This message comes from pastor Sameh Hanna (whom I've met a year ago - his daughter attends the school I taught at). I was glad to find out my friends are safe; glad to hear that Ehab and his family is ok (his son, David was in my class last year). It is crazy how these things happen and the place I called "home" for 2 years is now filled with rage and fire! I am thinking of all of my friends who are still there and lifting them up in prayer!
From the bottom of my heart I thank you for all your messages letting me know how concerned you are for the people and situation in Egypt. Your prayers are heard by our Lord Jesus Christ who sits on the throne interceding for us to THE one and only true and mighty God. His will be done.
As I mentioned before, the jails were opened last Friday and over 10,000 criminals were released onto the streets and have been looting, attacking and destroying . It is the opinion of many that thugs were also sent out, in addition to the released criminals, from the secret police to kill, steal and destroy. This is the same time the police completely withdrew.
Until today the roads have been open in Cairo, but with the call for one million to come out into the streets today, all roads and freeways have been closed. Trains have also been stopped. The police are going back on the job today, trying to restore some order. Some foods like bread and milk are very difficult to find, and the people are buying up all the rice and beans, pasta and even meat, which is so expensive. They buy this with the assumption that they will be able to cook it, not thinking the power and gas could be turned off in days to come. In contrast, the ready to eat foods like peanut butter, jam, tuna are still on the shelves with very few takers. Americans are always trying to find peanut butter in Egypt, but now that they are being evacuated, there is plenty for the Egyptians, who do not want it!
I am on the phone daily with our dear friends, getting updates and trying to figure out how to take care of the families we serve. Most of our leaders in Upper Egypt are women, and it is too dangerous for them to be out on the streets traveling from one village to another taking food. Maged, our dear friend and servant in Upper Egypt, is buying food for ALL our families in ALL our villages, then taking it to our church in each village, where the elders of the church are hand delivering it to each family. By tomorrow our Upper Egypt families will all have food. Our seniors are the most needy, with no familly to take care of them. We are still working on how to get food to all our families in the Cairo area.
One of the main problems is that the Muslim fanatics are showing up in a big way, trying to take the lead in the demonstrations. When Mobarak steps down from the presidency the climate will be right for the fanatics to take over. Please, please pray this will not come to fruition.
Men are still working to protect their homes from looters, and most apartment buildings now have organized shifts of homeowners who take turns protecting theirs.
Our dear friend and coworker Ehab was able to get home to his family. He is working hard to keep Healing Grace moving forward and is sensitive to all our families needs. One story of interest happened today. Ehab was trying to get downtown to the Kasr church, which is located one street over from the large demonstrations in Tahrir Square. He knew as an Egyptian the authorities would not allow him to pass. So, he took our friend Sami,along with his new American wife Amy (standing in the middle between Ehab and Sami), as a decoy. Since they had an American with them, they were allowed to pass all barricades! He was able to do some much needed work at the church.
As many of you are praying for the future of Egypt, please consider the following prayer requests and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Necessary food and medical supplies for the people
A quick end to this protest and the economic crisis accumulating.
Peace and security to return to the streets of Egypt.
A restraining of the Muslim Brotherhood and other political parties who have evil hidden agendas For the church to have a prophetic voice at this time. For wisdom and revelation from the Father to speak life and revealed truth to t he church and the nation.
The church to move propheticlly and know how to handle this difficult time with confidence and boldness.
That Egyptians will not be taken lightly or mistreated any longer.
That President Mubarak will leave with dignity and none of his family will be harmed.
A peaceful transition of power.
No comments:
Post a Comment