UMCOR's Noah's Ark Program in Armenia

The oldest of Susanna's five children, Hovik, recently lost an eye. Unfortunately, the fruit he picked for his hungry family belonged to another vulnerable family. The enraged owner beat Hovik so badly that he destroyed the eye.

Susanna decided that she had no choice but to put two of her children in an orphanage so that they would have something to eat. She wasn't eating enough herself. Her nursing infant was not gaining weight.

Then the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) sponsored a Noah's Ark Day in Susanna's village. Cows were to be given to families in need, and Susanna's family was chosen to receive one. The village used a lottery system to ensure that the animals were distributed fairly among the recipients. Hovik liked one cow in particular. That night, Hovik prayed that God would give him that beautiful cow.

The next day, local officials arranged a celebration for the Noah's Ark distribution. They made a "Thank you, UMCOR" sign for the city hall. They also arranged a presentation of the Noah's Ark story.

As beneficiary families came forward, children dressed as angels drew numbers representing cows. Susanna, holding her thin baby, came up with Hovik and his siblings. The hand of the angel drawing the numbers went into the pot...and came out with the number of the cow that Hovik had been praying for. Hovik ran to the cow and hugged it with all his might.

A few days later, Susanna's baby had gained two-thirds of a pound. The Red Cross agreed to provide an artificial eye for Hovik. Susanna will be able to keep her children as UMCOR continues to spread hope in Armenia. Contributions to support UMCOR's Noah's Ark program in Armenia can be made to Advance Special #250225-8.