Testimonials

God's Heart isn't the Only Joyful Heart in Africa

Peter Meshreky, October 2010
From Los Angeles, CA (USA)

The last time I visited Africa was in June of 1998. I had a lot of anxiety because my trip then was a very memorable experience and I feared this trip would leave me disappointed in a God that was so BIG in 1998. When arriving at the airport, I realized I didn’t have the address to the Coptic Centre and I needed to take a taxi there. I was amazed when I just asked the taxi driver to take me to the Coptic Church and he automatically knew where to go. I figured this wouldn’t be the case if I had arrived at LAX. The anxiety increased after arriving at the Coptic Centre and realizing that that was a very different centre I left 12 years ago. What was once a Church and small clinic had grown into a very large compound which now consisted of the same Church, a large hospital, and the largest HIV/AIDS treatment facility in all of Kenya. It currently treats over 15,000 patients free of charge. With all of that going on, I wondered what was in store for me in the weeks to come. I feared that maybe the mission shifted its focus and the pastoral care aspect may have decreased.

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EXPECTATIONS

Anthony Girges, October 2010
From Los Angeles, CA (USA)

When others set a high expectation for a place and/or person, it’s very difficult for the place and/or person to live up to that expectation because of this perfect image that is set in one’s mind. When in Nairobi, Kenya, people painted this perfect picture of the city of Maseno, Kenya and of the people of Maseno. I was told, I would “fall in love with Maseno,” and “the people in Maseno are very spiritual.” I could neither understand nor comprehend why people spoke so highly of Maseno, the high expectations were set and I was hesitant to form this perfect image in my mind. But I did, and I could wait no longer to experience Maseno for myself.

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The Power of Prayer

Africa Mission Trip from
Washington D.C.
November 2007

Where do we start? There are no words to describe what one experiences in Africa We felt God’s hand in every event and every gathering from the onset of the trip. We were in Africa for a total of 2 plus weeks and spent about a week in Zambia and about another week in Congo. Our schedule was packed: trips to the market to preach the love of Christ publicly to anyone that would listen; visitations to private homes to reach out to church members and strangers alike and share with them the Word of God; traveling to the Bush called Munguli where the people did not have much but they impressed us with their amazing voices and their love for God and their thirst and hunger for the Word (and where one of the missionaries, who shall remain unnamed, got a marriage proposal with a dowry of 30 cows!!); visiting the orphan’s school in Lusaka; visiting the little piece of heaven called Kasisi orphanage established by Catholic nuns; meeting with servants from Congo that drove 1500 kilometers on their BICYCLES to come and see us; praying liturgies; prayer meetings; praise and worship meetings; sharing Quiet Time; and last but not least Bible studies.

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A Day in the Mission at Maseno, Kenya

Sherry Mitry - November 27, 2007

We are in Maseno, Kenya (a small village that is not on the map, but you can find Kisumo on the map, which is approximately a 30 minute drive from Maseno). I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank God, everything is going wonderful! He has been teaching us a lot and I believe he is using us in mighty ways, as well!

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HAVE WE MISSED THE OBVIOUS?

Summer is here and Zambia is getting hotter and hotter. I have been here about 7 months now serving in Lusaka and I can honestly say I have seen and experienced a lot. I will share some of the small experiences with you. I am not here to share any new amazing idea, but will only share what God is showing me.

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Nigeria Mission Trip – July/August 2007

What makes a perfect mission trip? Good food, good group, a safe trip maybe, meeting some nice people…. Is this what Mission is really about.....

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Washington DC mission trip to Africa

It is not everyday a group of 20 Egyptian-Americans hand over their passports and credit cards to travel half way across the world in the depths of African nations preaching the Word of God. But it has become an annual trip for the youth of St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. Each year, the sign-up sheets and waiting lists for the Africa Mission Trip grows and grows. Yet, by the time Easter rolls around, God has already hand picked His group of missionaries: opening doors of financial donations and freeing up their schedules. Some take their seats on the plane and wonder, “What in the world am I doing here? I’M GOING TO AFRICA!”

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EXPERIENCING GOD'S JOY

By Georgette Jacoub, Mother and D.C. “Elders” Team
St. Mark Coptic Church, Washington, D.C.
Nov/Dec. 2006

When I first decided to join the missionaries to Africa, many thoughts came to my mind; I did not know exactly what to expect or what I can offer to the people there with my very limited talents. I talked to Abouna Bishoy who encouraged me by telling me that going there is a great experience on its own. To be honest, I just came to find out why our children love this place and what make them came back full of life and joy and the light of Christ is clearly shining in them.

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IN YOUR PRESENCE IS THE FULLNESS OF JOY

By Father Anthony Messeh
St. Mark Coptic Church, Washington, D.C.
June 2006

As I conclude another mission trip to Africa and reflect back on this trip, my 5th trip to Africa. I don’t quite know how to describe this trip. Words really can’t describe all that we experienced over the past few weeks, but they say a picture is a worth a thousand words. So let me draw a picture for you.

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PRAISING GOD WITH PASSION

By Monica Fam
St. Mark Coptic Church, Washington, D.C.
June 2006

This is my first time in Africa, and I believe this has been the best experience of my life. I can tell you many stories of the poverty I’ve seen, the thousands of kids without shoes, the starving mammas and babbas. I can tell you about the billions of kids running after us and wanting to shake our hands like we are some kind of celebrity . . . and starving for our attention. I can even tell you about the horrible living conditions that I’ve witnessed and people happily living in a house that is the size of an average bathroom in America. I can tell you about the hot African sun that has even managed to give us Egyptians a nice red color . . .