Having lived in Armenia for almost 5 years, my husband and I had been through various difficulties. But the most difficult was October 2020: the martial law in our country; in relation to this, we had a lot of “guests” from the conflict zone; and tones of new coronavirus cases. In general, 2020 is a year of various challenges, especially for Christians.

We understand that in this difficult situation, the Lord continues to build His Kingdom. Today’s situation in the country is that there are little or no indifferent people in regard to God and the Gospel. Aren’t people in difficulties seeking God? Personally, we see that God is doing His work in the hearts of many.

The Lord has blessed our ministry team by giving us an opportunity to serve the “guests” (people who have moved from the conflict zone to other cities and villages in Armenia). Many families took in countrymen: the elderly and women with children. A mother with 4 children also lived in our house for some time.

photo-by-Artak-Petrosyan

During this time, we distributed many grocery packages, clothing, and shoes. There are no indifferent people left in the country, everyone is trying to help each other: someone is gathering food and clothes for soldiers, someone is taking in people from the conflict zone, someone is arranging excursions for children from the conflict zone, someone is collecting clothes and food for our guests. Many people lost loved ones, others, in one night, lost their places. As we’re visiting different families, we often see how hard it is to say anything at all, so we’re just leaving the gospel with them. A common disaster united the Armenian people. Sevak’s grandmother is from Nagorno-Karabakh. A lot of their relatives have been forced to leave their homes. We had an opportunity to meet them and help both physically and morally.

Most of our team, including us, were sick or continue to suffer from coronavirus. I can say from my own experience that this disease is not only physical, but it also causes mental suffering, which is accompanied by apathy, indifference and reluctance to do anything at all. I am grateful to the Lord for getting us through this disease and for recovering our bodies and souls!!!

Dear friends, please keep praying for:

  •  God’s mercy and protection;
  • The authentic repentance of the Armenian people, many people are open to the Gospel, so may God help them to find a real peace in their hearts at the feet of Jesus Christ;
  • Recovery after illness of our team;
  • The repentance of our Muslim neighbors, so the Lord would encourage the Church in these countries to witness the lost at this difficult time;
  • The ministry to our “guests” from the conflict zone, as we continue to help with food packages, clothes and other essentials;
  • The medical workers: our brothers and sisters in Christ are asking us to pray for them, because there are many wounded, many sick with coronavirus;
  • The families who lost their loved ones in this war. May the Lord visit them and grant salvation to their souls.

 

Nina Parvanyan