Three communities in Armenia and one in Iran experience Faith and Light in connection with the Lebanese communities. Communication isn't easy, though, which is why visits from someone outside are deeply welcomed. Last summer, Carla Waked (provincial coordinator) and Makhoul (vice coordinator) traveled to both countries and received a warm welcome. The communities will gather for pilgrimage in Lebanon (August 30–September 2). Here is Carla's account.
With Makhoul, we spent three days in Armenia with all three communities together for a summer camp—a new and rich experience! The camp was under canvas, surrounded by lovely countryside. I'll be honest: the logistics weren't simple, especially since it rained. Yet watching the enthusiasm of our friends, all the effort they poured in with love and courage, the smiling faces of our disabled brothers and sisters, and seeing how motivated the parents—especially the mothers—were to help in every way: it could only fill us with joy.
One event moved us deeply: a baptism took place while we were there. Two people were baptized, and Makhoul became godfather to Emanuel. The moments of sharing, prayer, games, meals, and gatherings were unforgettable.
Indeed, we notice it more and more: the barrier of language vanishes when love takes over.
Three days in Iran were enough to meet the existing communities and weave deep bonds with all the members. On the first day we met the coordinating team, who showed us their work and their archive—a remarkable one, full of details, photos, records, attendance logs, as if we'd been at every single meeting.
The next day, a gathering with all our friends let us discuss the quality of our commitment, the presence of parents, our province, and our upcoming pilgrimage. The cherry on top was a picnic on the third day with the whole community. After celebrating Mass—in Assyrian, naturally—we took a bus to the picnic site. We spent a lovely day full of games that Makhoul organized, and we met with the parents to listen to them and encourage them to deepen their involvement in the community. In the end, ten hours of bus travel from Tehran to Ourmieh, eight hours waiting at the airport for the return—it was nothing compared to the joy of meeting members of our great family, our province, of Faith and Light.
- Read also: Faith and Light in Iraq
This visit mattered on the ecumenical level too. Living with the Apostolic Christian communities (the Armenian Church) and with an Assyrian Christian community helped us understand the ecumenical dimension of Faith and Light—especially when you see a liturgy that gathers a minority working at every level to preserve a rich tradition and a language that has become dead on the international stage.
May the Lord be blessed for the diversity and richness of His people!
The visit also let us see the daily life of the communities in these two countries in our province—to know them, to love them, to share their experience. Everyone was moved by our presence, which showed them the international dimension of their belonging.
What remains now, three months later? Much love in our hearts and strong motivation for next year's pilgrimage.
Carla Waked, provincial coordinator, 2012
