469- A Lady Getting the Permit to Build a Church

 

St-Takla.org Image: St. Takla Haymanot Coptic Orthodox Church, Ibrahimia, Alexandria, Egypt. صورة: كنيسة قبطية أرثوذكسية : كنيسة القديس تكلاهيمانوت القبطية الأرثوذكسية، الإبراهيمية، الإسكندرية، مصر.

In May, 1999, I met a lady who came from the Valley area in California. She told me the following:

Our church in the Valley was involved in a big problem. The time for the hearing came, where neighbors get to approve the building of a Coptic Church on the land that was bought. Some Jews living in the area opposed the project. They argued that an Egyptian church would lower the value of the neighboring buildings, due to the crowds of people and cars that cause noise. Since they insisted on their opposition, the Copts went to court to discuss the matter. In court, the judge listened to both sides. After a long debate, she asked if a certain lady belonged to that Church and she was told that she did. The judge then said that she knew the lady well and that she was a university professor. She did a lot of social work in a building occupied by a Jewish majority. She took care of the aged in the building, devoting a lot of energy to their happiness. The judge then said, “A congregation that includes a lady like this one, who serves without discrimination between sects and religions, is a civilized congregation, broad hearted and open minded. It deserves to have a Church in this location.”

Lord, give me a heart that loves all mankind

Without expecting anything in return,

A heart that loves because it shares with You Your Nature O Lover of mankind.

With love, I meet You O the True Love.

With love, my soul is edified in You.

With love, my Church is edified.

With love, I lift the entire world to You.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: تصريح ببناء كنيسة تفوز به سيدة!

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