The members of DABA youth ministry, that journeyed to Molungyimsen, under Mokokchung district, located at the altitude of 500 metres above sea level. (Photo Courtesy/Lanu Pongen)
DABA youths’ retrace the footsteps of missionary Rev. Dr E.W Clark
Morung Express Feature
Dimapur | January 11
If you want to serve the universe, the obvious place to begin is right where you are. This is exactly what a team of 33 members from the Dimapur Ao Baptist Church Youth ministry recently took upon as a challenge, and embarked on a “Pilgrim Tour”. I. Anungba Sanglir and his family, Dr Tali Imsong, and Pangjung Longkumer, Deacon, DABA joined the team.
DABA youths’ retrace the footsteps of missionary Rev. Dr E.W Clark
On January 6, 2014 the team journeyed to Molungyimsen, under Mokokchung district, located at the altitude of 500 metres above sea level. The village had been declared as a Naga Christian Pilgrimage and Educational Heritage Village.
On January 6, 2014 the team journeyed to Molungyimsen, under Mokokchung district, located at the altitude of 500 metres above sea level. The village had been declared as a Naga Christian Pilgrimage and Educational Heritage Village.
The tour was planned with hopes of being transported to the days of the forefathers, when Rev. Dr E.W. Clark, the pioneer missionary to the Nagas stepped into Naga soil with a mission to spread Christianity and educate the Nagas.
Carrying bare necessities, the team moved from Dimapur at 7:30 am and journeyed to Tzudikong, reaching at 12:30 pm. After a quick rest at Milak River, the team began the Pilgrim Walk from Clark’s Bridge, Milak River to reach the Pilgrim’s Path to Molungyimsen Village. The Bridge located at Milak River was constructed by Rev. Dr. E.W Clark, the pioneer Christian Missionary to the Naga Hills and the road which was surveyed and constructed by him was a vital route used to spread the Gospel to the Nagas.
Leading the way was Yimjung Sanglir, the spirited and adventurous son of I. Anungba Sanglir. 11years old, and a student of Maple Tree School, Dimapur, he never once expressed fatigue, and proved to be a source of inspiration for his seniors who were left trailing behind him.
Walking the 15 kms of rough terrain, and endless steep slopes, the youths reflected on the significance of this walk. The participants from different walks of lives, ranging from entrepreneurs-educationalists-media personnel’s- et al, were filled with trepidation and questions of “Is it safe? Will we make it? How will we carry our bags?”
The team as believers had vowed to undertake the walk to pay a tribute to the man who had done so much for Nagas, also to renew their commitment with the Lord, and as an act of reverence towards the legacy of Edward W. Clark (1872-1911) and other pioneer missionaries.
And with the presence of DABA Youth director, Toshi Longkumer, and Assistant Youth Director Jongshimanen, in the team, providing constant shouts of encouragement, the team was able to successfully fulfil the Pilgrim Walk, in joyous spirits and with a sense of great achievement. It was a very profound, joyful, and enriching spiritual experience for the youths to walk the same path where the footprints of our pioneering missionaries are eternally engraved.
Heading to the newly constructed Dr Clark Light Tower at Molungyimsen village, the team was welcomed warmly by the villagers. In a short welcome programme, the Molungyimsen Baptist Church Pastor and his family graciously welcomed the team and Anungba Sanglir’s family with prayers and a brief introduction, followed by dinner. The team comfortably rested for the night at the Tourist Home, located at the Mission Compound, Molungyimsen.
After a nights rest, the next day, the DABA youths also had an enjoyable time viewing the famous Litchi Tree, planted by Clark in 1878. The team also divided into groups and conducted ‘home visitation’ wherein short prayer time, and reading from Proverbs 10:7-10) was held with village council members and full time staff of the Molungyimsen Baptist Church. Thereafter, the DABA youths also planted tree saplings on the grounds of the Molungyimsen Baptist Church to commemorate the Pilgrim Tour and add to the beauty of the ‘Heritage Village’.
Afterwards, the team headed to the neighbouring Molungkimong Village, located some 3 kilometers away for a brief tour. Walking the hallowed grounds, which Clark and his wife Mary took, to reach the Naga village in 1872, the team reverently entered the village gate where long ago, 60 Molungkimong warriors had escorted Rev. Dr. E.W Clark and his wife. The team also visited important historical monuments like the pond where the first Baptistery in Naga Soil in which Dr. E. W Clark baptized the fifteen converts on 22nd December, 1872, the Rev Dr EW Clark Monument, and several other significant sites.
After, an enlightening time, the team headed back to camp at Milak River where the evening was spent exploring the area crossing the suspension bridge over the river, and the youths trying bamboo rafting. After hitching tents for the night, the team also lit a roaring bonfire, and spent time participating in group games and sharing their experiences with one another. After dinner, popular singer and brilliant song composer, Tiameren Aier, entertained the crowd by performing several songs from his latest debut album “Itaya Nungo”.
January 8th morning, after having lunch at the Milak River, the team departed for Dimapur. Certificates of participation were distributed to all the members of the team.
Sharing Words of Experience
Toshi Longkumer, Youth Director, DABA Youth Ministry, shared that the program aimed at conducting a ‘relevant ministry’ with the senior youths who were on their holiday. He felt that the Pilgrim Tour will help them to remember the church in their prayers even after when they are living in their respective posting places, and also encourage younger youth to participate in the church activities. Personally, he also felt that with more than 4080 youth members in DABA, the tour had allowed him to build closer relationships with the 32 of them. With the trip coming to an end, he added, “Seeing the youth quenching their spiritual thirst in a different atmosphere outside the church is such a joy. All glory to the Almighty.”
Oyimpong Imchen, meanwhile, compared the experience as having gone to ‘Israel’. He felt that not everyone can go to Israel but the Pilgrim Tour was of a similar experience. He further added that the Pilgrim Walk is also a part of Christian ministry where one could connect deeply with Christ.
Imnajungla Longkumer, teacher at Hope Academy, Dimapur shared that the Pilgrim walk was a blessed experience, which she compared to her own life’s journey. The experience she said compelled and challenged her mind to ponder more on life’s journey.
Also sharing his experience, singer, Tiameren Aier stated, “I’ve walked where Dr EW Clark walked. And his memories are still alive even after more than 100 years. I want to be like him, never die and live among people with the good deeds that I do today. Thank you DABA for the experience.”
To sum up his experience, Rongen Jamir borrows the quote: “There is a well-worn road which is pleasing to the senses and gratifies worldly desires, but leads to nowhere . And there is the less travelled path, which requires purifications and relinquishments, but results in untold spiritual blessings.”
Indeed, it was definitely a walk to remember.
