I encountered the healing power of music in the Armenian town of Abovyan last month. I was there to do educational trauma training for a school connected to Abovyan City Church.

They work with displaced families from the Artsakh region - forced to flee during Armenia's 2020 Karabakh war with Azerbaijan. The church hosts this school to help educate Artsakh refugee kids. The trauma needs among the students are extensive.

Genocide and Dried Fruit

But the refugees were not the only ones dealing with trauma. The church community in Abovyan bears trauma from the threat of war on their doorstep, and a long history of exile, persecution, and genocide spanning generations.

Experiencing trauma has increased the church's empathy as they receive their neighbors fleeing war with generous hospitality. They extended that hospitality to me as they welcomed me into their homes and served me the best-dried fruit I'd ever tasted along with stories of God's faithfulness.

Shared Trauma

That's how I met Samvel and his wife, Arevhat. Samvel was our driver during my visit, and on one of my last days in the country, his wife invited me to their home. Samvel and Arevhat served alongside their fellow congregants when their church opened its doors to house hundreds of refugees in 2020. They deeply felt the tragedy of these people as they mourned their own loss in the death of their twenty-year-old son David, killed in the war that same year.

What gives you the strength to keep going?

In their home, I saw pictures of David everywhere. Arevhat fetched her Bible and shared what God had done for her through my host and friend, Julianna, who was translating for us. I asked, "How have you found hope in this tragedy? What has given you the strength to keep going?"

"I have hope in Jesus. I know I will see David again. God gives me the strength to keep going. Every day I ask Him for opportunities to share this hope with others who have also lost so much." she said.

Bringing Back the Music

As we visited, I noticed a piano in the room. "Does someone in your family play?" I asked curiously.

Arevhat's eyes grew sad. "David was the musician in our family."

"Whitney also plays piano," Julianna offered.

"Oh, we would be so honored if you'd play," Arevhat exclaimed.

As I rose to sit at the piano, I noticed a thick layer of dust on it. Arevhat fetched a rag. Her eyes were misty as she gently dusted the instrument. She sat down behind me, and I began to play. I heard sniffling sounds. When I turned around a few moments later, Arevhat spoke through tears, "This is the first time someone has played the piano since David was killed." Tears filled my eyes. I felt awe as I recognized God's restoration and healing through this simple gift of playing piano.

Beauty and Hope After Tragedy

"They said they would be honored if you would play again," Julianna said.

Through my tears, I played and sang a familiar worship song. We ended our visit with prayer, pictures, hugs, and tears.

In this faithful couple, I saw God bringing beauty and hope that life can go on after tragedy. This is the truth they live out every day as they serve others and trust God. I felt so honored to be allowed to bring the gift of music back into their home.

CLICK HERE to learn More Whitney's Ministry as IAFR Refugee Education Specialist.