Week Three in Armenia

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday of this week, we were invited over to Hasmik and Ando’s house for barbecue. The Elders had killed a couple of rabbits in order to make warm mittens for winter. They kept the rabbit meat and we were the beneficiaries of an interesting meal. I’d never eaten rabbit so was an experience. There were a lot of little bones and not a lot of meat. Ando is the first counselor in the Branch Presidency.

Observations today included a bus ride from Ararat to Artashat. I wonder how many places in the world you could go where you’d have to share the road with goats and cows and there would be houses you’d pass by with television antenna and satellite dishes. Probably more do than don’t have such things. So far I’ve seen the herders of animals on foot, bicycle, and horse.
We had a great…and busy day today visiting with members in their homes. They live in such humble circumstances but are so valiant in their desire to serve God and his children. The first one we visited was Marietta. I’ve talked about her previously. She’s such a good woman! Life here is not easy for single women. The Elders were able to help her move her stove inside to get ready for colder days that are coming. I think she heats her house by burning wood. Several of her neighbors in this village heat their homes with cow chips. We could see (and smell) the heaps of dung that were along the roads drying so that later they could be burned.
The next member we visited (had to walk quite a ways, but the exercise was good for us, I’m sure, was Lala. She’s a widow with 7 children. She was commenting some about the fact that they don’t have gas (natural gas to keep warm) and really not enough work available to support her large family. Yet, in spite of their meager circumstances, she served us a wonderful lunch. I just hope the things we ate were cooked enough and clean enough that we won’t have intestinal problems. We had dolma (rice and meat wrapped in grape leaves), mashed potatoes, tomatoes, bread and a green drink. Elder Clark said it was like grass…and right away that didn’t make me any too anxious to sample it, but in order not to be rude, I did take some, and did taste it. Yuck! Not my favorite and I will probably pass up on it the next time. She sent us on our way with a loaf of bread she had just baked, a sackful of tomatoes and half dozen fresh eggs (they were still warm).
We also visited a brother, Rafik, who works a couple of jobs and has a hard time coming to church because he is working so much. His wife’s name is Rosa and she is very nice. They were very friendly and as is the custom in Armenia, when you have guests you always give them something to eat…so we had a little fruit. Normally, I run all our fruit through a bleach wash and a filter rinse, so this is putting my immunities to the test. As we were leaving, I commented about how nice her flowers were…and wouldn’t you know it, she cut me a bunch to take home. Nice centerpiece we now have. I love fresh flowers.
We took a break from visiting to take a bus ride and attend seminary in Artashat for a couple of hours. The Artashat elders taught a lesson and then they did some activities. A few played ping pong and one of the boys brought Monopoly and wanted the elders to teach them to play. It was a Spider Man version and all in English. They had a good time learning to play. Rog commented that he had never had the opportunity as a missionary in Norway to play Monopoly. Aram (taxi man) picked us up and delivered us to Vedi (another village nearby to Ararat) to make some more visits. The elders were supposed to meet us but were delayed when their transportation took longer than they expected. Lusig is from Georgia and although she can’t speak any English kept us entertained with snapshots of her and her family for the past few decades. She lives in what I’d call a “big” house. She has several rooms and it’s just her and her husband’s step mother (about 84 years old). She is a widow and misses her three children who live in Russia. It was another occasion where we received a lot of food and at this point, I’m more than stuffed. We had dolma’s again, only this time the outside covering was cabbage. She also served a sort of pickled cabbage, tomatoes, bread, cilantro and cheese. She opened up a jar of candied apricots and then brought in some mint tea to culminate the feast.
Another visit was made to Suzanna and her daughter Yerjanek (she’s almost 14 and in our music class). Suzanna had fallen that day and had what looked like a badly sprained ankle, and was going to the doctor to get it check out in the morning. Suzanna is the Primary President. She lives with her brother and his family as well as her parents all in one home. Yerjanek made me a centerpiece that she wants me to take home on the plane. We all surrounded Suzanna as she was lying in bed (sister-in-law, parents, cousins, etc.) and we were served apples.
Last visit was to Sada and her family. She has several brothers and a sister who are members but don’t come to church very often. Sada is 17 and very enthusiastic and energetic. Would you believe that we had to eat more fruit? And I think because we were there longer than 30 minutes, we had to eat some more. So, they brought out bread and apricot jam and more tea. At this rate, I really won’t lose any weight. That’s embarrassing to be in a third world country and gain weight. Sort of reminds me of Dave and Connie’s gaining weight in Africa. Our taxi comes but already has one passenger. The four of us have to ride in the back (me on Elder Peterson’s lap). We didn’t hit too many potholes, so wasn’t as bad as anticipated. Climbing the 60 stairs to our home away from home was a welcome relief. Another day in Armenia concluded.
November 8
I wanted to make some beef stew, so Friday night, we went with the elders to the meat shop. It’s all hanging there (Pork, beef, lamb) with flies a buzzing about, but that is the way it is. I did get about 2 kilos and was able to make the stew the next day. I think if you cook anything long enough it ought to take care of any bad germs about. We enjoyed a hearty beef stew with the elders after an afternoon in Artashat attending Institute.
Today, our branch president was released and a new one sustained. Rog is still a counselor and it appears that he (branch president) doesn’t speak any English which will be a challenge. I made it through another R.S. and our first presidency meeting with help from my counselor and Elder Pulsipher. It would be so helpful if I could learn the language quicker. We may yet have to hire a translator.