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By Stuart Spani
WHEN I first visited Mizoram in 1996,
I believed I had found paradise. The people of
this northeast India state had a simple faith, which permeated all aspects
of life.
Since then, much has changed; and each time I go back I
see more evil things of the world creeping in. I believe Satan has used TV
and greed to taint this Christian witness.
In 1996, I saw no corruption, greed or moral decline.
It grieves me to see all of these in Mizo society today.
Nevertheless, Mizoram can still boast of no starvation,
no homelessness, no beggars, almost 100 percent literacy and 80 percent
church attendance.
Unfortunately, approximately every 50 years this area
experiences a unique famine called mautam – and this is one of those years. This is
caused when a certain bamboo, which covers most of Mizoram, blooms and
dies.
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With this blooming comes a devastating plague of rats.
Once these rats have consumed the bamboo seeds, they move in mass and eat
everything in sight.
A group of Canadians recently visited Mizo villages to
distribute much- needed food. Our conclusions were that almost 400 villages
are suffering; while we found no actual starvation, we did find signs of
malnutrition.
Global Youth Network is collecting money in Canada, to
buy and distribute food.
Fraser Valley Gleaners in Abbotsford are teaming up
with World Vision and with Mizo churches and organizations to deliver
1,000,000 meals of dehydrated vegetables to the needy villages.
The long term answer to mautam and other crop failures is more efficient farming
methods and vermin proof food storage. Much progress has been made toward
this end.
To help this unique Christian community, contact:
friends-of-mizoram.org
May 2008
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