May 2005

Dear Friends,

As I complete my second two-year contract as an international volunteer in Egypt, and plan to return to the United States permanently, I look back over the very relevant time I have lived here and reflect on some of the important issues that could not be ignored.

Christian-Muslim relations

Many Muslims do not feel understood or valued by Westerners. “America” and “Christian” sometimes becomes confused. They hear of the violence and materialism of the West and incorporate that into their concept of Christianity. They do not feel they are seen as having a religion of value. For years, Egyptian Muslims and Christians have tried to live peacefully in this country. There are examples of harassment and preferential treatment by one group toward the other. These must be seen as done by people on the extremes of either religion. Dialogue is important.

East-West relations

This is so colored by American involvement in Middle East affairs. In many ways America has been good to Egypt, but it is seen as interfering in the affairs of other countries. We are not seen in the positive light by which we see ourselves. There is so much misunderstanding.

The Iraq war

My Egyptian friends agree that Sadam Hussein needed to be removed from office because of his extreme cruelty to his own people. But they were not happy with the war and they do not like the American presence there now. I, too, have a lot of questions about our decision to go to war to prevent something we were not sure would happen. The fear the Iraqis lived with before has changed to confusion and desperation now. And I know we can’t leave them in their current state. I know no easy answer.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict

On this issue, the Egyptians are more ready to voice their opinion. Watching their relatives hopelessly contend with the atrocities and the harassment of Israelis angers them, and knowing that America does not take strong action to prevent this angers them more. They are against terrorist actions by groups on both sides. They understand the helplessness and hopelessness of the Palestinians. They want peace, and most people want a two-state solution. Americans who want a just peace need to take an active stand.

Biblical basis for Israel’s demand of the land

As I read the Bible, I find that God placed the conditions of faithfulness and worship on the promise. In Amos we read of our God being Lord of all peoples. We now live in the time of the New Covenant God made with the gift of His Son. Many today demanding the land are not religious people, but have settled for other reasons.

Christian Zionism

Although the Christian Zionists do not agree with the Jewish faith, they support Israel as a means of bringing about the end of the world, according to their interpretation of Revelations and some of the Old Testament prophets. The focus of my faith is on the love of God, His compassion and integrity. I interpret my role as being an instrument of that love rather than focusing on the end of the world.

The meaning of terrorism

The word “terrorist” is used without defining it. The best definition I’ve found is in the PC(USA)’s “Resolution on Violence, Religion, and Terrorism” approved by the last General Assembly. This helped me clarify how we could respond without fear.

My purpose for being in Egypt

During orientation we were told that our most important mission was to be a Christian presence in our assigned land. In a Muslim country this is especially important. I believe this is true wherever we live. To me, presence means word and deed. I can witness to what I believe about Jesus, being respectful of the other persons and being open to listening to them as well. My mission is to bear witness to my faith, trusting in God to work His purposes. I sought to do this as I first worked in a geriatric center and later worked to develop a geriatric unit in the Cairo Evangelical Medical Center. I tried to make my focus how I presented Christ in what I did as much as any goals I set for the Center. Without that focus my work would have been much more frustrating.

Feelings about leaving

I have loved living in Egypt these four years. The Middle East has always fascinated me and I counted this opportunity a special privilege. It was a lot of fun being in Egypt. The community of believers was special to me, and I enjoyed meeting many extraordinary people. In some ways, I want to stay. I know a Westerner is needed to solidify the work I did and there is not a person coming to replace me. I have learned many times over to trust that God will work His plan. This is what sustains me as I prepare to leave.

For those of you who have been using my link.net email address, please change it my Bellsouth address. By clicking this link you can send me a message at my Bellsouth address: Emily Schornstein. My home address is: 17 Woodvine Lane, Lake Wylie, South Carolina 29710-9010. My phone number is (803) 831-8558. After June I would be happy to visit your church.

Emily

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 165