“Good morning!” I’ll offer you some lavash (Persian bread) with butter and peach jam made from the fruit right off the property here. It’s Friday. Enjoy a few photos. In this region of Armenia, you can see lots of the areni grapes, from which the region produces most of its wine, as well as classic architecture dating back to the New Testament era.
The retreat center where I’m staying was once owned by the Communist government, and frequently visited by party heads including Leonid Brezhnev. Hosts would throw lavish celebrations, and bring in artists to draw caricatures and musicians to provide entertainment for the guests. Yes, everyone was supposed to be “equal” under the Communist regime, but some people were a little more equal than others.
Have any idea what mountain you’re seeing here in this view from my bedroom window? It’s Mount Ararat (see Genesis 8:4). The dormant volcano boasting two peaks is part of the Armenian Highlands, and it’s the principal national symbol of Armenia. The snow-capped peak which you see rises to almost 17,000 feet.
If you were under the impression that Mount Ararat is in Turkey, you are correct. We are that close to the border with Turkey, and the mountain appears close enough to touch. I praise God that a center once used for Soviet purposes is now being utilized for kingdom purposes. Talk about redemption!
Our first conference begins in the morning. Our goal will be to cover the basic principles of hermeneutics during the daytime sessions, and then at night to use devotions from the Scriptures to drive home and make real what we’ve taught. If it works well, we’ll use the same model for the second conference.
Sunday morning I’ll preach in the city of Vanadzor. I send you my love in Christ.
Pastor Charles 
Thanks for sharing. The pictures are beautiful. Praying for a fruitful conference. Miss you! Love and Prayers, Carolyn and Leland
It looks beautiful. How wonderful to hear of God’s redemption. May the Lord richly bless the preaching and teaching of His Word at the conferences. May you see the fruit of Him working through you there.
WOW, Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing. Continue to pray for a
successful conference.God bless you ! Love and prayers, Maria & Tom
What an exiting time for each to have that closeness with believers from all over. Aren’t all Christians like that conference center? Satan wanted us for evil reasons but God saved us to be used by Him for Kingdom purposes. Looking at that bread, no one could live carb free.
Prayers for spiritual fruit as rich and sweet as that splendid looking peach jam! May the Lord multiply every seed you plant into bountiful harvest!
Beautiful photos. Thank you for the work you are doing. Know the Lord will bless your efforts. Praying for the lost. Diane.
Beautiful photo op…thanks for sharing with us. Prayers that the conference is what it needs to be to “reach and teach”! Enjoy that scrumptious bread and jam…with a little strong coffee!