DAY 05 OF MISSION: ARMENIA 2017

Even a bumpy two-hour drive through the hot and dry countryside can be enjoyable when you’re travelling with kindred spirits. Seven of us piled into a van and took advantage of our journey to Horom to get to know each other better and strengthen our ministry connections.

We received a very warm welcome in Horom and had some fellowship with the local pastor and his wife before heading over to the church for worship. This is the church we first visited in 2013 and then decided to help rebuild, as the meeting place was in shambles. Since then, the building has been renovated inside and out, they are able to heat the meeting room in winter and now have an outhouse.

DAY 04 OF MISSION: ARMENIA 2017

Day 03 of Mission: Armenia 2017

In the morning we met with a friend here who often serves as a bridge through which we can reach people in need in Armenia. She will try to connect us with a few families we may be able to encourage during our stay. We had a lunch of lahmajoun (a sort of pizza that is a favourite among Armenians) and had a peek at how it’s made. Then Pastor Joseph sorted through some of the donations we received (reading glasses, medication, etc.) so that we can start to distribute them to the appropriate groups. 

Whenever Pastor Joseph starts praying about returning to Armenia, he wonders whether he and our mission team will be useful and effective in our outreach. And then, while we’re on the field, something happens that brings it all together and reassures us that God did indeed lead us here. Tonight we had such an experience.

We visited a local pastor’s home and there we were blessed to meet a dear lady who had heard about Jesus many times before but had hesitated to make a commitment to follow Him. Pastor Joseph shared with her again, as simply as he could, about God’s love, about eternity, about Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sins, about the forgiveness and peace we receive when we repent and choose to live for Christ. Before we left, this woman humbly asked that Pastor Joseph pray for her to be saved. With quiet tears, she invited Jesus into her heart and was saved. What a holy moment! We ask you to pray for this precious new believer.

Earlier in the evening, much like our experience last night, our host received a phone call from a woman who has read Pastor Joseph’s book, God’s Workshop, and had a question. The two pastors took some time to help her and give her some biblical direction.

We also enjoyed a sweet moment after dinner this evening when one of the pastor’s three granddaughters shared with us a poem she’s learned.

DAY 02 OF MISSION: ARMENIA 2017

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Today we were blessed by two opportunities to have fellowship with Christian families we partner with here in Yerevan, faithful believers who help us reach out to people in the city and surrounding towns throughout the year, sharing the Bibles, devotional books and gospel tracts that YOU help us provide with your generous donations, but also ministering to various other needs. We look forward to connecting with some of those souls while we are in Armenia.

At one point this evening, our host got a Skype call from new believers in France and he and Pastor Joseph were able to answer a couple of biblical questions. What interesting times we live in!

Thank you for following our blog and Facebook page and for continuing to pray for us and the precious people here. We love and appreciate you!

Day 22 of Mission: Armenia 2016

We spent our last day saying our final goodbyes and picking up some of our favourite chocolates from Grand Candy. It was a mostly relaxed day as my grandfather wasn’t feeling 100% and the following day we knew we would be up at 4:45am to start our 15 hour journey back home.

I’ve been truly blessed to be a part of the 2016 Armenia Mission Trip and everyday I look forward to the next time I can return.

I kid you not, I tried to find a way to be left behind in Armenia. 😉

-Alexis Livingston

Day 21 of Mission: Armenia 2016

Our second to last day was spent visiting two different church groups. The first group gathers together every Sunday in the small home. Today there were over 40 people in attendance, not including the children. The second church my grandfather preached at was filled with many young people, which we all agreed was very encouraging.

I’m really sad our trip is ending, but we have one last day to enjoy!

Day 20 of Mission: Armenia 2016

Knowing that these are our last visits on this trip makes me sad, but I know I’ll meet them again one day.

Anyone who knows my dad will notice that this is his doppleganger! We got such a kick out of it and it was definitely a memorable evening.

Day 19 of Mission: Armenia 2016

Today was such a great day, we visited with two families that I have come to love very much and in the evening we visited for the last time with some family that I met for the first time while on this trip. I am enjoying every single moment that is left of this trip, wishing that time would stop so I wouldn’t have to leave.

Day 18 of Mission: Armenia 2016

As our trip is quickly coming to an end, we are making our last few visits. Today we visited with my grandpa’s first cousin and then went to visit a family who’s son is the boxing champion of Armenia. All the beautiful paintings you see are done by the father.