History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 223
made of brick. We spent one bazaar day here and had crowds of listeners till the rain came on. The
SaoPha invited us to the palace for one service. The large room was crowded and great interest was
manifested by some.” 84 SaoPha were very supportive to missionaries’ works. The missionaries had
good relationship with both SaoPha and government. However not a single SaoPha had accepted the
Lord and baptized.
Rev. Cochrane reported in 1896 from NamKham, “We expect to organize a native Church here
soon with probably not far from twenty members. We shall aim to raise the pastor’s salary at least from
the start. In truth I told Dr. Kirkpatrick that I did not favor the organization of a local Church until it
would pledge itself to support its own pastor. It is better to wait and start right. This station was never
in so prosperous a condition as it is now bazaar meetings thronged, little school growing, helpers
increasing and permanent buildings in view.” 85 It was reported in 1910 that MuongNai Church has
maintained its standard of self-support providing the entire salary of a native pastor.
Dr. Henderson reported in 1912, “In TaungGyi, a Lutheran, who is engaged as a hospital
assistant, subscribed Rs. 100 toward the building and undertook to raise another Rs. 200 through local
contractors and himself gave Rs. 15 monthly toward the support of the preacher.” 86 He also reported
in 1914, “six organized Churches on his field the central Church at TaungGyi being entirely selfsupporting.
Besides the pastor’s support thus Church has contributed regularly more than half of the
Taungthu Pastor’s salary and since the close of the Judson fund has been contributing at about the
same rate toward a new school building.” 87 TaungGyi Baptists contributed Kyat 1,800 towards the
Shan State Bible School Fund and some Christians supported four pupils. 88 Two new Primary Schools
had been started at MuongYang, taken care of by Saya Chein and Saya Baw Lu taken care of school at
WanYawt Lu on self supporting basis. 89
ShweLi Valley Shan Mission reported in 1961, “Supporting each student at Burma Theological
and Divinity School at Kyat 250 per year, aiding Kyat 478 per year to the Burma Baptist Convention
Fund, supporting to the Shan States Bible School, TaungGyi, at Kyat 260 yearly, paid the salary of
Saya Peter Loo at Kyat 80 per month up to December 1960, paid salary of Sayama Shwe Aung, the
Missionary to KaChio, Kyat 80 per month up to July 1961, Starting from April the salary of Saya Aung
Htun will be paid by the Myitkyina Baptist Association, aiding TaGown Chinese Church Kyat 200 from
the Shan Baptist Association, Kyat 100 from the Women’s Association and Kyat 100 from the Christian
Endeavor Society, paid the salary of Saya Tu Ja for two months during school holidays at Kyat 76 per
month, ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission reported in 1963, financially we are weak and can support
only three pastors and a secretary. Our special evangelistic program is supported by mission
appropriations.” 90 I am surprised to see that in 1959, Shan Churches in ShweLi had given financial
help to Indonesia Relief 100 Kyat and to Churches in Korea 350 Kyat.
It was reported from LoiLem field in 1963, “We are privileged to receive financial aid from the
Inter-Church Aid, Geneva. This project in promoting the economic life of refugees has already been
carried out for about three years after which we expect the refugees to be able to manage by
themselves. We are using modern equipment and teaching the people new methods of cultivation. Our
aim is to make the village a self-supporting one. At the same time we are trying to improve the
economic standard of other Churches In our field too. A tractor that we have serves us with double
purposes. It is very useful for ploughing and at the same time with a trailer attached to it, it can ferry
our Church people to visit other Churches and non-Christian villages nearby for preaching the Gospel.
84 The Baptist Missionary Magazine 1895
85 Letter From Rev. W. W. Cochrane, NamKham, Sept. 14, 1896
86 98th Annual Report, 1912, American Baptist Missionary Union
87 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union
88 90th Annual General Meeting, of the Burma Baptist Convention held at Cushing Hall, Rangoon. October 24-25-26, 1958
89 KengTung Baptist Conference Report for the year ending July 31, 1959
90 ShweLi Shan Baptist Mission, Annual Report, 1962 - 63