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Newsletter: February 2001

MCGN is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization promoting spiritual and economic development of the people in Mizoram and the surrounding region by serving them as Jesus did (Mt. 20:28).

REPORT FROM PASTOR RUALCHHINA, MCGN SPIRITUAL ADVISOR/ SECRETARY


Greetings in the worthy name of Jesus.
Christmas is gone, but Christ remains with us.

Two days before Christmas the Mizo people of Maryland laid to rest Vung Kham Dim, wife of Kham Go Pau and dear mother of five children. Mr. Pau arrived in the United States two years ago, and through hard work he was able to bring his family to Maryland one month ago. The family was driving to visit friends when they had a car accident in Rockville. We will never know why this happened, or why God did not prevent it. But we know one thing--Christ is with our dear sister in life and in death. I thank God for the Mizos living on the East Coast. They came in over 140 cars to say goodbye to Vung Kham Dim.

Five groups of Mizos (130) live in Maryland. The 70 Mizos living in Fredericks speak Laizo and Lungbang; and the 70 Mizos living in the Washington, DC, speak Haka. No matter the language difference, Mizos are united in heart and life, in weal or woe, wherever they are.

The year 2000 was very special for those of us in Maryland because of the many visiting dignitaries. We were honored to have these dignitaries visit the home office of MGCN spiritual advisor: Dr. Lalthangliana Phillips; Malsawma Colney MNF; Pu Lalzawma MP; Rev Muller Kayaw; Rev. Khin Maung Nyein and Dr. Sein Han Hla from Yangon; Pu Sangvunga, Memory Tun of Burma; Mr. Lalzidinga; Dr. Chawngliana MPSC; and Rev Lalchansanga Colney.

Principal Rawngbawla of the Khampat Bible Seminary expresses his appreciation for MCGN financial support. Unfortunately, the seminary was closed last June by military authorities, but Principal Bawla expects it to reopen this coming June. He needs prayer as he seeks to accomplish this goal.

We have a report from Khampat that military authorities recently ordered the destruction of a partially finished Methodist church located on the international highway linking Myanmar to India along the Kabaw valley.

Pu Sailbuanga Sailo, Mizo Missionary in Vientienne, expresses his great appreciation to MCGN members. He has received so many Christian books and magazines (plus clothes for the poor) that he says his office can hold no more.

God bless MCGN and all its members around the world.

Thanks:


BRIEF REPORTS AND COMMENTS FROM MCGN GLOBAL POINTS:

INDIA: MIZORAM:

MCGN-Mizoram held a meeting December 19, 2000. They reported their financial condition and are seriously looking for a full-time Executive Director/Secretary.

Member C. Sangchia of Aizawl has decided to continue ministering to the Hindus and has purchased used equipment (laptop, video camera, VCR, overhead projector, and printers) for this purpose.

INDIA: TRIPURA:

Rev. Stephen Rotluanga is being commissioned by his organization to start Youth Ministry in Aizawl. He is interested in working with MCGN.

TAIWAN:

Missionary Ronald Adhikari requested MCGN-Japan to make arrangements for the visit of Mizo evangelist Vanlalnghaka to Japan in 2002. Ron and his family are planning a furlough visit to California during June-August, 2001.

JAPAN:

Coordinator Lalhruaia was in touch with MCGN-Mizoram regarding his efforts to market products from Mizoram by working with some interested Mizos. The latest product he mentioned is charcoal. We wish him success in his efforts.

NEPAL:

We received emails from missionaries attending conferences. We are glad they have returned safely to their bases, and we hope to hear brief reports from them, which will be of interest to MCGN family.

USA:

MCGN-International HQ opened its January 26th telecon meeting with Maryland with prayer by Bro. Jeff Mead. Liana reported that Dilip Bhattacharyya will arrive in San Francisco on February 11th for a six-week stay at the Mualchin home during which he and Liana will work on the book to be used for encouraging tourists and others to come to Mizoram. Some of Dilip's excellent illustrations were passed around to the seven members present in Placerville. Jeff was asked to compose a Letter of Understanding for Dilip to sign which states that Dilip is offering his illustrations to MCGN without any compensation or claim.

Liana requested the purchase of a copy machine for MCGN home office. The volume of incoming and outgoing correspondence warrants this request. Marian Hanna reported the current bank balance, and Kim Mead will investigate the feasibility of purchasing a used copy machine.

Liana has a volume of useful material about Tung, which can be grown in Mizoram and made into numerous profitable products. He has requests for two copies of the material.

Rualchhina asked about arranging visits for Mizos requesting to come to the US to study or work. Liana said he is not opposed to this but that it is not the focus of MCGN. Liana encouraged Rualchhina to seek non-Mizos to participate in the work of MCGN-Maryland.

MCGN now has 81 members (not including all the members in Calcutta) and 8 life memberships. Spiritual Advisor Rualchhina closed the meeting in prayer.


PRAYER REQUESTS:

  • Pray for traveling mercies for Dilip Bhattacharyya.
  • Pray for the third meeting of Liana and Ngeni with Pastor Bruce Moore on February 6.
  • We need to pray for one another.

MARC/MARI UPDATE

Mizoram was presented in the Winter Session of the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara. Several Mizoram Action Research members participated in the discussion, and there were new interested members.

In their Human Organization Development World Wide Special Event evening, Mizoram was presented by Liana Mualchin and supported by Dr. Valerie Bentz and other members.

Dr. Lalchungnunga supported Liana & Ngeni Mualchin and presented the condition of power supply in Mizoram. Dr. Judy Kuyper, President of the Fielding Institute, was very positive and supportive of the MARC and similar efforts in the Fielding community.

The Global Village discussion group had an extensive discussion on Mizoram. Ngeni Mualchin shared her personal desire to visit Mizoram in the Winter 2001 to do very low budget projects. This created genuine interest among the participants.

The position of Mizo women was one of the items in the Women and Ecology in Human and Economic Development. Ngeni Mualchin, assisted by Liana Mualchin, clarified points in Dr. Lalrindiki Fanai's paper read by Ms. Kathryn Dodge.

MARC is also working on a leadership conference to be held sometime this year in Aizawl. Dr. Larry Short is coordinating the visit of selected MARC-Mizo members to the USA during the coming Summer Session of the Fielding Institute.


"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).

---Ideas, advice, and comments are always welcome---

MCGN International HQ: USA: Lalliana Mualchin (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
Webmaster: Jeff Mead (Email:
jeffmead@innercite.com)
News Compiler: Ngeni Mualchin (Email:
mualchin@hotmail.com)
Editor: Patricia Macy (Email:
pamacy@jps.net)