This is my last day in Tahan and it has been a very eventful one since I last wrote to you yesterday AM. I have written many things in my logbook. During the day yesterday I approached Dawnga about how we are going to go about making the NLO "self-sufficient" or at least having it be supplemented by local funds rather than foreign funds. He was a little hesitant, which I interpreted at first as resistance, but then I think it is more "fear of the unknown" than real resistance to the idea. He said something like "If it is God's will." And I replied that I do not know if it is God's will for him, but I am pretty sure it is God's will for his sponsor. That made the interpretor laugh, but Dawnga got the message. I told Ruata (who was translating at the time) the importance of his translation and that it must be very exact so that there is no misunderstanding on the part of Dawnga or of me. So then Ruata deferred the translation chore to Allen Richardson, who was not present. It was just as well, because I thought perhaps it would be best to meet with the entire board as I laid out where we hope to see the orphanage going over the next 5-10 years.
As it turned out, I met with the entire board and Dr. Lai Thuama was the translator "in chief" even though Allen and Ruata were both present. But since Allen and Ruata are both also board members, we thought it might be best if we were to have a translator completely independent of the board. Thus Dr. Lai Thuama came over for supper meal and agreed to stay and translate for us. I responded to several of their questions. They wanted to know when the next remittance was coming (that was Allen's question) and I spent about 15 minutes explaining how we go about sending money. When I finished, Allen said "yes but when will the next remittance be coming?" So I simply said that takes place above my pay grade. I made a point of spending much time complimenting them on the job they were doing (sincere compliments) about the health and education they are doing for the children. I will have many pictures with me (and one movie) when I return home. During the course of talking about our vision for the future of the NLO I was talking about the Puritan worldview. That got them very excited. I was doing my best to talk them out of trying to export their graduates to India and Korea. At one point Thuama got so excited about the Puritan worldview that he stopped translating and started taking notes.
During yesterday afternoon I had the chance to speak again with Rev. Khua (Pasiang's father). It turns out that he is completely destitute. He has no stipend at all from the URCM and now his daughter's husband left her for another woman and she has come back home and he has another mouth to feed. Dawnga was there as I was hearing these things. So I also asked the board to consider hiring Khuai as a catechist. They have the tools, but they don't have someone with experience in the reformed faith. So with Khuai they will have both and Khuai will also have an income that is not simply a handout.
This morning I had breakfast with Peka and once again tried to talk him out of his scheme to go to Japan. Perhaps it will work for him, but I don't think so. I think he is just wasting his money. His parents are selling their house to finance his scheme and I asked him what would happen to them if his plan fails. He just thinks that is an impossibility. So I don't know what else to say to him. He claims he needs USD 300 per month to support himself, his wife and child, and both sets of parents. I don't know where he gets his numbers, but there is no way he can earn that much in MM.
Well, Dawnga dropped me off here to write this email while he went to visit his sister and he said he would only be about 10 minutes. Then before I could get in here to write this, Len Thang (the now 80 year old man you met at the Golden Guest Inn) saw me outside and came running up to me yelling that he found his long-lost father! He was his usual jovial self. He looks very very good for 80 years old. I told him he doesn't look a day over 50. I also stopped by this afternoon at the Chin Synod of Presbyterian Church of MM and talked with his son Vena. You may recall that Vena is the one I sent the cowboy hat to via Siang Hope. He seemed a little surprised to see me, but I suspect he is the one who told Len Thang I was in town. It was good to see him, but when I asked about Lal Ruai he had no idea where he is. You may remember that Lal Ruai was the nephew of Len Thang who grew up in Sadaw village with Siang Hope. He was a drinker and brawler until he was converted. But Len Thang has not seen him in some time. Maybe the last time I saw them both.
I will be incommunicado for about another 24-30 hours. The car is scheduled to leave for Mandalay at 8:00 tonight. It took us about 13-14 hours to get here, so I'm thinking it will be about the same amount of time on the return trip. I got a scarf (actually Dawnga gave me a Mizo scarf) to wear around my face and a stocking cap (Manchester United) to wear on the trip back so my ears and face will hopefully not get so cold. Tell everyone there my regards and my blessings upon you all. Richard Bacon
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