History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Appendix 333
base on mutual trust and mutual accountability. You see, for years we have been covering for Sai
Stephen’s entire budget whether there is enough or not. AOI was responsible to raise the budget he
needs. Of course, the locals raise some of their own budget because we are encouraging self support.
But when there is not enough, AOI is committed to them.
Having said all this, we are open to changes if it will benefit the Kingdom. As we see it, Seng
Gee, there are two options.
1. SSMC adopts Sai Stephen and his ministry totally (if you would like to deal directly with Sai
Stephen). We will be willing to release Sai Stephen and his ministry under your care. But this will
require a long-term commitment from SSMC to Sai Stephen. At the moment your commitment to him
is for a year. But we are concern about what will happen after a year. AOI will not be able to accept a
half-in and half-out situation with Sai Stephen because this would create a very difficult environment
for accountability. There is also danger of a ministry receiving too much giving if different
organizations were to go in, see them and start sending funds directly to the ministry. That has been one
of the most serious downfalls of ministers. If SSMC is willing to take up that responsibility, then AO
will be happy to pioneer in other new areas.
2. Sai Stephen and his ministry remain under the ministry of AO and leadership of Dr. Sai Htwe
Maung. In that case, AOI will be the coordinating center with outside Churches and organizations and
all support will be channeled through AOI. It would be like in the past. Maybe you would like to talk
this through with the Pastoral Team. Again, I want to assure you that AO is happy whichever way it is.
Like you, we value the partnership with SSMC. We want to facilitate as much as we can so that Sai
Stephen and his team can fulfill the calling in their lives and see the Kingdom of God established.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
The Lord blesses you.
Yours in Chris ,
Ong Siew Huat, Director of Operations, Asian Outreach International.
From; Cheong Seng Gee, Pastor Team Member, SSMC, Malaysia.
To Mr. Ong Siew Huat, Director of Operations, AOI. 19 May 1997
Sorry for the silence at our end as we have been busy preparing for our annual May celebrations
of missions. By God’s grace we hope to raise MR 500,000 the Anniversary Gift Day for missions. We
have also heard encouraging reports from Ai Swee on the Vietnam trip and we pray for your physical
recovery and spiritual well being.
It is good that we are able to clarify on the issue of the Shan Project and I would like to reiterate
that we i.e. SSMC, AOI and the Eastern Shan Baptist Convention are care builders for His Kingdom.
There is no intention for territorial exclusivity and we regret to hear of hurt feelings from Myanmar to
Hong Kong. We would like to offer our apologies to you and Dr Sai Htwe Maung for the dilemma
caused despite good intentions on our heart to help Sai Stephen and the convention. Let us see how we
can move forward together. We see no problem with Option 2 i.e. the Shan Project being under AOI’s
ministry. However, we would request for the owing considerations for a more practical outworking.
1. Current Commitments
We have committed to Sai Stephen the following amounts for 1997, US$ 1,000 for the Youth
Training in KengTung in April. This was to fund the youth leaders from the surrounding tows such as
Tachileik and MuongYawng. There was a unity among the various Baptist Associations for the first
time and SSMC was grateful for the partnership in training them. US$ 3,600 for the footsoldiers
ministry out of which US$ 2,000 was given to Sai Stephen through the April mission team. This was
done before your last letter of 28 April. Another sum for the November Women’s Training which is yet
to be determined. We are planning a mission trip then. We are open as to how the remaining funds be
channeled i.e. either to Sai Stephen direct or through AOI. However these funds are already designated