Independance in Armenia

We have been back in Armenia for a month now! Our last post was after we finished the 2 week DNA conference. If you didn't get to watch that video, please check it out there is a great story!! After that we began looking for our own apartment. We were praying that it would be somewhere near to the school, have a washing machine, oven, good bathroom at least. Our friends and a broker helped us look at 4 apartments. (Here you have to pay a broker even to find an apartment, thankfully we got a little discount.) The place we chose is great! It has the biggest kitchen we have ever had! It is in the downstairs part of a house, not a big old Soviet apartment building! We have our own entrance and our landlord is super friendly. She speaks a tiny bit of English and almost daily asks us up to eat fruit and drink coffee. We have shade here and the owner has a nice garden where flowers and grapes are growing. It has been really hot here, 90-100 without AC anywhere except some stores; but the night drastically cools down. It is such relief.

We have had a lot of time to get all settled in, enjoy our own space again, read, and spend a lot of time with Jesus. He is really speaking to us and stirring passion and desire in our hearts. It has been really good. We just got internet 2 days ago. I (Alicia) am adjusting and learning what it is like to prepare 3 meals a day from scratch with a limited selection of products compared to America. The women here must spend the whole day in the kitchen! But talk about eating on a budge, I am always amazed for how much produce I get for so little. There is no "organic" or "genetically modified" here. Its all organic and they almost give it away! Watermelon <$1, 2 lbs of peaches- 50 cents, 3 red peppers- 25 cents, 2 lbs cherry heirloom tomatoes- 50 cents, etc. Love it. I'm adjusting to that, but striving to honor the Lord and serve my husband well in it. I'm really being challenged to be creative and prepare healthy meals for us and begin a healthier lifestyle. It is so important for us to take care of the bodies God has given us, where He dwells! This week my devotional is on healthy eating. I'm working through "Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, a 90 Day guide to living the Proverbs 31 Life" by Donna Partow. It started off slow, but its getting better. "When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive." Prov. 23:1-3 In our world we are surrounded by deceptive delicacies! God wants us to use self control for our own good. Twelve teaspoons of sugar will decrease your immune function by 60%. The average American adults consumes 32 teaspoons a day. We are leaving our bodies defenseless and open to sickness. Really challenging stuff to pray about and practice self control in. Pray for me as I walk this journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Sunday we went to the international church, which is a short walk from our place. The pastor is American and there are people from all over, but mostly consisting of Indian students. We are excited to see how we can get involved there and Evan will be leading worship. The weekend before we had a great visit to Vanhazor up north. I found the beautiful part of Armenia! Wonderful tree covered mountains and scenery. We visited some YWAM friends there and had a great time. We got to visit an ancient monastery from like the 11th century! Older than Americans can imagine! Beautiful place. We have also been spending time with friends here and yesterday I visited the Sisters of Charity orphanage for disabled children. The sisters were so friendly and the children seem well taken care of, but it is so sad. I spent time with the babies up to 6 years old. Many of the children have spinabifida. I don't know much about it but the kids develop mentally and physically normally, but they won't be able to walk. Because of this families just leave the baby at the hospital. These sweet ones, God's creations, just want to be loved!

So thank you for all your prayers. We are excited to start classes Monday morning! We would love for you to join us in prayer about our ministries while we are here; that we would fulfill His purposes for us here, for passion and vision from classes, and our future plans as we seek confirmation for a couple of exciting opportunities! And let us know what is going on with you and how we can pray. Much love. Definitely missing Charleston!

Blessings, Alicia & Evan

 Our kitchen/dining room

 At Haghpat Monastery

 Near Vanhadzor, Armenia

Our bathroom