yet again taken to become soldiers, from 18 to 29 years. They are workers and craftsmen. The workers clean the Turkish houses, and the craftsmen work for the military. In these days, the government will seize their houses if the owners fled with the French, and also the houses where only one of the family members fled to save their lives. Thus, about 2000 people are homeless and have to live on the street; because the few houses still left are overcrowded. But we pray and plead with God for help and are sure that He will help us. We have no Protestant church anymore, because two were burned down during the war and 10 days ago the third one was burned down.
The boys here pray in love and in faith for repentance for the Armenian and Turkish people and for protection for our home. We keep everything ready to go and stay up all night until 6pm.
I go to bed fully clothed; the lamp lights up in my living room until 7 in the morning. - -
From these letters we understand how great the need is, but we also notice how the Lord throughout everything pulls the souls towards him and works his bold miracles under the greatest dangers and afflictions. Praise be to the Lord for His grace! Let us continue to pray for the revival in Marasch to spread throughout the land so that all the rest of the people can be saved.
The other day I had a lovely letter from Mrs. Grünhagen. She and Miss Johansson work among Armenian refugees in Skutari, near Constantinople, while waiting for the road to be opened for them to Mesereh. She says that these refugees are much in need of intercession, as they are deep in the waters of lethargy and discouragement. Their energy is broken, and the long, difficult years have taken their toll. Mrs Grünhagen says: It is almost impossible for me to understand that they are still alive after all the suffering they have gone through. Oh, may the Lord intervene and show His power! They are so happy for every kind word; but it is very difficult for them to remain silent before God, who they believe will not acknowledge them at all. And I can understand them, she says, when I hear them tell of their affliction, and how they have cried out for help, but gotten nothing, and the cruelest things have been done against them. It is not easy to help them; because there are often 50 people and more in a large room, you help one and the other is envious. May the dear people seek back to the old paths and in spirit and truth seek the Lord, surely, He would hear their cry. - - -
From a letter from the Armenian Council of London of March 4, 1921, I have learned that the Turks have murdered at least 40,000 Armenians in Kars and Alexandropol in the last two months. Of these murdered, thousands were also from Sasun, Mush and Van.
Many heartfelt greetings to all friends of Armenia, whom I now know so many of around the country.
From your grateful
Sister Bodil.
Lament. 3, 22–26, 31–33.
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