[cripplecreek]

Coptic Christians, who fast for more than 200 days a year

Sounds like John needed to study up on what he was getting himself into.

[svcw]

Somehow this just does not pass the smell test.

[org.whodat]

"He was outgoing, a straight-A student, very athletic," said his mother, Elizabeth McCullum,

What a stupid woman and stupid kid. One would think he would have had enough intelligence to call someone and go home.

[gitmogrunt]

American youth need Big Mac’s, fries, and Milk Shakes to keep their image of obesity....fresher than goat cheese.

[metmom]

ping

[JosephW]

Something is definitely wrong here.

Unless I’m mistaken Copts fast in the same way as Orthodox Christians, and most of us could use a diet :)

The 200+ days is accurate, but very misleading. Every Wednesday (the day Judas betrayed Christ) and Friday (the Crucifixion) we forego meat and dairy products. Virtually anything else is eaten in reasonable moderation. That accounts for about 165 days there. Other fasting periods include the Advent (pre-Christmas) and Lenten (pre-Easter) fasts for another 40+ days.

The Lenten fast is slightly more stringent, but not significantly (maybe lose a pound or two - maybe not).

It looks to me that the hosting family was profiteering off of the AFS family, unless there’s something that isn’t being said. In general, I’d have no problem sending my boys to a Coptic family when they get old enough.

[mowowie]

Every person mentioned in this article is a complete idiot.

[elkfersupper]

Don't do that.

Simple.

[Moonmad27]

He never left the house and found a restaurant in the neighborhood?