Headed for Armenia

 Good Morning All,

Well, you may not know it, but you’ve been reading a pre-programmed blog for the last four weeks. I didn’t mean to abandon you, but wasn’t sure if I’d have internet, so I set it up before we left to make sure we’d be covered.

Now it really is the 31st of May (at least where we are, in transit from South Africa to Armenia).

I think we were a little ‘weirder’ than we thought when we started this trip a month ago. We have been battling with some issues (not bad but sort of confusing and draining), and I think we needed some help.

When we got onboard the Oceana cruise ship Regatta, we were immediately hit with the opportunity to lead both the sea-day Bible studies along with the Sunday services.  Tony even got to help in some of the Catholic gatherings and has had some real “heart to hearts” with folks from the Jewish community here. He was in heaven, doing what he loves to do among ‘like-minded’ people; but for both of us, it’s been a real healing experience. And judging from the overwhelming response from the passengers and crew, it’s become obvious that God was at work in lots of hearts over the weeks.  

Then, while in Durban, SA, we spent a whole day with some lifelong friends whom we had met in a rather supernatural way four years ago.  They’re South African Christians and I had forgotten that she’s also a counsellor.  We spent the day eating and sightseeing while all the time moving forward through some of our deepest shared angsts.

So I’m happy to say that, thanks to ALL of you, old friends and new friends alike, we feel more blessed and prepared than we have in a long time.

As you’re reading this, we are either in final transit for the city of Yerevan, Armenia, or else we’re stuck somewhere mid-way.  The reason why we’re going to Armenia is to fulfill a dream we’ve had for a long time to see where our lovely daughter’s birth mother originated. We hold out no hope of actually finding her or her family, although locals tell us that we will be able to travel into the area where she came from. Tony admitted to crying like a baby in his sleep the other night, which I’m told is a kind of “emotional catharsis”. 

But if that isn’t enough, he has also been invited to present his discipleship course, “Anagaion” there with the local pastors.  Doesn’t get much better than that! 

We are both excited and a bit terrified, mostly for the flights which take us thru Dubai and from there right into the heart of the area we’ve been trying to avoid on this trip. But the peace we’re feeling right now is real; thank you again for your friendship and for your prayers. 

Next time, we should have some brand new material from the “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This” book I’m trying to put together on this trip. Bate that breath and get ready to be thrilled!

Love ya, 

Marsha


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