By Holly Meriweather
Chuba and Moala tell people, “God never blessed us with daughters — we have three sons — but now he gave us 39 spiritual daughters.” They are grateful God led them to be part of the Prakashes’ ministry serving the neglected and marginalized girls of India. Their story is a unique one that has expanded their family in incredible ways.
Christianity came to the northeastern China border state of Nagaland when British clergy arrived in the mid-1900s to tell the Naga people about God’s Son. Before that time, they were known for their headhunters, who collected the severed heads of their enemies for trophies. But as God’s Word spread and Baptist missionaries arrived in Nagaland, this detestable practice was banned. Now 89% of the Naga are Christians.
Born in India and raised in Nagaland, Chuba grew up in a Christian home, attended church regularly and had a good knowledge of the Bible. But in the 10th grade, friends began influencing him and other teenagers negatively, so a group of women, including his mother, began crying out to the Lord and praying for them and for revival in the church. It was a dark time in his life, but he finally surrendered his life to the Lord on April 4, 1990, knowing that the transformation was due to those years of fervent prayer.
Not long after his salvation, God called him to be a missionary, and he attended Bible college for six years, always asking the Lord where he should serve outside of Nagaland.
In 2001, he and Moala were married, then Nagaland Baptist Church appointed him to go to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal as cross-cultural missionaries. After planting a church and serving there for 10 years, God began calling them to a new mission field, so they prayed and fasted for a month as God revealed His plans for the couple. They heard about the Prakashes and their schools, and, at the same time, the Prakashes were looking for Christian teachers. After meeting each other, it was obvious that it was a perfect fit.
Chuba, Moala and their boys, now young adults, have been living and serving in Bangalore, India, for 12 years, 8 years of which have been spent serving at Hope House, a girls’ home providing educational and spiritual needs. They also provide biblical counseling and have a gospel ministry for teachers and students. Building relationships with the girls’ families is also a top priority, so they make intentional visits to their parents’ homes, mostly in rural areas, to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Chuba said, “We are always seeking God’s will and His plans for ministry, but for right now, Moala and I are called to help these girls from difficult homes. She is a mother to them, and I am a spiritual father. Some have attended college and are doing well. Sometimes we are even able to build relationships and share our testimonies with other teachers. It is an honor to serve our Lord in this way.”
Please pray for Chuba and Moala as they continue ministering to the girls and families of Hope House.
