Amy in Egypt

Friends, My blog address has changed. You can now follow me at: http://amy-in-egypt.blogspot.com/ I hope you'll continue to follow my travels and adventures. I always love to hear from you. Amy-in-Egypt... read more

I try to tell stories and not preach in my blog but I AM a pastor and some things just come naturally. I leave for Egypt Thursday evening (6/10/2010). To kick off my blog for 2010 I thought I'd share a sermon I preached this past Sunday that speaks some about how all of these experiences and my life as a pastor and proclaimer of the Word become integrated for me. God-Changed Lives 1 Kings 17:17-24 and Luke 7:11-17 - June 6, 2010 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Buffalo, NY Pr. Amy Walter-Peterson On Thursday I leave for my fourth year of teaching English as St. Leo’s Coptic Catholic Seminary in Cairo, Egypt. It’s always an adventure. One thing that I have come to count on is change in the seminarians from year to year. Some of ... read more

On Wednesday night I was sitting in my room compiling my comments on the summer course and the students when my phone rang. It was Kadry, the friend whose family we visited last summer. “Pastor Amy” he began, “George, Samer and I are on the roof and we have 4 beers. Do you want one?” It’s fair to say that I hate beer. Most days I’d rather drink warm water than a cold beer. But in Egypt I drink beer, mostly because it’s what’s cheap and easily available and it’s seen as acceptable (as opposed to most other alcohol). Each summer I imbibe in maybe a grand total of 2 beers. So Wednesday night I walked up the stairs to the roof. I sat with three of my favorite students, who have also become friends, and ... read more

George was in his second summer course in 2009 and asked to be moved up to Level 2 for more of a challenge. This meant that he was in my class 3 days a week. I admit to being worried when I heard that this change would be made because last summer George came across to several of the teachers as a sullen, angry young man who was often unresponsive in class. The one day I interacted with his class last summer, he asked sometimes inappropriate questions and simply could not fathom how I could be a pastor AND take care of my responsibilities at home. When I explained that my husband and I shared responsibilities at home, he was dumbfounded. That day in class was the extent of our interaction last summer. In part because ... read more

When I came to Egypt for the first time three years ago I was invited to preach in the morning mass. It was a big deal. I felt it. The students felt it. My friend John asked the question of his students that morning after my first homily, "do we need to check the foundation to make sure it doesn't have any cracks in it"? I have been privileged to preach in the morning mass each year that I've been here and this year I was asked to preach twice. More than one student asked Abuna Michael if I might not preach a second time. Hany, our resident gopher for the summer, told me, "We all look forward to hearing you preach in the mass." Now mind you, these are the same students who will argue ... read more

Those of you who followed my blog last summer, heard about the baptism that we attended of a little boy named Mina. As I shared last summer, Mina was born with a hole in his heart and is in need of surgery. He's been quite sick for the last year, though he is still alive. In the past weeks, Mina's condition has continued to get worse. The size of the hole has increased and the doctor has told the family that the need for surgery remains crucial. The issue now, as it was last summer is cost. The family has learned that there may be government assistance available to help pay for the procedure, but this assistance simply makes the cost go from astronomical to impossible. Mina remains in need of prayers and medical care. Please ... read more

One of the diversions of the summer program is the parties that the students throw on occasion - usually two in the course of our program. Last night we experienced our first party of the summer to recognize a few celebrations, but mostly to let off some steam. The parties include a mixture of terribly serious and sincere moments side-by-side with dancing, laughter and games. Last night's party included some clips from Egyptian Candid Camera and Mr. Bean. The dancing was rousing as always and included students who did not participate being thrown into the air by others. It seemed like a strong incentive to dance if you ask me! Enjoy the pictures to get a sense of the fun. Tonight is our falucca ride and it should be perfect. The weather broke last night at ... read more

Life in Egypt is unpredictable. The best laid plans will be set aside because of something that happens that is entirely out of your control. Often you hear people say, "in sha'Allah!" (God willing!) Which is often a way for people to say -- we can hope, but ultimately life is out of our control. Case in point. Saturday afternoon we had scheduled an afternoon pool party for the students and teachers in the summer course. We traveled by bus and car to a facility in Cairo. (I described a pool party at the same location last year.) Abuna Michael, my colleague and friend, managed to get me out of the overcrowded and unairconditioned bus to travel to the pool in an air conditioned car. (Yes I owe him, he reminds me every day!) But half-way ... read more

I have not been writing as often as I did in the last summer because frankly I have been busy. As one of the three coordinators of the summer English course I've been involved in a lot more prep time and a lot more conversation and discussion about the program itself than in the past. I enjoy this very much -- but I notice that when I have down time, I'm tired and I want to rest. I think I'm also trying to catch up on rest from a very busy few months before coming here. One of the things I love about my time in Egypt is that life slows down for me and I live at a different pace. I tend to be more in the moment. I make a point of breaking each ... read more