Lesson from Land

When the Lord called me to serve him full-time in 2003, I consecrated my whole life to the Lord once and for all. When I informed this decision I made in obedience to God's glorious and clarion call to my parent, especially my beloved father,  they strongly objected and opposed my decision to serve the Lord full-time. When he realized that he could not convince me otherwise, out of love and concern, he reprimanded me saying, "I have supported you all these years and now you want to do your own and take your own way?" This question from my beloved dad was very hard to digest then. Inwardly, I wept bitterly. I wish I could only obey my parent if not for the Lord's glorious call. But I cannot disobey the heavenly call from my Heavenly Father at the behest of my earthly father. I cannot be disobedient to the heavenly call. Therefore, I spoke by faith to my father, " Thank you for supporting me all this while. From now on, I will not receive anything from home, not even a rupee. But if God blesses me, I will share the blessings with you." The family meeting ended with a very deep and sad yet glorious note.

In 2006, after I got married to the sister the Lord blessed me with, He also blessed me with a good amount of financial offerings. In fellowship and oneness with my wife, we decided to invest a portion of the Lord's financial blessing on land which He showed and led me to purchase in the following year 2007. In fellowship with a brother whom I trust very much, I insisted on proper land documentation if I were to purchase the land, though it was not the practice then. Therefore, the land I purchased was first to be registered and land "pacca patta" was issued after all the formal processes of measuring and mapping. It was documented in two parts of 1.46 acres and 1.80 acres, a total of 3.26 acres. 

Land Area

1 acre =  43,560 Sq.ft

3.26 acres = 1,42,005.60 Sq.ft

1 Sangam = 27,225 Sq.ft

1 acre = 1.6 Sangam

3.26 acres = 5.216 Sangam (1.3 pari)

Different Units of Area Use in Manipur

Loukhai, Sangam, Louraak and Pari: These are the unit of areas use in Manipuri customary system.

Loukhai: It is equivalent to 13,612.5 sq. ft.

Sangam: It is twice the size of Loukhai and equivalent to 27,225 sq. ft.

Louraak: It is twice the size of Sangam and equivalent to 54,450 sq. ft.

Pari: It is twice the size of Louraak and equivalent to 1,08,900 sq. ft.

Online Manipur Area Converter | KanglaOnline

When it was purchased and properly registered to the government after the village clearance, two very important development transpired. Initially, they were almost "useless" pieces of land as there was no road connection or proper water supply for the land's usability. But after I purchased it and properly registered, two big projects were carried out by the government; a water supply and a government road connection that passed through the border of my land, solving two very important problems. Since then, the lands have been desirable properties. I have been asked a couple of times by different people if I could sell the lands as they are in great demand now. 

Last month when I went to Manipur I took a look at the lands and was told that I need to pay the land taxes due which I was not aware of. Therefore, I got the help of a brother and paid all the taxes due from 2009 till 2022. Now, these land prices have soared up to more than 26 times my purchasing price as of today, in 15 years' time.

The Lord is sovereign in leading me in this purchase of the land. Now, though it is in my name, the source is the Lord. Only in the Lord's leading will the usage of the land be decided. Now, in this land, banana cultivation has been going on with some portion of the land for vegetable cultivation. As long as the land has been utilized properly I am happy and it brings benefit to some saints who labor on it. May the Lord's will be done.

Lands are a type of Christ, the reality of the good land. Through this land, I must gain more Christ.