Hello from Yerevan! Armenia is believed to be home of the earliest Christian nation in the world. It’s roughly the size of the state of Vermont, and located on the edge of southwest Asia. Neighboring countries are Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Armenians confidently claim the beauty of Mt. Ararat while the mountain belongs to Turkey on the map.
Month 7 out of 11, was incredible. The second half of our time in Georgia, I began sensing God’s invitation to grow in boldness and trust Him in a new way. I was excited for Armenia because it meant a temporary team merge due to an opportunity for some of my teammates to go to Egypt for the month. I was especially excited to be on a team with Brittani. She’s one of the most passionate, live-out-loud, people I know. She is a mood shifter and a vision bringer. I was excited to feed off of her momentum and be stretched. Brittani is the kind of girl when presented with a question, might respond back, with something like: “Oh yes! Catherine has an amazing story pertaining to that. Why don’t you go ahead and share it…” Even in a crowded room. She uses discernment and doesn’t throw people under the bus, but she isn’t afraid to stir things up a bit and present invitations to get uncomfortable.
While in Georgia, Brittani’s team met people who had friends in Armenia. She contacted them before our travel and we ended up spending our month with them. Becky [name changed], a young Russian woman, who grew up in Kazakhstan, now lives in Armenia. After hearing the gospel and choosing to follow Jesus, she followed the Lord’s leading and joined an organization in Yerevan. Through her, we were able to regularly serve at an orphanage for children with special needs. I was so encouraged by the level of cleanliness and the attention all the children received. My first day “helping” I fed children lunch. One 3-year-old had schooled me so bad and I didn’t even know it, until that is, a Sister (nun) switched children with me. All the sudden the same 3-year-old that managed to get food all over my sweater, her hair, the high-chair my friend’s hair, all the while rocking back and forth at varying intervals turned into a perfectly behaved little lady. She swallowed the food that was put in her mouth without skipping a beat, instead of spitting it all over herself with a sly smile and giggle. I can only image what the Sister thought. She fed her the rest of my days there, but after feeding, we still got to play together. I helped in other ways, ones that didn’t result in a bigger mess. Children are funny, and clever.
We were also able to spend time with Indian medical students. I said yes to staffing a 3-day retreat in the mountains with the description of, “you will set up and clean up tea times and snacks.” Then it turned into, do you mind giving a short talk? 5 minutes maybe. “Sure,” I said. Well, then I received an email with multiple attachments. I called to clarify expectations, and hung up in a near panic. What started as a yes to basically “goffering”, ended up in me leading a 1.5 hour session of friendship evangelism. I knew that God was inviting me into boldness and to trust him more, and I knew that this talk was an opportunity to do that, but still it was a lot to wrap my mind around. The retreat went well and it was an honor to be a part of it. Oh, and did I mention Brittani was the first to ask if I wanted to do this?
We also went to an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab center where we sang along with the guitar, shared life stories, and sipped tea together. When we spoke, it was translated from English to Russian to Armenian. In spite of the linguistically chaotic environment, cohesive stories characterized by transparency and a level of unprecedented trust filled the room. The life stories many of the men shared included murder, theft, drugs, abuse, and a feeling of deep shame and regret.
I will never forget the kind man who greeted us, and then openly shared hard events in his past. He is and was far from perfect, as are the rest of us. When he was done sharing, someone asked if he was a Christian, he responded, “I know Jesus, and I try to follow him.” Turning his gaze downward he flipped his spoon over as he shared the mistakes he’s made, and then how he cried out to God, and then down the road made more mistakes, which ultimately lead him to the center. Afterwards he looked up, as if we were the jury deciding his fate. Does he measure up? My heart dropped. I imagined what Jesus would say to this man if he was sitting at the table.
“David, do you not understand that I love you? I came to Earth to pay for your mistakes, and I did just that when I died on the cross for you. When I rose from the dead, I broke the power of sin in you and in the world. You’ve asked for forgiveness and I’ve answered. Yes, David I’ve taken your mistakes and in return given you freedom. Walk in that freedom. You are loved. You are accepted. Rest in that peace.”
(This was a man who shared the gospel with us as he spoke. He knew that he messed up and couldn’t undue his past, he knew that he needed help. From the way he looked up at me, it didn’t look like he understood the power of Jesus and the gift of grace. )
We’ve all heard the gospel. We know the story, Jesus, the son of God, came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross as payment for the sin of the world. After 3 days he rose again and ascended into heaven. But so often, it doesn’t sink in. We hide, walk in shame, and fear judgement. That’s not God’s plan. He didn’t sacrifice his son on the cross so that we can doubt whether or not we can really be forgiven for ______________. We can! We are!
Much Love, Catherine
