Vazgen Arseni, the DPM Outreach Director in Armenia, appears visibly fatigued as he meets us on yet another late-night video call. The exhaustion evident in his eyes is a testament to the gravity of a crisis escalating with each passing day. Vazgen encapsulates the sense of urgency when he remarks, "We don't know what will happen tomorrow, but we try to stay strong."
Waves of Refugees and the Tenuous Shelter of Hope
Since the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh officially surrendered to Azerbaijani military power, Armenia has found itself grappling with an influx of more than hundred thousand of refugees. In the eye of this human storm, Vazgen Arseni and his volunteer team have mobilised, working incessantly to provide vital resources like shelter and food. Alongside these material necessities, they also distribute copies of Derek Prince's booklet, 'The Divine Exchange,' to the refugees, knowing that only in God can true hope and comfort be found.
Because of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh's corridor for 9 months, the refugees had not had any warm meals or hygiene items for a long time. "First, we try to solve the issue of their bathing, after which we place them in the houses of believers and supply them with food and clothes", Vazgen sayes. "Last Sunday, about 40 refugees came to our local church and dedicated themselves to Jesus. Today, our local church and Derek Prince's ministry have become a bright spot for thousands of refugees.
Stories of Heartbreak: The Dislocation and Uncertainty Facing Children
Among the displaced, children separated from their families carry a unique burden. Disoriented and scared, they find themselves thrust in a landscape shaped by conflict and uncertainty. Vazgen Arseni, notes, "Sometimes, we are able to reunite these children with their parents." He recounts the story of a 12-year-old boy who took a perilous 30-hour journey alone to find safety in Armenia after his father was lost to the conflict. Instances like this underscore the emotional and psychological challenges that many young victims are currently experiencing.
The Impending Winter and the Weight of Uncertainty
As winter approaches, the humanitarian crisis in Armenia is set to worsen. "Food is not our greatest need; it's the uncertainty about the future," reveals Vazgen, highlighting the multifaceted challenges ahead. Beyond the immediate concerns for shelter and sustenance, there is an ever-present shadow of geopolitical entanglements involving Russia, Turkey, and Iran. "As a small and sole Christian nation in the region, it's very scary to be a plaything of these big countries," Vazgen admits.
Yet, it's not just the geopolitical landscape that weighs on Vazgen's mind; it's also the ethical dilemma he faces as a father and a Christian. "Of course, I worry about the safety of my own children. Are they still safe here? But when I consider fleeing, I'm reminded of the Christian calling to care for the widow and orphan. How could I leave for the sake of my own safety, when so many children here need our help so desperately? That's why we don't dwell on the uncertainty of tomorrow; our focus is on the families who need our help today."
Miak Shelter Project: A Beacon in Times of Crisis
In 2020, when tensions flared up between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, Vazgen and his wife founded the "Miak" shelter project. Translated from Armenian, the name of the NGO is 'Center of Children's Care and Progress' which is abbreviated as MIAK. This is a play on words as 'miak' means 'unique' in Armenian which is the message of God's love and care that will be demonstrated to the children through their ministry. The project lives up to its name by offering more than just basic necessities. It includes educational programs led by professional teachers, primarily aimed at children who have lost their parents due to conflict. With the resurgence of hostilities, the shelter faces new challenges. "Just yesterday, we had 70 people arrive at our doorstep—children, the elderly, a mix of desperate souls," says Vazgen.
"We now have 240 people under our care, to whom we deliver bread and warm clothes every day. 74 of them are children, in addition to the more than 100 children of MIAK who were already under our care. Despite feeling overwhelmed, he remains steadfast. "If we, as Christians, falter in our faith when refugees knock on our door, who will instill hope in them?" Amidst uncertainty, the Miak project stands as a testament to enduring compassion and hope.
A Call to Prayer: An Immediate Need for Collective Action
Today, we urgently ask for your prayers for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. These communities have already endured untold hardships due to the conflict, and your immediate spiritual support is crucial.
Here are three specific prayer points to guide your intercessions:
- Pray for Our Team: That God would provide our DPM team with the strength, wisdom, and resources to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those affected, and that God's protective hand may shield both our workers and the distressed communities they are serving.
- Pray for the Refugees: That God's Holy Spirit would supernaturally bring peace and safety to these refugees fleeing the conflict, and that He would ease their suffering.
- Pray for Decision-makers: That God would guide the hearts, minds and actions of the leaders in Armenia and Azerbaijan, compelling them towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of the geopolitical intricacies surrounding this conflict, a comprehensive background story is available on the BBC's website.
