EGYPT: Native Missionaries Tell of  Present Threats to Safety

By Rae Burnett, Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission

Native missionary families are deeply disturbed and even fearful because of recent developments in Egypt. Christian Aid is not ever involved in politics, but political events and climates can profoundly affect the Lord’s work, so I am sending you this letter from one of the very few indigenous ministries in that country. Christian Aid has been supporting them for many years. The ministry name is not given for security. They are in serious danger at this time.

Prior to this, the ministry leader asked for our prayers that the Muslim Brotherhood would be defeated.

Dear Rae,

The worst has happened, and worse still, we do not believe the election was fair. We know that Christians were not allowed to vote in some areas. We also know there were at least 3,000,000 ballots pre-marked for Morsi. True or not, everyone believes it was influence from the US that caused him to be declared President.

Photo by Rae Burnett in Egypt

The other candidate, Shafiq, is a very loved and respected man. It had been announced that at 1 pm that the presidential guards went to his home to get him as the president. But at 2 pm they got orders to leave his home and return back. At 4 pm they announced Morsi the president. This is what we understand to have happened.

The brotherhood had announced that they would destroy the country if Morsi didn’t win, but they also said they will take revenge from all those who vote for Shafiq, especially the Christians as they are sure we did vote for Shafiq. Yesterday they began by killing two believers in el Sharqiya because of this.

Soon after Morsi won, Christians in upper Egypt were forcibly prevented from going to churches. Many [people]also began to speak to women in the streets that they had to wear [certain] clothing including the head covering. They act as if they got the country for their own. It is theirs now.

Many Christians here are terrified. Many of us had already lost friends and family members from [extremist] attacks before the election. Liberal [people] are also afraid. They also do not want the country to be turned from a civil one to a religious one like Iran.

You asked me to about our needs, so I will tell you the most pressing is for living and ministry expenses for us and our missionaries. Financial matters in the country are getting worse day after day, and prices get higher and higher every day since the so-called Arab Spring revolution.

We are hoping to hold our annual training conference in September. Pray for its safety, needs, arrangements, and that the attendee and will be blessed.

Also the laptop that I use in ministry has been damaged, and I am praying for a new one ($1500).[maybe someone can send a used laptop or there are some available at the 400.00]

We don’t know what we shall do but to God we turn our eyes.

Please pray for our safety and for our ministry to continue in these hard situations to be light for the nation.

Blessings and thanks,

Native Egyptian Ministry Leader  

To give via credit card to help this Egyptian missionary ministry call 800-977-5650 or click here to contribute online.

Please pray for this ministry and our fellow believers in Egypt. Contact me at rae@christianaid.org if you have any questions or comments about this indigenous missionary ministry.

Blessings in Him,