Christian humanitarian agencies are preparing for an influx of Iranian refugees from the war in the neighbouring Christian nation of Armenia.
Iranians are allowed to travel to Armenia visa-free and it remains one of the few escape routes from the current conflict.
Most neighbouring countries have closed their borders to refugees.
Many Iranians used to visit Armenia to do all the things that they couldn’t do in their own country such as drink wine and listen to music.
CBN News reports that today, most of those on the streets of the capital Yerevan are fleeing persecution in their own country.
CHRISTIAN RELIEF AGENCIES PREPARE TO HELP IRANIAN REFUGEES
The US-based Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)’s humanitarian arm Operation Blessing has already been helping Iranian refugees in the city with food, hygiene supplies, and even tools to start small businesses.
The relief organisation’s Samson Mkrtchyan explained: “After the first US-Israeli attack on nuclear sites, we already understood the situation.”
“We bought some tents. We will go to the border. We will have our tents, we will provide people a hot meal, and also some medicine. And then we’ll see how we can help them further.”
IRANIAN MUSLIMS SURPRISED BY CHRISTIANS HELPING THEM
He told CBN News the response has been eye-opening.
“They’re surprised by what is happening. We’re not Muslim. We’re Christian. And they’re surprised.”
“They say: Our Muslim brothers and sisters closed their doors, but Christians opened their doors for us. They help us.”
“I think it’s a big shock for them.”
ARMENIAN CHURCH PLANS A MUCH BIGGER MISSION
The local international church in Yerevan is working alongside Operation Blessing.
It is preparing not just to receive refugees, but to answer what it believes is a once-in-a-lifetime calling.
Missionary Dr. Jacob Pursley told CBN News: “We’ve been planning Operation Announcing Freedom for six years to go into Iran and proclaim the Gospel in the cities and in the villages.”
“We have 147,000 Bibles ready from Armenia to go into Iran.”
“Our plans are to set up missions bases in cities and then from there distribute the Gospels and declare who Jesus is to the Iranian people.”
IRANIAN EXPATS CELEBRATE AYATOLLAH’S PASSING
News of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s death sparked celebrations among Iranians living in Armenia’s capital.
For many, it was a moment they’d been praying for: The end of the regime that drove them from their homeland.
Iranian expat Parham told CBN News: “Yesterday, when we heard about the news that Khamenei is dead at 1 a.m., we went to the street in front of the Iranian embassy and started dancing.”
An Iranian Christian named Roya described the celebration as: “Dancing, dancing. I called to my friend. Called to my daughter and son in Iran.”
“Oh, happy. So happy. Thanks God. Thank You Jesus. Thank you, President Trump. I love you so much.”
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