Back to Armenia #5, Summer

On July 29th, we attended our first branch party and it was fun and different. We were headed to Lake Sevan and they were excited for some swimming, sun, and good food. We’re used to ward activities that may last 2-3 hours, but the activities here seem to last all day. We were to be at the church at 7:30 a.m. with the bus to leave at 8:00 a.m. We didn’t quite make it by 8, but close. When it’s a party, I think they tend to be more punctual, unlike church, when they can come at any time and know they won’t be left behind.

We didn’t go very far, when they realized that they had left the juice behind, so the bus pulled over to the side of the road and the branch presidency hailed a taxi to go back and pick up the forgotten item while the rest of us waited. After about 30 minutes, juice now on board, we started out again. We didn’t get terribly far when the bus, while going up the steep hills toward the lake, apparently overheated and we had to stop for engine cooling and adding of water. Another wait, and then we were on our way again. Well, not for too long, and we had to stop again to wait for the bus engine to cool and replace a broken belt one more time. I asked if it’s possible to get some money back for your troubles with the bus and they said that if anything the bus company might ask you for more money to make the necessary repairs as you are journeying.
I don’t know if it’s always this way, but if it is, I can understand why they start so early. We arrived at the lake around noon and normally it’s just an hour drive from Yerevan.

The lake is all privately owned (how I appreciate the public spaces we have back home) and you have to pay for your space at the beach. They do have tables that you rent and they are covered by a tarp canopy that keeps some of the sun off. I noticed there were quite a few rosier people when we left than when we first arrived, including me.

Everyone just laid out their blankets (carpets the Armenians say) and either just relaxed or went swimming or played games in the sand, and one of the principle activities was eating. When we arrived everyone brought out snacks they had brought and shared them around. A couple of hours later, we made summer salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and greens sprinkled with salt) and they grilled up a bunch of hotdogs that they served in huge buns (two dogs/bun). They use catsup to accompany the dogs. We also had slices of watermelon. A few hours later, preparations were started for “khoravatz”. They made piles of wood and started them burning so they’d have coals for grilling. Then they loaded up skewers with chicken and with pork. They had a grill box that was about 6’ x 20” and they loaded it up with skewers five times or so, so there was a lot of meat. They also sliced potatoes and grilled them. They then brought out piles of lavash to eat along with the meat, and I think no one went home hungry. There were enough leftovers that some members had enough for another meal or two. Watermelon was also served again.

After dinner, there was dancing (mostly by the women, however). Mananan, the Branch President’s 18 month old daughter even is beginning to learn some of the moves the Armenians make as they are dancing. Too cute! I tried my hand at it, but “grace” is not my name. It probably is good exercise, however.
We finally “hit the road”. We did do one other stop for the bus, but that was only to do a “green stick” test of the fuel tank and we had to pull over for a fill up. We finally arrived back at the church around 10:30 p.m. and home around 11 p.m., having survived a 15+ hour branch activity.

Back to Armenia #3

Back to Armenia #3
One thing we’ve learned in the course of living, is that change is inevitable. This week has been a week of changes. We were able to participate in the first South Zone Conference with the new mission president and his wife, President and Sister Carter. As he talked with all the missionaries, he shared that today was a new page for everyone. The President has not received any information from President Dunn, other than medical, about any missionaries. He said that the Lord keeps things in balance by changing leadership, so we don’t get into “ruts”. Trust is important; and there must be obedience with exactness and honor.
There were changes from Church headquarters: Zone Conferences will be held quarterly and interviews with missionaries will also be quarterly and brief (for about 10 minutes). The Mission President is to be the Master Teacher, so there will be additional training. There will be eight lessons on how to teach that will be explained to the leadership of the mission in two day conferences. The leadership will then return to their districts and share what they’ve learned. Training will continue until all involved understand (get it). There were also some changes in sister’s clothing: skirts don’t need to be long, but long enough to cover the knees when sitting; clothing should be modest and not too tight. Sisters were encouraged to wear color and patterns; nylons are no longer required and we can even wear sandals. (I was wishing I had known this before leaving home as in our 100+ temperatures, I might have enjoyed more air to the feet).
We have started to help plan Education Days (a take-off on Education Week at BYU) and we’re getting to know more about our responsibilities as Institute Directors. We’ll be meeting with the Institute Council to plan activities and we’re really grateful for all the young people we have to work with. Now if we could just get them to date (not just hang out) and be more serious about finding an eternal partner, it would be good. It seems to be such a cultural thing…not to date unless you are prepared to marry the one you’re dating. How can we get over that? Ideas?
Another change this week was receipt of additional assignments. I’m back in the Relief Society as 2nd Counselor and Elder Peterson is the new Elder’s Quorum President. I think between meetings, teaching and new responsibilities, we will be busy enough.
I discovered this week, too, that I have an aversion to rats. It was dead and in the middle of the street that we cross every day, but still…it was nasty. I could go the rest of the mission without seeing another one and I think that would be great.
We were finally able to see the show in the Republic Square. It happens every night and as one sister commented, where there are lights, water and music, it’s bound to be entertaining. I just forgot to take my camera to capture any of it, so we’ll have to go again. It sort of reminds me of the show that occurs at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, only on a smaller scale. We actually had our first rain experience in Yerevan, too. I couldn’t tell at first if it was spray from the fountain or the air, but it wasn’t much of a deterrent to our watching. I do know that a little rain made the air cooler and more enjoyable to be outside