Coptic Orphans

“Marina is looking from her window, waiting and calling. She’s been asking for days when we would come and visit, and today it’s time to deliver.

I keep watching my feet, trekking through the village of Garaisa avoiding dung hills, donkeys’ kicks, and the piles of dirt on the ground; two weeks into this and I’m still too scared for my shoes to look up straight.

The rest of the village is also out to greet us. Makar from our middle school class shows us his little brother, too young to go to school. Rifka’s mother invites us inside for soda, insisting this is the least she can do for all we’ve done.

And I can’t stop thinking, what have we done? We’ve been here in this small village, unfound on a map, for two of our three weeks, teaching English to the children of the one church here, and watching in amazement what God has blessed us with because of it. We are the ones who keep receiving; what have we given?

It is a different world here—one without Yahoo!, The Washington Post, or even paved roads. Children come out of mud houses to attend class. One of my high school students is already engaged. Many kids come to class in their only non-galabeya outfit. But as Mirna offers me her lunch of a cucumber as a gift when I walk by her, God shows me something else. It’s not a world to pity, for God has given them gifts of love and charity that are so rarely found in the U.S. There’s a peaceful simplicity one might even get envious of when compared to the rat race of our society. It is here that I see Matthew 18:3, that “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” I can stay here forever, just to observe and learn from these people, for I truly have learned more than I’ve served.

But as we approach Marina’s small home, her shy but eager smile welcoming us, I click back to what I’m here for. Marina had come to class the first day with downcast eyes, so reserved, so scared. Now I watch her smiling, coming down to hold my hand and lead me in to show me her latest, beautiful drawing. After these three weeks, I don’t know how much English she’ll remember. As for the little love that we gave her, I know that will stick.”

Maria Andrawis, Summer 2004

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“Teach English to orphans in Egypt…what’s the point? This service is not necessary.” I ran into this countless times when I told people I would be spending three weeks in Matay to teach English. I even thought it myself. “This service is not necessary”…boy were we wrong. I can’t really say that I had much to offer to the kids, but they offered me more than I imagined they would. I can’t express the joy I felt during and after the Serve to Learn Program. I think I met angels on earth. The kids we served are so loving and accepting of everyone, and despite their poverty they were so generous. I felt like I tasted a little bit of heaven because so much love was expressed. The three weeks flew by too quickly. I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about the kids! If I have the opportunity to go back, I definitely will. So maybe the kids won’t remember the English we taught them, but I wouldn’t call this service unnecessary. The exchange of love between us was so beautiful – and love is always necessary.

Angie Georgy, Summer 2004

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A Summer to Remember

“This church is too cold,” I thought as I entered St. Mark’s for the first time since my trip to Matay, a town near Minya in Egypt. The cooling system was one of the many things I would need to get accustomed to after returning from my exciting adventure. This summer I traveled with a number of youth from various churches to start up Coptic Orphans’ Serve to Learn program in Matay. The purpose of this program is twofold: to assist the orphans in their written and spoken command of the English language and to tend to their emotional needs. We went to teach, but in the end, it was we who learned and the invaluable experience I gained on my trip has changed my perception of life.

We taught 60 orphans ranging from the ages of 6 to 24. I was responsible for the elementary and high school classes. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that the elementary orphans were excited to learn English, and with a little encouragement, and were eager to answer all my questions. Many of the children even demanded homework! Their faces especially lit up when they had an opportunity to speak in front of the entire class. On the other hand, the high school kids were shy and almost seemed ashamed of themselves, which I realized was a common trend due to the acute awareness of their surroundings. Their conditions were not conducive to mental stimulation; therefore, their English skills were not up to par.

When we went to visit the orphans in their homes, I was shocked at the variety of their living conditions. Some had beautiful furniture and wallpaper, while others had neither furniture nor tiles, but only bare floors, with sometimes animals living in their rooms! I was deeply touched at the realization that although the children did not have much, they were happy and content with what they did have; their joy was not dependent upon possessions. They were elated to have us over, unashamed of their living conditions, which sadly reminded me of the shallow existence many of us live today. By these children’s standards, many of us are considerably wealthy, yet we forget to thank God for all the blessed gifts he has given us. At the same time, we aren’t called to have pity on those stricken with poverty, for they are the ones who are close to Abraham’s bosom (according to St. John Crysostom’s Wealth and Poverty). God has placed them in our path to teach us.

It took some time to accept the cultural differences between Americans and Egyptians. Basically, I learned how to say “No!” to 50 aazumas. We also had to depend on Christ for EVERYTHING while we were in Matay. I especially remember coming home one day after teaching 4 lessons and visiting 20 orphans, and exhausted as I was, Christ gave me energy to do more! Through daily prayer for guidance, God showed me not to get too carried away with meetings or planning but to focus on action. I now smile more, knowing that God is in control and will take care of any problems I face through the day.

Overall, I am thankful I had the opportunity to serve, and would like to encourage the youth to let God work in their lives through the amazing experience of service. Finally, if anyone has considered sponsoring a child through Coptic Orphans, but held back, allow me introduce you to sixty amazing orphans.

Serve to Learn: Stories from the Past