My Experience in Armenia

During summer 2011, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) organized a three-week internship program in the motherland, Armenia, where God gave Man a second chance, and Lebanon.



At Garni
The group leader was our very enthusiastic Rev. Nishan Bakalian from the Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church in Havertown, PA. Whenever we took a group photo, he would add, "Remember! It's a picture of me with some other people!"


Trad VBS in Lebanon
Rev. Shant Barsoumian, currently residing in Chicgo, Illinois, but who will soon be moving to a post in New Jersey, and Ms. Anahid Dolabjian from Toronto, Canada, assisted Rev. Nishan in leading the group. We were 21 participants in Armenia but only 9 came to Lebanon. Most of the participants came from different parts of the United States, one from Lebanon and one from Cyprus.


At a seminar at AMAA center,Yerevan
We always started our day with breakfast, then devotions, a time of reflection and a message brought to us by both pastors. It was a time of spiritual growth. The leaders were always there for us, giving us the tools that we need to come closer to Christ. One technique was to use memory verses which I carry on with me wherever I go. We attended some seminars as well: the AMAA staff presented themselves and their work there, Rev. Rene Levonian presented the history of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Armenia, Karabakh, and other places.


After a couple of days of visiting Yerevan, the group split into two: one group went to Pert, a city four-hours away from Yerevan, and another group went to Armavir, a city an hour away from Yerevan. There we served in the churches, helping out in the Vacation Bible School (VBS).


Personally, I went to Armavir. It was an experience full of shocking, unexpected events! The families welcomed us warmly. We mostly served and helped out in the VBS. During our spare time we went and spent time visiting with the locals, and wherever we could, we gave small donations.


At Armavir Church
It was amazing to see how happy they were while living in such simplicity. Our group was literally amazed. Compared to our lifestyles where we still complain that we don’t have the newest version of every gadget, they don’t even enjoy the simplest of comforts. I was utterly shocked when we went to visit a family from the Church who had a mentally challenged son. The father told us with a smile full of sadness, "The doctors weren't experienced enough to save my little boy."

I had never seen a VBS that active, joyful, and cheerful. Most of the kids came from broken families. They sang from all their heart, rejoicing in the Lord. This scene made me realize how urgent the call to spread the Gospel is!


I would like to share with you one other experience that I had during our visitations. We went to visit a "family". This family was mainly made up of a grandmother, her drunkard son and grandson. The house was exactly the size of two mini vans. The woman wanted to offer us the only thing she had that she could serve: a watermelon. The grandma was very cheerful at first, then she started to become sad, telling us the story of her life. She has absolutely no one! Maybe a sister or a brother in Russia, whom she hasn't seen for decades. Suddenly, someone started banging on the metal door with all his might. We were very scared but after a while we realized that it was her drunkard son. My friend and I got up instantly ready to act if the drunkard hit his mother. He came in all frustrated, pushing his mom away. He started threatening to kill, to slaughter his mother, his fist only centimeters away from her face. It was a really frightening scene, the girls in our group were crying, my friend and I were in total, absolute shock.
At Khor Virab with all the group
Afterwards, the man's son came in, feeling humiliated and ashamed of his father. After a while, he apologized to us and to his mother. It was one of the most touching scenes I had ever experienced in my life.


Similar events seem to the routine in our motherland, hence the imperative for such internships. This program was a life-changing experience for me, full of joy, sadness, tears, fear, excitement, and laughter. We were so much blessed by bringing joy to the ones in need. We were amazed by the faith that the people had, even in these poor circumstances they still feel that God hasn't abandoned them and still keeps His promise of a brighter future. That's the only hope that makes our people in Armenia still want to live their lives.


These experiences are examples of how much there is still to do in this world, how many people still need to hear the Gospel. I won't hide the fact that this experience planted a seed of ministry in me which I will be more than willing to develop in the coming years. After all, Christ commanded us to “go to people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19). Remember, it is a Command and not a Suggestion!


Vahé Jébéjian

AMERICAN BOARD history remembered at Haigazian University

Haigazian University hosted a panel discussion the evening of August 24, 2011 commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the American Board Mission. Some panelists stressed that this was a “commemoration and not a celebration,” given the mixed legacy of the missionary project. The American Board’s history was examined by six panelists in all its humanness, courage and dedication, cultural insensitivity and inflexibility, martyrdom, and the establishment of educational institutions that have withstood the test of time.



Dr. Peter Makari, Executive for the Middle East and Europe division of the Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ denominations in the United States gave the opening remarks. Global Ministries is the descendent institution of the original American Board Mission established in 1812 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Rev. Dr. John Deckenback shared his research on the American Board’s missionary activities to the indigenous peoples of North America, noting that the early 19th century effort spread the Christian gospel and extended health care to the native peoples while also advancing the cause of white settlement and hegemony in the American Pacific Northwest.

Panelists Kenneth and Betty Frank shared their decades-long experience of teaching in secondary schools in Turkey originally established by the American Board during the Ottoman period. These schools survived and thrived despite the militant process of secularization begun with the establishment of the Turkish republic by Kamal Ataturk.



Many people in the region were receptive to the message brought by the American Board and other Western missionaries in the early 19th century. Rev. Mgrdich Karagoezian, President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, explained that his denomination is,in many ways, evidence of this receptivity. He also noted changes that had taken place in the denomination over the decades.

Haigazian University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian closed the panel celebrating the fact that aspects of American Board history are also part of Armenian Evangelical history, noting that there were many areas demanding further research and study. Lively discussion with the audience followed, including a discussion of the pros and cons of the secularization of once-protestant identified universities.

The panelists were accompanied in their travel by other Global Ministriesstaff and district ministers of the UCC and Disciples of Christ

Communion in the Mrouj Church

On Sunday, August 28 - the nineth worship service, for the summer of year 2011, was held in Mrouj Church. Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, gave the sermon. Mr. Samuel Svajian, a member of Elders' Committee of the Emmanuel Church, led the worship. During the service, communion was held. After the service, the church had fellowship and reception.







Fellowship with the AMAA interns at Kchag

On Sunday, 31 July - a small group of youth from various chanitz groups joined the AMAA interns at Kchag, for fellowship, sharing and worshipping together.
Rev. Nishan and AMAA interns shared about their ministry in Armenia and the situation in Armenia. Badveli Datev Basmajian led in worship time and fellowship.











Armenian Evangelical Christian Social Center - DVBS 2011

SUMMER FUN 
Armenian Evangelical Christian Social Center
DVBS 2011


Behold, children are a gift of the LORD… (Psalm 127:3) 


As God calls children "blessing”, the Armenian Evangelical Social Center in Trad, Bourj Hamoud was blessed with more than 100 children this year, through the Daily Vacation Bible School that took place from July 11- August 19, 2011.


The children coming from the area of Trad and its neighborhood, gathered every weekday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and became part of the exciting Summer Playground activities. Having in mind the mission of the Daily Vacation Bible School , which is to provide an opportunity for the children to learn about God and offer community service through fun and interactive activities like music, Bible stories, crafts, games and more, thirteen leaders joined their efforts to become part of the ministry. They actively became part of this challenging service, genuinely showing God’s love and care. The leaders were socially conscious and very careful to spend quality time with them through playing and listening to what they had to share.


The program was designed to meet children’s needs and interests in a positive and interactive learning atmosphere. It included worship, Bible lesson, Psalm memorization, continuous story, and free games. In addition, on Tuesdays and Thursday, the children had the chance to choose one of five different activities: drawing, cooking, dance, drama and sports. The cooking club prepared yummy food for the whole students to eat and enjoy. The dancers and theatre crew got prepared to perform in front of their parents during the closing event that took place in Kchag on September 19, 2011. As for the sports and drawing groups, the members followed the leaders’ directions in guiding the activities.


The Bible lesson theme was The Women of the Bible, through which the children learned the importance of “Trusting God” “Depending On God”, “Obeying God” and “Loving God”.

  1. Mary, an ordinary woman with a special calling 
  2. Mary Magdalene, a woman who showed her gratitude 
  3. Miriam, A woman who saw the answer to her prayers 
  4. Hannah, A woman who kept her promise to God 
  5. Deborah, A woman who brought an entire Nations back to God 
  6. Ruth, A woman whose loyalty was stronger than her grief. 

Thursdays were announced as “Cultural Day”. During those days, the children were introduced to the history, culture, arts, and songs of each of Mexico, Hawaii, Egypt, India and China. They even got to taste some of those countries’ cultural recipes. The Kindergarten children had their special program of crafts, story-telling, worship, games, other recreational activities. This year they also had the chance to learn about different cultures like Lebanon, Armenia, Italy, France and Brazil.


Fridays were reserved for outings. The children enjoyed visiting and playing at Beirut Mall’s Adventure World, Yuppie Park, Mousa Castle, Fun Zone and Living Colors. Mothers also had their share of activities this year. Every Friday different sessions were held addressing different issues that families face, which ended with an outing accompanied by Mrs. Rita Mangelikian, appreciating their attendance and participation. 


The sessions were as follows:

  1. Violence and its effect on children – Mr. Manoug Ibitian 
  2. Drugs – Miss. Houry Jinbashian 
  3. First aid and home safety- Miss. Nanore kulunjian 
  4. Discipline – Mrs. Vera Svadjian 

The whole program wouldn’t have been possible without the readiness of 13 leaders who chose to play an active role in making this summer remarkable for the children: Miss. Marina Tcheulmekian, Mrs. Dzovinar Gumushian, Miss Sandra Tcheulmekian , Miss. Shogher Doudaklian, Miss. Alice Iprajian, Mrs. Maral Festekjian , Mr. Vartan Doudaklian, Mr. Mgo Kurumian, Miss. Areni Svajian, Miss. Caroline Keshishian, Miss. Roubina Margossian, Miss. Dzovig Arnelian, Mrs. Vartoug Barsoumian. 


We thank God for making the DVBS a blessing both to us and the children. 


SAC Children’s Worker 
Liza Barsoumian