In early July, I joined my youngest daughter and six others to visit three of InterVarsity’s Global Projects (GPs) — two in Egypt and one in Turkey. When GP Director Scott Bessenecker first proposed the trip last fall, I had little idea what a significant experience it would prove to be.
Cairo – Garbage Village
Over forty thousand Egyptians live in Mokattam, a garbage village on the outskirts of Cairo. Every morning residents collect the refuse of the city and sort through it for recyclables in the first floors of their own homes.
In early July, I joined my youngest daughter and six others to visit three of InterVarsity’s Global Projects (GPs) — two in Egypt and one in Turkey. When GP Director Scott Bessenecker first proposed the trip last fall, I had little idea what a significant experience it would prove to be.
Cairo – Garbage Village
Over forty thousand Egyptians live in Mokattam, a garbage village on the outskirts of Cairo. Every morning residents collect the refuse of the city and sort through it for recyclables in the first floors of their own homes. Living quarters are typically on the second and third floors.
In this squalor of foul smells, teeming flies, and furtive rats, a Coptic priest has formed a remarkable ministry of helping the collectors organize themselves and caring for the handicapped. For the past several years, InterVarsity has sent GP teams to assist Father Simon in serving the community. This year’s team consisted of thirteen American and seven Egyptian students. It was truly a privilege to be with them.
I am still processing many anomalies—saddened by the sight of shoeless children rummaging through piles of waste, warmed by the sincerity of residents’ faith, touched by an eleven-year-old girl that I cradled who weighed just 30 pounds, smothered with hospitality at a wedding celebration. Our students have much to ponder from this immersion into a world of need and tenacious courage. For more details, go here.
Cairo – Sudanese Refugees
Up to half a million Sudanese refugees currently reside in Egypt. Unable to return home due to civil war, unwelcomed in Egypt, and largely barred from international resettlement after 9/11, they live in a perverse limbo of uncertainty.
Our student team of fourteen served the Sudanese in a variety of capacities, such as teaching English, providing childcare, and aiding in vocational training. Perhaps most significantly, they befriended people who are friendless, poor, and alienated.
Interacting with the Sudanese brought back many memories of both the sorrow and joy of serving the displaced. While in my late twenties, I spent five years as a Regional Director for World Relief. My Seattle office resettled over 1,000 refugees a year. But resettlement for these Sudanese refugees will be delayed until many internal problems in African countries are resolved. The compassion of our students provided a glimmer of hope to those who feel so much hopelessness. For a more detailed account, go here.
Turkey
Due to the sensitivity of our work in Turkey, I will mention neither the location nor the names of those involved. Suffice to say, I was very encouraged by what I saw. Though the spiritual ground is dry and staff are constantly restricted by the government and Islamic culture, gospel seeds are being planted.
Please pray for our heroic sisters and brothers who serve against all odds and for InterVarsity students who have built one-to-one relationships during their summer stay. Also pray that their fruit abides.
Final Thoughts
InterVarsity’s threefold vision is to see students and faculty transformed by the gospel, campuses renewed, and world-changers developed. Global Projects give our students an opportunity to face the injustices and oppression of the world’s system and to bring back to campus deepened character and conviction. Our chapters will be the stronger for sending students to learn and serve among “the least of these” in distant places. God is doing amazing things in this generation, and it is a thrill to be part of it. I have never been more proud of being part of the Fellowship.
