Nelly Is Now My Translator   

                                    by Alan Goshgarian, Sunday School Director

            One of the highlights of my yearly trips to Armenia is spending time with our Sunday School orphan- Nelly Daloozian. This summer, Nelly spent ten fun-filled exciting days with our group.

            When I first met Nelly (four trips ago), she could not speak one word of English. My Armenian language skills were not much better. I loved Nelly instantly. (I had known her for several years through videos and snapshots). There was so much I wanted to say to her, but couldn’t. I kept looking for fellow travelers to help me communicate, and when no one was around, Nelly and I resorted to sign language. We made a “deal” that year. Nelly would learn to speak English, and I would learn to speak Armenian.

            During the past three years, Nelly has kept her part of the promise. She not only takes English lessons in school, but she now also goes to an English tutor every day (one hour daily). Her goal is to go to college to study English and become a translator.

            Each summer, I noticed Nelly’s language skills improving. This year I was amazed at how much she has learned. Nelly now reads, writes and speaks English very well. Wherever I traveled- the shops and restaurants in Yerevan or the homes of friends in rural villages- Nelly was there to translate. A language barrier is just that- a barrier. Thanks to Nelly, I am now getting even more out of my trips to Armenia.

Truly Nelly is a blessing to me, to our Sunday School children and every member of our church who knows her.