Simply Humbled...

We have experienced awe...

These past two days we have been in Alexandria!!! We learned quickly that Alexandria is a city built on a city. We visited a Roman theatre discovered by a donkey. Yes, a donkey! The donkey was roaming around with its owner and slipped into a hole in the ground. After struggling to get out the owner realized they were short of discovering a road during the time on which Origen walked!! The theater has been dug up and an ancient city is emerging. We then visited the Library of Alexandria. Such beauty and intricacy simply left us speechless. This library was built to hold 8 million books, holds 1 million right now and the books are still coming in. The architecture is stunning: wood from the United States, designs from Norway, granite from Zimbabwe... all the world represented in a effort to show how knowledge unites us all. So much we observed, the hours could have passed and they would have not sufficed to grasp its impact.

Today, we had the honor of visiting the Citadel of Qaitbay, in Alexandria as well. This is where the Pentateuch was translated into Greek, namely where the Septuagiant originated: History made, God's Word to God's people made available, God's power confirmed. There were reported to be 70 translators in separate rooms all translating the same text. Upon exiting these rooms and comparing text they found that all texts were translated word-for-word the same. They then knew that this Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit...awe inspiring!


If that were not enough we went to 2 monasteries. Talk about holy... We walked among persons who were dedicated and humbled by God's calling in their lives. Tears welled in my eyes to hear of the miracles they treasure and believe. In particular their understanding of prayer. They pray all night and sleep in the morning. They consider that falling asleep or becoming tired during prayer or worship is an attack of the devil. They desire to be in continuous communion with God and sleep is an interruption. It may sound strange or different but I was truly convicted by their devotion and the true joy they expressed while showing us their home. They suggested we come back and stay with them for 10 days. If only...

Sincerely,
Leila Ortiz






(Traci and Megan chanting the Coptic Liturgy with Abuna Shadrack)