‘Strength To Stand’ project in Cairo helps women stand firm in their Christian faith, writes Jack Norman.
In the male-dominated Islamic culture of Egypt the lives of poor Christian women can be extremely vulnerable.
Those in the capital work in the most deprived areas, such as collecting and recycling refuse in the ‘Garbage City’ of Mokattam, where the stunning cave churches are situated.
However, for more than a decade Release International partners have been serving Christian women in an even poorer rubbish-collection area of Cairo called Ezbet El Nakh.
Known as ‘Strength to Stand’ the project team documents the living conditions of families there and then comes alongside the women to help them in their daily lives. They suffer because they are Christians, and also because they are women, who are marginalised and often abused.
The project workers assure them that they are not alone and provide practical training in areas such as healthcare and home economics. Central to the project is the place of the Bible and the need for spiritual growth.
As I have visited over the years I am always encouraged by the difference the project is making in the lives of entire families who are reconnecting with, and strengthening, their churches. The priests I have talked to are full of praise for the work,
and they are even being put under pressure from the husbands who, having seen the impact on their wives, want to learn the Bible for themselves!
Along with another group funded by one of our associate ministries in Europe, the project team has now visited and documented the situations in more than 12,000 homes, with many families subsequently receiving help. One of the most satisfying aspects of the work is recognising how many of the current leadership team were actually recipients of assistance in the past.u
The name ‘Strength to Stand’ is key to the aims of the project. I have written previously in Voice magazine of how young Christian girls, and even married women, can be enticed to leave their families and marry Muslim men with the promise of a better life. The project helps them to stand firm in their Christian faith, knowing that, whatever they may be promised, it is nothing compared to the treasure they have in Christ.
One of the abiding memories I come away with each time I visit the project is the joy of the leaders.
Covid forced their hand and they rose brilliantly to the challenge
In spite of their circumstances they have great joy in the Lord and feel privileged to serve God in this way.
Another encouragement is how the team responded to the impact of Covid. As with most of the world, the pandemic brought extra pressures but in my visits before the outbreak we had discussed how they could wean themselves off relying on external help for planning and training.
Covid forced their hand and they rose brilliantly to the challenge, creating innovative ways to stay in touch with families and taking full responsibility for planning the project activities, including the Bible teaching plans.
All of this work is thanks to the prayers and help of faithful believers such as Release International supporters in the UK. Thank you and please keep praying for the project teams, which continue to provide poor Christian women in Egypt with the ‘Strength to Stand’.
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