History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 225
Christians” 93 Making contact with the people with patience, kindness and love is the best method of
approach to Shan Buddhist. They may first express their dislike, then may have pity on the dedication
and suffering of the missionaries and later they may embrace Christianity.
Dr. H.C. Gibbens reported in 1914, “First despise then pity and then embrace was quite true of
the converts won from heathenism. Those who were reached as a general rule seem to be the people
who first became acquainted with the missionary by daily intimate contact and then attend the services
after which they generally became Christians.” 94 It was reported in KengTung in 1927, “Apparently it
seems essential that in work for the Shan confidence and friendship have first been established as a
basis of approach for the Gospel message” 95 This statement is absolutely correct. Without friendship
with the people and lack of confidence, they may turn deft ears to you. Once you got friendship and
gained confidence you will be treated as their family member and they will be willing to listen to you.
Present
Building friendship is the cornerstone in Shan missions. Shan are friendly people. They love
making friend, they love making joke, fun and laughing, they love social gathering. eating, playing
gong-mong and dancing. Once you are friendly to them and they are friendly to you, then you’ve got
listening ears and you can preach gospel to them easily. Preacher should first gain friendship before
preaching. Making friend with monks, village leaders and people is the most important way to success
in missions among the Shan. Building friendship doesn’t mean that we have to do what they do. Make
friend without compromise in faith and truth of Christianity. When you’ve gained confidence, trust and
friendship from them you’ll be welcomed to be their guests, stay at their home, given best hospitality
and treated as their family member. If a missionary or evangelist cannot make friend with or gain
confidence from the people he cannot live long in that place. He may face a lot of difficulty and
problem. It is wrong for Christians to distant themselves from people of other faiths. Make friends, not
enemies.
Proverbs 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his
friend.
Mathew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.” The Son
of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and “sinners.”“ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Acts 10:28-29 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to
associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure
or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why
you sent for me?”
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate
with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
93 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union
94 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union, pp339-340
95 History Of The KengTung Mission, Telford 1927