Page 19 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians Jan-Mar-2024-125

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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.
STRENGTH
TO STAND
Christ’s love among
the garbage collectors
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.
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’.
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
Women and girls sort through refuse in Cairo.
Most of the rubbish collectors are Christians, who
live in the poorer parts of the city