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Lynne Chandler
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Lynne E. Chandler (born 1967), an American residing in Cairo, Egypt, is a writer, poet, essayist and the author of the memoir [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Embracing-Concrete-Desert-Spiritual-Wholeness/dp/1841016861/refsr_1_1?ieUTF8&sbooks&qid1261230933&sr=1-1-spell/ Embracing A Concrete Desert: A Spiritual Journey Towards Wholeness.] Life Born in Senegal, West Africa and having spent her childhood years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United States, Lynne E. Chandler studied cultural anthropology at university, and in addition to writing, is a musician, working as the music director of The Church of St. John the Baptist (Episcopal) in Cairo, Egypt. After spending some years living in Tunisia, England and Washington State, following 9/11, Lynne moved with her family to Cairo, Egypt, the arid home of over 20 million people. Leaving behind her concert harp and quiet fields of nature, she gradually learned the art of “embracing a concrete desert.” It was even more challenging than its image demands. Her first book, Embracing a Concrete Desert, is a glimpse of her trail of tears trough the desert and the celebration of living springs discovered within. She has two children and is married to Paul-Gordon Chandler, an Episcopal priest, author and interfaith advocate. Book(s) Endorsed by authors Philip Yancey and Eugene H. Peterson, [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Embracing-Concrete-Desert-Spiritual-Wholeness/dp/1841016861/refsr_1_1?ieUTF8&sbooks&qid1261230933&sr=1-1-spell/ Embracing a Concrete Desert: A Spiritual Journey Towards Wholeness] is a book of lyrical reflections and poems on inner themes of spirituality. It is a step into the Middle East through a western woman’s eyes and heart. Metaphors of desert wilderness, camel caravans and fresh water springs mingle with big city concrete, smog and poverty. Biblical images come to life on Moses’ shores of the Nile and the sheltering of Jesus’ family as refugees. Woven throughout its pages are poems, “formed in concrete,” musing and celebrating the Creator and creation. It is a journey of depth, despair, survival and acceptance of living in the present moment, some days soaring and others plummeting, yet all a part of the gift of life. When the author joined her family on a post 9/11 Cairo adventure to fill the call of Music Director at the Episcopal/Anglican international church her husband was to pastor, she was not expecting to spend her first several years grieving the loss of nature, fighting pollution induced asthma, and battling fierce sandstorms in her soul. As she stumbles along one lurch forward and two steps backward she eventually learns to navigate within. One day she discovers “people flowers” and her city garden has 22 million. Enjoying smoggy sunsets, adopting a city, stumbling upon “burning bushes” and bonding with poverty-stricken garbage collectors all make an appearance. The holy mundane of Cairo grocery shopping, bombings, and clandestine trash bin files: all gifts for her journey, emerge through tears, laughter and raw honesty. This is an account of God’s grace and ever-faithful presence. An old Middle Eastern pilgrimage in a modern day person celebrates the bridging of spirits across creeds and cultures. Listing [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Embracing-Concrete-Desert-Spiritual-Wholeness/dp/1841016861/refsr_1_1?ieUTF8&sbooks&qid1261230933&sr=1-1-spell/ Embracing a Concrete Desert: A Spiritual Journey Towards Wholeness] 
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