Ever since 2011, Egypt has featured prominently in U.S. news. But what do U.S. citizens, especially Christians, really know about the country?
Matthew Bucher and Greta Shenk are teaming up with to help Christians learn more about Egypt through a two-week 鈥淧artners in Mission鈥� trip, June 11-24, 2013.
鈥淚 want us to deepen our understanding of a country we only see for 30 seconds at a time in the news,鈥� said Bucher, who is dual enrolled in 草莓社区’s Seminary and Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
Shenk, a 2010 EMU grad with a degree in teaching English, said that Egypt “is often portrayed in ways that are distancing and off-putting, but we are hoping to help Christians connect with our brothers and sisters there and experience some of our similarities.鈥�
Bucher and Shenk will lead 鈥淲alking the Nile,” spending time in Cairo, Anafora, Beni Suef and Il-Qosseya.
鈥淥ur goal is not to try to see everything there is to see,鈥� said Bucher. 鈥淲e want this to be a pilgrimage, which is primarily about meeting people, learning about the world of Christianity and deepening discipleship.鈥�
Bucher and Shenk, who have both lived in Egypt, have organized the trip around experiencing different languages, cultures and locations, as well as a variety of worship services.
Shenk spent a year with teaching classes in Cairo and Beni Suef. Bucher spent four years in Egypt with MCC, mostly working with a Coptic Orthodox diocese, where he facilitated peacebuilding trainings, taught English and networked with MCC partners.
鈥淚 learned in Egypt that the best peacebuilding comes out of being rooted in faith,” said Bucher. “The best peacebuilders I met were that way because they loved Christ and engaged others with creativity and compassion.鈥�
To learn more about 鈥淲alking the Nile,鈥� visit or call Matthew Bucher at 717-644-2078. One elective seminary credit may be earned for the study tour.