About Mizroam

Some rambling thoughts from an old Sap who loves Mizoram. February 10th, 2009

Oringally published: Monday, March 24th, 2008

Rev. 2:4-5 Each time I have revisited Mizoram I have thought of these verses and how they apply to Mizoram. However on this, my seventh trip, I am more optimistic than I have been since trip three.

I firmly believe that God has very special plans for Mizoram. Percentage-wise, it is the most Christian place on earth. When I made my first visit here in 1996 I experienced an innocent, pure type of Christianity that I described in the video Mizoram: a Glimpse of Heaven. However, on each subsequent visit, that image has become more tarnished. It seems Satan is working overtime to spoil God’s plans for Mizoram. He has been successful in many areas.

When I first came there was no television, and most people were living at a subsistence-level, but there was a joy that radiated from the people. I now find that too many in Mizoram have been corrupted by the love of money, and their lives have been jaded by overindulgence in television. How I long for Mizoram as I first found it.

My first exposure to Mizoram was through their choir in Canada. The first song I remember them singing was “I Would Rather Have Jesus Than Silver and Gold.” I challenge each Mizo to think deeply about this song, and to honestly consider the implications in their own lives.

I was asked at my first press conference if I was against development. I have pondered that question throughout my visit and have come to the conclusion that most development in Mizoram is from the top down, rather than from the bottom up. Aizawl has become a city of traffic jams and luxurious homes while remote villages have been left unchanged over the last hundred years. In fact, in one way, most villages are actually worse off, as traditionally each village at least had a blacksmith. This vital trade is dying out.

Approximately every 50 years Mizoram and the surrounding states experience a plague of rats. This plague, called Mautam, takes place when a certain bamboo blooms and produces seeds. The rats feed on these seeds and then attack the crops. In some areas 98% of the crops have been destroyed. As I visited remote villages, I found that people were not actually starving since they were finding food in the jungle. However, they now have to travel by foot up to 5 km to find that food, and their entire day is used finding enough food for a day. Two things are urgently needed: 1) seed for this year’s crops, and 2) food to eat during the planting season so that they have the time and the energy to plant.

I had the opportunity to speak to the General Assembly of the Baptist Church, and challenged them to assign every city church a village—to have their church send someone to visit their village, ascertain the needs, and then to come back to the church to garner the resources to meet those needs. I would also like to challenge the other churches to do the same thing. If this is done diligently the effects of mautam will be short-lived. To get this started, simply list the churches and villages in order of size, then match churches and villages somewhat by size, taking into account the proximity of the churches to the villages.

I met with a small group to explore the possibilities of a society to be called “Friends of Mizoram”. This society would be Internet-based and would have three objectives:

1. To help Mizoram become completely self-sufficient for food and, further, to see agriculture become a major source of income for the state.

2. To encourage appropriate education for Mizoram—that is, education that prepares students for life in Mizoram. At present, my observation is that education prepares students for exams, not life—especially not life in Mizoram at the present time.

3. To build on the fact that most Mizos believe in eternal life, and that one day they will stand before their Maker and will be forced to review their lives.

Watch www.friends-of-mizoram.org as ideas to support these ideals are developed by others and myself. During the past month I have done much praying and thinking about these three points and believe the Holy Spirit can provide every answer.

During March I have been reading a chapter of Proverbs every day and have underlined a verse that has stood out to me in each chapter. Shortly after the end of the month I will publish this list on the above website.

Here are a few immediate things Mizos could do as individuals to work with God to make Mizoram the blessing He intends it to be:

1. 10-10-10. Spend 10 minutes every day asking God what you can do for Mizoram, rather than what Mizoram can do for you. Then spend 10 hours every month following His instructions and volunteering time to make Mizoram a better place. Do this for 10 years, and I believe Mizoram will be the paradise God intends it to be.

2. Read Luke 19:1-10 and truthfully consider its implications in your life, thinking especially of the day you will stand before Jesus with your eternal life in the balance.

3. Read a chapter of Proverbs every day—pick a verse and try to apply it that day.

4. Become a watcher and contribute your wisdom to www.friends-of-mizoram.org

5. Seek God’s wisdom as to how you as an individual can help alleviate the suffering caused by mautam, then act on God’s leadings.

God has blessed Mizoram, but with that blessing comes responsibility. In every action, first consider what Jesus would do. Act accordingly and you will find true joy.

Mizo soil plus Mizo toil will bring true prosperity.

May God bless each of you!
Your brother in Christ, Stuart Spani