Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

December 20, 2004

The weather in Nagaland has been comfortable during the day, maybe, lower 60's since long sleeves are just right. The evenings are cooler and a light shawl or jacket is perfect. We sleep with one heavy blanket. (But then Bill is a great heater!)

Dr. and Mrs. Longkumer stopped by to drop a speaker they borrowed for their celebration. As we were visiting, they thanked us for the books we have been sending this past year and half. They informed us that there is no library in the whole city of Dimapur. They asked if we were able to find some encyclopedias, dictionaries, academic books, fiction and non-fiction books would be helpful for the students in their studies. Because of this need, we will likely be sharing and looking for books to be donated. The cost to ship them is only $1 per pound. This is so reasonable. How can we not help with such simple needs?

As we go by vehicle to our programs or to market, I find myself looking at the people, who really don't see us at all. I wonder how many are declaring themselves as Christians, but we don't recognize them by their faces. Even the ones I smile at don't return the same. My heart is heavy then. How can we help them, Lord?

We have had many people to come to the house to see us and since Kilang has been in and out of the house with meetings, we have not had time to spend with him to talk. He has set aside our last days here - 20th - 22nd - to devote to discussing the essential things of ministry. For all of us, we both eagerly and sadly look to spend these days together. While we have been here, we met some practical needs, such as, putting in a tube style light in the kitchen. The room is large and it only had one small bulb in the middle. It was discouraging to try to cook or do dishes at night, let alone try to see what you are eating. It brought a bright smile on Amenla's face when she could adequately see to cook. The whole thing cost about $6.05. We take these simple things for granted at home. We have been able get some rest while we have been here. Amenla is so very gracious and if we are not hungry, she will give us two hours more before she declares that it is time to eat. Then we don't even have to take our plates to the sink.

We have revolutionized the Jamir household with a new food - peanut butter!!!

We purchased 1 kilo (2.20 lbs) of raw peanuts for Rs 40 ($.95) and showed Kilang and Amenla how to grind them in their new mixee (our Christmas gift to them). Daniel and Along love it just like any kid around the world who has had the chance to taste peanut butter. It will likely be an easy staple for the boys and Arenla going to school. Also, when Kilang has to travel, he will appreciate having a peanut butter and jam sandwich to eat along the way. Amenla has had to hide the peanut butter from the boys already because they like it too much on bread. It is fun to watch them enjoy it "too much."

Today at lunch, Along came in and asked if he would be quiet, can he have chocolate? A few minutes later he came again and said that he has been quiet, but no one has given him chocolate. What a mind of a five year old can think!

Because we will not be able to spend the time we originally had hoped to in the NE, Bill has been thinking about our returning home earlier, get our taxes done, and then start the tour of the States. We are going to be discussing the issue this afternoon. I am having a hard time setting my mind on it. I want to be reading or sharing the word instead. I cannot deny that time waits for no one. But I want to enjoy every moment we have been given here to influence other's lives for the sake of eternal life. Thank you, Lord, for this privilege.

We got off safely by train with the help of Chuba and Kilang. We would not have been easily able to manage our bags in a quick way as we only had 10 minutes for the train to be in the station. Still tears filled my eyes so my vision was unable to focus properly as we said goodby to Kilang.

I've not had a lot of time to reflect lately. I am sitting facing the way we came as we are heading toward New Alipurdaur, which is a kind of tangible reflecting. I have asked for the souls of those who are along the tracks and in this train. I am hesitant to take snaps for two reasons - 1. people still do body elimination and that would bring shame, and 2. I am the only woman in the berth and my husband is sleeping above in the nosebleed bunk (3rd). Sometimes simple caution is the best wisdom. We were quite restricted in Nagaland as even our application for extension was never signed. The authorizing signature never showed up for work these last two weeks. This state is in such need for revival while there is yet time. The Lord graciously manages us.

After the first Sunday, we did all our sharing at the Teens Up Faith Church. I can't say what all I covered because I always ask the Holy Spirit to fill me and my mouth to say what the young people's hearts need. They so appreciate Bill because he does not use big words like other foreign preachers and they understand the simple gospel message. I am so thankful to the Lord in how He had given my husband favor and effectiveness in His purpose. The people love him and respect the fact that in his "old age," he faithfully comes to share "God words." I know this because this is how he is introduced before he comes to deliver his message. I am also glad the Lord showed me this, as my own attitude has been put under the blood and forgiven. We are just ordinary simple people who are living and experiencing the Lord's favor through obedience. We have had so much fun with Kilang and his family, other family, extended family, church family, and village family. They all remember us and want us to come see them, but due to the permit, we were limited to Dimapur, except for the short trip to the Hornbill Festival two days after we arrived. We did experience the emptiness of Lima's departure to the Father's house. We were so looking forward to fellowshipping with him and his wife, Achila, again. Even though we were not able to meet with her because she went home for the holidays, she sent a chicken in remembering us.

Having to leave anywhere is such a sweet sorrow and tears are always on the surface. We comfort ourselves by encouraging one another of our memories and our prayers until our soon return anticipating the months to run away as wild horses. Lord, may we have accomplished Your will while here.

If there is time and electricity, I will attempt to put the expense information collected on the recovery center so it can be passed to the LCWM Board for prayer and guidance. As with any project of significance, the start up expense and monthly operation is extremely critical. We want to pray specifically and be accountable, responsible, and trustworthy stewards for His glory. We can only do our part and trust Him for the fulfillment.

Chuba, Kilang's brother, has graciously agreed to go with us to the new area where Charls is staying. He is a tangible comfort in that he helps to move and guard the luggage while we take turns sleeping. In this particular sleeper car, it is not like the A/C or air-conditioned class. Here it seems anyone can get on and sit with you. Your reservation sleeper ticket means you get to lay down when it gets dark. It is the season to get dark at 5:30 pm, but we are to arrive at our destination by 7 or 7:30 pm. No such thing as a private seat. We had six people on the seat with Bill. I kept smiling at him and commenting how "our family is growing." There were two ladies, a husband, and an active misbehaving little girl on my side. It's a matter of how many can fit on the bench seat!

Somehow I feel that I shouldn't remark when Bill comments on this leg of our adventure. Afterall, he booked it after declining first class availability. Besides, we might have missed being with all the gawkers, beggars, hawkers, curious English-medium students, drunkards, and busybodies. Where did Jesus hang out? I want to speak Hindi even more. It was cool this morning when we started. We both put on our long underwear and jackets. It warmed up under overcast skies enough to take off our outer layer until the sun sets.

The countryside is flat and partitioned into rice paddy plots. Most of the rice has been harvested and the fields are not reworked yet. So the cows are speckling the patchwork grazing. In a few places the paddies are again flooded and women are placing the rice plugs as quilt crafters would tie their blankets. Work here is hard, like it used to be in days of our growing up, and simple living. Maybe there are some people who don't think or know that they are poor.that is simple living. The windows are open on the train. My window is mostly closed, except for the ½" opening at the bottom. The dust has gathered on the outside removing the once clear view. It's on the big suitcase standing between the seats and evident when I rub my cheek. A bucket of warm water may only be a dream as Charls is supposed to live somewhat remotely. We shall see.

A break in the paddy scenery is the tea plantation as we get farther north. We have come this way before when we came from Delhi to Dimapur, but it was dark. The tea plantations look from a distance, like formally groomed shrubs resembling a lawn only for gazing upon. Strategically placed tall palm trees give them a garden effect. The monkey sitting on an outside wall looks out of place in its own home. The sun is only 2" from the horizon shining as a reddish golden ball submitting to gravity. It has brought our daylight and now we see the evidence of its retreating to rest somewhere before awakening our other loved ones who have yet to share the day. The haze is beginning to blanket the space above the land issuing notice that the evening has arrived. In an hour we will watch each other and our bench-mates reflecting off the windows as we pass through early night to where Charls is waiting, expecting a tardy train.