Five days before he was called Home like a bolt from the blue on 20.6.2016, I talked to Rev. Lano over the phone and he said, “Brother my legs are swollen and I am a little discouraged.” I replied saying he should not be discouraged as many are praying to grant him long life. Then he enquired about my welfare saying he just finished praying for me and my family. That was the last time we talked to each other.
As he was not in his best physical form for the last two years, I would advise him often as a doctor on how to take care of himself better. I suggested him two things saying, “Brother, instead of gospel programmes every week make it on alternate weeks and then do some brisk walking exercise every morning.” Then he would reply saying, “Brother, so many invitations are coming and I cannot say ‘no’. Even for next year, I have some programmes booked already. Then every morning before I wake up, people are waiting for me for prayer, so where in my time for exercise?” At the beginning of each year he would call me and say, “Brother this year I want to bring one lakh souls to God so please pray for me. I do not want money, fame or anything. I just want to live long and win souls.” Such was the commitment of this great man of God whose entire passion was soul winning. The last time we went together for a gospel programme at Tadubi in Mao area along with IEF team of young preachers, Achet and Akumla in the first week of April, 2015, he collapsed in the bath room. But he recovered after IV drips were given and he was able to preach with his undaunted spirit and many souls were saved. During the crusade a cancer patient who was bedridden was prayed for and he was able to get up and walk after the prayer. Early part of this year a big crusade was conducted at Pangsha near Myanmar border after which he travelled non-stop to Mokokchung for nearly ten hours.
This was not the only one but often he travelled several hours even late at night for gospel programmes which was responsible for wearing him out so fast. He did not count his life dear to him for the sake of the gospel.
I came to know this great man of God in the year 1985 when I was working in Tuensang Civil hospital. He preached in the local ground about brevity of life and the need to prepare for our eternity. Many were touched and gave their lives to Christ. From that day I knew he was a very special instrument of God.
I had the great blessing of associating with Rev Lano for the last many years as prayer partners and working together in gospel programmes. He was so happy when he was able to go to Jerusalem and preach in a church last year and he was so keen to share with me about Jerusalem. But alas, we could never get the chance to listen to his Jerusalem story.
Among many preachers I know, Rev. Lano was very unique and special. I think he was great and powerful because he was so humble and had a compassionate heart for sinners, filled with special anointing power of the Holy Spirit, convicting sinners and comforting the broken hearted. He would often preach on love, compassion and manifold blessing of God for believers and would ask the congregation, “Is not that wonderful, why not give your heart to Jesus?” The appeals were so powerful and penetrating that most listeners in the congregation would give their lives to Christ.
Today even many believers are sceptical about the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit. But Rev. Lano was in full operation in the power of the Holy Spirit. He shared with me about many miracles that took place in his ministry including raising the dead. Years ago in Bodoland a mother brought her dead child from a distance of 3 hours journey hoping to be raised through the prayer of Rev. Lano during the crusade. After the prayer the child was raised and there was a mighty act of conversions by seeing the miracle. On 24.8.2014 in Mon Town, the wife of one Mapung Konyak was raised from death when he prayed- “Lord if it is your will please raise this woman so that people of Mon Town may believe in the power of God.” And there are many more to narrate but here space and time will not permit.
Surely Rev. Lano was a very special messenger God sent during our times for a very special purpose. Only how we all wish he could live for another ten years to bring many more souls to the kingdom of God. Yes my brother has finished his mission successfully like Paul...” none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to me, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus...and will see my face no more.” Acts 20:24-25
Brother Lano, we love you so dearly and miss you so much. Please wait for us at the Golden Gate which was shown to you in the year 2004 where only those who have the testimony can enter. There you tell me your stories of Old and New Jerusalem. Till then, Good Bye my dearly beloved brother.
Dr. A. Loso Chalai
