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)
THANKS TO:
· Marc & Aleta Florio for a heart to contribute money to help needy students in Mizoram, matched by Ngeni Mualchin and MCGN Board, to be called the "Juliet Florio Scholarship Fund" (see the quarterly meeting minutes under USA).
· Pastor Matt Kerr of Park Community Church in Shingle Springs, California for donating books to Mizoram from his special collection.
· Executive Director Pu Rina Sailo for conducting an election of MCGN-Mizoram HQ leaders (see a report under Mizoram).
· Members in different parts of the world who encouraged us by sharing what the Lord has done in their lives.
· MCGN Board and Christian friends for supporting Timothy Mualchin, MCGN life member, in his Campus Crusade for Christ summer 2001 project in Hawaii.
· Pu Hruaia and Rev. Raltonga in Japan who are working hard on Evangelist Vanlalnghaka's visit to Japan in 2002.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are proud to mention that Miss Laura V.L.Biakthangi, daughter of MCGN-Mizoram President Dr. Lianzela, attained the second highest position in the recent High School Final Examination in the state of Mizoram. She received awards in English, Mathematics, and Science. Previously, in class IX, she represented Mizoram State at the National Science Exhibition in New Delhi. In Class VII, she was selected as the most outstanding female citizen. In a state-level essay contest, Miss Laura V.L.Biaktangi won first prize in 2000. The books she has donated have helped many children in Primary Schools who cannot afford to buy.
CONDOLENCES:
We received sad news that Dr. Lalthangliana Phillips, a well-known Mizo scholar and leader, had an accident on April 14 in Aizawl. He was Liana's High School teacher at Lunglei. Our prayers are for his family and loved ones.
BRIEF REPORTS AND COMMENTS
FROM MCGN GLOBAL POINTS:
INDIA: MIZORAM
MCGN Newsletter in Mizo: Executive Director Pu Rina Sailo compiled the first MCGN Newsletter in Mizo and the second issue will be released soon.
MCGN-Mizoram HQ Election: New leaders were elected on May 8, 2001, and they are:
President Dr. Lianzela
Vice President Pu. Khuanga
Secretary General F. Lalbiakdika
Secretary (Organization) S. Rokhuma
Treasurer Pu L. C Thanga, IAS (Retd.)
Secretary Finance Pu. Lianngura Sailo
Consultant Rev. Dr. Zaihmingthanga
Executive Board Members:
Nula Vanlalvuli
Pu Lalremruata (Judge, Consumer Court)
Nl. Hmingthanzami (Field Officer, CASA)
Nl. Puii
MCGN-Mizoram Meeting: An official meeting of the new leaders was held a few days after the above election to discuss the Juliet Florio Scholarship Fund, electronic Mizo Bible project, a review of MCGN-Mizoram constitution, fund raising and membership drive. MCGN-Mizoram is excited about having the electronic Mizo Bible.
MCGN-Mizoram Sub-committees: The following sub-committees and teams were appointed for the indicated activities or projects:
1. Sub Committee for Membership Drive:
Chairman: Pu. S. Rokhuma
Secretary: Nl. Hmingthanzami
Members: 1. Pu. F. Kapliana
2. Pu. Kawlkhuma
3. Pu. K. Biakthantluanga
2. Sub Committee for Fund Raising:
Chairman Pu Lalremruata
Secretary Nl. Vanlalvuli
Members 1. Pu. Lalhuliana Hlondo
2. Pu Zohmingliana Colney
3. Pu. P. Lalthangzauva
3. Sub Committee for Publicity
Chairman Pu. Lianngura Sailo
Secretary Pu. S. Rina
Members 1. Pu. Lalremruata
2. Upa Ngurkhama
3. Tv. Jonah L. Pachuau
4. Dr. Lalnilawma
JAPAN:
Rev. Joseph Raltonga plans to visit his family and church members in Mizoram. During that time, he will attempt to meet Evangelist Vanlalnghaka (Nghaka) to discuss the possibility of evangelistic meetings in Japan during Pu Nghaka's visit in 2002. Coordinator Pu Hruaia in Tokyo is working very hard for this to happen.
Praise the Lord for the Mizo Christian Fellowship in
Tokyo. They celebrated their first
anniversary on May 13, 2001. The Tokyo Zo (Teddim) Christian Fellowship Choir
joined them for this joyful celebration.
NEPAL:
We received emails from Pu Ringa, Pu Tlana and Pu Lura. MCGN-Nepal held a meeting on May 9 from 7:30-9:45 PM. They appointed more leaders.
Adviser:
Pu Lura Pokhara
Executive Members:
Pu Tluangtea from East Nepal
Tetei from Kathmandu
Frankie from Kathmandu
They had a special "donation" meeting for the needy. As we know, most MCGN-Nepal members are missionaries from Mizoram. They and Christians from North East India are doing wonderful things "together", like helping one another when some one is in need. Recently, they demonstrated their love for Rev. Khaizamanga from Churachandpur, Manipur, who served the Lord well in various capacities in Nepal. He died on May 22 in Kathmandu. With great love, our brothers and sisters did all they could to say farewell and console the bereaved family. We are very proud of them. We believe that the Lord will bless their donations for the needy people.
The Lord has opened the door for Pu Lura to go to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, from June 16-26, 2001. Pray that his visit will be a blessing for others.
USA:
Recently, MCGN member from Mizoram Er. Pu Duhsaka and his wife visited USA for his participation in the Infrastructure 2001 meeting under the auspices of the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. We appreciate hearing from them, and we wish them well.
MCGN-International Board meeting was held on May 5th. The meeting minutes, as given below, has been emailed to MCGN-Coordinators.
Pastor Matt Kerr of Park Community Church has donated several hundred volumes of books, plus more to be donated later, from his special collection of Bible teaching, preaching and theology.
MINUTES of
the MCGN QUARTERLY MEETING
Place: Placerville, California, USA
Date: May 5, 2001
Present:
Liana Mualchin
Ngeni Mualchin
Marian Hanna
Jeff Mead
Kim Mead
Phyllis Campbell
Patricia Macy
Opening Prayer by
Patricia Macy.
General Information:
MCGN website has received 1750 visitors since June 1999. Nancy Egloff from Federated
Church, Placerville, California, volunteered to advise the Mualchins on filing
their income tax report to claim for their out of pocket expense for MCGN since
1997. Art Hanna has written a letter to
the National Geographic magazine suggesting they consider Mizoram for a
featured article. Dilip Bhattacharyya, Calcutta artist, has not kept his
agreement to stay in contact with the Mualchins who sponsored his trip to the
United States.
Agenda Items:
The next quarterly meeting will be held August 11, 2001 at the Mualchin's home
at 6:30 PM. Liana asked Jeff to be chairman of the meeting.
The members were in unanimous agreement to make the following disbursements:
$25 monthly for MCGN telephone
$500 for MCGN Executive Director in Mizoram ($100 for 5 months)
Denise Segor, Mizoram Action Research Center (MARC) member from Portland,
Oregon, will visit the Mualchins in June for counseling in preparation for her
trip to Mizoram. Liana Mualchin will write a letter to the MARC fundraiser and
offer $300 support money for the Mizos invited to the United States to attend
the Fielding Institute's 2001 Summer sessions to be held on the east coast.
Liana and Ngeni Mualchin will attend Liberty Christian Center May 16. Pastor
Bruce Moore invited them to the Wednesday evening service so they can become
acquainted with the congregation and discuss MCGN with those interested. Pastor
Moore's church is sponsoring a Mission Leadership Conference in November and
ten Mizos will attend.
Rualchhina, MCGN secretary and spiritual advisor, is unable to continue his
duties as secretary. Ngeni Mualchin will take over these responsibilities.
Phyllis Campbell is coordinator for current projects:
1. Juliet Florio Scholarship Fund - Ngeni and MCGN will match the Florio
family's donation. Liana Mualchin will set in motion the means by which four
high school students in south Mizoram will be selected to receive Rs. 500 per
month for their education.
2. Children and Youth Playground Equipment - MCGN will donate funds to put
swings and basketball hoops on several playgrounds in Mizoram as an
encouragement for others to see the value of giving children and youth the
means for healthy activities.
3. Trip to Mizoram - Some members of the Park Community Church, Placerville,
California indicated their interest to visit Mizoram.
4. Electronic Mizo Bible - Volunteers will be asked to type the Mizo Bible for
Internet and other applications. Liana suggested MCGN contribute money to
encourage them in this project.
5. Garage Sale for Seed Money - Ngeni, Phyllis and Patricia will oversee the
sale. The proceeds will be for MCGN work.
6. Prison Ministry - For a long time, Ngeni has felt called to this ministry.
Closing Prayer by Jeff Mead.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
· For persecuted Christians in different parts of the world.
· For Timothy Mualchin, MCGN-life member, that the Lord will use him. He is going to Hawaii for a Campus Crusade for Christ summer project
· For Lisa Mualchin, MCGN-life member, who will attend the Campus Crusade for Christ leadership conference in Colorado.
· Wisdom for MCGN-International Board members in their planning for a MCGN Leadership training in California, USA October-November, 2001.
· Travel safety for Rev. Joseph Raltonga, Japan, for his visit to Mizoram.
· Continue to pray for Operation North East (ONE), 40-days of fasting and prayer.
· For the newly elected MCGN-Mizoram leaders for good working relationship among themselves and with other groups and churches. Working together is the key to develop community.
· Continue to pray for Pu Lura's Discipleship Training and for his trip to Lhasa, Tibet.
· Travel mercies for Marian and Art Hanna as they travel to Michigan to visit their missionary children.
· For Nepal that they will have a good king to replace the king who recently deceased.
MIZORAM
ACTION RESEARCH CENTER (MARC) REPORT:
Denise Segor from Portland, Oregon is going to be with Liana and Ngeni Mualchin from June 21-24 to discuss her doctoral research project on Mizoram. According to the latest word, MARC-Mizoram members may not be able to come for the Fielding Summer session.
PRISON IN SPIRIT AND BODY
By
Ngeni Mualchin
I was born in Thingsai, a village in Mizoram, and I was raised in a Christian family. My childhood understanding of salvation was doing good deeds. I tried to be a good Christian by going to service, Sunday School, helping clean the church on Sunday mornings, and getting involved in choir, girls auxiliary, etc. I saw how my elder brothers and sisters served the Lord. I thought they did all these things to get salvation.
Once there was a salvation campaign. The leaders told us we are all sinners (Romans 3:10-12) “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good not even one." They said we needed God's grace and that by faith alone we are saved. I did not understand what the Bible meant about sin. I never thought of myself as a sinner.
I also thought people who are in jail as bad, bad, bad people who broke laws by stealing, and drinking and fighting. I did not understand that mistakenly and wrongly accused people could be in jail. As a child I did not have much compassion.
In 1965 Mizoram rebelled and tried to break away from India. The Indian government sent a lot of military to quell the rebellion. The military raped women, killed men, and burned houses. Schools were closed and children stayed at home. I was just starting high school then.
My family allowed me to visit my aunty who lived in Burma (Myanmar). I went along with one family from another village. When we arrived in Burma, we were put in a refugee camp. I hoped to get out soon, but it didn't happen. I was mad everyone -- even God. I asked God, "Why did you put me here?"
In the Camp I sat and thought about Romans 3:10-12 and about the past salvation campaign in my village. I started thinking deeply and asking myself, "Am I a sinner, too?" Then the story of Adam and Eve came in my thoughts. We are their descendants. Reluctantly, I turned to the Lord. Then the Holy Spirit helped me to understand myself, but not me only, He helped me to understand others who might be in jail. This song came in my mind, “What a friend we have in Jesus...Everything to God in prayer”. Today, that is one of my favorite songs.
The Bible verse Phil. 1:21 "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” came to me. This became my life verse. From this point on, I was not afraid to die. Before, every time I made a mistake I questioned myself. There was no peace in me. I thought, "If Jesus came back today, would he (take) want me?" I promised myself if I got out of the camp I would live my life for Him alone. Whatever I do, wherever I may be, my reason to live is for Him, and to share what the Lord has done for me.
When I got out of camp, my brother Tumsanga came to Imphal to get me. I remember he said to me, "Don't cry. This can turn into good." I did not understand at that time.
In my heart, my desire to serve the Lord slowly increased. When I finished high school, I went to ETC (Eastern Theological College). Mizoram Baptist Church sponsored me. Even though I wanted to get involved in the ministry, I did not like public speaking. But I learned that when God calls, He equips.
One day evangelist Rawntea invited me to visit Lunglei Jail. I did not know what to say, so I shared my testimony. Through my testimony, some received Christ. My spiritual eyes were opened wide. To think that my past experience could help others! I thought, "That's it." My past prison camp life turned in to good.
My thoughts often go to prisoners, and I realize that all of them are not as bad as I thought. A deeper spiritual understanding came to me. Whether we are in prison or not, until we are set free by the blood of Christ, we are in a spiritual prison with no freedom, no joy, no peace.
When I came to the USA I heard about prison ministries. My heart was pumping. Deep in my heart I wished to share my testimony with prisoners, but I never did. In November 2000, when we were getting ready to go to Mizoram. I wrote to the Mizo Christian Global Network (MCGN) leaders telling them that I wanted to see people in the prison ministry. It was my hope to share my testimony.
Pi Mawii explained the prison ministry to me, and I told her about my desire to share my testimony. I was taken to the Central Prison in Aizawl to share my testimony. At the end of my testimony, about 50 young men raised their hands to indicate their desire to be free from their spiritual prison. Now I am looking for ways to share my testimony.
Over and over a scripture kept coming to mind. The message knocked on my heart clearly. I did not remember it exactly, but I knew it was in Isaiah. I started going through Isaiah from the beginning and found my scripture in Chapter 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Now I am looking for ways to share my testimony because my burden is for the lost soul.
THE SPIRIT
OF TRUTH and THE SPIRIT OF ERROR:
What God has said
about SIN and what men are now
saying.
WORD OF GOD
There is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (I John 1:10)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (I John 1:8)
Whatever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
Sin is falling short of God’s mark of perfection, transgression of His righteous law. (MS, p. 456)
Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God’s plainly stated law. (MS, p. 457)
No descendant of Adam is free from sin: all inherit it from first man. (MS, p. 458)
All are born in sin (imperfect, with wayward tendencies). (MS, p. 456)
Adam brought death not only upon himself, but also upon all the race descended from him. (NH, p. 89)
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. (II Nephi 2:25)
Adam deliberately and wisely chose (to touch the forbidden tree) and partook of the fruit. (Talmage, DC, p. 65)
We ought to consider the fall of our first parents as one of the great steps to external exaltation and happiness. (Mormon Catechism)
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. (AF, 2)
Man is made in the image of God…the divine spark at the center of his being…is very part of God Himself. (GP, p. 57)
Every man in reality, is the Son of God, not a Son of God. We are all one in the One Mind, and do not exist as individualities in Divine Mind. Man is the manifestation of the “only begotten Son” of God, or the Christ idea Man. Therefore, he is the Christ of God. (UM, February 1918, p 127)
God is good and God is all. Therefore, I refuse to believe in the reality of devil or evil in any of its forms…God is life…I refuse to believe in the reality of loss of life, or death…I refuse to believe in inefficiency and weakness…in ignorance, the reality of lack or poverty…hate or revenge. (SB, pp. 58-59)
Here also is found the cardinal point in Christian Science, that matter and evil (including all inharmony, sin, disease, and death) are UNREAL. (Misc. Writings, p. 27)
Man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death. (SH, 475:28)
Sin, sickness, and death are to be classified as effects of error. Christ came to destroy the belief of sin. (SH 473:4-6)
The opposite of Truth, called error, sin, sickness, disease, death, is the false testimony of false material sense, of mind in matter. (SH, 108:24-26)
Next month we will trace what God says about REDEMPTION and what man is now saying.
“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@cameron-park.com)
News Compiler: Ngeni Mualchin (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
Editor: Patricia Macy (Email: pamacy@jps.net)