St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Chris and Angela Chorlton and baby Anna are our mission partners in Egypt. Here's part of their first prayer letter, received 19th May 2004.

Letter from Egypt

Chris and Angela arrived in Cairo in April, to study Arabic before moving down to Beni Suef in August to work with St Mark's Orthodox Church.

Dear Friends

"A kind welcome is better than a good dinner" - Egyptian Proverb. How true! They shout "Welcome in Egypt" wherever we go; do we really look so new here? We're feeling very settled and at home, but we clearly haven't blended in yet.

In order to blend in a bit better we are desperately trying to radiate 'courtesy with attitude'. A survival tip we have been given - especially useful to remember when trying to cross the road.

Things we need to get used to:

The poverty. A teacher gets paid Ł45 a month. On the other hand, our month's gas bill was 75p!
Walking in the road, pavements are always full of obstacles.
Learning to sleep through loud horns, shouting, mosque calls, dogs barking ...
Everything drying incredibly fast, sometimes good (hair, washing etc ) sometimes bad (food).
Hanging the washing out on a line over the street six stories up!
The pipe sticking out of every toilet bowl, that squirts a jet of water if you want, like a bidet!

Praise God - (Al Hamdulilah)

We have been so thankful for a safe arrival and getting on our feet quickly here in Cairo. God is clearly moving in Egypt: the protestant and evangelical churches here in Cairo are calling and discipling many, as well as reaching out in various social ministries. We thank God that he has called us to be part of a bridge that the Anglican Bishop of Egypt is trying to encourage between denominations.

We thank God for an encouraging start to language study - the standard of teaching from the Egyptian Christians is excellent. We are also learning a great deal about the culture, Islam and Christianity and how it all fits together here.

There is a feeling of changes afoot in many senses. For example 'The Passion of the Christ' was fully expected to be banned here (the cartoon 'Prince of Egypt' was banned for portraying Prophets!) and yet it has been playing to packed cinemas and certainly been an interesting discussion point in this country of mixed beliefs over the correct story of the cross.

Chris & Angela Chorlton

You can read the full letter (with photos) on our web site or pick up a copy from the back of church, and we'll try to bring you a bit more of it as space allows.

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. July 2004, Page 4.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (July 2004) Galatians, Chorltons, Clergy employment. Question. Other articles on missions. Chris & Angela Chorlton.	Chris and Angela Chorlton and baby Anna are our mission partners in Egypt. Here's part of their first prayer letter, received 19th May 2004. Letter from Egypt Chris and Angela arrived in Cairo in April, to study Arabic before moving down to Beni Suef in August to work with St Mark's Orthodox Church. Dear Friends "A kind welcome is better than a good dinner" - Egyptian Proverb. How true! They shout "Welcome in Egypt" wherever we go; do we really look so new here? We're feeling very settled and at home, but we clearly haven't blended in yet. In order to blend in a bit better we are desperately trying to radiate 'courtesy with attitude'. A survival tip we have been given - especially useful to remember when trying to cross the road. Things we need to get used to: The poverty. A teacher gets paid Ł45 a month. On the other hand, our month's gas bill was 75p! Walking in the road, pavements are always full of obstacles. Learning to sleep through loud horns, shouting, mosque calls, dogs barking ... Everything drying incredibly fast, sometimes good (hair, washing etc ) sometimes bad (food). Hanging the washing out on a line over the street six stories up! The pipe sticking out of every toilet bowl, that squirts a jet of water if you want, like a bidet! Praise God - (Al Hamdulilah) We have been so thankful for a safe arrival and getting on our feet quickly here in Cairo. God is clearly moving in Egypt: the protestant and evangelical churches here in Cairo are calling and discipling many, as well as reaching out in various social ministries. We thank God that he has called us to be part of a bridge that the Anglican Bishop of Egypt is trying to encourage between denominations. We thank God for an encouraging start to language study - the standard of teaching from the Egyptian Christians is excellent. We are also learning a great deal about the culture, Islam and Christianity and how it all fits together here. There is a feeling of changes afoot in many senses. For example 'The Passion of the Christ' was fully expected to be banned here (the cartoon 'Prince of Egypt' was banned for portraying Prophets!) and yet it has been playing to packed cinemas and certainly been an interesting discussion point in this country of mixed beliefs over the correct story of the cross. Chris & Angela Chorlton You can read the full letter (with photos) on our web site or pick up a copy from the back of church, and we'll try to bring you a bit more of it as space allows.
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