I was very surprised to discover it was the first training seminar these Georgian Armenians had ever attended. Had I known or understood on a heart level just how cut off they really are, I would not have been so surprised. Tey were so encouraged, that it encouraged me in turn! Tey took copious notes and participated with great enthusiasm. Times of prayer and worship were moving, and at times I thought maybe the building would shake. Te seminar participants now have


plans to plant two daughter churches among Armenians living in strategic locations in Georgia. One of them is the port city of Batumi, a greatly conflicted place, both politically and culturally— religiously, too, I should add. Te Georgian Armenians talked a lot about Pan-Turkism, the idea that Turkey will re-occupy all the lands that fell under the old Ottoman Empire. Tey tell me that towns in western and southern Georgia are filling up with Islamic Turks who are resettling according to this expansionist idea. We talked and prayed about


reaching them with the Gospel. I leſt Akhalkalaki feeling so


encouraged, because these people are not basking in their problems, but reaching out to others, others who are as ostracized as they have been. Please just reflect for a moment on


what it is like to live somewhere as an outsider. If you have ever traveled overseas for a short- or long-term missions project, then you know this


feeling. Te nation of Israel knew this feeling as they sojourned in Egypt. In a deeper sense, as you long for your true home in Heaven, you know this feeling. Today, I want you to identify with these few Baptist believers who live among the 200,000 Armenians in the Republic of Georgia. Yes, they are cut off in many ways, but look at their plans and dreams. OK, all tests (including pronunciation— yay!) have been cancelled—except one: the test of prayer. Will you pray for them? May the Lord bless you for doing so! n


‘‘


They were so encouraged, that it encouraged me in turn! The seminar participants now have plans to plant two daughter churches among Armenians living in strategic locations in Georgia.


bmaamissions.org n theGLEANER 27


‘‘


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32