by Lalbiakhnemi
Lalbiakhnemi is the only female pensioner (former women’s secretary) of Phai Synod, PCM. She grew up among Burmese-speaking people and hardly speaks her mother tongue - Mizo. But she came to Phai Synod and served her synod since she knows that language barriers will not make her stop serving God and women in the church.
I was born in a famous, beautiful town called Pyin Oo Lwin. For the glory of God, I have spent most of my good life serving God especially with Christian Women’s ministry. Currently I am holding the following ministerial positions: (1) Vice Chairperson of Presbyterian Women’s Society (PWS), Tahan Venglai Unit, (2) President of Presbyterian Women’s Joint Conference (PWJC), Phai Synod, (3) President of Kalay Christian Women’s Fellowship (KCWF). As for my educational background, I completed my G.Th (1989-1992) and B.Th (1995-1997) study at Tahan Theological College.
The reason why I pursued theological study was to dedicate my whole life to serve God. I started ministry when I became the Women’s Secretary of Phai Synod in 1999, the post I worked in till I got my pension in 2016. Currently I live in Tahan town with my family. My husband’s name is Mr. Suithanga. God has blessed our marriage with a beautiful daughter, Jenny Lalengmawii. Many of God’s people have inspired me a lot. The one who inspired me the most is Rev. Moe Moe Eih, a minister from the Upper Methodist Church. I admire her very much for her great commitment in her ministry and for being a respected, influential pastor. Some of the things which made me admire her were the way she looked in her minister dress, her neat and perfect Eucharist performance as well as her good and spiritually touching preaching. I once told her, “I want to be a minister like you!” I would like to share the reason why I dedicated myself for God’s ministry. Back when I was in my old town, May Myo (Pyin Oo Lwin), I met a minister. After he prayed for me, he told me, “You are chosen to serve God. If you deny or hesitate by walking out on God’s ministry, God will call you out anyway through certain hardships in your life.” At that time, however, I
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didn’t believe him; furthermore, I didn’t want to commit to the ministry. Afterwards, difficulties and hardships always followed me in everything I did. Finally, I gave in and answered God’s call to serve. Phai Synod supported my entire study expenses. Since I was born and raised in a Burmese community, I couldn’t speak the Mizo language (which is the first language in our church ministry) very well. During the final year of my study I asked God to make me fluent in the Mizo language. God answered me with a question, “Do you want to be fluent in language, or instead have my words come out of your mouth?” At that time, my vision was enlightened and I began to realise that in order to serve God, my commitment was sufficient: God is able! During my entire 17 year career, God’s unceasing care has been unbelievable, so great towards me. In all of my preparation for training sessions and preaching, God always filled me with necessary knowledge and experiences relating to the topics I was preparing for. I would then share my experiences in the training sessions, from which I myself gained lots of empowerment. When I visited the local churches, the Lord helped me understand the true nature and condition of those churches, and gave me insight into how to empower their weaknesses as well as ways to bring unity among those who were not united. My Lord always provided me with words to speak out in those situations. Sometimes after being well-prepared to preach, God would suddenly change the topics and words I was supposed to preach. I can only wonder how much my God has been guiding and protecting me throughout my ministry!
INSiGHT | June 2020
