As my wife and I were returning home from Andhra Pradesh after our ministry, something unexpected and deeply touching happened on our flight from Chennai to Guwahati. It was one of those ordinary travel days – you board a plane, settle into your seat, expect a routine journey, and prepare to endure the hours in the air. But this journey turned out to be anything but ordinary.
We were seated quietly, tired from ministry work but grateful for the time spent. A few minutes after take-off, one of the air hostesses approached us with a warm smile. To our surprise, she handed us refreshments – something we had not ordered and did not expect. It was exclusively for the two of us, and it felt unusual, almost as though we were being singled out for special treatment.
Anyone who has been on long flights knows how refreshing it feels when someone goes out of their way to make you comfortable. It’s not just about the food or drink, but about the gesture, the thought behind it. At that moment, we felt truly honoured. I leaned back in my seat thinking, “What a beautiful surprise from someone I don’t even know.”
But what unfolded next made the whole experience unforgettable.
The Surprise in the Sky
A little later, as the flight settled into its rhythm and passengers grew quiet, the air hostess came toward us again. She had a distinct look, one that felt familiar – like meeting someone from your own community. She smiled brightly and greeted us in a way that immediately warmed our hearts. Then she said something that made us pause: she was Ao, from Nagaland.
Introducing herself, she said her name was Moasenla, and then she added words that shook me to the core: “I am the daughter of late Pastor Yanger Imsong.”
It was one of those moments where time seems to stand still. You meet someone you’ve never seen before, yet in that instant you feel connected by invisible threads of faith, legacy, and shared community.
Her kindness was not just professional courtesy – it was personal, genuine, and heartfelt. She treated us with warmth and respect, as though we had known each other for years.
In that mid-air encounter, I realized something profound: though I had never met Pastor Yanger Imsong in person, I had just become a recipient of his legacy through his daughter.
Remembering Pastor Yanger Imsong
For those who may not know, Pastor Yanger Imsong was from Wameken, Nagaland. He faithfully served as the pastor of Jalukie Ao Baptist Church. His ministry was marked by dedication, humility, and a heart for God’s people. But his earthly journey was cut short when the Lord called him home at a young age.
When a pastor passes away early, it often feels like an unfinished story. The congregation grieves, the family bears the heaviest loss, and people are left with questions: Why so soon? Why him? Yet, what we sometimes forget is that even a short life lived faithfully leaves behind a powerful testimony.
Pastor Yanger’s journey on earth ended early, but his faith did not. It was carried forward through his family, and on that flight, I met the living evidence of that enduring faith.
A Mother’s Courage
After Pastor Yanger’s passing, his wife was left to raise their little daughter by herself. This was no small challenge. Many in our society know how difficult it is for a widow to shoulder both parental roles. The struggles are emotional, financial, and spiritual all at once. Yet, with resilience, faith, and determination, she brought up her daughter with dignity and grace.
This reminded me of a profound truth: the home is the first school, and parents are the first teachers. What we instill in our children shapes who they become in society. If love, faith, and discipline are sown, they blossom into kindness, integrity, and respect. If bitterness, anger, and neglect dominate, children carry those scars into the world.
In Moasen’s case, the fruit was clear. She had been raised to honour, to respect, and to treat others with dignity. And here she was, living out those values at 30,000 feet in the air.
Children Reflect the Home
There’s an old saying: “Show me a child’s behaviour, and I’ll show you the atmosphere of the home.” Children reflect the values of their upbringing. Their words, their actions, even their small gestures carry the fingerprints of their family environment.
This is not to say every child follows a perfect path – life is complex – but the roots of character are almost always traced back to the home.
Watching Moasen reminded me of this truth. Her father had passed away when she was just a year old – too young to remember his face. Yet through her mother’s guidance and God’s grace, she carried forward the kind of values her father had lived for.
This is a powerful reminder to all parents and guardians: the greatest gift we can give our children is not wealth, fame, or property, but values that last a lifetime.
The Power of Small Acts of Kindness
Sometimes, we think we need to do something big to make an impact. But often, it is the small acts of kindness that leave the deepest impressions.
That day on the flight, it wasn’t a grand event – it was a simple gesture of hospitality. Yet, it left us deeply touched. Why? Because kindness is never wasted. It may seem small in the moment, but it speaks volumes about a person’s character.
In today’s fast-paced world, where people are often self-absorbed, kindness stands out. It refreshes the weary, encourages the discouraged, and heals the unnoticed wounds of life.
Scripture reminds us repeatedly of the weight of small deeds. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given in His name will not go unrewarded. Kindness may seem ordinary, but when it flows from love, it becomes extraordinary. A handshake to the lonely, a word of encouragement to the broken, a prayer whispered for the struggling – these acts may appear insignificant, but in God’s eyes, they shine brightly.
Thinking of Heaven
As I sat there reflecting, another thought came to me: If we feel this honoured by such treatment on a flight, how much more glorious will it be when we are welcomed into Heaven?
Imagine arriving at Heaven’s gates, not expecting anything grand, yet being received with unimaginable honour – not because we ordered it, not because we earned it, but purely out of God’s love and grace.
Jesus said in John 14:2–3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms … I go to prepare a place for you.” The thought of being welcomed into that eternal home, with a reception prepared by Christ Himself, is beyond human imagination.
That day’s experience became a living parable for me. The kindness of a stranger reflected the greater kindness of our Heavenly Father who prepares for us what we do not deserve and cannot imagine.
Legacy Lives On
Moasen’s deed may seem small in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, it carries eternal weight. She honoured us as a pastor and wife she had never met before. And in doing so, she honoured her father’s memory, her mother’s teaching, and above all, her Heavenly Father.
Legacies live on not merely through monuments, books, or titles, but through the daily lives of those who carry forward the torch. A godly parent may pass away early, a teacher may fade from memory, a pastor may leave without recognition – but the values, faith, and example they impart continue to shape generations.
The Holy Bible is full of such legacies. Timothy carried the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Joseph lived by the integrity instilled in him long before he was thrown into prison. Even our Lord Jesus, though rejected by many, left behind a legacy of love and sacrifice that still transforms the world.
A Message for Families Today
This encounter holds a lesson for all of us, especially families. We live in a time when values at home are often under pressure. Modern life is busy, digital distractions are many, and family conversations sometimes grow rare. Yet, the need for strong homes has never been greater.
Your children are watching you. What you do matters more than what you say; your actions speak louder than your instructions. The respect and kindness you show reflect your heart and your home. The health of our communities depends on the health of our families.
When homes are filled with love, faith, and discipline, society benefits. But when homes break down, society pays the price.
Conclusion
That flight from Chennai to Guwahati will always remain in my memory – not because of the destination, but because of the encounter in the sky.
We set out on a routine journey but returned with a profound reminder of legacy, kindness, and faith. It showed me that even in unexpected places, God places people in our path to encourage us, to remind us of His faithfulness, and to inspire us to carry forward His values.
Pastor Yanger Imsong’s life may have been brief, but his influence lives on through his daughter. And her simple act of kindness reminded me that in Heaven, too, we will one day be welcomed with honour – not because of who we are, but because of who our Father is.
In the end, this story is not just about a flight. It is about faith, family, and the small yet powerful ways in which love and legacy continue to shape our world.
~ Meyu Changkiri
