The time has come to end our journey as the AMAA Summer Internship 2019 in Armenia. To think what a long way we came from Day 1 and here we are, already on Day 14.
We started our last day together, right after our amazing dinner spent at Ashtaraki Dzor, where night turned into morning at the AMAA’s Center in Yerevan. There was more to celebrate as the clock struck 12:00 A.M. and another cake came out; this time for our intern Talar’s birthday. We sang and cheered her on as some playfully smeared icing on her.
After the second cake was indulged, Badveli Serop led our discussion on lessons learned and what we plan to do upon returning home to help our people in Armenia. As Digin Alina shared one of many Christian lessons, she brought up Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We felt a strong determination to help our brothers and sisters in our mother country, Armenia. As a start, we began by contributing our spending money collectively to raise enough funds to sponsor a child in the Shogh Day Center in Vanadzor, to chip in for the women at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Armenia in Vanadzor, and the women at AMAA’s Center in Yerevan who prepared each meal for us during our visit. We still have more to impact change upon returning home, but one by one and together, we plan to do so as disciples of all nations.
We each thanked our leaders, Badveli Serop and Digin Alina for the time spent planning and coordinating each detail of our trip during their free time and through difficulties that arose throughout, for the time spent reviewing and accepting our applications, communicating regarding details requested, teaching us life lessons and biblical messages, using their entire days to pack activities into our itinerary, to enlighten us of our country by taking us to other cities in Armenia that were in such bad shape you’d think they were villages, the prayers and biblical messages taught, the introductions to pastors, leaders, and staff made, and to the fun parental ways they took care of us. They truly did a remarkable job as leaders. To show a little appreciation, we presented a hand crafted wooden clock with Etchmiadzin carved in front to remind them of the time they spent with us during the AMAA Summer Internship 2019.
We said our good nights and were off to bed until the final morning devotion was taught not too long after.
Digin Alina’s devotion was on the theme of the internship “Your young shall see visions” Acts 2:17. Jesus is calling us for mission. Although we will have problems in this world but His promise is to be with us and His Spirit will pour on us and will give us strength to continue God’s mission. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31. Therefore, we are called to apply God’s vision through mission in our daily life.
No matter what family we visited even in the poorest conditions of the real Armenia, God showed us each lessons; lessons to complain less, to never take life and God for Granted, to always put a smile on because there is much to still be grateful for, to work as a team, to be giving, and more. Yes, there will be troubles, but we need to think back about how others are still living today and if they can do it with a good attitude, so can we.
We learned how much the AMAA is doing for the people of Armenia through educational and evangelical programs, through construction and reconstruction of churches, through humanitarian work, through sponsorship of children, and funding in all areas. We thank the donors who help make a difference and who have provided us with the experience and opportunity of this mission trip.
After breakfast, Rev. Serop announced, “The AMAA’s Youth Internship, July 2019, Vision for Mission is accomplished” and prayed.
Then one by one each intern said good-bye to prepare for their flight back. But, this is not a good bye. This group’s bond is so special, a request was put in for another AMAA Summer Internship continuing where we left off, where more can be done and learned. As Badveli Megerditchian taught us, we will not take God or life for granted. We are in this world for a mission and we will fulfill God’s vision.
Thank you.
Christine Kutlu
You must be logged in to post a comment.