Out of Egypt

Hello All,
What follows are journal entries from my trip to Egypt. They begin on May 30, 2006. I hope you enjoy.

May 30, 2006

Right now I am in an Internet Cafe in Cairo.

Each of us travelers (seminary students, graduates, and professors) must keep an "integrative journal" recording our experiences in Egypt. While I do have a journal, I seem to write better and faster on the computer. Therefore, since I didn't bring my laptop (I would have had to purchase a converter--because the plugs are different here and those from the U.S.A. don't fit), I will write mine via e-mail and send them to myself and others.

However, my thoughts for today--I want to share with you, particularly with my "special ladies" from New Friends New Life--so Lauri, please pass this along during the "Dinner Hour" on Wednesday evening. By the way--right now it is 8:25pm in Cairo and 12:30pm in Dallas.

Today the group journeyed to the Cairo Museum. There were many sites to see, in fact, this is the 3rd largest Museum in the World. It contains over 118, 000 relics and artifacts. Our tour guide Tarik--a reeeaaal cutie pie, wth a Masters in Archaeology. Anyhoo--let me stop thinking about Tarik and get back to business.

While I saw many incredible relics, what I want to write about is not one of them, at least not tonight. What really captured my heart and thoughts, was a couple, walking in the museum. Actually, it was a couple with their two daughters. They were Egyptians. Let me paint the picture for you.

The husband was dressed as any man you might see in America. He had on a pair of baggy jeans--yes, I think he may have even been "sagging." He also had on a regular button down shirt--with the first couple of buttons open--revealing his chest. And he wore sandals showing off all ten of his toes--you may not think that bit of info is relevant, but just wait.

On the other hand, we have his wife. This elusive woman wore all black, from head to toe...not even her toes were showing. Since today is our first day, I'm not sure of the actual name of the garment, but I will know by tomorrow. Looking at the woman was difficult. Not because she was ugly or anything like that, but because you virtually could not see her...only her eyes.

As I began contemplating what I thought and felt about this, I thought to myself...Woman in black, who are you? Who was she? As if her identity could only be captured or understood in light of what the eyes could see. I began thinking of her as a "voiceless, invisible woman. Who is she--where is she--what does she look like?

Then my mind sort of shifted. I then said to myself, her husband knows who she is, her family knows who she is, and most likely, she has friends, girlfriends, who also know who she is and what she looks like. Wow, that line of thinking was revelatory for me! There are people who know this woman...we, that is--the general public, just "don't get to see her."

Hmmm, "We don't get to see her"--that thought was also revelatory. We don't get to see her--as in "seeing this woman" and knowing this woman -- is a privilege!!

Now, that's a different way of looking at this significant cultural difference. You see in America--everyone gets to see women--all of us--in reality, there is a commonness about American Women. Many of us have the tendency to live as though very little is sacred, or special about us. We show everything--at least, from a physical perspective. We show our legs, our arms, our faces, our backs, our thighs, and even our little, itty bitty ties.

We are seen--but not really, at least not for some of us. Our bodies are seen, but often we are not taken seriously for that very reason.

What I want me and my sisters to understand, is that we ought to live our lives and conduct ourselves with this thought in mind--"It is a privilege to see, feel, hear, touch, and yes, taste us." Plant this thought in your souls...in your spirits. Live as though you believe--you are special, every single part of your being. You are more than what the eye can see. And, yet, be careful to leave a little something to the imagination!

I love you all dearly,

P.S. Tomorrow, we travel to the Valley of the Kings...where today it was 125 degrees. Pray for a sistah!