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Armenian Youth Stand “In His Shoes”
to Raise $114,000 for Hungry Children
Hotel Rwanda Screening reminds a new generation about genocide
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:17-21)
Glendale, California – The
challenge was big, the group was small. The numbers were stacked against them:
31,000 kids die each day because of hunger and hunger related disease. A group
of 40 teenagers had a mission and a goal: raise $100,000 to aid the hungry and
demonstrate the power of a new generation. In the end it was dedication,
perseverance and commitment which became a testimony to the power of love.
It
wasn’t enough to fundraise. These young people wanted to “walk in the shoes” of
the hungry and suffering. And so, after staying hungry, fasting and praying in a
planned “30 Hour Famine” this group of Armenian Christian youth raised over
$114,000 for world hunger and humanitarian aid. The money was raised as a
project of the In His Shoes mission of the Youth Ministries’ Center in the newly
establish St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, California. Under the direction
of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the Famine works in concert with
World Vision to bring
much needed food and food supplies to ravaged and war-torn parts of the world.
During the Famine, the youth
were educated about their own abilities in addressing global issues. Speakers
and discussion leaders included David Mgrublian, trustee at Claremont McKenna
College and Director of Investment Developments Services; Christopher Armen,
defense attorney; Linda Maxwell and Jose Quintanar, co-directors of We Care for
Youth; and Alison Fast of Global Tribe. The event was held at the Friendly Adult
Day Health Care Center in Tujunga, California, the use of which was graciously
donated
by
the Azatyan Family through an arrangement by Sonig Ashkharian.
The highlight of the day came in the evening when a special screening of Hotel Rwanda took place. The Academy Award nominated film was on special loan to the In His Shoes group by arrangements made with MGM and United Artists. Martin Katz, Executive Producers of the film addressed the Famine participants and encouraged their efforts. Following the showing of the film a healthy and productive discussion took place.
The In
His Shoes mission encourages and teaches young people to take responsibility for
their lives and their communities. In His Shoes was formed in 2003 by a group of
young Armenian men and women who were challenged to respond to the Armenian
Genocide in a bold and new manner. Central to the In His Shoes philosophy is to
remember and use the lessons of the past to build brighter tomorrows.
“Each participant in this
Famine,” said Fr. Vazken, “Is a great grandchild of an Armenian Genocide
survivor. Today they are learning that they have a responsibility to their past
by touching their future with the message of love and hope, with a message of
repaying evil with good.” In fact,
the
participants were reminded throughout the weekend about the plight of the
Armenians: that they were once hungry, thirsty and held prisoner on their own
homeland.
The first day of fasting came to an end with a drum circle led by Varoujan Movsesian. Through the drums, participants learned the value of creativity and uniqueness in producing results.
The next day, the Famine
continued with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Fr. Vazken used for his
sermon a passage from Matthew 17 where the apostles are challenged to go beyond
prayer and use fasting as a means of winning spiritual battles. He emphasized
the importance and power each young person possesses in winning even against
seemingly insurmountable odds. It was then that the total contributions for the
fast were revealed at over $108,000 (this amount has risen to $114,000 since the
event). The funds will be sent through World Vision to children in famine-prone
and war-torn countries as well as to Armenia.
Matching
funds were set up by Richard Melikian of Arizona to benefit the children in
Amaras, Artzakh and by Levon Termendsian of Lion Entertainment to benefit
children in Vanadzor Armenia.
The participants presented Fr.
Vazken and the church members, who had been so encouraging in the fund raising
efforts, a quilt they produced during the Famine. The quilt, produced under the
direction of Anush Avejic now hangs inside the church. With the reception of the
Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the fast was broken.
Parents organized by Peggy & Michael Geragos prepared a hearty breakfast for the fasting youth. In their prayers, these youth remembered that although they have the luxury of eating and completing the Famined, for over 31,000 children that opportunity was not there. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was one of celebration for in fact a group of 40 decedents of the Armenian Genocide had made a statement to themselves, their community and world: There is an true power in love, one that can overcome even the greatest of evils.
