Did we choose to come here, or were we pushed?

    

My girls, ready to go!

     Since I am new to blogging I thought I would begin with keeping a journal of my day today. So I guess I should fill you in on some of the details before we start. As a family of 10, we currently live in Nasr City, Egypt. March 15th will mark our 2 year anniversary as an Expat family. My husband suggested this move after seeing a consistent decline in the moral codes and conduct of America. It became ever more apparent that the traditional ethical codes we wanted to instill and maintain in our children were not going to be supported in our community. As South Philadelphia residents, it also was becoming more and more clear, that regentrification was taking its toll on thne community and we were not keeping our heads above water easily. My husband working 12-14 hours a day and for pennies in retrospect of what he made once all expenses were accounted for. My husband has been doing 1099 independent contractor work for the last 6 years. It has seemingly provided a comfortable foundation for us, but I believe it's my husband's willingness to simply work more when the coins are less. 

     I can't recount to you the number of times that we lay in the bed bouncing ideas off each other, as to what will be the solution to our constant teeter-tottering financial stability. It seems like one of those conversations you have just for the sake of talking when you discuss going back to the 'Motherland' lol. I mean, as people who identify with being African American, I think we have all come to that pipe dream. You know, own land in Africa, grow your own produce, start a farm, and live off of your own hard work... Well, We got to Africa, that's for sure. We're short the forty acres, milk cows, sheep, and horses. But we're here and happy. 

     It may seem that the only thing that drove us to this decision was the financial difficulties, but the truth is it's not. It's hard to express the spiritual side of this choice. Not everyone will agree that America sinks you further and further into a spiritual death; like we can agree on the hardships of staying afloat with a big family in America. Anyway, I'll touch on that later.

On moving day we were blessed with heavy rain, that brought
the tears up from my soul but reminded me toy make du'aa
(supplicate) for the length of the ride. 

    For now, Egypt is definitely not what I expected it to be, and its certainly not half if the dream that can be promoted by those who have been here before. But, Egypt is a spiritual relief and it has eased the woes of a burdened home. I think the relief started immediately after we got here. The Adhan (Islamic call for prayer) is announced over the masque's intercoms citywide. Within a week of our arrival, our children were praying without reminders. I think that that was the turning point for me. That was the first burden lifted off of me that I could truly appreciate deeply. As a Muslum mother in America, enjoining the prayer on your children is such an uphill battle. there's no real sense of community to make them feel like they need to fall in line and follow suit. The emphasis is placed on trying to be like your favorite athlete or rapper. But now there was this melodious voice calling to them five times a day to pray, and it wasn't mine. One battle won for mom!

    So, anyway I'm going to touch on the pros and cons of Egypt later on, I just wanted to fill you in a little on the where and why of this story. Perhaps you'll understand why as an American family we're often starting our day with foul, the well known Egyptian breakfast of Fava beans. YYYUuuuMMMmm!.