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Shillong Revival |
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Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place |
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Reconciliation in Diskiag after 33 years! |
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By Barkos Warjri It was already dusk on the when we reached Diskiang village in the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India. Rev. Edwin Langstieh, who had arranged the visit to the village, asked directions to Moonshine Jyrwa’s house from one or two villagers we met on the way. We passed the village Presbyterian Church located on a hill overlooking the whole village, as well as some cattle that were settling down for the night. As it was winter the cattle had been let loose, there being no crops in the fields. Meeting Moonshine The bulbs were already burning in Moonshine’s house as we neared the door. Through the open door we saw a young man engrossed in reading a book. He stood up as he us and came out, welcoming us to his house. When we entered his room we saw that he was reading the Bible. There was also an open Hymnbook beside the Bible. As we talked we heard the sound of something like a grinder working. Moonshine took us to the kitchen where I saw for the first time a hand-operated wooden mill used to remove the husk from the rice grain. Moonshine’s sisters and grandmother were very glad to see us. When we did not reach the village by late afternoon they thought that we were not coming any longer. Reluctance to share We then sat down and asked Moonshine to tell us the story of how he had used him in the village. He was reluctant to tell his story, as he did not want his name in any newspaper. We explained that the intention was not to publish news for the sake of news but rather to have his story as an encouragement to others who would read about what God had done. He said, “I feel strongly in my heart that I should not publicise.” He explained that he had no desire at all for any honour. He requested us to pray with him first. After the prayer he looked at me and then said he was ready to tell his story. How it all started The Spirit had begun to be manifested first at the Youth Week meeting of the District held at another village on the 2nd September 2006. Moonshine then had a personal experience of this on the 6th September 2006 at an evening meeting in the Diskiang Presbyterian Church. He had a numbing feeling throughout his body that evening and remained in the church along with many others as the singing and praying continued through the night. At about 6.30 a.m. the next morning he felt a deep conviction of sin and the need for repentance. Almost immediately he saw in a vision devils that tried to overcome him, and when he resisted them he heard in an audible whisper the words, “You will fight only for a while and after you have won you will understand.” He understood clearly that this word was from Jesus. He then saw two persons in the vision. He knew that one was Jesus and another was the devil. He understood that Jesus had given him a responsibility to go and prophesy and preach at other churches. Meeting the 10 churches for unity In obeying this word from God, he had since visited all the ten churches within the Mawlieh District of the Rambrai Presbytery. His message was oneness, he fervently desired to help all those who had experienced the manifestation of the Spirit, and that they would all be one. Wherever he went he prayed along with all those who experienced demonic resistance and they all recovered after prayer. All these churches had seen the work of the Spirit among their respective congregations but some churches accepted what he said while others did not. He however felt the Spirit telling him that he should not strive further and that he should rest for the time being. Reconciliation through an Earthquake! Moonshine’s desire for oneness in the church led him to have a deep burden for reconciliation in his village. There had been friction between two factions in the village for about 33 years over village administration matters. There were no factions in the church as such, but there was an element of distrust among the persons who belonged to the different factions in the village. Four young persons with the same burden, who earlier belonged to different factions, got together. They were Moonshine Jyrwa (17 years), Miss Misheltibilin Wanniang (16 years), Miss Ibadashisha Jyrwa (17 years), and Mr. Shentikupar Wanniang (18 years). The four talked to all the villagers and convinced many that they needed to sort out their differences. The villagers met in the second week of November on the sprawling church lawns. While the discussions went on Moonshine saw that there were still quite a few who were adamant. The four along with some other young people went into prayer asking God to shake the hard-hearted out of their stubbornness. The way God answered that prayer was literal. When it seemed that no reconciliation was possible an earthquake came. The villagers watched as they saw the church building rock as if it was being winnowed. The quake dissolved all remaining differences. It was unanimously decided that both factions would withdraw all the court cases against each other and that when these petitions had all been accepted by the courts they would burn all the papers as a sign of completely forgetting the past. Burning the Past It was decided to elect a new ‘sirdar’ or chief of the village. The next day the election was held and a man who had not belonged to any faction was unanimously elected. Moonshine and his friends were thrilled and earnestly asked God to give a sign of endorsement. A sudden burst of rain came (November is not the season for rain) which drove the assembled villagers into the church building whose doors were quickly thrown open. This turned into an impromptu prayer meeting, Moonshine leading in the prayer of thanks. Celebration! The village had a feast on the 23rd November 2006, to celebrate the reconciliation. |