Newsletter #2 - 10 June, 2003
Hi there,
With three days to go before we leave for Cairo, it still doesn't
seem very real. Since we last wrote, Josh has finished working and
enjoyed the novel and DVD he got as a farewell present.
We've tired ourselves out packing and moving all our household stuff
into storage. Our flat in Hurstville is gone and we've been staying
with Jo's mum for the past week. Most of our bags are packed and we
know what we would like to take. Unfortunately Malaysian Airlines
wouldn't grant us extra luggage limits. Aside from a few small
things, all our administrative chores have been done.
During the last two weeks we've managed to catch up and say good bye
to many friends and family. Josh even went back to work to see some
colleagues. His grandmother from Melbourne came up for ten days and
Jo's sister Laura from Hobart also spent the long weekend in Sydney.
As things have settled down at this end, we've started thinking more
about Cairo. Our Arabic tapes have come to an end and we're looking
forward to learning more. We've been in touch with Mark Bennett who
has found accommodation for us there. We'll be sharing a three
bedroom flat with Kristian, a Danish guy who has been working at the
cathedral for the past year. He will be there until August. This is a
blessing for us to have someone to ask all the basic questions about
living in Cairo.
The program in Cairo has recently been renamed Refuge Egypt and they
have relaunched their web site:
http://www.refuge-egypt.org/
One last story. A few weeks ago we went to Blacktown to visit a
Sudanese church and it was a great encouragement for us to see so
many people who had managed to resettle as refugees here in Sydney.
To see the fruits of the work in Cairo in these people who have hopes
for a better future in this life and the next was awesome. We enjoyed
the worship style (plenty of clapping) and though most of the service
was in Arabic, our limited vocabulary was useful.
If you are willing and able to support us by praying, some things to
consider are:
- Thanks to God for the many provisions, in many ways, at just the
right times over the past month. (eg accommodation, financial
support, supportive friends and family)
- Adjusting to the climate of Cairo and sharing a flat with someone
else, both new experiences.
- That our attitude may be to serve and learn rather than take and
teach.
- Thanks for the awesome privelege that we can spend a year in
another country on the other side of the world.
Please stay in touch and send us emails, as no doubt we will get
lonely and appreciate your contact and your news.
Thanks,
Josh'n'Jo
Email me - joshua at kuswadi dot com
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