AMAA Summer Internship Program 2011
Armenia, Internship, Summer, Faith, Mission trip, Kids, VBS, New group. These were the words that were going through my mind before Vahe Jebejian and I flew from Beirut to Armenia on July 15. This summer I had the opportunity of participating in the Internship program that the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) had organized. It was a 3 week program which included two weeks of service in Armenia and another additional and optional week in Lebanon. A group of young adults traveled from different parts of the USA and Canada and thus we were a complete group of 21 people in Armenia. The Internship was led by our enthusiastic Rev. Nishan Bakalian as well as Pastor Shant Barsoumian and Anahid Dolabjian.The main purpose of this trip was to serve and to grow spiritually. We had daily devotionals, verse memorizing times, sightseeing, in addition to getting acquainted with the ministries of the AMAA there through visitations and seminars. After spending a couple of days in Yerevan, we were divided into two groups and each went to a different village/town: Pert and Armavir. Our main focus during that first week was to lead and help with the Vacation Bible Schools. It was a very good experience to play, entertain and learn with the village kids. These kids were different than the children I usually see in Lebanon, they had very simple lives, they enjoyed running in the streets and playing in the gardens, and most of them had only a few pair of clothes but that did not seem to bother them. They were full of energy and enthusiasm, and they had loving hearts. Seeing their smiles every morning and hearing them call “Garin Kooyr” used to brighten my days and make me thank God for putting children in our lives. We enjoyed singing with them, preparing sketches, teaching them new songs, helping them during the arts and crafts hours and supporting the local leaders in every possible way. It was surprising to see how well prepared and organized the local leaders were. Although they did not have lots of equipments but they had the talent of creating many things from the simple supplies they had. When we first met the VBS leaders we did not know who they were, but because we were all there for the same purpose and because we all had God’s love in our hearts, we felt like a big family and were able to transfer that love to the children. On one of the walls where we did the VBS we drew a graffiti saying “God is Love” and “Աստուած Սէր է” which will be a nice reminder of our visit and service in Pert. We also visited many village families and elderly people. At first, it was not easy to see them in the poor circumstances that they were living in, but seeing them smile and seeing the happiness inside them filled us with hope. Experiencing this helped us learn to be thankful for the small gifts we have in life because we realized how God had immensely blessed us, our families and our lives. Being able to live this experience in Armenia and serving there was a different feeling. Our motherland was the best place to make a difference and to feel God’s love and power through the work we were doing there.
After a challenging week in Pert, and the other group in Armavir, the whole group reunited and was back in Yerevan. We had the opportunity of joining and participating in one of the teen camps at the AMAA’s Shoghig camp site in Hankavan. It was wonderful to see the large number of teenagers who were there to learn and to have a better relationship with God. After spending two whole weeks in Armenia, it was time to say the sad goodbye to part of our group and to our dear Hayrenik. Eight interns and Badveli continued to Lebanon for the 3rd week of the Internship which included 3 days of VBS at the Trad Social Center in Beirut, visiting needy families, touring, and having a bible study with the Emmanuel church’s Chanitz.
It was remarkable to see how God planned the trip and gave each and every one of us the opportunity to do something special for Him. This unforgettable experience was a true blessing in which I learned many things, made new friends, and most importantly strengthened my faith and trust in the Lord!
Blessed be His name!
Worship at Pert VBS
Arts and Crafts
At Khor Virab with Ararad behind us
Our Graffitti
Handing out the presents we had brought for the children
Me with a group of VBS kids
The Pert group
Visiting the elderly
The Pert VBS group
Seminars
VBS at the Trad Social Center in Beirut
The group
The Lebanon group in Anjar
Bible Study at the Emmanuel Chanitz
After a challenging week in Pert, and the other group in Armavir, the whole group reunited and was back in Yerevan. We had the opportunity of joining and participating in one of the teen camps at the AMAA’s Shoghig camp site in Hankavan. It was wonderful to see the large number of teenagers who were there to learn and to have a better relationship with God. After spending two whole weeks in Armenia, it was time to say the sad goodbye to part of our group and to our dear Hayrenik. Eight interns and Badveli continued to Lebanon for the 3rd week of the Internship which included 3 days of VBS at the Trad Social Center in Beirut, visiting needy families, touring, and having a bible study with the Emmanuel church’s Chanitz.
It was remarkable to see how God planned the trip and gave each and every one of us the opportunity to do something special for Him. This unforgettable experience was a true blessing in which I learned many things, made new friends, and most importantly strengthened my faith and trust in the Lord!
Blessed be His name!
Garin Haidostian
Worship at Pert VBS
Arts and Crafts
At Khor Virab with Ararad behind us
Our Graffitti
Handing out the presents we had brought for the children
Me with a group of VBS kids
The Pert group
Visiting the elderly
The Pert VBS group
Seminars
VBS at the Trad Social Center in Beirut
The group
The Lebanon group in Anjar
Bible Study at the Emmanuel Chanitz
«ԿՈՐՍՈՒԱԾ ՔԱՂԱ՞Ք», ԹԷ՞ «ՅԱՒԵՐԺԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՅՐԵՆԻՔ»
Armenian Evangelical P. & E. Torosian Intermediate School
Photo courtesy of Maria Dekermenjian
The Chanitz Youth of the Marash Church, Leading the Worship Service in Mrouj
On Sunday, September 11 - the nineth worship service, for the summer of year 2011, was held in Mrouj Church. The Chanitz youth of the Marash Church participated and led the service. Mr. Anto Messerlian, chairman of the Trustees' Committee, gave the sermon. Mr. Ara Khederian, recording secretary of the Trustees' Committee, led the worship. Ms. Aline Khederian, chairman of the Chanitz youth, read the passage from the Bible.
After the service, the Chanitz youth had fellowship.
After the service, the Chanitz youth had fellowship.
Rev. Dikran Youmshakian Named Pastor of Bible Church
HACKENSACK, N.J.—The Board of Elders of the Armenian Bible Church of Hackesnack announced the appointment of Rev. Dikran Youmshakian as pastor as of Aug. 1. An installation service will be held on Sun., Sept. 18, at 12:30 p.m., and will be followed by a reception at the church hall. The installation service will be officiated by Rev. Thomas W. Keinath, D.Min, the senior pastor of Calvary Temple of Wayne, N.J., who will also give the sermon that day.
Pastor Dikran is a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in theological studies. For 26 years he has served the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) as administrator and field director. He has traveled extensively and preached the Word of God in various churches in the U.S. and abroad. Since January 2011, he has served Dorcas Aid America (DorAid) as its executive director. DorAid is the newly established partner of Dorcas Aid International, a Christian relief and development organization serving in 20 countries.
For the last two years, Rev. Dikran served the Armenian Bible Church as a visiting pastor. As its minister, he will be responsible to lead the church and its activities and through the grace of our Lord bring the Gospel of Jesus to all. The Armenian Bible Church is an independent Christian fellowship and has been in existence as a church since 2008. The main purpose of the church is to proclaim the Gospel and support those who had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The Armenian Bible Church is located on 67 S. Prospect Ave. in Hackensack. It has a lively group of mainly young members and families. Sunday worship services are held at 12:30 p.m. in Armenian with English translation for those who do not speak Armenian. The services are also broadcast on Cable TV on Fridays. The church has a very active Sunday School and a dynamic youth group. Sunday School is held during worship at 12:30. The youth meet on Sundays in the afternoon. All are welcome to join the church.
Armenian Weekly
Pastor Dikran is a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in theological studies. For 26 years he has served the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) as administrator and field director. He has traveled extensively and preached the Word of God in various churches in the U.S. and abroad. Since January 2011, he has served Dorcas Aid America (DorAid) as its executive director. DorAid is the newly established partner of Dorcas Aid International, a Christian relief and development organization serving in 20 countries.For the last two years, Rev. Dikran served the Armenian Bible Church as a visiting pastor. As its minister, he will be responsible to lead the church and its activities and through the grace of our Lord bring the Gospel of Jesus to all. The Armenian Bible Church is an independent Christian fellowship and has been in existence as a church since 2008. The main purpose of the church is to proclaim the Gospel and support those who had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The Armenian Bible Church is located on 67 S. Prospect Ave. in Hackensack. It has a lively group of mainly young members and families. Sunday worship services are held at 12:30 p.m. in Armenian with English translation for those who do not speak Armenian. The services are also broadcast on Cable TV on Fridays. The church has a very active Sunday School and a dynamic youth group. Sunday School is held during worship at 12:30. The youth meet on Sundays in the afternoon. All are welcome to join the church.
Armenian Weekly
AMAA Interns Visiting the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Chanitz and Having Fellowship and Bible Study
The Blame Game, Genesis 3 - Rev. Vatche Ekmekjian
If we want to know what is the most popular game in the entire world? It is the Blame Game, whose number of players far exceeds the Facebook’s Farmville (82 million active users), Super Mario Brothers 3 or Fifa 2011. Every human being who has ever been born or lived, somewhere in his/her life played this game.
The Bible tells us that the first players of this game were Adam and Eve. In Genesis chapter three we read about the Serpent who has lead Eve to question what God had said. Eve got into a dialogue with the Devil and she saw that "the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom; she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it”. When they hear the Lord God walking in the garden they run for cover, because their conscience was condemning them.
And here starts the game. In response to God's question “Where are you?” Adam tells the Almighty that he was naked and afraid so he went into hiding. But when God asks him “Who told you that you were naked?” instead of naming what he did, Adam directly blames the woman: “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” The first person he blames is Eve;
Adam not only blames his wife, but he goes and blames the Lord himself. He says “The woman YOU put here with me…” Adam is kind of playing the blame game with God, as if saying to God, if you wouldn’t have given me this woman, I never would have done it.
Reading the story we see that the game is not over. After the half-time the blaming keeps going when Eve gets into the playground and answers God’s question: “What is this you have done?” Instead of naming it, she uses all her linguistic skills and says: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” She attributes her faults to the Evil One.
Adam and Eve were trying to get rid of taking personal responsibility. Their behavior tells us that that left to ourselves; we do anything to avoid taking personal responsibility for our actions.
When we call this behavior a "game", people might think that it does not really affect lives. On the contrary, it ruins lives and relationships. People blame their spouses saying "If only he weren’t so lazy, then I wouldn’t blow up". People blame their parents saying "if only they have provided me with some money". People blame God for everything that happens in their lives; loosing a job or a loved one or just a general lack of happiness. I know of some people that praise themselves for their success and blame God for their failures.
There is this famous story which illustrates the fact that we should not jump and blame others for what we can stand and feel responsible for. One evening several college students spread limburger cheese on the upper lip of a sleeping roommate. Upon awakening the young man sniffed, looked around, and said, “This room stinks!” He then walked into the hall and said, “This hall stinks!” Leaving the dormitory he exclaimed, “The whole world stinks!”
I believe it is the time to surrender our hearts and selves to the wisdom of the Word that was uttered by the psalmist when he wrote
"23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
… and find look at ourselves before blaming others. May the Lord God be our help. Amen.
Rev. Vatche Ekmekjian,
Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, CA
The Bible tells us that the first players of this game were Adam and Eve. In Genesis chapter three we read about the Serpent who has lead Eve to question what God had said. Eve got into a dialogue with the Devil and she saw that "the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom; she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it”. When they hear the Lord God walking in the garden they run for cover, because their conscience was condemning them.
And here starts the game. In response to God's question “Where are you?” Adam tells the Almighty that he was naked and afraid so he went into hiding. But when God asks him “Who told you that you were naked?” instead of naming what he did, Adam directly blames the woman: “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” The first person he blames is Eve;
Adam not only blames his wife, but he goes and blames the Lord himself. He says “The woman YOU put here with me…” Adam is kind of playing the blame game with God, as if saying to God, if you wouldn’t have given me this woman, I never would have done it.
Reading the story we see that the game is not over. After the half-time the blaming keeps going when Eve gets into the playground and answers God’s question: “What is this you have done?” Instead of naming it, she uses all her linguistic skills and says: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” She attributes her faults to the Evil One.
Adam and Eve were trying to get rid of taking personal responsibility. Their behavior tells us that that left to ourselves; we do anything to avoid taking personal responsibility for our actions.
When we call this behavior a "game", people might think that it does not really affect lives. On the contrary, it ruins lives and relationships. People blame their spouses saying "If only he weren’t so lazy, then I wouldn’t blow up". People blame their parents saying "if only they have provided me with some money". People blame God for everything that happens in their lives; loosing a job or a loved one or just a general lack of happiness. I know of some people that praise themselves for their success and blame God for their failures.
There is this famous story which illustrates the fact that we should not jump and blame others for what we can stand and feel responsible for. One evening several college students spread limburger cheese on the upper lip of a sleeping roommate. Upon awakening the young man sniffed, looked around, and said, “This room stinks!” He then walked into the hall and said, “This hall stinks!” Leaving the dormitory he exclaimed, “The whole world stinks!”
I believe it is the time to surrender our hearts and selves to the wisdom of the Word that was uttered by the psalmist when he wrote
"23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
… and find look at ourselves before blaming others. May the Lord God be our help. Amen.
Rev. Vatche Ekmekjian,
Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church, CA
The Facebook Page of the Chanitz Blog Reaches 300 Likers!
The Chanitz Blog of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church has passed the toddler ages and just months ago we celebrated its fifth anniversary (link) of the launch of the ministry that has reached to the four corners of the world.
In 2006, when Lebanon was in the Summer 30-day war, we were building up the very first bricks of the blog. While people were speaking about destruction and chaos, we were struggling to find the right tools that would help the Armenian Evangelical youth connect and encourage each other to remain faithful to God and His path. Building up this unique platform and the blog, we so gleefully achieved.
We have received congratulations and inspiring words from many of you (link), residing in various parts of God's created world, throughout all those five years, and your emails and messages have only pushed us forward to remain steadfast in our mission and endeavor to reach many with the living and breathing stories of the Christian youth and Christian ministries in this part of the world.
Recently, with Social Networking being the buzz word and Facebook becoming the new baby of the internet, we have also established our Facebook page (link) during the past year, which has now reached 300 followers.
Please pray for us and for this ministry to keep its volunteering spirit alive, to become a bridge among the youth (through this blog, two virtual connections from the USA and France have come to meet us in Lebanon), and spread the news of His ever-young Church.
Administrator,
Raffi
In 2006, when Lebanon was in the Summer 30-day war, we were building up the very first bricks of the blog. While people were speaking about destruction and chaos, we were struggling to find the right tools that would help the Armenian Evangelical youth connect and encourage each other to remain faithful to God and His path. Building up this unique platform and the blog, we so gleefully achieved.
We have received congratulations and inspiring words from many of you (link), residing in various parts of God's created world, throughout all those five years, and your emails and messages have only pushed us forward to remain steadfast in our mission and endeavor to reach many with the living and breathing stories of the Christian youth and Christian ministries in this part of the world.
Recently, with Social Networking being the buzz word and Facebook becoming the new baby of the internet, we have also established our Facebook page (link) during the past year, which has now reached 300 followers.
Please pray for us and for this ministry to keep its volunteering spirit alive, to become a bridge among the youth (through this blog, two virtual connections from the USA and France have come to meet us in Lebanon), and spread the news of His ever-young Church.
Administrator,
Raffi
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.
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.
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
At Garni
Trad VBS in LebanonAt a seminar at AMAA center,YerevanAfter 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 ChurchI 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
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