Early November, I returned to Armenia with a team of five. This time, my older brother Phil was part of our team. Our small team continued working on the construction project we started in August, creating an enclosed space for people traveling from the south of Armenia to Masis for Bible study.
Armenia is at a crossroads geographically and spiritually. Europe is to the west with their Christianity and Catholic beliefs, Russia is to the north with Russian and Eastern Orthodox beliefs, Asia is to the east with a history of ancestry worship, and the Middle East is to the south with Islam being the predominate religion. We had the opportunity to spend more time with refugees from Nagorna-Karabakh, attend a Bible study with them, pass out eye glasses, and attend a prayer meeting with fellow believers.
We also made new friends on this trip. Meet Gago.
Gago is an Armenian master tradesman who worked with us on the construction project. He is also a new believer. Our ministry partner has been utilizing his skills on several church projects and through this association, he has come to know Jesus. This is a testimony that you never know what impact our interactions with others will have on their lives. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
On our third day at the work site, I met Nellie. She has been living at the church since she had to flee her home in Nagorna-Karabakh in 2023. Nellie asked me why evil is allowed in the world. She shared with me some of the heart ache she has experienced from having to flee her home to her daughter being killed by her son-in-law. I shared that while we live in a world where bad things happen, God did not intend it this way. He created a perfect world. But God’s creation was corrupted when sin entered in to it, and we were separated from Him. But thanks to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and his resurrection, we once again have access to God. Nellie knows Jesus. She has since her mid thirties. Nellie had lost touch with the hope that only comes from knowing Jesus and needed encouragement, somebody to listen. Somebody to show they cared. As the week went on, I would see Nellie around the church, smile and wave at her. She would acknowledge she had seen me by making eye contact, but never a return smile. The last day, I spotted her looking in on the room we had been working on. When she looked my way I smiled, she gave me a smile grin and a thumbs up on approval of our work.
I have sometimes wondered if my short term mission trips have an impact in peoples lives. Nellie, for instance. She has lost so much. What can I do in a few days? Five weeks before returning to Armenia, my home town was devastated by Hurricane Helene. While our home was not damaged, we were without electricity, water, and for a short period of time cell service. As soon as communication was restored, friends I have made through missions were in contact asking if we needed anything. Many made the trip to western North Carolina to personally bring us supplies. My new friend Alena even contacted me from Armenia to check on us! Through this experience, God showed me that I do have an impact. Through the actions of my friends, I felt loved by God. He used them to show that He knew our circumstances, and provided for our needs. From water and food, to a large bag of baking soda! God uses us to show others that He sees them, He knows their needs, and He loves them. He uses us to point them to Jesus.
Rainbows and Otter Pelt 