History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
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Analysis 223<br />
made <strong>of</strong> brick. We spent one bazaar day here and had crowds <strong>of</strong> listeners till the ra<strong>in</strong> came on. The<br />
SaoPha <strong>in</strong>vited us to the palace for one service. The large room was crowded and great <strong>in</strong>terest was<br />
manifested by some.” 84 SaoPha were very supportive to missionaries’ works. The missionaries had<br />
good relationship with both SaoPha and government. However not a s<strong>in</strong>gle SaoPha had accepted the<br />
Lord and baptized.<br />
Rev. Cochrane reported <strong>in</strong> 1896 from NamKham, “We expect to organize a native Church here<br />
soon with probably not far from twenty members. We shall aim to raise the pastor’s salary at least from<br />
the start. In truth I told Dr. Kirkpatrick that I did not favor the organization <strong>of</strong> a local Church until it<br />
would pledge itself to support its own pastor. It is better to wait and start right. This station was never<br />
<strong>in</strong> so prosperous a condition as it is now bazaar meet<strong>in</strong>gs thronged, little school grow<strong>in</strong>g, helpers<br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g and permanent build<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> view.” 85 It was reported <strong>in</strong> 1910 that MuongNai Church has<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed its standard <strong>of</strong> self-support provid<strong>in</strong>g the entire salary <strong>of</strong> a native pastor.<br />
Dr. Henderson reported <strong>in</strong> 1912, “In TaungGyi, a Lutheran, who is engaged as a hospital<br />
assistant, subscribed Rs. 100 toward the build<strong>in</strong>g and undertook to raise another Rs. 200 through local<br />
contractors and himself gave Rs. 15 monthly toward the support <strong>of</strong> the preacher.” 86 He also reported<br />
<strong>in</strong> 1914, “six organized <strong>Churches</strong> on his field the central Church at TaungGyi be<strong>in</strong>g entirely selfsupport<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Besides the pastor’s support thus Church has contributed regularly more than half <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Taungthu Pastor’s salary and s<strong>in</strong>ce the close <strong>of</strong> the Judson fund has been contribut<strong>in</strong>g at about the<br />
same rate toward a new school build<strong>in</strong>g.” 87 TaungGyi Baptists contributed Kyat 1,800 towards the<br />
<strong>Shan</strong> State Bible School Fund and some Christians supported four pupils. 88 Two new Primary Schools<br />
had been started at MuongYang, taken care <strong>of</strong> by Saya Che<strong>in</strong> and Saya Baw Lu taken care <strong>of</strong> school at<br />
WanYawt Lu on self support<strong>in</strong>g basis. 89<br />
ShweLi Valley <strong>Shan</strong> Mission reported <strong>in</strong> 1961, “Support<strong>in</strong>g each student at <strong>Burma</strong> Theological<br />
and Div<strong>in</strong>ity School at Kyat 250 per year, aid<strong>in</strong>g Kyat 478 per year to the <strong>Burma</strong> Baptist Convention<br />
Fund, support<strong>in</strong>g to the <strong>Shan</strong> States Bible School, TaungGyi, at Kyat 260 yearly, paid the salary <strong>of</strong><br />
Saya Peter Loo at Kyat 80 per month up to December 1960, paid salary <strong>of</strong> Sayama Shwe Aung, the<br />
Missionary to KaChio, Kyat 80 per month up to July 1961, Start<strong>in</strong>g from April the salary <strong>of</strong> Saya Aung<br />
Htun will be paid by the Myitky<strong>in</strong>a Baptist Association, aid<strong>in</strong>g TaGown Ch<strong>in</strong>ese Church Kyat 200 from<br />
the <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist Association, Kyat 100 from the Women’s Association and Kyat 100 from the Christian<br />
Endeavor Society, paid the salary <strong>of</strong> Saya Tu Ja for two months dur<strong>in</strong>g school holidays at Kyat 76 per<br />
month, ShweLi Valley <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist Mission reported <strong>in</strong> 1963, f<strong>in</strong>ancially we are weak and can support<br />
only three pastors and a secretary. Our special evangelistic program is supported by mission<br />
appropriations.” 90 I am surprised to see that <strong>in</strong> 1959, <strong>Shan</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> ShweLi had given f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
help to Indonesia Relief 100 Kyat and to <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> Korea 350 Kyat.<br />
It was reported from LoiLem field <strong>in</strong> 1963, “We are privileged to receive f<strong>in</strong>ancial aid from the<br />
Inter-Church Aid, Geneva. This project <strong>in</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g the economic life <strong>of</strong> refugees has already been<br />
carried out for about three years after which we expect the refugees to be able to manage by<br />
themselves. We are us<strong>in</strong>g modern equipment and teach<strong>in</strong>g the people new methods <strong>of</strong> cultivation. Our<br />
aim is to make the village a self-support<strong>in</strong>g one. At the same time we are try<strong>in</strong>g to improve the<br />
economic standard <strong>of</strong> other <strong>Churches</strong> In our field too. A tractor that we have serves us with double<br />
purposes. It is very useful for plough<strong>in</strong>g and at the same time with a trailer attached to it, it can ferry<br />
our Church people to visit other <strong>Churches</strong> and non-Christian villages nearby for preach<strong>in</strong>g the Gospel.<br />
84 The Baptist Missionary Magaz<strong>in</strong>e 1895<br />
85 Letter From Rev. W. W. Cochrane, NamKham, Sept. 14, 1896<br />
86 98th Annual Report, 1912, American Baptist Missionary Union<br />
87 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union<br />
88 90th Annual General Meet<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Burma</strong> Baptist Convention held at Cush<strong>in</strong>g Hall, Rangoon. October 24-25-26, 1958<br />
89 KengTung Baptist Conference Report for the year end<strong>in</strong>g July 31, 1959<br />
90 ShweLi <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist Mission, Annual Report, 1962 - 63