all kids of workers throughout Egypt) who were our junior detectives for the week. So many of you were praying for them by name, and I wish you could meet them in person. I sent updates as to how each day went, but I want you to catch a glimpse of their personalities. I posted my favorite video to do just that. Isaac is a four year old boy with the cutest little British accent. He is the one giving the ants their places on the log. :) His sister Anna is next to him. David is the little guy crying "EWWWWW..." at the fact that Lauren's brother Jedidiah "eats ants." And then there is HIS sister Julia who is the one licking the knife and sticking it back in the peanut butter jar. :) I hope you enjoy their personalities. They were a great bunch of junior detectives, and I truly believe they saw a glimpse of the One who created them that week back in March. Thanks for praying.

Got A "Funny Feelin''"

Do you remember those two, young Egyptian girls I met unexpectedly a couple entries back? Well, just to update you, I met with them again a couple days ago. We had been in contact by phone a few times, but a couple days ago we met on road nine and went for a walk. We walked around the streets of Maadi, just talking and getting to know each other. We bought some Pepsi’s and then went and sat in a little garden area and just visited. They taught me some Arabic, and I taught them some English. Zee-Zee wanted to know how to scold a child in English. J She told me she has a four-year-old sister who is constantly getting into trouble, and she doesn’t like the way her mom punishes her with a beating. Physical reprimand is how most people choose to discipline their kids in this culture, but Zee Zee said she does not like it and wanted to know how to TELL her sister that what she is doing is wrong or not good for her.

My time with these two girls was very enjoyable, but what encouraged me the most was a comment that Hannan made when talking to me. She told me that when she first met me, she felt comfortable right away. She said, “I always like talking to foreigners, but this time I just had this feeling. I do not understand it, but this feeling, it told me to talk to you. I am not sure why, but it made me want to introduce myself to you.” My heart just jumped as the spirit inside of me confirmed the truth of what she told me. This “feeling” that she could not comprehend was the gentle prompting of my Brother’s spirit that I have come to know and love. I just wanted to exclaim, “I know what your feeling was!” But I was content in just thanking my Dad for hearing my requests and bringing me a couple Egyptian friends that are outside my Family. How faithful He is to answer when we ask according to His will! And how blessed we are to be a part of the work He is already doing.

I recently have started a Level One Arabic class. We have met three times so far, and I really enjoy going. I am learning a little bit more conversation and also starting to learn the Arabic alphabet and how to write. I’m actually finding that I look forward to doing my homework and going to class. I wonder how long that will last. ;) Regardless, I am thankful. I am also thankful that in 33 days, I will see my family again! Even for a short time (3 weeks), it will be a much-needed refreshment for my heart. Keep asking Dad to lead and guide my every step each day. Thanks for sharing with me in this work.

Finer than Silver

"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Father and find the knowledge of Dad."

-Proverbs 2:1-5

It really sunk in tonight as I was walking home from work and thinking about life:

I came to the conclusion that never before have I been in a season that required MORE wisdom, MORE discernment, MORE caution and MORE discretion in my daily life and relationships than I am in right now. As situation after situation popped into my mind of things that I am not sure how to solve or even handle, I realized that I need my Heavenly Father more in my life today than I ever have before. I thought about it even in just the events of my day...

My boss: We went to coffee and she started explaining to me major, heavy situations in her own life that are completely unknown by most people but cause her to live in a constant battle with fear. WISDOM. How do I share her load, Dad? How can I help her bear the weight of such uncertainty??

My Co-Worker and Good Friend: She sat down with me in lunch and cried tears of frustration. A constant conflict with her roommate. Hurt after hurt that has built up and surrendered to a deep resentment. "I'm done! I'm moving out. I'm giving up. How can I forgive someone who is not even sorry or asking for forgiveness? I can not!"

WISDOM. What am I supposed to say to her, Dad?? How do I remind someone about your grace and mercy who has so firmly decided she's thrown in the towel?

My Egyptian brother: A similar situation. Hurt after hurt that has quickly turned to a deep anger. We've had conversations about forgiveness and that true love is not just a feeling- its a commitment to love even when that love is not returned or received. It is sacrificial.... My brother hears, but he's done. He tells me he is done trying. Again, throwing in the towel.

WISDOM! How do I guide him into your truth, Dad, if he doesn't want to listen? How do I hurt for him and feel his pain, but speak truth to him at the same time?

It's like every day I need more wisdom. Even in the simplest interactions with strangers and acquaintances. I'm constantly facing decisions. When do I make eye contact? Do I smile kindly or just walk right by? In this culture, eye contact and friendliness can lead to misunderstanding-especially with the men. So even just walking to work..... Do I greet this person? Should I say something to that one?

A woman sees that I am a foreigner- probably poor, just wants money from me... How do I show her His love? How do I even begin to meet real needs? How do I engage in a culture that is so closed? How can I learn the native language if my job requires only English? How can I fulfill my Dad-given task to testify to Truth, when I am not free to speak it?

What is safe? Who can I trust?.... How do I be the person Dad made me, when so much of me is wrapped up in Him... and I'm not always free to speak of Him?.... Can the Good News be told through a simple life? WISDOM. WISDOM. WISDOM..... Day by day.... Moment by moment... I need more of it! I'm desperate for it.

And so on my way home from work, I clumsily found myself calling on my Dad out loud without realizing it at first... Dad, I need more wisdom! I need your discernment. I need your Spirit.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. " James 1:5-6

Unexpected Opportunities

I met a couple of curious Egyptian girls on the way to meeting a friend today. I was headed out for the day to have breakfast and talk business with a girl named Jessica who is helping me create and run a 5 day children's program/conference at the end of this month. We have less than three weeks to finish planning all of the lessons and activities, and put together everything we need. The time is getting short, and there is so much to do. So today we planned to spend the morning and early afternoon working out some of the details and logistics.

I set out on my way just before nine and planned on taking a taxi to her apartment. However, as I was walking to Road Nine, where I usually snag a cab, I heard a couple girls' voices behind me. I kept walking until they started trying to get my attention. People here will often call to foreigners in that way, with a quick "PSST..." noise to get them to turn around. I usually hesitate to give them my attention because many times they will just ask you for money. This time though, the girls were persistent, and eventually I heard an "EXCUSE ME...." so I turned around. They were two young Egyptian girls, dressed in their headscarves and long sleeved tunics. They looked like they may still be in school or just finishing up with school. They started talking to me, and surprisingly, they spoke English very well. They told me they just wanted to introduce themselves. They asked where I was from and where I was staying. Turns out they live just down the road from me. Said they had just decided they needed to get out and enjoy a walk for some exercise and would I let them walk with me?

Well, RARELY EVER does such an opportunity arise for me. In fact, that has been one of my greatest frustrations since I moved here to Cairo. I work for an international church- geared toward the foreigners who live in the Maadi community. My job requires me to work in the office from 9-5pm five days a week, and so my actual interaction with the Egyptian people and culture is limited. Primarily I work with foreigners of the same language and religious background. But my heart wants to engage the culture and interact with those who are different than I. What little interaction I do get with the people is hindered by the great language barrier that exists between us.

But here were two young girls, OUTSIDE my working environment, not from the same background, completely engaged in the Egyptian culture, but who spoke English wanted to talk with me. So, needless to say, I nixed the taxi idea. I enjoyed walking with them and getting to know them a bit. They are both 18 years old- full of life and enthusiasm. They helped me find my way to where I was going, and even paid for me to give my friend a call when my phone ran out of credit. They asked for my email and wondered if we could get together again. I do not know what will come of it all, but it seems as if my Dad may have dropped this little beginning in my lap. I have been intentional before about asking him for Egyptian friends outside of my work environment. And you can ask that with me! :)

And also remember to ask Him about this retreat coming up March 25-30. It will be called "Objective Detective" and we will be "uncovering evidence of the unseen Dad." :) Each day will be a different character trait. Day 1: Dad is holy. Day 2: Dad is in control. Day 3:Dad "sees me." Day 4: Dad is good. Day 5: Dad is love. Think and ask about these characteristics as we prepare for a great week and wait to see what He does. Thanks!

New Life Now Beginning

Happy March everyone! It's a new day, a new week, and a new month. So hard to believe it came so fast, but here it is. And Spring is hovering in the air. It's always been one of my favorite seasons- coming forth right after the long hard winters of snow and ice. The trees and plants that were once frozen in death come alive with the washing of new water and the healing warmth of the sun. The empty and frozen stick-like branches burst forth with blossoms and the birds start singing a brand new song never-before sung.

I didn't know if Spring would happen here- in this dry land full of polluted air and busy streets. There is hardly any green to begin with, and certainly no snow to melt away. There are none of the usual indicators- no groundhog to see his shadow, or to not see his shadow... No drastic temperature change. But still, I see evidence of a Spring that is coming. I see it on my way walking to and from work, when I pass the beautiful blossoming trees I never noticed in previous months here. I see it in the bright reds and pinks and purples and oranges of the boogumvillia flowers. I see it as I watch these two tiny street puppies I pass on my walk to work every day grow a little bit stronger. I see it when a Daddy passes by me- out walking with his dark, curly headed boy sitting upon his shoulders. Spring is about life and new beginnings. And though I don't see the usual physical evidences of the season here in Cairo, Egypt, I see the deeper evidences of it.

Just this past weekend I had the privilege of seeing Springtime in the hearts of a bunch of young MCC middle schoolers. 26 kids, (only 8 of them girls), all just reaching the age where they are starting to form their ideas and beliefs about life and important spiritual matters. They came to have fun, and we did! They wore me out with all their energy! :) But they also came and, I believe, were met by a Holy Father. One who intended to teach them about living as a part of the body of His Son. They learned about how to build one another up and how to encourage one another to walk the right paths. They learned about the need to confront problems in truth and love. And how to live as a TRUE family. I cannot say how each one was affected, but I know that our Holy Friend was moving throughout the weekend. He is doing something NEW, And I trust that He will finish the work that He has begun in each and every one of these 26 kids (Ph. 1:6).

And I see the evidence of His Springtime in my own heart. The last few months have been a rough road of heartache, grief, and loneliness. It has seemed in a way like the winter months that drag on for all eternity. But I am entering a new season now, and as some of the ice melts away, I am starting to see the evidence of what has been growing underneath the surface all along. He's working in me. He's changing me. He's cleansing me.

You see, I believe that my Dad is all about new beginnings. It's like His very heart beats for redemption. He LOVES to redeem. He LOVES to make new. He LOVES to breathe life into things that are dead! Why else do you think He gives us a new day every 24 hours? A new week every 7 days? A new month every 4 weeks? A new year every 12 months?? Opportunity after opportunity to begin again, to start fresh. And I have also found that the truest joy of Spring is dependent upon the long nights of Winter. Those cold, days are what produce in me a new life now beginning. For "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (John 12:24) And "those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." (Psalm 126:5)

Always Learning

So it is now almost exactly two months since I have written or updated my blog, and I sincerely apologize. I hope to change that and start updating at least once every week or two. So much has happened over the past two months, that it is sometimes hard to know where to begin. I have experienced so much, and I am learning. I guess that's a good way to sum up where I'm at right now- a constant state of learning. There is so much to take in. I'm always just soaking it up, trying to process it and learn. Language, culture, people, children's ministry, responsibilities, sights, history, relationship building... it's been both challenging and rewarding.

One of the biggest challenges has been facing for the first time the loss of a loved one while being away from family. It's challenging to go through the process of grieving the loss of G'pa Ed and trying to heal while being away from home and family. No one else here is facing the same loss, so it is natural for life to go on like normal. However, my heart sometimes falters and stumbles as it tries to move forward with the pace of life and responsibilities. I miss him very much, and it is very lonely at times. But at the same time there is a sweetness about being broken and alone... with Brother. He also was broken and alone. And my feelings of loss and separation cannot even BEGIN to compare with the excruciating degree of isolation my Savior felt as the Father turned his face away and as the Sorrow of the entire world fell on His shoulders while He struggled to take in His last breaths. My Grandpa Ed also died in an excruciating battle for his last breaths, but he used each one intentionally to cheer us up and let us know we were loved. His death was a beautiful picture of the Savior He preached about each Sunday. I wish you all could have known him. He left a legacy of a life lived well.

One of the things I wish I could ask Grandpa about is His boldness in proclaiming the Good News to anyone and everyone who would listen. I remember once on one of my breaks from college, I went out to breakfast with G'ma and G'pa- as was our custom. We went to Pete's Koney Island. As we sat there, enjoying our conversation, a man rolled past our table in a wheelchair. He was a little rough looking around the edges- deep, hard wrinkles in his face, rough skin, and a baseball cap. But boy, did he want to talk. It seemed he was just starving for someone to listen to him. He rolled up and down the restaurant, saying hi to people at the booths. Most of them just ignored or said a quick hello and quickly stuffed another bite in their mouths to look busy or occupied. Then he got around to our booth. Immediately, he looked comfortable there. Because there was Grandpa, just smiling and nodding in assurance that he was listening. I kept waiting for Grandpa to wrap up the conversation with this man so we could get back to our breakfast together. But instead, he kept asking HIM questions to keep the talk going. He asked the man about himself, his interests, his life. I have to admit, I was a bit miffed because I had plenty that I wanted to tell my Grandma and Grandpa... and I wanted to get back to our visit. After all, I was only home for a week or two. But I distinctly remember, after several minutes of conversation, Grandpa Ed looked straight into the eyes of this quarky old man and asked him clearly by name, "Do you know Brother?" I do not remember the man's exact response, but I will never forget that moment. My Grandpa Ed never wanted to waste any opportunity. Where others may have seen a looney old man, Grandpa saw a lost soul. And I want that kind of boldness. If Grandpa were still here, I'd ask him how to get that kind of boldness in speech. And I think he would tell me, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault..." My Grandpa truly lived out Romans 1:16- He was never ashamed of the Good News because he knew it was the power of Dad for salvation.

Even through the challenges and lonely moments of a healing heart, Dad has given me so much.

Over Christmas, I was able to visit Mt. Sinai and the Red Sea. What a neat experience to be able to climb to the top and look down into the valley and imagine the whole nation of Israel, waiting for Moses to come back down so they could hear what the Dad of Israel had to say. It made the whole story come alive in a different way- feeling how the people must have felt trying to climb around those huge rocks in the steaming hot sun with their women and children and animals. I can understand a little more now why the people were so whiny sometimes. I think I would have been too. We were also able to ride down the beach of the Red Sea on some camels. How fun is that? :) What an amusing animal they are.

Over Coptic Christmas (Jan.7th, the day the Coptic Christians celebrate) I was able to travel with my Egyptian friends Najwa and Nadia to spend the day with their friend Fariel's family. It was a lovely day of just visiting, sharing food and playing with their two adorable kids. That is one fun thing to observe- no matter how crazy or different most things are in this foreign culture, KIDS will always be the same. I sat there watching the little 4 year old girl in her pigtails, playing with her Dad- asking him (in Arabic) to lift her up so she could touch the ceiling, and remembered doing that with my own Dad. And even though they speak a completely different language, their language of love is still the same. It is during these times- just sitting there holding these precious children close, listening to this little girl recite the whole 23rd Psalm in Arabic with her face all lit up- these are the moments that I feel my heart healing just a little bit more.

February 1st was also a new and fun cultural experience. My very first Egyptian wedding, I got to be a part of the bridal party! :) A co-worker and friend asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. It was a fun experience- being the only foreigner in the bridal party and having absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do. The ceremony was so different than ours at home. NO rehearsal- you just fly by the seat of your pants. :) The bride and bridesmaids were 30-40 minutes late, and I was the only one there when we were about to start. We followed her down the aisle and randomly found a place to stand up front. The whole service was in the Coptic language and they gave the bride and groom these little robes and crowns to wear. They looked like King and Queen. Everyone got up and walked around throughout the whole ceremony- going up to take pictures of everything going on. So comical. At one point, the groom leaned over to me and asked me to go find an English Bible. I was a little hesitant to wander about the church during the ceremony, so we sent someone else. And when we finally found one, they set it on the bench and never used it! Anyway, all that to say, I am learning, and learning, and learning. :) Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but Dad is faithful always to bring me back to the simplicity of life. Keep asking Him about me when you think about it! And thank you so much for your faithful support. Don't forget to share YOUR stories with ME. I love story time! Especially when it has to do with Dad's work in people's lives. Keep them coming.