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Cairo International Bookfair 2022
 A relaxed and friendly space for all
At least half of our products are for children of all ages, and everyone is happy for a kid-friendly booth with appealing, colorful Scripture products. One parent had many questions, not particularly because he wanted to hear, but rather to contend and correct. During the lengthy discussion, his daughter was looking at all the wonderful children’s materials and even though he wasn’t personally convinced, he bought her several Bible Stories.
Friendly Neighbors
 In the booth next door to ours, an author was autographing his books for customers, his young child taking pictures of them together. One of our staff noticed the snapshots were not clear and offered to take pictures for them, giving the young boy a few tips of how to take a better picture. Later, as our team gathered to have some breakfast sandwiches and stood together to pray, the author came over and reverently waited. He thanked them again for helping and said how appreciative he was of their positive presence. “I’ve heard of the Bible Society before and I am so glad that we’re neighbors here! It makes me happy to see how Christians pray, in a different way than I am used to, and I notice the exceptional way that you treat people.” He encouraged them and offered to trade books, giving our team one of his and receiving a Bible in return.
 Looking for the Bible Society
Navigating the fairgrounds can be tricky. Three college-age girls came, one saying, “I’ve been looking all over for you! I didn’t know where you were, but I finally found your booth!” She follows our Facebook page, and said that she came to the bookfair especially looking for the Bible Society as she really wanted to see our products. She purchased a Bible for herself and for her friend. Later, the third girl came back to get a Bible for herself as well. And like hundreds of other customers, they each received the gift of a Bible verse in artistic script.
A couple came and introduced themselves to Ayman. He welcomed the couple and asked, “What can I do for you? Would you like me to write  something for you?” She said, “No, we just came to watch.” He asked if they’d visited before and she said no, but the day before she has been looking on the internet and on a cultural website, she has seen a highlight saying, “Don’t forget to visit the Bible Society of Egypt while you’re at the bookfair, and make sure to pick up your free gift.” Posted on the site was a picture of Ayman drawing. Ayman welcomed them, and gave them a gift of “Words the Changed the World” the Sermon on the Mount illustrated with beautiful imagery and Arabic calligraphy.
Five years ago, …
It only takes a few minutes to write a verse, but it’s an opportunity to connect with people, and to respond to questions or ideas they might have about the Bible. And this can have a lasting impression. One lady came to Ayman saying, “Of course you don’t remember me! But these are my three daughters and we came to visit your booth five years ago, when you were at the old fairgrounds. The girls requested two different verses and we asked to take a picture with you.” It had obviously been a very meaningful time for the family, and they recounted all the details of their visit, 5 years previous! The mother took out her mobile and showed the picture they had taken at that time. She asked if they could re-create the same picture again, with the girls in the same places. She even asked about the other BSOE rep who had been in the previous picture, and since Ashraf was also at the booth, he was able to take his place in the second picture as well!
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Trusting in the Lord
One of the favorite verses requested was, “As for me and my house we will  serve the Lord.” Another favorite verse for many was, “If God be for us, who can be against us.” When 6 girls in their last year of high school came to visit the bookfair from the Delta, they asked Ayman to write something they understood, as they were not familiar with the Bible. He wrote, “The God of heaven will give success. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build,” encouraging them to do their part, studying hard for final exams, and to trust in the Lord for success, and we pray that we would be faithful to do our part and look to the Lord for His blessing and success in our efforts.
We thank God for all of the opportunities to share God’s Word in Egypt, and we thank you for praying with us, trusting in the Lord to bring Life through His Word. “It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NLT)
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