Life Changing Words Ministry

Missionary Journal

January 15, 2006

The first Friday has been designated as Picnic Day by the youth at Teens Up Faith Church and of course, we have been invited. The youth have gone ahead to do the cooking and we will come to eat the delicacies that they have prepared.

Amenla gets up around four in the morning to fix breakfast for the children by five. This means that lunch is normally at ten, but we had tea with milk because we are all going to the picnic.

Dr. Longkumer finally arrived about one o’clock. Everyone quickly climbed into his vehicle to move to the river spot. We came to the Longkumer’s property where the cooking has been done. They shift us to the river bottom for the feast. Some of us ate off of banana leaves, pot lids, and plates. The young people did a good job in their culinary talents (as advised by Mom Longkumer).

The flowing water was only about ankle to mid-calf deep. The children immediately got wet before eating. After rice, dal, chicken, salad, they were back into the water until 4:00 pm. The sun was beginning to set and the air was cooling down. It was time to go home. Everyone had a great time of fun and laughter. [Kilang is out of station at a previously scheduled revival. He had a year’s schedule full before we left last year. We pray for his continued strength and encourage him not to overlook his health. The Lord is sufficient in every way for him. We definitely see the anointing of the Lord on him.]

I made potato and mushroom soup for a light evening meal. For some reason whenever I cook, there are no leftovers. We prayed together and went to bed. [Singing and praying before sleeping I really enjoy here.]

I spent a whole day sorting out the books we shipped by M-bag last year. I was disappointed that the boxes were all broken as the bags had been thrown around. Kilang is very thankful as he values books as a precious commodity. They really are in this place. The Operation Mobilization bookstore has no mercy for the people who could benefit from the available book. They charge almost the same price as in the States, even for the ones published in India (with lesser quality).

On Dad’s birthday (Jan 10th) I finished my notes from Judson Cornwall’s, Praying the Scriptures. I find his format is good and since I have been doing this in my personal prayer time, I may use my life experiences on this subject for the Sunday services in which I am sharing. I really want to see the young people’s prayer lives changed when we return next year.

The youth (and the older ladies) are really excited about the acts of obedience that they have begun to experience. One of the girls rushes to get her chores done so she can be to the church early for the waiting on the Lord. I shared on speaking the Word of God in continuation in understanding the acts of obedience and in praying for those they will meet. At the Thursday meeting, we had three groups of three go out. [It is preparation for final exams and some of the youth we studying. Pastor was out of station also.]

Mrs. Yaden’s team received: next door, sick baby on lady’s back vision. Result: met the lady and were asked to pray for the family, although the sick baby was not in the room, there is no distance in prayer.

Moyan’s team received: “Go in faith”, yellow, junction location. Result: At the junction they waited and the received “walk in faith”. When they proceeded on, they met two Bihari men with whom they shared the gospel.

Zambini’s team received: sky blue, white stripe canvas, location. Result: Came to a house and allowed in; as they were starting to leave, the Hindu house owner came and said they needed prayer for a job and for faith to know Jesus there. As they began to leave one of the team members received an open vision of the face of her sister. At the sister’s house, she came to know she was sick. When she came out of the bedroom, she had on white striped canvas shoes. This made the girls excited that they had heard from the Lord in all the words given to them.

Amenla and I did the shopping for Daniel’s birthday party items. We were very quick – from home and back, only 1 ¼ hours. Bill and Kilang found adjustable roller skates for Daniel. They are very much like the ones I had when I was little. They will adjust to fit the shoes we got him.

I made two more apple pies to use up the crusts I made earlier. I discovered that it is best to use maitha rather than atta. The atta makes it too dry. But, no noticed this fact and gobbled both pies down.

We sang and prayed by the fire before bed by candlelight. The power goes off quite frequently here in Dimapur. They say it is because they are low in rain. It is also true that the authorities who purchase power do not pay the bill and therefore, rolling brown-outs have become a normal daily occurrence. No one knows when it will come, day or night. It is off no less than an hour and many times longer.

We met Kilang’s brother, Sunup’s, new wife. She is a teacher and women’s pastor in Changtongya where Kilang’s parents live. I will probably get to minister with her in our next visit as this is her invitation.

While I organized the study books of our host in the room we are staying, Bill and Kilang went to purchase the boys’ school books. The new school year begins the 20th. Amenla has already purchased the cloth for two sets of uniforms for Daniel as he has outgrown the old ones. She will save the others for Along and save money that way. I don’t think they will last for Aienla because Along is hard on his clothing, even on his best days.

The fellas started watching a video called, Mr. Bones. We heard them laughing so loud that Amenla and I went to see what was going on. The movie was so stupid. It was funny just to hear the others laugh. Laughter is so good for the body and the soul.

The Saturday of Daniel’s eighth birthday arrived with excitement. Daniel asked me when people would be coming. It would be for the supper meal. In the meantime, I asked him to help me cook tapioca pudding, one vanilla and one chocolate. I have photos of him stirring the mixture. It reminded me that when my own boys were his age, they too were learning to cook standing on a chair. He did pretty well considering this was his first cooking experience.

Guests began arriving at 6:30 pm to enjoy new flavors from America on this festive occasion. Bill had roasted two chicken in the cast iron pot. I made a pasta salad (that we ate on all week). There were fifteen of us to celebrate. Daniel received a birthday cake to cut and share. The gifts he received were varied: a picture, shirt (too small, so Along inherited it) and pants he could wear; a toy guitar (that Along thought was his to inherit – he owns it now), roller skates (that he mastered in one day’s time), and sweets that disappeared in a moment’s time.

I had worn my long hair wig and jokingly, Dr. Longkumer asked to wear it to keep his head warm. Later, we all lost it when I asked him if he wanted to try my hair, as I removed it from my head; he asked if I wanted to try his hat! I took photos of the fun we all had playing with it. We were all having such a grand time, no one wanted to leave.

Mrs. Arenla had seen my sepati given as a gift by Mrs. Mirinda Longkumer, her school friend. So she decided to loan me her black top to wear with the tan and black sepati when I would speak in the morning. She will go to the English service with me.