In their book "Indian Textile - Past and Present", GK Ghosh and Shukla Ghosh wrote: "Tawlhloh-Puan is another beautiful puan used by the Mizos. Tawlhloh in Mizo language means to stand firm, not to change position and/or not to move backward. Tawlhloh-Puan was thus indicative of 'never turning back' attitude of a warrior who would put it on. It was indeed a cloth which could not be put on except by a very courageous warrior who had established for himself a reputation for bravery."
There may not be a clear record of the last Mizo warrior worthy of wearing this cloth prior to the advent of the Gospel in the late 1800's but in modern history, the one person that stands qualified would be former Chief Minister of Mizoram, Brig.Thenphunga Sailo.
Brig.T.Sailo, as he is also known, is a hero in the truest sense of the term. His pre-political career was even more adventurous. If you haven't read his autobiography - A Soldiers' Story - I'd recommend you read it. It gives great insight into his life as a soldier and also gives a reflection of what a village boy could achieve against all odds. If you love to read war stories, this one's a real war story told by someone who was at the forefront.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, we read about a man who said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go”. Jesus gave him an unexpected reply - “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
When he said to another man, “Follow me,” the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus gave an even more unexpected reply to this man: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Finally another person said to Him, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” And then Jesus gave this profound reply: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Jesus emphasised the fact that the work of the Kingdom of God required an unwavering commitment, a total dedication. In fact, a total denial of one's own life.
I had the great privilege and opportunity to be part of the buiding of the Kingdom of God in China for two years during 2005 - 2007. I must admit, when I started I was a total novice. The only thing I understood about missionary work was lifelong service for the Kingdom of God. And so I went to the Communist country with that mindset through the partnership of the Baptist Church of Mizoram and Global Interaction (formerly known as the Australian Baptist Missionary Society). Although I had no plan to go back, I had no clear plan for the future either. Little did I know that continuing to serve would require a whole lot more. As it was a non-permanent mission program, my tenure ended after two years.
Before I left Mizoram, at one of the farewell services, Kanan Baptist Church youth leader Pu Lalthianghlima gave me this special and meaningful cloth as a reminder of what Jesus said in Luke 9:62.
Today, I am not involved in the mission field anymore but I certainly take this reminder seriously for it resembles both my cultural heritage and Jesus' strong exhortation.
As I begin this new year, I thought I'd use this cloth and this Bible verse to remind myself of the service I am called to render unto God and my fellow man. I don't know about you but as for me, I want to be found "fit for service in the kingdom of God" till I draw my dying breath.
I know that the world we live in is getting worse (I am not a pessimist but a realist) but the hope of glory in me gives me the strength to endure. If God is for us, who can be against us?
There may not be a clear record of the last Mizo warrior worthy of wearing this cloth prior to the advent of the Gospel in the late 1800's but in modern history, the one person that stands qualified would be former Chief Minister of Mizoram, Brig.Thenphunga Sailo.
Brig.T.Sailo, as he is also known, is a hero in the truest sense of the term. His pre-political career was even more adventurous. If you haven't read his autobiography - A Soldiers' Story - I'd recommend you read it. It gives great insight into his life as a soldier and also gives a reflection of what a village boy could achieve against all odds. If you love to read war stories, this one's a real war story told by someone who was at the forefront.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, we read about a man who said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go”. Jesus gave him an unexpected reply - “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
When he said to another man, “Follow me,” the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus gave an even more unexpected reply to this man: “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Finally another person said to Him, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” And then Jesus gave this profound reply: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Jesus emphasised the fact that the work of the Kingdom of God required an unwavering commitment, a total dedication. In fact, a total denial of one's own life.
I had the great privilege and opportunity to be part of the buiding of the Kingdom of God in China for two years during 2005 - 2007. I must admit, when I started I was a total novice. The only thing I understood about missionary work was lifelong service for the Kingdom of God. And so I went to the Communist country with that mindset through the partnership of the Baptist Church of Mizoram and Global Interaction (formerly known as the Australian Baptist Missionary Society). Although I had no plan to go back, I had no clear plan for the future either. Little did I know that continuing to serve would require a whole lot more. As it was a non-permanent mission program, my tenure ended after two years.
Before I left Mizoram, at one of the farewell services, Kanan Baptist Church youth leader Pu Lalthianghlima gave me this special and meaningful cloth as a reminder of what Jesus said in Luke 9:62.
Today, I am not involved in the mission field anymore but I certainly take this reminder seriously for it resembles both my cultural heritage and Jesus' strong exhortation.
As I begin this new year, I thought I'd use this cloth and this Bible verse to remind myself of the service I am called to render unto God and my fellow man. I don't know about you but as for me, I want to be found "fit for service in the kingdom of God" till I draw my dying breath.
I know that the world we live in is getting worse (I am not a pessimist but a realist) but the hope of glory in me gives me the strength to endure. If God is for us, who can be against us?
