Q: What were the differences you saw between Christians in Egypt and America?

A: The people I met along the Nile grew up admiring America. Egyptian Christians are continually pushed down as the minority and need to be encouraged to believe they are part of something bigger. Everywhere I spoke I would try to say, “ouehet keneesa, ben es me Isua,” which was my lame attempt at communicating we are one church together in this world in the name of Jesus. This always brought smiles of approval, and that sense of being linked together by the love of Jesus Christ despite the many miles. I found the essence of our hearts to be the same.

I was surprised to see intense security guarding the sphinx against Islamic terrorists. I was informed that bombing the sphinx or pyramids would hinder the large flow of tourist money, allowing Islam even greater advantages in taking over the secular Egyptian government. This would hurt the church in Egypt even further, in that there are currently no permits being allowed to construct church buildings. No existing church building is allowed to stand taller than a mosque, which would make these the higher edifices.

(See Jer 32:35.)

I believe our modern health, wealth, prosperity and feel‑good teachers ought to be indicted for false advertising. How can anybody in a third world country relate to the real Jesus when they see these gaudy clothes and wealthy stage sets on television? The words of the Bible are like an ancient boundary that should never be moved out of church services. (See Pro 22:28.)

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of a Christian. We are being conformed into the image of Jesus and sometimes God  allows difficulties, and perhaps poverty to accomplish that. (See Rom 8:29.)

Even in Egypt some non‑Protestant ministers expect money for a visit. One woman cried when she saw five ministers standing at her door. How could she ever afford that? In the case that people have no money, they might even order a goose to be prepared. How did these guys ever get left out of the movie, “Dumb and Dumber”?

The expression of worship was deafening everywhere I went, and I am not referring to instruments. They sing together with one heart and one voice. While driving with windows down and radio off, all eight of us, including my guide Ramy’s family, would sing praise songs together. There were no teenage attitudes. We learned Arabic, they learned English, and God heard worship.

Our Christian roots in America are barely taught, Egypt is oppressed, and Eurabia is already snoring. In the end, only one life will soon be passed. Only what’s done with Christ will last. Is your heart on fire or just lukewarm?

Matthew 28:19