Sabbatical 2018

Today, September 18, 2018, Gary and I had the privilege to go visit N.E.S.T. (Near East School of Theology). This was a place that I always wanted to visit as a child. I had heard of this theological school and wondered what is it? What kind of school was it? What do they teach there? I was told it was “Asdvadzapanagan”, that’s “Theology” in Armenian. A place where individuals learn about God, a place where they prepare ministers. However, all the students, the graduates I had known, at that time, were men. I remember wondering, was God only accessible to … Read more

The trip to get from Ottawa to Beirut was not that eventful except for us almost not finding the gate for the plane to Geneva in Montreal (it was tucked away behind the Victoria’s Secret sign). I was not sure how I would handle so many flights and the long leg between Montreal and Geneva, but it wasn’t too bad – I guess expecting the worst make things smoother in the end. I was, however, quite surprised by the Geneva airport as I was expecting a larger airport with more modern functionality. When we arrived in Geneva, there was no … Read more

As our days gradually advance in Lebanon, our experiences deepen with the people around us. I met and listened to many people about their hardships and their daily struggles. Stories of children unable to go to school, young adult men and women, taking care of their parents. Some dedicated 100% to this care and unemployed, others balancing, work, children and elder parent care, as there are no government institutions to care for the ageing and the ill, unless they are admitted to the hospital or in a private retirement home, to which people have no full trust. This morning I … Read more

A whirlwind of emotions has swept through these first four days in Beirut. On Saturday the 15th, before my friend came to take us to the most beautiful place in Lebanon that I had always wanted to visit, the Jeita Grotto, my nephew offered to take us to the Armenian Cemetery Center in Bourj Hammoud, as soon as he heard me say that I wanted to visit where my father, Vramchabouh, his mother, Perouz, and his sister Hripsime, have been laid to rest in an unmarked grave. For some reason, my family has not been able to mark the plot … Read more

The day after our arrival, we slept in, even though the entire city of Bourj Hammoud never sleeps. The water delivery man came early in the morning and delivered drinking water, 3-4 18-litre jugs were delivered to the 5th floor of the building that has no elevator. Even though I heard the commotion of the delivery, I was still in bed and trying to come down from the flight – recovering from the Jet Lag took longer than I expected. Later, I asked my nephew, “How does this delivery man do it?” His answer was, “You would do whatever it … Read more

What a historical day! September 12, 2018, marks exactly 35 years of my entering the U.S.A. on September 12, 1983, and my exodus from Lebanon. Our flight for our arrival back to Beirut Airport was Ottawa-Montreal-Geneva-Beirut. For some reason, our flights from Ottawa and Geneva were delayed, however, we were able to make the connections and arrive in Beirut at about 5 p.m. instead of 4:30, but Gary and I were the very last individuals standing in line to pass Lebanese customs. It was interesting to have a customs officer come and stand next to us as the other officer … Read more