History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Baptist mission among the Shan 97
WanMon Shan Baptist Church, MuongYawng
WanMon Church, MuongYawng, was said to be started by Rev. W.M. Young in 1903 as
reported by WanMon Church history committee. 96 However we do not see in the record of Rev.
Young. MuongYawng is 99 miles away from KengTung but it might take at least seven days journey
for missionary to travel from KengTung to MuongYawng. KengTung mission field was opened in
1901. It is doubtful that Rev. Young could start new mission field in MuongYawng within two years. It
was reported that a small school for Shan children was opened in MuongYawng in 1916.
Dr. Buker opened clinic in MuongYawng in 1935. There were three pieces of paddy land at WanMon,
MuongYawng. The fields were rented and about 150 baskets of paddy were received as rent payment
yearly. The mission compound was in WanMon, on the outskirt of the town of MuongYawng.
Church
On the arrival of Khin Maung Htun (Burmese Divinity School graduate), Naw Shee May and
Saw Seng Daw (Burmese Theological Seminary graduate) all the three helped Ai Chit teaching in
MuongYawng school. 97
In 1958, WanMon Church had 151 members inclusive of the 27 new members baptized. It was
reported in 1963 that in the course of six year (1957-1963) a total of 150 were baptized with 45 new
converts. There were no regular pastors in other places except for Churches of WanMon and WanYawt.
They were looked after by local leaders who could read and write and whose ancestors had taken active
part in Church work. The association could in no way provide them with qualified pastors. Recruitment
of workers from Burma proper was not easy. So the teachers of MuongYawng Baptist Middle School
had to look after the Churches as well. Each teacher held responsible for spiritual and economic
development of each area allotted to him. New WanMon church building was dedicated in April 1985.
There were 700 members in this Church in the year 2000.
The first pastor of WanMon Church, MuongYawng, was Mr. Mae (A Burman from Mandalay).
He took second wife, left MuongYawng Church and went to live in NamPong village. He continued his
work as pastor in NamPong. When his second wife died in 1924 he returned to MuongYawng and
reunited with his first wife Nang Hong (Shan from HsiPaw) and again served as pastor of WanMon
Church. He passed away in 1947. Later Mr. Mae’s son, Ai Lone, a layman, took care of the Church for
one year as lay pastor. 98
Ai Chit from PanWai became pastor of WanMon Church on May 15, 1957. He was not only
pastoring the Church but also teaching at mission school. Saya Ai Chit left teaching job in 1967 and
concentrated more on Church work. New WanMon church building was built on Jan 2, 1969. 15
families, lead by Ai De, established new village, Siliwon village, in 1969. Sai Choik graduated from
Insein MICT and became pastor of WanMon Church in 1971. He served only half year and left. Saya
Ai Chit again served the Church as pastor. Sai Choik later came back and served as pastor of WanMon
Church in 1975. Ai Chit then continued serving as evangelist.
WanMon Church choir is the best choir among Shan Churches in all Shan States of Myanmar.
They have produced twelve pieces of Choir to be used in my Shan radio program. By the hard work of
Ai Chit in MuongYawng, many Shan came to believe the Lord. 75% of new converts were from other
faith. There were also many new convert in the hand of Rev. Ya Kuk.
96 History of WanMon Church by WanMon Church History Committee, April 3, 1991.
97 As interviewed with Rev. Ai Chit on March 4, 2003, MuongYawng.
98 History of MuongYawng Church by MuongYawng Church history committee, April 3, 1991