coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

The Lord has blessed us with a beautiful sunny day. Today we took the blessing of helping with the construction of the new church building. We arrived at the site of the new church building early in the morning (we have to work early because the heat and sun are very strong here). However, upon arriving there, we discovered that the cement, which had been left out last night, had been stolen.

We did not let that dampen our spirits, though. As we waited for Abouna Shenouda to purchase new cement, we took a walk along the water in the area surrounding the church. We came across a herd of goats eating grass nearby, and a cow grazing not to far from there. Many animals roam free on the island, but the animals are peaceful and we were able to walk very close to them without problems. While here, it is easy to see how Adam and Eve lived with all the Lord's creation in Paradise at peace, living together without fear or malice, being truly at one with nature. After our walk, we sang hymns inside and outside the church building.

When the cement arrived, we helped the construction crew add additional concrete blocks to the wall of the church in preparation for the addition of the roof, which should be put on in the next few weeks, God willing. Because of the heavy weight of the buckets of cement we were carrying, we felt our muscles ache and were all sunburned by noon, but the Lord sent us a cool rain to help us continue working. Although the work was backbreaking and we encountered some obstacles along the way (poisonous centipedes, stolen materials, sunburn and dehydration), we were joyful and happy for the chance to do some physical labor, and even sang hymns while we worked.

Slowly, we are finding more and more people on the island are curious about the Coptic Orthodox Church. The construction crew began asking us questions; people we encounter seem interested in knowing more about the faith and the Church. It is truly a blessing, and we pray that the Lord bless us with His Holy Spirit, to show them by words and deeds that He is the God of Light. We began preparations for a meeting with the public to introduce them to the Church, which shall, God willing, take place in the next few days.

In the evening, as we were leaving for Vespers, we saw an amazing rainbow over our house. As we drove to the church, every scene we saw was a postcard picture; the island is so beautiful and unmarred by man's hand. We took the blessing of praying Vespers and Tasbeha at the current church, and listening to Abouna Shenouda speak about the Second Coming of Christ.

Please pray for us.