Culture Shock or Sin?

In the last week, I have heard so many people talk about how much they hate Israel. It seems like most of the people in this country does not even think of them as people and would love for the people of Israel to be slaughtered like cows. This has added to some frustration I have had (like feeling used all the time) and I have found myself with a very bad attitude towards the people I am supposed to love and serve.

And then it hit me: CULTURE SHOCK! Right!?!?

I spent some time talking to David about these things a few nights ago. He agreed with me that some of the things we have recently heard (not on television, or through the "grape vine", but from people we know) have been horrible things. Then, he discussed the idea of culture shock. Does it happen? Certainly! But the Biblical term for my thinking was "Sin". Ouch. Without realizing it, I had made an excuse for my sin. So thankful that my husband was so honest with me so that I was able to confess it to the Lord and ask Him to help me to love people as He does.

Matthew 5:43-48 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

God's Still in Control!

When I came to the field nine months ago, I must say, I thought it would be a fairly "quiet" place. Naive, I guess, I thought that since the main industry of the country relied heavily on tourism, everything would remain relatively peaceful in order to keep the money coming. Since we have gotten here many things have changed and I don't really know what to expect for the future. What I do KNOW is that The LORD is GOOD-all the time, and HE is in control.

Our trip to the states last month was good. I really enjoyed spending time with our family and visiting our churches. I learned a lot about trusting the LORD and relying solely on God for all things.

Now, we are back and getting used to some changes. Some good and some that will require adjustment:

Good:
-The people feel more liberated (or at least more hopeful for the future), and Christians feel more at ease to witness.
-More opportunities for us to personally witness because we can share the hope that we have in Christ when much of the city is afraid of what may come.
-The young people have cleaned much of the city and are trying to push people to keep the country clean.

Not so good:
-Many stores (including our "super center") is still not open due to the looting that took place last month, and the meat is more expensive than before. We went to buy beef last night and it was $8 for 1lb of regular ground beef. Needless to say, we didn't get any. Hoping to find it cheaper somewhere else tomorrow.

So, maybe you're wondering how I'm doing personally through it all. I'm ok. I cried on the way to America because I missed my friends and hated leaving them in such chaos. I cried on the way back because I missed my family and friends in the states and was worried about how my children would react to being away from Grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins again. But, the truth is, they are doing well and so am I, thank the LORD. There have been some tough times, but His grace is SUFFICIENT! I am not afraid to go out by myself during the day, but believe the Lord has given us wisdom to avoid certain parts of the city at certain times. I do appreciate your prayers. There are always attacks from within and without, but it is comforting to know that the Lord is on the throne, and we have friends across the world partnering with us in prayer.

Mixed Emotions

Since the bombing in Alexandria, which killed 23 people on New Year's Day, there have been many mixed emotions in the country. The coptic church that was bombed was filled with about 1000 people that attended a midnight service. The coptic religion does not teach that one may attain heaven by trusting in Jesus Christ alone as Savior. Therefore, we are even more grieved.

All of the "christian" community has been deeply effected. Many of our friends have cried while talking with us about what happened, while others have responded with extreme anger. The most encouraging thing that we have heard is that one of our language teachers told us that her muslim friend told her, "If this is what Islam is, then I don't want it anymore." Many coptic people are also scared and are looking for eternal security. Please pray for ALL of the Egyptians. Please pray that the Lord will use this for His glory, as we believe that He will.

For those of you that have called and written asking about our family, we honestly do not believe that we are in any more danger than we were before this happened. We just ask you to pray for the souls of the people here and that no more violence of this manner will take place.

"Does your husband love you?"

So, sitting in Church for two hours or more on Sunday Nights with a two year old and 9 month old is a little difficult to say the least. Tonight, I decided to go down stairs after the first hour and let Joshua play with the other kids. I sat right inside the door to the apartment and the doors always stay open. Tonight, a 22 year old muslim girl was walking by and came in to talk to me (thanks to my beautiful white children that everyone wants to touch). So, we had the basic conversation of what's your name, how old are you, where are you from, etc. Then, I asked her if she knew of Jesus. She said yes, and then said a few words that I don't understand yet. Then, I told her basically everything that I know how to say in arabic about the Lord. She grew a little quiet and then started asking me about my husband. She asked if he was American. Then she asked me if he was a good man. "Yes", I said. And before I could say anything else, she asked, "Does he love you?" (This is a question I have been asked more than once since I have gotten here.) I then explained to her that my husband does love me very much. I told her that my husband loves Jesus and Jesus loves him. And the Bible teaches him to love his wife. I pray to tell these women that "yes, my husband is a good man, and he does love me, but it is because of the Lord. I want them to see the love of Christ.

Please pray for this young lady. She is 22 years old and currently engaged. I believe with all my heart that the Lord brought her into a CHURCH tonight because He is trying to reach her.

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Eid Al Adha

I woke up to sounds of a big celebration this morning: Firecrackers, music, and kids laughing and having fun. It made me sick. Today, is a holiday for the muslims called Eid Al Adha. It means sacrifice. Simply put, everyone got up and went to the mosque around 5:30 this morning. Then, they went to their homes and took their animals they had bought and slaughtered them. If they had yards, this was done in their yards, but for most of the city it was done in the streets and many of the streets are filled with blood. After that the meat is butchered, and all of it is eaten within the next three days. This is done with hopes of improving their chances to go to heaven.

As we walked around our neighborhood this morning, we watched as the poor people stood outside the gates of the villas, waiting for some meat. It is very important for them to eat some of the sacrificed meat. I watched as one lady received a peace and held it so proudly. Her children were rubbing on it. It brought them hope.

Lord, please use us in this needy land. We know that you are the living sacrifice and their is no need for any other. Use us, Lord, to spread Your Word. Send more laborers into the field for Your glory. We love you, Lord Jesus!

God is so good. God is so good. God is so good to me! The last couple of weeks have been difficult, yet rewarding. The weather is finally cooling down!! Yay! I thought we were over the worst of the heat when we had a couple of cool days in the beginning of October, but it warmed back up to the high 90"s and we even saw 5-6 days in October over 100 degrees. Now, the weather is absolutely beautiful. Highs in the low 80's and lows in the mid 60's. We are trying to spend all the time we can outdoors and take advantage of this!

I have had a chance to meet up and begin a relationship with a girl that works at Pizza Hut. Her name is Rasha. She is about 26 years old, been married for about a year and is a follower of Islam. Our conversation is limited right now, but I pray to be a witness to her more as I learn the language. Please be in prayer.

I have dealt with some culture shock during the last couple of weeks and have been a little homesick. I think some of it is because it is normal for the amount of time we have been here and some of it is because I have been thinking about the holidays coming up. The holidays will be different without the big family get-togethers. However, it is my desire to see the Lord glorified here in Egypt and I am so glad to be here, doing His work. Also, David, O what do I say! There's no words for my husband. He is the most incredible man I know. He is the most godly man I know. His life convicts me. When he prays for something, I Know the Lord is going to answer. He treats me like a queen. He is an amazing dad. And, he is a bold witness to those he is around!! So thankful that God gave me the most wonderful husband in the world!! I sure do love him!!

Also thankful that my kids have been so healthy since be have been here!!