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Samaritan's Purse Visits Armenia By Joe and Joyce Stein

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Prompted by an expressed interest in the Armenian Missionary Association of America's (AMAA) Armenia ministry, Samaritan's Purse board members and executives joined Joe and Joyce Stein, and embarked on their first fact-finding mission to Armenia.

Dr. and Mrs. Melvin Cheatham, Mr. Ken Isaacs and General Flank Drewsf met with AMAA Executive Director, Rev. Movses B. Janbazian, AMAA Representative in Armenia René Léonian, and Harout Nercessian, Deputy Representative at the Yerevan headquarters. They were briefed on AMAA projects which address the sobering conditions and needs in Armenia. On the brighter side, the Center is a hub for medical and dental care at the sleek Aynilian complex where medications and baby's infant formula, Isomil, is dispensed. Spiritual life also bustles with Christian fellowship for young and old.

Days packed with intensive site visits, included stops to AMAA supported churches (there are 65 or more Evangelical Churches and fellowships), schools and orphanages. Everywhere, Samaritan's Purse was greeted with unbridled enthusiasm and Samaritan's Purse members were deeply moved by the manifold needs.

Armavir's Boarding School is for the very poor and learning disadvantaged. Living standards are appalling while food and clothing barely exists. Water supply in both the school and church are at a critical point. On the upside, Armavir's church service, replete with children's choir were delightful, and afterward Pastor Garush Andonian gave us beautiful wooden Khatchkars intricately carved by one of his church members.

Sixty-five spirit-filled students are enrolled at Yerevan's Evangelical Theological Seminary. They will fill future pulpits and provide Christian education to meet the exponential growth of the Church.

In the outskirts of Yerevan, Noubarashen Orphanage and School of Special Education is home and school for extremely poor "street" boys, juvenile delinquents, and many who have been abandoned. We were well impressed by the efficient administration of the institution, although it lacks acceptable American standards. We observed the devotion of its Principal and Vice Principal and noted that none of the staff had been paid nor funds provided for food since May.

Travels took us to AMAA's very modest Spitak Center and School where France's "Hope for Armenia" conducted Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) for hundreds of children. AMAA sponsors over 60 DVBS and Day camps in Armenia and Karabagh

On to Vanatzor, where Pastor Samuel Kirakosian welcomed the visitors as well as the enchanting youth choir regaled us with sensitive saharagans. AMAA's dental clinic in Vanatzor is a vital and much appreciated project of AMAA's humanitarian endeavors.

The striking, recently constructed Stepanavan Church was packed with 500 or more parishioners, who presented us with a dramatic Christian musical featuring Pastor Ochinian's five-year-old daughter and her young friends. This Evangelical Church Building is Armenia's first, and is the highlight of Stepanavan, which the Mayor in a moment of candor lamented that it was not in the City Center.

In the heart of Yerevan's teeming 'Bangladesh" resides the Avedisian Evangelical Primary School. Bright, clean and inviting, this AMAA project represents the best and finest of its kind.

Aghveran Summer camp in the highlands of Armenia was inspiring. Thousands of youngsters enjoy a week of fresh air, good food, loving counselors and Christian emphasis. Similar to AMAA's camp in Stepanakert (the only NGO Summer camp in Nagorno Karabagh) and Dilijan. These camping experiences are anxiously anticipated each year and a wait list always exists.

Celebrating a service at the church in Hrazdan was a festive event. Again the sanctuary was filled with reverent worshippers and Pastor Edik welcomed us as special guests. After the service we enjoyed the family fellowship at their manse with Pastor Edik, his wife and eleven wonderful children.

Touring the Haghtanak 4th Village Old Age Home was the final and most disturbing visitation. The old and infirm residents are subjected to Armenia's unacceptable managed care. The lack of staff and funds to run the institution in a properly manner is painfully evident, even at a cursory glance. These citizens seem to receive little attention in Armenia. The AMAA resolves to alleviate some of the most pressing needs of the elderly in Armenia.

Samaritan Purse, in observing the schools, camps and churches, are keenly aware that Armenia's children live a painfully spartan existence, one that cries for clothing, shoes and the bare necessities of water and bread. We trust they will collaborate with the AMAA's humanitarian endeavors.

Dr. Melvin Cheatham serves on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Samaritan's Purse. Ken Isaacs is director of Samaritan's Purse International Projects. General Drewsf is Vice President of Ministries. Each of these compassionate friends were impressed with the AMAA's ministry in Armenia and look forward to assisting in any way they can.

Note: Joe and Joyce Philibosian Stein are on the AMAA Board of Directors, representing the Stephen Philibosian Foundation