Life in Menouf is busy and beautiful!

I’ve had an incredible first few days here. We spent a creative morning beading jewelry and keyrings with the children for the local market—I even picked up a few gifts for my students back home!

It was also a privilege to hand over a parish donation from Crosshaven Parish. These funds are going directly toward handwriting supports and a brand-new sensory room for El Manarah school.

A few highlights:

• School Visits: We toured the Episcopal language school! Despite large classes of 35, the support from staff is amazing. The students moved me with their kindness, performing songs in German and English and even reciting poetry.

• Local Life: We explored the streets with Phibi, meeting local farmers and vendors. We fueled up on fresh cane juice and visited a seed roaster who joked about us making him famous!

• ⁠We also had a visit to Harpur Memorial Hospital which was set up by an Irish doctor way back in the early 1900s.• I've been helping the teachers on-site and shared resource notes via Phibi. I gave them my email for support, and today we chatted about the sensory room decor.⁠

There is so much heart in the community for teaching and ministering to the kids. I feel privileged to be here and walk in the footsteps of giants in the faith.