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History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

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Baptist mission among the <strong>Shan</strong> 69<br />

motorcycle for many days. He fell from motorcycle many times because <strong>of</strong> the rough road. In 1991 he<br />

drove his small motorcycle from KengTung to TaChiLeik, about 100 miles, to meet with me at Maesai.<br />

He got accident on the road and his motorcycle was badly damaged. I got his motorbike repaired before<br />

return<strong>in</strong>g to KengTung. Later <strong>in</strong> 1993, Asian Outreach bought him a motorbike to use <strong>in</strong> 21 st Century<br />

<strong>Shan</strong> Mission Project.<br />

Rev. Ray Buker, Dr. Richard Buker and their families<br />

Jo<strong>in</strong>t mission with <strong>Burma</strong> Baptist Convention was proposed by Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist<br />

Association <strong>in</strong> 1985. However s<strong>in</strong>ce there was no reply from BBC new mission fields were started by<br />

themselves. There were 8 new believers <strong>in</strong> 1988 <strong>in</strong> MuongPy<strong>in</strong> new mission field. Another evangelistic<br />

trip was led by Sai Stephen from March 17 to April 24 <strong>in</strong> 1987 with 13 members to many villages.<br />

2. First <strong>Shan</strong> convert<br />

A <strong>Shan</strong> young man named Phak Ka Sai had, for the first time, heard the gospel from Rev.<br />

Cush<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 1870, when he was 25 years old. After Rev. Cush<strong>in</strong>g left KengTung, Phak Ka Sai never had<br />

a chance <strong>of</strong> hear<strong>in</strong>g gospel aga<strong>in</strong>. Phak Ka Sai would have had studied at Buddhist monastery because<br />

he knew how to read <strong>Shan</strong>. In those days learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Shan</strong> literature was only available at Buddhist<br />

monastery usually taught by monks. Phak Ka Sai accepted the Lord and baptized on June 1, 1902 <strong>in</strong> the<br />

hand <strong>of</strong> Rev. William Marcus Young. He was the first <strong>Shan</strong> convert <strong>in</strong> Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State. After<br />

becom<strong>in</strong>g Christian he abandoned <strong>Shan</strong> traditions such as <strong>Shan</strong> New Year celebration, other <strong>Shan</strong><br />

festivals, play<strong>in</strong>g gong-mong-cymbal musical <strong>in</strong>strument and refused to jo<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> cultural danc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

festivals and celebration because they were considered as heathen. He was then excommunicated by his<br />

Buddhist friends and community and was driven out from his village because <strong>of</strong> his new faith. This first<br />

convert had to endure severe persecution but he had proved a steadfast and earnest man. Phak Ka Sai<br />

could not live <strong>in</strong> the village with Buddhist neighbors and community. He left the village and went to<br />

live with American missionaries <strong>in</strong> mission compound. 72<br />

72 <strong>Burma</strong> Baptist Chronicle Book I by Maung Shwe Wa, Book II edited by Genevieve Sowards and Erville Sowards, p362

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