Hello, dear friend. My name is Yana Babayan, and I am an ordinary woman with a heart that burns for God’s truth. I grew up in a world that tried to break me, but God held me close, and now I am here to share what I have learned with you. I spend my days curled up at home with my beloved Shih Tzu, a heated blanket, and my Bible, digging into Scripture or dreaming of exploring every corner of Jerusalem. I cannot wait for you to join me on this wild, beautiful quest.
I grew up in Azerbaijan, part of the former Soviet Union, until 1988, when my family and I escaped the Armenian genocide. We fled to Moscow in the middle of the night, leaving behind our home, our belongings, and everything we held dear. Life in Moscow was brutal and harsh. I was bullied every day at school, harassed by people on the streets, and felt unwelcome, even though we were all Soviets. The government stuffed us into a hotel, unsure where to put refugees like us. With nowhere to go, we felt defeated, our hope fading. We applied for a visa to America—a dream like playing the lottery, hoping to win. The process was long and grueling. The Soviet authorities harassed us each time we visited the American embassy. I still remember standing on those embassy steps, staring at the American flag. It took my breath away. I would have given anything to be born on American soil, to be safe.
In that dark time, my mom took my sister and me to an Armenian Orthodox church in Moscow. I had never set foot in a church before. I still remember the smell of candles that filled the whole building, the glow of icons—saints and Mary holding baby Jesus. I watched my mom as she stood there, tears streaming down her face, gazing at Jesus. She dropped to her knees, pleading with desperation, “God, if You’re real, help us.” That night, my mom had a dream, a vision like Paul describes—“in the body or out, I don’t know” (2 Corinthians 12:2). She saw stairs covered in beautiful flowers, climbing higher and higher. At the top stood a Man in a white robe, His face bright as the sun, His hands stretched toward her. She heard Him say, “Come to me, I’m waiting for you.” When she woke and told me, my heart believed. At eleven years old, I fell in love with Jesus, feeling hope that God sees us in this cruel world.
Soon after, the American embassy called. After two years of waiting with bated breath, we were granted a visa. On December 7, 1990, we boarded a plane to America—our dream, our beloved country. But my journey was not easy, even here. The scars of genocide, the pain of bullying, weighed heavy on my body and mind. I struggled to fit in, to find my place in this world. My love for God never faded, though. I read and reread my little Russian Bible, clinging to Him through rebellious years I am not proud of, through postpartum depression, chronic pain, and loss after loss. He was my best friend, my constant companion. Ten years ago, God lit a fire in my bones, like Jeremiah felt (Jeremiah 20:9). I felt driven to pursue Him and His Word deeper than ever. I started with simple commentaries, then read scholars, theologians, and professors, diving into Scripture’s depths. That fire still burns bright.
I write this blog because God called me to share what I have learned, to help you grow in His truth. For years, I studied Scripture, unraveling its history and meaning, and I want to guide you to do the same—exploring Psalms, digging into “בְּrֵאshִׁית,” finding clarity where half-truths cloud faith. I doubted God could use a broken vessel like me, but His call grew stronger. I dream of a community where we study together, hearts open, growing closer to Him. Maybe one day I will write a study guide or gather us to dive deeper—who knows what God has planned?
When I am not lost in my Bible, I love crocheting scarves or knitting, though I crochet more than I knit. I am a big nerd, a history buff who could spend days in a museum staring at ancient relics. If I ever get to Israel, I might not come back—I would wander every nook and cranny of God’s Holy City, soaking it all in. Jeremiah 20:9 keeps my heart anchored: “His word is in my heart like a fire.” What verse lights you up? Email me at [email protected], find me at @yana.quest4truth on Instagram. I am excited to dig into God’s truth with you.