Tuesday, August 19
Today we were grateful that Emma could accompany us once again and that we were able to visit the people she had wanted to see yesterday. Our first stop was in Bangladesh again (the neighbourhood of Yerevan, not the country!)
The family lives on the fifth floor of a building with no elevator. With the heat and the effort, we were winded when we finally arrived at their apartment. We were a little bit concerned about Pastor Joseph climbing all those stairs, but he was fine! We enjoyed a lovely visit with Narine, her brother Garen, who walks with great difficulty and can’t stand for long, and their elderly mother. The pastor had baptized the siblings about four years ago. Narine shared that she has taken on a personal ministry in her job as a nurse to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. She told us that even those who are violent are calmed when she talks to them about the love of Jesus. One woman in particular, however, was adamantly opposed to the gospel, even though she was nearing her last days. Narine prayed loudly for her one day, not caring if all the neighbours could hear: “Lord, I think she will not believe in you unless she sees you. So if it be your will, please let her see you.” She then went about her regular duties.
A little while later, she heard the woman talking. She went back into her room and found her lying on her back, looking up at the ceiling, her eyes fixed on something that Narine couldn’t see. She had a smile on her face and was saying “yes, yes, yes” over and over again. She died a few hours later. Narine said that she cannot be certain, but she is convinced that the Lord did show himself to this woman in some way and brought her to salvation just before she passed away.
After saying a prayer with this family, we drove to Abovyan to visit Artur and Anahit, friends of Arayik and also the parents of world-champion boxer Narek Manasyan.
Outside the building was a group of children sitting together and talking. Arayik asked if they spoke English. To our surprise, a couple of them did, but the oldest girl said she also speaks Russian and is learning French and Korean! We continue to be amazed at the interest and openness of the younger generation to explore and learn other languages.
We were glad to hear that Anahit wants to be baptized during our stay in Armenia (she had wanted to be baptized previously but circumstances prevented her) Part of the afternoon was spent making plans for the baptismal service, which will be held on Tuesday, August 26. We praise God that we currently have five candidates ready to follow in this important step in their spiritual journey.
On the way back to Yerevan, we stopped in to see a fairly new Apostolic (Orthodox) church, which was completed in 2013. We also checked out a potential location for the baptismal service, then walked through the “vernissage” marketplace to pick up a few momentos. Before we left the flea market, Pastor Joseph approached a tourist from the Philippines and gave her a gospel tract, which she happily accepted when she saw that it was in her own language. We pray that she will read it and be drawn to Christ.
What a day of contrasts from yesterday. After witnessing families living in extreme poverty who had nothing at all to offer us, today we were surrounded by comfort and abundance: from the completely renovated apartment and food-laden table of the second family we visited to the domes of pure gold adorning the church to the rows and rows of trinkets, toys, and textiles at the vernissage. We know that Jesus lived among these same contrasts in His time, having been invited to feasts and wedding banquets but also eating simple meals with those of lesser means, or even being the one to provide food when the occasion called for it. So we write this report with no judgement of either group of people, but simply noting what we have observed with a renewed, fervent prayer that God will continue to use us to minister to the needs of all those we meet, regardless of their circumstances.
Amen
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