| Cairo (Mokattam) City Overview Photo Gallery Director Bio Journals: · Jun 26 2008 · Jul 11 2008 · Jul 15 2008 · Jul 20 2008 · Jul 24 2008 · Jul 25 2008 · Jul 26 2008 · Jul 27 2008 Trek 2008 Home |
Global Urban Trek 2008
God of MiraclesJuly 25, 2008
Thursday at church, my Egyptian friend Magda pointed out a few Muslims.
"Muslims? Why are they here?" I asked.
"So Abuna Samaan can pray for them to be healed."
Abuna Samaan (literally, "Our Father Simon") is the priest who has been here since the beginning of Mokattam. I told Magda I wanted to see Abuna Samaan after the service.
She said, "Come with me."
The healing service was packed. I got a front row seat with Magda and the choir. Abuna Samaan was on the stage with a girl laying unconscious behind him. He touched her with the cross, dashed her with holy water, gave her an order and her leg lifted up and down. He spoke stern words to her. She responded. She was distraught. Suddenly he smacked her with the cross again and he lifted her up and she collapsed into his arms. The crowd erupted. This was an exorcism – the first of many.
The music kicked in, and suddenly the whole place was filled with singing, as one by one people were led up to the stage and healed or freed from demon-possession. A man came in on a crutch and left without it. There were a bunch of extra wheelchairs because people who are wheeled in end up walking out.
But it was a bizarre scene.
While I sat next to Magda, someone passed her the hand cymbals and she banged along with the loud music. Her son Bola, to my right, offered me some cheese puffs. On stage Abuna Samaan put his hand on the forehead of a Muslim woman and led her around until she fell over unconscious and they quickly covered her with a sheet. The line to the stage shuffled and more people went up to be healed. A man started to shout because he wasn’t getting his place in line. Abuna Samaan glared at him from the stage.
These types of things don't happen much – except, that is, when you're reading the Bible. Why exactly was I surprised at all?
Two nights ago I had prayed to know the God of miracles. I wanted to see Him the way I see him in the Bible. When I pray these prayers, I expect God to speak in a booming voice. He usually just opens my eyes.
Many of us have been miraculously healed through prayer on this trip. On the first day of work, we had four people brought to the hospital (Mike’s temperature was up to 104.6). Our leader Don passed out from heat stroke and we had to carry him to the taxi. It was very scary, but we responded with prayer and God healed them.
One of the things we've learned here is to expect God to work miracles, so we respond to everything with prayer. As we draw near to the Lord of Hosts, so the more do we fear and tremble. But all the more de we rejoice in his goodness.
- Tim
Print
Email
