Adventist Mission

My First
Village Trip

by Tom Decker

My head and knees sway gently to the rhythm of the train as it slowly chugs back to Cairo. I’m returning from a small village that plans to send 6-10 students to Nile Union Academy where I’ve just arrived as the new principal. I wanted to see the town where they live and meet them and their families and pastor.

I have spent an hour typing reflections from my visit to this small Egyptian village that looks like it has changed little in the last several hundred years. Each attempt to describe my weekend has ended with my holding the backspace bar. So I’ll just leave you with a mosaic of images:

Two bleating newborn goats held in the arms of a little girl.

The Muslim call to prayers blending with hymns sung by an Adventist congregation.

Men coming to church in their full-length Arab robes.

A lovely guava drink followed by a lemonade, then a Sprite, orange soda, another lemonade, a cup of tea, and, finally, a serving of honeycomb at a beekeeper’s home. Such was the hospitality of my students’ families.

A middle-aged man’s stubble against my cheek as we exchange kisses.

The oppressive, wilting heat.

The shy exuberance of a young man practicing his English with me.

My relief and joy at connecting with my future students.

I know there will be difficult times ahead. I will probably be discouraged, lonely, exhausted, and disappointed. But, on this day it is clear to me that God created me to be here and share His extravagant love. Oh, the wonderful contentment of knowing you are exactly where God wants you to be!

Tom Decker is an American who feels blessed beyond measure to be a missionary, a principal, and a friend to 135 Egyptian and Sudanese young people.

My First Village Trip

My First
Village Trip