# KHANGLAI-2008 CUM KWS(G) DCADE CELEBRATON
“With God nothing is impossible”. God has revealed this truth as bright as daylight after Khanglai-2008 and KWS(G) Decade Celebration held from 9th to 12th October, 2008 at Shilpagram/KWS(G) Church Campus came to a resounding end and one has to live it to believe it or rather it was those who believed, who lived to see the marvelous hand of God striking perfect harmony as He unfolded His undying LOVE for His people, as we soaked in His Spirit in great delight.
It was back in October 2005 Kolkata leadership Confluence, where AIKWSCC and other KWS units wanted KWS(G) to host Khanglai conference, positively in 2006, which we also agreed keeping in mind the possibility of Church inauguration coinciding with the same. But man proposes and God disposes. The plan didn’t materialize. The Church inauguration had to wait but we went ahead with Khanglai-2008 Conference and KWS(G) Decade celebration and they were really worth their salt. Perhaps, we were waiting for this better thing to happen according to the sweet will and time of God, and things couldn’t have been better than this reminding us of “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles…” Isaiah 40:31. Though it was decided early in January 2008 for holding the event, active planning and actual activities started in August 2008. With all the AIKWSCC leaders busy and constantly on the move world over, meetings/consultations and sharing of ideas were done on net and with God’s help, bit by bit the chips were moving, which eventually blossomed into a beautiful event far beyond our own expectation.
Right from the start, God’s leading was evident. The KWS(G) fund raising effort by faith promise fetched far more than expected, the KWS units response in contributing the fund was simply amazing – surpassing all expectations, the T-shirt and neck tie project set new milestones and the overall budget provision of Rs. 3.40 Lakhs more or less matches the expenditure and though it required additional Rs. 2.50 Lakhs investment, it is expected that after closing all the accounts, we will still be left with no ends up. Let’s pray that it works out that way. Any which way, the countless blessing we received will remain with us for years to come.
Another significant achievement in the occasion was the response from various home Church organizations by sending their greetings for the souvenir and participating in the event by 13(Thirteen) of them from 6(Six) Church organizations apart from Mr. Jeff Akai and Miss Lamneilhing as invited artists. They may be our leaders at home, but they were meek as lamb and obediently sat through all proceedings with great enthusiasm. Christian leadership, at times, isn’t always doing something but is just to be there with people. They have done the community a great favour by being there in the conference, understanding KWS movement better, bridging gaps, removing all apprehension and thereby strengthening the relationship of KWS with home Churches, which was our long standing desire. The topic “Strengthen your stakes…” taken from Isaiah 52:4 delivered by the effervescent, Rev. Chungthang, the faithful servant of God, who stood the test of time this far and standing tall as a living testimony to many souls saved particularly among the Kukis, was inspirational. His powerful messages were often spiced with mental acrobatics and one could see and feel the spirit of God moving, touching hearts, saving souls and renewing commitments challenging all to live their lives for Christ. Topics on repentance, confession, forgiveness and restoration, etc. were never-heard-before heart rending sermons. With his initiative our Hmar kinsmen donated Rs.27000/- in cash and a few articles such as watch and shawls for the Khanglai-2009 Conference. The articles were auctioned for raising fund for Khanglai-2011 (Shillong) and they fetched Rs.50,500/- altogether. This was indeed a matter we are so thankful about, to our Hmar brethren, for their extra ordinary love and concern in action. Rev. Mansang’s creative devotion on how to extend our tent and strengthen our stakes was thought provoking. This is truer in the context of today’s global village environment; where knowledge rather than land, holds the key to thrive in this wide open world. The seminar presentations were outstanding - “The Future Prospect of KWS” presented by Rev. Dino L. Touthang was an excellent piece of work done. It gave us the intricate picture of KWS and its future prospect with balanced view on the topic, revealing the thin line KWS needs to walk with creative tension and taking all constraints as challenges. Rev. Paothang Haokip, a versatile counselor and pastor, presented “Love, Sex and Marriage”, which really enlightened one and all, touching the untouchables and tearing them apart for all to see and learn. His maneuvering skills handled the topic with such ease like Michael Jackson’s moonwalk dance. Dr. Hemchon Chongloi’s “Khankhology”, being the Kukis response to Christian living, is what this generation needs most in the context of new understanding of Christianity. According to him, khankhology stands for love and responsibility in our social relationship and it is the unifying force that binds us together in congruence with the true spirit of God’s love. Pu D.P. Haokip’s “Christian living in a secular world” reflected the need to live a Christian life not only in Churches but in the market places to be a good example for others to follow. Rev. Kennedy’s “Christian Youth and Social Responsibility” calls for the need to reach out and perform consciously our social responsibility wherever necessary.
The participants from other KWS units were exemplary- KWS Delhi(32), KWS Pune(4), KWS Kolkata(8), KWS Bangalore(12), KWS Hyderabad(2), KWS Happy Valley(29), KWS Shillong (62). They were so good, highly educated and obedient that they really surprised us. Can Kukis be that cool? They proved us “Yes, we can be”, raising in us the hope that we can build a society where God’s love will be central amid the ruins of the society like the remnants of the Israelites often did. Khanglai presented us with hope this generation lacks and desperately looks for. Prophets of doom, depicting the gloomy future fail to realize what God can do in our lives and what each one of us should do. What we do today ultimately converge to paint a picture of tomorrow and therefore to stem the rot picture of the future, one has to do one’s bit of good deeds today itself and right now. By nature, man is sinful and therefore, we need the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ to be good and to do well and continue to do so every day. The covenant signed to live Holy life and be a part of generation of hope by all participants really ignited the hope of “God moving in our midst” in days to come which will go a long way in shaping the landscape of our common destiny.
KWS(G) did the near impossible of hosting such a big event with great élan and this happens because of God’s grace. And our efforts to be sincere and diligent in what we do, have done us through many hurdles. Kudos to one and all! In Guwahati, God will shape the future of Guwahati spirit, which is the Holy Spirit at work, flying higher and higher in the days to come. After all, we have seen with our own eyes that “With God nothing is impossible”.
- Lunjalen Khongsai
[ The writer was the Secretary of KWS(G) and All India KWSCC Treasurer- Extract from Lenchonghoi.]
