His Power through My Weakness

Egypt Mission Testimonial – Fall 2024

I wondered what I could contribute to my first overseas mission trip.  I was blessed to be on a team of seasoned, short-term missionaries who had ministered from the remotest parts of Uganda and El Salvador to the crowded cities of the Northeastern United States.  Each member of the team had a unique gift from the Lord that enabled them to perform acts of service alongside the church in Egypt, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus.  

When we arrived at the Kasr El Dubara Evangelical Church in the heart of Cairo, we immediately pitched in and started hauling boxes of food from a truck in the street to a second story staging area for the upcoming food distribution event. The Egyptians were immediately impressed at our team’s ability and willingness (especially Buddy Smith and Tone Austin) to carry 3 and 4 boxes of food at a time up the flights of narrow, winding stairs.  We were not above any kind of work, and instantly began building relationships with the volunteers at the church as we worked alongside them. They were also touched that a member of our team (Scott Foster) was so dedicated that he taught himself Arabic in order to more effectively minister to and with people in the Arab world. Our team and the volunteers worshiped and prayed together before welcoming the refugees in for the first of several events we would conduct over the next few days. Our whole team was immediately impressed at the professionalism and dedication that was demonstrated by the large team of Egyptian volunteers. It was clear that their focus was sharing the love of Jesus with the forgotten victims of the war in Sudan. I was privileged to listen to and pray for some of the refugees (almost all were women and children) who came to the evening’s event. I listened (through a translator) to their stories and shared in their pain. Many have lost husbands and children, while all have lost their homes and way of life.  Their pain is raw, and they were touched when we offered to pray for them on the spot. I witnessed Muslim women enter the church with expressionless faces, completely ignoring our smiles and waves. However, I was amazed the first time one of those same women greeted me with smiles and tears while reaching out to grasp my hands on her way out of the church!  

At the medical mission the following day I learned that language does not have to be a barrier when it comes to sharing the love of Jesus with children. One of our team members (Jim Murray) creatively overcame the language barrier by finding a pencil and napkin to trace a little child’s hands while his family was waiting to be seen by a doctor. At the clothing distribution that evening I witnessed another of our team members (Bakhita McClain) greet refugee ladies with a disarming smile and extended hands of fellowship that brought an irresistible smile to every face that was walking into a Christian church for the very first time. The unconditional love demonstrated by the team revealed Christ to these refugees in a way they had never seen before. They were asking us for prayer and picking up Bibles from the “FREE” table of their own will. What we were witnessing as a team was amazing. We did not see ourselves as the Americans and the Egyptians, or the Experience and KDEC. We were working as one body sharing the love of Christ.  

Still, I felt as if I needed to contribute more. The only word of Arabic I knew was Shukran (thank you), so I assumed that I may be a burden to the Egyptians due to my lack of verbal communication capabilities. Then we attended the morning meeting (church service) on Friday. The senior pastor’s key verse was 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” I felt a peace come over me when I realized that God was working through my weakness to bring Himself glory through this mission! My value to the Egyptian volunteers was not my ability to speak their language. The value was my willingness to come all the way from America and stand in the gap with my brothers and sisters in the Egyptian church. I had a heart for the Sudanese women and children, and that was enough for the Lord to work with!   

Our following event was a family fun day where we brought five bus loads of mothers and children to a park to play, eat, and sing all day. I sat with the mother of a special needs girl and spoke with her through Pastor Yousef (Mohammed). I encouraged her from my experience having a special needs brother and being part of the Experience’s Emerge team. I listened to her story of how her daughter used to have a daycare back in Sudan that was tailored to her special needs, but now that is all gone. She let me pray for her and her daughter. I also connected with a little boy. We made bracelets for each other and played games throughout the day. We had a time of worship at the conclusion of the event where a member of our team (Annie Huskins) led the American Christians, Egyptian Christians, and refugees in worship. I witnessed the compassion of team members (Marie Shaban and Marie Smith) as they embraced the Muslim women who were in tears. The little boy who had become my buddy throughout the day tugged on my arm, pointed to our team, and said: “American?”  I said “yes.” He then pointed to me and said: “American!” Again, I said “yes!” Then he said: “America, good!” I put my hand on his shoulder and told him: “Sudan, good too.” We were both in tears. 

I am proud to have worked alongside the dedicated volunteers of Kasr El Dubara’s relief ministry as we shared the love of Jesus with a forgotten and ignored group of suffering people. We cared for widows and orphans in a foreign land, and saw some begin relationships with Jesus Christ! There was no single act by any individual on our team that tipped the balance of success on this trip. The Lord used every anonymously donated clothing item and every unseen act of service to bring about unity among the American and Egyptian Christians. Through the power of the Lord, our unity brought about change in the lives of many families who have now been exposed to the power of the Gospel. It is my prayer that when the war in Sudan is over and these families return home, they will bring their newfound Gospel with them and ignite a revival in that country.