We have arrived in Egypt!

Good afternoon from Egypt!!! I wanted to send out a general email to let you know we are here and semi up and running. Ha! Once Steve returned to Spokane, we continued at 100 mph to get everything done to leave. It was a push. We were exhausted and so sick of sorting that we felt like just giving it all away (of course Steve couldn't quite bring himself to that solution!).

We were supposed to leave for Tahoe to relax and catch our breath on Thursday, but didn't leave until Saturday, noon, arriving at 3 AM on Sunday. Our time there, though shorter than planned, was still the oasis I needed to continue. There were days, when I wondered if we were really going to make it. God is so good and we did. We were able to see Steve's dad and my mom in Texas, shop, see relatives in Portland, finish packing, get the UHaul loaded, drive to Seattle and make our flight on July 8th. Of course from June 21-July 10 we traveled by plane or car 12 out of 20 days. Still we made it fine, with God truly making the way. We got through customs without any extra taxes/tariffs, and got to our flat with ALL of our 27 boxes and bags in tact. Truly a GOD thing.

Alex and I have been staying up way to late and sleeping too late in the day. I have been trying to get on this time, but it is hard. Steve has preached two weekends, so far and it is good. There is SO much new and though I feel very vulnerable at this point, I know I will learn in time. I have cooked a couple of meals in the flat and am doing laundry as I write, so I am making SLOW progress, but that is part of the process, I guess. :)

Many of the expats are back in their home countries, right now. They will return mid August, because school starts then. Alex starts new student orientation on Aug 10. He has met two guys, at this point, one 9th grader and one senior. As predicted, life is very slow for him. He is taking it in stride and resting, bored, but knowing it will change.

The church is in transition, so Steve is busy. He is looking for a church administrator, as well as connecting with the staff and beginning to learn the staff and many cultures here. We have VBS the first week of Aug and I will help with that. They have me in charge of the snacks. God has a sense of humor. I am barely figuring out how to feed my family, much less all these children. They are desperate, with people still in their countries, so will have to spend a bit more time with me to teach me, so I can work with the kids. I have a week and a half to figure it out. Oh my gosh....

Steve and I went bike riding in the Wadi (desert) yesterday. It was cooler, mid 90's with a wonderful breeze, so even though we left later than planned, it was do-able. I admit, I am wiped today, but not working, I have time to rest, which is good. There is so much to organize here and shopping for food takes so much time. Alex will be glad when I figure it all out. :)

We are definitely strangers in a strange land, but it is right. Pray for us. Everything takes time, and there are many stops for grocery shopping. The fruit and veggie stand, the market for packaged/canned goods, the butcher or different store for chicken and meat (still haven't made that run yet), the pharmacy... Then everything fresh has to be washed in Clorox and air dried. Steve and I are going to have to be careful in that regard. He struggled while here without me and I have already had a down day, though I think it was more exhaustion than anything else.

Thankfully, the weather hasn't been too bad. Definitely hotter than Spokane, but not Las Vegas heat yet. It fluctuates, but we have been doing well, in spite of all the sweating. We LOVE email. I think of you all. Our home is open for visits, but wait until I learn more. Ha! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer.

Fondly,
Karan