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AMAA

The Early Years in Armenia

AMAA and AEWC delegation meet with His Holiness Vazken I, in Etchmiadzin, April 1989. L to R: Rev. Karl Avakian,
Robert Hekemian, Rev. Daniel Sahagian, Catholicos Vazken I and Rev. Dr. Movses B. Janbazian.

By Rev. René Léonian, Ph.D.*
he Armenian Missionary As- be taken. Three weeks after the earthquake, A collaboration was quickly estab-
sociation of America (AMAA) my wife Sylvie and I went to Armenia for 15 lished between the AMAA and "Hope for
has played and continues to play days to accompany a cargo plane departing Armenia." Both groups had the same vision
Tan important role in Armenia from Paris. As soon as we arrived in ̶ to help our people in Armenia materially,
since the 1988 devastating earthquake in Yerevan, we participated in the distribution psychologically and spiritually.
the Homeland. I first met Rev. Dr. Movses of humanitarian aid in the northern areas Since 1989, we have pooled all our
Janbazian in May 1988, during the An- of Armenia which were affected by this financial and human resources to be as
nual Synod of the Union of the Armenian deadly disaster. Prior to our departure for effective as possible to relieve Armenia and
Evangelical Churches of France in Valence. Armenia, Rev. Janbazian asked me to make its population from this terrible distress. Of

Our paths never departed until his death on a detailed report of our mission in Armenia course, AMAA’s financial resources were
September 25, 2000. He was, along with ̶ including the general situation, the needs greater. But the proximity of France to
others, an instrument of God which guided as well as my various meetings with reach Armenia allowed a great mobilization
me in a pastoral and missionary ministry in members of the government, His Holiness of the members of "Hope for Armenia."
Europe, Armenia and in the countries of the Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, Our two associations were complementing
former USSR. officials of Armenian Evangelical churches, to meet the urgent needs of the disaster
As Executive Director of the AMAA, intellectuals, the affected population and areas. For years, the AMAA and "Hope
Rev. Janbazian saw the vision of the Ar- others. As soon as I returned to Paris, I sent for Armenia" have welcomed volunteers
menian Evangelical Churches globally. He my report to Rev. Janbazian. It was the first to Armenia from North America, France,
was the providential man to orchestrate field report that AMAA released to all its the Middle East, Europe, South America
humanitarian and spiritual relief in Armenia, members and supporters. and Australia.
especially after the earthquake of December In April 1989, a delegation from We must pay tribute to the members
7, 1988. His work remained unfinished. AMAA and the Armenian Evangelical of the AMAA Board, to all its presidents,
But God is faithful as others took over his World Council (AEWC) including Revs. Executive Directors, staff members, as
unfinished work. The personality of Rev. Karl Avakian, Movses Janbazian, Daniel well as to its volunteers in the US and
Janbazian has influenced many people and Sahagian and Mr. Robert Hekemian elsewhere.
its impact has spilled far beyond the Arme- visited Armenia. In May 1989, the From the day after the earthquake
nian Evangelical Churches. Association "Hope for Armenia" (Espoir followed by the official establishment
Thus, as soon as the earthquake took pour l’Arménie) was created by the Union of AMAA in Armenia in 1991 and for
place in Armenia, Rev. Janbazian and I were of the Armenian Evangelical Churches of many years, the programs implemented
in constant telephone contact to analyze France. I had the privilege of being its first by AMAA in Armenia and Artsakh helped
the situation and decide on the actions to President until 1993. alleviate the misery of children and their

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