9-03  It’s been a busy week of traveling. I’m developing a whole new appreciation for smooth roads and comfortable cars, and a lot less interest in amusement park roller coasters. I’m reminded that following HIM is not the easy road, but I’ve never once regretted choosing it, and I’ve never met one who regrets choosing it. Whenever I’m inclined to complain it always helps to remember the Innocent One who suffered because of me. In my place.  “The righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God”. 

The children’s camp went well and from there I spent 2 days in Vanadzor helping with some small group studies for adults. The biggest group is about 17 folks who meet in a home that hasn’t had electricity for 7 yrs. But the “Light” is there!

9-05  Made my weekly trip to Ijavan and it’s exciting to see men who are interested in our message and anticipate our coming each week. This is a brand new message for them and their interested, but skeptical. It’s a relationship oriented ministry. These are some well known men who have influence, respect and position. Little by little I’m starting to understand the effect that the former regime has had on the people here. They lived in constant fear; were instructed to be mediocre, and penalized for trying to be anything more. Why should they trust me? But their beginning too! More importantly their reading for themselves that there’s someone who they can trust with their lives.

 

We spent the night in the only hotel in Ijavan. It’s huge, and I guess it must have been pretty nice during communist times, but now there are only 3 rooms. It’s a pitiful sight. Shattered windows, busted pipes, empty elevator shafts, etc.  It’s dark and musky with need of a flash light. All the wooden hand rails have been ripped out of the staircases and used for heat, along with anything else that could aid in survival. The people here have seen things go from OK to really really bad. That’s even harder than having always been bad. I’m not sure if this generation will ever see things get back to OK or not. It’s like removing a splinter that’s been imbedded a long time; there’s no easy way out

 

9-08  There were about six men who had promised to come to my home for bible study tonight but only two showed up. I learned a long time ago not to be disappointed by numbers. They never seem to add up or make sense. But there’s no need to take a census or count the number of soldiers in our army. God doesn’t need more or less, bigger or smaller. I decided not to do the study that I had planned, instead shared a short testimony and asked them what questions they had. My neighbor said, “What does it feel like to have eternal life”? That prompted a very enjoyable study that gave some great insight and assurance to a new believer! These were God’s chosen people for this night and this setting! It reminds me how important each one of us is in bringing in the harvest! People need special love and attention that only you can give. Never underestimate your responsibility or influence.

 

9-10  There must be a lot of praying going on for me because I was overcome with the power of the Holy Spirit as we returned to Ijevan on Monday and Tuesday. It was like my entire being took on the attributes of God and the gates of hell could not prevail.  On the way there we stopped at an outdoor café and met some travelers on their way back to Iran. There was an Iranian boy about 20 yrs old that was very kind and spoke English well.  I said, “This is most likely the first and last time we’ll ever see each other and there’s something very important I need to say to you”. He’ll be taking the Good News back to his family and the heart of his country with the assurance that he and I will meet again! In the New Jerusalem!

 

There were several more men who made decisions on our 2 day journey and my translator had the same feelings that I did concerning the power of God stirring our hearts. At one point after playing a few songs for a husband and wife I began to speak, when I realized he could not possibly translate for me for being flooded with emotion. Another time while in the public market I uncontrollably went to my knees to communicate to a lady the love of Jesus;   how He was God but became a servant. She’s a highly educated lady who is now having to sell bread on the side walk. My behavior was so far from normal that there is only one explanation.

 

And it’s the Holy Spirit that lives in us! Who doesn’t think, look or act anything like our flesh

 

Aside from the hotel being in disrepair there are four factories in this area that shut down after communism. That put the unemployment rate a practically 100%. Consequently, many of the men turned to stealing and the women to prostitution, and even selling their babies. It’s extremely hard to make an honest living here. “Why is it that the good people suffer and the bad ones don’t” one person asked me? Fortunately the subject changed before I had to answer. I thought of a few scripture references but surely Jesus is the best. The sinless Son of God, a suffering servant, falsely accused and crucified. Yet no one took his life. He gave it. And rose from the grave. Came back to earth, ascended to heaven and is now preparing a place for us! Whatever you’re going through, He knows how ya feel. “And the God of grace, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Pe.5:10)

 

9-20  It’s been hard to write lately. It’s certainly not from lack of inspiration though! There’s just too many stories and there all significant. It’s frustrating for me to read this journal because it’s such a vague account of what I’m experiencing. Maybe this is how Dr. Luke felt when he said, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they were written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen”. I can only imagine!

 

Had a short conversation with a lady who works in the market by my house. Seems I’m picking up the language fairly quickly. I’m sure my determination to learn it is probably rooted in pride but God is using me anyway. I asked her if she had eternal life. I couldn’t understand what she said but her interest in the matter was extraordinary.