Inventing the Future

So many dawns that have not yet emerged.
Unknown

By Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO

I did not invent the above headline. But I borrowed it from the American Computer Scientist Alan Kay, whom I quoted in my last AMAA News editorial, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

I remain humbled by the amazing response the AMAA continues to witness in its century old mission to disseminate the Gospel, keep the fire of education ablaze, engage our youth and ‘train a child in the way he should go,’ and to face the challenges of human tragedies and natural disasters head-on.

Despite the abundance of evil around, despite the never-ending lure of greed, despite all those who glorify violence, there is so much good in the world. The seeds of love and compassion that God has sown in the hearts of many manifest His goodness and reflect His love.

I cannot help but share some of the goodness gracefully received at the AMAA…

  • “I have noticed great improvement at the AMAA.  Activities in support of the Syrian refugee crisis, assistance to fallen heroes in Artsakh, summer camps for children as well as the AMAA News magazine.  And, I particularly enjoyed your talk in Minnesota on April 24, 2017.”
  • “I consider education very important in the development of the mind and intellect. Unfortunately, some do not get the opportunity and sadly are left behind. I would like to help children attain their ambitions and aspirations. Enclosed is my donation for the education of young girls in Armenia. This may become a way to start ‘inventing the future’ as you so aptly expressed in your editorial.”
  • I am grateful to the AMAA because they helped me with my schooling soon after the Second World War. Enclosed please find my gift to be used for a needy student.”
  • “Giving is not arduous. I have received a lot.”

The generous donations accompanying the above sentiments and all the others gracefully received at the AMAA are investments in the ‘invention of the future’ of ‘so many dawns that have yet to emerge.’ With the showering of goodness that we have seen since we launched our $20M Centennial Capital Campaign, and at the threshold of 2018, the Campaign total to date has grown to $8M. The challenge is still ahead for us to reach our much-needed goal.

A heartwarming Christmas season has passed. As we celebrated the joyous birth of our Savior, enjoyed His Grace of salvation and His promise of peace, we also remembered the violence, poverty and suffering surrounding us. New dawns will emerge in the fields of Syria, mountains of Artsakh, the plains of Armenia and in communities around us. New dawns that need to see the light of hope, a grip to hold and a shoulder to shore.

The AMAA is ready to rip the shroud of a new dawn.

So many dawns that have not yet emerged.

There is one waiting for you.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and all of us at the Armenian Missionary Association of America, thank you for your generous and continued support of our Mission.