2/ Egypt
People all over the world have a favourite place they would like to visit. Egypt and Israel have always held a fascination for me, so on the spur of the moment I decided to visit these two countries, leaving on the 14th December 1990 and returning on the 1st January 1991.
No book, video, or pamphlet can prepare the visitor for the sounds, sights and smells of Egypt. People had warned me that I would find the place dirty, men would molest me and I would have a terrible time. None of the above was true and I had a wonderful time.
Egypt is very much part of Jewish history. Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up becoming second-in-charge to Pharaoh. Can you imagine my excitement, when on the island of Philae the guide pointed to a large stone saying that it contained the story of the seven years of famine and plenty, as well as the story of a young Semite who ruled second-in-charge to Pharaoh. The guide was quick to point out that the young man could not have been the Joseph of the Old Testament, because the name on the stone was an Egyptian one. What joy when later in the day God reminded me that Joseph had been given an Egyptian name, Zaphenath Paneah.
I marvelled at the massive statue of Rameses, at the Karnak temple complex, at Luxor. Whether this was the same Rameses who had enslaved the children of Israel, I don't know. What I do know is that, "The Israelites built the cities of Pithom and Rameses to serve as supply centres for the king." Exodus 1:11
Moses, a great man of God was born in Egypt. He led the Israelites out of captivity. God performed many mighty miracles among his people on their way to the promised land. Even so they continuously complained and grieved God by their unbelief. Things haven't changed that much these days. God's patience with his rebellious people absolutely amazes me.
Haggai 2:4,5 But now don't be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I am with you. 5, When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, do not be afraid.
The Bible speaks of worldly living as representing Egypt. I can say a hundred percent that God has never forsaken me since I turned my back on the world. "You are not of this world." God spoke these words to me during the night, as well as the following day. Not until I read John 17:16 did I realise how blessed I was. "They are not of this world even as I am not of the world."
The Egyptian guide Mohammed, tried to live in two worlds. God showed me this clearly as we toured a tomb in the Valley of the Queens. As the tour group followed Mohammed through the passageway into the tomb, God showed me that this man, although calling himself a Muslim, believed in the gods of Ancient Egypt. Constant visits to the tombs had allowed the spirits (demons) of these 'gods' to attach themselves to his mind. He was shocked when I told him what God had shown me. After all, devout Muslims believe in only one God - to them, Allah. To then be caught out believing in the gods of Ancient Egypt was a shock to the system.
As we walked through the amazing temple complex of Karnak, God spoke to me again about Mohammed. I was to pray the following for him. His eyes were to be opened to what was around him; broken down monuments, left by dead people. He was to turn from the dead monuments to the living God - Jesus Christ.
I was able to share with Mohammed what God had shown me, both before and during the flight from Luxor to Cairo. The man listened eagerly to my testimonies about Jesus. He, like everybody else I talked to about Jesus, was fascinated by the amazing miracles that God performs. People want to hear about the reality of God, not listen to boring religious arguments.
While in Cairo I decided to visit the Anglican church, just around the corner from the Hotel Marriott, where I was staying. The church service had just finished and I introduced myself to the first couple I spotted. All the people were Sudanese and that was how I met Lorna and Emmanuel. This kind couple invited me to their home for dinner the following evening. After a wonderful day of visiting the pyramids, the sphinx and the Cairo museum, I was picked up by Emmanuel.
The couple were so thrilled to hear about the mighty works of God, that they invited the neighbours as well. As the couple had not been baptised by full immersion as adults, it was my turn to invite them back to the Marriott. God must have had a reason for putting me in a hotel with a luxurious bathroom, and a deep bath. Emmanuel and Lorna, like most Sudanese, are very tall.
Pick-up time for the bus was 5 a.m. A chilly wind hit me straight between the eyes as I left the cosy hotel and boarded the bus. The sun had not yet risen, so we travelled in darkness. The poor of Cairo were already up and about carrying massive trays of freshly baked bread on their heads. The thin rags would not have kept out the winter wind. Two worlds were gliding past each other. The world of the tourist, sitting in a comfortable coach and the world of the Egyptian poor.
The bus left the narrow streets of Cairo and clawed its way up a steep hill to the last pick-up point for passengers. While the luggage was being loaded onto the bus, God directed my attention to a very large tree growing beside the hotel. The tree was ugly. The branches contained no leaves. The only beautiful thing about the tree were the nineteen large white flowers. How do I know that there were nineteen flowers? I had plenty of time to count them, considering how long it took to load the bus and seat the new passengers.
The white flowers stood out against the dark morning sky. God told me
that they represented his children and the ugly tree represented the world.
How true is the Word of God which tell us to be the spotless bride, ready
for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1/ Fiji
2/ Egypt
3/ Israel
4/ Papua New Guinea
5/ Forgive or I cannot forgive you
6/ Jesus still heals today
7/ Suicide
8/ Long Bay Gaol
9/ Attempted murder
10/ Bathurst Gaol
11/ Angels
12/ How to pray
13/ Cords
14/ Counting the cost
15/ The heart condition
16/ Lorraine
17/ Dracula - fact or fiction
18/ If you love me
19/ Being gay
20/ Faith
21/ Roots
22/ Malaysia
23/ Fiji revisited - 1997
24/ What Jesus means to me
25/ My diary entries
26/ Conclusion