By Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri | Founder & Executive Director
Dear friends,
The last few months have been a time of unfolding. The new residents at Arinj are unfolding their hearts and days into the loving hands of their caregivers. We are hearing stories and learning slowly about the texture and patterns of their lives. We are making inroads to their places of joy and are memorizing their places of pain.
The residents at both homes are unfolding into new friendships with one another, celebrating birthdays together, going on excursions together around Armenia, and participating in camps. Some of them attended an art camp in Moscow and another group of residents were invited to the Young Life camp in Armenia. Summer was full and bursting with life and travel and volunteers and celebrations.
Summer also entailed leaning into one new resident’s pain as he struggles gravely with his fears. Please keep him in your heart as we try to trace his pain and learn how to help him hold it. It is hard work—to hold the pain of others. It is also an honor.
Seven of our new residents just started attending the three-year vocational program at the local college (pictured above). Their days are full and inspiring. We are grateful for the ways that our new residents have been welcomed into the structures and scaffolding that was already in place from years of hard work. We can’t exactly sit back and relax, but it does feel like there is a tray of shining fruit for us to enjoy together.
Sincerely Yours,
Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri
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