My mom and dad sent me the most amazing thing — a copy of a photograph of my grandfather during World War 2 with some of the guys from his Army unit in front of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx in Egypt. (He’s the guy second from the right — the one who looks like Carter.)
If I had known this photo existed, I would have recreated one with us in the same place, but alas, I guess we’ll have to go back someday and get a matching portrait. I wish I knew the background of this photo and how they happened to be there and what he thought about seeing the Great Pyramids, but my grandpa never talked about his experience (except for sharing a little bit with Josh) and I only know that he spent time in Egypt and Tunisia during the war and did something with parachutes. I’ll have to dig deeper into that history if I can.
It makes me treasure these photos even more — this one from our return visit in 2012 and others from our first time around.
I wonder if my grandkids or great-grandkids will someday look at these and marvel that the pyramids existed “way back when Grandma was young.”
We had just arrived in Egypt and had no idea we’d still be kicking around here 5 years later. Caleb is very excited that he’s about to turn 12 and hit the mark where he has spent 1/2 of his life in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Camille has been telling me about this magical place back in America called “Wal-Mart” and wants to know if we can go there someday. I laugh at how different our lives are from anything I expected.
It’s always a tradeoff, but it’s a trade we’re willing to make, for now.
It looks like we’re going to end up like those old missionary couples who retire to the US, but their homes are filled with everything from the country they came from so crossing the threshold brings you to Uganda or Papua New Guinea. You’ll be able to enter the Middle East at our house as we’re surrounded by Turkish lamps, Persian rugs, framed Arabic calligraphy, and photos of camels on our walls. I don’t know when that will be, but inshallah it won’t happen before 2020.
While I’m thinking of the Middle East, Carter is off in Uganda. He had the opportunity to travel with our friends to Oman to the children’s home where we sponsor two kids in memory of our friends who were killed by a drunk driver. This August it will have been 4 years since the accident and it’s amazing to think that now 60 kids have shelter, food and an education because a group of people wanted to bring good out of tragedy.
Carter messaged me that he’s been having a great time with the kids — playing, going to their school,
going to church, etc. Internet is spotty there so I haven’t seen any photos yet. I just know that he’s healthy and remembering to take his malaria medication.
We sent him on his way, confident that he could navigate passport control, security, and purchasing his entry visa on the other end in Oman. (Then a few hours later he flew on to Uganda with our friends.) He might not be familiar with the inside of a Wal-Mart, but he has plenty of airport experience.
We are thankful for any opportunities that our kids have to see the world.
ETA: This is the group that oversees the Michelle and Julia Hoffman Home: True Impact Ministries