"Well done My Faithfull Servant"

We, the family of Bible Society of Myanmar, said "Goodbye" to Rev Aung Than: the former General Secretary (1964-85). He was called on home on April 12, 2006 at the age of 87. He is the first national General Secretary, has contributed his best for the Bible ministry in Myanmar. He will be always remembered for all his contribution to BSM, while our heavenly father receives him saying "Welldone, My faithful Servant".

Sustainable Literacy (Multi-language Education) Workshop for Hawa Naga, Ngochang, Lacid and Lhaovo ethnic groups was held at KBC Literature Office, Myitkyina, from 6 to 8, April 2006 led by Rev Khoi TO of BSM. Participants determinedly resolved to have better and more effective programs for literacy promotion respectively. Participants Language Village

1. Rev Bidlhab Boem Yeing" Lacid Shadawng

2. U Teng Loh         Lacid, Mading

3. Hkaw Ying          Lacid, Zion

4. Sara Lagoid: Boem Yung" Lacid, Zion

5. Miss Khaw Ngwe     Ngochang, Khimati

6. Miss Lanpiung         Ngochang, Wuyang

7. Rev Kui Yaw            Ngochang, Tatkung

8. Rev Lun Khan           Hawa Naga, Rampu

9. U Daniel                 Hawa Naga, Maymyo

10. Rev Khan Min         Hawa Naga, Tatkung

11. U T. Hawng Ye         Lhaovo, Waimaw

12. Daw Jung Lan         Lhaovo, Yuzana

13. Miss Khong Naw         Lhaovo, Myimyint

14. Sara Dau Gyung         Lhaovo, KBC

15. Rev C Dau Hkawng         Lhaovo, Mawphawng

Rev Lun Kham (63), is a Hawa Naga participant at Sustainable Literacy workshop held during April 6-8, 2006. He is originally from remote Naga Hill, and was sent to the small town called ‘Putao’ which is 3 weeks journey on-foot together with his 8 family members a crossing 3 icy mountains ranges in the early 1960s for promotion of literacy and Bible translation in his language. After four years, they moved again to Tachileik, another small town at the border of Thailand, for the same cause, where he lose all his belongings and translation documents in fire amidst of battle between the government and insurgents. Rubbing tears on his check, he emotionally said,

“As a young boy, I had a dream that one day my people will have written script like Jinghpaw and every body can read Bible and sing Hymns in my mother tongue. Today my dream comes true and the task is upon my shoulder. There are many difficulties and obstacles for this cause in my region, but I am determined to move on and ready to pass on to next generation”.

The 35th KBC Quadrennial Meeting was held at Katsu, Waimaw township from March 30- April 2, 2006. The April 2, 2006 Sunday main worship service was set for dedication of four Kachinic New Testaments:

(1) Jinghpaw (CL) New Testament,  (Translator Rev Magi Laja)

(2) Lhaovo New Testament, (Translator Rev Lalawk Gyung Hkawng)

(3) Ngochang New Testament and

(4) Lacid New Testament (Translator Rev Yoo Yeing).

Rev Paul Naw Tawng: the General Secretary of KBC was the Master of Ceremony. Rev Dr Chitra B Chhetri (TC), representing the UBS preached an inspiring message and Rev Khoi Lam Thang (TO) represented BSM and read the greeting letter of the General secretary of BSM. The dedication service was a ceremonially authorization of those Bibles among the Kachin ethnic family. More than 20,000 believers presented at the service. Rev Dr Stephen Hre Kio, Rev Dr Gam Seng Shae and Rev Dr Chitra B Chhetri were the translation consultants.

Rev Khao Zaung, a Lhaovo speaker is 64 now and has been serving as a Pastor for more than 34 years. The New Testament in his mother tongue was published in 2002 and he is reading it every day. In the past he read the Bible either in Jinghpaw or in Lisu. To some extent he understands because he lives together with Jinghpaw and studied theology in Lisu Bible School. When he was asked how he feels in reading and in listening the word of God in his own language, he smilingly said,

“When I read the word of God in my own language, I feel as if God also speaks my own language and speaks to me directly. When I listen, I now listen exactly and I hear the meaning”.

Lhaovo New Testament was translated by Rev Lalawk Gyung Hkawng. Amidst of translation project, his wife passed away, suffering from stomach cancer. The Lhaovo NT was dedicated in 2003 and he said “When I recall the past, I set tears and when I receive the Bible I also set tears. But it’s a joyful moment for me and my people.” Rev Soug: Lang” Yoo Yeing” is the translator of Lacid New Testament. At the dedication of Lacid NT, he said  “I am Happy, I am very very Happy and I can die now”. The picture is Rev Lalawk Gyung Hkawng, Rev Soug: Lang” Yoo Yeing” and Rev Khoi Lam Thang, TO.