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Tanzania Update: May and June

Hi all!  We wanted to give you a brief update on what’s been happening so far with regards to our daily life, work, and ministry here in Tanzania, East Africa.  It’s been a little over a month now since our arrival and it’s definitely starting to feel like home.  The YWAM base itself is located in a rural area about 20 min. drive from the center of Morogoro town.  The base sits nicely on one side of a small and unpaved ‘country’ road and is nestled in amongst beautiful plants and trees of different varieties.  All around the base there are small dirt roads and smaller dirt walking paths crisscrossing their way through people’s back yards and quaint little corn patches.  After that, the whole area is surrounded by fields with waving tall grass and lovely lush mountains rise up behind to serve spectacularly as an epic backdrop.  It really is a beautiful area.  Likewise, the people reflect the beauty of the natural setting and particularly, our brothers and sisters working alongside us at the base are incredibly welcoming, friendly, generous and hospitable.  They really are starting to feel like family.  So, all in all, we’re settling in quite well.

              As for our ministry involvement, they’ve been keeping us pretty busy so far.  Leah is serving in the kitchen learning how to cook African food over a fire stove!  She is also doing health education, particularly out in the Masaai villages.  Two or three times a month we go to the Masaai to do Bible teaching and health teaching. (Note: the Masaai people are a traditional East African tribe whose villages are spread throughout the country, typically located in ‘wilderness’ areas.  They live literally in mud huts and keep cows for their livelihood.)

Spencer is teaching English every day at the adult English school on the base, which he is thoroughly enjoying.  He is also leading Bible studies for the male students, some of whom have very little knowledge of the scriptures.

We are also ministering at an old folks’ home and a home for disabled children once a week.  At these places we are basically helping out in any way we can.  These places are understaffed and have little resources so it’s always good to lend a hand to practically demonstrate the love of Jesus.  We also get to sing with and play with the kids at the home, and this is obviously always a delight.

Additionally, we’ve both been able to preach in local churches where congregations meet in ramshackle, half-finished, nearly ‘open-air’ buildings.  These churches are frequently asking us to come and minister so we’re excited that God has given us the opportunity to share His Word and to encourage the believers here.

            On top of all this we’ve been starting to get involved in local ‘door-to-door’ evangelism.  In these rural areas life plods along at a relatively slow pace so there are always lots of people casually and quietly passing the time away (eg: sitting on their porches and under trees, etc.).  The economic conditions here are less than ideal which noticeably contributes to the lack of opportunities and likewise, to the abundance of free time.  We in turn are always eager to make the most out of this situation by simply sharing the Gospel with people as we walk purposefully throughout the immediate area.

            Here in Tanzania it’s discernible that the spiritual harvest is certainly an abundant one.  Many people are receptive to the Gospel.  Many people want to know the love of Christ.  They want to understand that this life can have meaning and purpose, in spite of poverty and suffering.  They want to hold on to a hope that lasts forever.  They want something more to live for.  Pray that we can continually serve in minor ways to practically demonstrate the humble service of our Lord.  Also pray that we can continue to boldly proclaim the Truth of God’s Word to people yet walking in darkness.

We love you all!

Sincerely,

Spencer and Leah      

Favourties of our Middle East Adventure

What has been your favorite/best on our Middle East Adventure…

Spencer:

1)    Host Accommodation: Gene and Jessie’sAqaba Jordan

2)    Restaurant: Gizain tep- Selcuk Turkey

3)    Cold Drink: Shweeps apple- Egypt

4)    Nature experience: Wadi Rum Jordan

5)    Place to walk: boardwalk Akko Israel

6)    Dessert/Sweets: Desserts we had at Nese’s house- Turkey

7)    Beach: Tel Aviv Israel

8)    Town: Selcuk, Turkey

9)    Culture: Turkish

10) Host experience: everyone

11) Mode of transportation: buses

12) Ancient ruins: Ephesus

13) Weather: Akko & Tiberias Israel

14)  Hot drink: Gene and Jessies American style coffee- Jordan

15) Country: Turkey

16) Bakery: Ram Bakery Akko Israel

17) Falafel: Egyptian man in Akko Israel

                 18) Shawarma: by the mosque where they dip the bread in the meat fat- Selcuk Turkey

19) Hike: among the wildflowers and the hills in Selcuk Turkey

20) Swimming spot: Dahab Egypt

21) Miracle: Getting a ride from Akko to Tiberias with Sue and Howie and then because of that they were able to create a new ministry opportunity with our new host family

22) Famous site: Garden Tomb Jerusalem, Israel

23) Music: Turkish pop

24) Bed: Gene &Jessie’s bunk bed - Jordan

25) Bathroom: Gaddis Hotel, Luxor-Egpyt

26) Market: Selcuk- Turkey

27) Breakfasts: Easter Sunday Breastfast with Bishara’s family,  Nazareth, Israel

28) Time with God: everyday

29) Church experience: Istanbul House Of Prayer

30) Hostel: Greenpackers, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel

                 31) Conversation: Canadian Christian couple Mike and Cathy- Selcuk Turkey

32) Funny story: “Russian Invasion” at the Russian Church in Akko, Israel. We almost got locked in the church when these two Russians were done cleaning the Church. I went banging on the door to get to them to unlock the door from the outside, so we could get out! This gogglelieyed Russian man who spoke no English tried to communicate with us. It was a had to be there moment for sure!

33) Stranger: man who helped with metro in Cairo, Egypt

               34) Scamming story: Two Ali’s who drove the carriages that “scammed us” in Luxor Egpyt

35) Fast food: GAD, Cairo, Egypt

                    36) Spontaneous decision: to leave Tel Aviv a day early

37) Trip/ journey: Akko to Tiberias Israel

38) Money currency: Israels bills

                       39)Phrases: “Afietosin” enjoy the meal Turkish

40) Travel layovers: seeing Justin in NY

41) Airport: JFK New York

42) Day: days in Selcuk

43) Night: Dinner at Mike and Cathy’s

                 44) Things about Turkey: Food, people, flowers

45) Things about Israel: Jerusalem

46) Things about Jordan: Gene & Jessie and their kids, and Wadi Rum (the desert)

                47) Things about Egypt: Pyramids, snorkeling

                          48) Tourists we met: Thomas from Germany while we are in Mitzpte Ramon Israel

49) Relaxing moment: sitting and reading on Nese’s Shepard House Guesthouse  roof- Selcuk

50) Animal encounter: turtles in the pond by the Arteimus temple Selcuk Turkey

      Leah:

                      1) Host Accommodation: Gene and Jessie's Jordan, and Gulers Bodrum Turkey

                 2)    Restaurant: Gizain Tep- Selcuk Turkey

3)    Cold Drink: Mint lemon water- Israel

                       4)   Nature experience: Mitzpe Ramon (hiking) and Wadi Rum (desert)

5)    Place to walk: board walk Akko Israel

6)    Dessert/Sweets: any Baklava

7)    Beach: Dahab Egypt

8)    Town: Selcuk  Turkey

9)    Culture: Turkish

10) Host experience: all of them!

11) Mode of transportation: ferries

12) Ancient ruins: Ephesus Turkey

13) Weather: Tiberias Israel (not too hot and not too cold!)

14)  Hot drink: Turkish tea

15) Country: Turkey and Israel

16) Bakery: Ram Bakery Akko Israel

17) Falafel: Egyptian guy in Akko Israel

18) Shawarma: Selcuk by the sweets shop, loved the sauce they put on it

19) Hike: In the “Crater” Miztpe Ramon Israel

20) Swimming spot: Dahab Egypt

21) Miracle: trip Bodrum to Istanbul. A friend of our host spent the night the night before we were leaving. It ended up she was on the same flight as us in the morning. We got a free ride to the airport. Once we landed in Istanbul she found us the right bus to get on to go to the other airport!

22) Famous site: Garden Tomb Jerusalem  Israel

23) Music: Turkish

24) Bed: Gene and Jessie’s bunk bed, surprisingly really comfy- Aqaba Jordan

25) Bathroom: Gene and Jessie’s, bathtub shower so water wasn’t all over the floor- Aqaba Jordan

26) Market: Selcuk, Turkey

27) Breakfasts: Guler’s house, cooked by housekeeper Gunai! Bodrum, Turkey

                28) Time with God: hiking in Mitzpe Israel

29) Church experience: Selcuk, Turkey

30) Hostel:  Green backpackers, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel

                              31) Conversation: Encouraging talks with Christian Canadians, 

                              Mike, Cathy and Jen in   Selcuk Turkey

                     32) Funny story: Huge army guy at Bodrum airport. We saw him come through 

                     security   and I said “it would be funny if he sat next to us”. Then I went to the

                     bathroom. When I came out he was sitting directly across from us. I tried not to 

                      burst out laughing, but it was super funny.

                       33)Stranger: Little boy Mohammad that we met on the train from Luxor to Cairo Egypt

34) Scamming story: perfume story-El Quesir, Egypt

35) Fast food: GAD, Cairo, Egypt

                            36) Spontaneous decision: staying in Selcuk longer

                      37) Trip/ journey: Wadi Rum to Aqaba Jordan because I was looking forward to 

                     going back to Gene and Jessie’s house!

38) Money currency: Turkish

                          39) Phrases: “Ha bee bee” which means love in Arabic and "No Problem, God knows"

                         which Nese used to say all the time!

40) Travel layovers: Greece Airport- one more country checked off our list!

41) Airport: JFK New York- got to see Justin

42) Day: Birthday! Biking around the Sea of Galilee, cake and ice cream!

43) Night: date night when we “splurged” and went to a nice restaurant for dinner Selcuk Turkey

44) Things about Turkey: everything. The people are funny, the food is good, and we met so many awesome people!

45) Things about Israel: Pita and hummus, meeting great Christians

46) Things about Jordan: Gene and Jessie’s! And our overnight adventure in the desert.

47) Things about Egypt: snorkeling, cheap falafels, and lots of tea!

                    48) Tourists we met: Martin from the USA. We invited him to eat at our table for 

                    dinner since he was all by himself. We had an interesting conversation with him.

                   49) Relaxing moment: Sand dune in Wadi Rum

50) Animal encounter: The enchanting white horse on the hill that was covered with wildflowers in Selcuk

May 25: Transition Time

May 25: Transition Time

            This is it, our last official day in the Middle East.  It’s difficult to know exactly what to write to sufficiently summarize our journey.  For one, it’s certainly been a multilayered learning experience.  Each country we visited is so deep and rich in culture and history.  Likewise, this part of the world is also incredibly complex, especially with regards to the overarching oppressive spiritual situation.  In my opinion, from what I know about the world and from what I’ve studied in Scripture (a reliable historical and morally logical text), spiritual realities are the most significant realities, and accordingly they are the realities we should strive to base our lives upon.  Explicitly, this is Spiritual Reality; that we are depraved, rebellious sinners, that we deserve eternal death, that God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to earth on a rescue mission to redeem a lost and dying humanity, that the world is entirely hopeless apart from Christ’s atoning sacrifice, that Christ will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead, to right all wrongs, and to make all things new.  This all-encompassing Reality is the central driving force in my life.  It impels, motivates, and directs every move I make – every thought, every word, every deed.

            So then, how does this Reality specifically apply to the situation in the Middle East?  There are a few ‘big’ noticeable things worth mentioning here.  First and foremost, and obviously, the centrality and preeminence of Islam in this part of the world is unrivaled.  Here, you are basically born Muslim, and if you are not a practicing Muslim, at least you are a Muslim by orientation.  This dark and domineering religious reality drives and shapes societal institutions, cultural characteristics, and national constituents.  Ultimately, Islam controls people’s lives, and thus it tyrannically serves as the biggest, cruelest, most blinding deception in the Middle East.

            Israel is different but similar.  The majority of God’s chosen people have wandered astray, or at least, they’ve been willingly left behind.  Judaism is obsolete.  The Old Testament law is only necessary now in making us aware of our own depravity, aware of our hopelessness apart from Christ, and aware of our desperate need for a savior.  The law, in and of itself, can never save us.  Under the New Covenant of God in Christ, salvation comes by grace through faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself up for us.  Many Jews still reject this.  They reject the divine Messianic claims of Jesus and so they are blind, depressed, and largely, miserable.  The Muslims are trying to ‘be good’ to get to God, and the Jews likewise.  It’s all the same dead, man-made religion.

            In the midst of all this, God through His Church has gained footholds here and there throughout the region.  There are pockets of true believing Christians throughout the Middle East, and though their numbers are few, their resiliency, perseverance, passion and determination is strong.  Along the way we’ve has the privilege of meeting believers (both local and foreign) who’ve committed their lives to working and living in this tough area.  These people have been both inspiring and encouraging.  It’s so spectacular to know that as Christians, we have family all over the world.  Even more spectacular is the reality that God is building His church throughout the globe, and Death and Hades can do absolutely nothing to stop Him.  Citizens from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be represented one day before the throne of our good and gracious King Jesus – this is undeniably inevitable…

            All in all, I’d like to come back here some day.  I know there’s plenty more to see and experience.  I’m definitely drawn to this part of the world.  Even in spite of the spiritual darkness it’s still so full to the brim with color and culture and vibrancy and beauty.  I hope and pray God sends us back.  Who knows what the future holds?

The Journey Between: Desperation

The Journey Between Egypt: Desperation

      Everywhere I look, and everywhere we go in Egypt I see people in desperation. Because of the revolution that happened a year ago, many people who rely on tourists for business have been left desperate. There are hardly any tourists here. We can walk for an hour and not see any other fellow foreigners. The shopkeepers, vendors, boat drivers, carriage drivers, and tour guides are all short of jobs and income.  So for us, coming to Egypt at this particular time has left us as “easy targets” for desperate businessmen.

            When we go out we are normally targeted by many people who either want us to buy their products or use their services, and shopkeepers employ many different tactics to try to get tourists to buy stuff.  We’re impelled to say “la shukran” (no thank you in Arabic) countless times every day.

            It’s hard to see all these people, desperate for even a small amount of money, just simply trying to survive. One particular felucca (sailboat) captain told us he hadn’t had a customer in over three months!  Unsurprisingly, horse-drawn carriage drivers have often rode alongside us in the cities trying persistently to get us to come for a ride.  Only once did we actually make the mistake of complying (basically just to pacify the guy).  It turned out to be a disastrous situation that ended up practically ruining our stay in the city.

            The 2011 Egyptian revolution was primarily good because it put an end to the unjust 29 year dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak, but it has simultaneously left many people jobless, homeless and ultimately desperate for survival. We have seen many towns that used to be filled with tourists on the brink of emptiness.  Many previously full hotels are vacant.  Many businesses have been shut down.  The economy is depressed and many people are desperate.

            As we walk the streets of Egypt it’s impossible not to feel compassion for these people.  We want to be able to help them, even in a small way, but it seems like whenever we try to, we always seem to be taken advantage of. When we capitulate and offer someone business, it seems like they’re often dissatisfied with what we initially agree to pay.  They always want more money. And yes, like I said, we want to help, but when you feel like you’re constantly taken advantage of, scammed, lied to, and essentially discriminated against and treated like a ripe for the pickin’ money tree (because of your white skin), your desire to help diminishes rapidly and you resolve finally to walk away. 

            In the midst of all this however, we have never once felt in danger. Despite these people’s desperation we haven’t witnessed any major harmful situations. We have seen men argue and fight between themselves, but minor scuffles and loud confrontations seem to be the order of the day in Egypt.

            I feel sad for this country. It’s a pity that a few small riots a year ago has largely dissuaded foreigners from traveling here.  The radicals always have to ruin it for everybody else.  Truly, Egypt does have a lot to offer. There are many beautiful historical and famous sites.  The fertile fields along the Nile are beautiful and the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts boast a variety of amazing beaches with spectacular reefs and a colorful array of marine life.  The food is cheap and usually good.  It’s really not such a bad place, but because of last year’s conflict most people have become wary of Egypt.  All in all, the majority of Egypt, in our opinion, is quite safe.

            I must say though, I am glad to leave Egypt. I think we’ve spent enough time here. It’s certainly a hard place to be.  I am not sure if it’s just since the revolution or because Egypt in general is a harder place for foreigners to come and visit.  I have a feeling it’s difficulty may stem from the traditional aggressiveness of the Arabic culture, which tends to be louder, tougher, and crazier than other cultures I’ve been exposed to.  Being in an Islamic nation is also hard. As a believer in Christ it’s easy to feel the spiritual oppression that comes from this prominent religion – especially as a woman.

            I have found it hard to be a woman in Egypt, especially a white, foreign woman.   For one, I cannot go out by my self. I tend to keep my eyes down to avoid eye contact with men. I feel immodest in what I am wearing, even though in Canada it would be completely modest and “safe”.  I find it hard to be comfortable all the time when we are out because I have had a lot of comments directed towards me.  I’ve felt men’s staring eyes, and it makes me uncomfortable, even though Spencer is with me.  We continually get crude and annoying comments directed at us from men as we walk the streets (eg:  “you’re a lucky guy”, or “how many camels” - wanting to ‘buy’ me, or “what a beautiful woman”).  It just makes me feel uncomfortable knowing everyone is looking at me. Obviously we stick out like a sore thumb because we are white foreigners, but even more so now since there aren’t any other foreigners to be ‘targeted’ (I know it sounds like a strong word but this is sometimes how you feel).  Moreover, because I am dressed completely different than the local women I am easy to spot.  I’ve definitely got more skin showing than the local girls, but it’s hard, especially with my limited wardrobe, to completely cover myself in this intense heat!

            I feel bad for the women who have to wear the head covering, whether just the headscarf or the complete face covering that leaves only the eyes showing. It seems so oppressive, like they’re trying to hide.  Sometimes it makes sense though.  Sometimes I feel like I want to hide too, especially as a white woman (like I keep saying).  I have been in crowds of people where I feel completely singled out. It is so easy to feel like a spotlight is shining on you. Everywhere we go we have people greet us, talk to us, or try to sell us something. We haven’t really had a moment’s peace since coming to Egypt. The only way to escape this is to “hide” in the hotel room!

            But Egypt is a desperate place. People are desperate for business, for attention, for money, for a better life! We can see the look of desperation on people’s faces as we walk the streets and go to different places. There are people on the streets begging for some extra change. A lot of the time the beggars are women out looking for anything to help them survive. You can see and even feel their desperation when you walk past. You feel guilty being a “privileged” foreigner.  In truth, you have more material prosperity than they could ever even dream of. When I see the people on the streets begging, looking for help, I wish there was something more that we could do.

            Our time in Egypt has not been fruitless and worthless. God has shown us so much. He has yet again opened our eyes to the realities that so many people are faced with. We were able to show kindness and compassion to people. We were able to share our faith with some. We were given our first taste of the realities of poverty and were reminded yet again how much we have to be thankful for.

             I know, ultimately, that the people of Egypt are not desperate only for physical materials. I know that in their hearts they are seeking a savior - someone to save them, to rescue them from their desperation and emptiness. Not only is the country empty, but people are empty.  People are without the Holy Spirit and without the love of God. They need the hope and salvation that comes only through a great and loving Father in Heaven. More than a healing of their land, the Egyptian people they need a healing of their spirits.

            I pray for the redemption of the souls here.  I pray for the countless millions lost in the Muslim faith.  I pray for them to be found by our glorious and gracious King Jesus. I pray that men, women and children will come to faith in our Lord, and that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit.  I pray that their minds would be renewed, and their hearts transformed. I pray for an outpouring of God’s grace on this land, that He would water it with His love, grace and mercy. This country needs a savior. They just had their first ever democratic elections over the past few days. They are searching for a leader, for a man to rescue them from their depravity. If only they would realize that their Savior is Jesus. If only they could see that their problems are much deeper than surface situations.  Then they would see that their lives are meaningless without a relationship with God the Father (Muslims believe that a personal, intimate relationship with God is inconceivable and ridiculous).

            I pray for Egypt. I pray that Christians would be bold enough to fight for their faith. I pray that the real followers of Christ would flood this nation and that they would rise up and take a stand and boldly display the glory of God each and every day. I pray that souls would be redeemed, and that people’s lives would be changed by the power of the Gospel.

            Please remember to pray for Egypt, especially as they wait and anticipate their new president. Pray for peace, for justice, and for restoration. Keep this nation in your hearts and prayers over these next few months as they undergo governmental change. Pray that the new president would create positive change for this country. But pray even more so that people will meet Jesus and that Egypt will experience a mighty outpouring of God’s grace (as they have already experienced God’s terrible power - *see book of Exodus).  Pray that the people of this oppressed nation will finally turn to Christ as Lord and Savior!

May 24 (Leah's)

 

Our last full day in Cairo…in Egypt…on  our trip…Wow! Time goes by fast, but also, I feel like we have been traveling for a really long time!

            After we ate our breakfast this morning, we met with Antony, the British guy who we were going to go to Garbage City with. We all jumped in a taxi together and when we go to “garbage city” you could tell we were there. It is a place in Cairo where a population of Coptic Christian have been giving the “task” by the Cairo government to collect, sort, and recycle all the garbage in Cairo! This is basically a slum where people are living in piles of garbage. The men usually go throughout Cairo in either carts driven by donkeys or by trucks to collect the garbage. They then bring it back to the “Garbage City” on the outskirts of Cairo, where it is sorted into piles, MASSIVE piles! One building is full of cardboard, another plastic bottles, another clothes. And on and on it goes. Garbage, garbage, garbage. We walked through narrow streets, lined with garbage. Children walk bare foot and play in the garbage, dogs, cats, donkeys roam the streets. Groups of women sort through the piles. It’s a pretty sad place, definitely an eye opening experience. I don’t think I could ever live in a place like this, unless completely forced to!

            We had lots of kids coming up to us. Some asking for money, some just wanting to say to the apparently “weird white people” for walking through their very dirty, smelly and disgusting streets. We had men and women greet us. Some weren’t so happy that we were there, but for the most part, we received kind greetings. One boy shouted words you wouldn’t want to repeat at us when we told him we had no money for him. He turned and started running as he yelled these words, obviously aware that they were words you shouldn’t say!

            I felt a little awkward wondering the streets. I felt compassion and pity for these people, but also at the same time relieved that I didn’t have to live in conditions like that. You would be dirty and smelly all the time!

            The nice thing about this area is that it is a “Christian” district. Coptic Christian. So the women are free to have their heads uncovered which meant that I didn’t feel as “immodest’ with my head uncovered. All of a sudden though as we were walking the streets it turned into the Muslim area, we could tell only by the women because now all their heads were covered. It was like we crossed an invisible line that went from the Coptic Christian area to the Muslim area.

            We went to a famous church in the Coptic Christian area. It is literally build into the rock mountain. It was pretty cool. There was a smaller church, and then another big one. The big one was built coliseum style. There were cool carvings on the “cave” walls, pictures of Jesus dying on the cross, rising from the dead and so on.

            After our time in Garbage City, we went with Antony to this restaurant close to our hotel where they serve a traditional local dish called Kushari. It is like a layered meal. It starts off with rice, then noodles, then lentils, chickpeas, tomato sauce and fried onions. It was good. I added a bit too much hot chili sauce to mine though! Spencer and I shared a cold rice pudding dessert.

            Back at the hotel we enjoyed a cup of tea and crackers with Anthony before he headed off. We spent the remainder of the afternoon in the hotel.            

            We went to GAD again for dinner. They seem to like the fact that we keep coming back! Tomorrow night will be our last time, just before heading off to the airport! We stopped to get some sweets after dinner….. I know we sound like pigs!....Have to indulge a little bit before our year without sweets….No, I am kidding, I am sure we will for sure have sweets in Tanzania!

            As for our last night in Cairo I am pretty sure I will be glad we are going, but all in all, it hasn’t been too too bad! We have had some good days, just wondering around. But to leave Egypt, I think I am ready for that. I am done being overly hassled, lied to, taken advantage of. Not to mention, I am pretty sure I have probably inhaled enough cigarette smoke that is equivalent to me smoking about 20 packages of cigarettes a day! I am almost deaf from the incessant, blasting, obnoxious car horns that are always honking! I have almost got hit by a car every other time I cross the road. To go out walking the streets basically means going through a giant obstacle course as you avoid donkeys, vendors, cars, people, carts, and other random objects on the sidewalks and roads! So I am glad to leave all this behind. Hopefully Tanzania isn’t as bad! But no matter what, I am sure we will enjoy our time!

           

May 23 (Leah's)

 

Today was a lazy day. I didn’t really want to do anything for the first part of the day. We had breakfast, drank tea, wrote, and then I did some major hand-washing. Who knew you could sweat so much just washing clothes- must be good for me!

            We went out to go to the supermarket and fruit market. We also stopped at a bookstore and finally found an English section that had more than just textbooks. We bought a book each since we are quite low on reading material. We ended up eating lunch quite late. I had raisin bran with fruit and Spencer got an Egyptian pancake to go from GAD. We ate our lunch at the hotel and then we skyped with mom and dad Gray.

            We spent some more time hanging out at the hotel. I did a bit more hand-washing. I will have to finish the rest tomorrow. We chatted with a man from the States but who is Palestinian by ethnicity. We talked of the Egyptian election that was happening today and tomorrow, about the Israel and Palestine dispute, and about being a tourist in Egypt and how hard it is.

            We are going to go and see Garbage City tomorrow with a British guy we met at our hotel. He has lived in Cairo for 9 months working with a NGO doing refugee work. He is now on “holiday”. He speaks Arabic and he knows the city, so it will be good to go with him.

We are going to try another place for dinner. Another food-chain restaurant that smelt good when we walked past it this afternoon. Hopefully GAD doesn’t miss us too much!

            It is weird to think that in three days we will be Tanzania! I am getting really excited, but I also hope that I am not idealizing it because Egypt has been hard….I hope we don’t get let down…but that would be our own selfishness that would let us down….I hope I am not expecting things to be “great” and then find out that things are hard…But I guess that is all part of life’s lessons and journey….I am sure we will have a great experience in Tanzania. I know God will continue to lead and guide us, and that He will also teach us, stretch us, and purify us!

            After dinner we went to buy some sweets- even though we didn’t “need” them. It ended up being more expensive than what we expected…we passed a lady (in a burka) with three children sitting on the sidewalk selling small Kleenex packages- we gave her some small money. As we kept walking back to the hotel Spencer felt like he should give her our sweets, so we walked back, and he gave them to her, and she accepted with a big smile on her face. It is so hard to really help people sometimes. You feel like your small deeds don’t mean much, but I hope and pray that every time we reach out to someone in a big or small way, that they get a glimpse of the love and compassion of our heavenly father.

            I sometimes feel horrible walking by these men, women, and children that are on the streets, begging for anything they can get. Sometimes we have money to give, some times we don’t. I admit, that some times I walk by and try to pretend that I don’t see them- because I feel so bad and guilty and I don’t know how to Really help them. I wish we could do something more…..I guess that is why I am really looking forward to going to Tanzania- to be in a place where we can hopefully do something to better the good of the people there…..And God willing, hopefully see some people’s lives changes through faith in Jesus Christ!

May 22

May 22

            I prayed last night that the Holy Spirit would help me be more like Jesus.  I long to be more like Him.  I long for less of me.  It’s the only way I’ll ever truly be happy.  To be more like Christ is to embody the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I’ve got to keep in mind that God is all about our character-growth, or, more appropriately, our complete transformation – conformity to Christ in every way; absolute surrender.  On the one hand I pray for help to be more like Jesus and then I get perturbed and upset when He answers my prayers.  Silly.  Lord, help me.

            Today was another typical day in Egypt, which, I might add, is characterized mainly by inconveniences, annoying people, hassling, and honking.  We’ve barely had a moment’s peace.  We’ve barely had a moment completely to ourselves.  We’ve barely gone through a day without being misled, ripped off, and lied to.  CHARACTER GROWTH.  God keeps answering my prayers.

            Today we decided we would go see an English movie in theatres.  There are numerous cinema complexes in Cairo but only a few of them show movies in English (with Arabic subtitles of course).  I wanted to see Marvel’s The Avengers and figured I would be deprived of new movies for a year so I was adamant about seeing the movie.  We google-mapped the location of the theatre – only about 4 km from our hotel.  We crossed a bridge over the Nile, got led toward a theatre (the wrong one) by another self-proclaimed ‘tour guide,’ and subsequently wound up at an ‘Egyptian Market,’ which is really just a store with a bunch of ‘authentic’ Egyptian paraphernalia like small statues and papyrus paper (for tourists).  The ‘tour guides’ and shopkeepers are always in league it seems.  Anyways, rather than getting cornered in the shop, we briskly made our escape.  We wound up at a theatre and discovered (upon inquiring at the ticket booth) that there were no English movies.  We asked where our theatre was.  “You must take taxi.  Very far.”  So google maps failed us yet again (directions were correct, but impossible to follow in this crazy city).  We took a taxi to the right theatre.

            We took our seats.  We had to move (they have assigned seating).  The movie started.  The movie stopped.  The previews started.  The previews stopped.  In fact, the power for the entire cinema complex blacked out.  We sat in the dark for nearly 45 min with a bunch of noisy Egyptian teenagers flashing their cell phones here and there and giggling and pushing each other around.  It was a mad house.  Then the movie started again – part way through.  I figured we would just have to imagine the beginning.  And then, the movie started!  It was difficult to hear because the sound was turned low and it was hard to focus on the screen because the 3D was wonky but we made it through the movie and I think I understood the plot. 

            We went to Gad again for dinner.  We got our pictures taken with the manager and some of the employees (because they asked).

            Leah suggested we should hide in our small hotel room for the remainder of our time here.  I’d like to think that’d be a good idea but then we’d probably miss out on all the character growth God’s still got in store for us.