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| Over the years we have been blessed by the many people who have taken part in our tours of the Holy Family sites. This has also been a huge blessing for the many Egyptian people - priests and laymen, Christians and Muslims - who have had the opportunity to connect with visitors to Egypt. If you would like to add your feedback we would like to hear from you - please email us at info@holyfamilyegypt.com. | |
| In the spring of 2002 I arranged a ‘special' Holy Family
Trip with Kees Hulsman for a group from the American Embassy. Our
trip was to be 3 days and 2 nights long. We broke new ground with
this tour as it was the first time in a number of years that a tour
group from the Embassy had traveled this far south, by bus, and spent
a night in Minya. Our group of 22 greatly enjoyed traveling into the
small villages, meeting the priests and seeing the sights associated
with the Holy Family's time in Egypt. Drs. Hulsman's knowledge of
the subject as well as his intimate relationship with the priests
and villages is the reason the trip was so successful. Everyone in
the group was fascinated by the folklore of the Holy Family that is
interwoven in the life, and to an extent, the survival of each location.
I personally had been on two prior trips with Drs Hulsman and wanted
to share the unique experience with my co-workers. I would recommend
any of the Holy Family trips with the caution that they will probably
run long as it is so difficult to leave the kind people at each location.
Sincerely, Vicki Shannon, US Embassy Cairo “ We thank our Lord who brought us today to this holy celebration, under the auspices of his grace Bishop Demetrius of Malawi. Now we remember the blessing of the Holy Family's journey to Egypt, which was blessed by Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray for the blessing of Christ, the Holy Virgin, and St. Joseph for all the attendants of this celebration. ” Daniel, Bishop of Maadi, 25/1/2003 “What a marvelous day to celebrate the Holy Family's visit to Egypt. What adds to its glory is your coming and sharing it with us. Now we feel that the work of the Holy Spirit is to reunite Christians from different countries. We look forward to seeing you again in every celebration.” Fr. Yohanna Fayez, Mallawi, January 2003 “This was a very exceptional journey. The Holy Family procession was spectacular. And – I admit it – not only the religious side, but also to be in touch with Egyptian village life was fascinating. Thank you very much for organizing this trip.” Dr. Claudia Fischer, Germany, January 2003 “Freilaufende Schweine in einem aegyptischen Dorf, das war es wohl, was ich noch nie gesehen hatte! Und die geloeste, freie Stimmung der Kopten, wenn sie ganz unter sich sind, wie bei dieser Pilgerfahrt nach Abu Hinnis. Und wunderschoen war die Ueberfahrt ueber den Nil an einer seiner naturbelassensten aegyptischen Stellen in Begleitung der bis zum letzten Platz gefuellten Foehren. Der Bischof setzte allein ueber – in einer Feluke, deren Segel das Bild der Heiligen Familie bei ihrer Ueberfahrt vor 2000 Jahren trug.” Vielen Dank fuer alles! Kristin Bergmann, correspondent Neue Zuercher Zeitung, Switserland, January 2003 “I feel extremely privileged to be able to go again. Although similar, no two trips can be the same. It is so heart warming to see the people and how happy they are to be having this celebration, and how happy they are to see us.” Terry and Diane Kress, American, January 2003 (they also participated in January 2002) “Thank you so much for organizing the trip of a lifetime for me. When I think that 99.9% of the people in the world will never experience the things I have seen this weekend, I am forever grateful”. Kathy Oplinger, American, January 2003 “Dear Kees , thank you so much for all the organization, and your hard work. This trip has been a great privilege to experience and photograph. If I had brought a hundred rolls of film, it wouldn't have been a enough!! It was wonderful to see everybody enjoying themselves so much and to be included in such a precious event. Thanks again” Nicola Matthews, British photographer, January 2003. “Dear Kees, we are happy to be on this trip. The Egyptians have been so friendly and hospitable as is probably another side of their very old traditions. We thank you for your work, the writing and particularly the blend of the Biblical history into the work. We will continue to pray for Egypt and the many blessings God will continue to give others through this country and its wonderful people.” The Kranyak family, American, January 2003. “Dear Kees, I had a wonderful time on the trip. I especially liked the climbing part. Thank you for all what you have done.” Lauren T. Kranyak , American, January 2003. “Kees, thank you seems hardly sufficient for our participation in the Holy Family Pilgrimage to Dayr Abu Hinnis. It has been two days packed with sights that few peoples who visit Egypt have probably experienced. It has been topped off by all the extra information you have provided from your extensive knowledge on the Holy Family tradition. This trip has brought to life even more what the Bible tells of Jesus – the added insight from understanding the culture, traditions, and places. A little more I know will be invaluable. May the Lord bless you for all your research and the trips you make happen.” Julie and Ryan Buist, New Zealand, January 2003. “As an Egyptian, I was more than happy to join this journey. I discovered with you a precious part of the history of my country, and had the chance to know more about the trip of the Holy Family. Looking forward for more experiences with you. I thank you so much for the idea and the program.” Mohammed Moussa, Egyptian journalist, January 2003. “It is a great trip! I saw a lot, I learned a lot- and again I found out what a beautiful country Egypt is, and how nice the people are. Kees, thank you so much and do not forget me when you plan your next tour. Ursula Mahlke, German, January 2003 (living in Egypt since 1962). “What is more important to become so close to the people. Children are curious to know who you are. They are communicative persons saying with their eyes welcome, clapping, thank you when you leave. This is the desire of Christ to bring people together to celebrate the Birthday of the Savior, whose message was to love one another, do good, work for peace, justice, and care for the creation. We saw poor people in material but they benefited from basic human rights. They had medicine, food, water, and housing. No old woman was left on the streets. Education is a requirement. But it is better than some conditions in other parts of the world. I was happy to share the peace in song and fellowship with the people of the villages and our bus passengers. Thank you, peace.” Flois Knolle-Hicks, American, January 2003 “Dear Kees, thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into planning this trip. I had a memorable time and saw things I did not imagine before I came to Egypt. It was a great experience and showed me how wide and diverse the body of Christ is. Thank you.” Chris Mayes, Australian, January 2003. “Dear Kees, thank you for letting us come on this trip. I was really enjoying it. My thoughts of this trip were really different than what happened. Thanks.” Crystal McCready, American, January 2003. “Dear Drs. Hulsman, thank you for inviting me to join that rich -experience and interesting trip.” Ola Galaly, Egyptian journalist, 25/1/2003 “Dear brother Cornelis Hulsman, what a privilege and honor for me to have you and your group on the 14 th and 15 th of March, 2003. I really felt the presence of the Lord while we were visiting the site of Pithom ( Sucot), Tel El Maskhotah, Tel Rotabi) and San El Hagar (tombs). We hope to see you again and again with your family and all the people who can come. Please feel at home and at ease any time and all the time.” Your brother in Christ Dr. Rev. Sobhi Zafian, Egypt, March 2003. “Dear Sir, dear all delegation, welcome to our green city. Thank you to choose Ismailia to spend this wonderful time. Please come again.” Essam Aldin Attia, Director of Tourism Department, Ismailia Governorate, March 2003. “Thank you for the hospitality of the Evangelical Church and the warm welcome of the Deputy Assistant governor of Ismailia. Most of all to Kees for all your great efforts of bringing us to this part of the world of historically and Biblically significance.” Ming family, US, March 2003. “ The trip to the land of Goshen is a fast trip, packed full of interesting things. It definitely has potential for expanding it. There is so much to learn. This is a place we would like to spend more time to learn. More Biblical explanations would be great. It is also great that kids could pick up souvenirs too!! We would like to come more and more to your trips in the future. Thanks for your efforts. The experts - yourself included Kees – were great to have with us.” Minkler family, American, March 2003 “It was impressive to see the city of Ismailia, the Suez Canal, and ancient sites connected to the Bible, and to meet new people as well. Thank you Kees for all your efforts. God bless you.” Anne Offer, American, March 2003 “Thank you for organizing this trip to the Convent of St. Dimyana. We enjoyed meeting with the bishop [Metropolitan Bishoy]. Though I did not shop for religious items as much as I wanted to or meditate and pray, I was able to learn so much about the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Holy Family Journey to Egypt. As a Catholic Christian, I have a strong devotion to the Holy Family and the saints of the early church. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm in this area. I would like to attend more of your trips in the future. God bless you.” Tammy Baldauff, American, May, 2003. “ Thank you for this lovely and unforgettable trip. Your discussion Kees on the bus going and returning was excellent. The access you provided to significant and private sites in the monastery. " Mary Jane Snyder, American, May 2003 “A truly excellent trip. We enjoyed meeting the Bishop and the nuns. Fascinating learning of a new way of life. I would have liked to stay longer to learn about the lives of these interesting people. The “moulid” was highly interesting. The trip was really an enjoyable and a memorable experience.” Dominique Bennet, British, May 2003. “ Thank you for this trip. There was too much – but for me it was an ideal opportunity I will never have again. I liked the excitement of the moulid and being able to spend all the time with the Metropolitan. Especially I enjoyed spending time with the nuns in their own place, and the garden was the best thing.” Nancy Reuschel, American, May 2003. “I truly enjoyed the trip today. The church and the convent were very welcoming and informative. Thank you for this enjoyable opportunity. I would have liked to spend more time at the convent and out with the people celebrating. I was mostly impressed with the people shown to the area of the altars and to the Metropolitan. Thank you again for this great opportunity. A. Tipton, American, May 2003 “The Bishop is respectable and wonderful. He is really blessed. The convent is such a huge place. God is doing good things here. The presentation of the tomb of Dimyana is wonderful and emotional too. It is a trip others should undertake.” Julie Ometoruwa, Nigerian, May 2003 " A day trip to the Delta to visit sites that are a part of the Holy Family “lore” in Egypt. At both sites, the priest and the Bishop met and treated us royally we would like to recognize. The places and people are fascinating. Thanks for the opportunity.” Vicki Shannon, American, May, 2003 “ It is stated in the manuscripts of the church, the foreign references, and the oriental historians, that the Holy Family visited the area of Ishnin Al-Nasara, and Dayr al-Garnus which belongs to Maghagha and the Patriarchate. It also visited the area of al-Bahnasa that belongs to Bani Mazar. Consequently, these places have a unique holiness and blessing for the State, the church, and the pilgrimages. “ Aghathon , Bishop of Maghagha and Al-Edwa, 30/5/2003 “The Bible says: “Out of Egypt I called my Son. [Hosea 11 : 1]” The Holy Family's journey to Egypt is considered a great blessing to Egypt and its people. The journey began from Israel to Rafah, el-Arish where there is a tree that the Holy Family is believed to have rested under its shade. Then they went to Bilbays, Musturud, and returned to Bilbays then went to Sakha, to Wadi Al- Natrun, which is now full of Coptic monasteries. Afterwards, the Holy Family went from Musturud to Old Cairo, which is also now filled with many of beautiful churches. Then, they went to Maadi from where they departed to Upper Egypt. There, they went Dayr al- Garnus, then to Gabal al- Tayr, Dayr al- Barsha, Kom Maria in Mallawi. Next they proceeded the journey to Dayr Al – Muharraq, where they remained for 6 months and five days. Afterwards, they began the trip of the return to Jerusalem. It must have been a very exhausting journey the Holy Family had endured, a very long way traveling only with a donkey. However, we thank our Lord for this blissful visit. It is because of this journey that we have now the oldest altar in the whole world fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah:” 19:19 “In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt.” Father Sergius Sergius, The church of St. George, Heliopolis, Egypt, May 2003 “I have visited the monasteries of Wadi Al-Natrun many times before over the past 15 years. But I learned more about the monasteries themselves and the Egyptians monasticism on this visit, more than any previous one.” John Cumming, October 24, 2003. “Thank you for a fascinating tour of the monasteries of Wadi Al- Natrun. We all ( 12 adults + 1 child aged 4 ) enjoyed the architecture and the insight into Coptic monasticism. The pilgrimage was well organized and the bus driver was very good.” Hugh Nicholas, October 24, 2003 “The trip was very enjoyable. As I have an academic interest in Christianity in Egypt, it was also very useful. Having the insight of Dr. Otto Meinardus added to the occasion. The tours around the monasteries allowed us to learn much more than if I was visiting alone. Thank you for an extremely useful and interesting day which was made even more pleasant by the organization and the company.” Fiona Mc.Callum, University of St. Andrews, Scottland, October 24, 2003 “ Thank you for a wonderful and interesting tour of Wadi Al-Natrun. It was really inspiring to see traditions based on Christian faith”. Isabel, October 24, 2003 “A deepening of faith, and an informative and learning experience, discovering monasticism really came to life for me in the context of Egypt. A pious religious and African heritage. Thanks for your organizing and arranging the tour – trying to keep in touch. " Rev. Wrongchifle Chisholm, St. Nicolas Church, P.Arrow, South Africa, October 24, 2003. “Thank you for the opportunity to visit these key monasteries.
They are very interesting and each one different from the other.
The chat with Father Basilius at the monastery of St. Macarius was
most helpful. And the frescos at Dayr Al-Surian were very unique.
It is the first church I have seen with frescos.” J.
Tustin, October 24, 2003. |
Copyright © 2007 Arab West Foundation, Almere, The Netherlands
