India Report #15, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 from Lawngtlei, Mizoram at 2:50 a.m.
Dear family and friends:
My emerging sleep pattern seems to be a 2 a.m. awakening. Actually, I feel quite rested. Today will be busy, as are all days here, and I will need the energy. The meeting last night began almost on time at 6:30 and went without hitch until about 8, counting the concluding announcements about steam bath etc. We got to bed before 9 and had five hours before awakening seriously.
Before telling of today’s expected appointments, I’ll review a little from yesterday. We were up early and planned to fast as announced that the evangelistic team would be doing. Then we remembered that the malaria prevention pill we must take each day should be accompanied by food for best results and least impact on the stomach. So, we had a light breakfast of brown bread in soy milk with banana, half an apple, and a tangerine, plus some nuts and crackers Mary Alice had baked at home. (Did I say “light” breakfast?)
They picked us up at 9 a.m. to take us to the hall where we are having the evangelistic series. Our small SDA Church here in Lawngtlei is close to that hall. Did I say close? There are 203 steps going up to it near the top of the mountain. We were glad for the extra exercise in the fresh morning air. Pollution builds up during the day and we are glad for any lessening of that. There were about 50 in attendance including us and the team from Aizawl.
Speaking of exercise, the congregation had to build the church as at Aizawl in the Maubawk church, by building those steps and then clearing away enough of the mountain to put the church on. That means one basketful of dirt at a time carried down those 203 steps to be hauled away. Then up those steps again for another basketful. The church was built in 2005 and is adequate for present membership, but with an expected increase they will need to extend it further along the mountain. Now they have benches outside the front door also to accommodate enlarged attendance. The metal roof seems sufficient for the climate here.
They were studying in Galatians as are we in USA and all over the world where the standard Sabbath School Quarterly is used. I think there is strength in that. I know some places feel the need of other material during that time, but there is a loss in the unity felt by all studying the same thing at the same time around the world. (Except for time zone changes.)
For church service, I was the speaker and preached on “Why The Delay in Jesus’ Return?” The people really related to it and freely expressed appreciation. Jesus would love to come right now, but it would mean leaving behind those who have not yet had an opportunity to learn the fullness of His message. I stressed the need for us to spend the time with Jesus that will build His image in us so we can reflect it to our world accurately.
The electricity was minimal so they did not have the loud accompaniment to the music. I told them how much I appreciated the sweet voices singing His message in a way we could really hear it and worship. I think they got the point because the evening meeting toned down on the accompaniment. I also told them that the word “crusade” which they routinely use here to describe evangelistic meetings, is not good for Jews and Muslims because of the bloody history of slaughter by “Christians” of Jews and Muslims (infidel Turk) during those Pope mandated crusades. At the end of the sermon, pastor Sabbath (Sabbathanga) started to say “crusade” again but caught himself halfway through and straightened it out. How strong is habit! I was glad for the attitude of acceptance rather than debate.
When church was out they served hot chocolate, donuts, and little bananas. In Ecuador they are called “oritoes”, about half the size of a regular banana. We accepted a few bananas but took them to our room where we retired for some rest and preparation for the evening meeting. I teased Biaka that by “fast” they must have meant “fast food.” I don’t think he caught the nuance. He explained that their fast excludes breakfast, a main meal for Mizos along with supper. So, I told him that Mary Alice and I fast every day by skipping supper. That leaves 18 hours for the stomach to do its work and rest before the next breakfast. For us it is a plan that works well but could not be done by everyone. I’m glad we don’t have to judge others by their lifestyle. The Lord will take care of all the judging. Health reform should recommend itself by the good results produced by following it carefully.
They are amazed at our physical stamina at near 80. Biaka said that when he is our age he won’t be able to go anywhere and do anything. He is working too hard now and we caution him against neglecting his rest when there is a choice. He did make up a little sleep by dozing through most of the sermon. He has had sleepless nights worrying about the small attendance. So my translator for the sermon was David Sailo, head of the Mizo Conference Audio-Visual Department, and he did a great job. Biaka translated my evening sermon but had another do it for Mary Alice’s health talk. We remind them often that we are here to preach to any who come and do not demand specific results in baptisms. We only want to reap those whom the Lord has prepared and are ready.
Today we are to go to Sabbath’s house at 10 a.m. for fomentations and massage before the noon meal. Hopefully, it will help clear out the remaining congestion in my chest that demands a cough. Then in the afternoon they want me to preach in an open air setting to people from another part of town that want to hear but are not able to get to the evening meeting hall. Apparently, they are very open to the message. We will have a small sound system but preach from the open Bible without visuals. I reminded them that our first trip to India in 1998 was without any visuals. Just the open Bible and good translation under the power of the Holy Spirit raised up the Maubawk church. It has been a strong church through the succeeding years, helping many other churches with their building program. “Not by might nor by power-point, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6 appropriately revised)
We are glad to be staying here at the Circuit House (rather than the Government Guest House we had expected) because it is less expensive. Biaka told us last night that they (he and the driver) want to move in with Sabbath rather than stay here any longer. They can’t eat at the restaurant here either and so have all 3 meals with Sabbath. It costs Rs 270 a night for them (Rs 675 for us) and they want to save that money. We feel the same about our low budget accommodations here. Any money saved is available to help the projects along. Another benefit is that this place is up the mountain and away from the noise of the town to a large extent. Just now I am hearing the roosters greeting the day (3:40 a.m.) but that is mild compared to the cacophony of the streets.
In this quiet early morning hour I can get prepared for the evening meeting—my sermon and Mary Alice’s health talk visuals. There will be little time for that otherwise, with the open-air meeting thrown in before the evening evangelistic sermon in the hall.
The Circuit pastor for this area would like for us to go to an SDA School about 70 km from here and talk to the students. They have never seen white people before. It is a different tribe. We could do it in one day and be back in time for meeting by leaving early. But that means all the preparation must be done ahead for the evening meeting when we return. And there is the problem of getting Diesel without electricity to pump it. The Lord knows what should happen and we are willing for whatever He dictates in His leading.
Last night I preached on Daniel 2 in a shortened form leaving out many of the European and Middle East history details because of their lack of that background. The people sat spellbound. It was so good for them to see how accurately God knows the future, including ours, and has revealed it through His servants, the Prophets. That background is important as a foundation upon which the prophecies that follow are built.
Yesterday, I did get a translation from Biaka of what the Headman of Lawngtlei village had said in his welcome to us at the opening meeting. The gist of it is that he was so glad that SDA had come all the way from USA to bring health and spiritual messages to uplift his people. While there are many other denominations that believe health is important, they do not practice and teach it like SDA. He, himself, believes in it but is too weak to practice it. He said the other denominations stress grace as the salvation necessity (as do we) and do not follow the details of obedience to laws, moral or health. He said his schedule would not allow him to attend all the meetings but he wants to come to some. And his personal gift of Rs 2000 to the steam bath program connected with our meetings, would be “his presence” at the rest. “We want to follow but cannot. But you SDA people are able to practice in your life all these things. Anyway, I really appreciate your ministry here for Lawngtlei. I hope and pray that all your ministry here in Lawngtlei will be very successful for the young people as well as the elderly people. I will continue to pray for you that God will continue to bless your ministry in the future.”
I believe that his testimony will be very helpful as we present the topics of law and grace and how God enables and empowers those who really want to follow Jesus. I hope he does come to the other vital subjects. Remember him in prayer as we do.
In spite of all the challenges, these trips do bring us into contact with precious, seeking souls whom we expect to see again in God’s Kingdom.
When I see Mary Alice adapting to all the difficulties and taking them in stride including the challenges of laundry in the bathroom and drying on makeshift clothes lines wherever they can be established, I am grateful again to the Lord Who brought us together and led in the decisions that united our lives in service now for 57 years. Then (1954) I could not have imagined all the challenges that awaited us in ministry and marriage, blending two busy careers (teaching for 15 years and preaching) nor the personality traits that would be of such value. Today I can look back and see how well it has worked out. “To God be the glory, great things He has done.”
With love,
Dad and Mom (Glenn and Mary Alice)