October 3, 2003

We spent today hearing reports from our fellow workers throughout the region. The bulk of them are in Egypt, working with local partner organizations as teachers, professors, social workers, nurses, administrators - it's a wonderful variety of ministry. Another is based in Lebanon with the Middle East Council of Churches. He shared news from Iraq. Until now, he says, the situation for Christians has not changed, which means they still enjoy status as a well-respected minority. However, the fear is that all of the upheaval (as well as the uncertain future) has given license to radical Islamic groups who will change that. He also shared the variety of opinion within the Iraqi population - one Iraqi Presbyterian roundly criticized the "chaos" America has brought to his country, while a Sunni Muslim told him, "Anything is better than Saddam."

Our Jordanian staff (finally able to come and join us) shared their trials of the last two years, which included a brief time in Bethlehem when they first arrived. After the family was caught under the siege of the Nativity Church and tear gassed in their homes by the Israeli army, they decided enough was enough and relocated to Jordan. From there, he travels to Egypt and the Occupied Territories to work on issues of hunger, something that is newly devastating for the Palestinian population.

It’s always good to have extra hands for tech support.

We shared the situation and our work along with our colleague in Jerusalem, getting an opportunity in the evening to show the first segment of our film project. It was well-received, and we were relieved to see the technology cooperating (with some coercion) from laptop to LCD projector.

Evenings, we often retire to the cantina outside where we relax in the sea breeze and sip freshly-squeezed mango juice. There are several local conferences going on, and the Center is teeming with Egyptian Presbyterian life!