Today was an enjoyable day. I went with my son, husband, and husband's friend to the pyramids. It was the first time my son had gone, so it was fun to watch his expressions as he stood in the shadows of such amazing architecture. He and my husband rode a camel. He LOVED it! We went inside the medium pyramid which was quite an experience. Walking hunched down with your feet side-ways as you move through the continually shrinking tunnel isn't very easy to do, and definitely not graceful at all. I was so focused on where to put my feet, that I wasn't paying attention above me. Everyone had quite a big laugh at my expense when I walked hunch-back style, ducking my head to avoid hitting it, all the while, the tunnel had opened and I was able to walk upright. Eventually my husband had mercy on me and said 'stand up.' I'm sure I was quite a sight.
After the pyramids, we went to donate some time to the charity Support 4 Syrian Refugees in Egypt, as we do every Friday. (I'll intro this charity really quickly.) An Egyptian woman named Madame Nadia graciously turned her home into an office and drop-off spot for donations for Syrians in her city of 6th of October, Egypt. Syrian families go to her to be registered, then she helps them with such things as diapers, soap, pots/pans, food, blankets, hot water heaters, gas tanks to cook, electric cook-tops, clothes, medicine, etc. She also helps men find jobs, and families find housing. There are about 550 households registered. (There are often 2, sometimes 3 or more families in one household.)
Anyway, we've been doing this for 3 weeks now, visiting lots of families to assess their needs. Today we went to the home of a woman with 2 surviving children. En route fleeing their country their car was shot at. One son was killed. Her other son was severely wounded. He was disemboweled. They had to remove 3 ribs, and some of his intestines. Her husband was paralyzed and unable to accompany his family to Egypt. He is currently in a hospital in Syria. You could see the pain, sadness, and worry in her eyes.
It's always very humbling to enter homes where there are flimsy mattresses on the floor, one pot, no utensils, only the clothes on their backs, and if they are lucky a blanket. Every time I return home from volunteering I look around my house and feel a bit ashamed at all I have. Allah has blessed me! It's easy to forget or take for granted all you have until you are reminded by those who have nothing.
My bright spot in the day was the ability to visit the pyramids with my family and to have a safe, secure and luxurious home to return to. I thank Allah for blessing me with worldly possessions and I thank Him for granting me the opportunity to help those in need.
