09/08/2026
𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 – 𝟐𝟒 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 - 𝟕 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝑴𝒚 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒂
𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘭𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘛𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯
Going into this mission trip, I was excited and looking forward to sharing my testimony and the message of Jesus Christ with people in Armenia. I expected to spend much of my time evangelising alongside about 30 other participants from USA and France, while also doing some volunteer work and helping families in need. I was eager to see how God would use me and the team to serve His people and share His love.
What I discovered, however, was that mission work is not always about standing in front of people and preaching. Sometimes, it is simply about being present, serving others, listening to their stories, showing compassion and allowing God to work through our actions. Instead of doing a great deal of direct evangelism, we had the opportunity to serve in several children’s camps and participate in home visits. We helped with Vacation Bible Schools in Gyumri and Shiragamoot, as well as in Camp Hankavan, supporting leaders who had come from different places around Armenia to share the Good News of Christ.
The home visits were especially meaningful to me. They helped me realise how blessed and fortunate I am to live in Australia and to have grown up in a Christian family where our desire is to keep Christ at the centre of our lives. Some of the people we visited were carrying deep sorrow after losing loved ones and were living alone, with very few people coming to see them. Our visits may have seemed simple, but they brought great joy to their day. We listened to them, talked with them, and showed them that someone cared about them and their stories. It reminded me that sometimes the greatest way to show God's love is simply to be there for someone who feels forgotten or alone.
Another special part of the mission trip was having the opportunity to visit churches, monasteries, and historical sites throughout our homeland. Learning about their history from our tour guide helped me appreciate our Armenian heritage in a deeper way. Of course, I also enjoyed experiencing Armenian hospitality and food, whether in restaurants or welcomed into Armenian homes.
One of the hardest moments of the trip was saying goodbye to the many new friends I had made. I was grateful for the friendships formed with the other participants, including our friends from the Rev. Sam Albarian from USA and Pastor Méliné Kinossian from France. We began the trip as people from different places, but through serving together, sharing experiences, praying, and encouraging one another, we became a close mission family.
Most importantly, this trip taught me that mission is not only about what we say, but also about how we live and serve. Whether we openly said that we were Christians or simply helped someone, listened to them, or showed them kindness, our actions could make an impression. Sometimes, kindness can cause a person to wonder, “Why are these people doing this for me?” And that question can open a door to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful that God gave me the opportunity to serve in Armenia. This mission trip reminded me that wherever we go, we are called to reflect Christ through our words, our actions, and our love. I may have gone to Armenia expecting to tell people about Jesus, but I came home understanding even more deeply that when we serve with love, we are already showing people something of who Jesus is.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Armenian Missionary Association of America for organising such a meaningful and inspiring internship for young people like me who have a desire to serve the Church of Jesus Christ. I am especially thankful to the internship leaders for their guidance, encouragement, and example throughout the mission trip. I would also like to sincerely thank AMAA Australia for their generous financial support, which helped make this experience possible. I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to serve, to learn, to grow in my faith, and to experience His love through the people we met and served. I pray that what I experienced during this mission trip will continue to inspire me to serve Christ and His Church wherever He leads me.
To God be all the glory!
