Chapter 25

FROM THE PEN OF LYMAN MacCALLUM

Lyman MacCallum, son of Canadian missionaries in Turkey who for many years was director of the Bible Society in Istanbul and died there, loved Vahram greatly. Not only would he listen with interest to Vahram's experiences, but from time to time would write a piece of information about his selling Scriptures and other experiences. Two of these valuable articles which at the time were read by a wide readership are being incorporated into the book. Nothing has been altered from the original text.

"ANGEL ON THE TAURUS EXPRESS"

The journey had begun remarkably well. Evangelist Vahram's somewhat venerable companion in the two-berth compartment of the Taurus Express had introduced himself as municipal treasurer of the holy city of Mecca, returning thither after medical treatment in Istanbul. Vahram had the lower berth and begged that they exchange as he could more easily mount the ladder to the upper. The travelling friendship thus established progressed pleasantly and the treasurer spent much time examining the Turkish and Arabic Scriptures which Vahram furnished.

On the second day, with the Syrian border drawing near, Vahram tried to do everything possible to distribute his Turkish Scriptures, for which there would be little demand in Arabic-speaking territories. He even went through the sleeping car offering them in each compartment. Only next door was he rebuked somewhat excitedly by two young ladies whom he took to be school mistresses. They told him roundly that it was very wrong and presumptuous of him to offer Christian Scriptures to Turks. During the next hour or two as he waylaid passing members of the train staff he saw them watching him with growing indignation.

At country stations youngsters offer to replenish the water-bottles of travellers at the station pump in return for a copper. Before each of the rather frequent halts Vahram took care to empty his bottle so as to establish a good excuse for paying a Gospel to the lad who would fill it. But at one station the ladies called out, "Look here, boy, tear that up; it's not a good book!" The lad looked at them open-mouthed, then hurried out of sight still clutching his Gospel with its bright picture cover. But this had been a declaration of war.

At the next halt Vahram had hardly paid out his Gospel when a second lad came begging for a book. Vahram seized and emptied the bottle of his Meccan friend and paid the boy for filling it, at which there were angry exclamations at the next window. Then a third urchin appeared, demanding a book.

"Your chums earned theirs by filling my bottles. You'll have to pay ten kurush for yours," said Vahram, who knew that the unfriendly teachers could involve him with the police and possibly interrupt his journey should he give the lad a free copy.

"I have no money and I'm very fond of books. Please, please give me a book," begged the lad, who might very well be hoping to sell it as soon as the train left.

"No. I must have money. Go and beg ten kurush and buy your book."

"Big brother, you know well that no one would give me money. And the train has started. Give me my book — my book!" Already he was trotting, then running, holding up his hand to the window. Committing the outcome to God, Vahram dropped him the book, while two small, scandalised shrieks rang out from the next window. In a moment the ladies were in the corridor shouting, "Shame on you, shameless one! Where's the train police? We are witness that you are poisoning the innocent Turkish children of these mountains."

"What is it? What has he done?" Corridor doors were flying open and a tall gentleman of some importance stood glaring coldly into Vahram's eyes while the teachers made their excited accusations. They were obviously trying to draw a crowd whom they could then stir up against him.

"Sir," said Vahram, "I believe that these ladies have entirely misunderstood me, but rather than speak in my own defence I would ask you to talk with this worthy gentleman from Mecca who, you will observe, is enjoying the books which they scorn." With this Vahram got the stranger into the compartment and closed the door on the buzzing corridor. After a few moments of polite conversation with the treasurer the stranger turned to Vahram and asked for one copy of each of his books. "Police court evidence," thought Vahram in alarm, seeing himself handed over to custody at the next station. Slowly he made a little pile of his Old and New Testament portions. "And now a Gospel each for the ladies," ordered the stranger. Bewilderment redoubled Vahram's foreboding. "Those two would gladly arrest me for giving them Gospels," he objected.

"You're not giving them, I am. I'm buying these books, you know." It seemed to Vahram in his relief that an angel of the Lord was a passenger that day on the Taurus Express. Vahram thought it wise not to accompany him when he presented the books to the teachers, or to appear for some time. When he did slip quietly into the corridor he heard the teachers discussing the story of Zacchaeus, at which his grateful heart overflowed.

The ladies left the train at Adana. Vahram quickly checked their empty compartment and was delighted not to find the Gospels abandoned on the seat. Courageous now, he posted himself full at the window, almost challenging them if they cared to denounce him. But they were happily embracing friends on the platform. He wondered whether they would continue to ignore him, or would leave a farewell as is customary among Oriental travellers. This would show their hearts. Greetings ended, luggage and parcels were gathered up and the party began to move off. But one of the two waited until the others had gone on; then with a quick dart she turned full round to Vahram and said, "A good journey to you." "God go with you," he replied, knowing that she heard as she hurried away. He sat down to follow them with prayer.

Chapter 26

STRENGTHENING TIES AND STRIKING NEW TRACTS

At the invitation of Mr. Bedros Tozluyan of California who had come to Turkey with the hope of visiting the scattered Armenians of Anatolia, Evangelist Vahram Tatikyan of Istanbul agreed to accompany him. To give Vahram an official standing the Bible Society took him temporarily on its payroll and defrayed part of his expenses through a gift for this purpose received from the Armenian Missionary Association of New York. Other friends met the remainder of the cost of the journey, which lasted from June 24 to July 18, 1953, twenty-four days in all.

"As I set out from home," says brother Vahram, "the words of Psalm 147, 'The Lord taketh pleasure in...those that hope in his mercy,' were like a promise and benediction for the trip."

His first Bible was sold at six in the morning to the night clerk at brother Tozluyan's hotel. The clerk suggested that if Bibles in a number of languages could be left with him he could undoubtedly make some sales, as the clientele of the hotel is of many races. Bibles of five or six languages are now on sale in that hotel. After occupying his seat in the Ankara bus, Vahram remembered and returned to the ticket-sellers in the office and, in the few moments before the start, sold them several Scripture portions. When the bus rolled out on its twelve-hour journey, Vahram found himself seated next to a Turkish civil servant who appeared to be of fairly high culture. Vahram opened his bag and showed the gentleman a Bible, asking if he were acquainted with this book. "Is not your shop on the Tunnel Square?" the man asked. When Vahram agreed, the official continued, "Really, this is astonishing! How often I have passed your shop and wanted this book, but for some reason I never stepped in and bought it. Now you bring it to my very hand, and just at the right moment when I am going for a holiday in the mountains. Now for two weeks I can sit in the cool shade of a tree reading this good book."

The day was tiring and dusty. Bus journeys over Turkish roads are exhausting experiences. "They turn you inside out," as Vahram puts it.

The two friends spent six days among the seven hundred Armenian families of Ankara. They would go from house to house, and wherever they stopped, the Christian neighbors would be called in for prayer, hymns and reading, followed by the sale of Scriptures. Vahram was glad to find many of the books he distributed six years ago still in use. On Sunday morning a congregation of about fifty filled two large rooms to overflowing. A Turkish woman, the wife of a policeman, came to the window and watched them curiously. She was invited in and given a seat. She remained to the very end and then expressed her pleasure and bought several portions of Scripture.

Finding his supply of Scriptures dwindling rapidly, Vahram put in a long-distance call to Istanbul for replacements. When he emerged from the booth, the postal clerk, who had been listening in, asked what books he was selling and bought one of each.

A visit was paid to the home of a Turk and his wife, who are baptised believers. They had supper together and passed a good hour of Christian confession and mutual strengthening. Here, as was to happen many times again during their tour, they found devout Christians who needed only a refreshing touch from outside in order to rouse from their weakness and begin again to live their faith. One such visit is worth the trouble of the journey from Istanbul, says the evangelist.

On the last of June they took the bus to Sungurlu, Vahram's birthplace, which gave them a particularly bouncing ride of four hours. They asked the porter to take them to the hotel and then to the shop of the Armenian whose name they had been given. The porter refused point-blank. "I'll take you to the shop, and if they can't shelter you, you will come to my house. In this town we don't let our friends go to hotels." Vahram gave him a Portion, with which he was well pleased. In Sungurlu there are twelve Armenian families, and here they spent two days. On both evenings there were gatherings in the home for worship and prayer. Many questions were asked about worship and about the difference between Islam and Christianity. These people are very solitary, know little of the religion of their fathers, and are therefore almost helpless against their non-Christian neighbors, with whom they are now living on good terms. At the meetings some accepted Christ's salvation and praised Him aloud.

Vahram then visited the house in which he was born. It is now in the possession of a Turk, who entertained them hospitably and invited them to come whenever they wished; for, he said, it was theirs as much as his. Seeing that he was a religious man, Vahram told him how he had found salvation, and the Turk was interested and pleased. He bought a complete Bible, a sale at which Vahram was naturally particularly happy.

Their next place of call was Kayseri, where there are some four hundred Armenian homes. On the train Vahram sold a number of Scriptures to the conductor. During a brief halt the conductor came running up the platform, At Kayseri Father Haygazun, priest of the Armenian church, very hospitably placed one of his rooms at their disposal during their stay. This meant that in the evenings a group would gather in the church courtyard for long and helpful conversations, during which the priest was present and most co-operative.

They went to visit a sister at her vineyard in the hills, and here they found four tasks waiting for them. The sister, whose spiritual life had sunk to apathy, was roused. Her husband, an unbeliever, needed to hear the message of Christ and heard it. Their daughter, a young woman who had recently lost her husband, needed consolation. By God's help she found it in salvation. Their Turkish neighbors needed and were supplied with Scriptures. Is not every corner in Anatolia, every family in the country waiting for a similar visitation?

Another long bus ride brought the travellers to Everek, a town which includes seventy Armenian families, with their church and resident priest. Here they were given hospitality in a home and not allowed to go to the hotel. Hardly were they settled, when visitors gathered to greet them, and the spiritual work began. Prayer meetings are a regular part of the life of these people, who are devout and spiritually awake.

At the town of Sivas, Vahram went to the bookstore where, a few years ago, his offer of Scriptures had been rather roughly dismissed. This time his approach was more careful with the result that the proprietor bought five Bibles and a New Testament and placed them on the shelves for sale.

At Tokat, the Armenian to whom Vahram had been referred detailed a small apprentice to guide him to another address. On the way Vahram spoke to him of Jesus. This Armenian boy had never heard of Jesus and was so entranced that "his legs stopped walking." Vahram felt that the journey to Tokat was worthwhile, if only to have shown this child the way of salvation.

While he was visiting in the shop of a silversmith in Tokat, the chief of police came in, probably to discover what was afoot. When he saw the Bible Vahram had just sold and found that it was printed in Turkey and not abroad, he became quite friendly and promised to drop in now and then to read from it.

Vahram still had one Bible left. This he offered to a tailor who could read and who had children at school. But the tailor was not interested and Vahram did not urge him. At rather a late hour, Vahram was roused in his hotel room by the tailor who said: "I'm sorry. After you left, my conscience began to trouble me that I had not taken the only opportunity I may ever have to buy a Bible. If you still have it, here's my money."

At Samsun their hotel proprietor was rather gruff toward them; probably because he did not like their religion. On one occasion, when Vahram asked for a glass of water, the proprietor said they were too busy to fetch glasses of water. The fact that Vahram did not get excited at this rebuff but accepted it with patience was evidently not lost on the hosteler, who later had some talk with him. On Vahram's last evening before leaving for Istanbul the proprietor invited him to come and answer the questions of a group of officials who were chatting at tables in front of the hotel.
Leading Vahram among them, he said by way of introducing him, "Gentlemen, here is a true Muslim." — "Yes," said Vahram, "Muslim means submitted, and I am happy to believe in God and the words of the Prophets." From this he led on to witness to the saving power in God through Christ which he had experienced in his own life. At the end the officials expressed their interest in his story and approved of his faith. When they had gone the proprietor told him that these were the chief legal and administrative officials of the city.

At Samsun Vahram and Mr. Tozluyan were to part company, as the latter would take a ship from there to Greece. In his weary condition Vahram felt unable to face a return journey of two days by bus. There would be no ship for several days, and the cost of the ticket would be only a little less than that of a journey by air. At the airport he found himself faced with an unexpected charge for excess baggage caused largely by the books in Armenian and languages other than Turkish for which he had failed to find the expected demand. When he mounted the plane he had not a penny on him. Yet he would also need money for a porter and transportation on arrival. Though he had no Scriptures to display, he spoke as usual about the Bible to his fellow passengers. One of these asked to have a Bible sent, and Vahram noted his address. When this man insisted on paying him in advance and so quite unconsciously providing Vahram with the means of getting home, Vahram rejoiced at the care that is taken of those who hope in the Lord's mercy.

Chapter 27

MEDITERRANEAN VOYAGE — MIDDLE EASTERN VISITS

Upon the jubilant return from this another Anatolian tour, the brothers and sisters who were praying for him joined in a meeting of praise for the recently granted spiritual feats. Hearts were both lifted and burdened for God's lost sheep in Anatolia who have no teaching or meeting. A new missionary passion came upon them all as they read these passages:

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).

"Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace!"(Nahum 1:15).

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7).

The words of the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, express Vahram's life and service: "...as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (II Corinthians 6:9, 10). This man who for years conveyed God's blessing to men and women was careful to make all decisions according to the Lord's will and to advance as God's Spirit led. He was very careful not to do anything outside of Christ's leading because he knew that only in this way could he bring blessing to others.

For years requests for visits had been coming from abroad. News of his labors and of the spiritual awakenings had spread far and wide. Invitations came from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Greece, to name a few. The Armenian Brotherhood which had churches in several countries carried regular news about Vahram's activities in the widely-read periodical, 'MARANATHA', in Aleppo, Syria. Armenian people wanted to meet him. He gave himself to prayer. He finally felt assured that the time had come for him to embark on a tour to the neighboring countries. So the hopes of many were realised.

In 1947, about thirty believers gathered together with Vahram at the Galata wharf to commit him to God's care and protection for his Mediterranean outreach. Earnest prayers were raised and joyful hymns were sung at the waterside. Bystanders were moved by this unusual display of affection. Many Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca were to travel on the ship. Send-offs in those days were something special. Groups would congregate here and there chatting, they would then embrace and kiss the person leaving. The passenger would make his way to the upper deck from where he would carry loud conversation amidst the din with those below. Handkerchiefs would be waved, tears shed and farewells called out. Vahram hummed along with the brothers and sisters who sang the well-known hymn from below:

"God be with you till we meet again,

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you

'Neath His wings protecting hide you...

God be with you till we meet again."

They were looking forward to seeing one another again in six months. However, if not on earth, they would certainly meet in the presence of Christ. All kinds of people were on the ship. The first joyful event for Vahram was leading a sorrowful lady to Jesus Christ. Among those headed for Mecca were three men with whom he struck up a conversation. 0ne was a hoja. Vahram had reserved a cabin. One of the three became sea-sick; Vahram felt sorry for him and offered his bed in the cabin. Impressed with this loving act, the hoja bought a New Testament. All three found out that true cleansing from sin could not be obtained by meritorious works or religious rituals, but only by the grace of God. One of them expressed the desire to attend a house meeting on his return to Istanbul.

That year pilgrimage to Mecca had special significance. Called 'hacc-ül-ekber' the great pilgrimage, it occurs only once every thirty-six years. This is based on the lunar calendar which moves the holy days forward ten days each year. The benefits from pilgrimage that year were considered to be of superior quality. The number of pilgrims to Mecca on the ship was about three hundred. All of them performed the ritual 'namaz' toward Mecca. Vahram knelt down with them and earnestly prayed to his God and Redeemer. They found out that he was a Christian because he stayed on his knees praying, and once he had stood up he didn't return to the kneeling position. Some of them called on him to embrace the way of Islam. "It will be sufficient for this man just to recite the 'salavat', they said. "Already he's a saint in his own way!"

This opened the door for a unique opportunity to bear witness for his Lord who had died and risen again. He explained to them that before a holy God obtaining righteousness can only be realised by His infinite grace and by believing in it. He went on relating how Jesus Christ had justified him. While telling them, "When I saw Him hanging on the cross I repented and believed in. His offer," he was smiling with joy. "At that moment God the Father cleansed my sinful heart, wiped out my past, gave me new birth and assured me of heaven. For nineteen years now God has granted me peace with Himself, deliverance from all lying and swearing, from unholy desires and every kind of corruption. This is my peace. Now God is graciously using me everywhere to declare His grace. One of the many travellers to Mecca remarked, "This man's devotion to Jesus is not like devotion to religion. In my opinion, no one will be able to move him from his stance." Following this encounter Vahram carried on his witness with the same boldness, playing his violin and singing, and nobody tried to stop him. An elderly lady threw out a comment for all to hear: "My child, you'll get to heaven before all these folks!"

On the boat there was a newspaper photographer who went around constantly taking pictures. He took Vahram's photograph mingling in a group of pilgrims. "Please publish this with an arrow pointing to me," said Vahram," and write underneath: 'This is one who has found grace in Jesus Christ'." The photographer promised to do so. As an interested crowd began to gather, Vahram opened his Bible and read the following verses:

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

When the ship put in at Izmir, Vahram took advantage of the few hours stay to visit the International Fair, where he sold a good number of books. In those days the Maritime liners on the Mediterranean run called in at every port. From Izmir they sailed on to Piraeus, where Vahram had a contact address. People told him, "It's too far; you can't make it during the ship's short stay," but he persisted. Just then a woman approached him, "You're from Istanbul; you must know Mrs. Hagopian!" "I know her very well," answered Vahram. Amazed, the woman exclaimed, "I'm her sister! "

Vahram's eyes lit up and he thanked the Lord. As soon as they covered the short distance to the city the woman ran hither and thither telling everyone that she had discovered Vahram among the passengers and that there would be a house meeting during the ship's stay in port. Soon the house was packed with people. Among those who came was a priest who expressed his joy in a prayer, "Oh Lord, all praise be to you for bringing this servant of yours into our midst!"

Vahram got back to the ship on time and began witnessing to the new passengers who had joined the ship. The next day they reached Alexandria where they were going to stay for several hours. Immediately he disembarked and made contact with local believers. He spoke in two different meetings. People were overjoyed to have a brother come among them so unexpectedly. Everybody said it reminded them of a passage from the Scriptures: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2).

After Alexandria they made the brief trip to Port Said. There also, he had a joyful acquaintance with believers he hadn't known previously. Soon a meeting was arranged and then came the departure with tears in many eyes. Finally the ship anchored at the port of Larnaca in Cyprus. Again he met believers and together they went to the American Academy which was then operated by the Reformed Presbyterians. The President, Dr. W. Weir, was delighted. He dismissed all classes and had Vahram speak to the approximately four hundred students. There was no time to spare; he had to return to the ship.

His schedule of visiting different lands and making stops in several ports had gone like clockwork. Everywhere he met believers, spoke in meetings and brought joy to many hearts. This was a clear indication that Christ's follower finds love and hospitality everywhere. Reflecting on God's support, Vahram readied himself through prayer for the next stage of his trip.

Chapter 28

THEY DROP ANCHOR IN BEIRUT

After a fruitful twelve-day outreach, the ship dropped anchor in Beirut. One of the reasons for coming here was to take a six-month course at the theological seminary. While being well-equipped in Biblical theology, the scholarship extended by the seminary induced him to accept the offer since he was going to stay in Beirut for a while. The Lord appeared to him in a vision: "Don't be swayed by details." At the time he couldn't quite understand what this meant, but eventually he was to find out and grow cold towards the courses.

Vahram felt oppressed in Beirut. He found out that this city fast becoming a 'Pearl of the Mediterranean' was a hedonistic centre for many who ran there for amusement. Indeed, the fast life of Beirut surpassed that of Istanbul. This city which harbored every religion and creed under the sun presented to him a very special opportunity to spread God's message. He experienced similar feelings to those of Paul at Corinth; "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9,10). The Lord revealed to Vahram three ways in which he could pursue his commission:

1. By prayer and fasting

2. By evangelising preaching and teaching

3. By frequent fellowship with believers.

He took Paul's encouragement to Timothy as his own motto: "and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2).

From the very beginning he discovered the teaching and way of belief at the seminary not in full harmony to what he had matured with. The teaching was tilted on the naturalistic and humanistic side. Perceiving that these contemporary thoughts ran contrary to the truths taught in the Bible, Vahram always referred to God's Word, gave his testimony to teachers and students alike, stressing the necessity of the new birth. He would insist, "There is both heaven and hell" proceeding to invite his hearers to commitment to Christ. In his spare time he walked the streets and although he knew no Arabic, French or English, he managed to sell Bibles, New Testaments and Scripture portions. The Bible Society in Beirut had never seen such a colporteur. In a short time, he had sold one thousand one hundred copies of various books.

After what turned out to be nine months at the theological seminary, he was led by the Lord to depart for Damascus. His time had been very full in fellowshiping with the believers attending both church meetings and house gatherings, besides selling books. For a long time he wanted to go to Damascus, from where many invitations came. But he had no money. There were only two and a half Lebanese pounds in his pocket. How far could such a small sum take him? Right then, a sister who was a cleaning woman appeared at the place he was staying. In a very bashful manner she handed him an envelope. The same day a completely unknown person approached him, also offering him an envelope, saying, "This money is for Vahram." and he pressed the gift into his hand. These donations were ample proof from the Lord that he must set off on the road to Damascus.

Chapter 29

DAMASCUS IN CRISIS

Arriving by bus in Damascus, Vahram immediately started looking for the people whose addresses he had been given. It was one of those joyful meetings when he became acquainted with believers he hadn't known before. But the whole city of Damascus was in fear and anguish because Syria was at war with Israel. There was general anxiety; people were totally uncertain about what was going to happen from one day to the next. Vahram joined ranks with the believers and they all walked together to the front of a church where there was a statue of the apostle Paul. Using the passage from Acts 9:1-25, he encouraged their hearts. The city was being bombarded incessantly, but he was acting with great calmness. The believers were amazed at his courage. In a letter written to a brother he relates the following: "once again I witnessed how Jesus Christ takes away fear from his true child. I bowed my head and thanked God."

Witnesses were relating a sad incident which had happened the night before. A young woman had just returned home from an amusement centre when a bomb fell on her house and she was killed. Vahram was deeply affected by the story and wrote, "Many people are saying, 'I'll live as I please, and then repent at the last minute. But Satan does not so easily allow that 'last-minute opportunity'." Fear was spreading. People were abandoning their homes and fleeing the city. So Vahram added these words, "Satan whispered in my ear, 'This is a very dangerous place. Get out just for the time being. Take care of yourself. The danger will soon be past, and then you can come back.' But the Lord has sent me to Damascus. Was it not He who said to me while I was still in Beirut, 'Arise, go to Damascus'? When my Lord gives a clear command He never cancels it nor contradicts Himself." Vahram did not pray, "Oh Lord, shall I stay in Damascus?" He was not one to keep praying about something on which he had clear guidance.

Every morning from five to seven he gave himself to fasting and prayer, pleading that sinners might repent. Then he would hurry off to house meetings. In spite of the prevailing fear many people, both young and old, were coming. Those who joined in the meetings received comfort and in turn encouraged others to attend. The meetings were generally in Turkish. A hoja from Turkey was passing through Damascus. An Armenian brother who met him informed him of the meetings in the Turkish language going on at that time. The man was quite interested to come. He heard Vahram preach on heaven and hell, and responded at that very meeting by raising his hands and praying, "My God, I realise I am a complete sinner and that my heart is in need of the grace of Christ. Wash me in His precious blood." He found peace and joined the believers. His whole direction changed from then on.

At times meetings were held in the open air. With violin in one hand and Bible in the other, Vahram would preach and sing, inviting men and women to come to the Savior. People's curiosity arose to hear this man who was speaking in Turkish. Some days there were five or six meetings. Many responded to God's call. Occasionally there was opposition. In one of these meetings a drunk appeared and started throwing stones at everybody and swearing. On another day, again a drunk threatened him, "If you don't scram, you'll be in big trouble!" Vahram wasn't worried about these attacks. Since his Lord had brought him to Damascus, what could man do against His will? While walking down the street called Straight where Ananias was sent to the apostle Paul he saw a man earnestly praying. He told him that it was not sacred houses or hallowed streets that would offer a person inner peace, but that the blood of Jesus Christ which had cleansed Saul of Tarsus could do the same for him. The man was touched. He shed tears of repentance and trusted in Jesus Christ.

At the farewell with believers who came to send him off at the Galata wharf, their thought was that the separation would last for six months. But his ministry kept expanding and now he didn't know when he would return. The Lord spoke to him: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8). He was continuously receiving fresh invitations, having encouraging encounters and the Holy Spirit was bringing God's work to new advancement.

He was longing to visit Jerusalem, but the Arab-Israeli war prevented him from going. However, this desire was to be realized later. While the war was raging, God spoke to him: "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water" (Psalm 114:7, 8). This positive affirmation relayed to him the promise of a forthcoming spiritual awakening. His heart was lifted with God's promise to perform mighty works. With renewed faith he was waiting to see what lay ahead. His experiences as God's servant over the years assured him of bright days to come.