For all my light-hearted commentary on the protests yesterday, I'm beginning to realize that this is actually kind of serious.
Again, no panic. We're fine. Maadi carries on with day to day life as usual.
However, protests have now continued for three days and are expected to climax tomorrow as it is the first day of the weekend AND the day when everyone goes to the mosque/church for prayers. The organizers of the demonstrations have urged everyone to join them after prayers tomorrow morning.
Whereas at first I assumed this was a temporary fad, which would not last a day, I now hear people saying they really don't know how this will turn out. The president has not been seen since protests began on Tuesday. Rumor is that he and his son have left the country. Former opposition leaders have reentered the country. This is serious stuff.
I don't know what the solution is. I asked my Arabic teacher today what she thinks of what's happening (she is a Christian Egyptian). She said the people whoa re protesting have a right to do so. The president has done bad things here and he is not good for the country or the people. BUT, she said, the protesters have no solution. They're saying, "This is wrong, and this is wrong, and this is wrong," but nobody is saying what is right. If you tear down the government where do you go from there?
She's also worried as a Christian. Christians have a somewhat precarious place here because they are a minority in a region traditionally very hostile to other religions. Have you ever read Isaiah 19? I never had, at least not so as I noticed it, but people have pointed it out to me several times here. My teacher pointed it out today, saying that the Bible tells us Egypt will have a very bad time before it belongs to the Lord. "We are ready for it," she said, "but we are also scared."
That's totally outside my experience to think, a time of persecution will come and I must be ready for it. I must be ready to trust God for everything I need and for Him to work things out according to His plan. God is in control.
All that to say - Please be praying for Egypt tomorrow.
Again, no panic. We're fine. Maadi carries on with day to day life as usual.
However, protests have now continued for three days and are expected to climax tomorrow as it is the first day of the weekend AND the day when everyone goes to the mosque/church for prayers. The organizers of the demonstrations have urged everyone to join them after prayers tomorrow morning.
Whereas at first I assumed this was a temporary fad, which would not last a day, I now hear people saying they really don't know how this will turn out. The president has not been seen since protests began on Tuesday. Rumor is that he and his son have left the country. Former opposition leaders have reentered the country. This is serious stuff.
I don't know what the solution is. I asked my Arabic teacher today what she thinks of what's happening (she is a Christian Egyptian). She said the people whoa re protesting have a right to do so. The president has done bad things here and he is not good for the country or the people. BUT, she said, the protesters have no solution. They're saying, "This is wrong, and this is wrong, and this is wrong," but nobody is saying what is right. If you tear down the government where do you go from there?
She's also worried as a Christian. Christians have a somewhat precarious place here because they are a minority in a region traditionally very hostile to other religions. Have you ever read Isaiah 19? I never had, at least not so as I noticed it, but people have pointed it out to me several times here. My teacher pointed it out today, saying that the Bible tells us Egypt will have a very bad time before it belongs to the Lord. "We are ready for it," she said, "but we are also scared."
That's totally outside my experience to think, a time of persecution will come and I must be ready for it. I must be ready to trust God for everything I need and for Him to work things out according to His plan. God is in control.
All that to say - Please be praying for Egypt tomorrow.