After special meetings I look forward to gathering again with the Family to hear what God has done in the life of each one. It is like walking through my garden to pick freshly opened flowers to arrange in a bouquet for our table. But in this case it is a beautiful and fragrant bouquet of thanks for the Lord.
First of all we desire to say a big thank you to all of you who made sacrifices to gather together in Egypt at Fountain Gate. The Family here was delighted to meet and serve our brethren. You are from such faraway places but you are now close to our hearts. For William and myself it was a special joy to see our Egyptian Family at Fountain Gate serving our Family from various parts of the world with the goal of seeing the Kingdom of God extended. (May we grow more in this way!)
The Family Gathering was a special opportunity for our young people to meet those from other countries and to serve. They were thrilled to be able to prepare the songs with actions and to share them in the auditorium. In the sound room Raef, who is 26, led a team of cameramen who are 14 and 15 years old using brand new cameras and editing equipment. They worked all night on the last day with two other young people to finish all the CD’s in time for them to be hand-carried home.
Other young people helped with transportation from and to the airport and in hospitality.
This occasion was the first time that we needed to send letters of invitation. These are actually not as simple for us as they would be in some other nations. We had made arrangements with someone to do this but at the last minute they wouldn’t do it! William called another acquaintance in the travel business. Although he was in Canada at the time, he understood the situation and provided exactly what we needed immediately. It was one of his agents who met some of you inside the airport and helped two who hadn’t been able to get their visas before coming. We thank God for His help.
Really, everything went quite smoothly.
In the past year or so there have been some people from other nations in our Family (locally). Tabitha and her family are from South Sudan. We were glad that she could get to know our brethren from Kenya. On Monday she was there with them and was just the right person to help them do the kind of shopping they desired. We hope that our Kenyan brethren may be able to help us in South Sudan in the future.
Helen, the Ghanan lady from Germany, was much encouraged by what Rachel shared concerning the calling on Egypt to be a refuge and provider of food for others. It strengthened her as she works here in Egypt with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. A German lady named Christine had to return to Germany last week. She had begun to experience the love of the Father in our midst.
Before she left she came to the meeting and said that this was the first time she left a place feeling so related to the people. Who knows what God may do with a German connection! Hana and Safaa were very excited about the prophetic word that there will be “mighty women” of God in this Family. They are determined to be some of them and to help other women come into that rank. We have already seen the good effect on another lady to whom they have ministered. Safe said, “I feel something fresh and new as Hana and I intercede every morning before our work day starts [at the A to Z Daycare].”
Amal confided that she was impacted by one of the Kenyan ladies telling her, “You are not poor. You just need to use what you have.” Her oldest son Fadi spent his days off at home writing two new worship songs. One is about the kingdom and the other focussing on the Lord. Others were impressed by how to meditate on a psalm and to start to sing it.
Khairy delighted to see the mature relationships among the leaders with Apostle John. He commented on their harmony, steadiness, unity, and respect for one another. He and his wife Laila continue to review the teaching given on lines of authority, the valuable role of a son, and the importance of intercession. They made note of the responsibility of Egyptian Christians to bring Egypt into God’s purpose for it so that she might be the intended blessing to other nations.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,..running down…
Transition A major point for us personally and for the Egyptian Family is the transition initiated by Apostle John when he and others prayed for us. The word is that there is a new identity, new intimacy with God, new authority, new beginnings – to reach into the region around us. Immediately afterward there was also prayer for two couples and two ladies who have been identified and called to work together to carry more of the pastoral care of the Family. We are all excited about the calling and are trusting God for the wisdom and grace to make a smooth and effective transition in how we operate and to help us produce video recordings on the gospel of the Kingdom.
Finally, thank you for the blessing left on Fountain Gate because of your presence and your prayers. We sense a fresh wave of harmony and desire for excellence among our staff even in those who are not yet part of the Family. We pray that increased blessings have followed you home.
