Two Stories
Here is the dilemma: How shall I tell you of two stories in one letter? One story is about a Lost Tribe. Another story is about God’s Grace.
Allow me to try to put the two together. Laila and I were invited to dinner at the Burmese home of Brang and Khawn. It was almost 7:30PM when we arrived. They came to the yard to greet us: Brang (husband) and Khawn (wife), three of their children – Seng (daughter), Bawk Lar (son), and La Ja (son), Khawn’s mother and father, and her sister Caroline.
Each proffered the Asian bow, extending one hand with the other hand resting on the forearm of the extended hand. Caroline offered the official welcome noting the honor of their simple home having guests.
After an initial social time in the living room we gathered to the dining room. Well, not quite that simple. They wanted Laila and me to go first. A little stand-off occurred as I insisted that the elder parents go before me. I lost. Honor prevailed.
Khawn’s parents worked for a great missionary in Burma. To have a pastor and his wife come to visit was considered high honor. Khawn’s mother insisted that our visit caused her to weep with joy.
Burmese soup with a compliment of Asian rolls was graced with fellowship too tender to express. Gracious Khawn, smiling, stood. I insisted without success that she be seated with us. Happily she stood watching for any need that may arise – drink refill, more soup, etc. After the meal we gathered to the living room for worship. But first there was sharing time.
Khawn’s grandfather had been one of the 3,200 specially selected Kachin tribe soldiers to work with 320 American officers during WWII. Their mission with simple weapons was to cut-off and defeat 10,000 well-armed Japanese soldiers. The end result was a resounding victory for the U.S. and Kachin mission. High honor was bestowed upon all the Kachin soldiers by the U.S.
Out came the hymnbooks and Bibles. Caroline shared that the songs were in Roman alphabet. Many attempts had been made to put the Burmese language to print. An American missionary discovered that only the Roman alphabet seemed to work. This led to other sharings.
About 1870, American missionaries arrived to share the story of Jesus with the Burmese people. After several years only a few people were converted. The Burmese tribe, pagans, atheists, and spiritists were resistant to the gospel. The missionaries continued on to the part of Burma, near China and discovered the Kachin tribe.
Kachins also worshipped spirits. But their language included words that meant “sovereign god” and “creator.” Caroline testified of having seen in her childhood tribal peoples bring a water buffalo, tie it at a cross, sacrifice it, and burn it while the shaman dipped into the blood and sprinkled it. The practice is so similar to Old Testament Jewish customs that some have referred to the Kachin tribe as “The Lost Tribe of Israel.”
As missionaries explained about Jesus and his death on the cross, the Kachin tribe had the answer to their mysterious way of worship. Virtually the entire tribe accepted Christ when they heard the story of His sacrificial love for them.
Several of the family sat on the floor during this sharing. Then they sang Great is Thy Faithfulness in their native language as Seng played the keyboard. It was a moment to treasure. Grace flowed. I did not want to leave, though the hands were pressing ten o’clock. Two stories had been shared. One was the wonder of missionaries finding and sharing Jesus with the Kachin tribe. The second story was of grace flowing in Brang and Khawn’s home and family.
Food and a card of appreciation were pressed into our hands, again the Asian handshake with each person. We were escorted to our car. They stood in the yard until we pulled out of sight. I hope they know how much love we took home with us. I hope they know the grace that flowed into our hearts. We saw Christ in them.
Oh, for the joy of Covenant Church, as we welcome people from around the world to worship and serve Our Christ! Oh the joy of being a pastor!
Much love,
Pastor Bare
Revelation 5:9 “[Jesus] you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe, and language and people and nation.”