February 2, 2012
by Sus
in Our Ministry, Our Newsletters
Tags: Arab Spring, Egypt, Faith Lessons, international, ministry, true stories, world news
After twenty-four years of serving with Campus Crusade for Christ in Alexandria, Egypt, Ray and Gail planned to relocate to the United States, returning on January 31, 2011. They had no idea that their plans would coincide with an uprising, part of the “Arab Spring” sweeping the Middle East.
Demonstrations began in Egypt on Tuesday, January 25th. More unrest was expected after the Islamic call to prayer on the 28th, so the government cut off all internet and cell phone service Friday morning. From their apartment, Ray and Gail heard the call to prayer, and later, the sounds of a massive crowd mixed with the pop and swoosh of rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. When the police ran out of ammunition, the crowd turned on them, killing and injuring hundreds of officers.
Alexandria, Egypt
By Saturday, the protestors had destroyed all 200 police stations in Alexandria, broken into their armories, and released all prisoners. Trains were attacked and the road to Cairo was unsafe because of car-jackings and shootings; no drivers were willing to risk their lives to take Ray and Gail to Cairo. Ray and Gail continued to trust that God would keep them safe and open a way out for them on Sunday so they could catch their flight.
The next day, their travel agent called and urged them to get into a van waiting outside. They had ten minutes to re-pack seven suitcases and then had no idea where the driver was taking them as he drove through the streets crowded with people. They were astounded that the driver was going to the train station which had been attacked the day before; however, when they pulled up, they saw the station was surrounded by army tanks. (They found out later they boarded the last train out of Alexandria.) Looking through the train’s windows, they were sad to see many small towns destroyed in this country they had come to love.
Ray and Gail stayed that night with Egyptian friends who insisted on a lavish breakfast the next morning despite Cairo’s food shortages. Also, their flight’s departure had been moved up by two hours earlier that morning, so they tried to be as patient as possible during the leisurely meal and later when they saw a huge traffic jam barely crawling toward the airport. Their driver knew a shortcut, but as their departure time drew near Ray and Gail still weren’t close enough. They finally made their flight, but didn’t know if any of their luggage was on board because of the chaotic conditions. When they were airborne everyone on the plane let out an audible sigh of relief. It wasn’t until they landed in the U.S. several days later that they learned all seven suitcases made it safely.
Ray and Gail now live in Pennsylvania and help distribute the JESUS film to immigrants in the Northeastern United States and into Canada. They were glad to share with us about God’s protection and provision for their “Exodus”. God proved faithful in every detail to return them home safely a year ago. Please also join us in praying for our staff and fellow believers in Middle Eastern countries, like Egypt, who are going through times of great upheaval.
We’re thankful that God watches over us all!
Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea
NOTE:
God used Ray to help Mike get started in a Campus Crusade Bible study thirty-four years ago while both were students at Penn State. Ray and Gail were also a part of the computer department in California with us before moving overseas.
Ray’s varied responsibilities while living in Egypt included working with the campus ministry in Cairo. Gail raised their four children and also led Bible studies and outreaches with non-Egyptian women who were married to non-Christians
January 10, 2012
by Sus
in Our Ministry, The Sower: Helping You Share Your Faith
Tags: Bible quotes, Denver Broncos, faith, Florida, God, God is, humor, Jesus, John 3:16, ministry, persuasion, Pittsburgh Steelers, The Swamp, true stories, University of Florida, wild card, world news
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” ~ John 3:16 CEV
Mike is a long-time Pittsburgh Steelers fan. The Schmitts are also University of Florida Gators fans; we especially enjoyed watching the football games when Tim Tebow was the quarterback. Josh saw every game in “The Swamp” his last year at UF. (Also Tim’s last year.)
Many of you know the Steelers lost to the Broncos Sunday 29 to 23 in “the fastest overtime win in NFL history”. You may not know that the statistics from that game have caused an eruption of sorts on the internet. (See first point in “notes” below.) Here’s some of the numbers:
- Tim had 316 total passing yards
- Tim averaged 31.6 yards per pass
- and the final quarter-hour TV rating for the game was 31.6, “the highest-rated wild card game for CBS in 24 years” (see point one in “notes”)
Millions of fans searched the internet for John 3:16 after learning of Tim’s unusual stats. In his college days, when Tim wore John 3:16 on his eye black for one game, Google recorded 93 million hits that day. (Read more on my post about Tim: Reaching Millions with Bible Verses… and a Dedicated Life.)
Because of Tim’s habit of writing Scripture verses on his eye black, NCAA voted to ban words and other items on eye black (referred to as the “Tim Tebow Rule.”) The NFL had already banned this before Tim became a professional athlete, so he had not been displaying his favorite verses as the Broncos’ quarterback, but God seems to have brought the verse to fans’ attention anyway. I couldn’t help but think of Acts 4: 19 – 20 CEV when Peter and John were ordered by the priests not to talk of Jesus Christ. Their answer was: “Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”
We pray for Tim and are grateful for his bold stand for Christ.
NOTES:
January 2, 2012
by Sus
in Our Ministry, The Sower: Helping You Share Your Faith
Tags: Jesus, true stories
A middle-aged woman walked right up to me, blocking my path. She studied my face a long time before speaking. I waited patiently, and wondered, while other WalMart shoppers maneuvered the crowded aisles around us.
“Do you know if I can get a smaller bottle of laundry soap?” she finally asked in a light, British accent. “I only need a small amount.”
“I’ll help you look,” I replied and followed her down a long, colorful aisle of endless large boxes and bottles of detergents. I explained that WalMart wasn’t a good store for small quantities and that she could try another store.
As she turned away, I pawed through my purse for a tract to give her. (I often carry British “Four Laws” with the London address on the back; we run into a lot of Brits in our part of town.) When I discovered I only had the American version, I looked up and saw her far down at the end of the aisle, turning into the stream of shoppers. I didn’t know how to try to introduce the tract to her now, after “the moment was gone,” but I felt compelled to follow after her anyway.
I caught up to her after she turned down another aisle. I mumbled awkwardly about following her, and then I was surprised to see we were standing in front of another display of detergent! I was so relieved to have another reason to be with her! We chose a smaller bottle that would work for her vacation. I then handed her “Would You Like To Know God Personally,” which is based on the British version of the “Four Spiritual Laws.”
When I’m traveling or interacting with a tourist (we live in a high-tourism area), I often feel compelled to speak to them about Christ, since I know I’ll obviously not cross their path again.
Do you keep tracts in your pocket or purse? Are you willing to talk to people about Christ on your errands?
© Sus Schmitt 2012
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