Our current project of renovating a building for a much needed school to educate our children.

After reading through the report, click on the picture below to be taken to our Media page for many more pictures of this and other projects

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

(Eph. 3:20-21)

 November 2018

 My dear co - laborer,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope this lengthy report will find you well.

I just came back from Armenia and Karabagh, exhausted and tired but VERY excited. God is so good. He answered the prayers of His faithful and provided us more than we prayed, asked or expected.

This trip was not scheduled or planned, but in order to make some crucial decisions and take steps I was asked to go back to Armenia.

In Karabagh, the Mardagert region, a father who owned a farmland with multi- buildings (as you can see in the picture) with an established bakery had passed away. His son was not interested to run the business or utilize the farm. He decided to sell. When my people, who knew about farming and business, heard about it, without losing time they went and saw the property.  After investigating and checking all the possibilities, they called and asked me to go and see it myself and make a decision about purchasing it. I did not lose time, got on the plane and went. When I saw the property and envisioned the future possibilities, I did not hesitate to put my stamp of approval. We bought the property by faith! Well assured that this was what God wanted us to do.

Some people may question; “Der Hayr, why bother buying farm land?”

Recently, while studying the Scripture I came with this conviction. Christians should not be witnessing their faith by words only but by deeds, especially when he/she sees the needs of the desperate. James, the practical Christian writes: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15-17) I found out that, to help needy people financially is as important, as merely preaching the “Good news.”  I am convinced that when people see our faith in action, they’ll see clearly the love of God in action. The early church was very much concerned about the wellbeing of the needy. (Please read Acts 4:32, 6:1-4) For a long time God has put on my heart the neglected hard-working farmers, who, because of lack of work are leaving their villages. For more than two years we have been traveling from one village to another, meeting with farmers, investigating the possibilities, not wanting to take any chance, and now I clearly see God’s hand in this project by leading us to this place.

 The immediate possibilities and the bright future of this property are.

 A.– It is an already established bakery business.

B._ Buildings are ready to bring in livestock, that is, cows, sheep, coats, poultry, beehives, cultivate the land. (The land is flat and very fertile)

D.- Being on a major and busy highway, on the way to Stepanakert, the capital, there is the possibility to start a small restaurant. (next to the property there Is already a gas station.)

I will let you imagine how many families will have job security.

I don’t know about you, but I am very excited!

God has given us another opportunity and the privilege to reach out the children in Churahovid.

Last July when I was visiting Armen, whom I knew when he was 10 years old, the Mayor walked in to join us for a cup of coffee. After a brief conversation the Mayor asked me if I wanted to see their local school. “Of course, let’s go.” I said. It was on walking distance. The outside building was very impressive, built out of tufa stones, but when we walked in, I could not believe my eyes. The walls were fallen down, the floors were dusty, the kitchen looked like anything else but a kitchen, the oven was not functional, the desks and the chairs were broken, the bathrooms smelly and dirty. And the entire building had no heat. I asked the Mayor; “Are the kids getting their education in this condition?” He said, “Yes Der Hayr, we have 185 children and on September they will start their classes.” I could not stand it, left the building with tears in my eyes.

 When I came back home, I called my people and asked them to go and see the school themselves and inform me what would take to renovate this school. Three people left their jobs, volunteered, to bring in contractors, find vendors, bargained with them and came up with the figure; $68,500.00. That is including tearing down the walls, rewiring, new kitchen, new oven, new LED lights, hardwood and tile floors, etc.etc.

WE TOOK A STEP OF FAITH, KNOWING THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF HIS CHILDREN AND PROVIDE THEIR NEEDS. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus, who uplifted the children and cared for them I am sure He will provide their needs too.

At this writing, as you can see in the pictures, I am glad to inform you that, we have already started to renovate the school. God willing it is planned to be completed in mid-December of this year. They are working 7 days a week, day and night under spot lights. Artzakh, whose father was killed in Karabagh war, is in full charge and overseeing this God pleasing project. He told me; “Der Hayr, you cannot imagine how excited the whole village along with the adjacent villages are, even Government officials are astonished. In order to install heating system, they agreed to be responsible by bringing in gas, which will cost them more than $10,000.00. The principle of the School promised to provide all the necessary school furniture.”  BRAND NEW!

I told Artzakh, “I hope they all realize that, by renovating this school we are helping to build and shape the future of our next generation.” He added: “They do Der Hayr jan, they do.” Over the phone, Artzakh realized that I was unable to hold back my tears. He said, “Der Hayr, I haven’t been so excited in my entire life, You and yeretzgin took care of us when we were kids, when our father was killed in the war, and now God is giving us the privilege to give it back. Everything will be alright, don’t worry.”

Have in mind, the 2 brothers, Andre took two weeks off from his work and Artzakh is still working on this project. Both are volunteering in these God pleasing projects.

ENGLISH CLASSES:

Oh yes, the list goes on. God said to Isaiah; “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (Is. 54:2)

In Armenia, English is a second language. In order to be accepted in college or university, the student must be familiar with the English language. Some students are eager to continue their education but have no ways and means to learn the language. We came up with an idea. We rented an office, hired a University professor, and now three times a week, three groups come together and learn English.