Eva Botros shows some of what was brought in by victims this week.
Egypt (MNN) ― The threat of a national strike Saturday and another eruption of unrest prompted Egypt's military to speed up the transition to civilian rule.
Saturday is also the one-year anniversary of when President Hosni Mubarak stepped down as president. His ouster came after 18 days of street protesters against his rule during the period known as the "Arab Spring."
Egyptians hoping for quick change are unafraid to show their anger at the pace. The largest Christian Arab church in the Middle East sits near the heart of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo. Seeing violence as a likely part of the ongoing Revolution, the church set up a field hospital in its courtyard. Eva Botros is serving as the field hospital's coordinator. "We started on the 18th of November. I [had hoped to start] earlier, but that was the peak time that numbers and numbers of people were dying and injured, so that was the best time to do it." So far, their teams have treated around 3000 people since they opened.
Buoyed by the headiness of their early success, protestors had great hope once Mubarak stepped down. His departure gave power to the military, initially for only 6 months. However, a little over a year later, that hope has given way to frustration, Botros says. "People are fighting to get their rights. They will not stop, whatever happens. People come here to be treated. They keep pushing us to 'Do it fast! Do it fast! Put on the medication! Make the stitches! I want to go back!'"
The good news as a result: the deadline for presidential candidate nominations moved up three months to March 10, paving the way for a presidential election in April or May.
However, the snails' pace and the direction taken by the government has also been the aggravation that led to many more riots. Even with the heavier weaponry, Botros says, "People are heartily protesting, so I don't think they will be calm until they get all the rights they are looking for."
Botros is referring to police efforts on February 6 that led to accusations of excessive force which further inflamed an already tense situation. To quell Monday night's Tahrir Square demonstrations, authorities apparently used bird shot on the crowds, a charge the government denies. However, the wounded treated at triage centers, clinics, and hospitals told a different story, which was backed up by videos making their way onto YouTube.
There have been angry scenes in the new parliament as some Members of Parliament (MPs) began a sit-in outside the parliament building and were planning a hunger strike unless police forces cease their assaults on protesters near the Ministry of Interior.
The Church has become known as a place of refuge and healing for whoever needs it. As protestors trod their own path in the Square of Freedom, the volunteers tending to their needs grow tired. Botros says this is not the time for weariness. "The main prayer request in my heart is that the Lord raise up the people whom He considers His army to spread His love and to do the mission that He wants us to do, to raise the right people these days because everything is ready to glorify His name."
The hope of Christ, as it applies to Egypt's revolution, is a kind of like Proverbs 13:12 come to life. The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life."
Botros says, "We have to be the salt and the light. If we are not salt, what's the hope? If we are not light, how can the Lord light? We are having a very tough time in our country. If we don't do this, there is no hope."
