12-19-02  After three weeks of snowy weather we were finally able to make our way back to Ijevan where we’ve been meeting with a small group of new believers since September. They were so glad to see us! It felt like homecoming at the Waltons, except it’s not near as scenic, the house is a lot smaller, no car , no phone, no indoor plumbing , and there’s lots of neighbors, real close.  We were thrilled to here that they had continued to meet in our absence, praying and hoping that we would come. I’ve seen these people go from skeptics to sure believers. They had never heard this before! Their lives have been changed! The message of Jesus is simple but the attributes that it imparts to the believer are complex and indescribable. I know that this “new life” is a journey and growing experience but childlike faith is a wonder! It’s not concerned with gaining knowledge it’s just eager to know Jesus better!  “Lord grow me but keep me young”!

12-22-02   I often pray and ask God to help me know who is ready to hear the Gospel. The taxi driver? The merchant? The butcher? The person who’s staring at me because I’m a foreigner? I’m not real outgoing by nature and don’t particularly like getin into long conversations with strangers so that can be a scary prayer to pray! Often times my translator will engage in spiritual conversation and because of the language barrier I’ll be clueless as to what their discussing. When a question arises that he’s not sure about he conveniently defers to me! With no time, warning or information to formulate a response, I’m sure my facial expression says it all!

This time there was no preliminary conversation. The question was posed to both of us without warning! There were four of us left on the mini bus as we returned from a day trip to a village; the driver, a young man riding shotgun and me and my translator in the seat behind them. The heater had broken and it was like riding in an ice box. We had not spoken to either of them the entire trip and suddenly the young man in the passenger seat turned to us and said, in Armenian. “So what is the meaning of life”?..........? respond or defer.., respond or defer.., defer, defer!! Perhaps it’s better left for you to answer. Well; what’s your response? What’s the meaning of life?

1-10-03  You may remember my mentioning my neighbor who’s a psychiatrist to the inmates. He prayed with me to receive Christ shortly after I arrived here. He’s been attending my bible study weekly, but I noticed it was more of a head knowledge thing to him. He reads the Bible prolifically and has and excellent memory, but I felt something was missing. Last night as he was leaving he had a joyful smile on his face! He said, “tonight I believe”; I’m giving my life to Jesus”! I had not even offered an invitation! This is the real thing!  Isn’t it great to know that God does all the heart work! We just plant the seeds, cultivate and watch for fruit.

A similar thing occurred at Ganzakar when two ladies and two teenage girls approached me after the study and said they wanted to “repent”. Unlike America that’s a common word in Armenian. “It means to turn away from the world”

1-21-03  For three day’s I helped distribute food in Artik. The sad stories of sickness, death, war and suffering are endless. It’s impossible for me to totally relate but God continually gives me wisdom to speak with compassion. You would think after six months I would be used to it but that’s not the case. My care and compassion for the people here continues to grow.

1-25-03  It’s been a hard winter. I’ve heard reports it’s the coldest in a hundred years! Not what I prayed for! But somehow He’s kept me warm and healthy! Lots of snow; walking on sidewalks of solid ice, No heat, armloads of wood being carried to the top floors of these unsightly apartment buildings. frozen water pipes, busted and water pouring into the homes on the floor below.

No real complaining though, just stories of how much better it is now than before, when you could stand at the summit on a dark winter nite and see no lights; waiting in bread lines, no way to pump water above the second floor. Children wearing all the clothes they could put on doing home work by candle light.

2-2-03  My neighbor brought his 15 year old son to the bible study tonight. He repented! Wish you could have seen the look on his fathers face!  How many times in our lives will we witness that! I’m truly blessed and humbled to see the mighty hand of God touching hearts and changing lives

I believe Armenia is poised for Revival! Their very proud of their Christian heritage. Ask an Armenian if he’s a Christian and he’ll say “ but of coarse”!! Ask him “are all Armenian’s are going to Heaven” and Ya get a puzzled look. Many of them are eager to here the truth! I’ve been going to area’s where many false teachers and religions have been preached but God has given them grace and wisdom to know that the message is not true.  The truth is a wonderful thing. “And what is truth” Pilate asked. Then he had the Truth nailed to a cross, buried in a grave and guarded by trusted soldiers. But the truth prevailed!! And He is alive and well!

2-9-03 So “what is the meaning of life?........Did He really come to earth and experience life as we know it! The joy of friendship, the hurt of unfaithfulness, the power of forgiveness, the struggle of temptation, physical pain and loneliness. And on the cross He became, pride, deceit, jealousy, anger, a murderer, a thief, a prostitute, an adulterer, a hypocrite, a liar, ………SIN!  Does Jesus really know how it feels to be like us?

“And this is life eternal that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent”. (Jn 17:3) Does He really want us to know Him?

 

I can testify that He does! He has captured my heart! Some nights I can hardly sleep for thinking about His greatness!!

I can testify that He does! He has captured my heart! Some nights I can hardly sleep for thinking about His greatness!! 

He is… “TheTruth”…    With Him, there’s no question!!

Thank you so much for remembering me in your prayers.       John Swaim