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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Appendix 339<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g around KengTung area. All happen<strong>in</strong>g touched their hearts. After go<strong>in</strong>g back to Malaysia, they<br />
replied us to help the part we need. So <strong>in</strong> 1997 we will give each evangelist with three thousand Kyat<br />
per month from the follow<strong>in</strong>g sources:<br />
From SSMC<br />
From AOI<br />
From <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist<br />
Total<br />
1,500 Kyat<br />
1,000 Kyat<br />
500 Kyat<br />
3,000 Kyat<br />
But unfortunately we received no f<strong>in</strong>ancial support from AOI for 1997 until today. I don’t know<br />
what is go<strong>in</strong>g on. We received no news from AOI also. Anyway we try our best to stand on our own<br />
feet and support fully to the evangelists. This is God’s mission and <strong>Shan</strong> mission also. We totally<br />
accepted that this is our responsibility.<br />
In 1997, the SSMC will participate <strong>in</strong> two tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gs, Youth and Women. We had already<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ished Youth leadership tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> last March. I have <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d that we will need to plan GCI 1997.<br />
But we get no <strong>in</strong> touch with Dr. Sai Htwe Maung. At first we are disappo<strong>in</strong>ted for fail<strong>in</strong>g to do the GCI<br />
<strong>in</strong> 1997. But when I received your letter I got a new strength. We are happy and agreed to have GCI <strong>in</strong><br />
KengTung <strong>in</strong> 1997. We expect 40 tra<strong>in</strong>ees and estimate cost is 400,000 Kyat.<br />
Signed/ Sai Stephen<br />
Letter from AOI to SSMC, Malaysia to: Mr. Cheong Seng Gee, From: Ong Siew Huat. 28 July 1997<br />
Dear Seng Gee,<br />
Warmest Christian Greet<strong>in</strong>gs from Hong Kong Special Adm<strong>in</strong>istrative Region <strong>of</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a. Thank<br />
you for your fax letters <strong>of</strong> May and July. I am sorry for the long silence and delay <strong>in</strong> reply<strong>in</strong>g. I was<br />
partly wait<strong>in</strong>g for Dr. Sai’s response and he felt he should write a background “paper” so that all the<br />
parties understand the real situation and work together. I have also been communicat<strong>in</strong>g with Sai<br />
Stephen and he will be com<strong>in</strong>g to Hong Kong for our Key Co-workers Conference where I hope we<br />
will clear up any other areas <strong>of</strong> misunderstand<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
You and Sai Stephen will be receiv<strong>in</strong>g a copy <strong>of</strong> the letter Dr. Sai wrote to me clear<strong>in</strong>g up quite<br />
a number <strong>of</strong> issues. I hope we will all not take this too personally but as lessons learnt for His K<strong>in</strong>gdom.<br />
AOI has no problem with the active participation <strong>of</strong> SSMC. The usual process is the Nationals (Dr. Sai<br />
& Sai Stephen) present their annual budget for AOI’s consideration. On approval, the needs are made<br />
known to AO <strong>of</strong>fices and others. If there are local contribution or other overseas contribution, AOI will<br />
reduce its support accord<strong>in</strong>gly.<br />
Regard<strong>in</strong>g reports- AOI too depends on its m<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong>fices to submit regular quarterly reports <strong>of</strong><br />
it m<strong>in</strong>istries, which we then sent to supporters and support <strong>of</strong>fices. I understand SSMC’s position but I<br />
am concern with the speed <strong>of</strong> decision mak<strong>in</strong>g after one visit without consultation with the<br />
matchmaker, which is AOI. We do not seek to control but to provide accountability. By giv<strong>in</strong>g directly<br />
to the field and hear<strong>in</strong>g from the field without the appropriate checks and references years <strong>of</strong><br />
established relationship and system <strong>of</strong> accountability and work<strong>in</strong>g through <strong>of</strong> issues (e.g. our core<br />
values) can come to noth<strong>in</strong>g and also <strong>in</strong>advertently damage the long term work <strong>of</strong> establish<strong>in</strong>g a strong<br />
and responsible national Church. AOI provides a lot <strong>of</strong> flexibility (If not too flexible) <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
together but let’s talk.<br />
I cannot and do not have time to put all my thoughts <strong>in</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g. I hope we can sit down and talk<br />
when I return for the DUMC Family Camp at the end <strong>of</strong> August. However please feel to fax or call me<br />
if any <strong>of</strong> the po<strong>in</strong>ts are not clear. I would like to clarify what I can through the phone.<br />
My greet<strong>in</strong>gs to the pastoral team and do cont<strong>in</strong>ue to pray for us as we consider our next<br />
“appo<strong>in</strong>tment.”<br />
Look<strong>in</strong>g forward to meet<strong>in</strong>g with you. The Lord blesses you.