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Joining at the Red Sea
7/15/09
We’ve passed the halfway point of our Mokattam experience. This past weekend the team headed off to a Red Sea resort along with the Sudanese-Cairo team to relax and spend some purposeful time with the Lord.
The first day was purely relaxation, which many of us were completely unfamiliar with. We swam, and ate, and maybe napped and swam some more. I was too short to partake in an intense game of water polo with the team so I just clung to the edge of the pool and enjoyed seeing how close a family we had become.
Three weeks prior, we knew nothing about each other. It was also beautiful to see the Egyptians who’d joined us become so closely integrated into our team. I saw nothing but camaraderie, unity and love. In retrospect, by God’s grace, we have managed to develop the kind of community that is portrayed in Acts 2:43-47.
Later that evening a group of us headed out to the beach for an impromptu worship session. With only a guitar and our voices, I watched the Holy Spirit move among us. I was voiceless from being sick the past week so I just listened and observed once again.
As they sang and prayed, the moon appeared above the horizon, colored a deep red, rising slowly; a strong ocean breeze was blowing, and the Lord’s presence was overwhelming. We were sitting on the coastline of biblical history. The realization that Moses had parted the massive body of water before me was quite poignant, and basically set the weekend’s tone for many.
The next couple of days were spent studying scripture, engaging in corporate worship and stopping for some much needed alone time with God. If we came to the Red Sea feeling spiritually dry, I think we all walked out filled.
Re-entry into Mokattam was interesting. I think reactions were varied. Regardless of whether reluctance, excitement, apprehension or frustration reigned as the prevailing emotion, I think we are all glad to be back to the place we’ve been calling home. I know that I personally experienced some minor culture shock.
The moment we entered the monastery, I realized that my independence, extravagance and isolation of the last three days was surreal. Before even stepping off the bus I immediately saw the waste lining the streets, I smelled the whiff of garbage as the doors opened, and the hordes of children encroaching upon my personal space as I headed to my room.
It’s been two days since our return and we’re back to the good old routine of things. We have two weeks left to absorb all we can, and continue as best as we can to bring the kingdom of God here. It’s pretty crazy that we will all be heading home soon, but I have no doubt that we will come back a humbled people, a moved people, a transformed people.
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