There are trips that change your perspective and then there are trips that change your heart.
Our recent journey to Egypt was both.
From the moment we arrived, we were reminded that the Church is not confined by borders, buildings, or comfort. It is alive—thriving even—in places where faith is costly, resources are scarce, and hope must be chosen daily.
One of our first stops was the Church of St. George, nestled in the ancient Coptic area of Cairo. St. George, a martyr who endured seven years of imprisonment for his faith, is remembered for his resilience so much so that his story inspired the U.S. Army’s 10-miler race. Standing there, we were struck by the continuity of faith: suffering endured, hope preserved, and courage passed down through generations.
That same resilience was evident in the pastors and leaders we met.
In one densely populated and impoverished neighborhood where Christians are a small minority among the population, we were welcomed by a dear elderly pastor. Despite living with severe back pain that would have sidelined many, he hosted us with grace and joy. His church ministers to children in the neighborhood often 300 to 500 at a time offering them a place of safety, love, and hope in a community where daily life is heavy and uncertain.
In another large low-income area of Cairo we visited with another church serving that community. Each week, 350 to 400 children gather there. Teenagers come when they can many working long hours just to help their families survive. The church is a refuge for Egyptian Christians who have migrated from Upper Egypt and the Upper Nile, and it quietly carries an enormous humanitarian load. A vibrant women’s ministry flourishes, while family ministry becomes the bridge, wives bringing husbands, faith slowly weaving its way into entire households. This church also holds deep personal history, as it connects back to the faith journey of one of our own partners’ families.
But the trip wasn’t just about churches, it was about people.
We spent a full day engaging with nearly 250 orphans, and another day with 400–500 Sudanese refugee students, children who have fled unimaginable loss and instability. Their laughter, their curiosity, their resilience left an imprint on all of us.
At nearly every location, members of our team went out two or three at a time to visit families in their homes. We carried a month’s supply of food but more importantly, we carried presence. We listened to stories. We prayed. We sat on worn floors and shared precious moments with families who simply needed to be seen and known.
By the end of the trip:
But numbers only tell part of the story.
One team member shared how powerful it was to watch children light up simply because someone noticed them. Another spoke of the deep encouragement felt by local leaders who serve faithfully, often unseen, finally reminded that they are not alone. Someone else reflected on the joy of playing parachute games with kids simple moments that built instant trust and connection.
For many on the team, this trip stretched them in unexpected ways. Long days. Heat. Patience learned the hard way. A deeper understanding of what it means to impact communities together not just with words, but with action.
One participant said it best:
“Witnessing God at work in other people’s lives, even in the most difficult circumstances, is one of the most revitalizing experiences. Seeing the smiles, the gratitude, the hope it reminded me why we go.”
This is why Tying Vines exists.
To come alongside Christian leaders across the globe.
To strengthen them in a work they are already doing.
To remind people, children, pastors, families, refugees that they are not forgotten.
And the story doesn’t end here.
If this story resonates with you if you feel drawn to explore, to serve, or to move beyond what’s familiar there is an opportunity to go further. You can join us on a future trip, experience these communities firsthand, and see how connection, faith, and service take shape across cultures.
Come with us.
See the world differently.
Be part of something unfolding across the nations.
⇒ Contact us at info@tyingvines.org to learn more about upcoming trips and how you can join us or visit our website at TyingVines.org
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
