Walk Like An Egyptian!

I've never blogged about political issues in the past but I can't help it now since what’s going on thousands of miles away in my motherland of Egypt is not only affecting all of our family and friends that still live there today but all of the world too! Who would have thought that an 18 day revolution led by the young people of Egypt would oust President Mubarak shattering more than 3 decades of his dictatorship and overturn established "order" in the Arab world!?! In all honesty, if you would have asked me 18 days ago what the outcome would have been, I would have never predicted an outcome of such magnitude!



I have never been more proud to be an Egyptian like I have since January 25th! The people have spoken, they want to be heard and most of all they want to see change after nearly 30 years of tyranny/dictatorship. Did you know that 60% of the population in Egypt is under the age of 30 and 90% if that 60% is unemployed? These young people are determined and want to be heard and their courage should inspire us all!

I read the most wonderful article from the New York Times written by Nicholas D. Kristof entitled "We Are All Egyptian." He articulates the pure determination, astounding grit, and, at times, heartbreaking suffering the Egyptians have faced and to no surprise these are people that are willing to give their life for their country saying "If I die, this is for my country." Kristof ends his article by saying "The lion-hearted Egyptians I met on Tahrir Square are risking their lives to stand up for democracy and liberty, and they deserve our strongest support — and, frankly, they should inspire us as well. A quick lesson in colloquial Egyptian Arabic: Innaharda, ehna kullina Misryeen! Today, we are all Egyptians! "

Now that Mubarak is out we are not sure of what is yet to come for Egypt and its people. Who will be in power next and what will the Egyptian people experience now? What trials and tribulations are facing Egypt, it's people and the stability of the Arab world? What about the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt, will they finally be given the freedom to practice their religion like the 92% Muslim population? 



Todd and I riding horses around the pyramids in 2000.



 So while Egypt's fate and the fate of its people are still unknown, I want to remember the wonderful times I've had visiting Egypt. Whether it was cruising the Nile River, riding horses in Giza while experiencing the beauty of the pyramids and the sphinx, relaxing on the gorgeous beach's of Sharm El Sheikh, strolling through the streets of Heliopolis and Shubra or admiring the treasures and antiquities at the Cairo Museum.

Thankfully our family that remains in Egypt are all safe. We were left in a lurch  for a few days when the internet and cell service was down in Egypt but we have regained contact with all of them. They ave been remaining indoors to ensure their safety and now that the demonstrations are over they will continue to go about their day to day business.  I pray that any new regime that takes power will honor the christian religion and not persecute our brothers and sisters in Christ as they have in the past.

"Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people..." Isaiah 19:25