History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Appendix 295
(Sai Nyunt Tha told me as I interviewed him on March 3, 2003, “When we started new Shan
Church in MuongKut, Rev. Joshua, General Secretary of Lisu Baptist Convention, said to me, ‘Why do
you plant new Shan Church in MuongKut? Please withdraw your Church.’ I asked, ‘Why?’ He said,
‘This is under Lisu Convention territory.’ Then I said, ‘Let me first ask the opinion of Shan believers.
Let them make decision.’ When I asked Shan believers, they all said, ‘We will worship in our own
Church in our language. We will no longer go to Lisu Church.’ Then we continued having our Shan
Church. Later when I came to BBC head quarter, Rev. Victor San Lone, General Secretary of BBC,
called me and said, ‘Saya Nyunt Tha, please come to my office. I will like to talk to you.’ When I got to
his office he said, ‘Saya, it is not good to have your Shan Church in other peoples territory. Please
withdraw your Shan Church from MuongKut.’ Then I said, ‘Why? If we cannot plant our own Church
among our own people in other people’s territory, why are there many Kachin, Kayin, Lisu and other
Churches in our Shan territory? Can you ask them to withdraw them to their own territories? If they all
can go back to their own territories I will withdraw my Shan Church from MuongKut.’ Afterward,
Victor San Lone could not say anything more. Our Shan Church in MuongKut survives. We sent Saya
Maung Su to MuongKut but had to called him back to NamKham immediately because he use to have
quarrel with his wife and beat her in front of the people all the time.”)
(1984-1986)
Letter from Dr. Sai Htwe Maung to Rev. David Wang, Asian Outreach International, Hong Kong.
13 January 1984
Dear Brother,
May God bless you and your ministry of Asian Outreach. What a wonderful New Year to the
Shan people of Burma! Praise the Lord for your ministry to our people by sponsoring 20 students to
study in theology school in order to prepare themselves for the ministry among the Shan. On behalf of
our Shan people may I express our earnest gratitude to you for a check of US$2,400 being received on
11 January 1984. We shall always remember you in our prayer. We will keep providing you with full
information about our Shan Ministry.
Please do remember our Christian leaders who will be meeting in June to prepare for the Great Mission
among million of Buddhist Shan.
With Love in Jesus Christ our Lord,
Dr. HM Sai, Hong Kong.
Note (official foreign exchange rate was 1US$ = 6 Kyat)
Letter from Sai Htwe Maung, Hong Kong to General Secretary, Shan Baptist Convention Formation
Committee, Burma. January 1984
1. I agree and support your effort in formation of “Shan Baptist Convention.” By prayer, by advice and
by money I will always help you.
2. For producing future leadership of our Shan mission, I have received financial support for 20
students, for half year. The following five students will receive subsidy of Kyat 125 per month because
local Churches are already supporting them. They are Nang Kya Yung, Sai Maung Khaing, Nang Kham
Yung, Nang Seng Arm, Sai Aung Win. But Sai Aung Than will get Kyat 250 per month as wholly
supported. Please collect money from Daw Mya Nu. The support will begin from 1984 school year. If
student has finished study or failed in examination the support will stop. If Sai Maung Lay, Sai Htun
Myat and Nang Hla Khin are dedicating for future Shan mission we will like to support them. For
school year 1984 please find another 14 students. If we have students joining after 1985 please inform