What was once a dilapidated dairy farm in Northern Armenia has become a place of healing and rest for those in Christian ministry. GNA reporter Pete Wooding travelled to the country to see how the charity Mercy Projects has transformed this ranch into a conference and retreat center.
VIDEO SCRIPT
When a US missionary took the bold step of faith to purchase a dairy farm in significant disrepair in northern Armenia, God had much bigger plans for this site than he’d ever imagined would be possible.
In a country that’s seen devasting conflict and genocide over the years this place has now been transformed into a place of restoration and peace as a Christian conference center.
Peter Stand up: And I’m here to see how God has enabled the founder of Christian charity Mercy Projects Jeff Thompson to fulfil this calling.
We got started with our cows selling our milk every day but we were losing money. And so we had to figure out a way to move forward. How can we become self-sustaining? And what we realized is we can really be a resource that God is using in this region. What a great place to have retreats and conferences and to bring teams and Bible college teams and to be a resource to people from Russia, Chechnya or the Caucasus region, Turkey, Iran, Persians.
Already several Christian groups have come to the farm for retreats, camps and conferences including a group of students from Calvary Chapel Bible College Eurasia in Tblisi, Georgia.
During their time there they ministered to nearby families in desperate need many living in shipping containers.
I asked some of these students to share their experiences of staying here while serving locally in missions:
It’s a great place to serve to try a new job. It’s a place where you can get one on one with God with beautiful nature and you can get answers from God.
We’re always reading the Word back at the Bible college, but being here I’m reminded that we can come to God in our own personal time and just be quiet and silent. And that’s been really sweet to be surrounded by all the mountains and the beautiful colours and vibrance of it all.
It’s so cool to see how God is working on this farm. It’s so cool to see the nature around us. It’s a beautiful spot. It’s been a huge blessing for me to be here.
It’s kind of like a healing place and being able to heal while you serve is pretty amazing.
And Mercy Projects plans to expand the facilities at this centre to provide healing, rest and training for many more people coming to stay here.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Jeff Thompson – Mercy Projects Director
Recording Location
Stepanavan, Armenia
Organization featured in this Story
Mercy Projects – www.mercyprojects.org
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