Our last day here!
Friday is a busy day around most Presbyterian churches in Egypt with Sunday Schools often rockin’ the sanctuary on what is a day off from school and work in this part of the world. And indeed, the church in 10th Ramadan City was no exception!
Read MoreToday we visited ETSC (the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo). What an incredibly full day of connections! We met with President Hani Hanna followed by a meeting with a group of seven professors (including the first and second female professors at the Seminary) facilitated by the Academic Dean, Darren Kennedy. We then attended chapel, enjoying worship and a powerful word from Marilyn Borst reminding us to tell the stories of the faithful heroes whom we meet. We next gathered for a delicious meal where we were able to chat informally with members of the faculty and a few students.
Read MoreWe spent the better part of the day at the Synod of the Nile, hosted by the General Secretary, Rev Refat Fathey, learning about the many programs and committees they have formed to reach out to the people of Egypt and to the world.
Read MoreLove covers and moves in this village like the warm sun and comforting breeze. All these are palpable here. Love for the village; love for family; love for the church; and love for God.
Read MoreBy Brady Clark
Today was a little bit of a “recovery day” after nonstop travel from the states and visiting churches in and around Cairo. We took the day to go and experience the rich and ancient history of this amazing country by visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum of Cairo. To see these incredible monoliths and antiquities firsthand was truly an unforgettable experience. One of the things that I was struck by was the ancient Egyptians commitment to the afterlife and their dedication to ensuring that they would be taken care of after they passed from this world.
Read More(After a day spent in Old Coptic Cairo, visiting historic churches whose roots go back to the first years of Christianity, we divided into two groups for evening worship with local Presbyterian congregations.)
Read MoreRain peppered down on us as we snaked our way between the rows of looming apartment buildings in New Cairo, 5th Settlement. I was reminded of our good-humored tour guide, Mourad’s, words, “It only rains 15 days out of the year in Egypt!” Undeterred, we reached a beautiful cemetery that opened up in the midst of the buildings. It was filled with a maze of walls topped with cross after cross - Protestant, Catholic, Coptic - all pointing upward into the heavy clouds toward heaven. On the edge of the cemetery, facing a busy square in this poor area of the 5th Settlement, sits a steep area of sand, waiting. It is waiting to be the foundation of a new church plant building to bring glory to God and transformation to this city with the love and witness from God.
Read More
