Armenia

Hello friends from Armenia! So I have some updates! We have 10 days until we go to Kyrgyzstan. We have had an amazing and interesting experience in this unique little Country. Most people have not heard, or maybe do not talk about the Genoicodes that have happened to Armenia from neighboring Countries, mainly Turkey. This Country is hurting and before we even got here we got the words forgiveness and reconciliation. When we first got here we often times got people in public yelling at us in Armenian (which we do not know) and instead of reacting, we responded. There is a lot of tension in the atmosphere here, sometimes also with outsiders, because they have been so hurt by outdsiders. We also had some interaction with Yeziti people here and visited their temple. They have a unique culture and religion. Because of this they have experienced a lot of persecution. We helped them mop at their temple and my heart is to make people aware of this particular, unreached people group. I am still learning about them, but from what I know they are refugees who have taken refuge in whatever Country will take them. Some of them now live and work here in Armenia, Turkey and some other Countries. When we went to the Genocide museum we found out that some of them were killed during the most recent genocide, even though they weren’t even part of the war with Azerbaijan (which Turkey helped support). Now, I know that a lot of these events are disputed around the world. I am simply sharing what I have learned about Armenia since I have been here and my heart is to simply share this Country’s point of view. So, as we have been here we have built a lot of relationships in our hostal, helped volunteer at a special needs orphanage, did prayer walks, street evangelism and we will do an english class tomorrow. Depsite tension in the atmosphere, the wars amd genocides, this Country holds on to their faith and have even sent some missionaries into neighboring countries. I have grown to respect this little country and hope to return again someday. Please pray for us as we prep for Kyrgyzstan. -Love, Elizabeth