Armenia Adventures #9

Armenian Experiences #9
The other day (December 15th) was interesting as we went to get our visa’s renewed. Everything that has to do with anything governmental here seems so antiquated. There doesn’t seem to be much that is automated, although I have noticed some computers in the office. The buildings are not very attractive…not too much marble or wood here, mostly cement. We did get our visas and will be okay to stay here for another year. I noticed the other day when we went to the Post Office to pay our utility bills that the clerk operates the request for stamps out of a shoe box. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of check and balances or controls. One dishonest employee could be disastrous.
In the evening, we were also able to go to the Opera House to view some Armenian Dancers. The costumes of the women were beautiful and very modest…not much showing of legs or arms. The men’s costumes were less ornamented but they all were moving about fairly fast with flying feet. The Opera House was beautiful (now we see some marble and beautiful chandeliers) and it was fun to see the performance to experience some of the culture of Armenia and to be with the other Senior Couples.
Another first on the 16th: We came back from Noyakert where we bundled twigs for Marietta and visited with Lala and her family (we’re hoping that we can get her young adult children, who aren’t currently coming to church, to come to a planned Christmas activity in Yerevan this Saturday), and we couldn’t get into our apartment. We called the missionaries who called Maro, our housekeeper, who had a key and she also tried, but no luck. Our neighbor across the hall then called her son who came over. He tried, and did get it to open, but discovered the lock was shot, so spent some time getting a new lock and installing it. It’s apparently the Armenian way (or maybe the Ararat way as they don’t have a lot and help each other out where they can) to help where needed and not expect payment for doing the work. Different! Our dependable elders came over to help, too. We’re going to miss Elder Pulsipher who is transferring to another area tomorrow. We sent him off with a jar of Skippy peanut butter and he was pleased to say the least. We’re just hoping that we can find some more the next time we go to the market.
We also were invited to a farewell dinner for Elder Pulsipher put on by Hasmik and Ando. We were able to try another “new to us” food. The elders referred to it as “cutlet” and it was a sort of ground up meat with spices, shaped like the potato part of a McDonald’s breakfast meal. It was tasty. They also served a cheese (I think it was Armenian) that I tried a very little of and I’m glad I only tried a little. It was way salty and very strong. A dish, comprised of cabbage, onions etc., sort of like coleslaw, was also part of the meal, as well as hunks of bread that were placed on the table.
We have been able to visit several more members and hope that our visits will help them have a desire to return to church. We visited several trying to encourage them to come to the young adult party. Two we met were a couple of sisters living together (18 and 16) in the dorms. Their mother has gone to Russia and they fend for themselves. The 18 year old had such dark circles under her eyes, I hope they are doing okay.
We also visited with the two sisters of the girl I mentioned previously who had been kidnapped. Their story was somewhat different than their mother’s. Jemma, who is almost 17, eloped with her 21 year old boyfriend and they will be officially married on February 13th of next year. But, that probably or definitely means the loss of an active member in our branch.
Many of them live on such a low subsistence level. We are really blessed to be Americans. Our translator, Artur, has a really strong desire to come to America as he feels his chances for success here are so limited. He’s struggled to find a job and is currently in training to be a Gold’s Gym employee, but they are slow to call him to finish his training and begin working…and then the pay isn’t good enough to “make your fortune”. So, he wants to immigrate…but that doesn’t help the church to grow here.
Almost every day offers something new…but then when you’re in a different place doing different things that is bound to happen. On the 18th, we met our big CES boss, Peter Cosak, who came down from Moscow. He came to Ararat and visited briefly with Seminary students and then did some training with us and the Shulzes, the current CES couple. He’s dynamic and German and had some good ideas and suggestions to help improve the Seminary and Institute programs here in Armenia.