“Rich on the train to Luxor in 1992″
“Rich on the same train in 2009″
Many of you who know me, know that Egypt has a special place in my heart. (and someone else’s as well!) As an army brat(code for having grown up in a military family), I have lived all over the world and rarely in a place longer than 3 years. So, to travel to a place continually for 17 years is really a strange concept for me. In many ways, Egypt is like a 2nd home to me. I just returned from Egypt at the end of April and, as usual, had a phenomenal time.
I remember the first time I saw and smelled Egypt that fateful life changing day in October of 1991 like it was yesterday. From the taxi ride from the airport where I was horrified to have to put my luggage on the roof to seeing my first of many dead animals on the street, to hearing the call to prayer for the very first time to seeing the pyramids it was the beginning of an incredible friendship with a country that is a land of contradictions, contrasts and incredibly friendly people. It’s hard not to love Egypt once you get used to unbearable poverty, dust, and the incessant car horns!
When I landed in 1991, there was no internet, no mobile phones, and just the occasional sign of western influence. My friends and I rarely cooked but went out for dinner almost every night. Our choices were Egyptian food or our choice of such fine dining establishments as KFC and Pizza Hut. In 2009, my choices for just western food are McDonald’s, Burger King, Carl’s Junior, Subway, Sabarro, Little Caesar’s, Domino’s, Hardee’s, A&W, Baskin Robbins, TGIFriday’s, Starbuck’s, Chili’s and of course the mainstays of KFC and Pizza Hut! And, almost all of those places offer free hi-speed wi-fi! You can even go to the huge shopping mall at buy a blue ray disc of the latest western movie at the Virgin Mega store! Things do certainly change quite a bit over time.
However, with all that westernization the one thing that I also see changing is in the people. Women dress more conservatively now. Rarely did I ever see a fully covered girl in 1991, now it is pretty much a common site. More women do wear their conservative head scarf than they ever did 17 years ago. My Egyptian friends tell me that even some of the language that is spoken is more conservative and more Islamic in nature. That is, Islam continues to be a major influence in the hearts and minds of the people there…especially the students. Why? I have my theories, but that is not the point of this post.
While I was there, I was asked to be a part of a team that would assess the campus ministry in Egypt. I was to listen to students and others tell about their vision for Egypt and what they were doing about it. I heard a lot of optimism and great stories and results that give me hope for Egypt. I was hoping to be able to encourage some of our students and staff there, but instead I was the one who walked away encouraged and hopeful (sounds familiar, eh?). God has been doing quite a lot there in the last 17 years. It might not be as big of an outside change as Egypt has undergone in its’ westernization, but I believe that God is not finished with Egypt and that He is doing something inwardly in the hearts and minds of Egyptians. As Egyptians try to find answers to life’s questions through speaking differently, dressing differently or acting differently, these will only lead to more dissatisfaction. Will you join with me in prayer for Egypt that students, in their dissatifcaction, will come to know the one that wants a relationship with Himself and that I will have wisdom in helping my Egyptian friends reap a harvest that will be unimaginable over the next 17 years?
”Eating at where else, but KFC!” (it was their choice!)
