History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Appendix 328
Copy of letter from Mr. Cheong Seng Gee, SSMC, Malaysia to Rev. Sai Stephen, ESS, Burma on 28
January 1997
Rev Sai Stephen and the leadership of Eastern Shan Baptist Convention.
c/o Calvary Baptist Church Baptist Mission Compound Nong Pha, KengTung Union of Myanmar.
Dear Sai Stephen,
Thank you for your letter of 6 January which was received on 14 January 1997. It is indeed encouraging
to hear that you and the leadership met regarding our next Myanmar mission trips for 1997. Please send
our well wishes to each of them. We are praying for the Baptist work in Eastern Shan. The SSMC
(Sungaiway Subang Methodist Church) leadership have finalized the following in terms of co-operative
work with the leadership of Eastern Sham Baptist Convention and these are:
1. Youth Mission Trip (21 April to 25 April, 1997).
Currently we have between 5 to 7 persons from SS Methodist who would like to focus on youth work
training. They will be led by Mr. Leong Pook Seong and or Mr. Tang Tin Seng, both of whom have
been to KengTung. Please let us have details as to the age group, background and areas of training that
is needed so that the training can be targeted. Can you please provide us with a program so that we can
plan effectively the soonest? We also need to know the latest frights between Yangon and KengTung in
terms of dates and times.
2. May Celebration of Missions (20 May to 27 May 1997)
Please note that the above dates are still tentative but can be used for planning purposes. We will
confirm at a later time. SS Methodist Church will be celebrating the annual celebration of missions
where we invite missionaries and evangelists from the different countries to share about the work and
what God is doing and how future work can be taken to the next stages in terms of meaningful
relationships. We would like to invite you and your wife to Malaysia to represent the leadership of the
Eastern Shan Baptist Convention and the people of Shan. Please take the necessary steps to apply for
visa, etc. and how to make payment. Alternatively our April mission team can bring the funds. Please
note that it is not efficient to send by telegraphic transfer as we lose 10% in taxes, which is imposed on
foreign funds. Do keep us informed of progress.
3. Financial Support for Village Evangelists 1997
I praise God that the SS Methodist Church leadership has seen it in their hearts to support the above
work as part of our partnership with the Shan Church and AOI. We are agreeable to finance our portion
of US$3,600 for 1997 only. The money can be send at agreed stages instead of a lump sum. Please
advise us on the method of funding with all the necessary practical details. We also would need your
co-operation on sending us regular reports on the work that is progressing there so that I can brief our
Church leadership and members.
Well, we continue to pray that your work will be blessed by our good Lord mid may He encourage us to
work in unison for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
In His Service,
CHEONG SENG GEE , Pastoral Team Member SS Methodist Church
(Note: Such arrangement has been made without knowledge of neither Sai Htwe Maung nor Asian
Outreach.)
Letter from Rev. Sai Stephen, ESS, Burma to Dr. Sai Htwe Maung, 28th February 1997
Dr. Sai Htwe Maung,
Greeting in the name of our Lord. I have written to you in November, December and January.
But I have not received your reply. I wonder my letter might have got lost in the post. We have 15 old
mission fields and 20 new mission fields this year. 20 evangelists are working very hard. By the year