NEWSLETTER: SEPTEMBER 2002
[MCGN is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization promoting spiritual renewal and economic development of the people in Mizoram and the surrounding region by serving them as Jesus did. Matthew 20:28]
“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)·
For the wonderful testimonies of the grace and mighty work of God in
the lives of many people after the infamous event of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists'
attack.
·
For the safe arrival of Miss Judith Pachuau to USA for graduate study
in Vermont.
·
To Vanlalruata (Maruata) Tlau for completing a rough draft of the Old
Testament portion for the Mizo electronic-Bible.
·
To Frank Dietz for sending several articles, especially on "Real
Joy in the Real World".
·
To our friends in Oregon for sharing and fellowship during our visit:
Rev. & Mrs. David Hitt of Lake Oswego; Dr. Mary Beth Haines of Portland;
and the family of Denise Segore and Steve Munsey of Portland.
·
For several items of thanks and praises mentioned where appropriate in
the following sections.
TO DENISE SEGOR
Our heartfelt condolence to a good friend, Denise Segor, upon the recent loss of
her beloved father. Please note that Denise went to Mizoram for the second time
last year to do research for her Ph.D. program at the Fielding Institute of
Santa Barbara, California. We never met her father but he seemed to be a
wonderful man as Denise wrote about him: "His calm, pleasant, happy,
patient and accepting demeanor even until the end of his life will always be an
inspiration for me." What a father Denise had and again our genuine
sympathy to the family.
EUROPE
Prof.Prabhu Guptara graciously stated his interest to know more about the "Pig
Theology" by Vanneihtluanga that was discussed in a four-page email in
Mizo sent by missionary Lallura of Pokhara, Nepal. As it was written in Mizo, we could only relate it to our Mizo readers. We take the interest and implied suggestion of Guptara
seriously in sharing Mizo culture and theology to the global audience. We ask
for someone to translate that theology into English so that we can put it on
our website. Please contact us at our email address found at the end of the
newsletter.
INDIA: UTTARANCHAL, DEHRA DUN
A visitor to our website from Dehra Dun wrote encouraging words:
"I came across this site unexpectedly and do thank the Almighty God for MCGN. It has been always my heart’s desire to hear an organization like this which is based on the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus. It is my sincere hope that MCGN activities may transform the Christian dominated but highly infested by corruption, immorality, drugs, aids, ethnic insurgency, etc tribal societies (especially Zo ethnic group) of N.E.India into true followers of Christ in word and deed. I am looking forward to closer association with MCGN in future as the Lord guides. Let Christ be the leader and let Him alone be glorified through MCGN."
INDIA: KOLKATA (CALCUTTA)
Zac Patnaik, a Christian leader and Evangelical Literature Depot in Calcutta, wrote encouraging words about MCGN. "It is always a joy to read your letters though I am travelling all the time, but I want you to know that you are very much in my prayers. May God
continue to bless you and your ministry among the Mizo people." Thank the
Lord for Zac and his kind words. Indeed, we pray that God will use us in
equipping Christians to honor Him.
INDIA: MANIPUR, CHURACHANDPUR
We received a thoughtful inquiry about MCGN from Rev. Dr. Vanlalmuana Pachuau,
Director of Society for HIV/AIDS and Lifeline Operation in Manipur (SHALOM) in
Churachandpur. His concern is that armed militancy and insurgency are becoming
an accepted way of life for thousands of young people in Northeast India
(except for Mizoram) and our failure as Christian communities to show the world
that we are different. We share his concerns and observations of our failures.
Indeed, God holds our future and what we have to do is respond to God's word in
2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will
I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Let us listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him, because He will
lead us in the right direction and give us an abundant life.
INDIA: MIZORAM, AIZAWL
Thank God, the book "Sensei" in Mizo is done and already released for
readers at a nominal cost. Pray that readers will be blessed and challenged by
the powerful and wonderful missionary story. Let us hope that our proposed
second book for translation "Cannibal Valley" by the same author
(Russell Hitt) will also be published next year. We want to promote books on
sound biblical teachings and on missionary activities. In fact, the purpose of
MCGN is to extend the Kingdom of God in our hearts and to those who do not know
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On our project on the electronic-Bible in Mizo, we are pleased to report that Vanlalruata (Maruata) just finished typing the Old Testament portion. Now, proof reading is in process for the final version. As Maruata decided to have a rough draft done before the end of August, we want to congratulate him for doing so in time. Obviously, we very much appreciate having a complete set of Old Testament books in electronic form.
We prayed about starting a center, "foundation," building in Mizoram for our multi-faceted ministry. Most encouraging to report is that lands are available not only for building but also for an agriculture demonstration farm. Friends of Sinners have offered their lands near Aizawl in north Mizoram and near Lunglei in south Mizoram. Pray that Mizo Christians will take the lead in making building and farming a reality for the Kingdom ministry.Email from W. Sam Joseph, English Congregation ministry for non-Mizo Speaking Christians, said Rev. Dr. Lalbiakmawia is going to be the pastor. We assume that the pastor is the one we befriended when he was doing his graduate studies in the San Francisco Bay area some years ago. Regardless, pray that the English Congregation under the leadership of Bro. Sam and friends are being used by the Lord to spread the gospel to India.
We just received an encouraging letter from C. Dozuala, Founder and Director of Social Guidance Agency, about his 30 plus years of ministry and his vision for MCGN ministry in Mizoram. We will share about that vision what we consider to be appropriate with MCGN leaders at a later date. Thanks to Pu Dozuala for sharing.INDIA: MIZORAM, LUNGLEI
Received email from B. Lalrawngbawla (Bawltea), son of Pastor Zopianga Bawitlung from
southern part of Mizoram. He is a lecturer in Geography at Lunglei College and
he has a wide interest to be of some use, including creating and maintaining a
website. We are so thankful that he is willing to help MCGN in any way he can
in his area. For quite sometime, we recognized our need to have someone there
and have been praying for interested persons to get involved in MCGN ministry.
Thank you to Bawltea for your availability to help.
INDIA: DARJEELING
Roshan Portel, a friend of a Mizo girl, has a great burden for the Mizo people and
expressed his desire to serve God through MCGN ministry. We are thankful for
Roshan's burden and desire. Pray that the Lord will direct and enable us to
work and serve together for His kingdom.
JAPAN
Pu Hruaia, MCGN-Japan Co-ordinator, sent us a beautiful picture of the completed
Rih Boys' Hostel. MCGN contributed for this building. Thanks to Pu Hruaia for
the picture. We pray that the Lord will use the hostel for His purpose.
Also, Pu Hruaia reported that some friends in Japan are making "Duhlian Website" in Mizo. He requested us to write about MCGN and we will be pleased to do so. We wish them all the best.
MYANMAR
Recently, Rev. Dr. Laithuama, MCGN-Myanmar Co-ordinator, sent us a letter and a beautiful
photograph of the conference on reconciliation. MCGN was a contributor to the
conference. He reported that the prevailing situation is favorable for
Christian organizations and churches networking and working together for the
Lord's kingdom. Also, he asks if we can visit Myanmar next year. We are excited
about that possibility if it is God's will. Pray for needed resources to visit
Myanmar next year.
NEPAL
Email from Pu Lura of Pokhara reported that a boy from Khudi Khola Fellowship was
healed from paralysis through the prayer ministry. Praise the Lord for answered
prayers in a mighty way. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow;
nothing is impossible with Him. He is still a miracle worker today in saving
souls and healing the sick. Only it requires trusting and obeying Him.
Also,it is good to hear that the Lord has blessed the Jail Visiting Ministry in Nepal and Tibet. A number of people came to accept the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptized. May the trend of saving souls continues.
In spite of his very busy schedule, Pu Ringa always writes to encourage us. We recall with joy our phone conversations during his visit to Hawaii for a leadership development training a few years ago. It was from that contact that MCGN-Nepal was conceived. Many thanks to Pu Ringa for your kind words.MCGN-Nepal is very special in that most of the members are missionaries and sending out more missionaries is the purpose of MCGN. This can be done by equipping Christians in Mizoram and the surrounding region so that the people can contribute funds to send out more missionaries and not depend primarily on sponsorships from foreign churches and organizations. MCGN-Nepal is a great example of Christian Missions.
SINGAPORE
Grateful and surprising email from Gospel Hrilvelthanga of Singapore Mizo Christian
Fellowship. He informed us about their website forum (Zobawm Internet Thuhla)
and invited us to participate in their activities. We are thankful that he
connected with us and hope to meet them in person someday. We wish all the best
for Zobawm Internet Thuhla (Forum) for His Kingdom.
TAIWAN
Missionary, Ron Adhikary reported that the recent (April 1-4) ministry of Rev. Vanlalnghaka
(Pu Nghaka) in Taiwan to foreign missionary workers was greatly blessed by the
Lord. He also visited the mountain peoples in southern Taiwan. In the near
future, Pu Nghaka may be invited again to minister in Taiwan. Ron has
generously shared MCGN ministry with people he met at his missionary meetings.
We thank Ron for supporting MCGN this way. Keep on the good work, Bro. Ron!
THAILAND: CHIANGMAI
Dr. Zothansiami (Tetei), originally a missionary from Mizoram, has been receiving
more children in her Children's Home this year. Pray that she will be able to
work with the many new girls. Please remember that the Lord has been using her
to save many young girls in Chiangmai from degradation beyond description.
Also, we are thankful for her encouraging words on MCGN ministry. May God
continue to bless the ministry entrusted to her for His glory!
USA: HEADQUARTERS
oard members agreed to add more students this year to receive Juliet Florio
Scholarship. Last year, in our first year of the scholarship program, four high
school senior students were awarded scholarships. This year we are adding four
more, namely one from Thingsai High School, one from Vawmbuk High School, and
two from Lunglei Govt. High School. All together, eight selected students will
be awarded scholarships.
Pastor Rualchhina, MCGN Spiritual Adviser, contributed money to build churches and schools in Myanmer (Burma) where he served the Lord years ago. His concerns for them moved him to sacrificial actions. May God bless Pu Ruala for his love and generosity for the more needy people in Myanmar. He has a network of people there and naturally he is our resource person for Myanmar.
Pi Zotinkhumi (wife of Pastor Rualchhina) thoughtfully advised on a delicate matter of providing hospitality to a Mizo guest we did not know before. We are grateful for the opportunity to host visitors but we need to know more about them beforehand. We will expect more visitors from Mizoram to USA and pray that our relationships will always be based on the biblical teaching of Christian love and concern.MCGN long-time friend and member, Mildred Gordon came to Placerville to participate in our monthly prayer meeting for Mizoram on Aug. 9. Though we were few, the presence of the Lord's Holy Spirit empowers us. We thank her for encouraging us with her presence.
We had a phone meeting with our Mizoram Co-ordinator, Dr. P. C. Biaksiama, on the morning of Aug. 21. We requested him to send us weekly notices and this will begin once he has a reliable computer with internet connection. We reminded each other to keep up with ongoing projects such as the scholarship program, Mizo electronic-Bible, and Science Text Books. He told of the availability of land for partnership ministry with other groups as reported above under Mizoram: Aizawl section. Various churches and organizations frequently invite him to write articles and present speeches ranging from secular to theological topics. We consider these opportunities as blessings in the Lord's service yet we need your prayers for setting correct priorities for actions. Even in Christian ministry, we should recognize our limitations of time and resources at our disposal. We need to use them wisely and prayerfully.OREGON TRIP:
From August 22-27, the Mualchin family went to Oregon to meet MCGN friends. They had
a wonderful time with Rev. David Hitt and his wife, Pam. Liana presented a
xerox copy of "Sensei" in Mizo as the published book has not been
received yet in USA. The real book will be sent to the Hitts when received. The
Hitts invited them for a dinner and they all had great fellowship and David
closed the visit in prayer.
Also, Dr. Mary Beth Haines invited the Mualchin family to a Sunday morning service at her evangelical Quaker Church. This is the first time for them in a Quaker church. The pastor was away on this particular morning. The Mualchins really loved the messages and sharing by church members. The Quakers are remarked for their passion for peace. They talk about love and peace in Christ, starting within us, and our responsibilities as believers in the community. At the request of a member, Liana briefly shared about MCGN ministry. Incidentally, they found out the ministry description and photograph of John and Sangi Vanlalhriata Thiak, our MCGN-Nepal leader, in their prayer directory.
After the service, Mary Beth took them to the house of Denise Segor and Steve Munsey for a dinner. Their son, Willie, caught salmon that was prepared and served which all enjoyed. They had a pleasant time talking about Mizoram, past experiences and hopeful future plans.·
Travel mercies and health for Bob & Connie Harisson, and their
friends.
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Family members of those who perished from the bus accident, aircraft
accident, and landslide disaster in Nepal.
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For Dr. P. C. Biaksiama, MCGN-Mizoram Co-ordinator, in his many
engagements for public speech in different places. May the Lord continue to use
him for His glory!
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For persecuted Christians in different parts of the world. May God be
their strength.
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For participants at the Discipleship Training in Pokhara, Nepal Aug. 26
- Sept. 8.
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For the wife of Hrila (?Gospel Hrilvelthanga?) in her trip to Singapore
for ear surgery. She is a lecturer in Myanmar Theological College, Mandalay.
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@d-web.net)