Care with Love, Fayoum, "farm smell" and prayer request

On Sunday we were invited to participate in the graduation of Care with Love students. Care with Love trains people to become home health care providers (HHCP). This is a relatively new concept in Egypt, as it has only been in the past few years Egypt has experienced the socioeconomic changes that have affected the structure of urban families (leading to family members not readily available nor having the skills to provide care at home). The demand for these services has been overwhelming, and the program is expanding. Jay Reinking, a fellow missionary, will be working with this program here in Cairo as well as the new site in Alexandria. As I learn more about it I will inform you.

Today we traveled to Fayoum, an oasis city in the desert of Egypt, southwest of Cairo. Again, we were honored guests at a very important function laying the cornerstone for a new secondary school (adding to the primary school) sponsored by the church. We were warmly welcomed and soon became the spotlight in the crowd with news cameras following us everywhere. We were the only people asked to stand during the entire ceremony! It took us off-guard, as we were patiently listening to incomprehensible Arabic for 25 or so minutes when suddenly the speaker switches to English and we stand up. I can say without a doubt I would never wish to be famous! Also, as we toured the primary school I noticed that EVERY classroom had a picture of President Mubarak up front and center. Hmmm…it comes to no surprise that there is no separation between church and state here!

On our ride back to Cairo I got a whiff of what I would term “The Farm Smell”—you know it, the cow poop smell you experience driving through Iowa or Nebraska. J I have to admit, when I smelt it I became quite excited—it was home! I can’t explain Cairo’s smell well, but just know it’s a strong mixture of exhaust, trash, more pollution, and sometimes feces (of the human kind). I’d prefer cow smell any day!

Please pray for our group regarding Arabic lessons. I literally cried today after hour 3 of class—it’s very stressful, intense, and demanding. Our teachers are wonderful people and teach well in the Egyptian standard of teaching (very different than America), but the material is so foreign to us (duh) and I for one am not picking it up well at all. Please pray for patience and my ability to learn and retain!