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 227<br />
20. Religion <strong>of</strong> Poor and Outcasts<br />
Past<br />
Dr. Henderson reported <strong>in</strong> 1907 from MuongNai, “Here, he must shelter the poor witch who has<br />
barely escape from her village with her life here pick up the poor traveler or beggar, forsaken his<br />
companions <strong>in</strong> his direst need, and left to die like a dog alone. Here he is to raise a refuge for the bl<strong>in</strong>d,<br />
the halt, the maimed until gradually the people, forgett<strong>in</strong>g that foreign medic<strong>in</strong>e will cause them to<br />
swell up and die, lose their dread <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g cut to pieces by the foreign doctor, are ready to brave the<br />
unlaid ghosts <strong>of</strong> the patients who have died <strong>in</strong> the hospital and trust<strong>in</strong>g to Jesus through the doctor (for<br />
the two are strangely jumbled together <strong>in</strong> their m<strong>in</strong>ds) come to him with friend, mauled by animal or<br />
hacked by man, wife <strong>in</strong> sore distress or child with broken limb, the bl<strong>in</strong>d, and the leper, say<strong>in</strong>g as they<br />
lay them at his feet, “trust all to you, do with them as you will. Such <strong>in</strong> bare outl<strong>in</strong>e is the doctor’s work<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Burma</strong>.” 98<br />
It was reported by Dr. Henderson <strong>in</strong> 1907, “Here will he be called on to cure those from whom<br />
the native exorcists have failed to drive out evil spirits? Here must he prove that medic<strong>in</strong>e is more<br />
powerful to stop the cholera? He must shelter and heal the poor witch who has barely escaped from<br />
her village, the poor traveler or beggar forsaken by his companions <strong>in</strong> his direst need and left to die<br />
like a dog alone. Here he is to raise a refuge for the bl<strong>in</strong>d, the halt and the maimed.” 99 When the<br />
people were accused <strong>of</strong> possess<strong>in</strong>g evil spirit, they would try to exorcise it by witchdoctor. If not<br />
successful, they would drive him out from the village and abandon him to die <strong>in</strong> the wilderness. F<strong>in</strong>ally<br />
they were rescued by missionaries. Dr. Keith Dahlberg reported <strong>in</strong> 1963 from KengTung, “Due to<br />
greater m<strong>in</strong>istry to the needy and poor <strong>of</strong>ten we are <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial difficulty but God answers our prayer<br />
and we found enough help to meet our geed. We are still able to pay a regular visit to PangWai to see<br />
patients every four week and some <strong>of</strong> the places on the way are also not neglected. We stop to help<br />
whenever patients on the way halt us. In spite <strong>of</strong> the presence <strong>of</strong> some weaknesses <strong>in</strong> our hospital it is<br />
positively progress<strong>in</strong>g.” 100 Missionaries had to rescue them and save them. Most <strong>of</strong> the poor and<br />
abandons later became Christians.<br />
Present<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce many <strong>of</strong> the believers and members <strong>of</strong> the Church are from former evil spirit possessed,<br />
leprous, abandoned and poor people, Christianity is be<strong>in</strong>g seen as a religion <strong>of</strong> poor and outcasts.<br />
Because many poor and outcast were saved by Christian workers and they came to Christ and became<br />
Christians. Why isn’t the rich and educated <strong>Shan</strong> becom<strong>in</strong>g Christian?<br />
<strong>Shan</strong> people are quite stubborn, proud and logical. Unless they see a miracle with their own<br />
eyes, feel the power <strong>of</strong> the Lord with their own experience, see our words <strong>in</strong> action; they do not want to<br />
believe. The out casts, the poor, the sick who have seen the love and the power <strong>of</strong> God, believed. Rich<br />
and healthy people seldom seek God. When people have problems especially with the evil spirits and<br />
sickness, they first try to solve the problems by their own effort and belief. Eventually, when all failed,<br />
they come to the pastor or Christian and ask for help to solve the problems. Some demon possessed are<br />
released by the power <strong>of</strong> God, some lepers whom are abandoned by the community are helped and<br />
cared by Christians, some outcasts and poor whom are be<strong>in</strong>g ignored are fed and supported by<br />
Christians. The majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> Christians are not wealthy. Very few <strong>Shan</strong> Christians are <strong>in</strong> the top<br />
position <strong>in</strong> government <strong>of</strong>fices. <strong>Shan</strong> evangelists seldom try to evangelize the top, rich and famous<br />
people but the bottom, the grass root and the poor. Sometimes preachers are not courageous enough to<br />
approach and preach gospel to the educated, rich and famous because <strong>of</strong> fear. Sometimes preachers feel<br />
98 “The work <strong>of</strong> the doctor <strong>in</strong> <strong>Burma</strong> by A. H. Henderson, M.D, MuongNai, <strong>Burma</strong>, April 1907, The Baptist Missionary<br />
Magaz<strong>in</strong>e<br />
99 Ibid<br />
100 Progress Report Of KengTung <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist Field, 1957-1963, 95 th AGM, <strong>Burma</strong> Baptist Convention, Rangoon,<br />
December 1963.