were detained in Samsun and released only on the condition to either return home or to work under their supervision. In addition, they have put all American relief work under the control of a Kemalist officer and demand that relief be provided to any religion. This demonstrates, however, the hostile minds of the Kemalists against the otherwise so esteemed Americans, and it is also understood that the Muhammadan population has also been referred to foreign aid. - Out there, the missionary work becomes easier or more difficult depending on the state of things. Maybe the war in the Orient may help to prepare the ground for the mission. - The Armenia's political independence looks hopeless. It is certainly out of the question that the Turks will ever surrender the Armenian provinces, as was decided by the Treaty of Sevres, and no one makes an effort to implement it. But the Caucasian Republic is also coming to an end. In the capital, Erivan, as is well known, a Bolshevik government has come to power, in which there are, however, no Armenians, but Russian Bolsheviks. The Armenian government, which has ruled the republic, has moved its seat to the Zangezur Province. In order to make a settlement with the Russians, they have made the following proposals: Armenia's independence must be guaranteed, there must be a mixed Armenian-Bolshevik government, and the red army shall not occupy the high regions of Armenia; but the Bolshevik government in Erivan has rejected this and demands unconditional submission and has sent troops to Zangezar to force the Armenian government to do so. Everything is about a partition of Armenia between Turkey and Russia and represents a inconsolable destruction of the last of the Armenian hopes for a free and independent homeland.
Moreover, there is a great misery in this region. An American medical missionary reports that in one of their orphanages in Alexandropol, over the course of a week, 170 children died of starvation. Then one can only imagine what it must look like among the people on the streets.
We understand now how desperate the situation is for the sorrowful people; but I want to remind you again of the word in Rome. 4, 18: Against hope he believed with hope. We have a Savior who is able to help and deliver. Let us earnestly plead with the Lord for deliverance and salvation and persevere until the answer comes, though we may have to wait a long time. Luk. 18, 1-8. Job. 35, 14.
And let us pray for an awakening, so that souls can be saved in the terrible time of tribulation, and for the boldness and steadfastness for the believers who stand so alone out there during the raging of the enemy. The Lord is mighty enough to preserve them. I myself am still waiting, as the final decision of the "American boards" mission, with which K. M. A. stands, has not yet come; but supposedly I cannot get any further than to Constantinople; but since there must be many refugees there and many Armenian residents, there is plenty of work to do. Otherwise, the Lord has arranged everything for me here at home, and I sincerely thank my friends for faithful intercession. I long to reach out to the people who have become so dear to me, perhaps precisely because it has suffered so terribly and is still in the fiery furnace. When the Lord calls, I’ll gladly go; but my time is in his hands. Pray that he will fill me with his spirit and guide me according to his will in prepared paths so that his kingdom can be promoted out there.
Many heartfelt greetings to all dear friends
from your grateful
sister Bodil.
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