Southern Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists

SUD News, April 2010

Communication Department, Southern Asia Division

T P Kurian

 

HAPPY LIVING SEMINAR IN AIZAWL CITY

 

HAPPY LIVING SEMINAR was conducted by our Brethrens from Philippines mostly from AIIAS and AUP.  On 24 April to 1st May, 2010, the seminar members from abroad are:

 

1. Dr. Paoring Ragui – Vice President, AIIAS (Adventist Institute of Advance Studies)

Indian

2. Mr. Puring Ragui – AIIAS, Filipino

3. Benjamin Mckenzie – AIIAS, England (British)

4. Dr. Arden Perdon – Vice President, AUP (Adventist University of Philippines) Filipino

5. Dr. Mrs Imelda Gomez Perdon – Filipino

6. Dr. Ben Mergal – Professor AIIAS, Filipino

7. Ms Anelyn Orbe – Public Health Instructor AIIAS, Filipino

8. Mr. Eleivan Tingugan – AIIAS, Filipino

9. Ms. Evelyn G. Cezar – AIIAS, Filipino

10. Dr. Hilario Dela Torre Jr – AIIAS, Filipino

11. Dr. Mrs. Mabel Dela Torre – AIIAS, Filipino

12. Dr. Jacqueline R. Salagubang – AIIAS, Chinese- Filipino

13. Jan Romuel Salaubang – Filipino

14. Pastor Joo Youngchoel – AIIAS, Korean

15. Mrs. Eun Hye Joo – Korean

16. Joo Jochyun – Korean

17. Hyun Joo Kim – Korean

18. Dr. Eduard H. Michael Palar – Indonesian

19. Ms. Jenny Ramrar – AUP, Indian

20. Ms. Ellyscia Situmorang (Olga) - Indonesian

21. Mr. F. Sangliana, U.S.A

22. Mrs. Thangmawii, U.S.A

23. Mr. Ropuia, AIIAS

 

Among these team members, there are Medical Doctors, Public Health Instruction, Professors and Theologians.  The group had a meeting with Mr. Lalthanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram on Friday evening on May 23, 2010.  The seminar teams felt very much privileged to have such a courtesy visit to the Chief Minister to pay homage respect and offer prayer for his leadership role in Mizoram, in spite of his busy and hectic schedule. The First Lady Rii Lalthanhawla warmly received them and had a tea party at the end of the meeting and dialogue.

 

The seminar team members were divided into various smaller groups and were sent to 11 churches in Aizawl City for vespers and Divine Service meeting on the first Sabbath. The so called “International Gospel Concert” was organized on Saturday night.  All the seats and Isles of Vanapa Hall, the biggest Hall were filled and many more were there outside seeking chance to enter the hall.  Music and songs in groups and solo were presented by the teams and local Adventist singers.

 

The seminars were scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m Sunday evening April 25, 2010 at five different places.  The venue of the seminars and the speakers were:

 

1. Vanapa Hall – Dr. Paoring Ragui, Mr. F. Sangliana, Mr. Benjamin Mckenzie and Evelyn G. Cezer and Jenny Ramrar as Children’s Program in charge and health talk.

2. ITI community hall – Pastor Joo Youngcheol, Dr. Arden Perdon as speakers and Dr. Jacquiline Salagubang and Dr. Imelda G. Perdon as health lecture, clinic and Children’s program in charge.

3. Chawlhhmun Community hall – Dr. Helario Dela Torre and Mr. Benjain Mckenzie were the speaker, Mrs. Puring Ragui and Dr. Mabel Dela Torre were the Health Talk and Children’s program in charge.

4.Thuampui Community Hall – Dr. Michael Palar and Dr. Ben Mergal were the speaker, Anelyn Orbe and Elievan Tangugan were health and Children’s Program in charge.

5. Ramhlun – In this area, evangelistic crusades had been conducted as ground work, eight people had been baptized, during this Happy Living Seminar, another serious of meeting had been conducted by local pastors and evangelists.

 

The seminar in fact, evangelistic meeting series were short. However, the local pastors and evangelists had been working giving Bible studies and cottage meetings for two and half months prior to the seminars as ground work.  Therefore, this Happy Living Seminar was the reaping evangelism.

 

May 1, 2010 Sabbath Day, the appointed day for baptism came. Baptismal pools were made on the dry Helen Lowry School ground with sylpouline.  A short meeting was held in the school auditorium where short sermons were delivered and baptismal vows taken.

 

Ten pastors, one in each pool were baptizing 139 precious souls. Large crowd of Adventist members attended the solemn ceremony.  This was one of the most remarkable events of the Mizo Conference of SDA history.  We were all filled with the joy of victory in Christ. “This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous to our eyes”.