Laughter and Joy Change Lives
“Laughter and joking can demolish language and cultural
barriers and soon we all felt like a close knit group. I loved
the lunch time today with the New Life Armenia staff. It was
sweet to hear their stories and share ours.” These were the
words of Ben F., an Athletic Training major at Liberty
University who recently travelled to Armenia with AIA Sports
Performance. Ben grew up as a missionary kid, but his life
was changed by these Armenians who are daily sacrificing
their desires to see their country reached for Jesus Christ. Laughter and joy were a
consistent part of the week in the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia. The team of five
athletic trainers and AT students sought to bond with one another and their hosts while
sharing their faith at the National Physical Institute (Kinesiology University).
The main focus of the week was a three day conference at
the Institute in the afternoons followed by three evenings
of hands on labs at a local sports club. The exchange of
knowledge on heat illness, taping and wrapping, and sports
injuries was just part of the purpose. Doing so with
laughter and joy, despite jet lag and fatigue is essential to
sharing one’s faith. Ben went on to describe his experience
with, “They shared about their university experience and I
got to share mine. Even though we are worlds apart we still found many similarities and
created a friendship.” The key relationships Ben built early in the week led to spiritual
conversations later in the week.
Tigran and Lusine, our Armenian AIA staff, are a couple who
have fun doing ministry. The team laughed at Tigran’s humor
and antics, and one member seemed to consider it his
purpose to encourage Tigran with his own funny blunders and
silly antics. Julian M., another Liberty Athletic Training major,
had his life changed by the process of raising financial support
for the mission. "The support raising process absolutely blew
me away. I had a hard time of raising support at first, and then God provided. I am not
the same anymore." The team was professional in their presentations but had a lot of
laughter and joy fill their meals, van rides and everywhere in between.
The laughter and joy were interrupted one day during the
tour as the team visited the Armenian Genocide Museum,
dedicated to the victims of the 1915 tragedy. Megan S., a
Graduate Athletic Training Student at the University of
Arkansas commented on finding God in one’s journey
through trials we encounter. The team’s Bible studies
touched on this subject but perhaps the visit to the
Genocide Museum brought home the reality of the harshness of life
that others lead and the blessings we have received. The faculty at
the Physical Institute gifted the team with single purple flower lapel
pins, their national symbol of the one hundredth anniversary of the
genocide. The Forget-Me-Not flower is the perfect symbol to accent
both the tragedy, and the hope of those who survived.
The team’s week was not only full of laughter and joy but reflection as
well. Tigran G., AIA’s National Director in Armenia reflected on the
team’s work, “You have been a catalyst for us in ministry to open doors at the Institute.
The meeting today with the Dean and Department Chairs was representative of that.
And now I will be meeting with the Rector next week. I consider this a great opening
after praying for two years" said Tigran. In addition to the teaching at the Institute, the
team was able to reconnect with Aranyik who came to know
Jesus three years ago during a previous AIA tour. Rachel
S., an Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of South
Carolina said, “I am praying that the Armenian Christians'
boldness and zealousness rubs off on me and that I will
consider what doors AT can open for the gospel." She
continued to comment of her desire to spend, “more time
being thankful for my past experiences and my ever
expanding opportunities.”
Rachel shared that her goal for the trip was to learn how to use her career for God’s
glory, to discover how to truly live out Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do work at it
with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for men”. Rachel added, “Maybe the
first step is simply to thank Him for the knowledge needed and the opportunity given to
do this job – remembering it is nothing that I’ve done for myself but only because He
has seen fit to place me in this time, in this place, in this career and in this position.”
To read more about this tour, visit our team blog. For more photos, see below.
Photos:
1st Page, Top Left: Tour Director, Paul N, laughing as he tries to balance during a presentation.
1st Page, Top Right: Ben F. and Julian M. teaching central core exercises at the Physical Institute.
1st Page, Middle: Tigran G. is all smiles as he helps to pump up the Thera-Band ™ exercise balls.
1st Page, Bottom: Rachel S. walking through the Armenian Genocide Museum.
2nd Page, Top: Megan receiving her Purple Flower Pin.
2nd Page, Middle: Aranyik joins the team for a fun team photo.
3rd Page, Top Row L to R: Julian Teaching, In the Dean’s Office & Physical Institute Crowd.
3rd Page, 2nd Row L to R: Zurich Tulips, Armenian Ancient Site & Gifts for David.
3rd Page, 3rd Row L to R: Gifts for an Anatomy Professor, Certificates & Entrance to a 4th Century Church!
3rd Page, 4th Row L to R: Julian’s Pizza Boat, Rachel teaching Core, Is that Bread? & Team Photo
Laughter and Joy Change Lives