Sunday, December 25, 2011

Where's the Line to See Jesus?


How much of our time is spent waiting in lines especially this time of year? Lines waiting to park at the mall... lines to get that special item... lines anticipating talking with Santa... Where's the line to see Jesus???

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Easy lives don't make great stories!

How many stories have you read that have no hero or villian? A story without a challenge or trial? Our lives should reflect an adventurous God. What a boring story it would be if we never had any excitement.

God has called us to live according to his plan and what he calls us to. Sometimes our thoughts and ideas don't line up with His plan but we must choose to line our ideas under his ultimate plan. Over the years when my ideas haven't exactly been in God's plan- there has been a lot of gnashing of teeth and tears but I am getting a glimpse of what God has to say “no” on occasion. I am realizing that had God allowed me to do things my way... there is a really good chance that I would be reaping the natural consequences...in an abusive relationship, unhappy, missing out on so many of God's blessings.

God has blessed me with so many dear friends that have reminded me that I am worth so much more than I have given myself credit for. God's perfect plan for our lives is for our good and His glory!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

 It's that time of year where you can get wrapped up in the busyness or blessedness of the season. I have been overwhelmed by how blessed I am!


Friday we finished school and I headed to the mainland for the Christmas season. One of my goals during travel includes sharing the joy that Christ has put in my heart. Simple things like smiling and being courteous.... finding things to compliment others on... talking story... and listening to others story. Besides lack of sleep, the flights were excellent.

After not seeing mom and dad and being back in NC for 2 and a half year the excitement of seeing everyone was almost unbearable. You know the feeling! Mom, dad, and Uncle Jimmy picked me up from GSO and we ate Chick fil a for dinner. Yummy!

Sunday was filled with church, seeing more family (grandma, brother, sis-in-law), Biker's Christmas party, and PVA Christmas Cantata. Blessed that no matter how long, I am gone with most of these friends it seems that only a few days have passed. The true joys of this season.... family and friends celebrating Christ!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

The long awaited marathon update

Many of you were checking my blog hours after the marathon, disappointed that an update had not been posted. Due to exhaustion and the last week of school before break there just hasn't been much time to blog. So I sit in an airplane writing... catching up... hoping that I can post these soon.

So here is the long awaited update.... flew to Oahu Saturday morning, ran some errands in Mililani, did some Christmas shopping... headed to town around lunch time but due to a water main break in front of Ala Moana (where the race was to start) what normally takes 15 minutes took an hour and a half. Then parking at Ala Moana took another 45 minutes due to the holiday traffic and 35,000 extra people being in the area for the marathon. Walked to the convention center to pick up my packet for the race, then walked to Ala Moana Hotel to check in, then walked to the mall to pick up a few items and grab dinner... by the time I walked into my hotel room, I felt like I had already run the marathon.

Was in bed by 7:30pm with hopes of a good night sleep. However I slept for an hour or so and woke up feeling very anxious of the race that awaited me. Spent some time praying and writing out verses but between the excitement, anxiety, and my brain questioning my sanity for even signing up for this... I think I finally fell asleep at 2:30 only to get up at 3:30 to get ready and check out of the hotel in time to get ready to start the race at 5am!

Thousands of people from all over the world crowded in front of Ala Moana Beach Park divided up by their finishing times. My goal was to finish by noon (7 hours) so I lined up a little ahead of that thinking that if there are people around me with the same mindset, I will push myself to go faster. Anyway, crossing the starting line took about 15minutes due to the number of people in front of me and the fact that the signal for the start of the race was fireworks which the Japenese participants wanted to stop and take pictures. Once some of the crowd cleared the pace picked up and I settled into a comfortable pace that I could hold... jogging/walking. About mile 3 I started regretting drinking anything before the race... debated stopping at the Jack in the Box on the course but when I saw the line there was no way. After looping around by Aloha Tower and Chinatown through the Christmas lights of Honolulu Hale we came back by Ala Moana Beach Park where port-a-potties were set up. Ended up waiting at each bathroom stop 15-20minutes. Oh well... when you gotta go... you gotta go.

The morning started off rather chilly... 68 degrees... and windy. The rain did hold off until I got up to Hawaii Kai and it was pouring sideways. By the time I got back to Diamond Head it was blazing hot.

On the way through Waikiki headed to Diamond Head, I had been moving for 2 hours and up ahead I noticed runners coming toward me that were headed to the finish line... the first male finisher came in at 2 hours 15 minutes and the first woman came in at 2 hours 30minutes... 26.2 miles in 2 hours!!! CRAZINESS!!! Oh well! My goal was not to come in first … just to finish! I made it my goal to cheer on the other participants as they past. This became contagious with the people around me so any time a runner came running towards us we would start clapping and cheering. I have to say I was blessed that some of those same people that finished in 2 and 3 hours were waiting near the finish line cheering for the rest of us. The commradery of being a marathoner brought each of us together no matter what our time! Despite a cramping foot and sore knees, I tried to keep a smile on my face and enjoy the beauty of running in Hawaii. Truly the best place to run a marathon... especially in December!

Came down the hill from Diamond Head making my way to Kapiolani Park and the finish line. At this point I am just wanting to sit and not get up for awhile but I know that if I sit there will be no getting up! So at each water stop I grab an ice water soaked sponge and attach it to my knee and keep going. At the 26 mile mark... I look up to see the finish line .2 miles away thinking it seems to be getting further away... finally crossed the line at 8hours11minutes.... considering a couple of minor injuries and 4 pit stops each taking 15-20 minutes.... I FINISHED A MARATHON!!!!

I walked another 26 miles (or maybe it just felt like it!) to find my finisher t-shirt and medal... then I collapsed on the grass to enjoy some time off of my feet! At this point I took off my shoes only to realize that both of my pinky toes were solid blisters. My feet were not real happy about being stuck back in shoes in order to make my way back to Ala Moana.  Caught a cab back to Ala Moana hotel where I picked up my car... then headed back to the airport. 



Had several conversations with other marathon finishers throughout the afternoon that made me realize how much fun doing something like this truly is!!!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Expectations

Lately my motto has been “no expectations”. If none are set then none can be broken! I think this goes against what is natural for most of us but it allows God the chance to truly be the driver instead of co-pilot (or backseat driver!).
Here I was thinking I was just doing a marathon to check it off of my bucket list. Who knew that I would learn so many spiritual lessons...
What lessons have I learned....
PATIENCE- spending 5 hours training on the weekend has grown me to not just to be doing stuff.

ENDURANCE- I will run/walk the race set before me with endurance.

STRENGTH- The joy of the LORD is my strength and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

COMPLETION- To finish what I started.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Life is a highway

As November is coming to a close leaving just one month left of finishing out another trip around the sun, a mixture of emotions are swirling in my head. This mixture is creating a vortex of any coherent thought and only erupting with gibberish. I have been reminded how much I have to be thankful for but somewhere in the mix is the frustration that I fall so short.


To continue with the cliches- Life is a highway. On that journey down the highway of life, I am realizing how many potholes, speedbumps, and curves I have made it through. The curves have made for a longer more scenic route... the speed bumps have slowed me down to see what I would have otherwise missed... and the potholes – though small have caused damage to the vehicle that takes time and resources to fix.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

You are an overcomer

Just as in any herd, the weak and young are kept in the middle surrounded by those that are strong and can protect. If one of the young ones goes out alone, he is vulnerable of becoming a predators dinner.

Recently while studying the book of Revelation, the realization of this hit me... John, the revelator, was exiled on the island of Patmos, with no companions by his side to hold him accountable or stand by his side in time of weakness. Yet John stood strong through much persecution and God blessed him with an amazing view of His plan.

In most situations we are not called to go off by ourselves to serve but in this case that is what John was called to. Can you just imagine the spiritual battle that was going on while John was on the island of Patmos? God was wanting to use this man mightily. The enemy's plan is to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy works in generalizations. The holy spirit works in specifics. If we go through nothing, then we will never be overcomers. Christ allows certain things to happen in our lives to strengthen our spiritual muscles. What are you overcoming today???

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

"I thank my God"

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

Some of you reading this have been along for the ride for the past ten years... some of you I have met mid ride... and some of you have just joined... for each of you, I thank my God every time I remember you. You are a blessing to me and the Lord has used you to strengthen and grow me in so many ways.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Blessed beyond belief

It's Thanksgiving week... what are you thankful for? Spent this past weekend celebrating with church family Friday night with dinner and fellowship. Saturday morning met up with Whitney and Risse and went yard-saleing. Was blessed with some awesome deals as well as some new smaller clothes for super cheap. Did so much yard-saleing that we actually had to drive back to the house and drop off stuff before heading out again.

That afternoon I flew out to Oahu with only a few minute delay instead of the 30 minute delay they were saying. Got to Oahu, went to Avis to pick up my rental car and found that it was not a Versa but a Ford Mustang!!! Super fun and sporty! Drove to Starbucks for a peppermint mocha... oh I love the holiday flavors!!! Picked up dinner and then drove to Mililani Walmart with very little traffic. Shopped for Becky's diaper cake stuff and then headed to North Shore to the Pou's house. Nicci and I sat on the new deck and chatted and then sat at the kitchen table and rolled 90+ diapers. Blessed that I didn't have to do that all by myself... even Eli helped. Sat up til 11:30pm and put together the diaper cake.
Sunday started with a trip to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte (another favorite flavor)! Then headed to The Mission for a great message based on Philippians 1 and thankfulness. After church they had thanksgiving lunch so go to hang out with some friends from North Shore. Afterwards we left all the boys at home and Nicci and I ran errands... Home Depot... Costco... Walmart... Foodland... Great time of fellowship!

Monday was filled with a Kia board meeting and baby shower for Becky and then a meeting with Terry Locke from the governors office (Dept of Early Learning). Went to Foodland and got 2 14lb turkeys for $4.88 each versus $1.99 a pound on Molokai. Then stopped at Costco and Savers before heading to the airport. Was concerned about the amount of luggage but a guy came over and gave me his trolley... then checked in and both pieces were right at 50#.... (1 was 49.90 and the other was 50.10).

Not that I deserve any of God's blessings because truly salvation is enough but it is overwhelming to see when you have a thankful heart his blessings just overflow!

Friday, November 18, 2011

I just need you now!

There are certain songs that are associated with certain places, times, and people. For whatever reason when certain songs play, memories – both good and bad surface. They are triggers that take you back to a particular moment in time.

Well a while back a certain person came into my life and for whatever reason when the country song “I just need you now!” plays... I automatically think of this person (even though the song really doesn't fit the relationship). Anyway woke up this morning after having a dream about the above mentioned person apologizing for a situation that was probably only an issue in my mind. Woke up having such a peace that all is well and the situation has been taken care of. As I lay here tonight, the country song is still running through my mind but now it is almost like Jesus is saying, 'I want to be all you need right now'. So as I head to bed my heart is singing unto Jesus... “ I just need you now!

Friday, November 11, 2011

On the road again...

Wowsers!  This entire marathon training schedule has definitely given me a lot of time to think while I am walking/jogging.  Here are just a few things that I was pondering, while I was on the road again...

- God made our bodies super strong... here I am walking 18miles at a time but in Bible times Jesus walked everywhere He went... I wonder how many miles he walked on any given day.

- We as American's drive everywhere... and use our vehicles for even the smallest errands.  How much healthier would we be if we walked/biked instead of driving?

- 4 hours allows for a lot of time to think and pray.  What a better time to pray for your community while walking through it and people driving past!

- When the going gets tough... the tough get going!  I am stubborn enough that even though it is painful... I will complete this marathon.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

God's way is better than my way!

Finally sitting on the plane, ready to fly to Paris.  After a cancellation yesterday and an hour delay today I am thankful to be leaving.  This has been an amazing trip but there is nothing like returning home.

My anxiety level has been a bit elevated since yesterday's flight cancellations. 

Lord, please give me your peace as I fly and make my connections.  Bless each leg of this trip above and beyond what I could ask or imagine.  Thank you for such an amazing trip... for new friends... for great adventures... and ultimately more of You!

This trip has been all about trust...
  • will I trust you in a new land
  • will I trust you when my bank card is not working
  • will I trust you when things are not going according to my plan
  • will I trust you to be my rest and peace
God took care of each detail all the way back to Molokai including letting me spend the night with friends in LA and in Honolulu!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Change of plans

Alarm went off at 3:15am, got dressed and everything packed and moved to the front door.  Joe checked flight schedule only to find that my flight had been cancelled and rescheduled for Saturday.  Had to call Air France to verify and then Island Air to change my flight.  Island Air didn't have any flights available on Sunday so I am getting back to Molokai on Monday morning.  Argh!

Tried to go back to sleep but had so many things racing through my head with the changes that it took awhile.  Got up about 10:30am and checked email.  Talked to Adele so that I have a ride home from the airport... she eased my mind that the kitties are ok and reminded me that there is one constant in like and that is CHANGE!

Ended up spending the extra day cooking in the kitchen with Joe and Lori.  We made brownies and potato soup and lots of other fun dishes!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Last day in Egypt

Went with Joe and Lori to the dr's office.  The doctor determined that since Lori's arm was broken she needed a cast for the next 6 weeks... so she chose a green fiberglass cast.  After the doctor's we walked home to wait for Negaib.  Had Swarmma for lunch - chicken with a sauce on a hoggie type roll.  Another Egyptian food that was super yummy!

Negaib then drove us to Khan market to finish souvenir shopping.  Due to being with US diplomats we were able to park inside instead of on the street. 

While walking through the stalls I found it very comical as the shop owners call out.... "let me take your money... let me show you ways to spend your money".  Negaib knew several of the shop keepers so we got  some really good deals.  After Khan market we went to Coptic Cairo so that Lori could show me the Babylon gate and the hanging church.  Too bad I didn't have my camera as this was really interesting.  It is a church built above Roman ruins.  There are certain places where you can look down through the floor and see the ruins.

We got back to the house and walked over to Seavin to get a movie and some treats for the flight.  After showering and packing, we watched Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Went to bed at 9:30pm knowing that 3am was going to come quickly.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Relaxin'!!!

A day to sleep in and catch up.  Lori and Joe both had to go to work, so I stayed at the apartment and did laundry and packed.  I expected them back around noon but since work and the doctor's took longer... they got home at 3ish only to turn around and need to get Lori's arm x-rayed.  It was determined that Lori broke her arm.  After the trip to Nile Scan we headed to Road 9 to look at a stone shop and silver shop.  Picked up a few items then went to the bookshop where we found a couple of children's books.  Lori and I ended up getting Auntie Annes pretzels and then headed home. 

Nothing like a day to do a whole lot of nothing!  It is also nice not to have to take home a bag of dirty clothes!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

It all hurts!

Woke up early this morning because I needed to use the bathroom and find pain meds.  Once I took prescription strength ibuprofen, I went back to sleep for a couple of hours. Finally got up about 9:15 and went to breakfast with Lori and Negaib then went back to the room to pack.  We decided to send our bags back with Reda (our driver) instead of carrying them around with us for the rest of the day.

We drove the 2+ hours back to Sharm el Sheikh and Reda dropped us off at Naama Bay.  Reda had to drive back to Cairo before dark.  Due to security reasons we had to fly instead of drive back to Cairo. 

At  Naama Bay, we ate lunch at Hard Rock Cafe... picked up a couple of souvenirs. 







Then we walked around while Negaib sat.  We did not need to be back to the airport until 6:15 so we enjoyed tea until catching a cab back to the airport.  Once we got there the people at Egypt Air told us we would have to wait an hour before checking in.  We were just about to sit down to wait when one of the Egypt Air guys came rushing over to see if we wanted to catch an earlier flight.  Absolutely!!!




It left at 6:50pm... two hours ahead of our plans... putting us back in Cairo at 8pm... instead of 10pm.  Joe came to pick us up.  Drove back to the apartment where we ordered McDonald's.  Yes... McDonald's delivers!!!  We had a lovely dinner and then headed to bed!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Mt. Sinai


As I am writing this my entire body aches over the events of the day and poor Lori ended her day with arm in a hard cast and two shots in the rear.

The day started with sleeping in and an elegant buffet breakfast followed by laying out at the pool and going for a dip in the water.  After a relaxing morning we got cleaned up and checked out of the hotel.  We loaded up the van and headed to St. Catherines and Mt. Sinai.




The landscape was breathtaking... a mixture between garden of the gods (Colorado) and desert.  To think that Moses and the Israelite people crossed the Red Sea and then wandered in the wilderness much like this for 40 years was astounding.


After driving about halfway, we stopped on the side of the road for a fish break.  Using leftovers from the night befores dinner, I took half a pita, filled it with rice and fish and it made a very satisfying lunch.


 Finished the 2 and a half hour drive, very quickly checked in our hotel and then headed to St. Catherine's to begin our journey up the mountain.  For 110 Egyptian pounds we hired our bedouin guide, Ahmed. 







After climbing for 2 and a half hours then 750 very narrow rock steps, we made it to the top... just as the sun was setting.  The views and colors were stunning.  The temperature at the top, even with all the hiking required a long sleeve shirt and hoodie.  The hike makes the Kalaupapa trail seem like a stroll in the park... the height... the ledges... the incline...

The way up was slow and steady... the way down was treacherous.  We hiked down by cell phone light!  On more than one occasion sliding on lose rocks with the padding of my dearrie air to break my fall.  After the first slip... I held on to Reda the rest of the way down. 

Which brings me to why Lori's arm is in a cast?  On her way down, gravity took its course and pulled her to it... while falling a rock jumped out and she hit her hand on it.  This caused what is more than likely a hairline fracture.  Immediately it started swelling and by the time we got down the mountain, we were in need of a doctor.




The doctor from St. Catherine's came and put a cast on it and gave Lori some pain meds.  While he was doing this, I took a shower and laid down.  My body aches and my head is feeling warm... I am TIRED!

Next time, I am joining this guy up the mountain!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

I'll fly away

Woke up early to catch a flight to Sharm el Sheik.  Negaib, our translator and security, came over for/with breakfast and then we flew down to Sinai (about an hour flight).  Such an amazing view from the air... desert... mountians... the Red Sea...







Checked in at the Savoy resort-  felt like royalty!....











laid out by the pool...










went swimming...













had fish and salad for dinner/late lunch....



























walked on the beach taking pictures of the purple jellyfish...












and black starfish...













then went right outside of our hotel to see the fountain show and did some window shopping. 















Sat with Lori, Negaib and Reda for tea while Reda smoked shisha (a water pipe).












What a day!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

The Conference

Today is the day we have been planning for... the TEAM conference.  In partnership with Petrescue Bible Institute and Maadi Community Church, this is the first ever teaching conference.  The goal was to encourage and strengthen the teachers at the Christian schools in the area.






So how did the day go... registration started at 9:30am.  We had roughly 142 registrants from Egypt and Sudan.  The morning started off with a time of worship and then I got up to speak on "Doing ministry as a TEAM", "God's TEAM plan" and "Ideas: Give one/Get One" ... the sessions went well.  Everyone enjoyed the morning greeting in Hawaiian. 





Martin translated everything into Arabic for me and all went very smoothly.  The first general session covered three of the topics.  Then in the break out sessions I did TEAM strength building.  The first one had 38 people in it and one man who wanted to argue about community involvement in your team.  He later came back and apologized for the miscommunication.  The other odd discussion came about healthy food and that cheese with worms is not healthy???  It was interesting!  Oh the joys of having to translate when you speak.





Finished out the conference with a time of worship, prayer, and an object lesson using puzzle pieces entitled  "It's a PUZZLE".

I also found it very interesting that several people have asked if I am Egyptian and one asked if I was Brazilian.  I guess I am the chameleon that changes with her environment.

After the conference we packed up all of the stuff and headed home to crash on the couch!  A long but good day!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Saqqara Pyramids

Thankfully Lori was feeling better today and went with Ali and I to the pyramids at Saqqara (the step pyramids).  We went through some of the tombs- the tomb of Tetti... loved the stars on the ceiling.

Interesting facts for the day:
  • The palm trees are date trees instead of coconuts.
  • someone tried to buy my hand in marriage for a horse... Lori decided I was worth more than 2 camels... so no deal!
  • Camera got dropped and put out of commission
  • The stone structures at the base of the pyramid were made like the temple mentioned in the Old Testament.
  • These dig sites are amazingly big
  • Did you know that Joseph and Jacob (old testament) were mummified?
Tried to go to Hard Rock Cafe in Cairo for lunch but realized it was closed... ended up going to an Egyptian restaurant for kabobs.  Very yummy!  Then went shopping for food for the conference.  Went to Sally's Sweets and picked up lots of cookies for the conference.  Headed home to drop off everything and turned right around and headed off to church.





Yes... church on Friday evening... weekends in Egypt are Friday and Saturday.  Their work week goes Sunday through Thursday.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Coptic Cairo and Fish Night

After the trip to the Egyptian Museum, Ali took me to the Citadel showing me the aquaducts that took water from the Nile River up to the Citadel.  While at the Citadel, I went in a couple of the mosques.  Very interesting!  Women had to be covered but absolutely no shoes on the rug!







On to Coptic Cairo- the Christian area of Egypt.  Explored the churches and cemeteries.  This is the area known to be the stopping spot for Joseph, Mary and Jesus while they were escaping from King Herod.














Ended up heading back to Maadi in time to help Lori get ready for fish night.  John, the Scottish guy with the fish, dropped off a rather large sea bass (not from the Nile!).  Came home to find a giant fish in the sink.  Soon John came by to prepare the fish. 







There were about 15 people, from all different backgrounds, that came up for fish night.  Rene, the Texan, catered the meal.  The majority of the people in attendance were Muslim.  It is a very cool outreach that Lori and Joe have.  There were groups playing Wii, a group out on the porch talking story, and a group stuffing folders for the conference.

It was a fabulous evening!

Eulogy

Do I really want to be know as obese with bad teeth???

As I was walking through the Egyptian Museum, in the Royal Mummies Hall, this is what was written about Queen Hatsheput!  I find it very interesting that this is all she is known by.

One of the queens (Queen Henettawy) wanted to look good even after death... her face was packed with soda and fat during the mummification process to give the appearance of life.  However it caused her cheeks to burst!

The Egyptians loved life and believed that it continued in a different form after death.  They had a desire to live forever in the Fields of the Blessed.

Oh the things you'll see

Today I spent exploring with Ali, the taxi driver.  As we were driving through Maadi and Cairo, I am still amazed at the driving skills of Egyptians (or lack there of)... a three lane road hosting 5 lanes of traffic... people running across a major thouroughfare.

Saw one lady driving with her cell phone stuck in her head covering... truly a hands free device.

Also saw some men transporting a PINK water buffalo in a horse drawn cart. 

Oh, the things you'll see!!!

First stop today was the Egypt Museum... Before I had left the house, Lori had prepped me on certain words to say and things to look for.  The word for the day was la' shokran (no thank you!). 

The first thing to find was the Israel Stela (1213-1203 BC).  At the end of the text is a list of some of Egypts enemies which includes the name Israel.  This is the first occurrence of this name known from the ancient world.

Next thing to find:  the most expensive thing in King Tut's collection???  It is not the gold masks or sarcophogus but the iron daggers.  King Tutankhamun- boy king was 19 when he died... found on November 4th, 1922 by british archeologist, Howard Carter.  King Tut lived from 1336-1327BC.




Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Sudanese Pastor

The plan for the day was to go to the Egyptian museum but due to a meeting at 11am... that was postponed.  We walked down to the church where we met with a local pastor and a Sudanese pastor that is wanting to work in partnership with Petrescue Bible Institute to get the Sudanese pastors trained.

The meeting went very well and it looks like they will send pastors up starting in January.  I was blown away by the fact that tuition for the 2 year program is only 400 Egyptian Pounds (roughly $65).  Definitely need to pray and see if I should support a couple of these pastor's as training these guys affects the entire community.  These pastor's are community leaders... they are the ones that start programs for women and children... educate...etc.

It is really cool to see how God intertwines his children to work together for His ultimate glory.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The trip to Giza

The day started catching a ride to the embassy with Joe where Lori introduced me to some friends.  We had tea with them and then propositioned a driver to take us to Giza. 

The trip down was very funny... at one point our driver, misses the exit... cuts four lanes of traffic and then proceeds to reverse down the interstate.  Of what I hear this is common practice.

Once we got to the pyramids there was the hustle and bustle of tour buses, horses, and camels.... as  the guide book puts it... "the tourist scene at the Pyramids is intense."

Lori gave me the complete rundown of how the pyramids were made.  It was interesting to me that slave labor was not used but that the hired workers had their own quarters and were taken care of.  The pyramids are made out of granite and limestone.  The blocks were raised into place by ramps.  They are absolutely massive.

Once we got back to Maadi, we walked over to Maadi Community Church where the conference will be held on Saturday.  I was amazed when Lori said that their church was so big that they had to move outside and hold two services.

When we got home I laid down to do some reading and ended up falling asleep for an hour.  When I got up we went and ate Mexican food.  Renee, a guy from Texas, owns a mexican restaurant, that serves handmade mexican food!  It was so good!!

After dinner we had a planning meeting for the conference to get all of the paperwork in order.