Coptic Christian’s novel mirrors own journey here

Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 25, 2003

It was a longing for freedom that brought Wadie Girgis from the pyramids of Egypt to the rainy Pacific Northwest in 1969. Girgis gave up his job as a respected teacher and worked in a local Greek restaurant when he moved to "the land of the free."

But as his work life progressed from library assistant at the University of Washington to special education teacher, Girgis felt a passion to tell his story, or something like it.

Now retired at 71, the Lynnwood man has written a book about life and love and coming to America: "A Pharaoh in the Land of the Free: A Story of Love and Faith."

"It was all in my heart," Girgis said.

The story tells of the life of Ramsis, a Coptic Christian, who grew up in Egypt, an Islamic nation, and suffered, like many, under a dictator’s rule. Times in Egypt were tense and grew worse, especially during the 1967 war, and Ramsis dreamed of freedom and justice for himself and his family.

Girgis writes of his hero’s love for his wife Nefertiti, his quest to find the path that would lead him to the freedom he so desperately yearned for, the political struggles of the time in Egypt, and the advice he gleaned on working hard along the way. He also details "God’s blessings" that followed Ramsis and his family as they struggled then finally settled into the wonder of their new lives in a new land.

"Christians of Egypt never say they are Arabs, they say they are pharaohs," Girgis said.

Coptic Christian is a term used to describe Egyptian Christians also known as the lonely minority. They were among the earliest Christians and follow the teachings of St. Mark, who brought Christianity to Egypt when Nero reigned during the first century. Approximately six percent of the population of Egypt is Coptic Christian.

"Everywhere Christ went in Egypt there’s a church or something to mark the place," said Girgis, who is a Coptic Christian,

He admits the story of Ramsis is somewhat autobiographical. Girgis and his wife Kamilia, raised four children and have four grandsons. His purpose in writing the book was not only for enjoyment. "I wanted to tell people how new immigrants struggle," Girgis said. "I tried to tell something about hard work."

Girgis was a respected teacher in Egypt and Sudan and was used to living in ancient places where he would study the history and culture of his people. His children loved to ride on camels by the pyramids in the country of their birth but Girgis did not feel free to follow his religion or live the life he wanted.

When his cousin began teaching at Seattle University, Girgis knew he could make the move too. "I will go to paradise," he said.

Girgis took odd jobs, such as the one in the restaurant, as well as another job in a hotel when he first came to the United States.

"The value of work is different here than it is there," Girgis said. To be a bus boy in the United States is not shameful. "This is crucial," he said.

Girgis lived in the Queen Anne district of Seattle but ended up in Magnolia one night when he was trying to get home from his job as a security guard working at Pier 91. With little knowledge of the city he wandered off in the wrong direction.

"I was praying until I came to a corner and went the right way," Girgis said.

The hardship of starting life in a new country got to Girgis at times. He became miserable and cried but told himself that if others could do it, so could he.

"University was a blessing," he said. He went to work there, then took advantage of classes.

Finally he achieved his dream and became a teacher in the Shoreline school district, coming full circle from his life in Egypt. He is close to finishing his second book, which has a working title of "Islam: The Face Behind the Veil, A Middle Eastern Perspective."

Girgis still marvels at his life in the United States but feels a deep love too for his native Egypt. He has a great love of nature and of family.

"I improved myself," Girgis said. "But the real improvement is for my grandchildren."

Reporter Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.