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$E:\CBCNEI\Baptist News\64$ Contents Baptist News A quarterly news letter of Editorial 02 the COUNCIL OF BAPTIST Understanding of 04 CHURCHES IN NORTH EAST Childhood: Pastoral INDIA Counseling Perspective The Council comprises Assam The importance of 12 Baptist Convention, Arunachal pre-natal care of the Baptist Church Council, Garo child Baptist Convention, Karbi Talitha Cumi: Children as 14 Anglong Baptist Convention, an Encounter in between Manipur Baptist Convention A Devotional: My 20 and Nagaland Baptist Church favorite things Council. Grace Children Home 22 DITORIAL OARD Assam Christian Fellowship E B “The Promised Seed” 26 Editor: Rev Dr A. K. Lama Assistant Editor: Ms Kaholi Zhimomi Children of alcoholic 30 Sub-Editor: Dr Asangla Ao parents Design & Layout: Siamliana Khiangte Sponsor a Child: NEICORD 37 Circulation: Ebenezer Orphanage Home 42 Jatin Gogoi Jinoy G. Sangma “Ministry among the 60 Ningthoujam Rojit Singh the street children,” A Biren Saikia project of World Vision Subscription: “Street Children in 63 One Year ` 150 (US$20) Guwahati,” A Perspective Two Years ` 250 (US$35) from a visitor from USA Three Years ` 400 (US$50) The contribution of 65 Five Years ` 600 (US$80) CBCNEI towards Children Ministry Contact information: CBCNEI, Mission Compound Nagaland Alliance for 67 Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam-781001 for Child Rights(NACR): Phone: +91-361-2515 829 A Concerted Effort for Fax: +91-361-2544 447 Child Rights in Nagaland eMail: [email protected] Lead like Jesus - One day 74 website: www.cbcnei.in encounter Facebook: facebook.com/cbcnei Baptist News, October - December 2013 1 from the desk of editor Dear friend, This month we have witnessed two phenomenal events which give hope to those who aspire to be an agent of CHANGE in our society. First, the result from Delhi Legislative Assembly election that took many of us by surprise. A newly formed party of political novices with limited resources was able to fetch 28 seats and dethrone a powerful ruling party. Given in the existing corrupt system, no psephologist or political analyst dared to predict it. If anyone had asked me about its chances to fetch these many seats prior to the election result, I would have responded impossible! The second is the funeral service of late Dr. Nelson Mandela which drew top leaders of fame from all over the world. It was a historic event of the century. Dr. Nelson Mandela, a black leader from a remote poor village, spent 27 years in a single cell dungeon for plotting to overthrow the white ruling regime of Apartheid South Africa by violence. Who would have ever thought that the pris- oner would become the greatest president of the century? He became great because he not only librated the oppressed but also the oppressor. He fought for the right of his enemies, ex- tending his love and forgiveness to them. Could somebody have predicted about such a glorious ending of a life that was incar- cerated for long? Impossible is the answer. These two events should compel Christian leaders to reflect on the possibility in God who can turn a person’s integrity, Christ like 2 Baptist News, October - December 2013 love and forgiveness, and commitments to serve people for CHANGE into God-size possibility. Yes, it is possible. We have arrived to the end of 2013 and we would like to end it with optimism of God-size possibility. Through this Baptist News, we desire to bring awareness on various issues in our society that needs a God-size possibility of CHANGE. In this issue, we are focusing on Children—the defenseless, vulnerable, future of our Church, Society, and our Nation. The editorial has been able to solicit few articles that look into various possibilities of extend- ing ministry to our children. Much is left and much could be said. The objective is not to be comprehensive but to draw our atten- tion to the areas of concern and to help us reflect with the questions such as: What is our role as a follower of Jesus Christ in ministering to our Children? What can we do as Christian parents? What can we do as Church? Our desire is to see that the readers are made aware, challenged, and encouraged to engage and become the agent of CHANGE. The editorial team would be glad to hear from you sometime. Let us know your point of view on certain issues that you are facing in your immediate context. We welcome your suggestions, articles, and the report that will enlighten the members of the Bap- tist family across the world. From all the editorial team, we wish you a very Happy New Year 2014. Rev. Dr. A. K. Lama General Secretary Baptist News, October - December 2013 3 Understanding of Childhood: Pastoral Counseling Perspective Phanenmo Kath, Teaches Pastoral Counseling & Psychology at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat Assam. Presently pursuing D.Th in the area of Family Therapy, at FFRRC, Kottayam Psalm 127: 3-5 Behold, chil- to the time when children dren are a heritage from become mature in 13-15 the Lord, the fruits of the years. On the ground of so- womb a reward, Like ar- cial exposure of children, rows in the hand of a war- childhood is subdivided into rior are the children of early childhood (pre-school one’s youth. Blessed is the age) and late childhood man who fills his quiver (school going age). In this with them! He shall not be article infancy is excluded to put to shame when he be fair to the theme “Child- speaks with his enemies in hood,” but that doesn’t the gate. meant infancy is not an important stage. Childhood is considered to be an important period in human life. The period of Early Childhood childhood begins at about Based on the foundation laid the age of two and extends in the babyhood, a child 4 Baptist News, October - December 2013 makes a number of develop- of their surroundings with ments during early child- higher confidence and go hood. Like the ability to eat back to their parents when solid food and eat indepen- they encounter failures or dently, ability to communi- threat’s in life. But children cate with others, get accus- who lack the basic trust will tom to surroundings, develop experience high anxiety relationship with peers, and while facing a new situation also pets. A child who has or people. Such children due successfully resolved the cri- to lack of initiative which ses in the early phases will is characteristic of this pe- be able to see himself/her- riod, may not venture and self as an individual distinct as a result will remain ar- from others. Children of this rested of normal progress. stage will try to make more Likewise children, who are contacts outside the family over protected or under pro- circle and enjoy playing with tected, abused, discrimi- their peers. They ask innu- nated, frequently criticized merable questions about the or feel threatened also may things they observe around experience impairment in them and they imagine be- the development of their ing adult. Children who are personality. understood and properly Insights for Parents guided by parents will fur- ther develop the inner Express unconditional love strength, social skills and to the child by way of hold- sense of security. ing, hugging and playing with the child, listening to its fan- Those children who failed to tasy stories, answering the develop a stable relationship countless why and how with their mothers during questions with poise and in childhood may lag behind in loving, soothing tone. acquiring new skills. For example, children who feel A very important aspect of secured make explorations parenting at this stage is the Baptist News, October - December 2013 5 healthy boundaries for TV has many harmful effects child’s function. While such as: development of granting the child sufficient sedentary (inactive) life- freedom to explore, ex- style, imbibing unhealthy press, and demand their values, becoming aggressive needs, parents must disci- towards peers, having sleep pline the child respecting disturbances etc. Too much the rules and limits. The social exposure (for example child must know how to be- keep children most of the have during dining time (eat- time in a kindergarten set- ing with clean hand, with- ting where they have many out wasting and without dis- toys and friends) and too turbing others), play time little exposure (deprived of and prayer time. friends and leave to play The play time experience is alone most of the time) are the key determinant of a equally damaging to a child’s varied development. healthy development. Solitary play is important as The parent relationship and it makes the child self-suffi- family environment are two cient. But children need to other important elements have opportunity to play that influence the develop- with peers as it provides ment of children. Children opportunity to employ their feel comfortable when par- newly acquired skills. It is ents are together, express also important as socializa- happiness, communicate tion in early childhood warmth, care and respect mainly comes through play- for each other. On the other ing with peers. Children hand, children become anx- having no play-mates gener- ious, sad and confused when ally spend much of their time parents yell, abuse, fight or before television. While TV threaten each other. Family viewing has some advantage conflicts and unpleasant, it has many disadvantages as fearful family environments well. Studies say too much are capable on inflicting last- 6 Baptist News, October - December 2013 ing impairment to children. tion or in violating a moral Three A’s method: Accep- code.

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