We started our penultimate day in Egypt with the pre-dawn call to get us moving. Leaving the Hotel Basma we headed for the Aswan International Airport where Mourad continued to find the path of least resistance. Luckily, for those of us over five foot eight we boarded the opposite of Air Italia, a new Egyptian Air A320 with lots of legroom.
Read MoreThe Hebrew word for peace is shalom. And like a lot of Hebrew words, it means far more than meets the eye. More than just including a cessation of hostilities; in the Bible, shalom encompasses universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight in our relationship with God.
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation team is in Eastern Europe visiting war-affected Ukrainians and the partners providing care to them. Today is the final day of our visit and we begin to grasp the challenges the church faces in this context and the ways City Church in particular is flourishing.
Read MoreOur day began with a return trip to German Mission Hospital to join their staff for morning worship. Our own Rev. Jason Sentas brought a brief message reflecting on the nature of “work,” reminding us that not only does God call work good, but as those created in the image of God, we too are called to work. And our work becomes a reflection of God’s work in the world.
Read MoreThe Outreach Foundation team is in Eastern Europe visiting war-affected Ukrainians and the partners providing care to them. Our visits have taken us to Warsaw, the Ukraine border, and we wrap up in Lithuania. Today we are visiting three cities where City Church has planted churches, giving us an opportunity to share about this flourishing church in their difficult context.
Read MoreWaking up to another early morning, with a 5:30 wake-up call, we prepared to start our day of seeing God’s beautiful creation in Egypt. After eating breakfast outside in the incredible weather, we loaded up the bus to start our journey to Abu Simbel.
Read MoreWe are taking a break from our questions to share hope, inspiration, and joy – the fruit of God’s work through the church in this place. Our day began with a delicious brunch at the home of LCC International University’s president, Dr. Marlene Wall. Thirty-one years ago, she received a phone call to teach English here. Her “yes” then has stitched her into this University’s mosaic that now includes 850 students from over 50 countries. Joining us for breakfast were three of her students who shared their stories with us.
Read MoreAfter much needed rest and a gourmet breakfast, we were off again. Our day began at the German Missionary Hospital in Aswan. Founded in 1913, it remains an important part of the healthcare network in the Aswan area. However, this hospital serves primarily the poor, regardless of race, religion or ethnic ancestry. Offering clinics, emergency care, ICU beds, in-patient care, and a surgery center, the hospital sees patients who travel up to 200 miles.
Read MoreSusan and I have spent our nights reflecting on the stories we heard and now carry with us. We wrestled with the fact that the tragedy these people are facing is beyond anything we can comprehend.
Read MoreThe first stop on our visit to Mexico was the picturesque colonial city of Oaxaca de Juarez, the capital of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. One of the key initiatives of The Outreach Foundation’s partnership with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) is planting churches across the country where there is limited evangelical presence.
Read MoreSunday started with a 3:30 am wake-up call, followed by 4:00 am breakfast. Our ride to the airport was delayed, leaving us a bit behind schedule. But have no fear, Mourad Sedky, our super guide, was there. He hustled to get us to the front of the line, parting the teeming masses of travelers like Moses parted the Red Sea. At 6:15 am we left Cairo and headed to Aswan.
Read MoreToday, we visited the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo (ETSC), joining the community for their special fall fellowship day!
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