My name is Sona. I am 32 years old. I grew up in Aragats, a village in the Aparan region of Armenia, where I had a carefree and happy childhood in my parents’ home. In 2005, I got married. My husband and I were a happy couple. We moved to Yeghvard and had two sons together — Eric and Garush.
But four years ago, I lost my husband to a terminal illness.
My husband was a very hard-working person. He was devoted to his family. I do not know why this has happened to us. We always struggled to have enough money, and when his illness started becoming worse, we weren’t able to get the proper medical care to prevent or treat it.
After he died, our relatives promised to help me raise my children. But none of them came to help. I felt completely alone — like I was an orphan.
Later, my husband’s brother started abusing me. He forced me and my sons to leave our house, insisting that since my husband had passed away, the house was his now. I took my boys and moved to a new apartment that I now rent. My despair started to become deeper and deeper. I couldn’t find a job and I didn’t have enough to feed my children.
One day I was at home, feeling hopeless, when I heard someone knocking at the door. I opened the door and saw a young couple, Gagik and Laura, from the neighbouring village. I knew that they were believers, but never thought to ask them about it. Thankfully, they came to me.
We talked for a long time. They told me about God — about His miracles and His love. I was very attentive. When they left, I felt a sense of peace. It was then that I understood that my fears could only be given up if they were given up to God.
This gave me a new hope to live. It felt as if a huge burden had come off my shoulders! After that conversation, I started attending a home church with Gagik and Laura. Our group gathered to read God’s Word and pray together. And then the first miracle took place! I got a job doing the laundry for a child day care centre.
Every day, I am growing in my faith. I am so thankful to have sisters and brothers in Christ who are always next to me to give me support — to give me a hand when I need it. When there are difficulties in my life, I get closer to God and give them up to Him. I realize God’s mercy and love now more than ever.
To be honest, I still have a lot of difficulties in my life. It is difficult to bring up two boys alone, as they need a father’s care too. I am trying to bring them up with the Word of God. I really appreciate the Ten Commandments children’s book I received, as well as The Bible in Pictures. Both of these resources help my children to grow in faith as they learn God’s will through His commandments and stories.
I truly believe I can overcome all of the difficulties in my life through faith in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus.