Blog
Could Hot Tea in Egypt Keep Cold Rain Off a Child?
I'm in Egypt now, seeing the faces of all our old friends. Their welcome is like the tea — it's the warmest, it's the sweetest, and it never changes. At the same time, the challenges facing our brothers and sisters in Christ are really evident wherever I turn. I'd...
Egypt as Reality TV Show
Some days, in Egypt, you just wish the TV crews were there to record what you're looking at. Great material for reality shows is everywhere. Who needs the Kardashians when you have real live Egyptians doing the most amazing stuff, often while talking on their cell...
Copts Are Targets. Here’s How We Are Protecting Them
By the grace of God, and thanks to your efforts, I have good news to share. As you know, in many areas of Egypt, our brothers and sisters in Christ have been suffering because their unsecured homes offer no protection from a surge in kidnappings and robberies. We all...
4 Surprising Stories About Egypt’s ‘Shy Girls’ — And Their Power to Make Change
“We used to be shy girls who withdrew from participating in community activities and didn't face our problems — in fact, we were never even aware of our own community’s problems.” I wanted to share that quote from one of the young women participating in Tamkeen, a...
Puppet Smackdowns, Pairs & Plays: Young Women Learn & Teach Tolerance in Egypt
I'm in Mattay today, watching a puppet show with a crowd of girls. They're Big and Little Sisters in our Valuable Girl Project, and they're doing normal girl things: A couple are giggling, and one is filming the puppets with her smart phone. What makes this...
Visiting Egypt ‘Gave the Word Sacrifice New Meaning to Me’ — Toni Svonavec Offers Insights on Serve to Learn
Today, I'm proud to present the reflections of Serve to Learn superstar Toni Svonavec! She went on the summer 2014 trip, and we were very excited when she visited our Virginia headquarters just a few weeks ago to talk about her experiences! For those of you who don't...
‘Stop Killing Egyptian Girls!’ Said the Court. After This Victory, What’s Next?
I awoke yesterday to good news: In Egypt, a doctor was sentenced to prison for carrying out female genital mutilation (FGM) that resulted in a girl's death. It was a historic moment when the court said, essentially: "Stop killing Egyptian girls! Enough is enough —...
You Won’t Believe What This Baby Is Doing for Egypt
I just arrived in Egypt. Not long after my plane touched down, I received an email with this quote: "Coptic Orphans has always been near and dear to our hearts. We admire the work of Coptic Orphans and in our small way, we look for opportunities to partake in this...
‘Simply Go to Love and Be Loved’ — John Eskandar Reflects on Serve to Learn
I've been interviewing our Serve to Learn volunteers so that everyone can hear about the program from those who've done it. Today, I'm proud to share the reflections of John Eskandar, who took part in Serve to Learn 2014. For those of you who don't know, Serve to...
Bishop Samuel: How His Legacy Will Shape Your Life in 2015
One of my heroes is H.G. Bishop Samuel, who departed from this earth in 1981 after a lifetime of great accomplishments for the Coptic Church in Egypt and around the world. Did his story end in 1981? Far from it; you and I will spend 2015 benefiting from his foresight...
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