THANKS:

Liana Mualchin and members of the Mizoram Action Research Team (Fielding Institute) are very thankful to the leaders, officials, and the public of Mizoram for their support and cooperation during their visit to Mizoram in March 2000. They are also thankful to MCGN-Mizoram for their coordinating efforts.

Thanks to Park Community Church, Shingle Springs, California, for their support and prayers for Liana and members of the Mizoram Action Research Team in the above visit.

Thanks to the South East Asian Mizoram Christian Fellowship in Singapore for mailing their recent Newsletter to MCGN-International.  The Newsletter was filled with expressions of joy over their Christmas celebration and welcoming in the new millenium.

Thanks to Friedensau Hochschule (University) for doing an “Integrated Decentralize Development Project” in Champhai, Mizoram.

CONDOLENCE:

Our condolence to Dr. Linda Wing whose father, a committed Christian, recently died in Minnesota.  Linda Wing, alumni of Fielding Institute, is a member of the Mizoram Action Research Team that went to Mizoram.

REPORT FROM FIELDING INSTITUTE’S MIZORAM ACTION RESEARCH TEAM

Pu C. Ropianga, Deputy Commissioner of Aizawl, Mizoram, welcomed the team upon its arrival in Aizawl.  Mizoram team members were introduced to their US/Canadian partners and five groups were formed.  Each group visited one Mizoram village.

Mizo state departments, officials, individuals, and several associations supplied social, religious, and economic information to the Mizoram Action Research Team.  Mizoram Industries Association in Aizawl and the Mizoram Farmers Union are a couple of important groups. Chief Secretary, Pu H. V. Lalringa, made himself available one evening for providing information to the US/Canadian team members.

Since 80% of Mizo labor is farming, information from the Mizoram Farmers Union was important to the research team. Self-supporting food production in Mizoram is critical for the development of Mizoram.

Unemployment information from the Employment Exchange office and the Unemployed Engineers Association show that although there are many highly trained engineers and educated people in Mizoram, there are not enough jobs for them.  These people work for the government at “stipendiary” pay in a “muster role” system that does not fully use their skills or intellect.

The leadership of the Mizoram Action Research Team had a cordial meeting with Chief Minister (CM), Pu Zoramthanga, at his residence.  The CM informed them that experts from the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) will visit Mizoram to discuss how to start a bamboo industry.  Much bamboo is grown in Mizoram.  When processed appropriately, bamboo can be used in construction of homes, etc.

One of the highlights of the occasion was the get-together night with distinguished officials. Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga welcomed the team and gave an inspiring speech about Mizoram. US/Canadian team sang an upbeat Mizo song in Mizo, which was greatly appreciated by everyone. Cultural songs were sung and traditional dances were performed. Nearly all took part in some of the more popular dancing. It was a joyful and happy celebration. A dinner hosted by the US/Canadian Team followed this.

Also, the Speaker of Mizoram Legislative Assembly, Pu R. Lalawia, invited the combined team to his residence for a dinner. The Speaker gave a very personal story about himself, which was interpreted by Liana Mualchin. Many US/Canadian team members made short speeches in Mizo.  These were appreciated by all.

A strong bond of friendship was established between US/Canadian and Mizo team members, and the decision to create a Mizoram Action Research Center (MARC) received enthusiastic support. Five projects were selected for grant proposals and the draft proposals were completed during the visit itself.  The proposals will be finalized soon for submittal to reputable granting agencies and foundations.

A monograph on the current visit, which is exploratory research, will be prepared and published. A video will be made as well that will be available to the team members and will also be put on the website of the Fielding Institute. It is understood that officials of the Fielding Institute are supporting the research, and a modest grant has been provided for some basic needs of the research project.

In summary, much more than expected was accomplished. Team members, leaders, officials and the public were very pleased with the visit. A Press Meet to clarify the effort of the team was conducted Friday morning, March 31.  Press people graciously attended the meeting.  And that concluded the visit.

BRIEF REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM MCGN GLOBAL POINTS:

(Detailed information of reports can be obtained from MCGN International Office)

AUSTRALIA:

Brother Tlana thanks members of the Mizoram Action Research Team from US/Canada and Mizoram for their efforts. He heard good reports about the activities of the combined team in Mizoram.

GERMANY:

Member Parin found healing and joy in the Lord through his major health problems and sufferings. He also reports that his institute, Friedensau Hochschule (University) started an “Integrated Decentralize Development Project” in Champhai, Mizoram under the direction of Dr. Horst Rolly, Dean of Social Work. Also, Dr. Kurt Frantz, who loves to be a Mizo, is interested in introducing agriculture and forestry projects in Mizoram. We expect to hear from Parin and our good friends in Germany.

Parin sent an unusual testimony of a Buddhist monk in Myanmar (Burma) who claims he came back to life as a changed man. The original Burmese version was translated into English by Asian Minorities Outreach and can be seen at: http://www.antioch.com.sg/mision/asianmo.

INDIA:

Calcutta Mizo college students won the championship of the Northeast India sport. Liana Mualchin and Stuart Spani had occasion to celebrate with them on Saturday evening, March 4.

Calcutta Mizo students at colleges and universities had a meeting with Liana Mualchin on Friday evening, March 31, to discuss the Mizo Christian Global Network ministry.

A member from Delhi, Pu Chhiarruma reports some people are interested in knowing more about MCGN.  He will provide this information and will encourage them to form their own unit, deciding their own membership fees, etc., if they choose to do so.

JAPAN:

MGCN added three new members to its fellowship. Mizos in Japan also desire to have at least one monthly worship service in Mizo. Lalhruaia (MCGN Coordinator for Japan) is seeking a secure way to place $200 in the hands of Mizo missionaries in Myanmar for hostel needs.

John Darlong, First Secretary of India Embassy, Tokyo will provide guidelines to Mizoram for conducting export business with Japan. It is hoped that interested people will take advantage of John’s position to establish proper connections with Japan business industry.

MIZORAM:

MCGN Mizoram held an official meeting at its new office in Aizawl and a public meeting at Hrangbana College during the visit of Liana Mualchin and Stuart Spani.

Fielding Institute’s visit to Mizoram was a great success, as reported above.

MYANMAR (BURMA):

Liana Mualchin received information about the Gospel for Je Bet Prisoners in Myanmar.

NEPAL:

Missionary Lura visited Lhapa village near Tibet border and baptized 107 new Christians on Saturday, April 8, from the Tamangs people who have Tibetan Buddhist background. Praise God! Lura’s personal testimony was published in previous issues of MCGN Newsletter.

Missionaries Kima  & Vani participated in a three-day seminar on “Children at Risk” prepared by Nepali Churches and Compassion International. They are preparing worldwide prayer for children to be observed during June 1-10, 2000.

MCGN Nepal Coordinator, Vani, reports that they received and accepted the proposed MCGN Statement of Faith.

USA:

Bro. Jeff Mead has graciously accepted becoming a MCGN International Board member.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for a reliable person who can take the $200 to the Myanmar hostel.

Pray for the prison ministry in Myanmar.

Pray for starting a monthly Mizo worship service in Japan.

Pray for the successful completion of the Mizoram Action Research Center projects.

“The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Mt. 9:37-38).

MCGN International HQ: USA: Lalliana Mualchin  (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)

Webmaster:  Jeff Mead (Email: jeffmead@innercite.com)

Editor: Patricia Macy (Email: pamacy@jps.net)