AMAA Armenia
The Footprints of a 30-Year Journey
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. Psalm 113: 7-8 By Harout Nercessian*
1. The Journey
In 1991, the Armenian Missionary Association of America embarked on a faith journey of Christian outreach in the newly independent Fatherland. Armenia was trying to establish its independence while recovering from the devastating earthquake, surviving an economic collapse, and waging war for the independence of Karabagh. Those were the "dark years," when bread, fuel, electricity and most other life necessities were scarcities. None of the AMAA visionaries at that time could predict where this journey would lead. There were no road signs. No maps. Actually, no road to follow whatsoever and no preceding pioneers. The weather was damp and foggy with very poor visibility. This was a faith journey where you plan as you go along. AMAA was trailblazing and leaving fresh footprints on the landscape. The immediate concern was to alleviate the socio-economic pain gripping the nation. God led this organization to realize His purposes to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and, most important of all, to give the hopeless the courage to dream of a bright future. AMAA’s 30-year journey can best be seen in the lives impacted by its caring service, fueled by Christian love. Susan (not her real name) was a shy and understandably friendless little girl who lived with her mother and infant brother. Her mother earned a below-poverty income by cleaning streets and collecting residential garbage. They lived in a multi-purpose, non-sanitary room provided by the waste management company, which employed the mother. The multi-purpose room served as bedroom, kitchen, dining room, bathroom and more… Susan grew up fatherless. Susan did not enjoy a happy childhood, yet her enrollment in one of AMAA’s programs changed all that. Our professional staff worked with her for many years. Today, 10 | AMAA NEWS, July-Aug-Sept 2021
Susan is a happily employed, attractive, young woman. With help from the AMAA, she moved her family into a clean apartment. Her mother no longer needs to work. During its 30-year existence, AMAA Armenia has strived to fulfill God’s mission on earth, best illustrated in Psalm 113, "He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people." As AMAA Executive Director/CEO, Zaven Khanjian often says, "AMAA invests in people," especially children.
2. The Legacy The Footprints
I frequently visit our mission centers in Armenia and Artsakh. My trips never fail to remind me of the tens of thousands of people who over the last 30 years have been touched by God through the AMAA. Despite the bad hand dealt to them by life, these people, who populate the footprints left behind by AMAA’s 3-decade journey, have beaten the odds to grow into productive citizens living fulfilling lives. The Apostle Paul illustrates the impact of his work among the Corinthian Christians with the metaphor of a letter "written on our hearts, known and read by everyone." Paul’s legacy, the footprints of his labor, was the transformed lives of these Christians. We certainly share the Apostle’s sentiments.
Education and Income
Material aid provides much needed, short-term, emergency aid. Yet, the best gift one can give a child is quality education, while the ultimate act of kindness to an adult is assistance toward financial independence. These improve lives for the long haul, breaking the cycle of poverty and restoring human dignity. The Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School and Community Center exists to provide low-income children with high-quality, tuition-free education toward a bright future. The School is housed in a state-of-the art, environmentally friendly facility, fully equipped with high-tech equipment and various laboratories. This K-12 School provides both academic and life-skills education based on faith in God. It instills Christian values to carry its students triumphantly through the multitudes of life challenges and temptations. The School’s supporting atmosphere builds self-confidence, enabling them to climb the highest peaks of achievement. The School builds character to help students become diligent, persistent, resilient and, most importantly, to remain humble as they climb the social ladder.
Material Aid
We provide much needed material assistance such as financial aid, infant formula, warm clothing, and hot meals to the needy. Sick people receive medical attention. We thank God for granting us the will and the means to help the destitute. We consider our outreach to the underserved to be service to Jesus Himself.
KG children symbolizing raising and developing talent.
