November 20, 2003

Dear Friends and Family,

It is so good to be back here in Cairo, although it is difficult to define what the attraction is. I just feel so comfortable, yet challenged and used as God’s witness to His love.

Tourism in Egypt is, once more, on the rise, and that gives the people a sense of optimism. The value of the Egyptian pound has dropped, so prices have gone up, and that is discouraging for some of the people who were struggling before prices rose. The local bread is subsidized by the government so it is more easily available for everyone. But since costs have gone up, they decided to use less flour in the bread and make the “loaves” smaller, and this has been upsetting for many.

Although people’s feeling about the American government’s position in Middle East affairs has not changed, it does not seem so much in the forefront. I continue to hear “Welcome in Egypt” and but I don’t hear “Bush mish quies (not good)” quite as often. Since in my new place I don’t have my computer hooked up to the Internet, nor do I have a TV, I’m not quite so attuned to all that is going on. I can catch up on weekends, but I am focused on other things during the week.

Some of you are aware that I had a tendon transplant on my right foot while I was home this summer. With that procedure, it takes a long time to get back to full normal functioning, walking, stair climbing, and so on.

However, I am doing very well. I walk without any aids, and after another month of exercises, I will go to the physical therapist in our hospital to see what else, if anything, I need to do.

Specifically, my job in this hospital, which belongs to the Synod of the Nile, is to convert the fourth floor from an acute care unit to a long-term care unit with hospice services. Being here has made me realize how advanced in care and services and equipment was the Geriatric Center, where I worked for the past two years. There had been a Western nurse in the center for six years before I came, and I did not realize until now how much a difference that made for them. Here, so much is needed, and the resources are fewer.

I was led to find a place in the United States that donates medical equipment and supplies to needy places overseas. They will send us a 20-foot container of things we cannot get here, such as a dozen geriatric chairs, a Hoyer lift to transfer dependent residents, and a crash cart, all of which are not available here. They also told us they have an operating table for our hospital and an anesthetic machine and some other expensive items. Our medical directors are thrilled with this. We will still need to pay the shipping expenses. If any of you want to donate to this, or use it as an “alternative Christmas gift” (sending a card to someone and noting that you gave in their name), you can send your contribution to: Central Receiving Service, Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289. Write the title (Cairo Evangelical Medical Center) and the ECO number on the subject line (ECO# 864355) of the check and put it on your cover letter, too. Send a copy of the cover letter to the Office of International Health Ministries at 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY 40202-1396. Also, please email me at eschorns@bellsouth.net, letting me know that you did donate and how much so we can have immediate knowledge of donations coming down the line. Or click here to donate online.

Right now, the fourth floor job does not take all my time, so I have found other things that I can do as well. Although I am not an intensive care nurse, I can teach them some simple things about bathing and moving patients and keeping equipment clean. I’m also not a specialist in the kitchen, but find that I can encourage them to do some things more hygienically, such as keeping tables and equipment clean and varying the menu a little. Doing these things in the spirit of love has brought new friendships, in spite of language communication difficulties. Perhaps it is better that I don’t speak Arabic so well.

I have enjoyed the change of working with Muslims and Christian Egyptians from all walks of life as well as Sudanese refugees.

In your prayers, please remember our board and administrative personnel as they make major decisions in this hospital. And I ask for your prayers that I may be used by God to spread His love,

I know we are all under God’s care and He is with us at all times.

Emily Schornstein

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 143