Cancer foundation in memory of demised pastor dedicated

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 26 (EMN): In honour of a demised church leader from Kohima, Reverend Moatsungba Longchari, a cancer foundation in his name was dedicated on Oct. 26 at the Baptist Mission Church Convention Centre, where he was the senior pastor.
The 51-year old pastor breathed his last on August 5 2019, at a hospital in Mumbai, after fighting cancer.

“A tribute to the life of an ordinary man who served an extraordinary God,” is what describes the Rev. Moa Longchari Cancer Foundation (RMLCF). The foundation hopes to reach out to people suffering from similar medical conditions as did Longchari before his passing.

‘We hope to reach you with the same passion that moved him as he lay in his hospital bed, because we are all part of the solution… This Foundation is a testament and expansion of his ministry and service to God, which we now have and the privilege and honour to be a part of,’ said Khrienuo Moa, widow of the late pastor.

‘He has influenced the life of every individual known to him, and remains the core essence of our foundation: to change a moment, if not a life.’

The underlying mission is to “minimise the battles lost unfought, we stand to ensure that cancer patients are provided with the medical attention required but not necessarily attained,” she said.

The foundation was dedicated in memory of the reverend “whose generosity has touched us in manners unknown; it is also a reminder that death could have a beautiful start,’ she said. ‘To the world we had lost him to cancer, but he had only gone through the inevitable cycle of life,” Khrienuo Moa said.

It was the impact of the reverend’s journey that compelled the family members to continue carrying the legacy of his “unforgettable” love. “His life here on earth has met an end, but not his dreams,” she said.

The foundation exists because of love, “of love received and love discovered, and will continue to feed on it,” she said.

The general secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Reverend Dr. Zelhou Keyho inaugurated the RML Cancer Foundation.

Describing Longchari as a “servant of God,” Keyho felt that “he (Longchari) has fought a good fight of faith and he has won the race.”

‘When one thinks of the word cancer, it is “frightening” and people tend to think of it as an end. Yet, Rev. Longchari and his family has given a ray of hope that cancer is not the end; life goes on and it must go on,’ he said.

Keyho called Longchari a “humble,” “loving” and ‘compassionate’ person who embodied life. “Heaven must be rejoicing because we are gathered here to celebrate life and to continue to touch life till eternity takes us home,” Keyho said. ‘This act of love and compassion will go a long way in bringing hope and healing, he added.

The Baptist Mission Church Youth honoured the departed church leader with a song “A servant in your heavenly house.”

The RMLCF office is temporarily based at their family residence located at High School srea in Kohima.

Khrienuo Moa is the president of the cancer foundation while Winifred Kire is the secretary. The RMLCF has requested interested individual to come forward to contribute in any form, or to volunteer and partner in prayer.

RMLCF’s mission

It aims at reducing the cancer mortality rate in Nagaland through awareness, prevention and early detection. The foundation is to provide counselling for patients through their recovery and encourage them to live a full life during and after their treatment.

It envisages raising funds across communities through donations, contribution of materials and engaging environmentally sustainable measures to have a positive impact on the surrounding. It will collaborate with oncologists, hospitals and volunteers to maximise the effectiveness of spreading awareness and treatment for patients.

Vision

To provide the best possible treatment toward reducing the cancer mortality rate in Nagaland by providing medical financial assistance and counselling for the underprivileged and medically underserved communities.