History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Appendix 339
working around KengTung area. All happening touched their hearts. After going back to Malaysia, they
replied us to help the part we need. So in 1997 we will give each evangelist with three thousand Kyat
per month from the following sources:
From SSMC
From AOI
From Shan Baptist
Total
1,500 Kyat
1,000 Kyat
500 Kyat
3,000 Kyat
But unfortunately we received no financial support from AOI for 1997 until today. I don’t know
what is going on. We received no news from AOI also. Anyway we try our best to stand on our own
feet and support fully to the evangelists. This is God’s mission and Shan mission also. We totally
accepted that this is our responsibility.
In 1997, the SSMC will participate in two trainings, Youth and Women. We had already
finished Youth leadership training in last March. I have in mind that we will need to plan GCI 1997.
But we get no in touch with Dr. Sai Htwe Maung. At first we are disappointed for failing to do the GCI
in 1997. But when I received your letter I got a new strength. We are happy and agreed to have GCI in
KengTung in 1997. We expect 40 trainees and estimate cost is 400,000 Kyat.
Signed/ Sai Stephen
Letter from AOI to SSMC, Malaysia to: Mr. Cheong Seng Gee, From: Ong Siew Huat. 28 July 1997
Dear Seng Gee,
Warmest Christian Greetings from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. Thank
you for your fax letters of May and July. I am sorry for the long silence and delay in replying. I was
partly waiting for Dr. Sai’s response and he felt he should write a background “paper” so that all the
parties understand the real situation and work together. I have also been communicating with Sai
Stephen and he will be coming to Hong Kong for our Key Co-workers Conference where I hope we
will clear up any other areas of misunderstanding.
You and Sai Stephen will be receiving a copy of the letter Dr. Sai wrote to me clearing up quite
a number of issues. I hope we will all not take this too personally but as lessons learnt for His Kingdom.
AOI has no problem with the active participation of SSMC. The usual process is the Nationals (Dr. Sai
& Sai Stephen) present their annual budget for AOI’s consideration. On approval, the needs are made
known to AO offices and others. If there are local contribution or other overseas contribution, AOI will
reduce its support accordingly.
Regarding reports- AOI too depends on its ministry offices to submit regular quarterly reports of
it ministries, which we then sent to supporters and support offices. I understand SSMC’s position but I
am concern with the speed of decision making after one visit without consultation with the
matchmaker, which is AOI. We do not seek to control but to provide accountability. By giving directly
to the field and hearing from the field without the appropriate checks and references years of
established relationship and system of accountability and working through of issues (e.g. our core
values) can come to nothing and also inadvertently damage the long term work of establishing a strong
and responsible national Church. AOI provides a lot of flexibility (If not too flexible) in working
together but let’s talk.
I cannot and do not have time to put all my thoughts in writing. I hope we can sit down and talk
when I return for the DUMC Family Camp at the end of August. However please feel to fax or call me
if any of the points are not clear. I would like to clarify what I can through the phone.
My greetings to the pastoral team and do continue to pray for us as we consider our next
“appointment.”
Looking forward to meeting with you. The Lord blesses you.