History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Baptist mission among the Shan 45
The First Mission Field, HsiPaw (1889)
HsiPaw was one of the capitals of the Northern principality of Shan States under SaoPha
control. Rev. Cushing first visited HsiPaw in the year 1868. Cushing reported on January 1, 1887 that it
was impossible to visit any of the Shan principalities on account of the unsettled relations of all the
princes to the English Government so that Cushing and Mr. Calder had to stay in Mandalay. Toward the
close of the month the HsiPaw SaoPha, who had been helped by Dr. Cushing when he had difficulties
with the British government in Rangoon, arrived in Mandalay. He recognized Cushing by acquaintance
of former years and he very cordially gave repeated invitation to Cushing to come and live in HsiPaw.
He also offered some of his children as his pupils if I would establish a school there. Thus early in 1890
Cushing escorted Dr. and Mrs. M. B. Kirkpatrick to HsiPaw, and opened a new station. Dr. Kirkpatrick,
although suffering from a sickness, which he knew it would take his life, persisted in working in
HsiPaw as long as he could. Rev. Dr. M. B. Kirkpatrick, M.D. died on February 10, 1915 and was
buried in the Christian cemetery in HsiPaw. Dr. and Mrs. Leeds arrived in HsiPaw on Saturday, March
26, 1890. That was the first mission station to be established in the Shan country. Hospital and school
were later opened. SaoPha of HsiPaw donated land and money for the missions. The hospital also
received some financial support from government. 24
Hospital preaching, Bible training, Sunday school, bazaar preaching, jail meeting and
distributing gospel tracts were their main ministries conducted by missionaries. Mr. W.C. Lambert was
the first missionary to be murdered in HsiPaw by a thief on May 23, 1895 early morning. He was a
dedicated schoolteacher.
Medical work
SaoPha, as a chief and head of the community, knew the importance of health care for the
people. He supported missionaries in their medical work by giving them land, money and helping them
build the hospital. In financial support, since the mission board could not give all, SaoPha gave rupees
500, British Chief Commissioner gave rupees 500 and rupees 500 received from the government
because the hospital had also cared for many government employees. SaoPha had given the logs and
about twenty men sawing lumber and twenty carpenters at work on the frame and the coolies had the
postholes all dug. The patients came from many villages near and some had come from very distant
places. SaoPha and other members of their families were among the patients.
Dr. Leeds reported in 1904 that the population in HsiPaw was 4,000. The average mortality rate
was 65%. They made two extensive tours in January and February and preached gospel to Shan people.
Preachers had regular meeting at appointed time and places to preach the gospel to the public. There
were 3 baptized, 2 restored, 2 deaths, 2 exclusions and 52 students enrolled at school in a year. The
system of bribery was so inwrought into the nature of the people that they did not look upon it as wrong
doing. A total of 1,346 out-patients, 20 in-patients, 165 visits, and 15 operations under chloroform were
performed. Receipts rupees 334 in a year. A new brick hospital was built in 1903 costing $ 4,500 which
was raised locally.
School
It was reported in 1895 by Dr. Kirkpatrick, “There are forty-two pupils enrolled, thirteen from
Christian families and twenty-nine from heathen families. We have the joy of seeing those who come
regularly taking a real interest in Bible study. After being a few months in school they ask for a New
Testament to take home with them and then we feel hopeful for the next thing would be the question
what must I do to be saved? I have baptized eight from the school, the last one being our eldest son.” 25
24 The Baptist work among the Shan by Dr. Ai Lun and Rev. E.E. Sowards, p354
25 81st Annual Report, 1895, Baptist Missionary Union, pp44-45