In July of 2009 twenty two young adults will travel to Armenia as part of AMAA’s Internship/Work Camp Project. They will spend few days in Yerevan and then travel to Ijevan which this year will be the center of their service.
The group will be led by AMAA’s Field Director, Dikran Youmshakian and three volunteers – Raffi Kaljian, AEUNA’s West Coast Youth Director, Vicken Keshishian of Havertown, Penn. and David Shahbazian of Kingston, NY. AMAA’s Internship Program is chaired by Vahram Aynilian, Board Member. Participants this year come from different areas in the U.S. – particularly from Los Angeles, Boston, Troy, NY, Chicago and New Jersey.
The group will meet in New Jersey. Vahram & Lucienne Aynilian will host a special reception at their home in Alpine, NJ on Sunday June 28. On Monday, June 29, the group will visit AMAA Headquarters in Paramus NJ for an introduction. On the same day, in the evening they will travel to Armenia and will be stationed at the AMAA’s New Headquarters on Baghramian Street. They will have three seminars in the mornings and trips in the afternoon to historic sights. On Saturday, July 4 the group will travel to Ijevan, a city in the north and will be stationed at the local Evangelical Church. There the group will have an opportunity to use their talents and will provide hands on service. They will help renovate the church building and also lead two daily Vacation Bible Schools.
AMAA’s Internship Program has multiple purposes. It will help encourage the youth to learn more about their roots and visit, see and experience their homeland Armenia. In addition they will be acquainted with the ministries of the AMAA. They will be inspired to be involved. They will help their brothers and sisters, and both impact and be impacted by the way of life in the homeland Armenia. Most of all they will appreciate and share God’s love with others.
We are certain that this visit to the homeland will be a pilgrimage for our youth and that they will remain committed to their Armenian and Christian Heritage.
The participants are serious and are eager to serve. They have undertaken major part of the expenses – paying for their travel. AMAA will take care of the modest accommodations and will undertake the purchase of the building materials.
Still such a program will need financial resources. Both the interns and AMAA will appreciate good willing friends and churches to support this program with their gifts. For information on how to support this vital program, contact AMAA office at 201-265-2607.
