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Cornerstone Communications
Egypt
July 09, 2006

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Cairo, Egypt! Yes, you heard right…. And it's a long story! I just arrived a few hours ago, and haven't seen much other than the airport and the dusty streets, where it seems that everything is a nice tan color, from the people to the clothes to the century old mosques and buildings. Best of al, it's the land of Moses and Joseph. The climate has changed from a chilly winter in Johannesburg to a stifling heat here in Cairo, all in 24 hours!

Production Update

The Lord, as usual came through with flying colors as we presented our "Technicolor" production! As we worked on the sets, a friend who had promised to be in charge of the sets really left us in a lurch, and we had to scramble and find anyone to build and finish the sets, right up to the day of the show. The stage that we had painted was chipping, and the concrete underneath was making everything look dusty. On opening day, we had to repaint the entire stage, but it came out beautiful. Many of the cast were very sick with the flu, but on the day of the show, there was a breakthrough, and everyone felt great!

Opening night was a spectacular success! It was one of the best openings I've seen in any country. The Lord not only helped us to open, but He came through again for the altar call. We saw many walk the aisles to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior! What a blessing! The performances on Friday, Saturday matinee, Saturday night and Sunday night were all the same, ending with crowds coming forward to receive Jesus. I think that there is nothing so fulfilling as to see a soul come to know Jesus Christ through our tiny efforts. I praise Him for allowing us the privilege of seeing so many come to Christ!

After our last performance, the cast, crew and Pastors Jimmy & Mariana Crompton and I all gather together for one last pose.

Post Show Week

Technically, I was supposed to fly away to Bucharest, Romania on Monday to begin a new show. However, because of circumstances too complicated and long to mention, I felt impressed by the Lord to cancel that trip. So, now what? I had some free time. True to self, I immediately start to fill the vacancy. The Lord said, "Son, why don't you just rest?" The concept was so surprising and unexpected…. Me? Rest?

So, I decided to do just that! I decided to spend an extra week in Port Elizabeth, and we had a cast party with the actors, and had a lot of fun. I worked at the church the whole week and got nothing done personally, but accomplished a lot at the church.

Northern Bound

Knowing that my next production is in Sevastopol, Crimea in two weeks, I decided to start heading that way. On the way to Crimea, I'd have to fly over Cairo. I decided to do a 3 day layover here, and I'm going to see the sights. The great news is that it's not costing me nothing (that's the only way I could afford it!) to fly here, since I'm redeeming some air miles. I'm staying in a little run down hotel (that's a little scary, to be totally honest with you) , but it's near the pyramids! After having done three productions of "Joseph", I finally get to come to the land of Moses and Egypt and the place where Israel became a mighty nation. After these three days, I'll fly onward to Crimea, and it's "back to work!" Please keep me in prayer as I travel and rest a bit.

Arriving just a few hours ago, I took this shot overlooking one of the many scenic areas of Cairo.

OH NO! Not Again!

I arrived in Cairo from Johannesburg (which doesn't impress me much, as I have been robbed at the airport twice before) , and when I got my bags, I could tell that something was wrong… things were out of order. I got to the hotel to check, and "Oh no! Not again!" I have been robbed for the THIRD time in Johannesburg!!! They stole some clothes, a bottle of cologne and all my back up disks and software programs. I already carry as many valuables as I can on me. My bags were locked, but they broke the lock. I don't keep anything important to anyone else in my luggage (scripts, clothes, toiletries) . So, I must replace a lot of these items now. Please pray that I won't be robbed again.

The Greatest Privilege

From time to time, I have been so frustrated in my prayer times. Why doesn't God answer me? Is He listening? Does He even care? Of course, He does. However, I have gotten so desperate, that I finally gave in, and asked Him to tell me what He wants from me.

My first revelation came after asking our merciful Father HOW to pray. He showed me what a glorious privilege has been afforded us. Imagine… we get to speak to God! Who else is so important that gives you as much time as you need? Yet, the great King of the Universe stoops down to listen each and every time you speak. What a great privilege is ours!

Pharoah and his servants enter in grand fashion, from "Joseph" last week in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Let's get a perspective on the greatness of God: Isaiah 40:12 says, "He measures the universe by the span of His hand." Imagine that the entire universe fits in the palm of Hand. Do you know how small that makes us? Yet, it's His great pleasure to look down, down, down into our world. He wants to have a personal relationship with US!

Many Christians don't get any prayers answered because they simply never pray. James 4:2 says, "You have not, because you ask not.". Many people simply don't understand the superiority of God. He has the absolute, ultimate, authority over everything… physical, spiritual, mental, social, you name it, He controls it. So, if He decides to do something, it's never our place to question it.

However, as merciful and wonderful as our Lord is, He allows us to "help" Him, and He listens and answers our requests. Philippians 4:6 says, "In every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, continue to make your needs known to God." You don't have to pray, you get to pray.

Often, we don't see many of our needs met because we are not praying according to God's will. If we're not praying in His will, we're not going to have the faith to sustain, and believe that prayer to manifest itself. What happens to that prayer? It falls flat on its faith… I mean face….! You'll have the confidence to believe what you're asking for if you're in agreement with God. Remember, you need to be in agreement with what HE wants to do. Not He in agreement with what YOU want to do.

The colorful opening number from "Joseph". The show was a beautiful success.

The fact is, that most people don't know God's will for their lives, because they're not consistently in God's Word. They play "Russian Roulette" with their Bible, and just flip through it, and read wherever their fingers take them. The more familiar we are with His promises, the more understanding we have in how He deals with us. Kids are especially good at getting their parents to do what they want. They'll say, "Remember you said that if I did my homework, or cleaned the house, you would let me go to the movies?" Sure enough, you remember, and feel quiet obligated to meet their request. God is the same! And you're God's child! If you will take His promises to Him, and pray God's Word to Him, He absolutely LOVES it! And, He's good for His Word! He'll do it, not because you forced Him to, but because He loves you, and to tell you the truth, He'll be so surprised that you even DID IT, that He'll meet your request!

There are times when we just don't know whether or not it's God will. Be honest, and tell Him so. Just say, "Lord, I believe this to be You, but if it's not, show me Your will." This is also a way to pray in accordance with His will, and you can be sure that He'll answer it.

Friends from around the world ask me over and over again, "Why are you always so happy?" I think that the reason is that I get into God's Word, and discover what His will is for me. This brings great joy and peace into my life that manifests itself in great energy to accomplish things for the Kingdom of God. Imagine that a giant department store allowed you to come in anytime you wanted to, and take whatever you need, free of charge! That'd be great, right? Well, He wants us to tap into His amazing resources. He actually allows us "free entrance" into His vast storehouse for whatever we need. I could list about a page filled with things He's done for me in just the last month! How about you? What do you need? All we have to do is ASK! What a great privilege that is!

Masilamah!

That's Egyptian for "Goodbye!" I had a wonderful time in Port Elizabeth, and I will miss all my friends, especially for Jeff Latham and Fenlin Pitie. We had such a good time, and the Lord did some great things there. I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for Sevastopol, Crimea! Please keep me in prayer as I arrive next week. God bless you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez