The Focus Middle East Institute

Posted on September 25, 2008
Filed Under Personal |

One of the major purposes for my trip to Cairo was to teach the Focus on the Family Middle East Institute. This is similar to the Institute we have here in the States, although the one in Egypt is shorter.

Class ran from 9am to 2:30pm, at which time the students broke for lunch. So, I had about 22 hours of class time with them…more than enough time to become deeply attached. Even as I write this I must confess that I miss them very much.

They were hungry to learn and our discussion times and interactions were some of the best I have experienced. They were honest and unafraid to examine those thoughts and positions that they began to realize might be framed more by culture than by God’s truth. For some, it was unsettling. But for all of us, we sensed the work of the Lord as we discussed some difficult issues.

As is my custom, I requested that the students write down some prayer requests that I might have the privilege to take before the Lord. They did so and lined up to personally deliver them to me after our last class. This was an emotional time for me. Some of their requests are not that much different from the ones I get from my students here. But there are many that reflect the reality of their circumstances in a world that is radically different from one that an American student might face. It is not easy to be a Christian in some parts of the world. There is a cost, and sometimes that cost is very high.

To my dear students in Cairo: I miss you and pray the Lord will continue to bless you and keep you; that He will make His face shine upon you and give you peace, both now and forever more.

Amen.

Comments

7 Responses to “The Focus Middle East Institute”

  1. Ken Jarrett on September 27th, 2008 11:34 pm

    Saw the simulcast today, 9/27. I already had a group going and we are going to do this curriculum. Powerful. I was called by God 2.8 years ago. I have found the Truth to be very powerful. Thank you.

    Ken

  2. Charree on September 29th, 2008 9:28 am

    I attended the training on Saturday and heard mention about this. I think it is really neat how God is using the Truth Project to work in the Middle East. The thought of the Truth Project in Arabic amazes me and shows the awesome power of God.
    We serve a Mighty and Awesome God!

  3. Rebecca Darrington on September 29th, 2008 11:44 am

    Dr. Tackett,
    As I read your blog on Cairo, and how you miss and love your students, I was reminded of the apostle Paul as he wrote his letters to Timothy. How he loved Him and missed him. Always exhorting him to guard the Faith. 1 Tim 20-21
    I am a new leader for “The Truth Project”, having been a participant this past winter and just this weekend attended the simulcast training to be a leader. I plan on doing a small group in Jan. Through “The Truth Project” I was exposed, our culture was exposed to me and I was changed. I am praying for my small group now, that God will reveal to me who is to come into my home. Thank you Dr. Tackett. I pray God will bless you and keep you.
    Rebecca :)

  4. Gary Reynolds on September 29th, 2008 8:59 pm

    Our group toured His Story this evening. My understanding has been illuminated to the truth that the secular world around me has no morals or ethics. All the world is driven from each persons heart and their feelings at that particular monment. This evening is a truly liberating event for me. It is not me or the Church they hate, it is Christ the King. Thank you all @ FOF for exposing the arenas I have been held captive. To yield to the eternal Truth of the word of God. It is a fearful, yet most exhilerating thing to fall into the hands of the Living God! To gaze into His face is a wonder and a joy!

  5. Jan Feaster on October 5th, 2008 6:13 pm

    I am so relieved to find that I can do something meaningful with and for my teenage sons and their friends . . . I am tired of church being a mere “club,” with the emphasis on fun and bonding. The Lord saw fit to open my eyes and ears to His truth when I was 36 years old. I was an extreme feminist and proud of it. I was very familiar with the other world. That is perhaps why I am so sensitive about seeing so much of the world in the church, especially in the children’s areas. So much sugar-coated Jesus and dumbed-down Bible stories repeated to the point that children are bored silly with Sunday School. And Children’s Church, with it’s rock star atmosphere and game show packaging for learning scripture! Can the Lord use it even if I don’t approve? Most certainly. But it grieves my heart. I did not grow up in the church, and I have tried hard to raise my boys to love the Lord. But I am dismayed to see them take church so lightly. That’s why I am thrilled to go through this series with them and any of their friends as well as adults we know. I look forward to meaty discussions. I am so thankful.

  6. Mark N on November 10th, 2008 6:14 pm

    Dr. Del….
    I’m Mark one of your Egyptian students whom you’ve taught the Truth Project. It was really a blessing and honour for us that you could be among us in those few days. We really learnt alot from the project and more from YOU and that project was a life changing and turning point to us.

    Some of us began working on it with others and some didn’t yet but will do very soon.
    Please continue praying for us as we do for you.

    On behalf of my friends i can say that we miss you very very much and pray that God would use you moreover to bless as many people.
    We love you so much. . .hope you’ll be able to read this

  7. Remon S on November 12th, 2008 8:04 am

    Thanks a lot Dr. Dell for your post about Focus ME Institue. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
    We miss you too.
    I carry all the warm greetings from all our students. You wont believe how they all expressed, in our course’s evaluation together, their deep deep admiration and excitment about your teaching. Moreover, they expressed how they loved you and Melissa so much.
    Thanks again for the time and effort you have given to teach in our Institue.
    Remon

Leave a Reply

Comments are moderated and will not appear until they've been approved. While we are eager to facilitate conversation by publishing most comments, we may withhold one from time to time if we deem it to be inappropriate, i.e. offensive, vulgar, overly personal, cynical, disrespectful, irrelevant, redundant or unnecessarily contentious (what a list, huh?). Check it over for spelling and grammar before you submit so that nothing will hinder your eloquence!