I wrote this blog last Thursday but just noticed today that I had forgotten to publish it. Enjoy. In the last year if someone would have asked me what daily annoyance stood out the most for me, I think I would have said the noise. My memory was of a place that was louder than it needed to be with too many honking horns and too many barking dogs, including one dog that barked continually and lived across the street from the seminary. This year, however, I'm struck by how calm and quiet things seem. It helps that the dog across [View Full Entry]

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I completed my second day of classes today and I am enjoying working with the students that I had last summer and getting to know some new students. In my lower level class today we end with a discussion about fasting -- we were discussing a passage from Matthew. One of the students asked about the Lutheran church's views on fasting and my views on fasting. I explained this to them and basically said that while I think fasting has it's place in the spiritual practices, it's not a way that I have often chosen to practice my faith. Now before [View Full Entry]

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Last summer towards the end of my time I made friends with a group of children who would come and hang out around the seminary in the late afternoon when the seminarians were playing football (soccer). They spoke little English and I spoke no Arabic so we played games and sang songs. When the guys came out to play the kids would gather beneath the windows and call out, "Amy, Amy" until I would come down. Thursday afternoon was the first football match of the summer course. I was up in my room reading and preparing for class. My windows were [View Full Entry]

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Last summer after I had returned from Egypt, someone asked what memory I would hold onto most fondly. Without thinking I said, “Sitting on the roof of the seminary late at night with the stars overhead, a cool breeze blowing and engrossed in wonderful conversation.” It’s not surprising then to hear that after dinner Wednesday night, I headed up to the roof. The sun sets early in Cairo, they don’t have twilight like I’m used to in northern climes. So by 8:30 the sky is dark and the stars begin to appear. From the third floor of the seminary building you [View Full Entry]

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Just a quick entry to say that I arrived safely on Wednesday morning (local time). I was at the seminary in time for lunch. It was great to see familiar faces and to be so warmly welcomed. For all of my excitement these last weeks and months in anticipation of returning to Egypt, these last few days I've actually been remarkable calm and contained. Maybe even a little nervous and anxious. But the moment I saw the northern coast of Egypt from the plane the excitement overflowed. I'm so grateful to be here again. I'm so grateful for this place and [View Full Entry]

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On July 12, 2007 I took my last steps on Egyptian soil as I crossed the tarmac at the Cairo airport and set foot onto the steps leading to our plane. I cried as I made my way onto the plane. I was glad to be returning home to Hans, but I was conscious of the feeling that I was leaving a part of myself behind. As I sat in my seat waiting for the plane to take off, I looked out the window and wondered how I could return? When could I get back to this place where I had [View Full Entry]

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