Grad School in Egypt

So I thought all of you may deserve an update about grad school in Egypt. Let me preface this post by saying it is 2:30 in the morning. Graduate School at the American University is always an adventure, and as alissa says while this may led some to drinking it has led me to fine dining. The best part is living in a flat with three amazing women, and no, i'm not just saying that because they may read this. They have been my compatriots here. helping me through my ups and downs...so much so that I find myself wondering what i will do when they leave Egypt (I'm still trying to convince them to stay...so far unsuccessful...the economy in the us may be on my side though). Migration and Refugee studies....sucks. it's the most depressing **** I've ever studied. If you were frustrated when studying the Israeli Palestinian conflict then you don't know the half of it...o no my friends o no the israeli palestinian conflict pails in comparison to many of the wonderful subjects to which i have paid 9 grand. To add to my delight to the subject, thus far all classes have been taught from the perspective of anthropology, sociology, statistics or law....myself being a poli sci fan, i have been finding myself frustrated and led astray by professors, advisors and colleges.

i have developed friends here...from the young man who (i think actually helped ext. invisible children) who randomly sneaks of b/c the orphanage in kampala needs to speak to him about the children or b/c of his friends in zimbabwe to the man who has worked with refugees every where from afghanistan to sudan....or the white south african refugee who gradutated from cornell...to the egyptian from helwan who already has a Ba and MA in English literature and is not receiving her second MA after working with refugees in cairo for almost ten years ... the social group is always lively fun and ever changing.

the fun social life has been accentuated by my ability to explore parts of egyptian culture which were forbidden to us before...such as bars called hurriya (beer for 10 le) hotels with resturants on top of them...drinking wine in cairo (i think my fav. thus far) and dating. that's right kids. becca has been dating in cairo. an atheist as well. a french artiest. who actually began our relationship by running away from me.. haha. funny story which if i will have to share in person for all of you to appreciate. anyways, in cairo of all places, i find myself dating an atheist. he's a nice french man who teaches french and philosophy in local french h.s. along with private piano lessons. i think it's cute to make fun of his accent and his stubborn french ways, but i actually appreciate the fact that he's making me think about things that i previously took for granted...surprisingly enough not about christianity but about islam....my views of G-d and Christ remain unchallenged. (he does at times challenge them but these questions don't actually challenge me mentally or spiritually) it's the questions about islam that challenge me the most. the other night we had a debate/argument about the appropriateness of the niqab which was so enthralling that two egyptian men stopped their meal and spent their time listening to us....at the time it wasn't so much enthralling as frustrating and annoying. anyways...while dating french man who will remain anonymous to all of you (we call him french kid) i have also had a bit of an internet fling (could we call it that kirsten?) with an israeli guy (we call him israeli kid) okay so tech. he's not israeli yet...he's converting....that has not/cannot go anywhere b/c he's about to officially become a jew, and the type of jew that does believe that non-jewish women are not kosher...but i will admit to all of you right now here on this blog that if he did not view me as being non-kosher (which i find extremely offensive by the way) i'd be the first in line to date this kid even though we'd probably argue more than the french kid and i do now...hehe (*smile*)

this is all summed up to say that in three days i return to the states for holiday. this is after my computer crashed last week...yes my mac of one year old crashed...bye bye finals and papers...yes that's right kids all my papers seemed to disappear. i spent several days mourning the loss of my papers (quite literally) to find out that the great apple store here in cairo was able to save them for me. so here's were i stand with graduate school: I turned in my first final paper this past friday. i just (literally just) finished two of my rough drafts for two other classes) I now have one other paper (which I have an introduction for) which needs to be 10-15 p and a 3-5 p paper along with a final exam to complete all by thursday! (It's now 3 am tuesday morning).

thankfully, my lovely french....dare i say boyfriend (OMG please don't hurt me alissa) brought me back a bottle of wine from his trip in israel. it is an incentive for me to finish my papers. along with the fact, that if i am able to accomplish all of my work by thursday after my computer crashing, i'll be a bit proud of myself! yay! feeling proud of my work would be nice considering that thus far...i've felt a bit overwhelmed and unqualified for graduate school. let me say from my experience of course readers which if stacked are taller than myself and all contain depressing, depressing information, graduate school sucks! also...for those choosing graduate schools....be wise as to how you choose. i chose by location. i have learned the best way to choose is by researching the professors of whom you will be studying under. if you have similar research interests then that's a positive note for that grad school if not move on....i chose by location...and i don't recommend it (grad school wise). love you all and i miss you all...also for those of you who have my cell number you can still call me on that number with no extra cost to you or to me yay...for those of you who don't have it...i think its on facebook...yay!

Hello! Long time no speak....

I am not sure if anyone reads/checks this blog anymore, but I thought I would put this out into the universe.

I am in desperate need of prayer at the moment. Grad school had definitely gotten on top of me among other things. Losing hair and sleep! :) You may or may not remember one of our first nights together as a group. But, we went around the group and we stated certain things that we were unhappy about ourselves, and areas in our lives where we wished to grow etc. I had said that I make bad decisions. And these bad decisions usually root from my low self esteem and my inability to respect myself. I find myself in a position where my past actions have taught me nothing. Without going into too much detail, what I do reflects how I feel about myself and the lengths I will go in order to form relationships of all kinds. I am not myself at the moment.


Still, please keep me in your thoughts. Pray for me.

I know this is abstract, but please pray....in a general way, I guess!

Hope you all are doing well. I do miss our group!

Love, Kaitlyn

My Dear Friends!

Hey all!
I thought I'd drop a quick line with a few thoughts, some updates and the like.
First, I am so excited for all of you who are getting married! Emily and Anna, you both will make beautiful, beautiful brides and wives and my heart literally swelled I was so happy when I read your posts. Alissa, Julianna, Becka, Tory, Kirsten, Micah, Jon and Phil...(is there anyone else), I am so so so jealous and excited for all of you! You get to go back and have all these experiences that hopefully will make our experience make more sense and bring clarity to your lives. Sarah and Kaitlyn, EUROPE is crazy awesome! Congrats! I wonder about the rest of you who haven't blogged in a while...how are those crazy Gruelkirks, Margie? Matts? Hermerding? Heidi is going to Egypt...what about Miss Dena!? Please, update me on your lives! I need it!

I know a lot of you have been thinking and praying for me lately, I appreciate it more than you know! For those out of the loop, my dad has been in some poor, poor health. He had another heart attack, two heart surgeries and a stroke and is currently in a rehabilition center in Cleveland learning how to lift his right arm again. It's strange. I know when people go through these kinds of things they are supposed to feel far from God, or close to God, but I don't really feel anything about it. I mean, I am upset about my dad, I cry a lot these days, but I don't really feel emotive at all toward my Maker. Any Psych majors out there? =)

I ended up taking that job I was telling you all about. I'd love to tell you all about it, but they have searches out there on google and the last time I posted, they found it and my boss hounded me mercilessly about blogging about not wanting the job I took...thus, I cannot say much about it. Although, I will say it's not really enough for me. It's an AmeriCorps position, and that's cool--I work for an organization that promotes and convenes colleges toward the end goal of creating civically engaged and socially responsible students and people. That's great, right?! I mean, that's what I wanted my whole time at Spring Arbor...and I am resourcing and overseeing 12 people who directly work on college campuses and work toward that same goal. But I sit in a cubicle and help some people with their payroll, others I help find more service-learning opportunities in their area, but it's different than what I thought Iwould be doing. I thought I would be doing this great, big thing that worked this great, big idea and had a great, big impact.
My time is up in July, and I'm looking to the next step already. Maybe grad school, maybe Egypt, maybe moving home to take care of my dad--although I can tell you what I'm hoping for... =) We'll see.

I love you all and thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, and cannot wait to hear what all ya'll are up to!! Much love from Lansing, Habibiim! (I think, I can never remember...)

Hey!

So I've been in the West Bank for the past month and a half studying Arabic and doing campus ministry. It's been awesome and crazy and I totally miss you guys but realize more then ever how awesome our experience together in Cairo was. Anyway, last night a Christian village near us had an Oktoberfest festival and I went with a friend of mine. And, my friends, I saw dabke and table playing that kicked ours in the butt. Holy cow, it was AMAZING!!! And it brought back such sweet memories of dancing on the roof. Guys, I really wish you could have seen it. My friend and I committed to enrolling in a dabke class in Ramallah next week it was so good. So now I get to experience dabke again, and believe you me, I will be thinking of you whenever I do.

I will be in Cairo at least for the begining of December, and then will probably be back in the West Bank after that. I look forward to seeing everyone in Egypt then! Insha'allah I will get to meet up with the MESP group when they come through Jerusalem--Austrian Hospice bread anyone?

Love you guys!

England!

I have been in the UK at the University of East Anglia for the last month. I am here for the next year working on my Master's in Museology. If any of you will be anywhere nearby, it would be great to get to see you!!!

-Kaitlyn

Egypt holiday

Congratulations Emily and Anna!  I have some rather exciting news as well, though not at all of the same caliber.  I'll be traveling to Egypt for two weeks over Christmas and New Years!  I fly into Cairo on Christmas Eve with a friend of mine from school.  If any of you will be in the city on Christmas Eve or Christmas day what would you say to spending the holiday together?  Hope you're all well and enjoying the transition back to Egypt, school, work and MESP.  Talk to you soon!

Portland travel plans

Hey guys. I don't have anything as exciting as engagements or overseas travel plans (well at least not set in stone overseas travel plans yet...) but work is going to be flying me to Portland for a week of training. I don't know exactly how much of my time will be taken up by this but I would like to visit with anyone still in the area if the possible.

I'll be coming in late on 9/21 and flying back out early on 9/27. If anyone will be in the area and want to try to get together e-mail me and we'll see what we can work out.

my update

So I thought I'd do a little update as well. I am also engaged. I met Tom last summer on a missions trip to West Virginia and we started dating in January, and just got engaged. For those of you thinking, "wow anna, that's a short dating period" the answer is no, I'm not pregnent! We're getting married next October, so mark your calanders so you can participate in the fall farm fun fest.... I think we're getting married on a farm, it fits me well.
I hope to hear about everyone else's life, I really miss you guys!
Tom and I might be taking a trip to Turkey next summer for my sister's wedding, so I'm trying to talk him into a side trip to Aguza... I'd love to see whoever is there!
Anna

an update

I'm engaged. Jon and I just set the date for Oct. 3, 2009 (possible MESP reunion?). Jon and I grew up together and started dating shortly after I came home from Egypt. He just graduated from the US Air Force Academy and is going to be based in Florida for the next couple years. I am still planning to go to Korea for the coming year, although I am having a difficult time coordinating with the school in Korea and the Korean Consulate in Chicago to get a visa. This next year will definitely be interesting.

Well, I trust all your summer adventures are going well. May God continue to bless you and open doors for you.

Back in Cairo...Soon

I guess things are official now. I have been planning on moving back to Cairo and praying that God would provide a way for me to do so if it be in his will. God provided and a couple days ago I accepted a position at ICON Communications (Keem's company) as an executive assistant. My contract is for 1 year. I could not be any happier to be in this position; however, I would be lying if I said there was not a part of me that is nervous. Sometimes I think my willingness (or maybe capability) to for a moment suspend my highly analytical side to make decisions like the decision to move to Cairo is God's way of reminding me that I am not my own but that I am his. Often I am able to prevent situations that put me out of control by relying on my ability to think through fine details and potential problems. Whereas this ability can be good, it doesn't lend itself to allowing me to acknowledge the One who is really in control. Now that I think about my move, I am starting to realize there is no way that I will be able to prevent problems, frustrations, hang-ups, etc., but those problems and frustrations will give me the opportunity to lean on God...the One who is really in control.

Makes you proud to be an American...

I have a childhood friend who is in Iraq right now with the Marines. Recently a friend of his (also in the Marines) posted on his Facebook wall saying:

"btw- i saw a bunch of guys who got blown up in the back of a pick up truck the other day. it was funny because i said to myself "wow, they're having a bad day but my day is pretty great." then the next day i see a dead puppy and i almost cried. ps- those dead guys hated jesus."

What sort of military do we have that lets people like this join up? This guy represents ME to Iraqi citizens!?!

It is possible to attempt to explain this soldiers perspective by pointing to the fact that he is under a lot of stress. I want to be sympathetic. But, if he is under so much stress that he is no longer able to see the value of human life, then the military should be doing something to help him deal with his stress. Look at what war has done. It has turned us all into monsters.

A wise man that I deeply respect recently told me that he wants the Department of Defense to be run by a pacifist.

Update

In early May, Tory and I got to hang out for a while prior to her departure for Colorado. It just so happened that Tory had gotten wind of the fact that Abouna Chacour was going to be in town on the weekend, so we went to hear him talk about Ibilin. It was terrific.
More recently, I was looking at my old photos from MESP. It made me physically sick out of my desire to be near to you all again. I miss you all terribly.
I was looking at a stump outside of my house a few days ago. I had mowed arround it for years. Then, I had hacked it to pieces with an axe. The stump was not particularly important to me, but it did constitute a portion of my life, of who I am. I could talk at great length about the stump and never get close to conveying the weightiness of this tiny object within my life. Indeed it is a tiny object of no significance. Compare that to MESP and my experiences with you. You all have played a HUGE role in my life to date. I could not, even in a million years, convey the depth of your impact upon who I am today. I cannot even convey the significance of a tiny stump in my backyard. How can I hope to put my experiences with you into words? No one really understands what we experienced together except for us. Even those who went on MESP on other semesters had different experiences. (although there is a ton of common ground that makes communication SO much easier)
This is part of what is so beautiful about Matt and Suzannah Gruelkirk. They share this common experience.
All this goes to say that I dont know what to do with MESP. On one of our last days, we sat in the classroom and Dr. Dave asked us what our overall feelings were regarding MESP. I was the last to go and I honestly said that a part of me wished that I could forget what I had learned. Ignorance is bliss. A part of me wished that I had not come on MESP because I knew how difficult (it has proved impossible so far) it would be to return to life as normal. Of course I am glad that I went and learned and experienced. I am glad that I got to know all of you. Yet if Dr. Dave asked me the same question again, I would have the same answer. Ignorance IS bliss and while, being the person that I am, I can never knowingly choose ignorance over knowledge, it is a real temptation...
It is a temptation to forget. It is a temptation to "move on." It is a temptation to shove MESP aside as a "nice experience." All the while, the truth remains that I am deeply MESPed up.
I was deeply moved as I looked through the pictures. I was moved because I did not know what to do with you. You, the people with whom I share this deep bond, are so very far away. You are the ones who understand who I am, where I have been and what I have seen. As a group, you know me better than almost anyone else in the world.
What are we to do? How do you say goodbye to someone who touched you? How do you forget without forgetting? How do you let go without letting go? I have tried to keep in touch with a number of you to considerable sucess. But, is it sustainable? Can we really maintain close contact with each other? It is not going to last. The phone calls will become farther and farther appart. (By the way, I am NOT trying to guilt trip anyone. Im just trying to state the facts.) We cant continue living as though MESP never ended. We must somehow move forward without abandoning what we have learned and experienced. Im struggling to do this, but after only a year and a half, I feel as though I am being torn in two.
I have always been terrible with goodbyes.
God has asked so much of me in the past year and a half. He has asked me to give up everything that I once held dear. He has asked me to give up on hopes and dreams and ambitions. I have turned over my life to Him. He is in charge... but I still feel pain.

American University in Cairo

Just an update. I have been admitted into the American University in Cairo to pursue a MA in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies. I will probably be arriving in Cairo in early August. I look forward to seeing the rest of you who are returning as well! Thanks for all of your support! YAY!!!

Seeking Wisdom

I need your help on a decision I have to make. I've been offered a job (two actually, but the other I already turned down), with Americorps VISTA. VISTA sets up college grads to work within an NGO for about $10,000 a year and a close to $5,000 education award at the end. I have to decide to turn down or accept this position by Tuesday morning...YIKES! The job is in Lansing and it's with an organization in Michigan that encourages civic engagement for college students. I would be overseeing about 10 people who are also VISTA members but are living on college campuses setting up service learning opportunities. I originally applied for that position, but they had already filled up, so I interviewed for this one and they offered it to me.

Here are my problems: little money, not a great location, and something that has recently bothered me...the job is not exciting. I don't count it meaningful in the way that I'm reading to the blind or even helping people better their position in life. I would be acting as a leader and liason to help other leaders liason their way to helping college students do community service. It's so far removed from the ground, that I feel like I won't feel...needed, valuable. ya know? Is that dumb?

Here are the positives: not far from home or my friends from school, a good transition place, the education award helps with the loans, I could have the next 12 months decided--which would be a huge relief. and, I might be living and working with one of my best friends from school

Help me gang. You know me, I trust you. Help me. Be objective and help me decide--take it or leave it?

I love you and envy all of you with the means to return to Cairo. =) much love.

Not Cairo, but Korea

I haven't posted an update in awhile, I apologize, but please know I frequently check the blog to see what the rest of you are up to. For a short update, I finally have a job. I was offered a position at Kosin University in Busan, South Korea. I start in August and will be teaching conversational English. I don't speak Korean and I'm not an education major so it will be an adventure. One of my best friends from Dordt is also going which I'm pretty excited about. I'm sad I won't be joining the large group of you going back to Cairo but I'm pretty excited for a different type of international experience. And if you are ever traveling through South Korea shoot me an email.

Dr. Dave is married, Cairo is still wonderful, and other updates...

Hey there...

From the first couple of minutes when a taxi driver offered to take me to Tahrir for 300 Egyptian Pounds, to the hour or so I spent in Cairo's airport, sick and wishing I had great friends to help take care of me again, I wished you guys were with me! Honestly, I missed you guys a ton last week!!! You all would have LOVED going back! For those of you who aren't going back anytime soon, consider it. Cairo really isn't as dirty and the men really aren't as aweful as you remember...

I actually ended up staying a couple of nights in flat five with some MESP girls from this Spring and I realized then, more then ever, how wonderful you all are and how incredible our semester was. It was really really good to connect with other MESPers in Cairo and to hear their stories. Generally the trip was incredible! It wasn't quite what I expected (particularly the conference) but I had a really good time and learned a lot of unexpected lessons. For example, it is still not a good idea to drink Cairo's water, despite how invincible or confident you feel being back in Cairo...bad things still happen when you do...finals week was slightly less then succesful due to those bad things...and yet, it's done. I graduated a couple of days ago and (astonomy and macroeconomic final grades pending) am free!

Anyway, I'm not really sure how to update you guys...I still haven't processed it all in my head...but here goes:

The first couple of days I spent hanging out with people from my work (Hands Along the Nile) and the Coptic Evangelical Theological Seminary. I met some sweet Arab Protestant Christians. I know Dr. Dave and Heather sort of preconditioned us to avoid and be hesitant about protestant Christianity in the Middle East, but I have discovered, my friends, that some have done it right and many are doing amazing things. I spent about four hours talking to an Iraqi Christian about pacifism, politics, martyrdom, and the global Body of Christ while drinking chai...how much more amazing can things get?!

The first day of the conference I was standing there networking as best as I can and you'll never guess who walked up to me and gave me a hug...Steve Allen! Apperantly he decided to fly into Cairo during one of his breaks to attend the same conference I was and visit people! Probably one of the more enjoyable aspects of the conference--Steve, if you're reading this, you really were the sexiest person there...seriously. The conference was relatively decent with a lot of speakers and presenters giving lectures and responding to questions on Egyptian development/democratization/politics...but to be honest, it was nothing new. What was cool was to be able to talk about some of the topics in a "small group" where I was the only one who didn't speak fluent Arabic. We were able to talk about some stuff that MESP wasn't able to cover (Egyptian pop culture, youth development, social/political activism...etc) which gave Cairo a whole other dimension. For those of you who are going back to Cairo, check out the Townhouse Gallery. It's in walking distance from Tahrir and is trying to be all "cutting edge" and artsy with Egyptian and refugee youth.

The coolest part of the entire trip was for sure hanging out in Agouza with the MESPers (and Steve and Dave...). There were a couple of girls hanging around after the semester and they totally welcomed me into their flat. They took me to a coffee house in Agouza they found that serves both men and women (found right on Shahine (sp?)), I took them to Spectras for the first time (crazy--right?!), and we spent hours just talking...which was really nice. Had dinner twice with Dr. Dave and his wife, Susanne, who, by the way, is fantastic. Apperantly she took on a really integral role at MESP and everyone loves her and can't imagine life without her. Dave has toned down a bit because of her--it's really cute to see him walking across the brige from the Chiles on the Nile to Agouza hand in hand with her.

Everyone as MESP is excited for our semester to begin heading back. Apperantly our semester is renound both for how many students are getting ready to go back to the region and for how "close" we've all stayed.

For those of you who are interested (I know at least most of the girls...), I was also able to have dinner with Phil Rizk while I was there--he's at AUC now as a freelance journalist in the ME studies masters program. Same cynical, philosophic, slightly off-beat guy we met on our semester...but seems to have experienced a lifetime worth of experiences. I think Gaza really got to him. He had a photo exhibition at the Townhouse Gallery the month before I got there--just another reason to check it out...; ).

I am going to wrap up this update because it could go on forever, which it probably doesn't need to. Email me if you want to hear more. Conclusively I can say that I am more than ready to move back. I am still thinking Palestine's the place to be (I got into a program at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut...but am thinking that is probably not an option given what's going on...). It was really encouraging to go back and be immediately welcomed into a community of people who are asking the right questions and loving the right kind of people. I am really excited for everyone who is going to be in Cairo--you'll have a stinking fantastic time. I'll be in Boulder, CO this summer working if anyone comes my way, and hopefully I'll be in Palestine by late August. Hope you all are doing well and insha'allah I'll see you soon! I love you!!!

Tory

Joining il hafla (the party)

I just got offered a position in Beni Suef, Egypt, working with the Mennonite Central Committee. Im SUPER excited. I'll be relatively near Phil. Hafla!!!!!!!!!

I remembered a few things more about our time in Egypt.
-Walking to Baskin Robbins on one of the first days to celebrate Heidi's birthday.
-Playing the "telephone" game in that restaurant in Siwa
-Dates
-Puns about dates that lost their humor after the first one...
-(Guys) that massive indentation in the couch.
-Air-conditioners that are mounted in the wall.
-bidets
-gummies
-random dance parties in hotel rooms
-Krispy's
-"gibna beetsa" ---> "cheese pizza"

Please add your own memories
The smallest memories trigger such amazing feelings.

I miss you all!

Hi everybody! I'm hijacking Suzannah's sign in because I can't write logs myself (if someone can get me permissions, that'd be great!). I want you all to know how much I miss being in your presence. I've finally gotten around to checking the blog, and it is so good to be hearing what all of you are up to.

Suz and I are still in Seattle, working off our (well, my) school loans. We're both in the non-profit world: She with an org. providing family services and healthcare to the uninsured and me working at shelters and subsidized housing projects in the downtown area. We're both on the search for new jobs, but as with others, we've been struck by how hard it is to find good jobs! And more than that, knowing what direction to take. Suz and I both want to go back to the Middle East, but in what capacity? It's a huge challenge, this introspective process of discernment.

We recently had the opportunity to attend the Living Stones conference here in Seattle focusing specifically on Palestinian Christians and generally on the Pal/Israeli conflict. I didn't realize how prevalent nonviolence was among Christians in the Holy Land. All four of the Pal Christian panelists had been raised to believe that nonviolence is the only way to resolve conflict, and they represent the rule, not the exception. Get four Christians from the US in a panel and I suspect 3.9 of them profess faith in some sort of just war theory. Interesting, huh? One factoid among many from a powerful conference.

Before I sign out, I wanted to see if there was still interest for Suz and I to share about our experience in the West Bank after the MESP semester concluded. We never found the time to put life on hold long enough to truly share adequately about our experience to you all. Let us know...

With lots 'o love,
Matt

I just got to turkey!!!

The title pretty much says it all... but I also I miss you all a lot!

Memories w/ haga taani

Here are some memories from MESP:
-The fact that ketchup does not taste the same in the Middle East.
-The overpoweringly intense incense in the Coptic church.
-Altay, our amazing guide through Turkey.
-Europeans in spedos on the cruise.
-The way that Kareema said "Shokran" if you complimented her on her food.
-Dancing Diaa.
-(on the telephone) "Hello, this is Micah Schuurman..."
-Granola mixed with yoghurt in Israel.
-Playing ultimate frisbee and soccer in Galilee. (and the most memorable aspect of the game, Hawthorne running into a car and putting a dent into it... no Matt, Im never going to let you forget that... :) )
-Matt Gruelkirk losing everything (his backpack, journal and camera in the taxi, his nalgene bottle on at least two occasions, one occasion involving a river)
-Molly's spunk and determination in her battle with her worms.
-Pommegranates, sometimes with icecream.
-The gigantic fish that we saw while snorkeling in the Red Sea. It was a Baracuda and it was looking at me hungrily... I swear!!!
-Singing songs on the roof of the villa for devotions.
-Baclava
-The fact that Turkish Delight isnt as delightful as one might imagine.
-Sand-boarding in Siwa
-That picture of Steve, with a huge beard and a belly dancing outfit.
-Steve's revenge: A video of Dena bellydancing.
-El Abd cookies and cake.
-The super sour oranges at Anafora that Becca kept enticing people to eat. :)
-The beds at Anafora. I felt like royalty with those misquito nets.
-The ornate chapel at the Austrian Hospice. That place was incredible!
-Steve and Anna when she visited (I think that they are engaged now)

That is enough for the moment. Im sure that more will come back to me. Post your own memories that I have forgotten.

Im doing all right. I seem to be through the worst part of my depression. Il-hamdu-lillah! Im still sad a lot, but Im doing better. I have very mixed feelings about leaving Dordt. I want to get out of here. But, there is a lot that I will miss here. I try not to think about it.
The biggest thing that I am struggling with at the moment is my health. This is the third Sunday in a row that I have gotten hit with a fever. I get better after a few days, but it keeps happening over and over... every Sunday...
The nurse diagnosed me with mono. Then the doctor undiagnosed me with mono, saying that it was some other virus. Whatever it is, I dont like it.
I am applying to work with the Mennonite Central Committee. Im hoping to get a position almost exactly the same as Phil's. The interviews that I have had so far have been really encouraging. Please pray for this whole process.
In other news, I am about as close as possible to being a pacifist without actually being one. Im writing a paper on it in which I show the problems with the modern Christian interpretations of Just War Theory. For me, it hinges on Abraham. He is the father of our faith. He was willing to sacrifice his own son, his only son whom he loved. If you read the scripture leading up to the sacrifice of Isaac, you see that Isaac meant everything to Abraham. He was the son of promise, the son through whom God would bless the nations. Isaac was the summation of all for which Abraham had lived. Yet he was willing to make the sacrifice, fully believing that God would return Isaac to him.
If we would claim to have Abraham as our spiritual ancestor (Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham, I am one of them and so are you...) we should be similarly willing to give up everything, our liberties, our freedoms, our property, our own lives and even our sons and daughters whom we love. I say all this to make the point that self-defense is not an excuse to disobey the commands of Jesus regarding loving our neighbor. This does not "prove" pacifism. But, it is a serious question that we must ask regarding violence. God sometimes demands that his servants give all that they have. Look no further than the martyrs who have gone before us.
So, yeah, this is what I am thinking about. Jon, can you tell that I have been reading Kierkegaard? Can you tell which book? :)
Salaam ya habibeen

PS. Tory, when are you going to give us an update?

Turkey..

Hey Everyone
I am really excited to read about everyone's lives, especially those who are headed back to Egypt. Congratualtions Jon! You'll be a great intern!
Well, just wanted to let everyone know that I'm headed to Turkey next week for 10 days to see my new nephew, and my sister and I are going to take a bus trip to Damascus for a few days which I think I am even more excited for!
I miss you all! Let me know if anyone wants anything!
Anna

Another joining the Cairo crowd

Hey y'all,

This morning I got an e-mail from Dr. Dave telling me that he and Diaa are looking forward to having me be the next male MESP intern!

AL-HAMDILLAH!

And, this morning, I finished my senior thesis and sent it off to the poli-sci department, so a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm super-excited, especially about once again getting to hang out with all of y'all who are going to be in Cairo and that general area. Come on, everyone who isn't planning on moving to Egypt yet, everybody's doing it...join the club.

I'll have a bigger life update sometime soon, but I really wanted to share that with y'all.
Peace,
Jon

Dear friends,

I just figured out what I'm doing next year. I'm going to Egypt! I will be going with MCC to Beba, which I gather is about two hours south of Cairo. I'll be working out of a Coptic diocese, and most of my formal duties will be ESL-related. I'll also be doing some informal tutoring, and of course I'll be trying to learn as much Arabic as I can. I'm really excited! I look forward to visiting anyone who ends up in Cairo (and if I can take a vacation to Ramallah, I'll definitely do that, too, Tory!).

Besides this, not much is happening. I'm quite ready to be done with school (anyone else?)--good thing it's coming soon!

I hope your semesters finish well (and fast).

With much love,
Phil

Jewish refugees

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11021245

I'd like to know what you all think about this article....I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Next week in...Cairo???

Hey bisen...so this is TOTALLY unlike me which is why what I am about to tell you is so funny. And sort of scary and unprecedented. But just a couple of hours ago I bought tickets to go to Cairo for a week. The week before our finals week and by graduation to be exact. "Why?" you might ask...well, that's an excellent question. There's this conference that my teachers recommended for me to apply for (the Global Young Leaders Summit) and once I got in everyone was really really encouraging me to attend...and so here I go. I can't believe I just spent $1000 to be in Cairo for a week...

All that to say is...I'm going back to Cairo in, like, a week!!!! Basically I get three days to hang out before the conference...so I'm trying to plan out really cool things to do: see Dr. Dave and Diaa and the MESP students, visit my host family...What I really wish I had right now was the Croc. All I really knew how to do when we were there was study. What to do in Cairo with three completely free days...

Let me know your guys' thoughts!

In other news, it looks like I'll be in Palestine in the fall. I am applying for Birzeit University's International Student Program (Palestinian and Arab Studies Program) and I am in communication with a bunch of different people about jobs/volunteer opportunities in the area. I'm super excited...though I still have no idea what I'll actually be doing...it's exciting to know that I'm just going. Again, scary because I feel like it's totally and completely in God's hands...but good. I'll write a better update later. Graduation in a month!!!

Wish you guys were coming with me to Cairo!!!

Tory

Updates, revelations, and confessions

I promised everyone a better update at some point, well here it is.

I'm at a low point in my life, personally, spiritually, economically, relationally, pretty much every way I can be. Well I take that back, I have a decent job in and though I feel underpaid I should not overlook the fact that I do have a job and work for a company none for not laying off people, so not every way but most ways.

This is meant to be a statement of fact and an update, not a plea for pity, sympathy, or payer, because I know that I am in a valley that I have been digging myself for years and I have no one to blame but myself and the only way to find the mountains again is to change these self-destructive and unproductive habits I have.

These revelations come as I am taking inventory of my life after some recent and major changes in my life. Diana and I broke up almost 2 months ago and though ultimately I know that this is what needed to happen and I have no doubt that it is God's will, I have gone thru some major periods of depression. But, it has really taught me many things, about myself, about God, and about how I'm going to get to where God wants me to be.

I've realized that I am a social chameleon. This isn't as true as it once way, but it is still very true. I am very shy at first when I meet people, observing, taking in, learning what they like and don't like, and ultimately who they want me to be. Then I adapt myself to that group of people, forcing my self to fit in where I ultimately may not. It's a defense mechanism I taught myself in middle school to keep myself from the constant ridiculing I endured. While this is an excellent defense mechanism, a chameleon, by it's very nature, never stands out. God is calling me to a life where I am supposed to be set apart, where I call people to truth, where I push for change. This is will never happen as long as I continue to hide believes that I fear will ostracize me.

I am often envious when I read posts on here and see how you guys are doing exactly the things I want to be doing, while I hide in the shadows afraid that I don't have the strength of will to do it. In particular I want to say this of Micah. Micah you continue to push on for what you believe in though it seems the entire world is against you. You fight for what you believe in, even though doing so is like walking thru fire. I wish I had 1/10 of your courage!

I've also learned how selfish I am and how much of my life I live for myself, particularly in my spiritual life. Looking back at my spiritual life I am reminded of Israel (not the modern nation, but the Biblical nation). I've been reading thru the Old Testament and I'm working thru 1 & 2 Kings right now and it seems like the story of my life. King X comes to rule Israel (or Judah) but he was a wicked king and set up many idols and because of his wickedness [insert bad thing] happens to Israel or X prophet speaks out against him. It seems like the nation just goes from one phase of idolatry to the next, with an occasionally short lived repentance when tragedy strikes.

I feel like my whole life God has pursued me, calling me to ministry and calling me away from the various things I do that don't live up to his standards. But the Christian life is supposed to work the other way. I should be pursing God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. It's ironic that one of my favorite passages in all of scripture is when Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandment and he responds with this. I've loved this verse for so long, but it has never truly sank in or taken root in my life.

I look back at my relationship with Diana and all of my other relationships with women. I see the fire and the passion I pursed them with, even ignoring faults I may see or warning signs that the relationship won't last. Why have I never pursed God like this, who has no faults, who will never hurt me, who only wants what is best for me always and forever. I recently read Captivating (this is the female equivalent of Wild at Heart for those who don't know) and it taught me a lot about how God wants to be pursed with that same passion that I've pursed the women in my past. He wants me to think about him constantly, to find creative ways to please / make Him smile. He wants me to give up large portions of my free time talking with Him and sharing with Him. He wants me to think of Him as the most precious thing in my life, like a pearl of great price.

Thinking of it this way really caused it to click for me in a new and exciting way. We often, (well maybe not everyone, but I know I often do) think of God in masculine form, but this not true. God is wholly other, neither male nor female, yet both male and female were created in his image, so while he is neither he encapsulates both. Perhaps this is why when we talk of couples we talk of completion.

These revelations probably aren't anything starling for most of you, and in a way they aren't for me either. These are things that I've "known" for pretty much my whole life, but it's time to start living them. I feel like I'm at a crossroads right now. God's tired of my lukewarmness and it's time I either live with passion for him or be spewed from his mouth. I felt I needed to write this because a) I promised you all an update on my last post, b) it's easy for me to say this in my head and then forget it the next day like I've done so many times in my life. I felt I needed to announce it and allow others to keep me accountable to the promises I'm making to myself and to God today.

Now for an update on the specific changes in my day to day life.

I've switched to working 3rd shift now. The change has been somewhat difficult, but ultimately I like the more free time I have and I think that it is the right thing to do career wise, at least for the time being.

I'm looking for apartments. I think I've pretty much found one. Most likely I will be moving to Clifton, which is a fairly rough urban area in downtown Cincinnati. I'm hoping that this will also allow me to get more involved with inner city missions within Cincinnati. Part of the reason I think my spiritual life is in such a slump (in addition to what I said above) is that for the last year I haven't been involved with any form of ministry.

I've decided that I'm going to try and self-teach myself Arabic. I figure with all the free time I have during times when the world is sleeping due to my 3rd shift schedule, this would be a great time to try an teach myself. I'm planning to use my $600 economic boost check to buy Rosetta Stone software. I haven't decided if I will by just level 1 & 2 or buy all 3 levels.

I'm very jealous of those of you who are returning to the Middle East in the near future.

Anyway, thanks for listening to my little confession. Special thanks to those who let me vent during times when I was really down. It meant a lot to me!

I love and miss you all so terribly.

Restored faith...in the Church

This past year I have changed and changed. There is no better way to say it. I talk to people who knew me sophomore year and they bring up instances where optimism, idealism and fun was all the personality I had. I won't say I've become a cynic, because that's definitely not in my nature, but I've flirted with cynacism and pessimism especially concerning certain issues; the Church being one of them. But this week, I got a new vision of the Church; what it could be and what it should be.
I co-led a spring break mission trip to the city right near campus (about 8 miles actually). Jackson is a city with an unemployment rate that will knock your socks off, teenage pregnancies are commonplace and people generally live in poverty, but it goes unnoticed by many. So 17 SAU students and the Jackson community came together to show the community we care. Grocery stores donated 120 units (loaf of bread, dozen eggs and 1/2 gallon milk) so we could go door-to-door and give out groceries. We opened up laundromats so people could wash their laundry for free. We worked in 2 homeless shelters: painting, cleaning, fixing odds and ends. We also 'adopted' three "at-risk" families. The families were recommended by the Public School system as needing serious help. We went to their houses, cleaned, painted, got new mattresses, built bunk beds, and took each family out for an evening of fun. And with these families comes my restored faith in the Church.
Two families were without vehicles. We went to Westwinds Community Church (the church we went to Alissa when you were here) with this need and their youth group jumped aboard. We got one car donated but needed about $800 of work on it. The youth group raised $2000 for our families: fix their cars, help with insurance, tickets owed, registration, got them expense paid trips to Cedar Point and gave blankets, pillows and bedding. Wednesday night was the big reveal and I bawled my fricken eyes out. THE CHURCH FINALLY GOT IT!! Jesus was more concerned with caring for people's physical needs before he even touched on their spiritual needs!! And when the cars were given away, they didn't ruin it with Jesus crap, they just simply said: God loves you, and we love you, and we knew this was the right thing to do. Oh my gosh guys, it was beautiful. I love this church. I don't love everything about it, but they recycle, they build houses for widows in Uganda and South Africa, give cars and care for people in their backyard, care for the old people in the home across the street, and they LOVE each other. It makes me want to stay around here to invest in this church, but I gotta get the HELL out of this place. =)

Anyway, I had to share this with y'all, as I know many of you struggle with the Church, and I won't pretend I have it all figured and squared away--but on this Easter Sunday, I feel like people are beginning to act like Jesus.

more...

My roommate just left the room after pounding the table with all of his might and shouting a stream of obscenities at me.
I cant take this...

spring semesters are the worst

My life seems to be colapseing in.
I know that my sufferings are not even close to those of AIDS orphans, war widows or genocide victims. I know that my sufferings dont count for much in the eyes of the world. But, they count to me.
There is one friend of mine who was closer to me than anyone else has ever been. This friendship meant the world to me. But, then, two months ago, I found myself climbing the stairs to this friends room in order to tell my friend that we could no longer be friends. It has broken me beyond the capacity of words to describe. Ana kollo fadee. I am entirely empty. I cried frequently for the first month. Less frequently in the second. I had managed to go one week without crying when annother asked me, on the way back from the store, how things were going and, after I had expressed a general picture of things, I started sobbing right in the car. I have lost the one person that I have ever felt truly close to. It was necessary for the friendship to end. But that doesnt do anything to ease the pain.
One of my professors is in the hospital after a huge car accident. He likely wont come out of his coma for at least a few months.
The student body is getting pretty angry at me. I am trying to ask questions that pertain to our usage of entertainment, particularly cable TV. I get glares from complete strangers. People have written and said some pretty mean things about me. I get random snipes from the most random places.
My friends have been of some support, but for the most part, they dont really know how to handle me anymore and I dont know how to handle them.
Im getting behind in my homework.
Im going to have a minor surgery over spring break. It isnt dangerous at all, but it promises to have a very painful recovery period. Im nervious.
I have a wicked case of insomnia. Im on sleeping pills, but they arent doing much.
Im lonely and afraid. Im dying inside.
I just dont understand why God has put me here without any hope of an "end in sight." Im in agony. If my friend were still my friend, I would be able to handle everything else. Lakin mish mumkin...
Fein inta ya allah? Fein inta? Ana aarif inta hena... lakin fein? Ana baheb inta. Lakin ana kollo fadi. Ana aool alatool, "Hamdulillah" lakin ana mish aarif. Ana mish aarif...
Psalm 88:18 "You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend."

Ashraf's House

Just in case this didn't make it to your inbox...

Dear Friends -

We wanted to give you an update on our dear friend Ashraaf Helmi. As you may remember, Ashraaf is the facilities manager of the MESP properties in Cairo. On Tuesday, Ashraaf, with much fear and trembling, told David Holt and Dia’a Nashed that a major portion of his family dwelling, a simple mud structure in the south of Egypt, desperately needs reinforcement since construction by owners of an adjoining building wall has threatened his own home and family.

Ashraaf, who has never asked for money before, approached David and Dia’a with a request for assistance. Reinforcing his house will cost approximately $3,000. The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) has offered to contribute $2,000 towards the total cost. Although the Student Programs department of the CCCU has a policy of not requesting funds from alumni, we feel that this is a special circumstance. If you are interested in contributing towards the final goal of $3,000, we invite you to make contributions via PayPal.

We’ve set up an e-mail account (ashraafshouse@gmail.com) to receive contributions. In order to send money via PayPal you must have a PayPal account. Go to https://www.paypal.com/ to sign up and create a user name and password. Click “Sign Up” at the top of the page and follow the prompts. Once you’ve logged in, click “Send Money” on the upper left side of the page. Enter the e-mail address above (ashraafshouse@gmail.com), the amount, and currency. Select “Services/Goods” and then continue.

We’ll be capping donations after we reach a total of $1,000, and we will send you out an e-mail as soon as we reach that goal.

If you have concerns about the legitimacy of this request, feel free to e-mail Elizabeth Hanna (ehanna@cccu.org), Marketing and Alumni Specialist for Student Programs.

Sincerely,

The Student Programs Team

The Circle of Life

OK so it seems my life goes in strange circular patterns, like God is teaching me something, drawing me closer before I move forward.

Do you guys remember that there was this guy named Matt that I liked during MESP and then Micah told him about this, promptly causing him to avoid me for a semester? Funny story...we're now dating as of last Thursday. Other funny story, he's going home with me for spring break on Saturday. Life is weird...

In other news, my Egyptian friend here is hooking me up with the director of a school in Cairo where his Mom works and it sounds like I could work there if I wanted to. I'm trying to decide if I want to do that cause its a small school that isn't recognized by the Egyptian government, it mostly caters to missionary kids. I mean I don't really want to get tangled up with missionaries or sketchiness, and missionary kids can get kinda annoying, haha. But at the same time teaching there seems like a pretty sweet deal and I would be working with my friend's Mom, who is the arabic teacher and supposedly would teach me arabic for free (and probably take pretty good care of me).

So anyway, what do you guys think? Should I go for this more secure but also potentially more sketchy job? Or should I go for the part time English teaching, part time copy-editing idea?

Also, who is going to Cairo and when? I haven't bought my tickets yet, and now I'm thinking I might stick around in the states for the summer. Has anyone bought their's yet?

Argh I've realized I check out this blog when I'm procrastinating writing papers...which is the case right now...How does the letter A in the Scarlet Letter represent America? hmmm....

Obama

Thought you guys would appreciate this: during the UN security council meetings about the situation in Gaza, Obama sent a letter to the UN ambassador telling him not to accept a resolution that does anything to criticize Israel. I wrote a letter to Obama (he's my senator after all) and just received this response from his office. They don't say much...but it's interesting just the same.

Dear Victoria:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the situation in Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

I share your concern about the impact of closed border crossings on Palestinian families. Israel sealed the Gaza border on January 17 following a rise in rocket attacks, which Hamas has been conducting on civilians in southern Israel for over two years. As you know, after Israel eased the blockade days later to provide badly-needed fuel to Gaza's 1.5 million residents, rocket assaults continued to fall on civilian areas in Israel.

It is important to understand why Israel was forced to close the Gaza border. Gaza is governed by Hamas, which is a terrorist organization sworn to Israel's destruction, and Israeli civilians have been bombarded by rockets on an almost daily basis. This assault is unacceptable, and Israel has a right to respond while seeking to minimize any impact on civilians.

With regard to the broader Middle East, developments such as the June 2007 Hamas military takeover of the Gaza Strip, domestic political turmoil in Lebanon, and the Palestinians' struggle to form a unity government all underscore what a critical time this is in the region. The Annapolis Conference in November was a hopeful development because Israelis and Palestinians engaged in serious discussions again and neighboring countries were involved, and I commend Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas for making the effort. Diplomacy can save lives, and it is my hope that the Annapolis talks are just the start of a sustained push by the United States, the Israelis and the Palestinians to achieve the goal of two states living side-by-side in peace and security.

Ultimately, this peace can only occur through an agreement that fulfills the aspirations of both the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples. I will work with the Administration and others in Congress toward this end. In the meantime, I encourage all parties to refrain from actions that will cause further loss of innocent life or will delay further a lasting peace.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch with me on this or any other matter of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

My quest to rid the world of the term "Crusader"

As many of know, the name of my school newspaper is inappropriately named "The Crusader". One of the goals I have given myself before leaving this icky place is to eradicate that term! So I wrote a letter to the editor last week! I'll paste it at the bottom so you can read it. This week there were three responses to my letter. One saying, you are dumb, and the term Crusader is fine. One saying that it is politically incorrect and we might as well just change it, and then and editorial from a staff writer saying the word really means to seek truth. I've talked to several people on campus and our chaplain even said IN PRINT that he thought the name should change. But my roommate has been doing some editing for the paper and she said the faculty advisor is adament about keeping the term Crusader...so what do I do now friends? Help me. Petition? Make a stink? How? Help!

This weekend I'll be at Grand Valley doing my Model Arab League thing. I wrote two draft resolutions, one for creating a coalition for a unified government in Palestine and the other for rewriting/amending the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. It should be a great time! Ok, I love you all, and please give me feedback about what the next step should be!

A Letter to the Editors:
I am writing this letter on the behalf of those who feel that names, titles and words carry power. When we were little we used to sing a little limerick saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” We were wrong—dead wrong. Words carry power, and I especially believe that the written word carries much power—hurt and to heal. There is one word, in particular, that hurts me when I hear/read it, and it is the word “Crusader,” –yes, the beloved title of the newspaper in which you write, edit and publish.
It first became a ‘four-letter’ word for me as I traveled to the Middle East the fall of 2006 for my study abroad semester. Nearing the end of my semester, my group (25 students, all from Christian colleges and Universities) got together with a group of young adults from Islamonline.com, an information station for those looking to discover more about Islam. We watched the movie, Kingdom of Heaven, a movie depicting the Crusades and specifically the Christian raid to protect Jerusalem in the 12th Century. I wished that those from Islamonline had used sticks and stones because that was how I felt watching that movie with them. Watching the characters distort the image of Christ and even killing in his name sickened me in more ways that I can recount. The Crusades are a dark part of our Christian past, one I felt I had to apologize for to my new Muslim friends following the movie. It is a part of our history, but not one that should be immortalized in print weekly.
From my understanding of the Bible, Jesus would never condone killing in his name, as is evident from Jesus’ words to Peter in the Garden after Peter attempts to save Christ and cuts off the guard’s ear, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11) Perhaps it is time for Christians today to put down their swords as well, by beginning to eradicate the popular use of the term “Crusader,” as it carries only negative and disobedient connotations.
As we are moving into a more Politically Correct world we see derogatory terms disappearing everyday, “Indians”, “Redskins”, “Chiefs”, and finally the newest one “Beaners.” In an attempt to become more PC, marketing companies are becoming more conscious in choosing multi-racial actors and not stereotyping products as ‘Black’ or ‘White.’ If there is something fundamentally wrong with terms such as “Redskins” and “Beaners” then there is also something fatal in the term “Crusader.” As a Christian university, we should be leading the movement of replacing hurtful words with loving ones. It should be the Christ-followers who advocate for adding value to all peoples and groups. However, since we are not leading perhaps it is time to follow the rest of the world, lay down the sticks and stones, and begin using names and titles that evoke love of all peoples and cultures.

Respectfully,
Mandy Paust

Please pray for me. I'm sorry for using this blog as a place to broadcast my sorrows. It is just that I don't know where else to turn. I have simply run out of hope.

Life is Weird

So I have officially decided that life is weird. I was very excited about this semester. I am writing my senior thesis on Ijtihad, taking Syriac, taking Teaching as a Second Language, and I am teaching ESL at the IRC. It was supposed to be a semester that prepared me for Cairo. In which I closed ties here in Abilene (ilhamdillilah). Then...I meet a boy. The boy and I are now dating. The interesting thing is the boy is republican...not just any republican but "a republican's republican." He likes country music republican, and strangely enough, I like him. This young man wants to some day own banks and maybe run for congress. Why I like him is strange...he's funny, cute, but I can't actually talk with him about things I like. We are very different. Now, instead of closing ties with people in Abilene, I'm making new ones. (By the way, I found out Abilene is the second or third most conservative city in the entire United States...crazy eh?).

In the mean time, I love Syriac. I sometimes like work, and applications and my senior thesis are being to haunt me in my sleep since I do not pay enough attention to them. I am excited to hear that Julianna is going back to Cairo too!!! I just hope everything works out so that those of us who wish to return can. I miss all of you terribly. I think there might be some protests on my campus for women's rights (yes, we are still fighting for those here...i am literally fighting for the ability to pray/talk/read scripture in chapel....be listened to...treated equally...etc etc). I hope we do hold one. I think it might be fun, but I am some what worried about being expelled. o well, we'll see what happens. probably nothing, because we are lazy. Miss you all!

Going Back

Count me in for going back. Like Kirsten nothing short of God's audible voice (possibly combined with an angel wielding a sword) will keep me from returning to Cairo. I have set my move back date at no later than September 1. I have my roommate's wedding in mid-August--I'm the maid of honor, and it is sort of important that I be in town to fill that role--but right after that I hope to be on a plane. Another sweet woman from my school who also did MESP is exploring the idea of returning to Egypt as well. All of this to say I am pumped about the possibility of meeting up with some of you--Kirsten, Becca, Alissa--in September in Cairo. If you see anything job related that you don't want feel free to pass the opportunity on (jksmith1@student.malone.edu).

Pray for me

I feel bad that I haven't posted here in a while and now that I am I'm going to give so little detail. God's been running thru my life like a whirlwind. My spiritual life is at a new high and I've closer to God then I've been in years, but at the same time it's bring with it a lot of changes and I'm still not quite sure how to deal with it all and I not sure what will happen. So I'm kinda both excited and scared at the same time, if that makes sense. Anyway pray for me. If you have time drop me a line and maybe I can give you some more details.

I love you all and miss you terribly.

Bryan

Faith and International Development Conference

Is anyone going?
Im thinking about it...

Please Pray for Me

Please, just pray.
I just dont know what to do.

I almost hate to ask...but has anyone heard back on the Arab League internship yet? I haven't heard any news from anyone about it, and I thought they were going to be notifying people yesterday...

I mean, not that I stayed up all last night with bad dreams about it or anything..

all my love.
Alissa

Okay so I made something for you guys..but I can't get it up on the site...I'll try again in a few days. I'm getting really excited about the upcoming elections. A lot of people I know are deciding to vote for Obama!!! I mean people who have been republicans all their lives are thinking of voting for ObAMA!! That's huge!!! It's interesting to hear my family who are very proud republicans trying to reconcile that they find themselves most aligned with a democrat. This election intrigues me with the way that certain candidates are relying upon independents and even changing the party lines! So interesting. I would love to hear about what you all think about it!

I miss all of you all very much. I had all four of my wisdom teeth out on Friday, so I'm technically still recovering...aka I can't eat!!! I'm so nervous about all of ou!! Ihear of things going on in the where I know some of you all live, and I get nervous for you all. If any of you need anything please let the rest us know so we can help.

In the mean time I have exciting news!!! I get to learn Aramaic! There is a graduate class being offered at my school offering Syriac! The prof is letting me take the class! I"M SOOOOO EXCITED!!! I can't wait to get back to school that with my senior thesis and work (I'm working with the International Rescue committee as an ESL teacher) I think this will be a fun semester. However this semester is already starting a little more complex than usually...I recently went to a wedding where i meet this guy. I honestly don't know much about him, but men always seem to complicate life.

What do you all think about Bhutto? What about Kenya?! So much is happening, and i wish I would talk to all of you about it!! I miss you guys I hope you are all well!!!