| High in the lush, green mountains of Manipur, a state in the northeast region of India, lies the village of Senvon. Accessible only by a winding, bumpy and unpaved road, or treacherous mountain footpaths, the tiny community is home to one of the first Christian schools planted in the area by a famous son — Dr. Rochunga Pudaite, known across the globe as “God’s Tribesman.”
Ro’s father, Chawnga, was one of five young men from Senvon, home of a fierce, headhunting Hmar tribe, and who responded to the Gospel message brought by a Welsh missionary in 1910. Transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ, Chawnga roamed the hills of the region sharing the message with fellow tribesmen in village after village. His young son, Rochunga, was sent to school 96 miles away so he could learn to read and write, then to high school 300 miles away. His mission was clear: Ro would learn how to translate and bring the entire Bible to his people.
His pursuit of education eventually took him to Scotland, then Wheaton College in Illinois, at the invitation of Rev. Billy Graham. All the while he was learning the intricacies of God’s Word -- but realized the importance of education to the people of his Hmar tribe. He was determined to start schools in his home region, and did so after returning to India.
“One can transform a nation through education,” Ro believed. But he was convinced that the best education is one that is grounded in God’s Word, the Bible.
The first Christian school in the region was started by Ro in 1959 — the flagship that is still in operation today. Additional schools spread across the areas now known as Manipur, Mizoram and Assam. Finally, in 1960, Rochunga completed a translation of the New Testament into the language of his people. read more |
