James 1:22 says “be doers of the word, and not hearers only”. Our team of 5 did just that while in Armenia. We spent 8 days working alongside our Armenian brothers and sisters in Christ. We had a successful week and a half, giving out over 200 pairs of eye glasses, installing Sheetrock, tile flooring, and ceiling in dining room; and constructing enclosure of cinder block wall for a second floor kitchen. But ultimately we succeeded in building positive relationships with the Armenians we worked alongside. At first, they just seemed tolerant of us being there but by the end of our time we were laughing together, sharing, and exchanging contact information to stay in touch – in spite of the language barrier. We achieved this through our actions. We demonstrated we were there for them, not us, by continually working alongside them, performing tasks like they wanted instead of how we would do it, and spending time with them getting to know them. We participated in Bible study with the believers in Masis and prayer meeting in Yreven.
Dudley committed to work alongside Gago, observing how he worked, anticipating his needs and assisting him with multiple jobs. Through these actions, he developed a positive relationship with him. Gago shared with us apples and grapes from his garden. We shared American peanut butter. By the end of the week, Gago allowed Mike to drive his Lada and he gifted us with homemade Mulberry syrup, which is good for boosting your immune system when you have a cold.
When we first arrived, Mahed seemed to barely tolerate us, like we were underfoot. We diligently followed his directions each day, trying to help him the best we could. He saw that we were there to assist, not take over. And he witnessed us investing time with his family. Each day, we sat among our Armenian friends during coffee/tea breaks and lunch, communicating through translators, Google translate and motions; showing an interest in them and their culture. His son, also named Mahed, wanted to help me with eye glass clinics. Each day he would help me set up, locate proper strengths and display selections of glasses and cases. Marina, Mahed’s wife, and Ana would also help. And I would spend time talking with them each day. Ana shared pictures of her garden, home, friends, and some of her favorite things in Nagorna-Karabakh. By the end of our time together, Mahed was interacting with us. He would sit with us at lunch and breaks, even showing us pictures of his work. He is a talented carpenter that built cabinets and furniture in Nagorna-Karabakh.
Melik was our driver, hired to get us where we needed to be. On Saturday when we were tourists, we invited him to share our lunch. Afterwards, he walked through market with us, even offering to carry my bag. The next week, he was right alongside us working. He attended Bible study and prayer meeting with us. He even helped us with an eye glass clinic when we did not have a translator!
Edik is a contractor in Armenia. He was not with us everyday but the few days he was with us, he would take the time to show us how to do something, like installing Sheetrock on a cinder block wall.
We built and transformed these relationships through our actions. We demonstrated being “doers of the word”, loving on people like Jesus did.
James 1:23-25 says:
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1:23, 25 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.1.23-25.NIV
Rainbows and Otter Pelt 