In the remote villages of the Zotung region in Hakha Diocese, where faith communities are small and roads are long, one man has carried the Gospel for more than half a century. At 77, Saya Augustine Tha Leng still rises each day grateful for the chance to serve the Church he first encountered as a young man.

Born on April 27, 1949, in Aika Village of St. Peter Parish in Hakha Diocese, Augustine has spent 51 years as a catechist. His journey began when his father, Pu Thawng Ling, decided to leave the Baptist community and embrace Catholicism.

“Our religion is not going well anyway. We will convert to Roman Catholicism,” Augustine recalled his father telling the family.

Around that time, Fr. Flavian Hrang Hluan often traveled through the region and stayed at their home. He spoke to the family about the Catholic faith, giving them their first lessons in Church teaching. In October 1970, Augustine and his family joined Bible study and catechism classes. They attended their first Catholic Mass on October 24 that same year.

By God’s grace, Augustine and his father began preaching the Word of God across Zotung villages under Fr. Flavian’s guidance. To prepare properly for his ministry, Augustine attended catechist training in Myaungmya from 1973 to 1975.

After completing his formation, Fr. Alphonsus U Ko Lay sent him to Maukhua in 1976 to teach children. He taught Grades 2 and 3 until 1977. In 1978, he was assigned to Calthawng Village, where he served until 1983. Later, when Aika Village was under the pastoral care of Hakha, Fr. Andrew Thang Za Khai encouraged Augustine and his father to visit all Zotung villages and proclaim the Gospel. Their missionary journey around Lungngo lasted about a month.

Another chapter began in 1995, after Our Lady of Lourdes Parish was established in Surkhua with Fr. Paul Thla Kio as parish priest. Fr. Paul instructed the catechists to evangelize communities in the Senthang region, including Bungtuah, Lamphu, and Lunghau.

During one journey, Augustine and his companions were arrested by soldiers while traveling and preaching. They were questioned but explained they were catechists with no involvement in state affairs. The soldiers released them.

“I was worried and sad at that time, but I was also very happy because we were God’s servants and were saved from the hands of the soldiers,” Augustine said.

Throughout his ministry, the villages under his care included Calthawng, Siasi, Khuatua, Siatlai, Lungtar, Dongva, Pangva, Lungrang, and Lungkhin.

Life as a catechist was not easy, especially in providing for his family. Augustine and his wife have ten children—five daughters and five sons. He acknowledged that catechists often could not provide everything their children needed for education.

“As catechists, we were not always able to take proper care of our families or provide everything our children needed for their education,” he said. But Fr. Paul Thla Kio and Fr. Abraham Hrang Hit continually encouraged him, reminding him not to worry about his children’s schooling.

One son, Jerome, studied at a private tuition school in Falam. In 2003, he passed the matriculation examination and placed first in Chin State. He now lives in the United States.

“That is God’s blessing. I am so grateful that God loves me because I have been doing His work,” Augustine said.

Though he considers himself neither a great preacher nor a teacher, Augustine believes God has continued to use him. He is grateful for good health, sufficient food, and security throughout his life. He remains happy to serve alongside fellow catechists and appreciates the encouragement from the diocese’s priests and bishops.

Looking back on his native village, Augustine recalls the joyful celebration on April 2, 1981, when Aika Village celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. Archbishop Alphonse U Than Aung of Mandalay Archdiocese and Fr. Alphonsus U Ko Lay attended, drawing Catholic faithful from the Lautu, Senthang, Zotung, and Mara regions. At that time, Aika had about 45 Catholic households. Today, that number has dropped to around 30. Yet Augustine sees God’s blessings. Aika has produced a priest, Fr. James Kai Khaw, and a religious sister, Sr. Julie Ngun Tin Par. Four catechists currently serve the Church there.

“Today, I believe that God loves our village and our region. I am very grateful to God,” he said.

The guiding motto of Augustine’s life comes from Matthew 16:24: “Take up your cross and follow me.” That Scripture has remained the foundation of his commitment despite the hardships of missionary work.

“In this life, hardships are found on the cross, but joy is also found on the cross. Strive to carry out the Lord’s mission faithfully, because God will never abandon us. He will always remain with us, just as He remained with His disciples,” he said.

Augustine also remembers his fellow catechists who shared the journey. Among those still living are Saya Michael Hre Hmung and Saya Ming Hu. He paid tribute to Saya Lung Khar, Saya Thawng Mang, and Saya Than Hmung, who have passed away, praying they rest in Heaven.

At 77, Saya Augustine Tha Leng remains grateful for the chance to serve. His 51 years reflect a life shaped by faith, sacrifice, and trust in God’s providence. His journey reminds us that the Gospel is carried not only by priests and religious, but by faithful laypeople who give their lives to bring Christ to their communities.

By RVA Hakha Chin Service