In my last blog I talked about the freedom and joy God has granted me on this journey. With that being said, I think that it is also important to talk about the pain in the beauty. There are some heartbreaking realities that are, in America, left unseen.
What broke my heart is learning about the Armenian Genocide, that I had no idea occurred. In 1915 Turkey tried to exterminate the Armenian population who they blamed for many political, spiritual, and economic issues. It was an attempt to eliminate Christianity as villages of men, women, and children were ruthlessly killed. A population of 2 million dwindled down to 200,000(-90%).
This breaks my heart not only for Armenia, but for my brothers and sisters in Christ who proudly stood for their faith. They are the only Christian country amongst a sea of Muslims, and by the grace of God continue to send out workers.
We named our team “Ecclesia”(church in Greek) to represent how we carry the church everywhere we go. We have basically developed a full worship band among our 7 members, and God has been faithful to provide opportunities. We would just go to a crowded area, set up our instruments, and play on the streets. People would just flock to the music, taking all kinds of videos of us. We found that the people who approached us were the exact people God was drawing to himself.
With this in mind, it is no surprise that the spiritual atmosphere is heavy. Satan wants to stop Armenia’s influence, as much as he wants to stop ours. He’s been throwing sickness, anxiety, depression, and pain at us. When we start to think negatively, we have to cling tight to the truth despite how we feel.
Although it has been hard, I count it an honor that Satan is intimidated by us. Battles are fought because there is something to claim, and I believe God is using His children from all over the world to find His lost sheep. God uses all for good. Through the Genocide, God was fighting for His people. Through the anxiety and sleepless nights, God has been teaching us dependance on Himself.
I am guilty of wanting to get away from the struggle, but in reality that’s why I’m here. I am here to get away from all the comforts I cling to at home when it gets hard. Now I have no choice but to lean on Him. As followers of Christ we have not been called to easy places or an easy life. We have been called to fight.
