History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Baptist mission among the Shan 53
even for daily needs, let alone for more difficult matters of religious faith and philosophy. You will
forgive me I am sure if my speech is halting and if through ignorance I do not use the proper horrific
term in addressing you.” “We believe in God, the creator of universe, who is the Father of all mankind.
To us, He is the Heavenly Father as real as our earthly parents. Jesus Christ, concerning whom you
asked, Son of the Heavenly Father, was sent to earth by God to show us the way to a good life here, and
life everlasting after death, which may be achieved through faith in Him and living as He has taught
us.” Missionary took a small Shan translation of the Gospel of John and said, “Here it is said much
more clearly than I am able to say it in your language. You may read of the life, death, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in your language. Will you not do me the honor of
accepting it as my gift?”
BM: “I thank you Saya (Teacher). I shall read it soon. There are other things also which puzzle us about
you. Is it true that you Christians have no fear of the evil spirits which so trouble us, and your God
considers women of as great worth as men?”
M: “Both are true. We know that the Spirit of God is everywhere, and this frees us of the fear of evil
spirits, and of that of being reborn in a form lower than we now have. Our Bible tells us that God
created human being, male and female with equal honor to each, and that He has given us the hope of
life everlasting instead of the nothingness of nirvana. It also teaches us that life on earth may be joyful,
instead of filled with the negative despair which so afflicts the life of your people, as they seek
constantly to achieve merit through innumerable rules.”
BM: “It is very strange Saya, but I shall remember what you have said. May you be at peace.”
The above dialogue between Dr. Henderson and a Buddhist monk gives us a clear method of sharing
gospel to the Buddhist. There was no sense of argument but exchange of belief. The conversation
followed by giving a gospel tracts or Bible.
Medical work
Medical services were offered by Dr. Henderson from his bamboo hospital. Dr. Henderson
reported in 1894, “The medical work promises to do nicely and become a most useful auxiliary in the
spread of the gospel. There are some prejudice against English medicine which it will take time to
break down but I think we will win our way fairly easily. Already there have been one or two rather
important cases where we have succeeded after the native doctors had failed, which has had quite a
good influence. As the natives attribute many of their ailments to the influence of the Phe (evil spirits)
medical work will, I hope, bear directly against this superstition.” Dr. Henderson reported in 1895,
“The medical work is very encouraging although the government grant is refused and the SaoPha’s
promise is a promise still. I am determined to try and bring this department to a self-supporting footing
as far as medicines are concerned. Why should we use mission money to distribute medicines to
wealthy persons here or to those who are ready enough to call in and pay a quack to those who know
nothing at all? I shall ask for no grant this year from the board and what I run short I will try and save
from transport allowance so supplying myself with medicines.” 48
Dr. Henderson reported in 1900, “In our medical work full records have not been kept but I find
for eight months an attendance of 1,582 and about 200 out cases a month. For the hospital we usually
have from four to ten in at a time probably an average of five new cases a month. Five or six of the
patients when convalescent have learned to read. The receipts for medicine show a gain every year and
we expect soon to cover our drug bill. The people now far more readily come to the hospital and submit
to surgical operations. Three or four opium eaters have been cured and this fact has also been noised
abroad.” 49
48 Letter from A. H. Henderson, April 22, 1895, MuongNai. The Baptist Missionary Magazine P466
49 85th Annual Report, 1899, American Baptist Missionary Union, p68