" 'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men, by which we must be saved' (Acts 4:12). These words seemed to jump out of the page at me. All along, I had been thinking that my religion could save me from hell and I would attain salvation. However, I had no real peace in my heart. But when I came across the gospel tract where I found this verse, I wanted to know Jesus Christ. I began to read the Bible and finally gave my life to the Lord." This is what Andrew has to say about his first connections with God's Word. Today he is glad to be a part of the Ranglong Scripture translation team.
The state of Tripura, home to the Halam community, is full of beautiful scenery: lush green fields, picturesque hills that are a part of the eastern Himalyan ranges, and deep green valleys. This Halam community consists of many subtribes and Ranglong is one of the well-known ones.
When the Gospel came to these people about 60 years ago, the Ranglong left their animistic beliefs and trusted in Christ. This spread fast and now eighty percent of the Ranglong are believed to be Christians. Yet they maintain good relationships with the rest of the community and their non-Christian neighbors. There are already 22 churches among this small group. The New Testament was published in Ranglong in 2003 and now an Old Testament translation is on the way.
Most of the Halam Ranglong villages lack roads, postal deliveries and electricity. Poverty and the need to support their family often force the Ranglong children to drop out of school just after the primary level. However, considerable changes are slowly taking place in the environment, economy and social lives of these people.
Scripture Prayers for the Ranglong in Myanmar (Burma).
Profile Source: Anonymous |