Armenia in need - what am I supposed to do?

[Ana Dragule]

People support Israel, but Israeli weapons were sold to Azerbaijan, a much larger country with a much larger military budget and friend of Turkey, used to clear out Armenians from Artsakh (also known as Nagorno Karabakh). Artsak is an indiginous homeland of Armenians populated by Armenians before it was politically re-alligned in the Soviet Union that has been trying to get independance from Azerbaijan since the USSR broke down. Now Armenia was attacked by Azerbaijan with military and mercenaries while dealing with a pandemic and now an amount equal to 3.333% of its population just became refugees that Armenia will try to take care of from what is signed off now as Azerbaian, a country with documented genocidal statements from government officials and limited freedom of the press. Russia supported a peace treaty mainly to support a coup that will bring down democracy in Armenia. It's been 1915 all over again for some of the people and 1988 for those who were there.

I apologize that this is not normally where such a topic would be posted, but I do not want an argument that I should be pro-Israel or the political mockery of people with whom disagree that I have come to associate with Christians discussing politics in websites like this over the years but value Christian input. I want life. I want peace. I want Armenia well cared for because most of them are our Christian bothers and sisters being largely ignored by the not-really-Christian West. I chat with people in Armenia and who have relatives in Armenia. I get the gist of videos of the soldiers translated for me. The situation is not quite reported accurately in some of the major media outlets. I want people I chat with to not feel like this is another reason why they as Armenians are on their own in the world and feel their lack of faith is being supported by this stuff. I want democracy in Armenia. How do I make a difference?

[Thoughtful Monk]

This is hard. Obviously you feel for your fellow Armenians. Unfortunately since neither one of us have a magic wand, this won't be a quick fix. I think whatever you decide to do, be prepared for it to be a long haul project - like the rest of your life.

A few random thoughts that I hope at least one helps.

• Keep communicating with your contacts there. I'm sure they appreciate someone outside the country cares.
• Is your church doing anything or is open to doing something?
• Try writing your local congressman and then repeat every now and then. Maybe nothing will come of this but not to try is not to get.
• Same with your local paper. Eventually you might rise enough awareness to get some action taken.
• Is there a Armenian organization in your country you could get involved with? Certainly this would be easier if you could find like minded people to work with.
• Worst case, is there a way to bring refugees to your city? In my city, we have a couple groups working to bring refugees over from troubled spots.

And always, . As I saw recently, "Do not tell God how big the storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is."

[seanD]

People support Israel, but Israeli weapons were sold to Azerbaijan, a much larger country with a much larger military budget and friend of Turkey, used to clear out Armenians from Artsakh (also known as Nagorno Karabakh). Artsak is an indiginous homeland of Armenians populated by Armenians before it was politically re-alligned in the Soviet Union that has been trying to get independance from Azerbaijan since the USSR broke down. Now Armenia was attacked by Azerbaijan with military and mercenaries while dealing with a pandemic and now an amount equal to 3.333% of its population just became refugees that Armenia will try to take care of from what is signed off now as Azerbaian, a country with documented genocidal statements from government officials and limited freedom of the press. Russia supported a peace treaty mainly to support a coup that will bring down democracy in Armenia. It's been 1915 all over again for some of the people and 1988 for those who were there.

I apologize that this is not normally where such a topic would be posted, but I do not want an argument that I should be pro-Israel or the political mockery of people with whom disagree that I have come to associate with Christians discussing politics in websites like this over the years but value Christian input. I want life. I want peace. I want Armenia well cared for because most of them are our Christian bothers and sisters being largely ignored by the not-really-Christian West. I chat with people in Armenia and who have relatives in Armenia. I get the gist of videos of the soldiers translated for me. The situation is not quite reported accurately in some of the major media outlets. I want people I chat with to not feel like this is another reason why they as Armenians are on their own in the world and feel their lack of faith is being supported by this stuff. I want democracy in Armenia. How do I make a difference?

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I will pray for our brothers and sisters in Armenia.