AA Ongpangkong Baptist Church holds first New Year resolution prog
Yimyu, January 2 (MExN): Alcoholics Anonymous, which started under the initiative of Ongpangkong Baptist Church Yimyu on May 24, 2015 with seven members, has now grown to seventeen. Within a short period of time and under the leadership of I. Bendang Jamir, Home Evangelist, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has successfully encouraged and transformed many alcoholics of the neighbourhood to quit alcohol and lead happy productive lives.
Lima, a former alcoholic confesses that he took to drinking with a feeling of pride and honour which he associated with drinking and that he could succeed anywhere after drinking. He states that “It’s been more than thirty years since I started drinking and has been the source of unhappiness everywhere I went. But now after quitting alcohol, it is such a joy to live happily with my wife, children, relatives and society.”
Lolen, another former alcoholic of twenty eight years, while speaking about the benefits of giving up alcohol echoes the same thoughts pointing out that he now leads a peaceful life with his family and society. “I live a blessed, peaceful and happy life now after alcohol,” Lolen adds with a smile.
Along, another former alcoholic also share parallel views on the advantages of putting down the bottle and says that anyone can overcome alcoholism and shortcomings with the understanding of God’s love and grace.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Ongpangkong Baptist Church Yimyu Ward, Mokokchung held its first New Year resolution programme cum feast at Yimyu Ward on January 2. The programme cum feast which was financed by offerings collected during the weekly gatherings was attended by the deacon board, pastor, and full time workers of Ongpangkong Baptist Church Yimyu (OBCY) as well as more than 15 Alcoholics Anonymous members along with their families. The church functionaries prayed to the Almighty God that they would not relapse into alcoholism and abstain from it.
Bendang Jamir, Home Evangelist, Ongpangkong Baptist Church Yimyu Ward, Mokokchung took the challenge to convince habitual drinkers to quit alcohol and started home visits offering counseling to alcoholics.
Speaking about the challenges while trying to convince the members about abstinence, Bendang says that there is the always test of relapsing and breaking resolutions but yet he receives strength by praying to God to bless them with determination and persistence. Gradually, he was able to encourage many of the hard-as-nails alcoholics to quit and accompany him in his home visits to alcoholics.
When congratulated for the success, Bendang humbly says “I thank God for making them quit alcohol.” Bendang states that people are now happy to see former alcoholics leading alcohol-free lives and that the positive impact is clearly visible on the faces not only of their families but the neighborhood as a whole.
Upon enquiry regarding the plan and hope for Alcoholics Anonymous of OBCY, he modestly says “I praise God for his grace and love for making them quit alcohol. This year, AA shall reach out to the youth and womenfolk who are into alcohol.”
This resolve augurs well for this ward of Mokokchung and should serve as an example to renew the fight against alcohol in the dry state of Nagaland.
(Contributed by Akangwapang, Yimyu Ward)
