Our Newsletter
Editorial………
Joy to the World
As we approach to the end of 2009, PC has many reasons to thank and praise God. Transition in PC Ministry is a reality that is challenging, yet we see God working all the way through. Every month the sale continues enabling the girls to sew and generate income consistently. Likewise, we have experiences and some are briefed in the following pages.
As the cold weather seeps in, Christmas seasons warms our hearts bringing smiles with anticipation for celebration with our near and dear ones. The song “Joy to the world” reminds us that Christmas is for the whole world and not only for few - “you and me”. Besides, “He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found”. Amazing promise and hope for the whole world as Christ’s birth convert the curse into blessings. Having received these promises as children of God, what part should we play to be the channel of blessings? There are many who are being ignored and neglected. They are like a shadow and faceless to the world. It is my prayer to my dear brothers and sisters to go out this year and make a difference even for a moment in someone’s life by giving something that you never did in the past. Maybe a shawl to the one in the street or go to hospital/jail and listen to the unheard story and pray with them. For Christmas is about giving and not about receiving. In the book of Acts 3:6-8, we find this passage where “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk…Then he went with them into the temple court, walking and jumping and praising God”. As we take the time to contemplate this season, reminding ourselves of God’s love, can we share the wonderful promises of God with others?
May the spirit of love, joy and peace fills our heart to make a difference this Christmas!
My experience in PC
I joined PC as Sales-Co-ordinator in August 2009. I believe it is because of God’s wonderful love that I have become a part of PC Ministry. I enjoy my work and especially taking devotion for the girls has helped me to learn and grow in my faith, at the same time being more blessed by the girls’ testimonies. Having seen PC transforming many lives, it has challenged me to do my small little bits for those women who are suffering and struggling in their lives. My wish and prayer is that PC will continue to grow and bring manifold blessings to more women and children who are in need.
(We are blessed to have Ms. Adahra as our new team. She joined us as the Sales Co-ordinator in the month of August 2009)
PC Graduates Reunion cum Oneday Retreat
Priscilla Centre Production Unit and the Graduates in Guwahati had a One Day Retreat on 21st Nov. 09 at CBCNEI Conference Hall attended by 15 women. Ms. Nonie Apon who was the resource person took her session based on the topic “Value of Life” where she elaborated about the characters of a woman and differentiates on 
what makes a woman beautiful and ugly through interactions and simulation games. She points out that “God made each one of us special and different, so that we can make a difference in someone’s life”. She adds that, “God has forgiven our sins and if we forgive others we glow and become more beautiful”.
Comments from the participants:
Ms.Lamcy, said that, “a lesson I learnt from the Retreat is that God made everyone differently so that we can be useful in a different way”.
Mamaan, “I came to know that I need to be content wherever I am placed. Since then I enjoy doing my work and I am able to give my best than earlier”.
PC Stories
Ms.Sally (name changed) a school dropout hailing from a poor family is a very shy and innocent girl. Being one of the victims of ethnic clashes, her family had been displaced from their village since few years back. Her parents are farmers with a big family burdened on their shoulder. They would not have sufficient food and most of the
time she sleeps hungry. She would spend her days at home baby sitting, never getting the time to play and be with her friends. Upon moving into PC Centre one could observe the glow on her face for she is too happy to be with her new found friends, enjoying the good food and the warm fellowship besides getting the training in tailoring skills.
Ms.Lily (name changed) a soft spoken woman and having a very low esteem of herself, had gone through bitter experiences in her life. She is a school dropout from a poor family. To sustain her family’s income she worked as a household helper for 13 long years and got infected with HIV, reportedly from the man she worked for. However, the Lord is gracious to her for she
could develop a positive attitude to life’s unending problems. She is very grateful for the love and concern shown to her by her elder brother and his wife, the staff and friends at PC Centre too. Out of the monthly wage of Rs.500/- she could faithfully set aside Rs. 50/- for her tithe and the remaining Rs. 450/- for her saving with which she hopes to buy a sewing machine.
PC Team along with the PC Board members wishes you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Christmas.May its blessing flows throughout the new year bringing Christ centred life.
From left: Adahra, Mang, Akung, Aren
PC Activities
IInd PC Projects Partners Meet was held at Life Spring Corner from Nov 17-20, 2009 with the theme “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed - Prov 11:25b”. Altogether 24 of us participated. The resource persons were Mrs. Alongla Aier and Ms. Moamenla Jamir. Ms.Nividi Kevichusa led us in Praise & worship. Ms. Remtluong, Manager, PC, Churachandpur has shared her experiences as below:
MEMORABLE VISITS
“By God’s grace I could avail and attend every PC Partners Meet ever since I joined the Ministry in 2001 and each time I had something new to learn. In the recent PC Partners Meet while visiting some centers, I was particularly taken by their hospitality and ways the Speaker shared about their ministry respecting the wishes of the people under their care and touching the lives of the marginalized people, making them feel as children of God”.
Praying with our partners and their trainees in Khaibung when we visited them during thr PC Project Partners’ Meet.
Participants enjoying bodo dance on the last nightof the meet & Exposure visit to Resource Centre in Dimapur during Partner’s Meet.
Dear Marcus & Maureen,
Thank you for gifting a sewing machine with motor each to Rammawi, Aminao, Poune and Chongboi. You have made their preparation to stand on their own feet more meaningful. It has enabled them to buy overlock machine each from their own saving. May God bless you richly in return.
PC CHILDREN’S CLUB
We have four PC Centres, reaching out to single mothers and widows who are mostly marginalized due to various reasons and are in difficult situations. Of these four centres, three are in the states of Manipur and one in Nagaland. These PC Centres, support and help their children through PC Children’s Club to strengthen the relationship and help them develop values and principles that will build the children’s lives positively besides supporting their school fees.
Many graduates and trainees children are given new hopes and dreams, motivating them to strive forward despite the many odds and obstacles that come along their way. Not only the children, the mothers and other relatives are touched to see the love and concern being shown to their children. It turns out to be a good way of tying up with our graduates; walking with them in their struggles and success, to look forward to - a better future!
Pictures are taken during the Childrens’ Camp organized in partnership with Children Bible Ministry during Sep 19-20, 2009 at PC Churachandpur
Production Unit,Guwahati
We extend our heartiest welcome to Lamcy, Mamaan and Tangse as they joined us in PC Production Unit under the Self-Sufficiency Program. Lamcy is from Nagaland, Tangse from Assam and Mamaan from Manipur. They will undergo skill enhancement training in cutting and tailoring besides living skill. We wish them a fruitful and happy stay. We wish them a fruitful and happy stay.
New Projects
A new project started in March 2009 in partnership with Vaiphei Baptist Association. It provides vocational training on cutting and tailoring to about 6-7 vulnerable school drop-out girls. The project is supported from the Production Unit, Guwahati.
Another new project is initiated in August 2009 in partnership with STNBA (Southern Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association) at their mission Centre, Irong. This partnership is mainly to reach out to vulnerable young girls and to rehabilitate women in difficult situations.Presently eight of them are undergoing training in cutting and tailoring.
Self-Sufficiency Program
* Rammaw has left Guwahati on December 12, 2009 to start her own tailoring shop cum training in Mizoram. She was the senior most under the self-sufficiency program and was in Guwahati Production Unit for the past four years as trainees and later as assistant instructor.
Front: Rammawi (Left), Aminao (Right) Back: Poune (Left), Chongboi (Right) * Aminao is leaving on December 21, 2009. She is joining PC, Senapati as Instructor from January 2009.
* Poune is also leaving with Aminao. She is planing to start a tailor shop in Senapati town, Manipur.
* Chongboi is staying back as senior in PC Guwahati Production Unit. She will be taking Rammawi’s place to assist the new girls.
Director’s Column.
Dear Friends,
Loving greetings in the name of our Precious Lord Jesus Christ!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your prayer support and standing by us since I took up the responsibility as the team leader of PC. God is gracious to PC as He has answered your prayers and we can feel God’s presence in all our doing. All glory and praises to Him!
PC continues to strive to bring healing in the lives of the women and children in the northeast India. Our core activities includes:
1.Vocational Training through cutting and Tailoring,weaving and food processing
2. Counseling and Bible study,
3. Providing linkages for employment & Savings
4. Providing nutrition supplement by providing day meal to the HIV/AIDS infected/ affected women
5. Supporting the school fees of PC graduates and trainees’ children & Children’s Club
We thank God and our Project Partners for the opportunity to work together in touching many lives. As part of my research work, recently I visited few brothels to interact with the commercial sex workers. During such visit I met two ladies that left a mark in me to question the vulnerability and safety of a woman’s life. One of them was left there by her own uncle at the age of seven as she was an orphan. The other one was born in the same place and she had a son too. The three generation in the same place and situation! Such stories are just at headlines of every news clippings, but the experience I had from the visit made me to wake up and ask myself, what can I do for them?
Because from the book of Exodus 3:7 “The Lord said, … I am concerned about their suffering” and in Verse 10, So, now, go, I am sending you…” As we worship the God of Moses, I believe that God is reminding us even now at the present age, of His concern about these women and children. Such special needs are pressing yet we trust the Lord will give us strength and a way to reach them.
Like the boy in the sea beach who picks up one star fish at a time and put back in the sea to make a difference for the starfish he picked up. We at PC want to make a difference in the lives of the women and children that are brought to PC. Please join us in prayer that God will continue to fill us with His unending love to be His change agent.
Yours in Christ,
G.Kungreiliu (Akung)
Volunteers & Consultants
Thank you - Josephine, Janet, Sarah, Jim, Cindy and Edward for contributing your ideas, knowledge and resources. We are enlightened and blessed by your visit.
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Maaike & Team and also Emmy & Team in Ker In Actie, Jenny & Team in Tear Australia, Mignonne & Grant of Tribes & Nations, Kristi & Team in World Craft, Belinda & Team of All Souls Church, Donna & Allison, Jim & Linda and Cindy for the partnership we share in PC Ministry.
Commiseration
With deep sorrow, we send our condolences to Arenla, PC Designer and her family members on the sudden death of her mother and maternal grandfather. Wish you and your family the strength to sustain during the difficult time and healing that soothes both mind and spirit.
New collections of PC
This newsletter is a bi-annual publication.
Editor: Ms.G.Kungreiliu, Director, Priscilla Centre
Published at: PC, CBCNEI Compound, Panbazar,
Guwahati - 781 001, INDIA.
Phone: (0361) 2603698,09435559108.
E-mail: priscilla_c@sify.com
Website: www.priscillacentre.com