The Price of Hope

First of all, we're all feeling a lot better! Thanks for praying or caring, or combining the two.

Our sicknesses have been minor disruptions in the trip. Today we heard about some more serious trials. Egypt is one of the "liberal" Islamic countries. You can be a Muslim, or Christian, or whatever. However, for a Muslim to BECOME a Christian there is a great price.

What do you believe? Do you believe anything enough to give up everything? That is what a Muslim convert faces. He will lose his social standing, his friends, his job, his insurance, his security, his inheritance, his very family. We heard today about a 14 year old boy whose father turned him in to the secret police for becoming a Christian. Some Muslim families will continue to live with their converted relative, but ban him or her from meals. You lose it all.

We talk big about our hope in Christ. We certainly have promises for a security, inheritance and family that far outweigh the realities of this world. But do we hope, or merely "hope so"? That has been our focus as a team. How do you go from "hope so" to the confident expectation that is the hope of the Bible? For the Muslim who chooses to be shunned and to lose it all, "hope so" isn't an option. I believe the encouragement and understanding we've received here is immeasurable. Thanks for your prayers!
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ps We're back in Cairo. Outreach for a couple of days, and then back to the states.