Armenia Week Five

(November 16th – November 21st)
Wednesday, I really went out on a limb and decided to try making spaghetti sauce. I tried a different butcher and watched him as he cut off a hunk of beef and then put it in the grinder to create some hamburger. I had some other ingredients I wanted to use so they wouldn’t go to waste. There were some smallish sticks of celery (less than 3/8” thick, a bunch of tomatoes and a little cilantro). I was able to find a can of mushrooms and some tomato paste, borrowed a bay leaf and cayenne pepper from the elders, bought some green peppers and onions, and voila! It was really quite tasty in spite of missing ingredients I would have used if I were home.
Rog was also able to go with one of the missionaries, and a member from the branch to meet a fellow from the gold mill. They actually were able to communicate some and it looks like there might be an opportunity to meet a different circle of people than missionaries normally meet in Ararat. Isn’t that just like Rog…always thinking of angles to get a little work, work done, too.
The missionaries actually challenged us to pray in Armenian and I tried a little this morning…more English than Armenian, but I am trying. I just don’t have enough vocabulary to have a very long conversation, but then God might be relieved as he has a lot to do these days.
Thursday, we visited with more members. We went to a village called Zod. It seemed like all those we visited lived on the top floors and there are no elevators, so it was a bit of a hike up to their apartments. Mind you, I’m not complaining, just stating what is. The plight is similar to others we have visited…no jobs, not much in the way of heat to keep warm in winter and just general discouragement. They were all women, who were either single, divorced or widowed. Some of them I’m sure are wondering if freedom is worth it. At least with the Russians, they had jobs, heat and food. Is there a humanitarian project out there that might provide skills/jobs, etc.? Any ideas? I think they are willing to work, but have never had to get out there and get a job. I think all the men we see standing around could be busy filling the potholes and making better sidewalks if there were resources to pay them. We also met a couple that were former investigators. He has very bad vision and can’t get around and lost his job because of his loss of sight. She works every day and so, because of their circumstances, can’t qualify to be taught the gospel because they can’t come to church.
We had another new food experience while we were visiting with a member on Saturday. They (her family) brought in a whole bunch of different things to eat, one of which was something that looked like shredded beef and potatoes. I should have noticed that the elders didn’t take any, but I was trying to be hospitable and try a little of everything. I put the meat substance and a potato on a piece of lavash and ate it all. It wasn’t bad tasting, just a little unusual. Well, its previous existence had been as long grass that was braided and dried. I think it is then reconstituted with water (I’m assuming). Apparently, it is a medicinal plant for diarrhea. Maybe it was good to eat it to counteract any of the other questionable things we consumed.