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Global Urban Trek 2008
Street CommunityJuly 15, 2008
When we first drove into Mokattam, we were struck by the way that everyone sits outside.
The streets are lined with people sitting outside smoking Shisha, drinking tea or just sitting. This happens within a few feet of where we walk. If people are not sitting outside, they usually have their doors wide open and they are inside in view. So wherever we go, we are surrounded by people.
This is a culture of community. At lunch at the Boys' Recycling Center, each person gets a piece of aysh, the pervasive bread at every meal, and shares a dipping bowl of fool, the soupy beans. Double dipping is encouraged, but it's also necessary if you want to finish your aysh. This reminds us of the Christians in Acts 2, who were "holding all things in common."
Our Egyptian friend Nader was recently grocery shopping with us. He had picked up four large jars of juice.
Adria said, "Why don't we get juice boxes so that we can all have our own?"
Nader frowned. "But then we can't share!"
When we’re eating, sometimes an Egyptian will take food from our plates or drink some of our water without asking. At first this made us angry, but then we realized the community. If anyone has food, they will also offer it to us.
I was walking down the street with Ayoub when he took my water and gave it to a guy standing in the road. Then he took a swig. I grinned and gulped down some myself.
We also invite ourselves over. If a foreigner or a priest invites himself over to another’s house, it is a high honor.
We say "Ayzeen nigee li baytak. (We want to come to your house!).”
They smile and say "BegaaD? (really?)."
Zacchaeus was very glad when Jesus invited himself over. It is no wonder why the crowds muttered against this action, "Why would he pick him?"
Our hosts are exceedingly glad to give us hospitality, despite their dirty homes. We have seen where the pigs feed on trash right beside the house in a filthy sty. This is where the prodigal son worked, and his father still threw a party for him. We have seen how our feet change shades – from brown to black – from walking around in all the dirt. This is where our Rabbi knelt to wash us.
We have seen the son making a home for his bride: meticulously checking the light switches and carefully painting the balcony mural. This is how our Master prepares a place for us, and his Father's house has many rooms.
It's about the time when we've begun to see the beauty of this place, and thank God for that. Pray that in our short time, we grow to love these people even more.
- Tim
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