Thanks be to God (and to the diocese), we have a vehicle!  With the birth of Azaryah, we weren’t all able to fit into a single Uber as we had for the first two years.  I had never heard of a Geely before I came to Egypt.  But with the recommendation of our friends, we’re convinced it’s a safe ride.  If you’ve never been to Egypt, the driving is a culture shock.  I must say that it’s much more fun to drive here where there are as many rules of the road as there are drivers.  Perhaps that’s an overstatement.  The first rule to know is that whoever’s in the lead has the right of way.  If you are cut off, sideswiped, or if you rear-end someone, it's your fault.  This is the reverse of America.  It also means that you don’t have to shoulder check because it’s not your responsibility.   Just check your mirrors, try not to run over a biker (who never wears a helmet), and do what thou wilt.  Signalling is a courtesy, but optional, and it probably limits into your reaction time.  Focus on steering, honking your horn, and always remember the bikers. 

Our first family trip was to our favorite retreat, Anaphora.  We may have written about this before, but it’s a farm run by Coptic nuns.  They grow all their own food, it has a playground and a pool, and our kids love it.  It’s also near the Wadi El Natroun where the major monasteries of the Western desert are situated.  So, for the first time we took a day trip to the neighbouring monastery of St Macarius.  Our guide that day was Father Bartholomew, who was pleased to speak over the noise of our kids to tell us the history of the monastery.  We were also able to see the grave of Matthew the Poor, the well known theologian-monk who was the abbot of the monastery until his death in 2006. 

My all-new classes on eschatology and modern theology have started.  I am also on the way to Tunis in a week’s time to teach our satellite students there.  More stories to come on that.  I am of course excited to see the land of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, St Augustine, and many others.  Please pray for Jenn, who will be holding down the fort at home!  This is a major task.