SABAK and Khonoma Baptist Church Friendship Fellowship

Good morning everyone, I bring Greetings to each and every one of you, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I want to thank the Khonoma Baptist Church for the warm welcome extended to us. I am sure this Friendship Fellowship will renew old ties between Khonoma Baptist Church and Chishilimi Baptist Church, Khonoma Baptist Church and Pughoboto Town Baptist Church, the SABAK and ABC Associations as well as lead to closer relations between the Sumis and the Angamis.
I want to thank Rev. Hotokhu Zhimo and his team members in SABAK as well as the Pastor of Khonoma Baptist Church and other members under whose joint initiative this program was planned enabling us to be here with you this morning.
I thank the SABAK and the Chishilimi church for giving me this opportunity to speak. There are many Chishilimi elders who should have taken this role but even with my inadequacies I humbly stand before you to share stories of what I have heard over the years.
I want to start my short sharing by way of introducing myself first. I come from a family that has a story of embracing Christianity not through the behest of any worldly preacher but through personal contact from God. It was in his dream that God spoke to my grandfather Kushe to become ‘Yihovah’. In visions and dreams he was shown the heavenly realm. He was taught bible verses and he was told to observe six days of work and rest on the seventh day. He was also told in his dream that some people would come to guide him. The news of a man becoming Yihovah at Chishilimi village spread and reached the American Mission Centre at Kohima. The American Missionaries decided to sent Suluho and Kiyevi to verify the facts.
Coincidently, God had also spoken to Evangelist Suluho in his dream. (grandfather of Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, former NBCC general secretary) He was asked to go to Chishilimi to meet a man who God had chosen as a Vessel to be used for His purpose. He was restless as it was revealed to him that disobedience would render him physically disabled. He went to Ighanumi village and asked his friend Kiyevi (father of Shihani) to take him to Chishilimi.
On reaching Chishilimi and meeting Kushe, they exchanged testimonies and experiences and were amazed at the wondrous work of God. What Kushe saw in his dreams and the re-confirmation he had with Suluho and Kiyevi became the foundation of his faith and belief.
Kushe was the first convert of Chishilimi village and served as Pastor for the initial years. His main passion was however, evangelizing. Though he was illiterate he spend thirty plus years of his life spreading the gospel. He did not serve under any Association but was a free preacher evangelizing the Sumi areas touching many Sumi villages. He walked on foot for miles through dense forest and dangerous terrains to spread the gospel. His evangelical works extended to even the Yimchumger, Chakhesang and Rengma regions. During the later part of his life, people started calling him “Kushe Tungkupu” meaning “Kushe the prophet” because of the miraculous way God used him.
None of my grandfather’s sons including my father Yeshito who is 94 years now, took up full time missionary or evangelistic works. However, each of the four sons and two daughters were devoted Christians. My father served as a travelling pastor and full time Pastor only briefly. My aunty Hekhuli was the first woman Evangelist among the Sumis. Today the last two of my grandfather’s sons which includes my father and his younger brother Jacob are prayer warriors of Sumi Alakishi Kighinimi ( Sumi Peace Prayer Group) at Ghathashi, since 1994, 30 plus years now. My uncle Isak Chishi Swu, the eldest son of Kushe (classmate of Niketu Iralu at Barapani Shillong) could do his BA in the late 50’s only to join the undivided NNC with a mission to free Naga people from Indian and Myanmar domination.
Though my uncle Isak Chishi Swu chose a different calling – to serve the Naga nation, he never veered away from the path his father Kushe walked. Wherever he went, he found great joy in spreading the word of God. During his time in the Eastern Naga areas in Myanmar, he was instrumental in bringing the gospel to thousands. According to my aunty Mrs Eustar Khulu who is still alive, my uncle Isak carried out massive outreach gospel missions where thousands were baptized in the Eastern Naga areas. What I know of my uncle was that, wherever he went his first priority was to look for a church. He made friends with people in different parts of the world through his church circle and I believe that the Naga Story got international recognition partly through his Christian circle.
As I stand here this morning I want to say thank you, Khonoma Baptist Church for the life and the works of Rev. Megoseiso and his wife Janikhou Savino, Vilhu their associate, Rev. Niseir, who also frequently visited Chishilimi. Mr. Kekholhu, Mr. Vizokhou, who had all rendered their service to the people of Pughoboto area through the Kohima Mission Field in different capacities. Time would not permit me to go into details about each of them, their works and contribution. However, we are greatly indebted to each one of them for the sacrifices they had made during the formative years and the continuous support you have extended over the years.
In 1926, Kohima Field Baptist Church Council convention was held at Chishilimi village. In this convention Rev. Yehmi of Lazami was ordained as the first Sumi Rev. by Rev. J.E Tanquist. The significance of the convention was that it adopted a resolution to open Sub-Mission Center and UP school for Sumi’s at Chishilimi. The purpose of the Sub-Mission Center was to produce God fearing church workers and also to enable people to study and understand the word of God.
Rev. Megosieso Savino and his wife Janikhoü Savino ( Eldest sister of Niketu Iralu) were amongst the few others who had served at Chishilimi Sub-Mission Center. ( I learnt that Rev. Megosieso Savino’s father Vicha Savino was a pastor too in this church)
Kohima Mission Field was then under the care of Rev. J. E Tanquist . Rev M. Savino came to Chishilimi as a “Field Supervisor”. During their stay at Chishilimi my grandfather Kushe, and few others assisted them with their works. Janikhou was a skilled and talented woman. She taught the Chishilimi people basic life etiquettes like personal hygiene, how to keep the surroundings clean, neighbouring villages used to talk about how clean Chishilimi was. This was all due to Janikhou’s efforts. She also taught them different ways to cook and eat and also different crafts including embroidery. She taught them to be self-sustaining and also introduced the palm-rice offerings among the women. This concept of giving a small amount from even the little of what we have was started by Janikhou. Besides this, they also taught in the school which had students from all the surrounding villages including Nasami, Nunumi, Khukiye Lukhai and many more from Satakha area. Their stay at Chishilimi was short lived due to the effect of the Second World War but they left a lasting impact on the life of the people. They came in March and left in August 1945. They were the last person to serve there, after which the Sub-Mission Center was shifted to Aizuto in 1946.
Another remarkable pioneering work done by them was the starting of a Sunday school for Children. Today Chishilimi Baptist Church is proud to hold the distinction of being the first church to have a Sunday school in the Sumi area. This accomplishment is etched in the history of the Sumi Churches.
As I stand here this morning in your church, I regret to share that besides, visiting Mrs. Janikhou Savinou in her mission compound residence while she was alive by our Church members on different occasions, we have not been able to visit your church or your village all these years.
The Sumi tribe is heading towards celebrating 125 years of Christianity by 2029. God willing, Chishilimi village will by than have a proper Sunday School building completed in memory and in honor of Rev. Megosieso Savino and Janikhoü Savino.
The works of the Kohima Mission Field is another memorable link in our relationship. Many Angamis and Chakhesangs have given their time painstakingly in propagating the gospel to Pughoboto area. I will however, leave this part to Rev. Hotokhu as this area concerns him and his works.
We are here this morning from Pughoboto a small sub-division, which had its growth and relation with the Angamis from the time of the inception of Statehood till the year 1987 when Pughoboto people decided to merge with Zunheboto district.
Besides Christianity which came from Angami and Chakhesang, the Naga Freedom movement also connects Pughoboto people with Angamis and Chakhesang in many ways.
AZ Phizo was closely connected to Pughoboto area during the formative years of NNC. He stayed at Lazami in various locations. It is said that it was at Lazami that Phizo was re-strengthened and motivated to take the NNC forward again after a brief disillusionment.
At Ighanumi it is told that he camped at Jeneyi ji-to, (means a hill) and Izuve a dense forest
He is also said to have camped at Chishe river bed at Natsumi village.
At Mishilimi village his camp was at Ghabo field, the particular location was Lashi.
The last camp of NNC is believed to have been at Ghokimi Village by the bank of Chusho river called “Machieo’s Camp”. The bunkers and other protective aids build surrounding the camp is still visible to this days.
At Hebolimi it is said that AZ Phizo stayed at a place called Kasuluto. Elders say that the NNC file was opened from there. It is said that Phizo told the villagers that, that place should be renamed as “Khaqhiluto” – Khaqhi means opened and luto means field.
Pughoboto people, Angamis and Chakhesang are connected through migration, Christianity and through the Naga Freedom movement.
Today, it is important that the younger generation should carry on the relationship build by our fore fathers.
It’s a great privilege for me to be here today in Khonoma. This village holds a place of great pride in the annals of Naga history. Your tales of courage and valour encountering the British from 1880 to the time of NNC is forever etched in the history of the Naga people. Besides, many prominent church workers your village has produced many prominent figures like AZ Phizo, T Sakhrie, Khrisanisa first NNC president, Gen. Mowu, Kevichusa brothers, Jasokie, etc. and in recent and present times, let me say the never changing simple and honest Niketu Iralu, Dr. Visei Sanyu, Dr. Setu, Charles Chase, Mrs. Bilie, Mrs. Rano M Saizah fomer MP, Kaka D, Iralu, Ahu Sakhrie one of the founding member NPMHR, Mrs. Sano Vamuzo, Mrs. Khrelienou, to name a few.
The Naga struggle has affected almost every Naga family and Khonoma was one of the first to experience one of the most gruesome effects of the struggle. The legacy of hatred that the Naga Struggle has inflicted is so deep. Khonoma people experienced 22 killings within the village. However painful the past was, I am amazed that you had the courage to leave it behind and forgive.
Your reconciliation story is something that should be an example for all Nagas to follow. I had heard about the works of “The Khonoma Public Commission” (KPC) briefly, but it was only recently that I came to know in some detail about how it happened when I had met uncle Niketu, his wife Christine, and Peno at the House of listening “Kerenyu Ki”, Sechu Zubza. As Christians, you have really shown us that with God everything is possible. Even when human minds fail, we can be assured that God’s perfect plan will prevail only if we allow Him to.
I was greatly moved when I heard about a particular day when all of Khonoma people observed a silent time during your 11 years reconciliation process, to retrospect and seek forgiveness. I heard that everyone was asked to wear clean clothes to mark the sanctity and importance of the exercise. I heard that during that time of silent prayer, it felt like even the domestic animals seemed to sense the significance of the moment and seemed to observe the silence. The serene calmness of that moment, I heard, felt like God himself had descended upon Khonoma and brought about healing and freedom from the legacy of hatred.
I learnt that the love and forgiveness that the reconciliation process achieved even manifested in the success of your forest conservation efforts. Love over flowing towards the animal, the forest and the environment. Your successful conservation efforts is truly commendable and you should continue with renewed zeal setting yet another example for other Nagas to follow.
The Nagas need reconciliation in so many areas. Between individuals, between clans, between communities, between tribes, between the Naga political groups and many more. As struggling people, we have faced almost everything that a long Conflict brings. Misunderstanding, betrayal, division, hatred, and worst of all killings. The Struggle has left so many wounds not yet healed. During our conversation on two occasions uncle Niketu rightly quoted Richard Rohr “ Hurts not transformed gets transferred.” The task ahead of us is huge but all hope is not lost. What has been achieved here can be achieved elsewhere. Collectively, we can all work towards the healing of our land, a small step at a time.
Today, I see this as a small step towards renewing what our fathers and mothers before us started. Our shared history of the spread of the gospel as well as our shared history of the Naga struggle can pave the way for building a renewed relationship which can lead the way towards bringing not only the people of Pughoboto and Khonoma closer together but in bringing both the Sumi and the Angami tribes closer in friendship and brotherhood. It is time for every Naga to renew relationships, mend broken bridges, forgive and move forward, towards a brighter and a better future.
May God bless us all
Y. Vikheho Swu
Former Minister
Nagaland