Book Review of As We Know Them: The Shishaks, Woods Publishers, Nagaland
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10
Reviewed by A Sentiyula
Assistant Professor, Dimapur Government College
Late one evening, more than a year back, my husband and I went to Patkai Christian College to pick up a digital piano that a student was selling us. It was the first and only time I set foot on the campus. I couldn’t see much as it was already dark but I remember observing that the gate and buildings near the gate were more humble than I imagined them to be. If that was my impression, imagine how Margaret Shishak must have felt when she left the United States 47 years ago and settled down in the PCC campus which was just a vast expanse of wild jungle crawling with leeches and snakes!
Whoever thinks that the Christian walk is boring should read about the adventures of the First Couple of PCC, Tuisem and Margaret Shishak, beautifully rendered in the book “As We Know Them: The Shishaks”, edited by the batch of students who studied in PCC during the period 1992-97. This is a labour of love from the students who wanted to honour this couple who had spent the prime of their lives building up this premier institution from scratch.
This book contains the brief life sketches of both Tuisem and Margaret Shishak. Born in different parts of the world, the former in Shangshak village in Manipur and the latter in Washington D.C., they formed a partnership that truly was made in heaven and yoked by Christ on earth. The testimonials about them point to sterling qualities that they possessed - discipline, diligence, honesty, God-fearing, consistency, humility, truthfulness, loyalty and impartiality among others. These qualities nurtured in the environment of a hard life solely dependent on the grace of God led them to become pioneers and extraordinary leaders of generations of young people in the region. Tuisem Shishak is widely regarded as a visionary educationist, an ardent evangelical and a powerful preacher who was complemented by his talented, loyal and extremely proficient musician wife, Margaret.
Illustrious contemporaries, former colleagues and students have shared their thoughts about them. All throughout, the reader can discern the deep respect, gratitude and admiration that they feel for the Shishaks. “There are some thoughts and ideas that are inviolable guiding principles for life on earth. If we ignore them thoughtlessly we are unfulfilled and unhappy and our immediate society and ultimately the world too are the poorer and worse for it, deprived of a creative contribution that is meant to be meant to be made by us. What needs to be done or must be done and what is right are two of these life steering thoughts.” These reflections by a peer sum up the purpose of their lives. Pictures, anecdotes and snippets of their lives are also scattered throughout the book.
If you are curious to know how seemingly ordinary people established the first liberal arts college in the state, managed to impart quality education on the foundation of biblical principles and still continue to inspire many, pick up a copy of the book priced @550, published by Woods Publishers and available in leading bookstalls.
As someone who admires them from a distance, let me also join the chorus and say, “thank you for the music and the light that you brought to the night!”
Author’s note: The review was written when the book was published. It was released on August 28, 2021.
