US Embassy Protest & Violence

        

A few extremists burn American flag

Yes, we are fine!  The protests are at the US Embassy, which is next to Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo 17 kilometer away.  There have been no protests in Maadi (or any other suburbs).  Most Egyptians are disappointed in the response of both sides—the anti-Islamic film AND the response of the Egyptian protesters.  All but the most extreme have denounced the violence in Libya, Yemen, and Tunisia.  The news media doesn’t report that because it doesn’t sell.  So just like 19 months ago, don’t think what you are seeing is the whole story.  The average Muslim wants peace and harmony just as much as you.

Libyan people's response

     But there is more to the story still.  Jesus drew a line in the sand—and it was a very difficult line that went against everything of how our human flesh wants to respond.  In His kingdom defining Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:43-44 ESV)  This was the very thing that Jesus Himself did when He was falsely charged with blasphemy and severely beaten before He would die a slow, painful death.  First Peter 2:21-23 refers to Isaiah 53 which was written about Jesus 600-700 years earlier: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.  ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.’  When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats.  Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (NIV)  “Retaliate” could be translated “abuse.”  So when Jesus was abused, He didn’t abuse in return nor make threats (was not menacing).

     Some have claimed their First Amendment right to free speech.  But I would answer that Christians have a greater calling to responsibility and respect.  Galatians 5:13 balances our freedom with a higher calling: “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (NLT)

      Jesus is NOT advocating burying the truth.  The issue is HOW we communicate that truth.  A friend (non-Christian, yet spiritual) was lamenting to Karan how her Christian friends on Facebook were writing or forwarding all these reactionary anti-Muslim postings.  She is considering “de-friending” them on Facebook because such postings on your Facebook account draws unwanted scrutiny for us living in the Middle East.  She remarked to Karan, “I thought Christianity was suppose to be based on love, but what I am seeing is not love.”  It seems that more often we are motivated by anger and fear than love and it’s not making for a very good Christian testimony.  Second Timothy 1:7 speaks to this very issue: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)

     Burning Korans and persecuting Muslims is not Jesus’ way of love.  It won’t work.  It will only perpetuate the cycle of hate and violence.  Engage those with whom you have different views with an attitude of respect.  Listen to them as fellow human beings whom God loved enough to die for.  That will do infinitely more to bring about change and communicate truth.

Egypt Year 5

Cairo Sunset

            We arrived back in Cairo for another year in late July after our summer home leave.  It was a VERY hectic end of year so we felt more tired than usual.  In May we moved flats (apartments) because our landlord of nearly three years wanted to move his aging sister into our flat.  Karan also moved classrooms into the new middle school building, so she had double moving duty!  It was also Alex’s graduation complete with a graduation party, so things going on.  So we left behind our ground floor with a yard place for another flat three blocks away by the front gate of the school.  It’s has a larger living room (for entertaining) and considerable more light, and now we are on the third floor.

            We wish we could tell you that the political situation in Egypt has now settled down, but we are still waiting to see.  Egypt elected the Muslim brotherhood candidate for president.  Right before the election, the military disqualified one third of the parliament, and so dismissed all of parliament (with a Muslim brotherhood majority) to await new elections.  Then results of the presidential election were held back for several days, and in the meantime the military stripped the president of most of his power.  The president-elect (Morsi) tried to

Morsi rally

 reconvene parliament shortly after his election, but the courts upheld the military’s dissolving action.  Then in early August, Morsi shocked the world and successfully dismissed three top generals.  Recently, he appointed two vice-presidents (out of four) from the Egyptian Christians (Copts) and a woman from Cairo University.  Some received this as a symbolic ploy that will make no difference; others believe it’s a genuine demonstration of reaching out to all segments of Egypt’s political landscape.

The questions most often asked us while we were home this summer were: Are you safe?  What is going on in Egypt?  Will Egypt become another Islamic nation (like Iran)?  We still don’t believe that Egypt will become Iran because Egypt is quite dependent on foreign income with tourism, the Suez Canal, and joint ventures in oil.  Some hypothesize that Iran is behind efforts to de-stabilize Egypt.  Whatever is really going on, these are exciting times to be in Egypt!  So far, we have had a good start to the church year as ex-pats are now returning.  We continue to pray and seek God to help us fulfill whatever purpose God has for us as a church in this time of transition (that will likely last awhile).

Alex' Graduation

Alex graduated in front of the pyramids in June.  He also won an award for the top athlete of the year for all-round performance, attitude, and competitive spirit.  We left Alex behind in Spokane to start at Gonzaga University on August 21^st.  It was a little hard to fly away and leave him to settle in on his own (plus he had to have his wisdom teeth removed the week before).  But he is quite excited and has had a good start.

Karan & Brett in Siena

Brett graduated in June from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and visual journalism.  We met him in Italy and had a wonderful trip in June.  We saw the sites in Rome for four days, took the train to Florence and toured the city, took a bicycle tour of Tuscany and its Chianti vineyards, hiked the rugged western coast among a national park with five hillside villages carved into the mountainside (stopped and saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the way home), and took a bus tour to the medieval villages of Siena and San Gimignano.  Brett also was with us for our trip to Texas to see his grandparents before returning to start his three month internship with a design firm in Seattle.  He has just moved into his own apartment in Seattle to figure out what happens after his internship.

            Travis continues to doing well in his sales job with Verizon in Spokane.  He has been promoted to a lead salesman position (which is an increase in responsibility without an increase in pay).  We had several great visits with him this summer while we were house-sitting.  He had to be surrogate father for Alex after we left and will have to continue to wear that mantle.

Cairo water fountain

            We look forward to the coming year.  Karan has begun her fourth year of teaching in middle school learning support (special ed).  She was very glad to finish the dental implant this summer so she can eat normal (though she had to go two weeks with no front tooth while the gum healed in preparation for the implant).  Travis introduced her to Wildman on cable tv to reacquaint her with her Ozark roots of those who are missing teeth.  Such is life in a household of all boys and no daughters!

We also read some great books this summer about connecting with God’s love to free us from our life of performing for approval, and creating deeper NT community that is based on the ancient Near East strong family model (in contrast to our individual-based model where we our primary loyalty is to our own interests).  We feel the need for both of these themes in our ex-pat, post-revolution Egypt context.  (Follow Steve on Twitter at srflora)

Another Year Winds Down in Cairo

Cairo sunset

       Okay, okay we know we have fallen hopelessly behind in updating our blog.  We are fine; no protests or riots have swept us away.  Our lives have been extra busy and when we finally get a day off (or a week off after Easter), we lay around like a wet Kleenex® to recover.

      As the news has reported, the NGO (non-government organizations) crisis has tapered off as a tool of xenophobia, however Egypt is still a cauldron of emotions.  Though the foreigners being held were released on bail (ransom?) of $330,000 each, the issue has not been resolved.  The presidential election includes a healthy dose of finding someone who will not be influenced by the West.  The judge that released permission for the NGO workers to leave has been censured due to public outcry.  Some NGO and relief organizations have had licenses refused (including an Egyptian Christian charity for orphans) under the banner of protecting internal stability.  Democracy is taking a hit!

      The runoff election of the next president comes in mid June between what the media is describing as an old regime candidate vs. an Islamist.  Then the Parliament must draft a constitution (the drafting committee being comprised of a majority of Muslim Brotherhood members which is causing no small amount of protest).  A huge question is the degree to which the military will hand over actual power (not just the appearance of power).  For decades, they have had deeply vested monetary and power interests in how Egypt is governed.  So the outcome will take months, or more realistically, years to unfold.  People are naturally fearful of all the uncertainty and there is a palpable withdrawal into emotionally safer places.  Street crime (mostly purse snatchings) and robbery are still up so that Cairo has become a bit more like other big cities in the non-violent crime arena. 

Cairo street in February 201

  Yet these are the times that God is dramatically on the move.  People’s hearts are most open in a time of crisis.  We dare not shrink away and miss the where God is moving!  As 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

            Our church in Maadi has shared in the anxiety.  We face the reality that the number of expats in Egypt is down and it affects us.  We now have one large service on Friday night and our African worship service on Friday afternoon.  A few of the “old-timers” fondly remember the old days when things were much more carefree and the church had lots of programs and a big buzz they could come to drink in.  As we have focused more on a strategy of equipping and launching missional believers to engage their world, there is less emphasis on “the buzz.”  There has been progress, like when we gathered our small group leaders for the quarterly sharing/training dinners, the group leaders report that their members have experienced significant deepening of relationships with God and one other.  Another “old-timer” remarked this year how much deeper the sharing is at these dinners has been than when we first started four years ago.  We have also increased the percentage of congregational involvement in the ministries of our mission partners (refugee schools, bible school to train African pastors, prison ministry, etc.)  One partner shares about their ministry in worship services each month to promote our missional vision.

Tahrir Square one year later with traffic moving

            We have also continued to grow in our understanding and partnering with sub-Saharan African culture.  Over the last few years, we have raised up and trained African leaders to lead the African congregation, which has involved handing over authority and responsibility to them.  As necessary and helpful as that has been, we have encountered how different our cultural perspectives actually are.  Western vs. African views of leadership are quite different!  Westerns operate with shared leadership model that empowers those under the leaders.  Africans see the pastor as a chief with a great deal of power and honor who is usually not directly challenged.  They do find “other ways” to get what they want.  So we have experienced many indirect and nuanced conversations, and lots of talk around you but not to you.  The African “chief” also has an entourage of sorts who give him loyalty and support in return for him helping with things they need.

Cairo sandstorm (khamseen) March 2012

            Whereas Western culture has a very individualistic mentality of: “provide for yourself and pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” Africans are much more collectivistic.  Resources are shared and so there is expectation that if you have it, you should share it (hence saving for the future is much more difficult).  For instance, at Christmastime our African leaders wanted to give 200-300 bags of food to those attending the African church service (some are well-to-do and others are refugees).  The Western leaders wanted to give food only to the needy and not at a church service (so it wouldn’t be seen as a “bribe” to attend church).  The Africans saw it as a way to “encourage” their people to feel that the church cares for them.  We have had many, many more learning opportunities as we try to meld two leadership systems operating with some different rules.  It has been a growing (and sometimes exhausting) experience, but we are moving forward!

            It has also been a busy year for Karan at school as she had to give up one of her free periods this year due to scheduling challenges.  She has special education classes she teaches as well as being a part of classes where special ed students are integrated into regular classrooms in both 6^th and 7^th grades.  The year also had its challenges with scattered incidents of high demand (and unhappy) people which was a drain on Karan’s emotions.  Next year she will have only 6^th grade special ed because of the larger number of incoming special needs students in that grade.  Her schedule will be somewhat easier, but she will still be short one period for planning and collaboration.  We are trying to figure out how to pace the schedule better next year to lower the stress level (and resulting winter sickness).

Flame tree in May

            We will be back in Texas on June 23 for 9 days, then in Spokane from July 2-July 24 (for Steve) and 29^th (for Karan).  Karan is taking 6 days July 15-20 to attend a professional conference in Chicago on team-teaching (special ed and regular ed sharing a classroom).

            On to Alex ... after applying and being accepted in two private and two Washington state universities for admission, he ended up at Gonzaga University in Spokane.  We didn’t think he had much chance to get enough financial aid to attend, but low and behold he received enough grants so that it was only $1500 more per year than Washington State University.  Alex is elated to be in a smaller university (yet still in Division I athletics) and one located in Spokane near his friends (and brother Travis).  Gonzaga is a Catholic Jesuit school so his intended business major should have a moral and ethical foundation included.  Just this week he also found out he can work half-time at Gonzaga this summer as a part of work study.  So he is very excited about that.

Alex at London tournament in March

            Alex has also had a great year so far in his sports at CAC.  He started on varsity in soccer in the Fall, basketball in the Winter (where he won coaches choice award), and now just finished baseball season.  You might remember that these sports all involve tournaments out of Egypt.  So Alex has been to London (4 times), Belgium, and Qatar.  He just returned from a baseball tournament in London where he won all tournament honors and had a tournament high 10 stolen bases.  He went 4-4 batting in his last game with a double, two singles, and a triple.  He also has a significant case of “senioritis” and can’t wait for school to be over as he takes finals this week.

Brett makes souvlaki (gyros) in Athens

            Brett made his last trip to Egypt at Christmas, so we went to Greece for 6 days.  Travis is no longer able to come now that he is out of college).  Brett will be graduating (finally) this June in graphic design to complement his major in visual journalism that he finished last year.  He discovered his interest and skill is strongest in the production end of graphic design.  He is going to be doing an internship July-September for a firm in Seattle that may lead to a permanent job.  So we pray he can have a good entry level job in the challenging US job market.  Brett’s post-graduation trip will be to Rome and Florence in June.  We cashed in our air miles and will meet him for 11 days in Italy (visiting Rome and Florence mainly) and then take him with us to the Republic of Texas to see grandparents.

Sorry I can't get it to rotate!

            Travis is still working for Verizon as a sales rep at a branch location in Spokane Valley.  He does well as a salesman and won an award for top salesman in the district in February. He still wants to move up into marketing with Verizon.  His former Egyptian internship boss here in Cairo keeps telling us to have him become a sales rep for her organic energy drink in Europe or South America.  He also recently chose and purchased his very first car—a 2005 Subaru Legacy all wheel drive.  He can now get rid of the 1989 Chevy Caprice gas-guzzling car that we forced upon him four years ago.

            Steve was in Romania in May teaching a marriage class at a seminary, plus speaking in two churches on Sunday morning and evening, doing seminars on marriage, small group outreach, and one session with youth from several churches from villages in southwest Romania.  He stopped off in Budapest for a day of bike touring on his way back and wandered the streets for over an hour with his 50 lb. suitcase searching for his hotel.  But all turned out well and he is now recuperating back in Cairo.

            Sorry this was so long in coming!  You can always follow the church blog at www.maadicommunitychurch.com/blog for articles.

Follow Steve on Twitter at "srflora"

Follow Karan on Facebook at “Karan Wooley Flora”

Political & Economic Crises in Egypt

 One year ago this month, the uncertainty of the Egyptian Revolution drove our church to pray every day at noon under the canopy tent where we worship.  We had electric and desperate worship services that found God waiting for us every week.  As things calmed over the next few months, we slipped back into business as usual as we searched for a “new normal.”  Now one year later, in a less dramatic (but no less ominous) way, we still face uncertainty and insecurity.  We wonder where we will be in February 2013 and what we will be worried about then?  We wonder if the Revolution will accomplish its hoped for ends of freedom and liberal democracy, or will it really turn out to be a subtle military coup or a move to a conservative Islamic government?  We wonder as Egypt’s economy flirts with an impending insolvency, will that turn out to be the real threat to our safety that drives us from this land as starving people might turn desperate.

 

Abdul Naga criticizes NGOs

      The current crisis with selected NGO (non-government organizations) has the potential to be a larger shift than the Revolution a year ago.  Egypt claims that these particular NGOs (whose charters are to promote democracy and freedom) have actually sown seeds of dissent and promoted chaos with the intent to de-stabilize and over-throw Egypt.  Furthermore, some hint that the US government is behind this.  And more than a few firmly believe that Israel is manipulating the US to weaken Egypt to this end.

       On several levels, it seems hard to believe that someone would buy into the illogic of this train of thought (such as: why in the world would the US want yet an unstable, less-friendly power on the Western flank of the Middle East to complement the one on the eastern flank?).  It seems more likely and logical to me that the current government is trying to divert attention from their own issues and performance to find a scapegoat in “foreign influences.”  Yet I have talked to a few educated, well-intentioned Egyptian followers of Jesus who believe these charges of anarchy.

      I found this profoundly discouraging, but then realized how naive and bias I still am—even after nearly four years of living in Egypt.  In the end, whether or not I agree with them is really not the point.  The real issue is: how can I understand the world view of someone from a different culture (particularly when we worship the same Lord)?  I continue to learn that I have lived a sheltered life oblivious to how the rest of the world thinks.  In the Middle East, their view is that America’s policy of unconditional support for Israel (and anything that Israel does), alienates virtually all Egyptians, Arabs, and Persians.  It seems that everything in politics in this region comes back to this fundamental issue.  If I am to understand the people of this region, then I have to grapple with their realities.

Revolution tensions over peace treaty

      I am learning that the issue is much more complex than I had imagined.  I have learned that there is a profound lack of peace, justice, and mercy on ALL sides.  I have learned that there is plenty of hatred and intolerable violence all around.  For me, Micah 6:8 has become a central passage guiding how I evaluate the actions of any government or person: “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  The principle is the same in the New Testament when Jesus says it all boils down to this: Love God, love people.  And love for people can be measured in how we deal with the least of these (the most disadvantaged who have no way to repay you).

      To be a global Christian is to set aside my presuppositions and prejudices of my “tribe.”  Bob Roberts (Baptist pastor in Dallas-area who has written much on the need for a global church movement with local application) has talked with Middle East government and religious officials who ask, “Why do you Christians hate Arabs so much?”  Bob says in a tweet: “Biggest challenge for global Christians? Seeing nations as God sees them w/kingdom eyes vs nationalistic or political eyes.”  In the Middle East, this means being an advocate for all people groups to be treated justly and compassionately to protect their basic human rights.  In the end, I have to realize that I am here in Egypt as an ambassador for Jesus, not for my home country.  When I am overcome by the desire to defend the latter, I lose my focus on the former.  I also have to realize that how long I am here is not really my call; it’s God’s call if I am truly His unconditional servant.  As we sing in a worship song: “My life is in You, Lord.  My hope is in You!”

Egypt Revolution One Year Later

Cotton candy with your tear gas?

We still remain fine and not in danger from the protests and violence of recent months.  Those very unfortunate incidents are mostly in and around downtown Cairo.  We are several kilometers away.  That being said, from the optimism of the Revolution a year ago until today, there has been a definite slide away from law and order.  The country is being "governed" by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) who are: 1. Trained in military strategies, not government procedures, 2. An integral and well-heeled part of the former regime who want to protect their position and resources.  While the army was hailed as heroes a year ago, since then security forces have shot protestors and abused women in the streets, saying protestors were attacking them first or "foreign influences" are responsible.  The internal police were the villains in the Revolution, so they were conspicuously absent and/or reluctant to get involved. So lawlessness has increased.  What started as purse-snatchings and occasional break-ins and car thefts has escalated into bank robberies in broad daylight and heists of armored cars.  Now a soccer riot in Port Said ("Sy-eed" which is 75 miles northeast of Cairo) kills over 74 people and police prevention/intervention was missing.  Again none of this has happened in Maadi, but it is clear the newly elected Parliament needs to establish a new constitution and a president elected.

First day of the new Parliament.  Wake up!

   Now six Americans (one the son of the US Transportation Secretary) involved in an NGO (non-government organization) to promote democracy in Egypt are being prevented from leaving Egypt and are staying at the US Embassy to avoid possible arrest.  I am guessing they are being suspected of being part of the "foreign influences" destabilizing Egypt by advocating for freedom.  It is a diplomatic crisis that may suggest fracturing in the foundation of the relationship between US and Egypt.  Layered in with the saber-rattling between the US and Iran, it is not the best time to be an American in the Middle East.  In answer to the next question some of you have already asked, "Because we are called by God to be here and hope we are making a difference."  There is great anxiety among the average Egyptian--Muslim and Coptic Christian.  There is also a rise in despair as the the Revolution seems to have stalled or feared to have been hi-jacked by various groups vying for control. The ex-pats are more fearful and cautious, plus they are certainly fewer here than three years ago.  Some company and diplomatic jobs are being filled by unaccompanied men, while families remain back in their home countries.  All of this provides tremendous opportunity for ministry.  We have to remember what 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."  1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."  Our goal is to engage people around us to bring hope and encouragement.  God does His greatest work when in the darkest times when we least expect it (just like with the crucifixion and resurrection)!

Alex senior picture

   Now for the personal update.  Karan is still a learning support services (aka special education) teacher in the middle school at Cairo American College (prep school).  She has had her contract renewed for another year.  She still loves what she is doing, even if it is exhausting some days.  Alex finished soccer this past Fall with a tournament in London where he scored a team-high four goals for the tournament.  An even bigger highlight was getting his braces off in November.  He is now in basketball (in London this weekend for a tournament) and their end of season tournament will be in Belgium.  (No, the school does not pay for any of these trips.)  Then it's on to baseball in March.  Alex has been accepted at Western Washington University (Bellingham), Washington State University (Pullman), Gonzaga University (Spokane), and Whitworth University (Spokane).  Alex wants to go to Gonzaga (to watch their Division 1-A top twenty basketball team), but the $33K tuition per year will need immense amounts of financial aid for that to happen.  His next choice is Western Washington University where Brett is.

Athena temple in the Parthenon

   Brett is working in his final year of college to complete a graphic design major and is beginning his job search.  He was here with us at Christmas.  We spent five days in Athens, Greece and it was glorious.  The cool weather and mostly sunny days were balm to our frazzled souls.  We were able to relax, see amazing historical sites, eat yummy Greek food (and Karan drank lots of Greek wine), walk around in a place with Christmas everywhere, and laugh together as a family. Travis wasn't able to be with us this year, due to his work schedule. He continues to work for Verizon and we are thrilled that he not only has a job, but one in which he is doing so well.

Delphi oracle in Greece

   Please continue to pray for Egypt.  We need and appreciate your prayers for our family.  God is good. We are thankful to be here at this time and in this place.  It is a privilege!
   You can also follow Steve's sporadic tweets on Twitter: @srflora  And check out the Maadi Community Church blog at www.maadicommunitychurch.com/blog