Emil Zaki and Rafik Nagy visiting the Magill farm in Atlantic, Iowa. The photo is a link to begin the slide show.

Sept. 1–4, Host Elizabeth Smith: Des Moines activities included the Farmers’ Market, Living History Farms, a neighborhood parade, shopping, Sunday worship and a salad luncheon at Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines where Emil preached.

Sept. 5, Host Nancy Lister Settle: They visited Des Moines' Gateway Park and the new Des Moines Public Library until time for classes at the Central Academy.

Rafik and Emil spoke to the World History class of Tom Forsgren at the Pappajohn Learning Center, where they talked about why they were here and answered questions from the students.

Next was Mike Schaffer's Comparative Government class at Central Academy and they talked about the network's venture into advocacy and the role of special interest groups.

After lunch downtown and a short rest at the hotel, they went to Trinity United Methodist Church to visit Rev. Carmen Lampe-Zeitler and the after school Haven program of Children and Family Urban Ministries. Carmen talked about the program and explained the difference that changes, such as increasing the minimum wage, would make to the families in that neighborhood. They talked with the children as they worked on homework.

After a short stop at Merle Hay Mall, Rafik, Emil and Nancy attended the regular meeting of Compañeros, the working group for the Des Moines Presbytery's mission partnership in El Salvador. Dinner at the Drake Diner.

Sept. 6 - 8, Hosts Dave Best, Margaret Magill, Lila Jean Jensen: Wednesday, Emil and Rafik traveled to Western Iowa with Margaret Magill. Lila Jean Jensen and Paul Walther hosted lunch and an afternoon in Audubon. After lunch, they ventured to the Art Gallery and then to the library where they saw the 1700 folded, peace cranes hanging so beautifully in the library. They then traveled to Manning to see the 300-year-old German Hausbarn and a restored turn of the century farmstead. Before leaving Manning, they went to see a completed Habitat for Humanity house.

Back in Audubon, they visited Albert the Bull and Nathaniel Hamlin Park. At the park they fed apples to the family of three elk. They also viewed the mural of the Cattle Industry painted by a local artist. Emil and Rafik enjoyed the many antiques.

Wednesday evening they had dinner with members of the Atlantic church and with others from WRP churches. Rafik shared the power point program on network activities in Egypt. They spent the evening at the farm home Fred and Jane Kay.

Thursday they went to various sites in and around Atlantic. This included a farm tour, an interfaith volunteer program and the local hospice-home health care of Cass County hospital, a tour of the hospital, a tour of the new recreation center, a tour of Deter Motor Co. which is owned by a local church member, and had lunch at the country club. In the afternoon, they toured the Heritage House retirement care center facility, viewed the state fire fighters water fights being held in Atlantic, had coffee time with church quilters along with meeting Teresa Kanning, general relief and mental health coordinator, toured the Hitchcock House Historical site (a house on the underground railroad), had dinner at a farm home, attended the mission committee meeting at the Atlantic church and back to Kay's for rest.

Friday they visited the Henry Doorley Zoo in Omaha and had lunch at the Lied Tropical Forest rooftop restaurant and returned to Des Moines late afternoon. Dinner and overnight were with Susan Stroope and family in Des Moines. They were joined by members of Central Presbyterian Church and the Des Moines Public Schools' staff.

Sept. 9 -10, Hosts Linda Powell, Rev. Mel Roblee and wife Kathryn:

Saturday morning they attended the Advocacy Workshop at Central Presbyterian Church presented to the coordinating team by Kari Carstens, Citizens for Community Improvement and Bev Shroeder of Senator Tom Harkin’s Office. The group ate lunch together at the church.

Rafik and Emil went to the Guthrie Center area and spent time with Steve Sorensen and Linda Powell at their home/farm. Pastor Emile did some work on his sermon for Sunday

Saturday evening they had dinner in Guthrie Center and an overnight in Perry with Rev. Mel Roblee and wife Kathryn.

Sunday morning Emil and Rafik attended worship at Guthrie Center where Emil preached. After a lunch at the church, there was a meeting of the WRP mission committee members. Rafik presented the power point on the Egyptian network.

Sunday evening they attended a dessert meeting with members of the Perry church and another overnight at Roblee’s.

Sept. 11 – 13, Hosts Mary MacKenzie, Dave Best: On Monday, Emil and Rafik returned to Des Moines and they spent two days visiting special education programs in the Des Moines Public Schools. They began the tour with an overview of special education provided by Ellen McGinnis-Smith and Shelly Bosovich at the central administration building. Ellen had prepared a schedule for them in five buildings. On Monday, they visited FOCUS at Cowles Elementary, a day treatment program for children with behavior disorders and at Hoover High School where students with physical disabilities are mainstreamed into the classroom.

Monday evening, Emil and Rafik had dinner at the MacKenzie's home with fellow Presbyterians Liz Knott and Connie DePond. Liz has traveled extensively in the Middle East and Emil and Liz knew several people in common!

Tuesday morning they visited Smouse School, an elementary school for children with disabilities. Their next visit was to Ruby Van Meter School which is an upper school for students with disabilities ages eighth grade through age 21. In the afternoon, they visited Hanawalt School which has a program for children with autism. The final visit was to Studebaker Elementary which houses a self-contained classroom for children with disabilities.

Tuesday late afternoon they had a tour of the presbytery office and met the members of the Pastoral Care and Development Committee. Dinner was with Dave at Yanni's in West Des Moines.

On Wednesday, Emil and Rafik went to Indianola and toured the Christian Opportunity Center (COC), a day program for adults with disabilities. COC recently moved to a new location and combined all services under one roof which includes a workshop.

Late morning they visited The Village Retirement Center, a continuing care facility for seniors.

At noon, they met Trinity UPC pastor Dave Endriss and five Trinity members for lunch and then toured Trinity and its new Christian Education building. After delivering Emil to the airport, Mary took Rafik to Valley West Shopping Center. Rafik returned to the hotel to rest and pack for his trip to Corning.

Sept. 14-15, Hosts Diane and Gary Badgett: On Thursday, Nancy Lister-Settle took Rafik to Jordan Creek Town Center for the morning and then drove to Adair where they met Diane and Gary Badgett. Diane and Gary took Rafik on to Corning. He met first with Rev. Ken Rummer at First Presbyterian Church for a tour of the church. Dinner was at the Badgett home.

Friday morning, Rafik was able to call home from the First Presbyterian Church and then met with Judi Erickson from Midwest Opportunities for a tour of two group homes, six residents in each. They house disabled adults. They also saw two locations where these residents work. Judi explained more and answered questions. The next stop was the Chamber of Commerce Coffee (an every-Friday morning event of local business people). There was a special event to award local grants and Rafik was introduced and visited with locals.

Lunch was at Breadeaux Pizza with Rev Ken Rummer, the Badgetts and Rev. Tim Maxa, pastor of Lenox Presbyterian Church and Sharpsburg Church After lunch, Rafik met Dr. Maen Haddidin, a Corning doctor who is from Jordan. He and Rafik spoke Arabic and English for 30 minutes!!

The Badgetts then took Rafik on a drive-by tour of the new ethanol plant about three miles southwest of Corning. The plant is still under construction. The Badgetts delivered Rafik back to Dallas Center and Nancy Lister-Settle took Rafik to the home of Susan Stroope and family. He attended the Roosevelt High School football game!

Rafik departed Saturday.

A postscript:

Dear Emil and Rafik,

It was a joy to have you with us in Iowa and in the Presbytery of Des Moines. We hope you enjoyed your time with us and we hope that you have information you can share with the network. Our greetings to all!

Blessings,

The JH Coordinating Team