MA26 – August 19 & 20
Yesterday wasn’t too busy but we were glad to visit Nelli and Arayik’s daughter-in-law’s parents. They are also believers but going through a difficult time as the wife had a stroke a few months ago and is still struggling in her recovery and the husband is dealing with a painful hernia. It is difficult to see people suffering when we are helpless to change their situation. We prayed with them and for them, which they appreciated, and we trust the time of fellowship let them know, at least, that they are not alone.
This morning, when we met for breakfast and then devotions, we weren’t quite sure what the day had in store for us. Every day we pray that the Lord will go before us and lead us to those we are supposed to meet; to open the doors we are supposed to go through and close the ones we should not; that we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and willing to go where He leads. The Pastor had even prayed this morning that, somehow, today someone would be saved. However, how would that happen when our one activity for the day had been cancelled and our schedule was empty? We anticipated that would change but could not imagine how.
While we waited for direction, three of us decided to visit a local market. After about an hour, the Pastor called to say that Arayik was on his way to the hotel. Without knowing what the plan was, we returned to the hotel, and Arayik picked up our team for a visitation.
During the long drive to the village of Nalbandyan, quite near the Turkish border, we learned we were going to meet with a family Arayik has known and has been witnessing to for some time. Our host’s wife, sister-in-law, and close neighbour are all believers, but he and his son are not…or, rather, were not.
This group was close-knit, sincerely hospitable, and warm. We all quickly felt at ease. The conversation quickly moved into spiritual matters. Levon, the father, was clearly open and had a lot of questions. He knew the Bible well, but had received some confusing and incorrect teaching, which the Pastor (and Arayik) carefully clarified, referring to Bible verses to guide him. They advised him that, when in doubt, he should search the Scriptures; if what he heard wasn’t there, then it wasn’t true. Levon agreed.
Meanwhile, his 21-year-old son was sitting quietly on a sofa near the table where the rest of us were seated. We weren’t sure whether he was listening or even interested in the discussion. At one point, Pastor asked Arayik to read the “sinner’s prayer” at the back of the tract “What Are You Searching For?” We talked about the importance of being born again: taking the step from simple belief in the existence of Jesus to repentance and surrendering one’s life to Him.
The son then took the tract, pointed to prayer, and said, “This prayer was for me.” Moments later, the Pastor asked them both if they were ready to pray that prayer for themselves and accept the Lord. Without hesitation, they both said yes. The Pastor led them through a prayer of commitment and, while they repeated his words, the women quietly wept with joy.
It is easy sometimes to question why things happen the way they do; to wonder if the time, money, and effort of making a trip to Armenia is necessary; to be tempted to take a day off, turn down an invitation, or not drive the distance. But we never know beforehand how God is going to work, or where he is going to lead, or whom we are going to meet. Our duty is simply to say yes. When we look at how empty our day started, and how full it ended, we can say that it was definitely worth it all. If the salvation of two men is the only good thing to come out of this trip, it will definitely have been worth it all!
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