Coptic Mission had the honor of hosting a group of volunteer consultant surgeons from the United States in July, 2012 last year. The doctors were in Kenya for a much awaited surgical medical camp which ran from July 5 to August 4 and consisted of gynecologists, ophthalmologists and general surgeons.

Missionary, Congo

Serving in Congo taught me many things, mostly it taught me that the Bible is meant to be lived, not read or memorized or even preached with words alone. Here is a story that taught me the meaning of "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20: 35

I thought living in Mungule village in Zambia was going to be a challenge. After all, there was no electricity, no running water, and no bathrooms. However, I quickly discovered what Mother Maggie meant when she said “When you have nothing God becomes everything.”

A historic and solemn liturgy on Sunday, November 4, 2012, in the
cathedral of St. Mark in Cairo, Egypt concluded with the naming of the
118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

An issue that we keep praying about is the construction of the new hospital. Completing the construction of the new hospital has proven to be a challenge.

Through years of experience, God has shown us that mission is not a word or a dream or a wish but rather it is a challenge of faith. It is easy to observe the needs of the people and wish to help them and believe that it is a great necessity, but in reality to support their needs; to cover the needs of the people in Africa is a big challenge of faith

The spread of fatal diseases, especially the plague of HIV/AIDS in Africa along with the prevailing poverty have become a challenge for us. The challenge is how to help our dear communities, especially when the resources coming into the mission have been greatly minimized due to the economic crisis which has rippled effects globally.

We give thanks to our glorious Lord for a very fruitful summer in Zambia, Congo, Tanzania and Kenya.  We have received many groups from the US, Canada, London, Europe and Egypt.  Our eyes and hearts have seen great fruits and miracles in the service this summer.

We have seen….

• death-sentenced prisoners crying, confessing their sins and accepting to be baptized and received holy communion in the holy and apostolic Coptic Orthodox Church before their sentence {prison ministry}
• people in smaller branch-churches responding to the word of God by repenting and giving their lives to the Lord
• new branches of churches starting and new churches being built
• hundreds of people in the market place confessing their sins and asking the King Jesus to enter their lives
• the power of the Lord cast out demons
• the word of God reach remote areas and villages of Tanzania, Kenya & Zambia
• hundreds of sick-people treated by medical campaigns and many returning healthy to the church
• smiles on the faces of hundreds of orphans when they received gifts from the visitors – things as simple as coloring books, toys and candy
• after one of the movies shown, the owner of the local bar confessed his sins and was willing to sell his bar and follow the Lord

It was July 2012

            Did these thoughts ever come to your mind? Are you willing to go out of your way and dedicate time to God? Would you like to see God in a new and challenging way? What have you done lately with what God has given you? Have I allowed God to manifest His purpose for my life?Well, this is what Africa is all about!!! If you didn’t notice yet, these are the questions that appear at the top of the main page of copticmission.org that is the page at which you are at now. Going to Africa isn’t something you check off from a list of stuff to do before dying. It is about doing something CrAzY for the Lord just like His Grace Bishop Paul would say. Being in Africa, you become aware of how you spend your time daily and how you set your priorities in life. In Africa it is crystal clear: The goal is God! But the whole challenge relies here back in the full of stress busy lives we have back at our homes. Africa is all about a wake up call to analyze how you are living your life. The Africa way of understanding life is as Saint Augustine says: You have made us for yourself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in You. Africa is a place at which you see and hear God clearly only because there is no distractions in your mind. Quiet time in the morning at the water was a peaceful time at which you can hear Jesus talk to you while being alone with Him. These were moments of great comfort. Some other moments were times were I learned so much.

I met Joshua in an orphanage in Africa. Just like almost every child I had met on my trip, his outlook on life was so positive and joyful that I could not help but feel inspired. He possessed no toys, no video games; he had never tasted candy and had never gone to the zoo with his family. Basically, the only things he had that truly belonged to him were the clothes on his back, the shoes on his feet and the smile that would simply never go away. My name is Anthony, and in this little boy Joshua, I saw Jesus. 

Serving in Kenya this year made me fall in love with my Lord Jesus Christ. My story doesn’t really involve any drastic lifestyle change..I’ve always been going to church.. but it just shows how God, who I always thought I had a ‘relationship’ with, finally got proper access to my heart for the first time.

I was actually dreading Kenya when I booked my flight ticket; not because I didn’t want to serve but simply because I felt that if God did end up touching my heart then I’d have to sacrifice so much worldly stuff that I loved in my life.

I went to Kenya this summer along with a group from the UK. I didn't have a purpose or vision when I went. It was just a desire to share my passion of serving poor people in the name of Jesus Christ.  I also desired to have a positive view of God in my life and to reflect His special love for people in all that I do. During this period I had the opportunity to share and enjoy the best quiet time I've ever experienced.