Dear Mr. President and the Chief Commander of the brave Artsakh Army,
We salute you for your brave leadership and commitment during these critical times, as you and our brave people of Artsakh are facing courageously the evil enemy, whose intentions are very clear; to break us and invade the land of our forefathers. We believe that the strong and brave people of Artsakh, with your leadership, will win the war and protect the land and the people of Artsakh.
We are miles away and due to the global pandemic are unable to be with you physically, but we assure you that we are with you and fighting the enemy with heart, soul and mind till the end, when we will rise up victorious.
We raise our prayers to the Almighty God to protect you and be with you and the rock-solid Artsakh people. We are sure that the dawn is not far and the sun will shine to brighten the coming days and the heads of the Armenian people will be raised up high with the Free and Independent Artsakh.
On behalf of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, once again I salute you and commit to continue to pray for Artsakh and seek God’s blessing and might to lead you on the way toward total victory. Rest assured that God is with you and with our dedicated and brave army.
We hope soon to come to Artsakh and celebrate with you, and our brothers and sisters, your victory.
Long live our President!
Long live each and every soldier, young and old!
Long live the brave people of Artsakh!
Long live Artsakh!
Respectfully,
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian President and CEO Armenian Missionary Association of Australia
L to R: Kaylar Michaelian, Permanent Representative of Arstakh Republic to Australia; Rev. Dr. René Léonian, President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches of Eurasia; Rev. Haroutune Selimian, President of the Armenian Protestant Community of Syria; Mr. Arayik Harutyunyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh; Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Minister to the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Union in North America; Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian, President of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia; Rev. Aram Babajanyan, Pastor of the Evangelical Church of Armenia in Gyumri
A danger of extinction is looming over the heads of our kin in Artsakh.
An existential threat shadows the sovereign states of Armenia and Artsakh.
We are witnessing an uninhibited emergence of a century old evil on the Western and Eastern borders of our homeland,
But our cry is for PEACE.
The unalienable right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is a gift from the Creator to all nations and people in every corner of the planet.
The people of Artsakh are on the forefront to deserve that gift.
In a free and democratic show of will, the people of Artsakh have long exercised their right of self-determination and desire to freely live, love, worship, develop and prosper.
Early morning on Sunday, September 27, 2020 that right was violated by Azerbaijan.
Incited, encouraged and armed by Turkey, Azerbaijan launched an all-out military assault on the peaceful population of Artsakh.
A heinous and indiscriminate shelling of the peaceful civilian population of border towns and villages including the capital Stepanakert, ensued.
Artsakh was shelled by artillery fire, military assault drones, helicopters and missiles.
Our people are crying for PEACE and in the process, the heroic defenders of our land, homes, churches, families, women and children are determined to secure the homeland and protect its borders.
Dozens have been martyred, hundreds wounded and thousands have been evacuated.
But the defenders are holding firm to the land of Noah.
Our collective support is critical as the battles continue to escalate.
There can only be one outcome to the situation.
Victory!
Victory requires sacrifice and the people of Armenia and Artsakh are determined to shed their blood.
We are called to pray for peace, raise awareness in our surroundings and share our material resources to sustain the people of Artsakh and their land, support the victims of war, care for the wounded and offer an honorable goodbye to the martyrs.
During a meeting of community leaders in the United States, the honorable ROA Ambassador, HE Varuzhan Nercessian, shared the desire of the national leadership in Armenia and Artsakh to channel all support and sustenance through the ‘Hayastan’ All Armenian Fund (armeniafund.org/donate).
The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), totally cognizant of the emergency situation on the ground, has advanced the Armenia Fund an initial sum of $100,000 with the promise of more.
The AMAA has placed its facilities in Artsakh and Armenia under the disposal of the civilian authorities to shelter women, children and the elderly.
The doves will once again fly out of Noah’s ark and soar uninhibited into the skies praising the Lord.
Your gracious support will sound the trumpets.
Sincerely,
Zaven Khanjian AMA-America Executive Director/CEO
Mail check to: AMA-Australia 12A Castle Crescent Belrose NSW 2085 memo: Lebanon Urgent Relief Make an online donation with a note “Lebanon Emergency Appeal Direct deposit: AMA-Australia bank account with your name as reference Bank: Commonwealth Bank Account Name, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia BSB Number: 062272 – Acc. Number: 1009 3977
On Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 6:10 pm a powerful explosion in the port area of Beirut shook the beautiful city. This unprecedented explosion left behind hundreds of dead, thousands injured and over 300,000 people homeless in just a matter of seconds. Many lost loved ones, family members, friends and colleagues. The blast was so powerful that it was felt miles away, leaving behind destruction, devastation and debris.
Lebanon has suffered multiple waves of conflict and disaster in the past. 15 years of civil war and 30 years of political, social and economic turmoil has been compounded by the strain on resources caused by the Syrian war and an influx of refugees. Tuesday’s explosion came at a time when the country is already gripped by an economic crisis and reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. This massive explosion not only shattered buildings, property and hundreds of lives, but took away the hopes of the people, who were struggling to survive and looking for answers for the prevailing crisis. For some, this massive explosion was the final blow.
Today, after a month has passed, the international community responded with generosity and compassion, as many countries, nations, governments, organisations and individuals around the world are offering their help and support. Countless calls for aid and assistance have been given to help the people of Lebanon. Needless to say, that already some aid has arrived, but the pain of the suffering people is still there, who need our care, love and compassion. Our obligation and task is to unite with people around the world, to hold in our hearts and in our prayers the people of Beirut, Lebanon.
Let us pray to the God of compassion who is the strength of those who suffer and comforts those who grieve for the people of Lebanon.
Let us embrace those who have lost loved ones and are grieving in pain and agony.
Let us pray to God to fill us with compassion, so that we reach out with love to those who are broken hearted and anxious.
Let us pray to the God of love and refuge as we hold the people of Beirut in our hearts:
Loving and gracious God, we pray that Your Spirit of healing and protection be with the suffering people of Beirut and Lebanon at this time as we remember the catastrophe after a month.
May the good news of peace, healing and loving care be with all, especially with those who are suffering as a result of the disaster.
In Your mercy, we pray, bring comfort to those who are still in pain and are in tremendous trauma.
We pray for those who are healing and for those who are homeless and are looking for shelter.
We pray for those who are hungry and looking for sustenance to survive.
We pray for those who are working hard to find the means to rebuild their shattered lives as well as the destroyed buildings.
We pray for the thousands of the volunteers, who offered their services to anyone in need in the days immediately after.
We pray for those who organised and followed up with the cleaning and were there for those who needed their personal touch.
We pray for the medical staff, who did their best to care for the injured.
We pray for all the churches, organisations and institutions, who mobilised to extend a helping hand to reach out in love and care.
We pray for the worldwide efforts for lifting up the spirit of the people of Lebanon.
We pray Lord, please give hope to the hopeless, shelter to those who are homeless, give food and nutrition to those who lack it, give patience to those who have lost everything.
Loving and generous God, You promise that You will never forsake Your people. Be with all who feel shrouded in darkness, fear and anxiety: all who are anxious about what the future holds, whose pain brings them close to despair. May Your light shine in the dark places.
Generous God, You bring hope and new life. Be with the people of Lebanon. May Your hope fill their hearts and give them rest.
Our loving, merciful and compassionate God, we pray all these in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is our only hope and refuge.
To whom is the glory now and forever. Amen!
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian
President and CEO, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia Minister, St. Andrew’s Uniting Church Longueville Treasurer, Middle East National Conference UCA
You can choose one of or several options to send your donation
Mail check to: AMA-Australia 12A Castle Crescent Belrose NSW 2085 memo: Lebanon Urgent Relief Make an online donation with a note “Lebanon Emergency Appeal Direct deposit: AMA-Australia bank account with your name as reference Bank: Commonwealth Bank Account Name, Armenian Missionary Association of Australia BSB Number: 062272 – Acc. Number: 1009 3977
Lord, please provide strength and protection for those fighting to put out the fires and rescue lives.
As the Australian bushfires continue to blaze past the
20-million-acres mark, the AMAA, alongside the rest of the world,
remains heartbroken by the destruction in the beautiful states of New
South Wales and Victoria. Yet, the impact of this disaster have not
remained confined to just those two states, as smoke and poor air
quality have spread throughout Australia and affected residents as far
as 1,200 miles away.
Rev. Dr. Krikor Youmshajekian, President of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia reports: “After several weeks we have at least two dozen registered deaths, including volunteer firefighters, young and old and still there are many who are unaccounted. Thousands of homes have been completely perished, many towns have been completely destroyed, tens of thousands of families have been stranded, holiday plans not only cancelled, but turned into nightmare, with roadblocks and immediate danger to commuters. Sadly, millions of natural habitat, including Australia’s iconic Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus and so many different species, as well as natural Australian plantations have been scraped from the landscape.
I don’t have the words to present the full scale of the disaster. Gladly the major cities and people living there are safe. Fortunately the majority of the Armenian community lives in those safe places and we are spared from the catastrophic and horrific disaster. We, with all the churches in Australia and the world have been praying for the prevailing sad situation, which is the least we can do.”
While people are suffering and thousands and thousands of homes being perished, hundreds of people displaced and lacking the basic needs, it is our duty and responsibility with our prayers to contribute. Through our locally registered charity, the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, we are doing our best to raise funds to support the suffering people along with other charities and the local and federal governments. Please consider lending your support today.
Send donation checks to: Armenian Missionary Association of Australia 12A Castle Cres Belrose NSW 2085
Or click the button below to donate to Australia’s Natural Disaster Emergency Relief. All funds collected by Armenian Missionary Association of America, our sister organization will be forwarded to AMA-Australia who will ensure they are channeled to local government and charities who are in-need.
