The first few days of each year I spend in Egypt inevitably
bring about a tabulation of the changes I notice at seminary, on the nearby
business streets, and among the people I work with. I noticed myself tracking
the changes from the moment I exited the airport terminal. The benefit of being
here for a month and then being away for 11, or this year 23 months, means that
the day-to-day changes that are often invisible when we are living through them
get put into sharp focus. After two years away, the changes, whether mundane or
monumental, are hard to ignore.
The monumental includes completely refurbished guest rooms
at the seminary, including air conditioners in each guest room! Considering
that the daytime temps are hovering around 100 and don't show any signs of
breaking anytime soon, this is a most welcome addition that has already greatly
increase our comfort and our ability to sleep at night ... once the jet lag
subsides.
The more mundane include tracking the change in status of
students and priests. Some who have left and have come back. Others who we
expected to be present, but are preparing for studies elsewhere in the coming
year.
Perhaps most significant are the changes that mark the
passing of time ... 11 years since my first trip to Egypt and teaching in the
summer course at St. Leo's. Abuna Joseph who met me at the airport, was a first
year student that first summer in 2007. He is now an experienced priest who has
returned to seminary to work with seminarians in their formation. Other
students, from recent years are scheduled to be ordained in the coming weeks
and months.
In 2007 the thought that I might be returning to Egypt 11
years later, seemed like a distant dream. But changes, both the monumental and
mundane, come day by day. The gift is having been able to engage in the work I
do here long enough to note the changes when they come.
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