We were a few times invited to a family's home in a small village outside of Yerevan. It was pastoral and lovely. When we first arrived at their "home," we saw that it was no more than a basement with mud walls. They were preparing to build their home on it, but were doing it a piece at a time as they could afford it.
They had, however, laid a cornerstone in which was carved a cross, showing their devout Christianity. The parents were Levon ♂and Siranuche ♀. Their children were Armena ♀ and Gevorg ♂. They lived quite modestly, as did most Armenians, but they also lived joyfully and gratefully, as did their countrymen and women.
When we entered their basement, we saw that the only art that adorned their walls was a beautiful wood-burning that Levon had done himself. As I said before, they are a very cultured people and love their ballet, symphonies, and operas, museums and other pursuits. So art was important to them. We had a lovely visit and really enjoyed their company.
Fast forward to the end of our mission. It was around Christmastime and we were preparing for our trip home to our family. This time of year, travel was very difficult, especially coming in from a small village to Yerevan. But they made the trip to bring us a gift. It was the most ornate picture of the Madonna I've ever seen, constructed of tiny glass beads. It was breathtakingly beautiful and he had put twisted wire on the edges to frame it. We were speechless and touched.
When they left and we were preparing to pack it, we turned it over and saw that it was made on their only piece of art, that wood-burning that decorated the mud walls of their home. They had sacrificed their own art to create a gift for us. No words.
(Stay tuned. Tonight I will post photos to go along with this article!)
They had, however, laid a cornerstone in which was carved a cross, showing their devout Christianity. The parents were Levon ♂and Siranuche ♀. Their children were Armena ♀ and Gevorg ♂. They lived quite modestly, as did most Armenians, but they also lived joyfully and gratefully, as did their countrymen and women.
When we entered their basement, we saw that the only art that adorned their walls was a beautiful wood-burning that Levon had done himself. As I said before, they are a very cultured people and love their ballet, symphonies, and operas, museums and other pursuits. So art was important to them. We had a lovely visit and really enjoyed their company.
Fast forward to the end of our mission. It was around Christmastime and we were preparing for our trip home to our family. This time of year, travel was very difficult, especially coming in from a small village to Yerevan. But they made the trip to bring us a gift. It was the most ornate picture of the Madonna I've ever seen, constructed of tiny glass beads. It was breathtakingly beautiful and he had put twisted wire on the edges to frame it. We were speechless and touched.
When they left and we were preparing to pack it, we turned it over and saw that it was made on their only piece of art, that wood-burning that decorated the mud walls of their home. They had sacrificed their own art to create a gift for us. No words.
(Stay tuned. Tonight I will post photos to go along with this article!)
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