2012:6 - The Morning After

The mood around the seminary is bleak this morning. Al Masry-Al Youm is reporting that Mohammed Morsy is the winner of the Egyptian Presidential election with just over 51% of the vote. I believe that this is the same outcome that has been announced on Egyptian television.

Before leaving on Saturday my students were virtually certain that Shafiq would win the election. They readily admitted that neither candidate was a good choice for Egypt, but in their minds Shafiq was less bad than Morsy. There’s also concern that none of this means anything if the military continues to exert control over the country which it appears to be doing.

My students and others I have talked to are deeply concerned by what Morsy’s election will mean for Egypt’s ability to move forward, stabilize its economy and create the kind of environment that will allow the youth of Egypt to have a future. Unemployment among youth in Egypt is extremely high which keeps them from being able to save the money necessary to marry and start a new home and family. They are also very concerned about what this will mean for Christians in Egypt. I have heard friends say, “if Morsy is elected I must find a way to leave, there is no future for me here.” How can it be that the land that welcomed the Holy Family and kept Christ safe from Herod so he could become the savior of the world would become a place where those who confess faith in Christ no longer feel safe?

Of course we don’t know how the coming days will unfold. Many say that with a divided popular vote, the parliament disbanded and the military council exerting greater power and control nothing meaningful will happen in Egypt. But Egypt must find ways to move forward economically and politically. There must be ways for all Egyptians to dream of a future with hope.

If this wasn’t enough to deal with, it’s also VERY hot. Weather reports say the high temp today (and in recent days) will be around 100, but the air is humid and thick with moisture. I was dripping wet this morning by the time I finished my 12 minute walk to Greco at 9 a.m. You know it’s hot when even Egyptians from Upper Egypt are complaining about the weather. It’s hard for anyone to think hopefully and helpfully when battling such heat.

In the midst of all of this I read Mark’s gospel for next week – Mark 4:35-41 – where Jesus stills a storm. I give thanks that in the midst of storms Christ is with us. I pray that Egypt will know Christ’s presence with them in their current storms as well.