CMANA Newsletter June Edition

CMANA Connection

June 2017

THE OFFICAL NEWSLETTER FOR THE STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE COPTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATON

Recent Missions

Zambia testimonials page 21

Page 13 Page 15

United through Community Service Do we live like we know God?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CMANA Student Publication Editorial Board Members: Editor & Chief: Monica Saleeb Jessica Dimian Justine Latif Martina Yacoub Nardin Derias Sara Dawoud Christina Salama

CMANA

Connection

Student table of contents

Publication

cmanamerica. org

04 Event Bulletin 05 Student Board Roster 06 New Website

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07 Upcoming Trips

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08 Remembering Padre Anthony 10 The Angel of Bolivia 13 United through Community Service 14

Do we live like we know God?

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To the Struggling Christian Girl

21 Zambia Testimony 23 Zambia Testimony 27 Book Review: The Screwtape Letters

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08 21

28 Starting a Chapter

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WE ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS! 27

If you are interested in being a writer for CMANA Connection please contact us at: cmanastudents@cmanamerica.org

CMANA

Box 58 Manlius, NY 13104 USA

CMANA BULLETIN upcoming student events

CMANA National Conference When: December 15-17, 2017 Where: Washington DC area (Exact Location TBD) Who: Undergrads, Grads, Young Professionals Registration information coming soon on cmanamerica.org!

YOUR CMANA STUDENT BOARD PRESIDENT: MICHAEL KARASS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS: MARK RAMZY (NORTH REGION) RAMZY LOTFI (SOUTH REGION) SECRETARIES: AMYE FARAG AMEER HALIM COMMITTEE BOARD MEMBERS: JOHN SIDHOM DEMYANA AZER OLIVIA BASSILY MARIAN AWAD JACQUELINE YOUSSEF CANADIAN REPRESENTATIVE: NARDINE BEKHIT

NEW

CHECK IT OUT AT CMANAMERICA.ORG

WEBSITE DESIGN

About Us

Mission Trips

Student Chapter Activities Make a Donation

OUR MISSION INSPIRED BY THE LOVE OF GOD, WE STRIVE TO SERVE THE SICK, UNITE THE BODY OF CHRIST, MENTOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND EQUIP LOCAL MINISTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S HEALING POWER.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP IS FREE!

WHERE WILL CHRIST TAKE YOU NEXT?

Last mission this year: Egypt: November 11-18

UPCOMING MISSIONS 2017 Mission Schedule 1/28 - 2/4 Ethiopia 2/25-3/5 Namibia Exploratory trip restricted to certain specialties 5/27-6/3 Haiti 7/8 - 7/ 15 Bolivia & 8/19 -8/26 Bolivia 10/15-10/21 Haiti 11/11 - 11/18 Egypt The registration for any mission trip opens 3 months prior to the trip. As a registered CMANA member, you receive all our updates via links we send to your email so always check your email regularly. If you are not a registered member, please go to the "Join Us" page on our website to complete the application.

Only a certain number is allowed to go on each trip so if you missed the chance to register for a trip, you can still email us to be added to the waiting list if a spot opens.

For any questions related to mission trips please email us at missions@cmanamerica.com 12

REMEMBERING PADRE ANTHONY

By: Amye Farag

I will never forget the first time I met Abouna Anthony; he was the very first person I met when I arrived in Bolivia for the first time in 2012. Anba Youssef had apparently not warned him that I do not speak Arabic - he seemed a little confused to see me, a very American looking girl who immediately knew he must be picking her up because he was dressed in priest’s clothing. He instantly smiled and asked, “Do… you…speak…. Spanish?” The sigh of relief on his face when I responded “Si!” was unforgettable. He then began going on and on about how excited the youth were to meet me and how many exciting things we’d be doing during my time. He somehow convinced a group of about 10 youth to come have a mini-celebration at the airport to welcome me. I later learned this is the type of welcome Abouna Anthony ensured every visitor to Bolivia had - nothing less than his absolute best.

Below are just a few of the memories I have been blessed to have with Abouna…

“One hour’s sleep is enough for a (monk) if he is a good fighter.” –Abba Arsenius Abouna Anthony could not fit this quote any better. Any one who’s spent more than a day in Bolivia would know he could be found either in the computer lab or his office working on a project of some sort.

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Whether it was bargaining with him to turn the air conditioning off to work a little longer, or grabbing another friend to help entertain us while we worked, Abouna would beg the servants to stay up late with him to get more work done. He worked into the late hours of the night without complaint. One night, my roommate and I went to sleep and forgot to give Abouna his keys back. He knocked on our door in the morning and said “My keys.

Please” When we realized we had locked him out of his apartment and his office all night we apologized incessantly knowing he had been up all night working.

With a smile on his face he said “But I got to finish the project I was working on! Just don’t trick me like that again, chicas!” When groups of missionaries came, he would try to grab any unsuspecting victim just to come sit with him for even a few hours to help him get done the endless amount of work he took upon himself to benefit the church.

He worked tirelessly to translate as much of the Coptic liturgies, Katameros, and Agpeya into the proper wording for the Spanish speaking youth. Whether that meant calling the ladies in Egypt to help provide translations, or finding an Arabic speaking Bolivian (Senora Janet) to come sit with him and help translate, he stopped at nothing to ensure that every possible resource was available to his beloved youth.

Mariposario, La Rinconada… Salar de Uyuni.

If you’ve been to Bolivia you’ve been to one of these places. Before returning back to the states, Abouna would ensure that he treated you to one of Bolivia’s “luxurious” locations. He knew I had suffered through lent without the coffee I enjoy in America, so he made the church’s secretary search for a restaurant that sold fancy coffee for me to enjoy.

Throughout my visits to Bolivia, I often wondered whether I had come to serve or be served. Abouna would do whatever he could to ensure that the missionaries were comfortable- whether it be forcing the secretary to make us tea when we were sick, or praying a liturgy in the chapel in Arabic to make those who don’t speak much Spanish feel more at home- Abouna Anthony went above and beyond to make sure you knew that you were home and that anything you needed was within reach.

But most of all, Abouna’s dedication to his youth is where his legacy will live forever.

He was very active in planning trips for them, finding services unique to each of their individual talents and encouraging them. Each time I’d speak with them, he would beg me to come up with lessons for the teenage girls his “Princesas”, because he wanted them to know how much they were loved and how valuable they were.

He always had the youth at the front of his mind and geared every ounce of his energy into serving them and making them into strong servants. His biggest request of the missionaries was to equip the servants in Bolivia with lasting service- teaching them a hymn, teaching them Coptic, teaching them how to prepare a Sunday school lesson, or just providing mentorship. He saw the potential each of his beloved youth had and worked with them individually to become better Christians.

There are many more stories and memories of our beloved Padre Anthony, but I hope these give you a small glimpse of how wonderful and integral he was to the service in Bolivia. His hospitality, hard work and dedication to the youth will never be forgotten. We love you Abouna, please pray for us as you finally get to rest in the arms of your beloved Savior!

But most of all, Abouna’s dedication to his youth is where his legacy will live forever.

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THE ANGEL OF BOLIVIA This is dedicated to our beloved Father Anthony Ramzy, who showed us love beyond measures during our stay in Bolivia and bonded tightly with us before his illness and departure. Father, we love you and miss you. Pray for us, -Your sons Anthony, Paul, and Stephen Nagib

There are many verses in the Bible that we read, many commandments that we can study, many sermons that we can listen to and appreciate. But at the same time, there is a reason the apostle James wrote “Faith without works is dead.” This verse isn’t written as a commandment; it is written as a fact that is meant to lead us into doing Christ’s work. It is meant to lead us into seeing Christ in the eyes of the hungry, in the eyes of the thirsty, the lonely, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned. There is beauty in simplicity. Simplicity that was once found in the Garden of Eden, and can still be found in those that God calls us to serve. Not for their sakes, but for ours. God is Love.

Love can be seen. Therefore, God can be seen, literally.

Father Anthony Ramzy was a living vessel of Love walking among us here on earth. God made man in His image, and His image is Love.

Father Anthony was precisely that! It is hard to describe someone so precious with words. His entire life was dedicated to doing Christ’s work in Bolivia: feeding the hungry, providing care for the ill, and taking care of souls under his wings as a spiritual father. He did this all with absolutely no trace of an ego. Anyone who worked with him knew the burdens he endured in his work, and how he did everything behind the scenes. He scarcely had to carry out a conversation where he would have to convince someone that God was working through him. All it took to realize this was to watch everything he touched fall into place gracefully.

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Father Anthony was truly a source of Love and joy to everyone who interacted with him. He never spoke negatively about anyone or anything, not for a single moment.

One could tell that these kinds of thoughts did not even cross his mind at any given time. He truly was an angel on earth, and lived as if his spirit was not limited to his body.

Everyone who experienced Father Anthony in his last few months in Bolivia can attest to this; the slow manner of his walk, his joyful eyes, his unceasing kind and playful words. Even as his body weakened, his spirit overflowed with Love that he shared with us all, and with his congregation. This angelic spirit will live on forever, continuing his life’s message of Love and service.

It is rather difficult to describe in words the type of person Fr. Anthony was. He was a quiet, humble, soft-spoken, and very loving man who at the same time was extremely active in his service.

Father Anthony received the same calling as our father Abraham; he was called to live in a foreign country, learn the language and culture of its people, and serve them for the rest of his life. Not only did he accept this calling, but he also embraced it with his whole heart.

Both Coptic and non-Coptic Bolivians knew him and loved him.

His service in the village of Santa Rosa was immense and only continued to expand. Father Anthony never complained when things were tough on him, as the apostle St. Paul who served till his health deteriorated yet with boldness

"Even as his body weakened, his spirit overflowed with Love that he shared with us all, and with his congregation." said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10). We were visiting Bolivia up until the day before he went to the hospital. It was December 2016 and Father Anthony not only lost a lot of weight but also had a roughsounding cough. My brother would ask him, “Abouna, why did odsak lose so much weight since last time I saw you?” With a sweet smile, he would reply, “because you aren’t feeding me, Magdy.”

This shows how selfless Abouna was as he never cared for the health of his body at the expense of service.

It also shows his simplicity even in his humor; my brother’s name is not Magdy, its Stephen. Abouna gave him this nickname as a joke, as he loved the three of us and constantly showed us his simplicity, his love, and his humor. He would take us out to lunch or coffee and refuse to let us pay, even though he essentially lived the life of a monk, with no family or possessions. “When I come to Florida and visit, then you guys can pay,” he would say. Although he didn’t speak much, there was so much to learn from him, as a monk once said to St. Anthony the Great, “It is enough for me to see you, Father.”

Although his life on earth was a short 42 years, Father Anthony accomplished more than what most of us would have done in ten lifetimes. He embraced his call to serve and did so faithfully.

"He showed everyone around him the love that Christ showed and taught us. Little did he speak, but much did he accomplish."

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He showed everyone around him the love that Christ showed and taught us. Little did he speak, but much did he accomplish. He lived with the simplicity of a child, as our Lord has called on us to live as children. He never thought bad of anyone, was never angry at anyone, and loved every single person individually. What greater love can one show than this? What more perfect Christian life can one live than this? Father Anthony, you are the epitome of the true Christian life that we have been called to live. You have perfected the life of a God-fearing, loving, Christian servant and you did so till the point of illness and death. We wish to be like you and will strive to become at least a fraction of the person you were. Remember us before The Throne, and pray for us to Him. Our goal as Christians is to love one another just as our Heavenly Father loves each and every single one of us. This is infinitely easier said than done. However, after meeting Fr. Anthony and being fortunate enough to have spent a lot of time with him, I was able to physically see another human providing this unconditional love to everyone that came across his path.

Fr. Anthony was a living example of the verse that says, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). By living his life on earth as though he was a child, his simplicity shielded all the negativity that he ever encountered. His child-like characteristics are what made him so approachable, so

heart-warming, and most importantly so simple. Just like a child, Fr. Anthony never judged anyone nor did he ever unwelcome those that he was not familiar with. Seeing him brought me the same kind of joy that came to me when I would see a child from a distance. I will strive to be as simple and as child-like as you, Fr. Anthony, so that I may enter the kingdom of heaven, and be able to see you for eternity. Although your simplicity seems almost unattainable, by seeing the fruits of reaching that level when I spent time with you, it's hard for me to pass up on the opportunity of being even remotely similar to you. Fr. Anthony, intercede on our behalf before the throne so that we may be able to join you in Paradise.

"After meeting Fr. Anthony and being fortunate enough to have spent a lot of time with him, I was able to physically see another human providing this unconditional love to everyone that came across his path."

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United through Community Service Nardin Derias “Community” is a powerful word. It can be

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what

the place we grew up, our hometown. It

we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This

can be a group of people irrespective of a

truly ties into the core of community service. I

location. It can simply be a feeling of

have been fortunate to have had an opportunity to

inclusion. Community goes hand-in-hand

expand on this philosophy. This past year I have

with service.

served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) with a non-profit organization

In our daily lives it is easy to focus solely

whose mission is to help promote change in local

on ourselves and our needs and to neglect

communities by engaging students and recent

those of the people around us. Sometimes,

graduates through a variety of initiatives. During

we get overwhelmed by all the events

this year, I have learned that those affected by

happening in the world and think to

poverty are not what we all imagine and that the

ourselves, well, I’m just one person, I can’t

stereotypes are many, but untrue. I have also

do much to change the state of affairs.

learned that to best serve your community, you

That mentality, that one person cannot

must spend time with its members. As young

make a difference, is far from the truth.

professionals pursuing degrees in health, there are

When members of a community come

many social issues that impact a patient that

together to serve for a singular purpose, a

cannot be readily perceived if you are not aware of

great amount of good can come about.

their background and their unique struggles.

Volunteering one’s time and efforts allows for a

more holistic approach to one’s career and overall results in a firmer understanding of the world in which we live.

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It might be hard to make time to

The Bible tells us in Acts 20:35, “In all things I

volunteer, I get that. Between trying to

have shown you that by working hard in this way

balance school, family, friends, and

we must help the weak and remember the words

one’s spiritual life, there are simply not

of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more

enough hours in the day. My

blessed to give than to receive.’” Community

recommendation is to set aside a time

service is a way to allow us to feel connected and

weekly or bi-weekly to volunteer.

to give back to those around us. By taking part in

Recruit members of your class or your

community service, we are showing others that we

church to volunteer with you. Here is a

are servants of Christ carrying out His will. It is

short list, by no means comprehensive,

important to do your service without fanfare. It is

of potential opportunities to look for in

relatively easy to fall into the trap of promulgating

your own community:

your good deeds to those around you through social media or by making those who do not serve

• Soup kitchen

feel guilty. Matthew 6: 1-2 warns us of this: “Take

• Food banks

care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be

• Homeless shelters

admired, for then you will lose the reward from

• Habitat for Humanity

your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to a

• Nursing homes

beggar, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do

• Hospice

—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets

• United Way

to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you

• Local non-profits (you can look them

in all earnestness, they have received all the

up through the chamber of commerce

reward they will ever get.”

website, many of them are listed there) These types organizations are always

Collectively, community service provides us with

in need of assistance and are a great

many benefits: psychologically, cognitively, and

way to get to know the needs of your

socially. It provides us with an opportunity to

community. The following website is a

grow both personally and professionally while

search engine to find local volunteering

establishing connections with our community. By

opportunities as well:

investing in our community, we are helping its

http://www.createthegood.org/

members reach their full potential and bettering ourselves in the process. So, go out and mobilize your peers and always remember that even a small group of like-minded individuals truly can make a difference!

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CMANA SPRING 2017

DO WE LIVE LIKE WE KNOW GOD OR DO WE ACT LIKE WE KNOW HIM

DO WE LIVE LIKE WE KNOW GOD OR DO WE ACT LIKE WE KNOW HIM

By Jessica Dimian

Took me a while to come up with something I wanted to write about, but ever since I broke my arm, I’ve had some down time to reflect. As we just finished Holy Week, I wanted to benefit from the most spiritual week of the year. I decided to continue in the spirit of forgiving. While visiting Florida, I decided to take the chance and call an old-friend. The friendship didn’t end on the best terms and I knew he had moved out to Florida for rotations. It’s been a year since we had last spoken but I wanted to keep the flavor of Pascha alive and reach out. If you knew the history of the friendship, you’d think I was crazy messaging him. However, I can tell you that it was one of the most liberating feelings. I’m going to be honest with you all; I prayed for the day I could think of this person and not have feelings of animosity. So I was surprised at myself for texting him and even more surprised when he quickly agreed to meet for coffee. He gave me the biggest hug and I could tell by the way he smiled when he said, “I am so glad you messaged me” that it was coming from a sincere place in his heart. Although there was no formal apology, the meeting in itself was all the confirmation we needed. After all it is a special week; we should be forgiving. I remembered why we were such good friends before the fall-out. Memories flooded back- the warmth, the teasing, the comfortability and easiness to be our selves. I felt a peace over me. He told me he was praying for a time we could be friends again but didn’t think he would get the chance.

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continued

I thought about all the times I prayed for something and felt my prayers were unanswered. Maybe I was ignoring past opportunity. All the talks of forgiveness during Pascha gave me enough courage to put my pride away and make way to clear my heart of resentment.

Continuing my new movement, I messaged an old-friend with the hope it would turn out the same way my friend from Florida did. But this friend didn’t even respond. Yet, I still felt liberated. It was the act of reaching out that I realized made me at peace. Now that Holy Week is over, how can I keep the momentum of a forgiving mentality? Why doesn’t God just put it in my head and I can forgive? He knows what I desire. The problem is that I am thinking that God is some magician granting me wishes that I pray for.

Expecting Him to give me what I ask for exactly how I expect it.

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“If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or does He give them opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, you think God zaps them with warm, fuzzy feelings? Or does He give them opportunities to love each other?”

There are many types of prayers. Some for confessing the wrongs we’ve done, sometimes it is just to thank God. Then there are prayers for God to help us grow. This type of prayer is different in a sense that we are expecting a change on our part; we are the ones needing to make moves.

Like the oil lamp parable of the 5 foolish virgins and the 5 wise ones. God provides us the resources and opportunities for our prayers to be answered. Do we use the oil wisely or not? Are we taking the opportunities God provides us or do they burn out and we miss them?

After this week, we witnessed the ultimate sacrifice. What better example to learn from- if God can give his only begotten Son, to willingly lay His life and die on our behalf so we can live, shouldn’t we recognize that sacrifice?

Shouldn’t we be at least that courteous to each other; after all, isn’t life beyond these 80somethin’ years on earth? So rather than acting like we know God, we should start living like we know him. Don’t keep idly waiting on the opportunities God presents you.

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A LETTER TO THE STRUGGLING CHRISTIAN GIRL By: Miriam Saleh

To the struggling Christian girl, I know you find it difficult, or even impossible, to value yourself as a female. I know sometimes feel inferior to the males around you. I know how frustrated and exhausted you are at times. But let me inform you: in the eyes of God, you are equal to each and every one of our male-counterparts.

We need to remove this erroneous notion that men were created to be above women. In the beginning when God formed humanity God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen. 2:18) There are two key points to take from this. First is that this was before Adam had sinned and the Bible had written, “It is not good.”

Everything around Adam was good, Adam himself was good, and yet, there was something not good. Adam had a perfect communion with God yet there was still something missing.

Adam being alone was the very first thing the Bible enlisted as “not good”. I myself found it interesting that the very first “not good” thing in the Bible wasn’t a sin or any form of disobedience: it was man’s need for woman. In the eyes of God, Adam needed someone comparable to him. That in-itself should remind you how truly valuable God has made you from the beginning!

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Also notice how God called us helpers. This doesn’t imply that women were meant to help men themselves but co-helpers to each other and in the church. We see this underlying message in Gen. 2: 15, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” We were both meant to tend and keep what God has put forth before us. Both men and women are vessels of God’s light in their schools, their work places and their churches. Yes, we have equal, yet different, roles in the church. These roles were made to fulfill the role of the other. Just as men were created to do things women cannot, women were made to do things men cannot. In the eyes of God, we’re different but equal.

Including myself to say the least, we falsely think that because we’re not a deacon or priest our service in the church is unequal. Let me remind you, when God created Adam and Eve they were meant to compliment each other, not compete.

There’s still the role of a Sunday school teachers, Friday-night youth meetings, those who get to explain the texts of the early church, those who get to prepare the food for Sunday school kids to eat… etc. Our roles in the church are meant to compliment each other. If all of us were deacons, then there would be no one left to speak to youth about dating or the dangers of social media to day. Or if all of us were priests, there would be no one left to feed the congregation in the mesh hall.

But aside from the women in the Bible, there’s you and me who God created for a purpose.

Let’s say each and every one of us taught the hymns that are sung during liturgy or tesbeha, then who would teach the pre-schoolers songs like “the B-I-B-L-E” or “Jesus loves the little children”? No role in the church is more valuable than the next; different roles does not mean unequal. Each serves an important and holy role in bringing each member closer to God. Sure, some may be more publically praised than others but in the eyes of God all roles receive Heavenly reward.

(Remember: If your specific role in the church gets the least praise, you’ll have even more riches in Heaven! Lucky you!)

Before I continue let me make one clarification, in the context of marriage I know many of you struggle with the command “Wives submit to your husbands” (Eph. 5:22). The word submit doesn’t imply that women obey each and every possible command the man says. Submission to a husband is the same way we’re called to submit to God: trusting God’s plan for us and walking down the same path as Him. The submission we’re called for in marriage is comparable to verses like Proverbs 3:5 when it comes to trust or James 4:8 when it comes to drawing near. You trust this person will make Godly decisions that you love them for it. “Wives submit to your husbands” does not imply that women are weak or expendable; it means marrying someone that you trust will make your future home a church. It doesn’t mean that we’re less valuable if the husband is acting as a protector for the home.

“NEVERTHELESS NEITHER IS MAN INDEPENDENT OF WOMAN, NOR WOMAN INDEPENDENT OF MAN, IN THE LORD. FOR AS WOMAN CAME FROM MAN, EVEN SO MAN ALSO COMES THROUGH WOMAN; BUT ALL THINGS ARE FROM GOD.” 1 CORINTHIANS 11:11 22 19

Continuing to read this passage, husbands are commanded to love their wives “as Christ loved the church.” (Eph. 5:22) Christ loved the church by dying for the church, is this not a great sacrifice? The command men are given is cumbersome. Men are called to protect their wives because God finds women valuable, important and a spindle (Proverbs 31:19) for the household. Her role in the home and church was worth protecting; the roles of a husband and wife still compliment each other, once again.

Even outside of the context of marriage, we still feel Christ’s great love for women on the cross.

Reading from John 19 Christ said to St. Mary and St. John the Beloved “Woman, behold your son!” and “Behold your mother!” Christ was in his last hour on earth and still aimed to take care of his mother. The respect he gave to her was unimaginable. The brutal torment and anguish Christ endured was ignored, for just a moment, just so he could ensure his mother was safe.

Should that not give every woman a sense of security? I myself find that pretty incredible, that even during Christ’s most gruesome hour he still protected his mother. This was also made to repeat the message: men and women were still designed to coexist. Keep in mind, St. John the Beloved was probably young enough to not need someone to live with to survive. (Note: If Christ was 33 at this time St. John was probably 33 or younger). Yet this godly man was still obedient and “took her to his own home” (John 19: 27)

I pray you can one day see your value. I hope you can love yourself. I pray that you can appreciate the way God created you.

Both St. John and St. Mary were celibates and still trusted Christ’s command. From the beginning men and women were meant to co-exist and Christ continued to honor that, even until his last hour of suffering. Moving forward to Christ resurrection, He approached Mary Magdalene saying “Woman, why are you weeping?” (John 20:15) and then soon revealed himself to her.

We know this isn’t by mistake because Christ didn’t simply say, “Why are you weeping” but rather addressed her saying “Woman, why are you weeping?” to prove a larger point.

Christ could have picked absolutely anyone to reveal himself first to. It could have been a disciple, a ruler, a scholar, an apostle or simply any man. But, he chose a woman to reveal the greatest truth the Bible holds: resurrection. It was woman who told the disciples the great news for the disciples to then in-turn told the rest of the world. It was a woman who was the first evangelist.

Personally, I can go on for days about praised women in the Bible.

There’s Photini the Samaritan woman (John 4) who had the blessing of being chosen to speak to all of Samaria yet Christ still chose a woman with a tough and sinful reputation to preach. There’s Tamar (Exodus 38) who was commanded to multiply her seed, married to a disobedient son, then managed to bear children through her father-inlaw Judah and then had the blessing of becoming part of the lineage of Christ. There’s Esther who called everyone to fast (Esther 4) which saved those around her. And of course, there’s many more that I encourage you all to read and read from. But aside from the women in the Bible, there’s you and me who God created for a purpose. You were never created to be less than the men around you but equal, hence why you were made from man’s rib cage not the soles of his feet (Gen. 2:21).

You each have serious roles to fulfill for the glory of God. Learn to view yourself how God views you, not how society does. And if it is the other men in your life that devalue you for your gender, I ache for you. I pray you can one day see your value.

I hope you can love yourself. I pray that you can appreciate the way God created you. I also pray that we can each respect and love our male counterparts. I pray we can recognize our differences the way God does and not criticize each other for them. I pray we can each co-exist in the way God perfectly designed us.

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THE MISSION OF

CHRIST IN ZAMBIA TESTIMONIAL ONE

By Becky Farag

“God is a Good God, Yes He Is! God is Good God, Yes He Is!” While these words are quite simple, this is the first thought that resonated with me upon arrival to St. Mary’s Church in Lusaka, Zambia.

And ironically, it’s the beginning of a song that our mission group taught to and sang with the children and youth of the multiple Coptic churches in Zambia. Zambia is officially a Christian nation and while a lot of people know of God and are even taught local songs and nursery rhymes about Him from young ages, there are still many who don’t know Him and even

fewer, that know the life of Jesus.

When I first arrived to Zambia, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. I saw immense poverty, children and adults with tattered and dirty clothing, and many were often shoeless. I saw toddlers carrying their baby brothers and sisters on their back because they had been orphaned, by one or both parents, due to financial and health reasons. I saw a hunger not only for food, but for love and a source of hope.

At first, it was quite difficult to understand how God could allow such prosperity and

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iextravagance in some countries but yet, the underdeveloped ones failed to provide its people with even the mere essentials of life. It was then that I realized that what our team had packed in our donation bags would only offer temporary aid and would soon become insufficient, but these people needed a source of everlasting support. Immediately, I felt that this mission was unlike others I had been on in the sense that while it was important to feed the villages with physical food, it was of the utmost importance to nurture them with the love of God. I felt so unequipped and unworthy to be on this mission. So I opened my bible and prayed. I asked God to guide me on my endeavors to bring Christ to the people I would encounter and to give me the words and compassion to mend the some of the brokenness of the people through the Word of God. During my quiet times, I read 2nd Corinthians and funnily enough, God had me read 2nd Corinthians 12:9, where the Lord says “My grace is sufficient for you,

for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” This was God telling me that I AM worthy to be preaching His Word and I AM equipped to bring His Love to others because He covers me with His Grace, just as he He covers all nations. In all of the villages we went to, I saw a consistency in the people. As soon as we began to share about Jesus or read a verse from the Bible, they begged for us to continue and tell them more. These are the kind of people Christ talks about in in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” There’s a local song that the Zambians sing and one line of the lyrics is “I can feel it in my heart, I can feel it in my bones, there is fire burning in my heart.” This fire they sing of is Christ in them. In the Zambians, I truly see what it means to have faith.

To anyone who is contemplating a mission trip or about to go on a mission trip, I encourage you to pray about it and seek God’s guidance. Prepare yourself to serve God and others.

Open your eyes and heart to God. Remember that you may be someone’s only encounter with Christ, so be bold for Christ!

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THE MISSION OF

CHRIST IN ZAMBIA TESTIMONIALTWO

By: Monica Saleeb

My father, Dr. Samuel Saleeb, and I traveled to Lusaka, Zambia on May 13, 2017 and met a visiting group from the Southern Diocese; we expected it to be a mission similar to Bolivia, Kenya, and all the other countries we have traveled to before. However, what we were approached with was radically different. It is extremely difficult to describe the mission in Zambia with words. Zambia is typically classified as a “more difficult mission” because of the harsher living conditions and the strong Islamic presence in the country, making evangelism more challenging. Despite these being true, Zambia ended up being my absolute favorite mission of all. Anyone who has travelled on a mission trip can testify that they see Christ in the locals and the people they serve; in Zambia, I can honestly say, I saw the Hand of God Himself.

And as all servants know, along with God’s Hand we also witnessed the hand of the devil warring against our service.

From the very beginning in the airport of Dubai, we saw the devil fighting against us. Our flight from JFK was early, but for some reason or another they couldn’t park the airbus so we ended up being in the airport only 30 minutes before boarding our flight to Lusaka. Apparently this wasn’t enough time, so we were rerouted and told we would have to spend the next 24 hours in Dubai. Most would consider a free night in 23

Dubai to be a blessing, but we were extremely angry and frustrated because our trip to Zambia was already short. I even confess that I actually lost my temper at the Emirates counter because we had to cancel so many patients that my dad had lined up. A bit later, after I prayed, calmed down, and reflected on the situation, we realized that this trip to Zambia must be extremely blessed since the devil was fighting so hard from the beginning to make us lose our peace and delay our trip.

Fast forward to us arriving in Zambia and we discovered that the group had already visited the orphanages, and the surrounding five Coptic churches in Lusaka.

They had already gone on house visitations, toured the clinic and church, and were going to embark on a ten-hour bus ride to the eastern province of Chipata near Malawi the next day. I began to be a little frustrated because I wanted to experience Lusaka, but wanted to stay with the group from the Southern Diocese; however, I learned my lesson from the Dubai airport, thanked God, and decided to just go with the flow and not think about their plans. After attending a beautiful liturgy in the chapel at the St. Mark Coptic Center in Lusaka and going on some house visitations for one day, I left Lusaka with the group the next day at 4am.

We packed some sandwiches for the bus ride and ventured out into the African bush; the entire ten hours were filled with songs, hymns, tasbeha, laughs, and many

"A church doesn't need a pretty building, and serving just needs an open heart and love" naps here and there. The group from the Southern Diocese, led by Fr. Jerome Maximous, was incredible.

They had skits, plays, and Sunday school lessons prepared for the kids, and were extremely welcoming to the stragglers who tagged along on their trip (thanks guys, you’re the best!). We experienced many struggles on the way such as trying to siphon gas from a truck on the side of the road, trying to find a bathroom that wasn’t just a smelly hole in the ground, and trying to pass out sandwiches on the bus without falling out the door. We arrived in Chipata absolutely exhausted and wanted to just fall over, but we were greeted by a group of mamas (that’s what they call all women in Zambia) from the church who were singing and dancing, and waiting for our arrival.

At first we were all too tired to pay attention but then we started singing and dancing with them. We had no idea what we were doing though, so we ended up just making everyone giggle profusely.

Our service in Chipata ended up being by far one of the most interesting experiences with God I’ve ever had. The Coptic Church in Zambia just bought land in Chipata and they have a congregation and

an awesome priest, Fr. Stephen, who lives among the poor and prays the liturgy in his own house for the people because there is no church building yet. They are in extreme need for a church as many of the people try to join, but don’t have a place to meet. They are also struggling because the local mosques provide money, food, and clothing to the poor in return for their conversion to Islam, so having a church in Chipata is crucial. Since there was no church building though, we were confused as to how we would serve. We quickly learned though, that a church doesn’t need a building, and that serving just needs an open heart and love.

On two of the three nights that we were in Chipata, we drove our bus to compounds, not knowing what to expect. Basically, there was a street lined with huts made of some brick stones, grass, mud walls, and tin.

These little huts were barbershops, stores, homes, and often, bars. On either end of the street some cars would come and go and people would be walking, but mainly there was just what seemed to be a neverending darkness in each direction and stars studded the sky. In these compounds, Fr. Stephen found a nice brick wall and projected the movie Jesus of Nazareth in their local language, Nyanje. Tons of people from all over the compound would gather and watch the movie and then we would disperse among them and talk to many in small groups or one-on-one and pass out pamphlets on the Coptic Orthodox 24

The church in Lusaka The land in Chipata for the future St. Mina Coptic Church

Church. Small groups of us would also venture out into the compound with Fr. Macarious (a Zambian Coptic priest) and go door to door even to the more dangerous looking clubs and bars, spreading the word of God with love and humility.

It was during these times that I felt the mysterious Hand of God orchestrating everything.

First of all, none of us would have the courage to preach like this in America, but somehow we were all filled with boldness. We would just go up to people and say, “Hi, I’m Monica and I’m Coptic Orthodox, a Christian. Are you Christian? Do you want to hear about how much God loves you?”

Although unworthy to be counted with them, I truly felt that we were like the apostles who just roamed from place to place preaching the Love of God. Several mysterious instances occurred during these nights. On the first night, we were all about to leave, but as I was nearing the bus, a woman came up to me. For some reason I felt the need to begin to talk to her, not knowing whether or not she spoke English, about how important she is to God and how He never forgets her. I told her that her name, which I didn’t know at the time, is inscribed on His hand and how He took time and formed her wonderfully and fearfully. I then asked her if she wanted me to pray with her right there and she looked at me, almost tearfully, and said yes. I ended up praying out loud with her right there as people started yelling at me to get in the bus. Right before I jumped in, I simply asked her name and she gave me a huge, long hug and thanked me before telling me that her name was Fatima and she was Muslim.

On another day in Chipata we were passing out flyers about the Coptic Orthodox Church and on the front cover it read, “An Apostolic Faith.” I remember looking at them and scoffing to myself saying, “that’s nice and true of course, but it’s not like this population will notice or care that we’re apostolic.” That same night we were in a different compound doing the same type of evangelism and telling the people about the spiritual day we were holding the following day.

Just like what normally happens, a few from our group broke off and began walking within the compound, door to door, handing out flyers and hugs with a smile. All of a sudden, this man started running towards me with great urgency. He looked at me and with a heavy South African accent said, “Are you Coptic Orthodox?!” He then went on to tell me how he has a PhD in Church History and knows all about the Coptic Church. He told me he is Zambian, got his PhD from South Africa, and then studied and taught in the Vatican. After his intense studying he had been looking for a more apostolic church, but there were none he knew of in Chipata. I told him about our church and how we were missionaries from abroad; he then exchanged numbers with all the priests and told us he wanted to join the church and even become a priest! I asked him how he knew we were in the compound and he said a young girl gave him a pamphlet while he was teaching a class and he saw the words, “An Apostolic Faith,” ended his class, and began running towards us. That same phrase that I thought was wildly unnecessary before was precisely the statement that brought a soul to our church. I was extremely humbled and incredibly amazed at the mighty hand of God that was so apparent in this experience.

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As if this wasn’t enough, I later asked the girls who left the group, which one gave him a flyer and all of them said they couldn’t recognize him. I still don’t know how he got one, but I’m so thankful to God for showing us how His masterful hand is behind everything. All of the experiences in Zambia were absolutely incredible and the spirituality of the area is breathtaking. I truly felt that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” (Matthew 9:37) due to the immense amount of services and great potential in the souls of the people. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to go to Zambia and not only learn how to share the Bible on house visitations and markets, but also to be able to see

tons of patients and assist in five operations with my father (urogynecology cases) in the church center. I encourage each of us to first and foremost pray for the service in Zambia, which seems to be a forgotten mission sometimes. I also encourage everyone to get a group together and go or go on an individual mission (also, there are resident physicians there and medical services to be done). Finally, this village in Chipata has land, a congregation, and a resident priest who prays liturgy in his small living room so any funds to help build the church on the land there would be strongly appreciated. If you have any questions about the mission in Zambia, please feel free to contact me or check out the Coptic Orthodox Church in Zambia Facebook page!

"Blessed is he who thinks of the poor and needy; the Lord shall deliver him in an evil day. The Lord shall preserve him and keep him alive, and make him blessed on the earth." (Psalm 41:1-2)

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BOOK REVIEW: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS BY C.S. LEWIS The Screwtape Letters By C. S. Lewis is a Christian novel, which is written in an innovative format. The letters, which the book consists of, are written from the point of view of Screwtape, who is an experienced demon, in attempt to give advice to the juvenile and inexperienced Wormwood, his nephew. Therefore, it is written in a negated format as us, Christians, would see it.

The “enemy” and his “army” which Screwtape despises are God and his angels.This novel is a unique piece of work for it shows the reader how demons or the real enemies can manipulate our simplest thoughts into their own ammunition.

However, the enemy cannot be blamed for all the wrongdoings humans do. Screwtape talks about how sometimes the “patient” (humans) leaves the door wide open for the temptations to overtake them. We are much to blame for most of our own wrongdoings as well. This novel discusses this issue that many Christians simply blame demons for everything wrong in the world and their lives.

Even though, this is not the truth. We, as weak human beings, with animalistic instincts, are blameworthy for some of the shortcomings we experience in our spiritual life. The enemy simply plants the seed of some thoughts in our minds, but we are the ones to blame for accepting those thoughts and converting them into actions with our own conscious will.

Another myth that many Christians have is that once we become Christians and once we start praying and becoming more devout that the only way to go is up. However, this mindset was challenged in the novel when Screwtape discussed the “Law of Undulation.” Lewis busted one of the most believed myths. The law of undulation is the law that every single human has times of peaks and times of troughs. Our spiritual lives are constant ups and downs. It is not a rollercoaster only going up, but rather there are many troughs that can be utilized by both God and the devil. For example, for patients with chronic sickness which may seem to be at a constant low because of this cross which God allowed for them to carry, they may be the ones who reward the greatest crowns in the afterlife. God uses our troughs and our lows to build our characters and make us stronger soldiers in his army against the enemy.

Therefore, healthcare providers should always encourage patients to not only be consumed by their illness, but also to focus on what God can mold them into because of their illness.

Everything that we go through can be either used to praise God and glorify his name or to praise the enemy and follow his lead into his deadly kingdom.

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Starting a New Student Chapter Do you have a local CMANA Student Chapter at your University?

If not, here is a 3-step checklist to get you started: Spread the word at your local church youth group for a meeting for health and pre-health students Plan local CMANA Events like health fairs, community outreach, career education events, etc Meet regularly to recruit members to attend CMANA Missions & National Conferences

Are you a National CMANA Member?

Students Join for FREE! Register on our website: cmanamerica.org