From Head Hunters to Soul Hunters

Mizoram state of India is located in the northeast between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Mizoram is the home of the Mizo ethnic people. Just a bit over 100 years ago they were head hunters. There was status quo among the young men to have a human head on display as proof of their warrior ability. The first missionary to enter this region of India was a young man (23 years old) by the name of William Williams in 1891. He was one of thousands that were sent out after the Welsh revival in Whales & England. (truly missions is hid in revival). One young man all for God, totally changed a whole ethnic race of people.To this very day in Aizawl (capital city of Mizoram) this great gospel change is clearly evident. The city of 340,000 people has more then 100 churches. As we drove the streets this past Sunday morning, business were closed, the streets were empty (normally there are traffic jams) people everywhere walking to church carrying their Bibles. One particular church denomination has their sisters beautifuly covered with white flowing veils. But there is more. The Mizo Christians love to sing. It is not unusual to hear beautiful harmonious Christian music as you drive the streets of the city. Many of the Mizo people have a passion for missions. One large church we visited has more then a 1000 missionaries on the field. Brother Zela (our coordinator) is only 26 years old and has his own missions training school. Truly these people have changed from head hunters to soul hunters in 100 years. And MTM gets the blessed privilege to come into this setting to teach on missions. In many ways we feel humbled and feel they ought to be teaching us Americans on missions. But on the other hand our Anabaptist faith and practice is a great challenge and encouragement to them as well.

Our IGo ministry team was made up of three different aspects of ministry all in one team. First, there were 5 IGo students on their sixth term ministry trip. They were Nathan King, Jeremy Martin, Kimberly Eshleman, Deanne Weaver & Twila King. After a very brief stay in Aizawl they drove 9 hours to a remote mountain region. After a three hour hike they arrived at a village where no westerner had ever been before. Their native leader was Brother Billy. He had been a student last year when MTM ministered at the same mission school. What a great joy to see former students now serving on the mission field. The IGo students ministry included visiting and praying for the sick, preaching and children’s ministry. Secondly there was the English teaching team. They were David Brown, Jana Burkholder (my daughter) and Shana Yoder (Val’s daughter). David came all the way from America to join our team. They taught two classes each day. One class with a group of nursing students and another class with the pre-missions students. Thirdly there was the MTM team. Val Yoder (IGo director) and myself were teaching a class of pre-missions students. But we also ministered from time to time to a class of nursing students.

This ministry trip was especially memorial. This was the first time MTM partnered with the IGo student ministry trips. That truly was an added blessing and open the way for even greater witnessing for Jesus Christ. It is one thing for us older men to be teaching the Bible but there is a tremendous testimony to have young people with you who are living what we are teaching. To God be the glory !!!

The IGo Aizawl Ministry Team Dressed in Traditional Mizo Dress