“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)
CONDOLENCE:
MIZORAM CHURCH CONDOLES DEATH OF WALES MISSIONARYMOTHER OF ZOSANGLURA (LURA)
(From Rev. Joseph Raltonga, Japan)
Mother of Zosanglura (Lura) passed away in Mizoram. Lura is one of
our MCGN members in Japan. We offered our prayer for Lura and his relatives
in Mizoram, Aizawl.
CONGRATULATIONS:
HIGHLIGHTS OF MCGN FROM ITS INCEPTION:
(Dr. Lalliana Mualchin, President: Mizo Christian Global Network)
MCGN has so much to thank God for its existence for
more than five years. Many wonderful friends have given us unfailing support
with their prayers, times, financial support, talents, etc. Without these
people, MCGN could not have continued to this day. Prayers have been
answered and more challenging opportunities are coming. At the same time, we
need more dedicated workers and supporters.
In June 1996, MCGN was started in Maryland, near Washington DC. My vision
came true, but it was only a start. While working on MCGN by-laws, friends
like Mr. Joe Kong, Fr. Stephen Rotluanga, Dr. Laithuama, Dr. Lalsangkima,
Mr. Don Fox and others helped me draft and complete it.
When I planned to introduce MCGN in Mizoram, Dr. C.L. Hminga ably translated
MCGN by-laws into Mizo within a short time. In February 1996, I went to
Mizoram while at Kyoto University as a Visiting Professor, many wanted to
become members. I have with me nearly 300 written comments by the public
during the introductory meeting held at Vana Pa Hall. Considering such
excitement among the public, many did not become members. Perhaps this low
membership is the result of rumors and perception by the public that MCGN is
for only the elite. I want to say that MCGN is for all who agree to our
vision and principles.
During my stay in Japan, I also met a wonderful business-lady (Ms.
Nakanishi) who introduced me to a key person from a large Japanese
corporation. They were interested in buying ginger from Mizoram and a carton
was asked for as a sample before they could make a large order.
Unfortunately, Mizoram could not make any shipment.
About 6 months after establishing MCGN, I prepared the first Newsletter to
be edited and published from Maryland. Ms. Chhingi and Ms. Zuali did all
they could to produce the Newsletter but were not able to publish it without
the blessings of their seniors. Among the seniors, Pastor Rualchhina
Vangchhia continues to faithfully support the ideals of MCGN and he is now
our Spiritual Adviser.
To communicate the complicated conditions of Mizoram, particularly the needs
and accomplishments, I always thought that a video presentation would be
most effective. I believe that most of us recognize the difficulties in
explaining Mizoram to outsiders. A remarkable Mizo, Pu Sapzova introduced me
to J.P. Ferraro (JP) and I met JP in California. After my discussion with
him, JP said that God called him to make the Mizoram video. We went to
Mizoram for one month but JP did not do as he promised.
I found enthusiastic interest from Stuart Spani (Stuart) of Vancouver,
British Colombia who I know through Frank Dietz. Stuart already made an
exciting video, "God's Chosen Jewel," on the story of Christianity
in Mizoram. We used this effectively but it was not exactly the type we had
in mind. I took Stuart to the interiors of Mizoram in March 1999 partly for
another Mizoram video but he could not make what I was expecting.
With Fr. Stephen Rotluanga (now the first Bishop of Mizoram, appointed by
Pope John Paul II) we wrote an article on "Mizoram: Challenges In The
New Millennium" published in the International Policy Review, Volume 7,
Winter 1997. My neighbor Bill Thorpe introduced me to Dr. Valerie Bentz of
Fielding Institute, and presented to her the above article and video. She
was interested in Mizoram and I helped her prepare an advertisement to
Fielding people for action research in Mizoram. An extraordinary trip of 22
member team was made to Mizoram in March 1999 leading to the birth of
Mizoram Action Research Center (MARC), a registered non-governmental
organization in Mizoram.
I believed in using information technology for our ministry from the start
and had a strong desire to make a website for MCGN. Many times, I asked our
Mizo friends for help with no results. A miracle happened one day! Our
computer breakdown and I called the Computer Guy. We happened to be his
first customer and he happened to be a committed Christian! I had called the
perfect person for the job and he started the website for us free. He is
Jeff Mead, a brother in Christ.
Recently, we considered doing leadership training in USA for people meeting
our selection criteria (have been involved in something already and
interested in expanding their business or ministry) and who must pay their
plane ticket. We strongly believe that they can apply the information they
will be provided and prepare their own plan of action. Thanks to God and
many Christian friends for contributing freely for the leadership training.
In particular, we want to mention the contributions of Pastor Bruce Moore of
Liberty Christian Center, Fairfield, and Bruce Logan of US Center for World
Missions' Perspectives Course. My wife and I were enriched by information
from mission leader speakers at the Perspectives lectures. Many good things
have happened unexpectedly, but we know that all come from our heavenly
Father God. Praise the Lord!
MCGN-2001
Report for MCGN-2001 is under preparation by Dr. Lalliana Mualchin, President. It will be reported in next month's Newsletter.
BRIEF REPORTS MCGN GLOBAL POINTS:
INDIA-MIZORAM:
FIRST MIZO BISHOP ORDAINED IN AIZAWL (From The Assam Tribune, Guwahati: Feb.6, 2002) AIZAWL, Feb 5:
Most Reverend Stephen Rotluanga was ordained as the first-ever Mizo Bishop in a grand function
held at Assam Rifles ground here, reports PTI. The episcopal ordination
was conducted by representative of Pope John Paul II, most reverend
Charles Schleck, Archbishop and adjunct secretary, congregation for the
evangelization of peoples, Vatican City.
The ordination mass program was attended by people belonging to all church
denominations of the State, from different parts of the country and
abroad. State Governor AR Kohli, Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his Cabinet
colleagues, legislators, leaders of the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute
Committee (MKHC) or conglomerate of all church denomination also attended
the episcopal ordination felicitation programme which was held just after
the mass.
The new Bishop would look after Aizawl Diocese comprising Mizoram State
and three districts of Assam ? Karimganj, Cachar and Hailakandi. The
Aizawl Diocese comprised of 20 parishes, out of which 15 were in Mizoram,
26 diocesan priests and 16 religious priests.
NEPAL:
During 2001
Christmas time, eight people were saved and baptized in Nepal. We continue
to receive such encouraging news from Nepal. Praise the Lord for His
courageous missionaries from Mizoram.
USA:
We
are happy to see that the Mizo Leadership Training has been concluded
successfully. Zirsangzela (Zira) is waiting his passport from US
Immigration & Naturalization Service. He is now with his friends in
Maryland. Visas for Zira and Partei needed immediate extension after their
training was extended and their passports were submitted for the visa
extension request. In the past, this process usually took a couple of
weeks but it became a lengthy process, perhaps after the Sept. 11
incident. Pray that they will get back soon and in time for their need.
PLAY
BY THE RULES:
(By Ngeni Mualchin)
Playing by the rules is not only a Christian way but also practiced in
sports and other activities. Even in the Olympics, if someone breaks the
rules they are not qualified to get a medal. Mizo Christian Global Network
wants to do things that way and the leaders are especially expected to
respect those who sponsored and hosted them, and follow the rules.
When MCGN was busy and praying for the Mizo Leadership Training (MLT), we
communicated to the team leader what the team members should know and what
we expected from them. After the team's arrival in USA, we learned that he
did not tell our instruction to the team members. We found out that even
before they came to USA, their main interest seemed to be personal, doing
their own thing. Here, we can feel the spiritual warfare. As we teach them
simple rules for their practice in our house such as small things, like
table manners and proper use of the bathroom, some members were not happy
and said our house was like a jail!
From others, we heard about the unbelievable attitude of the team leader
who had said, "MCGN is the ticket to USA". Such an attitude is
very discouraging for us. If we do this again, we want to make a written
agreement which will include respecting and obeying the rules. To me it is
logical to obey the sponsor. For example, if we go to Nepal sponsored by
friends in Nepal, we must obey their instructions and follow their rules.
If we go to Japan sponsored by friends in Japan, we should follow their
rules.
Although the rules were broken by some team members, all did not break
them. One example is of Ms. Sangpari Mualchin (Partei). The Lord gave
Partei her heart's desire to continue leadership training in her ministry.
The CityTeam Mission HQ in San Jose, a ministry for rehabilitation and
counseling, is considering her for a one year internship and training.
This was not in our plan and is beyond our expectations. Friends in USA
are very happy for her. Parte, we wish you all the best. Congratulations!
FROM NGENI MUALCHIN:
I would like to resign from my position as the Secretary of MCGN
International because some leaders in Mizoram think that it is odd that
Liana put his wife as Secretary. I took this position because no one else
would do the job. You can not get the title without doing the work. We are
looking for someone willing to give of their time and talent. A person
that is a legal USA resident, understands English and Mizo, and is able to
communicate by e-mail. The responsibilities: correspondences, writing
articles, translating Mizo into English, translating English into Mizo,
editing articles (in Mizo only) and preparing the monthly Newsletter.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
"The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His
harvest"
---IDEAS, ADVICE, AND COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME---
MCGN International HQ: USA: Lalliana Mualchin (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
News Compiler: Ngeni
Mualchin
(Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
Webmaster: Jeff Mead
(Email: jeffmead@innercite.com)
Editor: Patricia Macy
(Email: pamacy@jps.net)