Trips Blog

The final day of any mission-vision trip is always bittersweet. On the one hand, we are eager to get home, be reunited with family and friends, unpack our little treasures picked up along the way and to sleep in our own beds once again. And yet, we have become bonded with a group of mostly total strangers who have showed up to explore how God has been at work in his Church and, along the way, over long days and short nights, we have become a traveling family and are a bit reluctant to part ways after our intense shared experiences.

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We started our penultimate day in Egypt with the pre-dawn call to get us moving. Leaving the Hotel Basma we headed for the Aswan International Airport where Mourad continued to find the path of least resistance. Luckily, for those of us over five foot eight we boarded the opposite of Air Italia, a new Egyptian Air A320 with lots of legroom.

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Our day began with a return trip to German Mission Hospital to join their staff for morning worship. Our own Rev. Jason Sentas brought a brief message reflecting on the nature of “work,” reminding us that not only does God call work good, but as those created in the image of God, we too are called to work. And our work becomes a reflection of God’s work in the world.

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Waking up to another early morning, with a 5:30 wake-up call, we prepared to start our day of seeing God’s beautiful creation in Egypt. After eating breakfast outside in the incredible weather, we loaded up the bus to start our journey to Abu Simbel.

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After much needed rest and a gourmet breakfast, we were off again. Our day began at the German Missionary Hospital in Aswan. Founded in 1913, it remains an important part of the healthcare network in the Aswan area. However, this hospital serves primarily the poor, regardless of race, religion or ethnic ancestry. Offering clinics, emergency care, ICU beds, in-patient care, and a surgery center, the hospital sees patients who travel up to 200 miles.

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Sunday started with a 3:30 am wake-up call, followed by 4:00 am breakfast. Our ride to the airport was delayed, leaving us a bit behind schedule. But have no fear, Mourad Sedky, our super guide, was there. He hustled to get us to the front of the line, parting the teeming masses of travelers like Moses parted the Red Sea. At 6:15 am we left Cairo and headed to Aswan.

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Today, we visited the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC), joining the community for their special fall fellowship day!

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We visited 4 churches today, reconnecting with 3 churches I had visited before. Worshipping with them is like getting a glimpse into the Kingdom of Heaven. Even though I did not know all of the songs, somehow it did not seem necessary. Watching the faces of the congregation told me all I needed to know about the words. By the expressions on their faces, and the raised hands, I could tell they were deep in praise and worship. And that was all I needed to find myself in the same place with them – our God is an awesome God! I found myself humming along and praising God.

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With our last two arriving in the wee hours of the morning, The Outreach Foundation team in Egypt was complete: Steve Burgess, Kimmy Briggs, John and Judy Daniel, Morgan Sentas and Jason Sentas, Linda Bowman, and Casey Wood. Grateful to God for safe (and uninterrupted!!!) travel, our jet-lagged and sleep-deprived (but eager!) group headed out for our explorations in Old Coptic Cairo.

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