Things to Look Forward To
As I write this I am packed and ready to leave...back to Cairo. As many of you know, earlier this month I flew home to the US because my mother died on Monday morning, October 31st. While she has gone to a place with no pain, fear, or doubt, I and my family and many of my friends are grieving the loss of a wonderful woman who taught us so many things about loving people, about cooking, about giving rather than taking, and about life in general.
And now, after three weeks at home scattering ashes, sorting clothes, writing the obituary, and generally beginning the grieving process, I am heading back to Cairo tomorrow afternoon. So today I want to tell you about some of the things I am looking forward to getting back to.
Story time with 240 six-year-olds
I am very much looking forward to getting back to Ramses College! I have missed going to each classroom and calling half the class to come with me to the library. In October we read stories like Red Hen and Sly Fox and The Toys' Party. I can't wait to sit 20 girls at a time down on their little cushions, lean back in my rocking chair, and tell a rapt group a story, showing them pictures and asking them questions all along the way. They are so excited to have story time that sometimes they get a little rowdy on the way to the library. This usually irritates me, but right now I miss it. It always makes me smile to think of how much they love to be read to. Plus, I miss having a dozen or more girls come up to me every day just to say "Miss, I love you!"
The YAV community
Living at Dawson Hall is so fantastic, because there are always people around, and most of them speak English. I can't wait to get back to see Jason, Jay, Sarah, Jen and Jennifer, and Stephen and Eric. I'll be back just in time for our big Thanksgiving party at Dawson Hall, with many of the American mission workers coming to our house for a big traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Granted, no turkey for me, but mmmmm, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole! The friendships we have developed mean a lot to me, and I'm excited to go back to a place where we live out what it means to love one another as we have been loved.
The Evangelical Seminary graduate students
I have a fantastic job at the seminary, being a chaplain for graduate students. These students are pursuing Masters degrees in either Middle East Christianity or Biblical Studies. Some are pastors, some are aspiring pastors, some are lifelong learners, all are amazing people with amazing stories. I have the privilege of being a companion on their journey--sitting in on a class each week, having time to talk with each of them, sharing meals, planning fun activities, leading worship and Bible study and prayer time. It is an amazing place to be, and the students are amazing people to journey with. I look forward to returning to my place there and seeing what has happened in the past month and rejoining the journeys of some really interesting people.
The food
Ramadan has ended and kusheri has returned! My fellow YAVs have been eating a lot of it, and I am so jealous! I hope my first meal when I return will be kusheri. Even though I've gotten to eat Mexican and Thai food several times during the past three weeks, I miss kusheri. There's something about spaghetti, macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, garbanzo beans, and fried onions that just can't be beat. Maybe it's because every ingredient and food group is in the bowl, or maybe it's the spices they use, but it is one addictive food!
These are just a few of the things I am looking forward to. I have missed being away, though it was important for me to leave. I thank you all for your prayers and support, especially as I embark on a journey I have never been on before. Thank you also to all of you who have sent financial support--I am close to my fundraising goal. I know there are several of you who want to pledge but have not received the form--I apologize and will send those out as soon as I get back to Egypt. In the meantime, please pray for me and for all the YAVs around the world. Also remember that you can read my almost-daily reflections on life in Egypt (and now on my grieving process) on my website.
Ma salaama!
(peace be with you)
Teri
And now, after three weeks at home scattering ashes, sorting clothes, writing the obituary, and generally beginning the grieving process, I am heading back to Cairo tomorrow afternoon. So today I want to tell you about some of the things I am looking forward to getting back to.
Story time with 240 six-year-olds
I am very much looking forward to getting back to Ramses College! I have missed going to each classroom and calling half the class to come with me to the library. In October we read stories like Red Hen and Sly Fox and The Toys' Party. I can't wait to sit 20 girls at a time down on their little cushions, lean back in my rocking chair, and tell a rapt group a story, showing them pictures and asking them questions all along the way. They are so excited to have story time that sometimes they get a little rowdy on the way to the library. This usually irritates me, but right now I miss it. It always makes me smile to think of how much they love to be read to. Plus, I miss having a dozen or more girls come up to me every day just to say "Miss, I love you!"
The YAV community
Living at Dawson Hall is so fantastic, because there are always people around, and most of them speak English. I can't wait to get back to see Jason, Jay, Sarah, Jen and Jennifer, and Stephen and Eric. I'll be back just in time for our big Thanksgiving party at Dawson Hall, with many of the American mission workers coming to our house for a big traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Granted, no turkey for me, but mmmmm, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole! The friendships we have developed mean a lot to me, and I'm excited to go back to a place where we live out what it means to love one another as we have been loved.
The Evangelical Seminary graduate students
I have a fantastic job at the seminary, being a chaplain for graduate students. These students are pursuing Masters degrees in either Middle East Christianity or Biblical Studies. Some are pastors, some are aspiring pastors, some are lifelong learners, all are amazing people with amazing stories. I have the privilege of being a companion on their journey--sitting in on a class each week, having time to talk with each of them, sharing meals, planning fun activities, leading worship and Bible study and prayer time. It is an amazing place to be, and the students are amazing people to journey with. I look forward to returning to my place there and seeing what has happened in the past month and rejoining the journeys of some really interesting people.
The food
Ramadan has ended and kusheri has returned! My fellow YAVs have been eating a lot of it, and I am so jealous! I hope my first meal when I return will be kusheri. Even though I've gotten to eat Mexican and Thai food several times during the past three weeks, I miss kusheri. There's something about spaghetti, macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, garbanzo beans, and fried onions that just can't be beat. Maybe it's because every ingredient and food group is in the bowl, or maybe it's the spices they use, but it is one addictive food!
These are just a few of the things I am looking forward to. I have missed being away, though it was important for me to leave. I thank you all for your prayers and support, especially as I embark on a journey I have never been on before. Thank you also to all of you who have sent financial support--I am close to my fundraising goal. I know there are several of you who want to pledge but have not received the form--I apologize and will send those out as soon as I get back to Egypt. In the meantime, please pray for me and for all the YAVs around the world. Also remember that you can read my almost-daily reflections on life in Egypt (and now on my grieving process) on my website.
Ma salaama!
(peace be with you)
Teri
posted by Teri | 3:22 PM
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