It's Official. I Can't Take It Any More.

The women are on one side of the street.

If this sounds like an overly dramatic title for a Monday, you could be right. 

For months now I have been plotting and planning a new website update; something that Joyce Meyer, Steve Jobs and Ben Bernanke would be proud of...As you can tell if you are reading this, it hasn't happened.

I've been storing up stories, daily life accounts and lessons learned so that when the glorious day of unveiling happened I could mesmerize you with a slick, user-friendly, engaging site while regaling you with interesting tales of life on the Nile. Yes, big plans...

I think the final straw came on Friday night. I had been invited to my dear friend's engagement party in a village a bit removed from ours. A friend and I took a taxi through the barely-one-car-width "streets" of the Nubian village. We arrived to ear-splitting music, flashing lights and a neighborhood intrigued. 

Bashamel (like a white sauce lasagne),
Roast Beef, Mashy (stuffed zucchini with rice)

We moved to the women's side of the celebration and began walking toward my friend, Farah*, who was sitting on a platform with her fiancé. The crowd parted like the Red Sea. I greeted my friend, kissed her cheek while offering warm congratulations. I shook the hand of her fiancé and began moving to the side so that others might greet her as well. I thought I'd quickly snap a picture of her in her dress, but was spotted. Farah pulled me up on stage with my other foreign friends and soon we were in a photo op for the entire group.

As we descended the platform, we were met by a sister who kissed us on the cheek and then directed us into her home where she fed us a beautiful meal. Dancing would follow through the night until the first call to prayer around 4 am. I, however, lasted until midnight. 

The men dance, too, but in a separate area.

It truly was a special moment. I was so thankful that I had been included, but I wanted to tell you about it. I wanted you to see my glowing friend in her hot pink engagement dress. I wanted you to know that her family members are kind, endearing people. I wanted you to know that I try to dance when I clearly cannot. 

I pondered this over the weekend. Sunday came and as the sun rose over the Nile on a crisp Easter morning I thought, "I want my friends to know that there's hope here in this part of the world! All is not lost! The power of the resurrection of Jesus is everywhere in the world. Take heart!"

So with that said, I continue to work on the new site but I won't be silent during the interim. I simply can't take it any more. 

With much love and words,

Pam in the Sand

*Not her real name

Easter Sunrise Service