The Rain Begins

Last fall, 800 young people gathered in Wadi el Natron, a desert on the western edge of the Muslim-dominated Nile Delta. They came to worship God. Numerous speakers from various churches and denominations in the Nile Delta spoke on the topic of “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” ACP organized this youth conference as part of its intensified work in Egypt.

Transformed Lives

At the end of the conference, more than 250 young people came forward to follow Christ. Some cried, others hugged each other kneeling in front of the stage. It was an overwhelming moment. The work of the Holy Spirit was palpable. Many young people spontaneously decided to give up smoking and other addictions. A group of young Catholics decided to read the Bible and participate in Bible study groups in the future. Others were freed from occultism. “I can hardly believe it! I have never spoken to so many young people who come exclusively from the Nile Delta!” one speaker told us. A major Christian television station also broadcast the four most important inputs into the living rooms of thousands of Egyptian households. Now millions of people know that something extraordinary is happening in the Delta.

Security and blessing

We, a group of seven Europeans on a mission trip, also took part in this conference. Afterwards, we traveled through the Nile Delta, met Coptic priests, and helped organize several church services. To ensure our safety in the area, we were provided with a police escort that was larger than our group. They cleared the way for us, which made us feel almost uncomfortable. But that didn't stop us from sharing about our experiences with God and praying for the sick at every opportunity. The churches were very grateful for this. Some people reported immediate healings. A Muslim man we had met shortly before gave his life to Jesus. This was a special blessing for us.

A vision comes true

A year and a half ago, God gave me the image of the small cloud that the servant of the prophet Elijah saw as a sign of what was to come (1 Kings 18:44). Elijah announced to King Ahab that the long-awaited rain was imminent. At the end of this trip, I can hardly believe it: the rain over the Nile Delta, the long-awaited revival, is beginning. And we are privileged to witness it.