Worship at Garbage City

Ok, you have to really use your imagination on this one. First let me start with a picture I would not have ever imagined in Cairo. We were sharing dinner with some government officials on Thursday night on the Nile Crystal, a dinner boat, along with about 100 other customers.  Of course, there was a band playing while we ate. At first the band started out playing indigenous music and broke into a country western song and then in a Latino cumbia (dance song). Then next thing I know a group of Asian customers got up to dance to the Latino song. So imagine this, a group of Asian tourists dancing to a Latino cumbia played by an Egyptian band on the Nile. All I can say is “unbelievable.

Perhaps not as unbelievable as our visit to Garbage City within the city limits of Cairo, Egypt. Garbage City has a population of 35,000 and is a complete community with store front markets, lots of garbage and recycling businesses, and a complex of church facilities. Garbage recyclers take their work seriously and have developed a business and livelihood from garbage.

The odors were what you would expect if you drove into a garbage dump but what I did not expect was a complex a beautiful church facilities built by Coptic Christians. Icons were carved into the side of rock cliffs and caves were converted into large worship centers complete with hanging screens and modern sound equipment. We toured three different worship areas in one church complex. We were told that the three worship centers accommodate 20,000 worshippers on the weekend. One of the worship centers was a large cave converted into a contemporary looking worship area. Another worship center was an amphitheatre style worship center, and the third worship area was a smaller cave recently discovered.

Imagine living in a garbage dump and going to church to worship there as well. The odors were striking but the worship centers were even more striking and beautiful. As we toured the largest cave worship center, Kenton Keller shared a devotional with the group regarding Religious Tolerance. He applied principles of the five pillars of Islam to Christianity in a unique fashion with reverences to the Scriptures and the ministry of Jesus. He led us in prayer and then we sang Amazing Grace and enjoyed the outstanding acoustics as we worshipped the Redeemer in a Coptic Church in Garbage City.

I remembered that the Lord inhabits the praises of his people. We heard the testimony of our guide and how he came to faith in Christ. It was truly a day of ironies and contradictions.

Earlier that day we visited the National Egyptian Museum and viewed the mummified body of Ramses II, allegedly the pharaoh that heard the liberating words “Let my people go!” from the mouth of Moses. Jesus, quoting the Prophet Isaiah, said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to give sight to the blind, freedom from the prisoner, liberty to the oppressed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of our Lord’s favor.” Pray that we envision what the Lord would call us to do in this place.

Comments

[Anna Rodriquez]

Dr, Reyes, the details you provide are great. As I picture the details in my mind, where you are where you are standing and what you are looking at, and what you are witnessing is extrodinary. At first I thought hey, this sound a lot like Fiesta week in San Antonio. I am excited for you and the team you are traveling with. Just know you have staff in prayer for you here in Midland. Peace be with you!

[Aracely Pérez]

Dr. Reyes,

I am glad to hear the Lord is opening your eyes (and that of everyone else) during this exploratory trip to Egypt. I pray that the Lord continues to reveal his will to you and those on the team and pray Buckner is obedient in following his will.

[Albert Reyes]

Anna, thanks for your note. This is an amazing place. I will post again on Monday about my last day here. I will write about Israel next week. Keep us in your prayers.

[Albert Reyes]

Aracely, Obedience is exactly what we are talking about here. We have come to the conclusion that the Lord is working here and has already provided the resources. Amazing. Keep praying.

[Julio Guarneri]

Albert,

What an interesting account. I think the idea of God using contrasts to speak about his diverse creation and his redeeming purpose for it fits well with your post. Thanks for sharing. I pray the Lord continue to use you as you give leadership to your organization and others.

[Julio Guarneri]

Albert,

What an interesting account. I think the idea of God using contrasts to speak about his diverse creation and his redeeming purpose for it fits well with your post. Thanks for sharing. I pray the Lord continue to use you as you give leadership to your organization and others.

[Julio Guarneri]

Albert,

What an interesting account. I think the idea of God using contrasts to speak about his diverse creation and his redeeming purpose for it fits well with your post. Thanks for sharing. I pray the Lord continue to use you as you give leadership to your organization and others.

[Charlie Johnson]

Dear Brother Albert,

Your report is fascinating, indeed. Maybe all our churches should be places of beauty in the midst of the world's waste.

Be safe and know our prayers accompany you.

Charlie Johnson

[Albert Reyes]

Bro. Julio, good to hear from you. The Lord has really spoken to us here in the midst of a world of hurt. I will continue to post this week regarding our visit to Israel and the West Bank. Thanks for your prayers.

[Albert Reyes]

Bro. Charlie, I am going to try to post some of the pics of the churches of Garbage City. May have to wait till next week. You would not imagine how beautiful the churches look in the midst of the dump. Words cannot express what i have seen. Thanks for your prayers and support.