Cairo, My place in this world

Well, I'm not certain how many of you still read this, but I thought I'd give a quick blog (mostly inspired by Genesis starting his own blog).

I'm in Cairo now, and if you've paid any attention to my facebook statuses, you'd already know this.

Egypt is an interesting place in the world to be. A ton of history here, and its been mind-wracking trying to sort out all my classes / let alone do some independent research.

But overall, I'm pleased to be here, and I'm excited about what this new year will unfold.

My best friends here include a few staff members, and people I've met all around. The person I would consider myself closest to would be Abigail, my colleague, friend, and neighbor. We hang out all the time. We come from different backgrounds, but I'm thankful for her friendship.

My classes are running smoothly. The kids are great, and they love me! The last history teacher didn't have a good rapport with them, so they are very energetic to be in my class.

It was so touching to hear parents say, "my child just called, and said, 'Have you seen Mr. B yet? You haven't? Stop and go see him next!'" Along with things such as "you're the first teacher that has captured his attention." These were from different teachers.

Life here is different, of course. And I've come to accept a ton of this from all my travels. I'm still searching for my niche in this world, as the old Steven Curtis Chapman song says, "I'm looking for a reason, roaming around to find my place in this world, my place in this world."

Hopefully, my old friends, I'll be able to talk to you more often. Peace and Blessings, Ciao!

The Conclusion of Thailand and an Adventure

Much Apologies! It has been far too long!

Now four months shouldn't seem like such a discrepancy, yet we all know how 4 months is in the technological world - a lifetime!

I spent 3 months in Thailand working at a Bamboo School. Once I get a little better connection, I'll add some photos (mind you, not many due to the fact my expensive DSLR camera was stolen).

But it was an adventure... though not all adventures are necessarily fun. Summarizing 3 months in one post is a bit difficult but I'll try to be concise.

What I liked:

- working with students

- teaching a little

- living the missionary life-style (jungle style)

- living without Air conditioner, modern conveniences, etc.

- striving in difficulties

- learning about the faith of others

- being "called up" onto the "mountain" to spend time with God. That was incredible!

What I didn't like:

- items of mine were stolen by the orphan-students (iphone, which was returned, chocolates, and my camera which wasn't returned).

- the camp was difficult, and I didn't enjoy this certain type of discipline employed there

- spiritually it was more rough than being in Jordan.

- the teacher's who have gone before me set such a bad example (sex with students, alcohol, etc... it just wasn't good).

- not being able to work out in a gym, and the lack of protein

What I learned:

- how to safely wield a machette (haha, sliced my finger open).

- I could still find a way to send messages to my mother and friends from back home.

- how to depend fully upon God, and what I needed still to work on in my life.

Will I go back?

No. Not likely. Unless God sent me and my future wife there... but I'm a huge fan of living in Thailand or in Asia currently at this stage in my life. I'm looking forward to teaching in Egypt next year. But I will continue to pray for the Bamboo School.

I told you I could be brief, but that really in essence sums up my experiences. Many stories, but some too painful to tell. I didn't laugh much, but I worked hard, kept myself buried in God's word, yet this was no escape from chaos, ha.

Next post will be my summary of my year in whole and in review.

Peace and Blessings,

Grg

Kicked off... and let down

Setbacks...

I've been delaying this post, but it's time to write about it. I was kicked off the archeological dig a few weeks ago.

No, I didn't break any priceless vases or pottery, but because I didn't have the proper security clearances. I had been working there for about two weeks, and every time I came back, everyone seemed to welcome me back eagerly.

I had been working at the Roman ruins with another team. They were driving down from Amman. But when most of them left, I asked a few of the Jordanian workers (from the Department of Antiquities) if I could ride down with them. One person in particular, did not want to take me, but finally relented.

At the end of that day, he informed me that I cannot come back because I hadn't gotten a security check (that is required for all foreigners, though none for Jordanians).

This was the first I had heard about it, and it was a major let down!!!! I tried to argue and ask if there was any other way I could get the form (this had been the first day I even heard that I needed a security clearance. Most assumed I didn't need one because I worked in Amman).

At this point, another team member stepped in and said, that regardless of the outcome, I was not welcome back at the dig site this year. (I hadn't had many interactions with this team member, but I was left with the impression that he was supremely arrogant and full of himself). He did assure me, that if I could come back next year, I would be welcome as long as I had the proper security clarences.

And what of the process? Well its typical Jordanian government obstacles. You need to get a piece of paper signed by about 10 different people, just to say you can work at the site. Even the simplest processes... like picking up a postal package, requires about 7 different signatures. I really wish I were joking, but I'm not.

Job Applications

Since I'll be in Thailand in March, and outside of email and cellphone capabilities, I needed to find a job sooner than later. I had applied at a school, and it seemed so promising (they wanted to bring me in to see the campus), but I just heard they offered the position to a former staff member. The email was gracious, but yeah, its a little disappointing. I would have loved to go in and interview. It seemed like a great fit for both of us. But I'm sure God knows what He's doing in all of this.

So now I'm in Armageddon mode for application postings. I need to get some nibbles before mid-march. I'm a little worried, but He's in control. So, that's all for now.

Take care,

Greg

Can Ya Dig It?

Marhaba!

Hey all, its time for another update. What have I been up to... well, I've found an archeological dig called Tell el-Hammam, and they are digging up the location believed by Dr. Collins to be the location of Sodom. Its amazing, it truly is! The dig site is just enormous, with such a large location. If this isn't Sodom, then as Dr. Collins says, "What is it?" because this is the largest location and we would have totally missed everything else. I'm impressed by the richness of the site, and it has just been rewarding.

Day One:

Dr. Collins located an early bronze age shaft tomb that had been robbed in modern times (1-2 years prior us getting there). Initially we didn't know what to think of it. Inside contained bones and broken pottery shards. Well on day one, I volunteered to go over there, with a tiny pick (piteat) and hoe (terea) we uncovered pottery pieces.

I found

• bones
• broken pottery shards
• and an oil burning lamp base

We also found:

• early and late bronze pottery
• the grave robbers pick. Haha!
• And about 20 different types of pottery

Day Two:

Today, we fully excavated the tomb. I got in it with Steve and dug out all the trash. The robbers dug into the tomb horizontally, but that wasn't it's actual entrance. We climbed ontop, probed around a bit, and finally broke through - locating the vertical entrance.

Inside I found bones, nothing significant, but I though I found a skull until it was realized, it was only a rock (bummer!).

The others found a scarab, egyptian which is amazing. The Jews when they were waiting to cross over the Jordan River, burried much of their dead in Shittim (they waited until everyone from the old generation died), which is where this site is. So, this tomb could have been reused and remember, the Jews "plundered Egypt" during the Exodus.

Day Three:

I worked moving dirt from one of the squares in Sodom. Moved a ton of dirt, trying to follow a stone wall. We believe that there were two Sodoms, an early bronze age one, and a middle bronze age one (everything is missing from late bronze and a gap of about 500 years exists before anything was rebuilt). Also, many of the locals believe this was Sodom.

I found a few pottery pieces, nothing significant, but it was great experience. Later, I helped to quickly remove dirt from the gate entrance. It wasn't straight, but more like a funnel. I was working so hard, i didn't realize that the car I was to ride back to Amman in had left without me. (THEY FORGOT!!! So they had to turn around, and come back for me.)

Day Four:

Been square hopping, and gaining experience, but I was drafted into the a dig square 30 meters to the north. Dr. David Graves and Dr. Scott Stripling have uncovered a Roman city, believed to be Livious (Livias) on the Sodom site. Its large, also the largest one in the area. The walls extend 35 meters wide, with four corners. This would make it the largest place here. Eye witness acounts and other texts have located this site near Sodom and Shittim and we believe its here.

Not all archeologists agree with our findings, but its very impressive and the community is looking at this site with great interest (though initially they believe Dr. Collins to having an agenda).

Another dig site on an adjacent tell (hill) a Greek team, has found the same things but on a smaller scale. We think they found Gomorrah. Its a hilltop away, and its a little smaller. Really fascinating. I'll post pictures later on facebook. Check em' out!

Later!