Awon Shanglai

 

Awon Shanglai (M.Div. 2004) graduated from Beeson Divinity School several years ago and now serves the Lord through Kasom Khullen Baptist Church, a village church in India. She leads a Sunday School team, works with a children’s Bible club, and ministers to the sick and dying in the village. Awon also has a ministry with Leimaroi Christian English School, speaking in chapel services there and helping to promote awareness of AIDS/HIV in the community. She does this in connection with World Vision aiming to show the importance of a Christian response to social issues. In all of her work Awon is involved in ministry and evangelism, bearing witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ and his Gospel.

Our Beeson faculty remember Awon and her time here with us with great affection. Her sweet spirit, iridescent smile, and humble walk with the Lord impressed everyone who knew her. During her student years she struggled with health and financial concerns but was conscientious and persistent in her work. She found a wonderful circle of friends at Beeson and at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church and was heartened by this community of love and support. To talk with Awon and to pray with her, just to be in her presence, is to know a person who loves Jesus Christ with all her heart and who has dedicated her life to making him known to others.
In a recent ministry update, Awon offered this personal reflection:

Being in the village I have a more quiet life but not much time for reading books. Many times I have visitors who come for prayer, counseling or who just want to spend time with me. I have some meaningful ministry with people who come just like that. Some of them have personal or family problems that lead them to avoid coming to church. I view this as one of the important aspects of the ministry: to be with them and listen. Although I cannot solve their problems, we have time to pray and have cup of tea. My prayer is that they will go further from the tea time to a deeper relation with God.

The best part of village life for me is being free from the traffic confusion of the city and so many routine works to rush. However, sometimes I feel that living in the rural village is like being locked up in a room without a door or window. I feel like I am cut off from rest of the world with no access to information of events in the world or no facilities to stay in touch with friends at a distance. This lack of information and facilities is not only frustrating but also weakens the ability to communicate in English, especially the skill of writing.

I thank God for my Spiritual Formation classes at Beeson Divinity School. They taught me the importance of finding a safe place for inner renewal and strength. I learned to create such a time and place by a simple yet profound spiritual experience. Our village has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. I enjoy watching the surrounding hills that make me feel closer to nature and give me a strong sense of God's presence. On one of the most spiritually dry days God gave me the following scripture which refreshed my wearied soul and led me to rest on his bosom.

You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy,
at your right hand there are complete pleasures forever more.
Psalm 16:11 (Tangkhul Bible translation)

Please remember Awon Shanglai in your prayers. You can read more about her ministry efforts in Kasom Khullen on her website: www.shepherdshillindia.org.