On the road to Sinai: Exodus

On the road to Sinai: Exodus

We are now traveling towards the Suez Canal, which we will cross under through a tunnel. On the other side of the canal, we will be in the Sinai, a much different landscape than what we have experienced thus far.

Yesterday was a rich day, filled with a wide variety of experiences. Like many days, it did not go as we (or our tour guide) had planned. Our original schedule called for us to visit the Egyptian Museum first thing and then visit a local crafts and jewelry store to see some local goods (and shop for those so inclined).

As we prepared to leave the museum, however, we had a change of plans. Actually, we didn’t change our plans; the Egyptian government changed them. Our group had been chosen to have a police escort to our next destination. This meant that even though we were ready to leave, we couldn’t because we had to wait for our escort.

Though our driver agued with the police, they insisted on giving us this “escort”. So, we had to wait, and wait, and wait, for the police to come and escort us to our next destination.

I asked “H” our tour guide if it was a good or bad thing to have an escort. He shrugged and said that it could be either. Apparently, from time to time, the police will randomly pick a tour bus to “escort” in order to make their presence more visible. The good part is that with a police escort you are very safe and secure. The bad part is that you may have to wait for hours for the escort to arrive. From our perspective, I can only say we experience the “bad” effect of the escort. Because of the escort, our schedule for the day was thrown off completely.

So, rather than going to shop, we went instead to the Coptic church of Saint Sergius. What a perfect spot for us to visit after the museum. Though the experience in the museum was wonderful, the crowds made it uncomfortable and oppressive after a time. Most of us were not in the best of moods after we walked out of that place. What if we had immediately rushed to a crowded store to shop after the museum? What state would we have been in?

In God’s time, however, with the help of the Cairo police force, we went to a place of refuge instead. From the hectic crowded atmosphere of the museum, we went to the still, quiet and peaceful place where Joseph, Mary and Jesus abided when they fled from King Herod. This was the 1^st church we had entered since our pilgrimage began. I didn’t expect to be so moved when we stepped into that holy place, but I certainly was.

I am not sure why I was so moved. I suspect my soul and spirit simply needed to exhale and be still and I hadn’t be aware of that need. Thanks to the Cairo police, I was given a gift. I am thankful.

Blessings,

Robert