I returned recently from a trip that took me through Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel. Of these four countries, Egypt left me the most depressed. I visited former King Farouk’s summer palace in Alexandria on the shores of the Mediterranean. It is a magnificent structure that served to highlight by contrast the dirt, disease, and great poverty that abound in this country of 34 million people.
Egypt’s population growth rate is such that by 2000 it will have at least doubled in numbers, even though it cannot adequately support its present populace. While the people suffer, the nation spends its resources to gird its loins militarily against Israel. It would be far better for Egypt to dismantle its army, settle for peace, since no one is going to invade Egypt or would want to, and get down to the important business of solving its internal social and economic problems for the benefit of a people whom the visitor cannot help liking and whose deprivations rend the heart.
While away we received news of the instant accidental death of Floyd Sharp, daughter Nancy’s father-in-law, who lived in Congerville, Illinois. He was taken in the prime of life, a thing that is always difficult to understand. We are thrust back in simple faith to believe that all things work together for good
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineI Hated ‘Church People.’ But I Knew I Needed Them.As I attended my second funeral in three weeks, two Christians showed me a kindness I couldn’t explain.
- Editor's PickA Theologian’s Vision of ‘Peasant’ Politics Is Surprisingly Lordly in ScopeEphraim Radner’s “narrow” concern for protecting the mundane goods of earthly life isn’t so narrow after all.