Dear Family and Friends,

All the holidays are over (both Western and Coptic) and the schools are busy with exams. Now is the chance for members of the Evangelical School’s Training Department to catch their breath before starting to plan for next summer. This fall semester has been satisfying, with new types of training successfully put into the schedule. We did sessions in Cairo for Internet training for classroom teachers and then had the first in-service regional training session for principals, staff, and teachers in Assiut in October. The program was a success, and more sessions are planned in Assiut and Tanta this coming spring. Mohsen Kamal, now chairman of the School Board Training Committee, has brought his expertise and professionalism from NGO development and training work to the Synod schools. Mohsen is freely giving his time and skills, a real gift for the schools. Mary Kamel, who comes from a background of social work with the Coptic Orthodox Church, has joined the Training Department as the Administrative Assistant. Her help to organize and interpret is a great blessing.

Visiting schools this fall from Mansoura in the Delta to Luxor in upper Egypt re-energized the core of my being, as always, and reminded me why I believe I am here. The visits are the highlight of my life in Egypt. The teachers and students are so enthusiastic and receptive. The sense of accomplishment of the teachers as they incorporate the ideas from the summer trainings into their classroom is wonderful to behold. Observing the response of the students to the teachers’ endeavors is a privilege. I truly feel blessed.

In November I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) coordinators meeting. We hope to offer recent university graduates from the U.S. the opportunity to come to Egypt for a year of Christian service, to experience life in another culture, and to sample various career options. As international volunteerism declines, we are working to develop approaches to help keep Christians supporting one another internationally in meaningful ways. Because of the long existence and development of Christianity in Egypt, many different placements can be offered. Most of the two-year volunteers come to continue the support and service to the Evangelical Schools. The YAVs would also be able to participate in programs such as CEOSS (Coptic Evangelical Organization of Social Services), which works for a better life development for all Egyptians, the African refugee programs at St. Andrews, the Muslim-Christian inter-faith dialogue programs, special education schools outside the system of the Synod of the Nile Evangelical Schools, and medical services in the Synod hospitals or the geriatric center.

All the present PC(USA) volunteers (Helen and Pat Bachman at Tanta Salaam Language School; Jack and Ella Banton at Fairhaven Special Education School in Alexandria; Kathy Gahring in the office; Jennifer Stadtmiller at New Ramses College in Cairo) are settled at their sites and doing valuable work. Our fall retreat trip to follow the footsteps of Moses in a climb up Mt. Sinai was a success for everyone but myself. I discovered that my "fell-on-an-ice-patch fifteen-years-ago hip" went into rebellion and just didn’t want to do the climb again. With the kind encouragement of St. Andrew’s pastor, Dave Grafton, I did make it to the top to watch the sun rise. It was definitely the last time. I console myself that the mountain top has become so crowded with tourists that the experience is not the same. Nonetheless the experience was still meaningful, and the crowds of people, after some initial jostling, did join as one in appreciation of the sunrise on "Moses’s Mountain." Jennifer Stadtmiller directed a delightful musical, "The Grumpy Sheep," as part of New Ramses College’s Christmas program. Kathy Gahring went to Syria on December 16 to get married! We look forward to her and her husband coming to Egypt around February 1. Unfortunately, Dr. Martha Roy has had another short stay in the hospital this month, but she is now at home and receiving many visitors to wish her well.

During the mid-year break I’m joining my friend Dale Williams, who worked previously for CEOSS in Cairo, for a trip to India, Nepal, and Thailand. Dale has been planning this trip for the five years, since her son married a woman from India. So after the tour part of the trip, we’ll have the treat of staying with an Indian family. Also, the Middle East area coordinator, the Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, has given me some names to contact while in India. I’m very excited to have this opportunity—the fulfillment of a long-time dream!

This June I come to the end of another term. As I think about the possibilities of my future work with PC(USA) in Egypt, I have come to the decision that it is time that the management of training part of my position should be filled by an Egyptian. The process of review of the ramifications and planning for a period of transition has begun. I would then be able to place more emphasis on strategic planning with our Egyptian partners for the volunteer program. Please know that I am considering all my family and friends as I continue to stay in Egypt. I wish I could be in two places at once. I love and miss all of you very much. I thank God that I have such a supportive and understanding family. I am truly blessed by all of you. I am also blessed by this opportunity to work where I can give personal expression to my belief in "God’s love of the world."

Carole Landess

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.139