Monday: Memories

Monday I got a driver and made a mad rush to the pyramids. I drank in the sights, sounds and smells of crossing the Nile and looking upon the small lush gardens that seem a country of their own..situated in the middle of the city with shanties and women washing laundry in the Nile and men and boys riding donkeys, working their small patches of land whie semi's, taxi's and cars rush thru their day atop the bridge over the small oasis of history.

As I approached the pyramids, I remembered the graduer of my first look. When Jasmine held onto me scared and Joshua ran off without a clue and filled with excitement and I lagged behind with jasmine...behind Anas and Rob who were talking business....and Anas turned and said "come on, Wendy, you alright?" and I was gaping in awe.....

I approached and stood in awe again...

but it only lasted a few seconds..since I was alone, 5 of the Egyptian men who give Egypt it's bad name....approached me....luckily this time, I heard them coming before I smelled them....and I took care of them before they got to me....white lady knew Arabic....responded to their remarks.....oopsie! Oh the shame they felt..and warned others to stay away!

I had some help from Egyptian family - to get myself a good camel ride and driver even! Bless their hearts!! I tried to take a photograph of everything I saw....

Joshua's asthma is flaring, so I didn't keep him out of school to join me in the desert. He left already this morning.....it seemed like madness! Monday madness! I decided to pack the last bag and send it with Rob. I came with 2 kids, 8 carry-ons, 11 suitcases...I decided THIS MORNING at 5:55, that Rob could return with 1 kid, 4 carry-ons and 9 bags! LOLOLOL! So it was Monday madness getting the last of it in.

There's not much left in here...that's tangible, that is.....the rooms are packed from floor to ceiling, wall to wall and the leaky windows are seeping with memories. Memories of first days of fear, uncertainty and PRAYER. Memories of first weeks of rollercoaster emotions when dealing with how to get food, how to homeschool, where to find drinking/cooking water easily and how to manuver in a taxi and walk the streets! Memories of how the kids and I worked through it with prayer, an amazing time of bonding between the three of us..memories of friends coming for a cuppa (meaning to have tea together) and for tea (meaning meals together)...memories of so much laughter, so much growth thru frustration and tolerance....memories.

Drinking in Egypt yesterday...here's a glimpse of a few more of my memories....


In Arabic, it says mSr which is "Egypt"









These little taxi-type cars are called "tawk-tawk"



Cannot get enough "delivery" photos! lol



I'd been wanting to get drinks from one of these little street places...so the driver made it happen! When we were done, I put our glass mugs on the top and he collected them along with 7 LE. MMM fresh mango with orange juice (mixed). Now THAT is going local!

I finally got the local egg delivery guy on camera! COOL!

The Citadel at night - Mohamed Ali Mosque - way cool sunset last night!

Had to show proof of my love for Sam! As he jumped onto my lap when I returned last night!

Sunday's Snot

I was trying to think of another S word for Sunday and be all cute-sie (yes you can roll your eyes) and snot came to mind

lol

because I do so very much crying still. I woke up at 3:12 yesterday crying and the snot just rolled...so there ya have it - Sunday's Snot! ;)

Yrene continues to shower me with with free rides for the kids to and from school so that I have more time to grieve, rest, stare at the wall, pray, pack pack pack pack pack and sort! I'm so thankful!

My day started with tea at Yrene's house with her and Sherry....and lots of tears. I watched Joseph waddle around their living room and count to 3 in Spanish before ramming us full speed with his head. I love the innocence and energy of children! awesome! Then I moved onto Fiona's via Pamela's van. Ade and Pamela met me at the apartment both wanting to drive me - so us 3 rode in Fiona's van. Ade just returned Friday - I haven't seen her since the revolution, they returned to Nigeria the Sun after all chaos broke loose here. It was hard to see her just to say good bye, but I was so glad to serve with her later as you will see!

Mid-day, when I had some moments of composure, I grabbed a photo with Sa3id (sigh-eed). I have always felt so welcomed here, I was so blessed with great men who serve here, not everyone has such great experiences in their living accomodations! I have been richly blessed!!




The kids are mostly sad right now - I think if I could get a grip, they'd be better...but yesterday afternoon they both came home from school moping ;( Jasmine found this box and stayed in it quite sad........

normally, she'd help back bags or organize the rubbish (there goes my "English" again).

Not sure yet what today holds.....we didn't get to do all the last-minute things we wanted...but I did get to take the kids last night to say good bye to Abuna. I cried a LOT. He, Mina, Amy and I are praying for someone to say YES to God, to take over the food ministry.....please pray with us! So many are hurting...we CAN help some!

Saturday's Snapshots

We were going to go to the pyramids, but my ride's car broke down and so we spent the day sorting, packing and distributing...then so glad Flora came to clean! I have so enjoyed our chats and laughter when she's been here...two mornings/week for 4 hours. I took the kids to the club's location on the Nile. Joshua ate grilled fish, Jasmine ate rice in grape leaves, I had chicken with some type of interesting mushroom sauce. After we ate, we sat on the floating dock and snuggled...talked....laughed...remembered....and I cried some more. I would think I'm done crying by now!

Here's a glimpse of Saturday! It started with photos of some of the men who work in the building....I tried to get a group shot of the Sudanese workers but they weren't around. Sunday begins the work week, so should catch them today!

Final Friday Photos

Church was amazing! I know...I know....I should save the best for last...but I simply can't! Church was amazing! I stopped singing and just raised my face up and listened....I was reminded of the different dialects of English all around me..something I had now gotten used to and once sounded so unique and wonderful and very different....I drank it all in, remembering that what brings us together at MCC is love for Christ, being one body...not that we're all the same or that we're all alike..but that we have a similar love, a similar Savior, a similar passion, a similar Father and we recognize it....I drank it in...

and I rushed out twice to sob ;) The sound of His praises being sung in a Muslim country by 40 different nations......some things cannot be expressed in words!

Church before that was TERRIFIC! I hadn't yet taken the kids to St Mary's Church on the Nile. You've seen it photographed FROM the Nile - this is one of the miracles in Egypt - along with a lot of amazing martyrs - a Bible was found floating (forgot when....drats, how annoying! sorry!) in Arabic - opened to Isaiah 19. After what we've been praying and seeing happen, I think it's amazing we chose NOW to go there! Neat neat! The atmosphere was so relaxed and gentle and the sound of the Nile sloshing softly was soothing and the scent by the Nile is always quite a bit fresher..it was much needed by us all! We ran into our Coptic Friend, Mina and enjoyed some drinks togther. He has been the link between our church and the Coptic Priest that some of you know about and I can't wait for freedom of speech to say MORE about! :) We call him "Aboona" - it literally means "our father" - very similar to Catholic speech, but as Coptics don't see him as a mediator between them and God - rather a "guide" and shepherd. There are similarities and differences...just neat to point them out.

Hope you enjoy a glimpse at our day and the extra blessings God brought our way thru friendships not only Friday but EVERYday!

I like that a LOT, Char.....this has been a pit stop and we did know that and there is something great coming....I left a lot of great things....I left a different person....I am going to return to even greater things because of what God has done in me...and I am excited about that!!!!! I am so thankful for how my friendships in Michigan changed - FOR THE BETTER!!!!!!!!! That is an unexpected turn of events! AWESOME!! See you all very soon!! I registered the kids for Excel PLEASE pray we get in this fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could go as I went for Joshua's original drawing..maybe one of you will go in my place?! :) I'd sure love that!

I even took the kids to a mall we hadn't browsed yet BECAUSE - seriously - it opens at 8pm at night! LOL - I will *not* miss having half the day pass before I can go out! nothing is hopping until 11 am here daily! and you know my early riseres never did become Egyptian in that way! LOL

ana henarga3, insha' Allah

I will return, if the Lord wills!

To Egypt, that is.....

with all the chaos here in Egypt - the politics are just "up in the air" (what an understatement). The rich are being under "country arrest" and most of them are also under very intense investigation. That being said, a ripple effect was felt by our family this week....when Rob's boss had to sell his airplane and remove the flight department....eliminating Rob and Anas' jobs.

We are being torn from Egypt. I love America!! But my home is in Egypt and with her people. The last few days have been spent in grieving and praying and waiting...I looked up the word waiting, as most of us spend most of our lives waiting. Some of you are more gracious in waiting than the rest of us...thank you for your example! I looked up the word waiting and enjoyed some of the definitions....because I could relate to them all and because a new one I prayed to relate to....anticipating something next! I found this as a positive definition....anticipating something next!

I am deeply greiving and NOT wanting to leave Egypt permanently...but I know God has some purpose for me next..and so I am anticipating something next....WITH GLADNESS! Oh but the grieving....oh...the grieving.....

yesterday, I had 3 men and 1 woman sitting with me in the apartment. We didn't talk alot...but what we said was more than words. I cried a lot, they would pat my shoulder, the woman would hug me and cry too.....and after awhilewe all dispersed. We all were "waiting" when was an ok to end these shared moments.

I realized, as I talked to my African-American friend (literally she's African American, from Zimbabwe originally, spent 12 yrs in America and is now here in Egypt)...she told me what she grieves when she leaves from visiting any African country to return to America...is the loss of innocent friendship and community...she told me I must take it with me in my heart and work hard at giving it to those in America and instilling it in my children....to not be so guarded, to not look at people wondering "what do they want from me?" and not see friendship with such guarded hearts, but to give openly and innocently and receive it openly and innocently.....

she's right! I challenge myself now to return with the love I found in Egypt and extend it to all of you! and hope you'll catch the fire and continue to spread it! It's a feeling, not a verbal synopsis....and once I'm done being overwhelmed with grief, I hope you all will feel it when you're with me!

the way we Americans hold back with our prayers and love....is tragic!

These are things I can't bring home in a box or wrap carefully in bubblewrap.....but I can let God NOT change me back ;)

I'm not sure my thoughts are clear...I'm sorry for that, but I had to get some things out for you all!

Tues Rob and Anas are leaving Egypt with Joshua to get the aircraft back to Kansas for sale.They will hop from Egypt to Paris. Wed Paris to Iceland. Th Iceland over Greenland to Goose Bay Canada. Fri Canada to Grand Rapids where we will welcome Joshua...and then the airplane w/ pilots onto Kansas. I don't know when Rob is returning to Michigan.

The kids and I will stay with my parents and are moving into the Kentwood home (which we put up for sale a couple weeks ago) April 1st.

I will return to homeschooling when I can function again after jetlag and this intense grievin.

Today we're going to sit on the Nile at one of the Coptic Churches and just "be" together with God. Tonight is the last worship with my African and expat community.

Tomorrow is the last trip to the pyramids and eating Koshari at TaHriir Square!

Sun is school for kids - tea with friends for me and more packing - I have to get it down to 5 suitcases! Sunday is the last round of food bags I will organize and distribute as well.

Monday is Khan el Khalili and falooca.

Tuesday is sending Joshua off and crying and school for Jasmine and of course each day will be spent crying and saying good bye......

Wed is making sure the apartment is empty - I've been donating to the African and Iraqi refugee community and desperately poor Egyptian community. I have sold a few things and that donating to the food ministry.

People asked me if it was this hard to make my first move from the states and I said NOPE - leaving Egypt is EXPONENTIALLY MORE DIFFICULT! why?

How can love be put into words? There are certain loves that cannot be put into words or captured and harnessed by a description! Certain loves can only be shown...can only be felt...can only be appreciated by effects put into action....perhaps if I were an artist,I could draw you a picture to help you feel what I feel....

but for now, I can only tell you that I fell in love in Egypt - WITH Egypt.

"One who drinks from the Nile will return to her one day"
~Pharonic Egyptian Proverb

I will be sure to keep posting our last days here....and I will for sure post as I adjust to life in America - I am sure my reverse culture shock will be at least slightly humorous to you all! especially clean bathrooms and the lack of splattered feces ;)

Some Faces to the Places

Today I had the honor of distributing food to a center for children. These children either have no living parents and are taken in by neighbors..or they have parents...but the caregivers are working. Their jobs pay so low that they live together and cannot afford their own home. The 4 adults who run this home get zero money ever! It is easier for a refugee woman to find work, than a man. Because they can be a nanny or maid (very VERY low paying jobs).

These children were fed banana's today and noodles will be for later - some of them would not have otherwise eaten today except for a cup of milk!

There are political reasons that I cannot include every beautiful photo I took today, but I can include a couple :) Please pray for these people! Even the dual working families make $5/day if they are "lucky" - which is not enough for a shack over their heads or one full tummy/day! Today 150 non working families came - none of them had eaten in at least 2 days..some longer :( I had 60 bags of food.

Deut 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Enjoy the pics! You all know that it's killing me not to take some of them home with me, RIGHT?! ~sigh~

Everyday Life....

Every day continues :) I know some of you still want everyday life notes. I have enjoyed some clothes shopping the last few days with a dear friend. Before that, I enjoyed dinner out and laughter with another dear friend. I plan to slip onto a falooca on the coming weekend (sailboat of the Nile River) as well as enjoy some Egyptian food!

I enjoy the new relationship with the kids where I feel energized to see them in the afternoon when it's time to play together! Instead of burned out from teaching them all day.

I still have my groceries delivered and have proof for you ;)

I still continue to fall short of being perfect and rub people the wrong way and struggle with grace for others and myself sometimes too.

Everyday life is VERY different from your lives ;) But in many ways, still the same....trying to make sure the kids will eat what I make, finding enough hours to relax, enjoy, parent, refresh and take care of the house. And somedays I wake up grumpy and don't know why and wish tomorrow was already here!

Everyday life is the same everywhere in that regard, I think! lol or maybe I just "hope" so that I don't feel 'quite' so guilty! lol

Thanks for praying, encouraging, continuing friendships and accepting me even when I'm not giddy or even when I've been on a 'soapbox' too long!

Love,
Wendy