MUST SEE!!!Egypt Revolution 2011 Demonstrators Vs police Fighting

An Egyptian Revolution

Since the 25th of January, I have been so wrapped up with the events in Egypt, hardly sleeping and hung up on all sorts of media coverage. Between the Internet in the shape of twitter, Face book and YouTube and the different TV channels from El Jazeera to NBC and the BBC even the Egyptian TV, which I have to say provided the comedy factor during this difficult time by how it reported what was happening. However, blogging was taking a back seat as I felt somehow it was not fast enough in a - to quote the white house - very fluid situation! Today, I was thinking about the significant of the last few days in history and with the flood of information, I felt that in the middle of all these names, photos, statuses, tweets and clips; things will get lost and forgotten and we need to start to think about preserving the place of those brave enough to risk everything for freedom. So here is my very humble attempt with a selection of photos, clips and comments that were exchanged in the last few days. Some in Arabic and some in English, some written in a poetic style and some just came as jokes and black hummer, some brought me to tears and others made me fuming with rage, some from close friends and some from complete strangers. The one thing that join all these together is one cause, "Give us back our country"!

Why did it all start?
In an interview with Adel Emam (Egyptian actor), he was asking the question: "what did Mubarak do to deserve insults from people?" This question is repeated throughout the clip. Throughout the clip, there are images of why does he deserve this. Few headlines in Arabic
about electricity cuts and brutality against people. [be aware there are brutal images in this clip].




the first few days of the revolution



The million man march

the day of rage, Friday 28/1/11
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." Benjamin Franklin

Unforgettable guy


An inventive way to avoid being hit on the head with stones :)
The sign read: "leave...my hand is hurting"
هاحميكي يا اما ويا ابويا هاحميك يا شجر التوت
هاحميكي بدمي وهاحمي الشوارع والبيوت

هاحميك يا نيل ويا بحر هاحميكي يا قاهرة يا اسكندرية يا بور سعيد

يا سويس يا كل شبر فية تراب اسمر

هاحميكي يا سمرة وهاموت وانا واقف بطل وحررتك من الطغيان

(a poem about protecting every part of the land)

Christians and Muslims stand together for freedom

And Christians men form a ring around Muslims to protect them during their prayers at demonstrations in Cairo.


And let us not forget all the women of Egypt, http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=47355&id=100001256040548&fbid=162572827127918


"But it turned out that the camel that was released on the protesters was originally from Israel, carries a foreign passport, trained in the Middle East and was originally a shark. It was also said that the camel was mentally ill and had some kind of “electric shock” that affected its behaviour".



Some of the martyrs who died in the clashes with the police and the government's thugs
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=332932&id=593045109&fbid=10150132914260110

أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل يُهمِّك من مات؟
هل تُهِمّك الدماء؟
هل تهتزين عندما تسقط البنايات؟
هل يهمك احتراق القطارات
وغرق العبارات
وزوارق الهجرة
وحوادث السيارات
أم يهمك فقط أن ننسى
ونحرق الحشيش
وقُرص الفياجرا
ونشاهد المباريات؟
*********************
أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل تهمك النساء؟
هل ترتجفين
عندما تُنتَهكُ الفتيات؟
هل تُهِمُّك المطلقات
اللاهثات في أروقة المحاكم
ومصلحة المعاشات
أم يُهمك فقط أن ننسى
ونملأ بطوننا
وأنت تملأين عنّا
صناديق الانتخابات؟
*********************
أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل يُهِمُّك الأطفال؟
حين ماتت الفتاة ظلماً
في عيادة الختان
وحين مات الولد ضرباً
هل عرفت الأحزان
هل يُهمك طفل الشوارع
وعقل في المدرسة فارغ
إلا من التفاهات؟
أم يُهمُّك فقط أن ننسى
ونملأ عقولنا بالفتاوى
ونحبا في الدار الأخرى
وأنت في المنتجعات
*********************
أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل تهمك الأبدان؟
حين عُلِّق المصري
في لبنان
هل شعرت بالغضب
وحين بيعت الفتاة حلالاً
لشيوخ العرب
وحين تباع أجزاء البشر
كقطع الغيار في المحلات
أم يُهمك فقط أن ننسى
ونحلم بشقة أوسع
وسيارة أكبر
وتكييف
وتزييف
ومزيد من الفضائيات
*********************
أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل يهمك التاريخ ؟
هل تهمك الذكريات؟
هل أصابتك القشعريرة
عند بيع الآثار
وسرقة الأفلام
واشتعال الوثائق
وسرقة اللوحات
أم يُهمك فقط أن ننسى
ونحلم بنمو الوديعة
ومزيد من الاستثمارات
ودرجات الأبناء
في غباء الامتحانات
أخبريني يا دولة المُسَكِّنات...
هل يُهِمّك حقاً من مات؟
هل تهمك الدماء؟
هل تهمك النساء؟
هل تهمك الأبدان؟
هل تهمك الأطفال؟
هل يهمك التاريخ؟
هل تهمك الأوطان؟
By Awsam Wasfi, a poem with questions to the country on daily issues and if anyone cares about ordinary people.

Protesters having fun with the slogans


So far the revolution is still going strong and the end is near.

The End is near .... Hold on tight

By Pierre Kroll welknow belgian press cartoonist in "Le Soir", great newspaper in Belgium

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

A Thousand Questions...simply amazing!

Trick or treat, victory or defeat?

As Halloween approached, for the first time ever, my daughter had lots of questions about the subject. In the past we always did not like any of the Halloween stuff, we knew that we celebrated light and salvation in Jesus and that death and darkness were not on the menu at all in the shape of Halloween. But this year, the conversation started with all questions about the history behind Halloween as we researched it before and knew all about its background in the past. My daughter question was “why do not we do something fun and still celebrate light and salvation, celebrated the old way it used to be”. In fact it used to be All Hallows Eve which was tied directly to All Saints Day celebrated on November 1 of each year to commemorate the old saints who have past on. These “saints” were heroes and martyrs for the Christian Faith. This was a tricky discussion for me. As a child growing up in Egypt, we never heard about Halloween, and so as a mother I was happy to follow the church line not to celebrate Halloween. However, I was faced with the dilemma this year with my child clearly understands what she wanted to do and not wanting to be following the crowd blindly and equally wanting to have fun while sticking to our values.

Looking at Christmas, there is so much focus on the tree, the gifts and Santa, does that mean that we will ban Christmas? No, but we will keep the message alive and keep the focus back on what really matter, the birth of the king who saved us.

So when it came to Halloween, I agreed to a small party for few friends, with no death, skeletons or any scary things. We did crafts and played games and visited few houses of people we knew –rather than some glorified begging for sweets- and the kids had fun. I painted their faces and had mine done as well and was praying all thorough the night for God’s protection to be on all of them.

I remember that similar discussion surrounded the harry potter books and whether as christian we should read them or not with the links to witchcrafts and magic and so on. I really believe that if you have your “holy spirits eyes on” you can see God in everything. Before my daughter went to bed tonight, she said that she had a great day, we prayed and thanked God that Jesus is the light of the world and that he conquered everything that is dark and evil. I trust that if i make a big deal out of little things without full explanations and complete convections especially when my daughter is approaching her teens very quickly, it is more likely that she will grow resenting her faith. After all as Cliff always says, “why do we let the devil have all the fun”?

"I am still not sure about God"

This is what my daughter announced as she was settling into bed! At that point we just finished praying and thanking God for the day. She said: "I am still waiting for some scientific evidence to make sure that God created the world". I was surprised by the word "still", as she is only 9 years old and has not been looking for evidence for the existence of God that long! I listened to her as she put all her ideas across and I was really fascinated that no matter how old we are, we are looking for assurance that what we believe deep down is the right thing. She said that the "big bang" doesn't really make sense and that to have come from monkeys was really silly. But she wants to see a sign..a big gesture..then she said.."I have only one thing that I know is true, the bible and it was written by so many different people that it could not have been all made up". I was glad and reassured at this point :) We had some discussion and I love the fact that we can share all the questions, ideas and even the doubts. God is like that with us, he loves us so much and he does not mind when we come to him as his kids and ask all kinds of questions, HE loves us to chat with him more than anything else. As for the time being, I am asking for wisdom, a lot of it and quick!!

Yacoubian Building

This is the trailer for "Yacoubian building" movie, with the biggest budget ever in the history of the Egyptian cinema. It is based on the best selling novel under the same name by Alaa Al Aswany. I watched the movie and it is very brave attempt to address the changes in the Egyptian society. The fiction in this movie is so real that makes it scary to watch knowing the level of corruption, the secretes, the link between religion and politics and the huge gap between the rich and the poor. Great movie and I am surprised that it was released for public viewing in the first place.

Church time

An excellent cartoon from the Asbo Jesus website.

Sad news

About a year and half ago, I wrote about a big car accident that involved my old church back in Egypt. Sad to say that it has happened again. This time, in 2 different accidents in the space of one week, 2 dear friends have lost their life. There are a number of people still in hospital with broken bones and other injuries. The church is in shock to say the least. This is not a usual rate of road accidents in this part of the country and the obvious questions is

WHY?

On an online forum, people are posting messages and condolences, others are airing frustrations and condemnations to the church. It is a sad time and some are attacking the leadership of the church and declaring that this is God's judgment on his people. The church family is mourning the loss of 2 prominent people who have been serving the Lord for a long time and I have been personally blessed and guided by them as a young christian. The question is, how can the church mourn and still focus on God, the comforter, the redeemer and the saviour without blaming God or each other. We are all called to examine our hearts and repent, on a daily basis and not only when crises comes.

Only God in his mercy can deliver us.

Joy (The Vally of Vision-Arthur Bennitt)

O Christ,
All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.
Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice.
For my joy thou hast sent the Comforter,
Multiplied by promises,
Shown me my future happiness,
Given me a living foundation.
Thou are preparing joy for me and me for joy;
I pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy;
Give me more than I can hold, desire, or think of.

Measure out to me my times and degrees of joy at my work, business, duties.
If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning.
Let me rest in the thought of thy love,
Pardon for sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state.
I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace.
I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love,
But can in repentance draw water from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness.

Let my heart leap toward the eternal Sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected for ever.
Where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy.
There is no joy like the joy of heaven, for in that state are no sad divisions, unchristian quarrels, contentions, evil designs, weariness, hunger, cold, sadness, sin, suffering, persecutions, toils of duty.

O healthful place where none are sick!
O happy land where all are kings!
O holy assembly where all are priests!
How free a state where none are servants except to thee!
Bring me speedily to the land of joy

One evening in Avenue Q

People's dreams, trying to find your purpose in life, finding love, ahh and finding a place that is affordable…welcome to the neighbourhood in Avenue Q. A funny and sweet (and at times rude) musical that I enjoyed very much last night. The use of puppets was superb and the ideas although simple, were addressed so nicely. One of the main characters –Princeton- spent all his time trying to find his purpose in life and “Kate monster” was always trying to help. There were also the “bears of bad ideas” who always chip in at the wrong time with bad ideas that often made things worse.
Avenue Q was great fun and as always there is something about the theatre that is so magical, powerful and highly enjoyable.

Montpellier .... très jolie

Spent few days in Montpellier, south of France and it is really a lovely, beautiful place to be. One of the nice things I liked very much is the grass that is so neat on the tram rails which adds a nice feeling to the roads and to the journey down the busy town. Lovely coloured trams as well to cheer everyone up throughout the day. Certainly, a place to visit again and again.

Don't get busy with the Bees.....Go after the HONEY

There are a list of "Bees" that keep people away from God:

Books (work, study worries)

Bills (money)

Blocks/birds (relationships)

Body (image,health)

Bereavement (bad experiences)

But here is my list of HONEY that we need to focus on

HONEY

Hold on to the faith

Only Jesus can save

No condemnation now on those in Christ

Encourage yourself and each other

Your life is safe in His hands

So I say, do not just stay busy with the BEEs, go after the Honey!

what can I say?

How much I love Elephants

Happy Birthday

This is the time of year when I thank God that birthdays are only once a year! just purely for the fact that I needed to organise a birthday party for my daughter. As usual we went through various ideas ranging from the utterly expensive to the ones that will send me to an early grave with worry and bypassing any ideas that involve the words "woods survival skills" or "adventure camping" !

At this point of the planning, I often think about government departments and how they reach ANY kind of decisions as I struggle to reach a decision about a birthday party.

At the end we made a decision and D day arrived and I am glad to report that it was GREAT. We decided to go for a sports party involving canoeing and crate stacking. It was wonderful the the kids had a fantastic time. I also remained calm and in one piece, staying strong on my objection to "jumping in the river after the canoeing".

Just a small question, should organising successful birthday parties be a skill that I should include in my CV in the future? I think so :)

What a week

It is so true that one week is too long in politics. Since last Thursday, we have seen an election, a hung parliament, some resignations, new type of coalition and a liberal democrat in the government for the first time in more than 60 years. What a week!


I think that the presence of the lib dem in the government will make the conservative rule a less bitter pill to stomach. On top of that, the conservative will have someone to blame if things do not go according to plan. "we had to do things in a difficult sitting working with the lib dem" I can hear the conservative say.

But in this time where the country face this huge task of dealing with the economic situation, I think we needed a government of national unity, putting the country first. Now, my question is, if this coalition government really work and they go on to deliver in this uncertain climate, can we have an option on the ballot paper to choose another hung parliament next time?

just a thought for electoral reforms :)

I am back to my running days and I am loving it so much. No excuse now as the weather is better and so I am back to my training. I am trying to push behined the 1hour baraier for my next event. Today, I was able to do 45 min follwed by a long collapse :) I am hoping that in the next few days I will be able to do more.

In the last few months, I feel that I have been going through some spiritual desert, with little if any bible teaching. The problem with that was it gets very comfy not being challenged and after a while it is very cosy to stay still with the common "I believe in God, I am saved, why worry" attitude. But thanks to someone who was giving a talk to a group of people (not about anything to do with God or the church), I was really encouraged and felt this is someone who knows the Lord. Now, we visited the new church and I LOVE it. I am being challenged by God's word (and it is not comfortable place let me say) but I know it is the right place to be. I am longing to grow and keep going with God in all the ups and the downs of my life and a strong lively church is where I need to be. I pray that God can use me in this new place for his glory.