MORSE-LS

Of NEWS from the MORSES

NORTH

BURMA

CHRISTIAN

MISSION

"Where China, Tibet, Burma and India Meet"

VaL> U.

JAinJARY ^ APRIL 3^63

With world conditicns changing so rapidly from day to d^, we hardly KwdU^what
to say is the (^latest news" concerning the Morse families in Bimna. There 'were sons

misleading rumors concerning the Morses during the early part of i^rch# We are very
thankful that as of April 1, letters indicate that they are safe even thou^ amidst
unsettled situations* Much has hs^pened ^tli&n the family and also within the countxy since the first of the year* We are so thankful for answered prayer and do ask the continued prayer support on their behalf, that th^ may guided in Iheir decisions and that they may be loept in safety.

N6t only from letters received during recent weeks, but also as we read the news
papers and magazines do we realize that the situation in that part of the worl is

serious. Quotes frcm variaL^wLll, pertiaps gii a better picture of conditions than we could give otherwise. J^^3?s
There been health problems ampng the mission personnel for some time* Dur-

ing the late summer and fall Helen was quite ill several times but {ttiere didn't seem
to be a favorable opportunity for her to go to Rangoon for a check^tip Eugene and Helen* s two youngest boys needed dental work and David was badly in need of new passes* Betty>s g^U bladder attacks were beconing metre frequent and severe, and .
need of dental work and a medical check-up*
away.

theii* two youngest children needed to have their tonsils removed* Lois, too, was in
Many proiarlems aie involved when they

must leave Idieir families to go to ^^goon, not knowing just how long they must be

LaVeme left jussb before Christmas for an evangelistic trip into the ^awang area
nBm-^ol5epr-iiar^Si^^Stlirted: on-^ s tlBT^tkyina^^ear~-COiK^^ this Robert wrote t *iLast winter I was all set to go to I^tkyina and work with ihe churches there for a season, and with the Lisu Old Testament Revision Committee, of which I am supposed to be a member* Each time something stopped. Finally on the Uth try, Eugene and I together with our oldest sons, (David and Jonathon) started out by jeep, got less than 6 miles down the jungle road when another jeep coining f5x>m anotb^ er direction banged right into us instead of passing. That finally stopped the tri^ The jeg) had to be pulled back by tractor. In praying about the matter and asking for guidance, it seemed as though we should stay put for a -sfiiile." Letters from Helen and Eugene told of David and Jonathon walking back the 6 miles to get the Jsractor. Eugene was able to make the necessary repairs on the jeep to put it back into use. After their return, Helen wrote: "Now Eugene feels sure that it wasn^t the Lord's will for them to go on that trip. Both he and Robert felt that their prayers for
guidance had truly been answered*"

With the trip the children to go gene at home, thqy on Dec. 31, David

cancelled for the time being, the way was opened for the girls and to Rangoon for the mucb-needed medical care. With Robert and Eu could leave. Betty and David went to a hospital near Myitkyina got new glasses and the Dr. there advised Betty to go on to Raite

goon, where Betty entered the hospital at once and had her surgecpy a few days later* Removal of the gall bladder was successful and she made a wonderful recovery considtand had her own physical check-up
account for some of her "laziness*"

ering she had 68 gall stonesi In between visiting Betty twice a day at the hospital, Helen took care of business for the mission, had Toiiiny and Ronnie's dental work dons
Her hemoglobin was only 6Q% which she sai^ mi^t
She received soraatmedication and also had some .

treatments which relieved the arthritic pain in her back which she has had Tor years. Tommy and Ronnie returned to Muladi on Jan* 29th and a couple later,

Robert and their 2 youngest, Robert Jr.(Ah-key) and Dorothy Drema csTie to ^'angoon as
the plane made the return trip* Both diildren had their tonsils removed and got

Rritiile there.

along fine. In the meantime Lois

Helen returned to Muladi on Feb. I8th a^d a week later, l-pis. .retn^msd' ,

to Rangoon ^pr dentail work and beceme Qul-te i3-Jl

with Robert, Betty and the children^

On February 12th, while in Rangoon, ^lenwrqtj! "The sitalation here in Burma

is changing i^om day to day until none of us i^ow what to write The one certain thing is UNCERTAIiOT. The govemmant is in the midsiii of to fonmilj?.t-e poliisiiea; concerning various matters, i.no.lndi.n^ the stai^ of foroi,5ners^ In tha there

? w vm ^'bm%'<^V^lp m^m t l^he the?? }ot^ W acoounjjs of the resignations and/or th^. arrests of.seirerai nd^ lexers we knovf more about what is happening concerning foreigners, particul^ly missidnaries, bat even then, -what we know is very little Thus far, all the missibiis working . to Bu^ haTO been contacted ^d asked to give reports concerning per^tmel, activity ' ies, finances etc*, in detail - but with very short notice some only iEin hoar or two to get an the infprmtipn together. It has been a very difficult time for everyone. The big question is what use is to be made of all the information gathered, and how
it wLH affect the future of foreigners (ndssLonaries) here? We ha-ve never seen people in Rangoon so concerned about Idlings as they are now In many wajrs we aa?e reo* minded of our experiences in 19U9-,(when the Conmuniste took over in China) for there
are a number of similarities^'

9^ Qoi^gipn^ an4

^t

i? going i;o hapMiu We don't

We received a letter frcan Robert written in Rangoon Feb 25th Just before teey

-returned up-KJountiyo- We quote:" Just^^ note - It is~difficult for me to .wilte McB

of anything under the circumstances youve. prbbably heard" about. We, Ite work, the natiT?e leaders and the Nation ^d National leaders are, perhaps, more in need of.pray er than ever bef^, as forces move swiftly tdwi^d a showdown on the issue of socialism and Nationalism* tell all the churches that apparently^ we are going to be so busy from now on that none of us will be doing much wiating, so don't anybody
esqpect any news just pray for us." A letter with simHsr. infajrmation was received
by Lois V parents about the same time#

has become so uncertain that, the future ..of all missions in Burma seems to be in the
upset a lot of people, especially the tens of thousands who: have fled this sort of

After returning up-country RobeH wrote again:

The goTernment situation

balahceo ExtrenB socialist neasures along Maraist-^ninist lines cannot help but

time for real, fervent prayer^ . Pr^ that the Lord will r^se up national leaders ' who win accoii5)lish His purposes* The.insurgent armies (underground}-ha^ie never bothered us up here before. Now they seem to be finally getting into our last peacesful pocket, and we are how as if were on the brink of a volcano# In the past our Christians have all be^ strong anti^Coniiiunist government supporters^ Now a strong
Insurgent group has arisemdiich is anti^Conmunist and anti^govei'nment^ How can we

situation to the east of us# Our prayer is only that God will cc^tinue to lead ttis church here in Burma in an advance that i^ll win more people to Christ#: I realize I have failed in keeping our p^er supporters continually informed. But now is a

and honorable? I cannot go:into;1^e problem much ilizw

wan-ted to# It is too xinsafe and surrounded by insurgents idio ha-ve seen too many
movies and read too many Robinhood stories#

couldn't go to the hospital where Betty and David went tte l^t of'ltecelber^^^^^

On February 27th LaVerne became very in with an attack whidh the doctor at PUtao diagnosed. as a heart attack. He advised thp^t he go to- Rangoon for farthec examination and treatment. It was decided that.LaYeme's mother., Gertrude Morse would go- with him because Lois was hot well and was. so tired,* having Just returned from RangoOTi, For the sake of the children, too, it seemed best# We were all so

half, HoKT happy we all were when Professor and ^rs, Elliott, Lois' p^ents, received
a letter &om Mrs, Gertrude Morse telling toe good news, that LaVeme does not have any organic heart trouble. The doctors did say though, that he needs much rest to overcome his ^reme nervous tension and high blood pressure.

concerned and an appeal ft prayer was sent to the living link churches# The reponse was so comforting as so many Joined the family in special prayer on his be

win be strengttiened to meet the needs of- each day# As we await every bit of news with anxious hBarts may we claim the precious promises that He has gi-^en# We want to express our deep appreciation to eacli of. you as you continue to pray
and as you make it possible to continueltQLcaiayLjhhQ_J7^ape^l ffWhere-Ghina* -Tibet4
I should have selected"
;

in the knowledge that those we love so dearly are in His loving caie, and that they

the Lord for the wonderful blessings which are ouris as Christians, We ha*ve comfort

In the midst of these uncertainties wMch burden our hearts, we pause to praise

ISinma and India meet#"

Dear Bro. McGllvrey:

didnH and am down to the bottom of the stack ^ ^ littto .Str^t

now, but thought I'd send one on anyhow. ^erre Haute, Didiana
We had a letter from LaVeme dated April l8th - probably the Joliet church has had '.late word too, but I win quote from LaVeme's letter: Many things have happened during these past

one of the not-so-bad copies to send you, but

months. However, we are thankful to God that we are all wen' noW.

The trouble which ^ had with

blood pressure, heart, etc,, seems to have cleared up almost completely. I am supposed to inodmfy my schedule a bit so as to get some daily exercise, and a-bit'of relaxation during -the day as well,

but can continue with the equivalent of a fun schedule^of missionaiy work, for which I am very
was very serious.

thankful. We were quite worried a while back: I was very weak, and the doctor's report at Putai>
After I had been in the hospital fftxSnK^an in Rangoon for about three days, .

however, I began to feel very well. We know that many people-were pray^g speciany at that time

and we thank God for His providence and answering of prayers.:"

.We know you win share ojcr

in this encouraging word from ^aVeine. //f

1f 7f/, )?/ y/ld- '

LISU and RAWANG CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN BURMA

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

"Where China, Tibet, Burma and India Meet" (Formerly Yunnan-Tibetan Christian Mission)

*Ox treading out the grain", at Mulodi as in ancient Biblical times.

By J. RUSSELL MORSE

"... Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit,

saith the Lord of hosts." zecm.^,

SECOND 1963 NEWSLETTER

No. 32 News Series Beginning January, 1953
The J. Russell Morse Family
P. O. Putau

Kachin State,

Burma

THE MISSION AREA OF NORTH BURMA

As Seen Through the Eyes of a Visitor

sion field in North Burma. Therefore, when relatives of the fk>rses re

Mission.

It is not often that "outsiders" have the opportunity of visiting the mis

ceived a long letter telling of such a visit, we feltwe v/ould like to share
it with those who are interested in the work of the North Burma Christian

The writer, Mr. Pesi J. Virjee and his wife. Daphne, although citizens of India, have been residents of Rangoon, Burma, for many years. Thev have three sons and a daughter. Two sons are now studying in Englana,
and one son and their daughter are with them in Rangoon. Mr. Virjee is

a well-known business man, having been a department manager in an old

English firm for many years. The Virjees have been most kind and helpful in countless ways when any of the Morses have been in Rangoon. Over and over, they have proved themselves true friends when such were need ed. Therefore, it was a great pleasure to the Morse families to be able to
entertain them in Muladi and Dukdang.

Thisletter tells of their impressions as they went from civilized Rangoon,

the area, seemed new and wortny of comment to one coming in from the outside. Staying with the Morses for 11 days, attending the Easter con vention with them, seeing the daily livesof the people and having an op portunity to meet many of them, the Virjees were able to get a glimpse of
what the life and work there is like, as well as to observe some of the re sults of the missionaries' labors with these people.

Putao. Things which seem very ordinary and humdrum to those living in

Burma's capital city, to the remote "backwoods" or"primitive area"around

Here is Mr. Virjee's letter, written to J.Russell Morse's sister, Mrs. Louise Whitham, who was also a guest in the Virjee's home when she visi ted in Rangoon in June, 1962- the letter to be shared with the other
Morse relatives in the U.S.A.
VACATION IN PUTAO

By P. J. Virjee
Dear Friends in America,
There is a Burmese festival which comes around more or less the same

time of year as Easter. This year the two holidays ran concurrently and so
we had almost a whole week at our disposal. We took advantage of this, left the children in the care of Daphne's mother while both of us flew to

Putao to spend the week with the Morses. As it turned out, at the end of

the clouds stayed low, and it rained so that the plane due in from Myitkyina could not come in on that scheduled flight and we were, to all in tent and purpose, "marooned" in Muladi for a further four days. What a wonderful experience this holiday has been for Daph and my self. We spent the first afternoon and the night at Dukdang with Robert

the week the weather turned in our favour. A heavy storm developed,

and Betty. They have such a lovely, quaint home. Large and roomy, but
we use that room while Robert and Betty camped on the sitting room rug!
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bedroom is probably the most lavish room in the whole valley. She is just ly proud of it, and imagine the VIP treatment we got when they insisted

built in keeping with the rest of theRawang homes in the village. Betty's

They have a delightful little woods just behind the house. Robert has built a tree house overlooking another valley and a magnificent view of the snow covered mountains in the west. What a glorious setting. That first evening the weather cleared to reveal those hugh mountains, their

massive crags and snowy tops. I was thrilled when Robert explained that those mountains were actually Indian territory. He pointed out one of the crags on which he had been a couple of years before, and from where at nightshe could see in the eastern valley the lights of Putao (Burma), while
from the same spot, in the west, he could see the lights of Ledo (in Assam,

India), made famous by General Stilwell during the last war. (Editor's note; This explains why the Morses could hear the sound of the guns during the fighting last year on the Indo-Tibetan border). To me the sight of ter ritory that was part of my home country was particularly thrilling as re cently when I wanted to go to India to be with my people for my sister's

wedding, the Immigration Department refused to grant me a re-entry visa if I did leave the country. Ever since, we have felt like prisoners, know
ing that we can no longer go and come as we please. It is galling and
alarming 1

However, to continue with our holiday, the next thrill came when I strolled out at dawn and discovered the pug marks of either a small tiger or a Ieopard. Each imprint was about 3-1/2 inches across and 4 inches long. The largest dog in the area is Bullet, Betty's Alsatian, and his paw prints didn't measure half that size. Anyway, that's as near as we came to
a real wild animal.

Later in the morning, Eugene brought in the jeep from Muladi and the whole lot of us trooped into it (it may sound unbelievable but we were often a round dozen in that jeep), and off we went for a three or four
mile jaunt.

When we arrived at the top of the ridge overlooking Muladi, we stop ped for a panoramic view of the village. It is difficult to describe, and no photograph seems to do it justice, but on that particular morning it was like a picture-book version of a beautiful village. I believe Eugene has had a great deal to do with the original planning, the orderliness, and

the layout. It would do credit to any Civil Engineer. I am sure many an Executive Engineer in this country wishes he could wear the honour of hav ing "engineered" Muladi. Almost all the high ranking civil and military dignatories have, at some time or the other, visited the village of Mulaai and have referred to it time and again as a pattern for imitation. To at tempt to describe the work done in the village for the uplift, the hygiene and the well being of the community would require a great deal of space. I will not attempt it here, yet I cannot glossover it without specific men
tion of their achievements in getting water to the village from a mountain stream across the river and through an irrigation canal almost a mile long into the village itself. Not only into the village, but through it and out into the fields, where itwil' benefit around 300 acres ot land. The bridge itself, over the Muladi river, is an engineering feat on its own. It sup ports a pair of large pipes which in turn carry by gravity the water from a
waterfall on the other side of the river to the canal on the Muladi side.

The bridge is almost 100 ft. above the river.

Back to that panoramic view of Muladi from the ridge. The jeep was put into the four-wheel-drive, and down we went along a slippery, slimy
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the Morse residence. The "Residence" is a hive of activity. At the very entrance is a bam-like building housing the generator, the worksho'p, and
the engineering stores, including POL. (Editor's note: P.O.L. means

cow path cork-screwing down to the village. Then a drive along the vil lage main street, which in comparison was like Park Avenue, right up to

kerosene, gasoline and motor oils of which a year's supply must be bought at one time during the winter dry season). Going around it to the parking lot, you see tractors and trailers, coming in or going out or under repair. This certainly is the community workshop with David very much in com mand. And then, suddenly the two big houses hit you with quite an Im
pact - Eugene's house, in which we all lived, and Mum and Dad's house, nearing completion. Eugene and Helen's house is, to all intent and pur pose, a community hall, a dormitory, restaurant, clinic, motel, the vil lage granary, grocery and kitchen, concert hall, dog pound, nursery, chicken farm, lumber yard, library and training ground for all and sundry,
from helpers to preachers. There isn't a dull moment in that wonderful

petrol (gasoline), oils and lubrications and refers to the drums ofdiesel,

home. I don't suppose Helen is competing for the Good Housekeeping

laurels, but what wonderful fellowship, friendship and love emanates from that home and touches the lives of hundreds of people around who come for help and advice in the various fields of life. We were a part of that

household for elevenwonderful days of experiences. There were so many, that at times Daph and I had to separate so as to cover as many activities
as possible.

Morning breakfast was a wonderful way of starting the day. This meal we shared with Daddy and Mother Morse and with Esther and Ahpu. The meal was always well done, withEsther andMother attending to every de tail, but above all, morning devotions from Daddy Morse seemed to set the
pattern of the day. Just about that time, the sun would shine and a shaft

of lightwould brighten his head and shoulders. It always worried him, but I sat opposite him at table and never stopped admiring his countenance in that light. For that moment he looked and behaved every bit the patri
arch of Muladi. During the meal we would drawout from Mother and Dad

stories of their experiences in China, the Sal ween Volley, Tibet, and the
war years. By the time the meal wasover we would have most of the other children in the room, along with Lois and often Helen too.

The signal for the end of that part of the day always came with mother
leaving in a hurry to start her class for the day. What steadfast work she does with a group of Naga tribe boys. Mother puts in a full day's schedule of five to six hours of solid work with those boys. One morning we spent
a while with them and then went on to another class room across the road

where LaVeme was teaching typing to a group of 26 preachers and lay men. What an earnest, industrious lot they were. What a fine |ob they
were doing.

Daddy Morsewas always busy in the mornings attending to the clinical needs of the village folk, some of whom came from distant villages three or four days journey from Muladi. I would hang around until the last of

these was attended to, and then without too much coaxing draw him away

to the fruit trees and get himto talk about his citrus "industry" 1 I was in terested, as maybe when we leave this country in the very near future I will go back home toPanchgani in India where our family owns some land, and start a citrus orchard as Mr. Morse has done, and maybe in another
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eight or ten years our village will reap as much benefit as the various vil lages in and around the Putao plain have gained from Dad's fruit trees.

Some believe that there might be as many as forty to fifty thousand citrus
trees in the Putao Sub-Division having their origin from Dad's trees. He himself is very modest about it all, but under conditions as they exist in those remote and primitive areas, the achievement is colossal.

" * 5%-A

' L' 0

LaVerne and Lois with Daphne and Pesi VirjM.

More often than not, lunch was with Lois and the children. Lois and

LaVeme have the neatest little cottage I have seen anywhere. Its walls
andfloors areof tlmberboards, the roof Is thatch. 1 remember mothertelling us in Rangoon that Lois' house was as neat as a pin. It really was, and

the lovely petuniasLaVeme grows in h's window boxes scintillate like jew
els in some ancient setting. And as for Lois' cookingl I am sure she gets

the laurels of the village, nay, the plain of Putao. There were lovely evenings with Lois, LaVeme and the children, and

dinner, Lois would quickly finish the washing and dressing of the kids for wonderful quietening session with the children sprawled on the carpet, and
or Mark. We would all sing a couple of nursery songs then a quiet hymn

we were privileged to be part of that group on three evenings. After

bed. We would then stroll upstairs and for 10 or 15 minutes there was o

with Tommy and Ronnie joining In. Lois would read a story for Cynthia and a simple prayer by which time Mark was fast asleep and Cynthia as sleepy as ever. When the babes were tucked away, Marcia and Ronnie and we would all settle down to a game of "Flinch".
We mustn't forget that the main reason the Virjees were visiting the Morses on this occasion was Drema's wedding. I know you will have got ten a detailed description of the wedding ceremony and the reception. From pre-davm to past midnight of April 15th was a hectic day and mem orable day, not only for Jesse and Drema, but for all Muladi and us.

One of the high lights of the day was the attendance of Brig. Aung Gyi at the wedding. Brig. Aung Gyi was for a while acting Chairman of the Revolutionary Government of the Union of Burma until he resigned from the Council and the Army and retired to Machawngbo, a village ap proximately 14 miles to the south-east of Putao. With him was ex-Col. Ba Than, who had appeared in the headlines of the country's papers when he had resigned from the Army and a successful career and decided to do Buddhist missionary work. Both the ex-army offi cers had brought along other members of their families, including Pandora, Brig. Aung Gyi's
daughter. There were also other high ranking government officials who graced the occasion and made the day such a success.

To crown it all. Brig. Aung Gyi and Col. Ba Than invited all of us to visit Machawngbo. The Morses, theViriees, the newly marriedcouple and
a number of the others, including the Civil Surgeon, the Immigration Of

ficer, the Executive Engineer, were all invited. Apparently it is their

custom to invite the host and their friends to a meal after the wedding.

They were gracious enough to send us a jeep the next morning so off we went, two jeep loads, to Machawngbo where the Brigadier had arranged a sumptuous lunch for all of us in the lovely guest house, and played the part of a very gracious host. There, at lunch, was a further galaxy of
personalities including Dr. Ba Than (the father-in-law of General Ne Win, the Head-of-State of Burma) with his recently married bride, also the Deputy Commissioner of the area, the representative of the Frontier Areas Administration, two Civil Surgeons and the Executive Engineer. We were shown around the whole of Machawngbo and the State's experi mental fruit orchard by Brig. Aung Gyi himself, who shows remarkable knowledge and interest in the project. The most impressive part of our visit toMuladi was the wonderful faith and fellowship that we noticed throughout this Lisu village. There was many a morning when I would stroll through the village at dawn and be thrilled at the tunes the people were singing or whistling while at work herding cattle or driving their carts. And, almost without exception, everyone I met in the lanes of the village would extend his or her hand and give a fine, firm hand-clasp with a greeting. In the Orient a hand shake is not common except amongst the westernized urban people and so, to find it here in remote areas amongst people we had thought of as being backward, gave that greeting far more meaning than ever before. I can truly say that never before have I felt such fine wholesome feeling towards my fellow man as I did with those wonderful people.

We hadthe opportunityof worshipping withthem in their church. Here again we felt that these humble folk leaned more heavily, relied more im plicitly on their religion and their church than many of their counterparts
in the urban areas. To think that these people have achieved such a won derful sense of pride ond responsibility toward their church and their min ister. There is many a church in Rangoon that is unable to support its own minister! Yet these folk have learned the advantage of tithing in money or in material. They not only support their own pastor but accept the res ponsibility of supporting one or two Lisu or Rawang missionaries who work in the still more remote areas and amongst tribes such as the Nagas on the
Assam border.

It was really a privilege to worshi p with these people, and it moved stand with him at the door of the church and greet each member of his
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both Daphne and myself when after the service the preacher asked us to

congregation as they filed post, and then he took us into the church and
shared with us some of the offerings he had received. He gave Daphne a bunch of bananasand some grapefruit. Yes, as part and parcel of the days' collection some would give money, others would give fruit or grain or farm produce. Live stock, too, was quite an acceptable and common part of the people's giving. I couldgo on talking endlesslyof these people and of this trip toPutao. It was and will remain one of the highlights of my stay in Burma.

And now, having lived with the Morses, all you kind folk in America mean so much more to us. We wish you well, thank you for your many kindnesses, and fervently hope that one day it will be possible for us to

come to America and visit you or that youwill come out east andvisltwith
us in our country.

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Pesi J. Virjee

The above article wasaccompanied by personal notes from Mr. and Mrs. Vir ee to Mrs. Wh i t h a m: " Dear Mrs. Whitham: Knowing how much you

at Muladi when you were tn Burma last year, I am sending you my "notes" on the twelve day visit my wife Daphne and I were able to make to the
Morse families at the time of Drema's wedding. I hope I may have con veyed my sincere feeling of respect for the accomplishments of the mission and my gratitude to the Morses and the Christian people of your country for this unselfish gift to the people of Northern Burma. This experience has enriched my life. May the God of all be with you and them as the days go by."

wisned to see your brother, Russell Morse and his family, and the mission

Mrs. Vir|ee, too, added a note: "My heart was touched as 1came to know these Lisu Christians. It was a new experience to find a community in which spiritual values were more important than material ones." Ed. note: In writing so graphically of their trip to Muladi and sharing their experience with us, we feel almost as if we, too, had visited Mu
ladi. We trust that our readers will feel the same.

This picture of Eugene, Robert and LaVerne came |ust as we are ready to go to press. They are dedicated to the task of helping their parents,
Mr. and Mrs. J. Russel 1 Morse expand and nurture the work of evangel ism in N. Burma. Of this picture Robert wrote, "It shows how we are taking the strain" . They ore very weary, we know.

NEWS FROM THE MISSION FIELD

With conditions so very uncertain on the Mission Field and mail quite irregular, it has been difficult to compile material that gives a report of the work that has been accomplished during the past few months. We have no "articles" as such, to portray the work so we will have a "calendar of
events" as we give the information received by the relatives from time to time and also using quotes from letters to family and living link churches
of the various members of the mission.
Another Girl for the LaVerne Morses

LaVemeand Lois with their three children, Marcia, Mark andCynthia,

flew to Rangoon on July 15th to await the birth of their fourth child. We were all so happy and thankful when word was received that Lois Beth had arrived August 7th and that Mother and baby were doing fine. On August 13 LaVeme wrote, "Lois Beth was born at 11:58 pm. August 7th, weight,

seven pounds, five ounces. Lois came through very well and was able to leave the hospital on Sunday, August llth, Lois Beth is also looking very well and healthy - although I must admit she hasn't yet learned to recog
nize me." We were glad to know that LaVerne's health, too, is better as

indicated in a comment in one of his letters: "I am very thankful for the
many prayers for my health. I am back to a reasonably full schedule now, havingonlyminor medication to clearup some bronchiectasis." Loisadded her word concerning the baby: "We do thank the Lord for our dear darling Baby Beth - or Littie Lois. I don't know what we shall call her. I like both names together and separately. I'll just let the spirit leadl I'm sure we've never had so manycomments on a name we've chosen for one of our babies before. The other children love the baby so and do lavish their affection on her so sweetly."

Lois Beth, age one week.

While in Rangoon LaVeme was very busy. There has been a great need

for literature pr(^uction and with all of the other day to day work, there
is little time for the missionaries to do the special tasks such as producing additional study material for thenative evangelists. This is sovitally need-8-

ed in order that the work moy continue if and when the missionaries should leave the field. In connection withthis phase of the work LaVerne wrote; "The work of preparingmanuscripts forprinting, checking proofs, etc. has really been filling the time for me. In addition, a lot of time has had to

be taken rounding upsupplies requested by those ofthe mission up-country

these past weeks. The Rawang Literacy Primer Book II, and the Gospel of John in Rawang, translated by Kobert, should be coming off the presses soon. I have had to do a lot of proof-reading, correcting etc. on those to get them finished quicklv. In addition, I have compiled the manuscripts for Lifeof Christ Visual izea Books I and II in both Lisu and Rawang ( a to tal of four books). In addition, I am working on a revised, enlarged ed ition of the Lisu Gospel Primer with Hymns, a book of about 130 pages for use in teaching children and new believers among the Lisu. Five thousand of these are to be printed. Also, I am working on the Kachin Gospel Primer with Hymns. This is very much needed in the newly opening work among the Kachins in the Northern Triangle - a very primitive area of the Kachin State - and also for the steadily growing work among the Naga tribespeople, as well as for use in further strengthening the Lisu and Ra
wang young people in the use of the State Kachin language. A booklet

on The Church Revealed in the Scriptures completes the list of books on which I have been working.

Because the printers do not know any of the languages in which these books are being printed, I am having to work very closely with them in addition to the preparation of the manuscripts. For the printing in Lisu, the printers have had to cast special type suitable for the Lisu alphabet.
These books are what all of us up-country have been wishing and hop ing for, for a number of past years, but which we have not been able to complete before because of the crush of the day-to-day needsof the chur ches. And yet, we see how much more effective the work among the churches could be if more of the teaching and literature materials were completed. Literature is alsoa meansof our continuing to help the churches
even if the missionaries should have to be absent from them. This is es

pecially true since the churches all know quite well how to use the liter ature, and have a very great desire to learn and use all they can get. When I think of how much the evangelistsand teachers could do if we had more Christian literature for them, I become impatient at our physical lim itations, and at our lack of time and strength."
During the past several months, numerous requests for prayer have been
sent to the churches. We could sense the extreme need as Helen wrote,

"The present request for prayer surpasses in urgency any request we have ever made in the past." Betty, too, wrote that conditions had been more "trying" than at anytime for a number of years. In late July Robert wrote

and the following paragraph portrays some of their problems: "We've had

such peculiar weather here this year that it is quite ominous. Our mon soons that we wrote about before just haven't materialized. First our spring rainsnever came, and that was bad for crops because things couldn't be planted on schedule, and ended upabout a month late. Then the sum mer rains didn't materialize as they should have in June. Usually we have
50 inches of rain in June, but we had less than half that amount. Many

who depend onthe usual high level of water by July, to irrigate their paddy fields, just haven't been able to irrigate. AI ready some areas are ex periencing faminedue to loss of spring crops, and it seems larger areas will
experience it this fall.
-9-

"One preacher came in from an outlying district two days ago, and
brought a sample of "food" they are eating now. Their own slang name for it is "poison-graze". They find various edible fern plants - this one is

practically a fern tree - chop it up, leave it out todecompose in the wind

andrain, andwhen it is"rotten" with the cellulose decomposed sufficiently,

they "wash" it to wash out all the cellulose and get a residue ofstarch

which is edible, but they can't get rid of the accompanying odor of de composed cellulose. Imagine having to eat such stuff11 We had to, sev eral times back in the N'mai valley. But we might as well get used to it again because if theLord leaves us here for ourallotted time - we may be
eating it for weeks and months."

Betty said once, "A report from us wouldn't be complete without a snake story, would it?" The letter from which we are quoting is no ex ception. It seems that pythons are not uncommon in that area. They are non-poisonous and do have a function, too - part of their diet consists of rats, which are also numerous in that area. (Ed. note: I think I'd prefer the rats!). Concerning the pythons, Robert and Betty wrote; "Oh let us

disappear, and with this kind of a house, they might be up in the thatch roof or between layers of bamboo wall, or in the hollow bamboo tubes. We |ustsee the occasional evidence of one, like the one that apparently
one of her anthropology manuscripts lying there. They eat only rats and birds, and fortunately only need to be fed once a week. This one has grown 16 inches in about a month, and is now over four feet long.
"The chi Idren have sure done a lot to keep up their 'scouting'; all

one has remained with us. The otners get away one way or another and

tell you about our latest pets, our pythons. We've had four now, but only

ate a snake on Betty's desk, and made a bloody mess of the front page of

three boys are good swimmers, and can even swim through or across rapids. Joni goes fishing under-water, and has brought home strings of fish tomake

any fisherman green with envy - big, big fat bass and trout, - all of which
he has gotten byskin-diving inour river rapids II Unbelievable, but true!"

Of interest to all of us as we note the progress of the missionary chil dren on the field, is the fact that they are beginning to participate in the

evangelistic phase of the work, as they go with their parents and share in these experiences. Quotes from Robert's letter illustrate this; "I've not been on a "monkey trail" for quite a few years, but believe it or not, we

still havethem here. Just 2 days' journey from here are two congregations, two different tribes. I took Joni along, and we both started out carrying

packs, - trying out the new and very good scout packs we brought out this weren't fit for it, so on our return, we got others to carry for us.^ I held a 2-day school for one congregation, where everybody in the vi 11 age stayed home and we all studied day and night. The area was where roads
up real close."

time. Twelve hours going straigTiTup and down a mountain showed us we

followed the stream; crossing once barefoot is murder on our soft soles; we
crossed 38 times!! We also hunted and fished and saw our snow mountains

The village of Dukdang where Robert and Betty live, is about 4 miles from Muladi, where the other 3 families live. Sometimes when all are

as frequently as possible for fellowship and conferring.

-10-

very busy quite a bit of time elapses between visits. They do get together

Robert and Betty wrote during the days of anxiety, "Mother, Helen and

Eugene came over yesterday for a visit. We hadn't seen Mom for about 3
weeks....Mom thought perhaps we ought to send a telegram requesting special prayer but we decided to write instead. Mother's statement was, 'We need to claim through Christ a victory that will avoid what seems in evitable right now from the surface.' We quote from Robert's last letter, written in October; "It is sure wonderful to walk by faith, and not by sight. We have the assurance of the Lord, 'Rest and Trust'. Since LaVerne has been away the work connected with the PCS (Putao Christian School)

dozen articles for the churches

working on Biole translating and getting out a Rawang paper with half a

has been fairly heavy and we have both been teaching. I have also been

get to the hospital in Nov. - Dec. - but we don't know where. (They are expecting their fifth child in early December and with conditions so uncertain are not sure that they can get to Rangoon.)
Diverse Activities

We still need prayers! Betty needs to

Letters from Helen to her home church and to her parents give an in

sight intothe daily life and routine of the missionary mothers (Helen, Bet ty and Lois) in Burma. They all have some tasks in common, and each has additional tasksthat are particular in her home and in the phase of mission
work in which she is working. Quotations from Helen's letters follow:

often...It seems there just are not enough hours in the day for everything
that needs to be done. Sometimes I feel quite frustratea, for no matter

"We think of all of our loved ones and fri ends even tho we don't write

should be doing instead.

what Iam doing, I keep feeling that there are two or three other things I

"Morningsare devoted to school-teaching - and sometimes 'morning' lasts until 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. I'm teaching Tommy and Ronnie together, and Margaret is now studying too - first grade. She loves it and is an eager student. I've been quite pleased with her progress in learning to read and write, and also in her number work. Tommy and Ronnie are not
quiteso enthusiastic, but are doing fairly well. Of course, it isn't as ex citing as it was at the beginning, when it is all still new and thrilling to be "doing school". Lois had been teaching David before she went to Ran goon. Now that I'm teaching David, too, it makes a pretty full schedule. David is able to do a lot of It on his own, but I do need to check him on his different subjects, and explain things he doesn't understand. (This means I have to do some reading of material myself!). He is doing very well, though - likes school and is a very conscientious student. (Ed. note: Since this was written, we have received word that David is again having a lot of trouble with his eyes and has not been able to study. Last year the Dr. fitted him with two pairs of glasses - one for reading and one for general use. Now these are not sufficient and because of existing con

ditions they have been unable to get him to a doctor for further care and treatment. They have asked for special prayer on his behalf.)
Teaching Aids
"Just this morning 1 finished making a large wall-size map of Pales

tine for one of the preachers who is beginning a young people's school.
We had one which Gene had made for his mother several years ago, so

we traced it onto cloth, then used crayons to color the different portions. It really looked quite pretty. Yesterday we did the one for Paul's mission ary journeys. The maps made on cloth are so much more satisfactory than
-11-

on paper. They don't tear, they can be easily folded, and thev can be

washed when dirty. But it does take a lot of time and work to moKe them.
ing classes.

Gene did the tracingof the map part and I did the lettering and coloring. We just wish we hadenough of them to give each preacher for use in hold
"Another thing we have been doing which takes a lot of time is mak

ing recordings for use with the "Portable Preachers" tape playback units.
One machine is now in use with a team which is visiting churches in the north-east sector of the mission field, where we missionaries cannot go...

It is surprising how much time it takes to do even one side of a tape...

cording. We have no studio, and any house in which tnere are children, and also many people coming and going all the time, it is not quiet enough for recording. Waiting until evening when it might be quiet (children in bed etc.) has its problems too. The folksyou want to comeand do the re cording have been working all day and are probably in bed too...But in spite of all obstacles we did get two reels of material recorded and sent out with the last team and hope to have tapes ready for another team soon. Please pray for this work. It is very important in reaching distant places."
On the Lighter Side
One amusing incident was described in a recent letter from Helen: "Not very long ago, the front gate fell down, so now we have a stile, instead.

are many problems with which we must contend in trying to do any re

Robert came over one afternoon to do some Rawang recording, and after working about 3 hours, we still had a bit less than one side finished. There

It's much better, really, for the cows can't come over that. They do try
to come through gates - one got its head caught between the slats once 1

A few nights ago, someone forgot to lock the main gate after the eep came in, and also forgot to check it before turning out the lights. Aoout 3:30 a.m. we were awakened bystrange noises in the yard under our win dow, and when we looked out, found about 30 cows in our yard. It was raining hard, too, so we weren't much enthused over the idea of chasing them out. We thought it was near enough daylight that it wouldn't matter heard a clatter that brought us up so Gene made a grab for the flasnlight and dashed downstairs. Drema and Jesse's kitchen is on the ground level, .. .and one big old cow had pushed the door open and was helping herself to their salt! This isn't the first time we've had cows in the house (one
walked in our front door not long agol), but it is the first time in the kit

too much. Then, just as we had about decided to go back tosleep, we

chen. I think that when I write my book, I'll call it "Cowsin the Kitchen". That should make a catchy title - don't you think so?"

A school or "retreat" was held the last two weeks in September and all reported that it was a real blessing to all who attended. Concerning the retreat, Helen wrote, "The school or 'retreat' was a real blessing and its influence extended all through the village. A number of the preachers' wives also attended the classes, as well as a few of the village girls who are Interested in doing the Lord's work. It has been veiy difficult for any

girl to have an opportunity for service because of local customs and pre-

udices. But we nave been praying much about this, and now it seems the jord is opening the way for them too. At the final service on Saturday

morning, we had a consecration or re-consecration service. There were four girls who came forward. They included the preacher's daughter, and one of our former helpers. Also, there has been a great conviction of sin
-12-

among all the people. Old misunderstandings, resentments, and bitterness es have been confessed and forgiveness asked. Old debts from 10 - 15 years are being settled. It seems a great cleansing is going on within the
church. We feel it is the 'revival' which we have known was needed and

for which we have been praying. When misunderstandings and others ins are cleared up, then the Lord can bless."
Mrs. J. Russell Morse wrote too, about the retreat: "We had about 100

or so in attendance, with 70 or so being preachers. We had a very prec ious time studying the Bible and praying together. The Lord seemed so near, as, in truth. He has promised to be. There were many confessions of sin. As wehad prayer services in the evening and teaching in the day,
we all kept real busy. When the meetings were over we were tired, but so happy."

The following letter, which was written to Mrs. Morse's living link church (West Side, Springfield, III.) gives sucha complete and interesting
account of her work that we are quoting it here:
Putao, Kachin State

September 7, 1963
Dear Friends of West Side;

Greetings to all of you in Jesus' precious name. It has been some time since I last wrote to you. I really planned to writeseveral timesbutthe un certainty of the mail service due to the heavy rains made it seem useless to even write. One plane was lost in a bad rain storm so that other pilots are afraid to come if the weather is a little bad, also other situations in

the country have made letter writing very hard, so one tends to neglect such things. Please excuse me. Also, I have been real busy helping to
take care of the needs of the churches. These unsettled conditions and

rumors have caused more people to come for conferences, medicines, and

Bibles, and hvmnals. Then, too, during the summer months many, many

short term Bible Schools of a month orsix weeks, were held Inthe churches

by the pastors so many came for various supplies for their schools. In March, April, and a part of May I taught Bible from five to six hours a day to a class of Akam or Naga boys. From their distant home, located

between India and Burma, these boys came to us on purpose to study the

could. Itaught the life ofChrist using the four Gospels. It was a won

Bible. We felt that we should try to give them all tne Bible teaching we

or school, most of the boys returned to their homes. Please pray for them. The first of Junewe were able to move into our new house. We areso very happy to have this place and we do thank the Lord for it. Our son, Eu
gene, put In much time and effort on It.

derfulstudyand the Lord blessed us all so much. At tne end of the class

the school. The women wanted to study longer but troubled conditions made it seem unwise to do so. As the people were Rawang I had to use
an Interpreter, as I speak only the LIsu.
-13-

for the women of their village. About one hundred and forty studied in

In August, I was able to help Robert and Betty with a short Bible School

As we listen to the news on the radio, as well as to that around us here, we are reminded of Matthew 24:6 & 7, Surely those verses are being ful filled to fuller extent than ever before. It surely seems that the Lord's

return is very near. So many, many prophecies are being fulfilled so very rapidly. Even in these two years since we left the States conditions have greatly changed. How we need to pray that God may fill each of our hearts with His Spirit and prepare us for His coming. Christ's prayer for unity seems to be coming to pass by the Spirit and not by organization, does it not? Thatwill be a wonderful thingl I Mayitcometo pass quickly!
Please do pray for each of the Lisu and Rawang and Naga Christians, el ders, deacons and preachers. Also please pray for each of our five fami lies. This country is going through a change, it seems, and we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth.
Sincerely yours in His service,
Gertrude H. Morse

Flash!! There is a heathenpocket area of 14 villages calling for the Gos pel to be preached to them. Please pray that we may send evangelists to
them.'

Devotional Booklet

One of the waysin which an ef fort hasbeen made foradded inspir ation is the pub!ication of a booklet, "Spiritual Light". This is mimeo graphed in both Lisu and Rawang. Robert has done most of the editing and writing and Helen and Eugene have helped In cutting stencils, mimeographing and assembling the booklets. This is the picture of the
cover of the Rawang booklet recent

Na rWNGKX nfS NGA hCWPvr

SVMr GWin iaOE ,
Nga tvra vwAhm LVM

ly done. The scripture reference is Ps. 119;105"Thv word Is a lamp un to my feet, ana alight unto my path."

GX LON&

Shvgun Kungou'n

comprehend just wnat a booklet of

books and/or send an order to Stand

It would be impossible for us to

SH^HSHEP5

this kind would mean to a people who cannot go to the store and buy
ard and have materials in a matter

of a few daysto meetwhatever need

piration or a need for teaching the

Gospel to others.
-14-

might exist either for personal ins

Typical small Lisu village with houses built along ridge.

Just as we are ready to goto press we have received a letter from Helen
in which she tells of the preparations for the assistant Preachers' school.

"We'vebeen busy asbeavers, getting notes mimeographed before the school

begins so there will be no last minute rush. I have finished running off
Mother's notes in Lisu but still have them to do in Rawang. Then I have

Robert's to do In both languages, and his is a thick booklet, about 30-odd pages, as I recall. There also needs to be a reprint of the Rawang maga

also been keeping an eye on and helping the boys who have been mimeo
graphing the songs for Lois's music class In the school. Of course the mim
help on that part sometimes.

zine, "Spiritual Light" , Then there will be Eugene's notes to do. I have

eographing is only part of ft, for then the sheets must all be cut in half, gathered Into booklets and stapled. But we can get others to come in and You know, Betty is usually the one who has the snake stories to tell,
but this time there's one from Muladi. Last week Mother and Daddy found

out there was a snake intheir chicken house - they had been missing chick ens and eggs lately, so were suspicious, anyway, and then one of the girls saw one slither across the floor, but was so startled by the size of it that she just stood there. Good thing, too, for when we got preacher Titus to come and shoot it, it turned out to be a 9-foot King Cobra11! That Is one of the most poisonous snakes agofn', with the bite total within ten minutes 1 And to think it was only a few feet from the path where they go

tainly thank theLord for keeping all of us from that danger. Incidentally,

back and forth all the time to go to the little house out back! We cer

the snake which has been getting the chickens is still probably around,
unless the cobra had disposed of it before meeting its end.

King Cobras don'teat chickens, but only other snakes. So that means that

LaVeme and Lois arrived back up-country on October 8th. They had
to stop overnight in Myftkyina because the weather was too bad for them to get through on Monday.... It's sogood to havethem back againl Little
Lois Beth is a doll. I think she loob more like Markie than like either

shot last night, and she scarcely cried at all. Lois said she hadn't been
having a great time together. Of course school breaks up the play time for Margaret and Marcia, but they still have a lot of time to play.

Marcia or Cvnthia, but mostly she looks like herself. I gave her her DPI

very fussy today either, altho the first shot really bothered her. For one thing, I had sharpened up the needle specially, so that may have helped.

Marilyn and Markie, Cynthia and Jeanette, and Margaret and Marcia are

"Please do be praying for the school that will begin on October 28th. So many things could hinder It, Just pray that nothing will, and that it
will be a blessing to all who attend."

Mailed bv Mrs. OSCAR L. MYERS

2024 N.
For

I4fh St.

Terre Haute, Indiana

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

Sec. 34.66 P. L
PAID

& R

U. S. POSTAGE

Terre Haute, Ind.

PERMIT NO. 32)

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

8100 HA>nXTON-AVE,
CBfCMATI OHIO

BURRIS BDTIER

MORSE-LS
Of NEWS from the MORSES

NORTH

BURMA

CHRISTIAN

MISSION

"Where China, Tibet, Burma and India Meet"

TO* g

SUMMER - 1963

No^ 2

permit renewal but now feel we cannot wait longer sine it seons indefinite as to
when or even whether it will be granted#

We have kept hoping to hear that LaVeme and Lois have received their residence

are waiting to hsar also. Please continue to pray that Ihe time iiEcy be short as
possible, according to His idlle"

chi3d, due August 7th# Lois ari ^Veme referred to the permit situation ina.letter written soon after their arrival in Rangoon: "LaVeme went to Irmnigration to see about our permits, but it does seem as though it win tdce a long time for them to decide( our case# We are not unique in our waiting, however, for so many, matyr others During their stay in Rangoon LaVeme was planning to see about getting some
He was hoping to get the printing done on the Life of Christ

LaVeme and Lois went to Rangoon on July 3Sth to await the birth of their fourth

Visu^ized in Lisu and Rawang - ttey have the blsnk books but liaSn'Tliad the oppor-

prlnt^g

badly needed too, as the supply up-count3?y was compiete^T exhausiedT"^ ttie Li^
churches everywhere were needing ttem desperately to teach the children and the young people# Thqjr were planning to have at least 5^000 copies# Also a much-needed

in both LLsu snd Rawang. LaVeme said that the Lisu Go^el Primer liXti BJymns was

tunity or getting them printed# When conpleted, therewLIL be four different books

Sachin Primer with Hy!te was to b printed for work with the Naga tribe (l.CX)0
copies)# '

we have received, we must conclude that their time aid energy is being used in a concentrated effort to teach and strengthen tte native leadership so t ley may be able to cariy on the work of evangelism if the missionaries should have to leave#

As we read the newspapers and then read "between Ihe lines" of the few letters

at all times and Mr# J# Russell Morse is kept busy with the medical work aid counsel
ling# Drema, too, hdlps with the medical wcrk#

as he can, as Quickly as possible# He anfl Betty both have been teaching in "Uie Christian Day school in LaVeme's absence, flugene and Helen try to keep the preach ers supplied with tapes on which sermons have been recorded, ard which they take to the outlying villages in idbich the missionaries are not permitted to go# LaVeme has been concentrating on the literature phase - teaching -tiie preachers airi other Christian workers to type, and helping them inprove their writing ability so that they may be able to produce their own lessai material if necessary. Both Helen and Lois do much typing and mimeographing of study mateiials# This, too, thgr are teaching the preachers to do# l^s. J. Russell Mo'se carries a full teaching load

Robert writes of special efforts to complfite as much of tiie Bible translation..

Conditions continue to remain unsettled and every letter received urges that we on the home front continue in prayer, that the work may go forward# May Uiey be able to continue in the work until the native workers are qualified to cany on ^one#

be that goeth %fortii out of agr mouths it ^all not return unto me void, but it shall
may be obscured from our human vision for a time#

One very comforting thoughtJLs^ embodied-in Isaiah

11;

So shall,

word

Ahis and maiy other scriptures give us the assurance that wherever His Word is tau^t the light of the Gospel will never go oiib, but will continue to radiate, even tho it
The prayer support of those at home has made possible the spreading of the Gospel in "ttie far coarffia of the eart^i; not only in Burma do the workers depend on
the workers.

accomplish that i^ch I please, aid it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it#"

pr?3?er, but in all fields of labor it is the determining factor in the success of
support and PRA2ER SUPPORT have made it possible to take the Goel to the land
'Where China, Tibet, Burma ad India meet#"
MRS. OSCAR L. MYERS
2024 N. 14th ST., , TERRE HAUTE. IND. forwarding agent

We would not close without thanking again an those ih o, with their financial

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

A SPECIAL HlArSR REQUEST

in which they mentioned the uncertainty of the situation in Bimna In reading "between the lines" we realize that natters are becoming more serious each day*

Several days ago we received a letter from Robert and Betty written July 21st

In one paragraph he wrote: ".Troubles have been averted in the past by prayerjhave we already over-taxed the American chixrches with our prayer requests? If not^ then once again we need it^o. Mother^ Helen and Eugene came over yester

day afternoon for a visits. Mom thou^t we ought perhaps to send a telegram to
you request ^ecial prayer again-, but since I'm writing, this may get there tast as quick The trouble doesn't seem irranediateo Actually you my even I-utoc-r
we do if you listen to your radio^ Last winter^s attack over the riioi-r p:ouiit,iiQs

near us was three-pronged in the general direction of where the Heef-reo Live:, (Assam.) It is said that the next time will be foui^pronged with the extra one going die vest through usoto Mother's statement was: 'We need to claim i^hrough Christ a victory that will avoid ^at seems inevitable ri^t now, from the surface^'<>.> Just as this area has kept peaceful all these years This year iB the real thing and we must pray hard, so if you have PRAIER WARRIORS, get than busy. An ounce of
preventionoo*." Please explain to the churches and our friends why we all don't
write5 -m?ach as we want to write"

Just yesterday, August lUth, we received a letter from Helen and Eugene,
written July 28thc A quote from their letter wiH help us see that the situation is much more serious than -when Robert and Betty wrote "ttie week before: *We have been doing some reminiscing these days. Remember ^en m visited the Colleys the puinmer ri^t after David was bom? Quite a lot of exciting times that summer^ (That was -j^en Eugene and Helen were held for six weeks by the Communists in

likLang, China) Sometimes it does seem to be true that "history repeats itself",
as the saying goes. But we don't always recognize it at firstc*. Please do keep writing. We need your encouragement and prayers as never before. Never have we faced the problems we face now, not in all the past 13 years (Since they went

into Burma in 19^0) MUCH prayer is needed, that forces of evil may be averted,
and Idiat righteousness wiU prevail again, as in Ihe past. God is to keep that Trtiich we commit to Hinu Pray for us that we may KNOW His wijjj clearly, certainly^^'th no doubts or questions j that Tie will give us strength for liatever
trials and hardships may confront us We feel so inadequate. Ask the churches for

special prayer on our behalf. The need now far surpasses in urgency any requests made in the past Don't worry about us, though - we are in God's hand, which is the safest p?.ace we could possibly be. Read and re-read Psalm That^s vihat the Lord has given us for reassurance Note the repeated promise - it hai been a
pray, prar, pray."

reassurance to us^ But wo feel that much prayer is needed to win the -vxc^arye So

We can't know "sdiat the future holds for the work and the WDrker? It: Barzna, but we do knovr that, as Heilen wrote once before during troublled timesj "Nothing will happen except the Lard permits itj and if He perm3-ts it, then we know it is all right.'* liay our faith equal theirs and m^ we have tlie strength to be submissive
to His will, knosdng tuat "He doeth all things well#"

Our Prayer ^^quest sent out in 19^6 to vdiich we had such wonderful response,
contained the following paragraph which we feel is still applicable: "Vfe believe

that in times of emergency and crisis such as this, the Lord's people and workers not only have tlra privilege and right, but the duty of appealing to fellow^Christians everywhere to unite with them in prayer, confident that a spiritual victory may be claijned as the promise of God^ We are surely engaged in these last days,
in a spiritual conflict, int&ichall the forces of Satan and his evil hordes are Hned-^p-hopini^- to ^sru^out-idig ll^il-of^-hilBtl^arrity7"g5peRStaliy'ln tKe~Keart^ the vast, over-populated continent of Asia."

We close this appeal with this last quote:

others cannot do."

"Got any rivers you ihink are un-

crossable? Got any mountd.ns you can't tunnel through? God specializes in things thoi^ght impossible He does the things thought impossible He does the things

MRS. OSCAR L. MYERS

2024 N. 14th ST.,
TERRC HAUTE. IND.
FORWARDING AGENT

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

USD and RAWANG CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN BURMA

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

"Where China, Tibet, Burma and India Meet"

(Formerly Yunnan-Tibetan Christian Mission)

Enjoying the sunshine on the front porch of a Rawang housel The house it on stilts high above the ground.

"Bear ye ojae another's burdens, and so fulfil the law

of Christ."

THIRD

1963

NEWSLETTER

No. 33 News Series Beginning January, 1953

The J. Russell Morse Family

P. O. PutQo .

Kachin State, Burma

LETTER FROM EUGENE AND HELEN MORSE

Muladi Village
January 11, 1964
Dear Friends in the Homeland:

As the year of 1963 has closed, we have been reminiscing and review ing in our minds some of the events of the past few months. There have

been times of extreme tension and anxiety, times of thanksgiving, times of joy over goals reached and things accomplished, and there have been times of discouragement over problemswhich seemed too numerous and too difficult to be successfully surmounted. But also, as we have been look ing backward, we have been "counting our blessings", and realizing anew how GOOD God is, and how abundantly He has blessed, how wonderfully Hehas kept us in the midst of dangersand uncertainties, how marvellously He has answered prayers.
The last three and a half months of 1963 were occupied with holding one school, and preparing for another. During the last two weeks of
September a Preachers'Retreat or conference was held, which was a time

of great blessing for everyone. There were 64 preachers from the Putao
plains area, as well as some of the wives, deacons, elders and a number

attendance was around ^0 most evenings. It was a time of blessing for

of young people, who gathered for this time of fellowship and searching the Scriptures. Total attendance was about 120. Evening sessions were held also, to which marw of the village people were able to come, so everyone. There was a wonderful spirit of love among not only the stu dents, but the whole village. At the close of the school, there was a consecration service at which more than 40 stepped out and expressed

their desire to serve the Lord more fully. Although for most it was a reconsecration, there were a number for whom it was the first time of pub licly taking a stand, including four girls. Because of local customsand prejudices, girls have not had much opportunity for service. But we have long been praying about this, and it seems the Lord is opening the way for them. As the studentsparted to return to their homes, everyone seemed to have a feeling of gratitude to the Lord for having given us this time of
spiritual refreshing.

October was the month of Thanksgiving conventions. Services were held each of the four week-ends (beginning Friday night and continuing through Sunday night) in a number of different villages. Eugene went to
five different gatherings (taking two of our sons with him the first three times), and Mother, Robert, and LaVerne all attended two or three each. (So it was a busy time.) The services here in Muladi were the last week

end of the month, and attendance was around 1500. The highlight of that convention was on Saturday evening, when instead of one preacher giving the sermon, six young people (including two of the girls who had conse crated their lives in the school) gave brief messages of five to ten minutes each. All did very well indeed. Special music wasfurnished by a young
people's choir.
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Besides being the month of conventions, October was a time of pre paration for the 3-month school beginning on October 28. (All the teaching materials had to be prepared and mimeographed in bothLisu and Rawang, so it meant two sets of notes for each class. We have no Stand ard Publishing Company here in Burma to provide our literature needs in these languages! 1 All must be prepared by the missionaries - texts, com mentaries, maps, charts, devotional books, or any other material used and most are mimeographed here on the field, rather than printed else
where.)

The school opened with around 180 students, but we knew more were planning to come. By the time all had arrived, there were 280 enrolled, having comefrom all parts of the mission field, some from as far as 10 days travel away. About half were assistant preachers and the remainder made

up of prospective preachers, some of their wives, and young people from

this village and others nearby. Mother, Eugene, Rooert, and LaVerne have taught daily classes, and Lois taught music three hours each week.
Also, Rawang preacher Peter and Lisu preacher Stephen taught classes in reading and writing in their own languages two hours each week.

(During the first few days of the school, there was a local situation
which made it seem that students fromthe eastern part of the mission field, across the Mali Hka (river), might be prevented from attending the school.

But in answer to prayer, the situation was cleared up and all the students
were able to come.) Throughout the school there have been all sorts of disturbing rumors to distract the students, and some even left the school early and returned to their homes. However, in answer to the prayers of the students and the churches, none of the rumored troubles have come to poss, and there has been peace in which to continue the school to the end

on January 10. In this school, too, there was a time for stepping out to consecrate their lives more fully to the Lord and His service. There were
about 60, including several girls, who expressed their desire to commit themselves more fully to the Lord, for whatever work He may have for

them to do. We ask your prayers for them, and forall the students as they return to their home churches, that they may not lose their vision gained
during this school.

During November and December, in addition to teaching in the Bible School, Eugene spent quite some time in helping lay out and supervise work on a new building for the Christian School at Dukdang (Putao Chris tian School). They have been greatly in need of new quarters, as the old buildings, which were intended only for temporary use anyway, were just about ready to fall down. Although only the framework and roofare com pleted, they put in bamboo walling and moved into the newbuilding when school re-opened following the Christmas holidays. A start has been

made on a second building also, with the concrete post footings already

completed, and work is progressing on the timbers for the framework. Botn buildings are 120 ft. long by 30 ft. wide, and will contain four classrooms
each.

In former years, there has been a big convention at Christmos time, with people gathering from all around, and attendance running up to4000
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miles away, and not very far from where the sounds of fighting between Kachin Independence groups andBurmese Army units had been heard. Be cause of this, the women and younger children did not attend. Eugene and our son Tommy went, however, as did LaVerne, and they reported an
attendance of about 2000.
Christmas In Muladi

or so. But this year, due to unsettled conditions, it was felt wise to have a number of smaller gatherings instead. The one nearest us was about 12

Quite often our family Christmas celebration has to be either a few days early or late, so as not to conflict with the convention. But since Christmas Day came in the middle of the week this year, we were able to

celebrate on the proper day for a change. We had a family dinner, with

stead of shopping we have had to try to figure out some home-made gifts. For instance, Drema Esther made doughnuts and gavesome to each family; Mothergave each family a jar of home-made peanut butter (whichwe can

tobring with us for the children are just about exhausted, - to say nothing of the difficulty of finding gifts for the adult members of the family. In

twenty-four present, at Mother and Daddy's - the first Christmas in their new house. Afterward, we gathered upstairs to sing carols and read the Christmas story before going across the yard to our house for the tree and exchange of gifts. It is a bit difficult, sometimes, to find gifts out here where we have no place to shop. Andsince this was our third Christmas since returning from furlough, the clothes and tew games and toys we were able

not buy locally 1); Robert and Betty's gift to each family was a start of yo
gurt in a pretty glass; while LaVerne and Lois raided their storeroom of

supplies brought from the States or received in packages and managed to find something for all. Eugene and I (with the help of a carpenter) made
and stained and varnished bookshelves for the various families. But there

were some rather special gifts too, thanks to friends in Rangoon, and fam ilies, friends, and churches in the homeland who sent gift parcels. Words
all of us out here.

cannot express how very, very much these packages are appreciated by

All during December we had been expecting that at any time Betty's baby would be born. We had all been making frequent trips to Dukdang,
and twice Mother and Lois and we had stayed overnight, in order to be on

able to send someone to call us whenever necessary. (There would have

been no point in leaving the jeep there, since Robert could not leave Bet

the bicycle which had been left in Muladi, so Robert and Betty would be

hand if wewere needed. (Betty hadwanted meto deliver the baby.) Then, on the evening of Dec. 30, Eugene and I went over to Dukdang to return

ty to drive it to Muladi.) We found Betty not feeling so well, and stayed by tosee if it would be necessary to call Mother andLois from Muladi, but
should stay on hand to ca I the doctor from Putao, if necessary. He left for Putao at 2;45 a.m., and once again I was glad for my nurse s training, for I ittle Martha Camille made her entry into the world at 3:46 a.m., Dec. 31, weight eight pounds (some fifteen minutes before Eugene re turned with the doctor1). When we saw the beautifully perfect little girl, our hearts were filled with thanksgiving and praise toG(M for having kept Betty and the baby safely through this time. Betty and Robert had made
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by the time it seemed they might be needed, it was decided that Eugene

and blessed! Everything was normal, with Betty and the baby Doth fine. Betty was so wonderfully patient and brave through the unusually long, exhaustinglabor. Robert and Betty's children are all very happv withtheir
new little sister. And all the cousins keep begging to visit Dukdang, be

the difficult decision not to go to Rangoon, where hospital care would be possible, but to remain on the field, where they were so needed, and to trust God for all that would be needed. And how wonderfully He kept

cause they, too, are thrilled with the new baby, and the older ones, at
least, all hope for a chance to hold her for a few minutes.

And now we have enteredthe new year andare trying to plan our work for the months ahead. We find ourselves facing many new problems this year. For example, in past years we have been oble to bring up supplies from Myitkyina during this season. The year's supply of such things as salt, sugar, kerosene, diesel, gosoline, soap, etc. were taken by truck from Myitkyina to Sumprabum, and the remaining 80 miles to here by ox cart. Local merchants used the same methods and routes for their goods. But this year, because of fighting between Sumprabum and Myitkyina, the road is closed, and our supply line cut. Already it is impossible to buy theseand many other items locally. Wehave small stocks of some of these

things remaining from last years supply, but when these are finished we do

not know how or when it will be possibleto get more. The prospectof food without salt is not very appetizing, to say the least!! And when the sup ply of kerosene and diesel are gone, it will mean no lights, no refrigerator during the summer heat, no tractor, and with the finishing of the gasoline, we willbe unable to use the jeep either. Such things as soap and candles can be bought in Rangoon and shipped up by air, (more than 700 miles), but that makes it almost prohibitivelyexpensive. We would askyour pray ers that a way might be found to obtain these much-needed items in tne
near future, for ourselves and for those around us.

But in spite of these problems and other difficulties, we are trusting

the Lord to lead us in further work for Him. We do not know now just

what new opportunities may be presented to us, but we pray that we may be alert to recognize them, and that we may be so yielded to God that

we may be pliable in His hands, so that He can use us to His glory. We would like to share with you a poem which expresses beautifully our heart's desire for this coming year. If lowlier yet I need to be that I may leam still more of Thee, Thy work complete. Oh Lord my God, by furnace heat or chastening rod. I welcome every will of Thine that brings me nearer the Divine.

If warmer pressure of my hand would help some fallen one to stand

Teach me to give the Christ-like touch though learning it, I suffer much. I welcome every will of Thine that brings me nearer the Divine.

If quicker yet my tears should flow in sympathy with other's woe Teach meto feel another's need though learning it, my heart should bleed. I welcome every will of Thine that brings me nearer the Divine.
(Author Unknown)
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We want to express our thanks and appreciation to ail those who re

membered us at Christmas season with cards, letters, and gifts. Nor would

we forget those whoso faithfully remember us before the Throne of Grace throughout the year, and those who share with us their material means, and thus make it possible for us to continue to carry on in this work out
here.

"Now the God of peace make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ;to whom be gloryfor ever and ever." (Heb. 13:20,21)
In Christian love,

Helen and Eugene

FACTS AND FIGURES

By Robert Morse

Supporters and prayer-links of the North Burma Christian Mission per haps wonder occasionally why there are not more statistics and figures is
sued on the work of the Lord out in this area "where China, Tibet, Burma

and India meet." Among the reasons is the fact that there has never been found the time among the missionaries, to compile accurate records and add up the figures. As the demands of the work increase yearly, and yet the Lord has not seen fit to grant additions to the working staff'except through the growing missionary children, there seems to be even less time to work on statistics. True, we do know that there have been well over 200 churches established, and that there have been 25 - 30,000 baptisms

over the years in this one field. We do know that the Word of God has been distributed and read throughout this land by the multiplied tens of
thousands. We know that there are over 200 workers serving the Lord and

being supported by His people in the churches here. We know that the fellowship of the churches of Christ has extended from Tibetans and Chi nese, Nashi and Nosu, Lisu and Rawang, Duleng and Tangsa, to individualsof such ethnic minorities as Karen andEkaw, Kawaand Khampti, Maru and Loshi. And we know that whether the annual budget is $15,000 or $50,000, the Lord in any case will furnish the appropriations necessary to accomplish His task.
But such estimates and calculations are no measure of the success or

'ailure of the mission or its members. Such figures have no direct relation to, and must not be used as a measure of, the achievement of God's pur

poses in these lands. Our continuing efforts and expanding pro ects can

not be based on such figures. We must be concern^ first of al with de

termining whether or not we continue in the work to which we were first dedicated and sent forth: - that of living a life of Christian witness in a foreign land, of preaching the Gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and discipling those who believe. Continuing in the center of God's will, redeeming the time and claiming spiritual victories in these evil

days, witnessing to a living, loving personal Saviour and maintaining a constant, ever closer fellowship with Him must be our concern rather than striving for biggerand better statistics. Our labours will have been worth while, whether we live or whether we die, if they result in the winning
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to Christ of even one unnamed individual soul that might otherwise be

lost, "(planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." "And
the Lord added to them.. .those that were saved."
God's Interest - Individuals

The day when all gains are measured by statistlcs/lio matter how var ied and comprehensive, will indeed be a sorry day for the Lord's workers. The mushrooming complexityof modern life together with the increasingly
evident population explosion, have truly combined to make statistics a basic factor in our thinking and planning. Nevertheless, there is a point
at which even these foci of factors do not contribute to our understanding

and progress in the Lord's work. Man stTTI remains an individual in God's sight, needing to be dealt with on a personal plane, on an individual ba

sis. He may represent merely a petty number in church attendancerecords,

an insignificant element In the religious structure, an unimportant factor

in the wayward or "anti-social" segment ofsociety, a minuteunit in growth statistics, or a measly sourceof church income, but he is still an individual person, a human being made up of mind and emotions,senses andsensibil
ities, for whom the Son of God suffered and died.

The man of God has no place, and should take no part, in today's headlong push for achievement figures, and their use as a barometer of

worldly success. Nowhere does the Word of God give the slightest indi cation that the work in the Master's vineyardis to be measured in mundane terms, or that quantitative statistics are any measure of the faithfulness of
any steward or laborer. Certainly facts and figures are useful in program ming and planning, and in the admin istrative phaseof establishing of Christ's Church, but their (mis)use as a yardstick of achievement, or a measuringrod of success is one of the most insidious and perverted evils to afflict the church of today. Involvement with this feature of "religious activity" is perhaps one of the most wayward lures whereby Satan attempts to divert the energies, aims ond goals of the Lord's servants. And how are

weto measure the quality of that "singleness of heart" which characterized the early disciples? For whatpurpose would we wish to quantify the glad nesscontentof those whopraise God? Where are the statistics concerning
the steadfast continuation and dedication of those who have accepted Je sus? And who is qualified to issue percentile achievement figures on the attainment of "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ"?? Lacking which, what kind of a spiritual success story is told by mere facts and figures, records and statistics?

The work of the Lord's servants presents a wonderful paradox, inasmuch as theyaregiven the responsibilityof working sothoroughly in the spiritu al domain, with the hearts and souls of men, and yet it has not been given
them to discern or assess the inner heart of man. There has been issued to

the Lord's servantsnocalculus whereby they can transpose spiritual achieve

ment into accurate phvsical statistics. In short, such calculations and "statistifying" is seen to oe entirely outside the sphere of competence of the Lord's workers, in measuring achievement; Rather to us has been given the injunction by the Master himself:

say, 'We are unwortny servants; we~Rave only done what was

"So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you,

our duty.'" (Luke 17:10 RSV)^

Progress Despite Inroads

Despite any failings and shortcomings of the mission work during this past year, there have been many blessings for which we are thankful, and many areas_o.f_jir-Ogress to recount to you all who have had a share in this i/rtsfRT^rrspite of the inroads of "civilization" and worldliness, with Its subsequent erosion of morals, Lisu and Rawang Christians continue to re

flect their singleness of heart and turning away from their old manner of
life in many noticeable ways, such as-total, abstineoce from liauor and to bacco. This In spite of the use of these harmful items by neignboring de nominational Christians. The Lisu and Rawang continue to be proportlonliteracy rate through literacy campaigns, and the holding of Innumerable D.V.B.S. type schools in the churches all over the field. These have been held in spiteof rapidly deteriorating political conditions. We praise

atelyone of the mostliterate ethnicgroups in Burma, as they seek to know

God's Word and sing His praises In their own tongues. They maintain this

God that they care enough for God's Word that they willspend as much as days^jygges to buy. it for themselves." With an influx of other groups

about Christian behavior In Putao is their continual jpy.fulness and singing.

Truly they have learned to pray and^aTse God with gladness of heart,
for their new life in Christ Jesus. We are thankful also that, whereas we

the hundreds, all non-Christian, the most constant comment heard

used to be troubled in formeryears with considerable backsliding, the Lord has blessedthe work richly and with more effective follow-up and teach ing, there Is extremely little backsliding.

Rawang Christian elder (blowing the fire) with family, including his preacher son, Eiijoh. These fireplaces are the only way to
keep worm in the drafty bamboo houses.

'"'''^The year 1963 has been, by the grace of God, one of the most eventJyJ and memorable years in the hIsto ry of the mission. It has also been one of the most critical years for the missionaries; a year which, though presaging the closing down of ail missions and the expulsion of all foreign
missionaries in the face of rampant nationalism and socialism, has never-8-

theless seen a continuation and growth of the work and a spiritual revival within the church. Crises of various types confronted the work throughout the year, and the last quarter seemed to be a time of ever-increasing cri-^
sis. So much so that when Mother (Mrs. Gertrude Morse) got a letter from

dered, in all seriousness, ^1 ^gadet-which^ crigis

the States saying friends there were praying for us in our crisis, she pon

the rallying in prayer of nw^hjrfhe I6c51^national churches, but of the

mpnn.! Yet due to

churches in America, each crisis has been surmounted, and our Lord has brought His people through.
Crises Explained

Now many of ourfriends are wondering just what those crises may have been. Many were repetitions of the same thing, but in general they de
veloped along these lines:

1. Insurrection and ^a gre^. An underground rebellion by rightist elements"of the Kachin hi tribes has developed into open war. By mid '63 their agit-prop units were infiltrating all parts of Kachin State and soon began taking over in more remote areas where it was difficult for

government to maintain supply lines. Our vicinity with its rich rice fields

in the centerof long, protracted war. Over a half-dozen d-days fizzled out, and westill have peacein our immediate community, as we have con tinually committed this matter into the Lord's hands. We are having to learn some hard lessons about neutrality as we work amongst the hilltribes

was a prime target, but if they took overwe would have been cut off, and

as guests of the Burmese government. To date, although dozens of our churches are under rebel control, and several congregations have disinte

grated in the crossfire of fierce jungle warfare, the Lord has helped the Lisu and Rawang to avoid involvement. But herein lies some of the great, wonderful tales which will have to await future telling, a subject which
we cannot now speak about.

^ ?...RflciaLtensions. Many of our old-time supporters know that the

and feuds. Only Christianity has changed this. Potentially, the seeds of
strife are still there, and especially among the non-Christians there are strongmemories of age-old feuds and hatreds. With many hostile and feud
ing tribes, in what could well be one of the most turbulent areas of South

Lisu and Kachins and'Rawangs are some of the fiercest fighters in Asia, having made a terrific reputation for themselves during the Second World War, but being continually involved in earlier times, in inter-racial wars

east Asia, northBurma todav continues to enjoy a remarkable peace which even the government creaits to Christian influence. Thatthis peace should continue in spite of the turmoil and conflict of about 8 differing

you have here. Truly this Putao area is under the control of supernatural spirit forces." How we praise God for this, and pray that this Christian witness may continue, as Christians of many races and ideologies show forth that unity ofSpirit which transcends superficial, external differences. And may this also be the witness of Christ's people in America. 3 |Anti-fQ|:ei^n nationgy^nu-There have always been elements who ibr vdfibus reasons resented or hated the "foreign" missionary. And al though we have tried hard to 'indigenize', even in our own personal lives, there is still strong feeling, and many have been the attenpts to get rid of
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factions and political or ideological groups is so remarkable that one visit ing official was led to exclaim: "It just isn't human, the peace and calm

us, especially as extremes ofnational ism and socialism sweep the country. But at least twice this year our Lord has overruled desperate attempts to expel us. But we know thatwe are here, not on the sufferance of man and human governments, but by the grace and will of Almighty God, and will

prayers on behalf of us, and this work, especially from this point of view,
that the progress of the Gospel may not be hindered, and that we may con tinue to be in His will, and accomplish His purposes in and through us.

remain as long as He has a work for us here. So we continue to ask your

"For our fight is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers,

against theauthorities and potentates of this dark world, against thesuper

human forces of evil in the heavens. Therefore.. .give yourselves wholly

to prayer and entreaty; pray on every occasion in the power of the Spirit,
.. .always interceding for all God's people; and pray for (us)." (Eph.6;12,
LEHER FROM LOIS MORSE

18NEB)

Dear praying friends in the homeland.

On this side of the world the day has pulled up its covers of darkness and settled down for the night! Since our clock runs about 12-1/2 hours

ahead of yours, you are just beginning your day. There's a fire in the

islying down on a small green rug in front of the fire; and hercousinTommy is sitting in a chair beside her playing with a cute baby kitten. LaVerne is downstairs conferring with some of the Christians, among them

little heater stove across the room. Marcia, our eight-year-old daughter,

two Naga boys who will soon be returning to their own land near the In dian border. The little ones, Mark, Cynthia, and Beth, are asleep.

you the great progress that has been made in the spreading of the Gospel
viour, and we do rejoice in this. We also long to share with you the tre
in this heathen land. Many victories have been won for our Lord and Sa

As wevisit withyou from time to time it is only right that we sharewith

mendous uncertainties and dangers unique to this area whichall of us face in order that you may have a better understanding of our situation. But

the most part, are not made up of dramatic events which sweep us off our feet, but with the humdrum tasks, never-ending problems, and ever-present joys of everyday life. We are just as human as we con be. We have needs; we have a multitude of seemingly insignificant tasks to accomplish;
we have moods; we haveknotty problems we can't unravel; we have laughs; and we have deep satisfaction in the little joys that life can bring.

just now alI that my heart wants to do is to assure you that our days, for

Do you wonder what we do with ourselves all day long out here; Why
not follow us around for a few hours and seel And as you do, perhaps it

willoccur to you that the romance of being a missionary is the romance of being in love with God, not the "romance" of living on foreign soil.
The first thing that we did this morning was to get up! Believe me

this amounts to a major accomplishment when the temperature reading in

side the house is down between 40 and 50 1 The damp, heavy fog that

settles over the valley during the early morning hours doesn't help any.
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When I change Beth's diapers in the morning, steam rises profusely from

same chilled-to-the-bone feeling with us some morning? Put your therm ostat down to about 40; strip all the rugs off of your floors (except for a few small scatter rugs); knock outall of your ceilings and raise the roof of the house several inchesfrom.the walls; and then put lots of cracks in your
we did get upi

the white cloth as soon as it leaves her warm ^dyl Why not "enjoy" that

walls and around your windows for the good fresh air to pour in! Ah, yes,

sage for the little ones, we sing a prayer together. Rice sits on the table
Christmas time! Potatoes, of course, are rarely on the menu.)
While we were at the table this morning. Second Daughter came into

And then we did the same thing that you do every morningwe ate breakfast. LaVerne always reads selected portions of Scripture after we gather at the table in the small, cold dining room; and after a brief mes

and stares at us every morning, and without much emotion I could throw it out of the window! (Try eating it asyour basic food for 2 or 3 timesa day every day of this New Year and maybe you will feel the same way by
our dining room with a bowl of freshly fried stink bugs for Preacher Joseph, as LaVerne is known to the people out here. Stink bugs are considered a great delicacy. Would you mind having them toasted on top of yourstove and fried in your frying pan? Of course you wouldn't, if you lived out
here.

LaVerne rushed from the breakfast table to drive the jeep 3-1/2 miles
to Dukdang Village where he teaches Bible and also some English every

regular chores also began. The biggest task of each morning is to teach Marcia and Ahpu their 3rd grade lessons; but when I begin to teach and

morning in the Christian Day School of which he is principal. Then my

littlier ones all of a sudden become quiet and Beth signs a "goo goo" pact promising not to ask for food or attention! The patience of Job is some

they begin to study, we don't enter some kind of magical world where the
times required to get through the morning.

We hadn't gotten very farwhen I heard thetelephone ringing andwent

downstairs to answer it. (We have two hand-crank battery-powered sets given to us by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Trifilio from my home church at Bridgetown Church of Christ, Cincinnati, Ohio, which connect our house with Eugene and Helen's across the yard.) Helen was on the other end of
the line, and she wondered if she could have the Lisu music notation for

a hymn that she had asked me to work on. The words had been translated by Eugene, but we didn't have a book which contained the four-part har
mony. So while Marcia and Ahpu worked on their arithmetic assignment, I walked a few paces to Mother and Daddy's house, climbed their stairway to the second floorwherethe pump organ stands, sat down, and soon filled in the harmony for the song. As I was leaving, I saw Daddy Morse out on their porchin the tooth-pulling business. "Sure you got the right tooth?" I teased; and he told me I could keep right on with the music as it helped
both him and the woman whose tooth he was pulling! Of course, teeth are pulled without the benefit of any local anesthetic.
While we continued with our school lessons, I sent First Daughter and

Second Daughter, two Lisu girls living in our home, down to the riverside
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with our loundry, (We have to have helpersfor such tasks as cutting fire wood, pounding out grain, carrying water from the river, helping with the washing of the clothes, etc. They are not servants in the strict sense of the word but untrained village girls whom we adopt into ourhomes^ When we adopt them, we likewise adopt all of their habits, the degree of cleanliness that is theirs, their problems, and their personalities for the duration of their stay so that they become, in actuality, older children so far as we are concerned and older "sisters" to our children.) Heating the water down at the river, where the girls were sent, saves the work of
carrying water up to our house in buckets or bamboo tubes. I ask them to

wash the large sheets with their feet as I feel they can get them cleaner that way rather than washing them by hand. It's quite an art, you know, and a common sight in this part of the world. Why don't you women try it your next laundry day11 When we go back home on furlough, using a washing machine will be like playing with a toy.
As our school progressed Mark (4) and Cynthia (3) and their cousins Margaret (6) and Jeanette (3) played close to the fireplace a few feet from us, but finallv I had to direct them outside. Esther visited bri ef Iy and helped to hola Beth while I ran to the storeroom to get a tin of egg yolks to combine with her morning cereal. Fortunately, there are quite a few tins of baby food left over from former times for Beth to use. We sen*- word to Rangoon for the immediate dispatch of more cereal for the baby, but they replied that theywere waiting until a shipment was cleared through the customs department before they could send any up. I don't know if it is still down at the docks in theRangoon harbor or notI Mothers, do you get a thrillout of walking into the supermarket or comer store and buying a package of cereal or some crackers for your babies? I would I i

Farm in school. It is a story ofa pioneer family getting settled in~^

lowed-out log. Poor Marcia wanted one in the worst way. Some of these days come furlough time we'll all soak in a tub again 1
After we finished school, I went over to Helen's house a few yards
from ourdoorstep to give her the musicshe had wanted earlier in the momWest, and their home life seems so familiar and similar to ours. But one thing that they had which we don't have was a bathtub made from a hol-

Marcia and Ahpu are present Iy in the midst of reading Smiling Hill

ing. I found her in their dining room by the heater stove working on "Angels We Have Heard On High" translated by Robert into Rawang. When I returned home, LaVerne and Daddy Morse were upstairs deep in
conversation with the children's toys scattered at their feet.

The children took grass mats outsideand ate their lunch of egg rice and dehydrated soup out therewith milk, papaya, and cookies to help fill
their little tummies.

more than 250 students, and during the noon break Isaw Robert pass by as
him to come in and check briefly on a Lisu hymn I was stencilling, and then as he was leaving gave him something to take over to Betty. She is
expecting her little one to arrive any time now. It would be nice if it happened during the daytime for we Muladi women folk could be called
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A fine Bible School has been in progress since October 28th, with

hereturnedfrom teaching. I called from ourdiningroom window and asked

more easily, it would be warmer, and there would be no problem about

lights at nighttime except candles and kerosene lamps. Helen will prob ably deliver the baby. For the first hour of the afternoon session of the Bible School, I went over to the church building, where classes are being held, to teach mu sic. Marcia (8), Cynthia (3), Mark(4), and cousins Margaret (6), and Marilyn (4) went along to "help"! Meanwhile LaVerne was discussing various matters with Helen, Mother, and Esther over In Helen's dining
room. His teaching time followed mine.

lights. Their small generator was hit by lightning so they don't have any

For supper we hod the inevitable rice and one of the Freeze-Dry din
ners that First Christian Church In Joliet, Illinois sent out to us. The school boys had trouble getting the small generator started so while the

food was cooking and the baby was crying, we tried to make our way
After supper came Story Time with the kids. Marilyn and Margaret

around with 2 candles and a flashlight whilewaiting for the lights to come
on.

cia, and LaVerne then read to her from The Moody Bible Story Book. Weare so thankful forthe mall which came In on this afternoon's plane. Eugene brought it from the post office, which is about 9 miles away. (Miall Is never delivered. Even telegrams at Putao are put into the post
office and sit there until we fetch themII) There were two letters from my daddy, one Christmas card, and three other letters from the U.S.

joined in. After songs and prayers, I read from the Bobbsev Twins to Mar

Some days have passed now, and I want to write |ust a few more words before closingthls letter to you. We continue to livein themidst of great uncertainties and pressing situations. Marcia wanted so much to go to the Christmas convention, but the site chosen (about a day's walk away) was

too close to the fighting to make It wis^ for the children to go this year.
Overland communications between here and Myltkylna and the railway

suspended at any time. But our God who has led us so faithfully In the past has no Intentions of forsaking us now! So don't worry about us, but do prav for this whole disturbed land. May God bless you above all that you ask or think, according to the abundant riches of His grace.
Yours In Christian love,
Lois

line below Myltkylna have already been cut, and air service could be

LETTER FROM BETTY MORSE

Dukdang, Christmas Eve

Dearest Friends and Loved Ones in America,

There Is so much to write about in a year end letter this yearI Most of
you have probably heard, though, about the conditions of unrest all over Burma, andof the guerrilla fighting uphere in our state. At first we didn't

thinkmuch would come of the fighting, but latelyas the engagements have taken place higher In the hills, the rebels have used their knowledge of jungle fighting to good advantage and it now looks like they will win out
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up there. We, as guests of the Burmese government, have tried to remain completely neutral, and I think we've done a pretty good job of it, although
it has been a terriisle strain on all of us.

We have ail been absolutely thrilled to see the direct answers to many
prayers in regard to the local uncertainties. Several times it seemed that we should prepare to move out of our village, just two miles from the air

field, and where there might be shooting, but each time as we prayed and trusted God, we were encouraged to sit tight, and God worked everything
out. Clear till now, the Putao plain has been kept in peace, though all around the rebels have taken over. If there is a takeover here, we are

proving that It will be without bloodshed. The two sides fight so fiercely
and the local Christians will be the ones to suffer, with not much gained
in the end.

You hear us talk ai^out the changed lives of the people here. I think one incident clearly shows this change and how the government officials even can see it. Several months ago, the order came thatall hunting guns were to be turned In to the government, to keep them out of rebel hands, and the hint was that the local people might use them against the officials who came from down country. This order upset everybody, because the guns are almost the only way of getting meatand of protectingthe villages from wild animals. (Just this week there was another cow killed by a ti

ger.) The elders all went over to Putao to taikabout the situation and reminaed theofficials that until the people became Christians they had been
warriors and that they had practiced tneir warfare with bows and poisoned arrowsand swords - not guns. Furthermore, that they hadn't forgotten how to fight, but that because they wereChristian they had no desire to. THey said that the government need have no fear of attack by them, and that they could be trusted and should be trusted to keep the guns out of rebel hands. Well, out of every district in the whole of Burma, the government let the gun owners ofPutao sign a promise that they would not use the guns

The man of the house cooks too! Wood fire is built en clayfilled box set in the bamboo floor. The stove consists of

three stones set to form a tripod around the fire.

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against the government, and let us all keep our guns. We are the only area to possess private guns in the whole of Burma 1 Aside from all the uncertainties of the fighting, our usual life hos had to go on. The children are in school and learning well. They participate in the sports and each has a garden plot, even five year old Dorothy Drema. Stevie has worked the most faithfully, so we shared his heartbreak the other day when he came home with tears because someone had pulled
up all his carrots.

January 14, 1964

I hope some of you have heard by now that we have a new little girl,
bom on New Year's Eve. Her name is Martha Camille and we are all so

pleased and happy with her. I felt wonderful during the months before she was bom, and the arthritisIn my backseemed to get better, too. I wanted
very much to go down to Rangoon to the hospital, but the situation here

stay on up here for the birth. All the family was praying for a safe deliv

was so bad inF4ovember when I would have had to go, that we decided to

ery and the local churches were too, because they had asked us not to go

away, so we were confident that all would go well. We don't know what happened at the end, but after several false starts, the labor went on for

four days and we didn't know what to do. Robert stayedwith me the whole
time or I would have lost mv nerve, I'm sure. But we kept praying and were able to go through it all and the baby was finally able, by God's mercy, to be born. When the second stage lasted so long, I was afraid that she would be injured, but she is perfect, and weare so thankful. The folks kept coming over to be here for the big event, but each time went home disappointed. That night only Helen and Gene were here. Helen was really wonderful, and really knows her stuff too.
Anotherof the bigthrillsof '63 was hearingabout the ladies of Robert's

church in Long Beach going to the QUEEN FOR A DAY show. They nom inated Virginia Anderson Keene, and she won I For her prize she asked
for printing equipment for the mission here in Burma. Not only are we missionaries thrilled, but the Lisu and Rawang churches are very happy to know that they will soon be getting the much needed literature printed right up here on the field I Weare praying that the Burmese will grant the
permissionsoon; but if necessary the churches will petition the government to let the equipment come in. This gift did more to boost our morale than anything else could have. Wehad all been worrying about our days "being

number^" here, and our faith was pretty low, Iguess. But when we heard

of all the ladies going like that - having that much faith in the future, and

God hearing their prayer to get the things for us - it made us ashamed for
our lack of faith, and from that time on we have not talked again about

"being kicked out". There are elements which try hard every year to do
just that, but now we feel confident that God would not give that equip
ment unless we were meant to use It.

Sodo continue in your prayers for us. We would surely have run away
before now if we hadn't known that all of you are backing us up.
Love,

Robert and Betty

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WITH THE CHILDREN

At Christmas, after the family dinner, everyone had gathered to sing carols, and then it was time for the Christmas story, as found in Luke's Gospel. LaVeme read, ond for the benefit of the younger children was explaining that Jesus was God's gift to us, but when He came, there was no place for Him, and that there were not even any blankets in which to wrap Him, but only old, used, pieces of cloth (swaddling clothes). Little 4-year-old Mark piped upwith"Why didn't they wrap Him in paper?" He must have thought that would be the most appropriate for a gift. At any rate, it nearly upset the solemnity of the moment, and it was with great difficulty that the grown-ups restrained their smiles so the story could be concluded, and all could jointogether in a prayerof thanks for the great
est Gift ever given.

Three-year-old Cynthia had just been given the bowl in which her
mother, Lois, had mixed a cake, and was eagerly carrying it to a spot in whichshe could settle down in comfort to enjoyscraping out the remaining

goodies. Following behindwas nearly-three-year-old Jeanette, obviously hoping to be invited to share the treat. When such invitation was not forthcoming, Jeanette asked wistfully, "Cynthia, do you love me?"

Whereupon Cynthia softened, and the two little girls happily sat on the
stairs and scraped out the bowl together.
********************

READERS PLEASE NOTE

Word has been received from the families in Burma that recently three

after but have received no word of arrival, please inform Mrs. Myers. She
appropriate inquiries.

group, or individual who sent packages around the first ofSeptember or

mail bags were lost. They are afraid that there may have been some par cels among the things which were lost. Therefore, if there is any church,

will inform the family to whom it was addressedand they can make the

Moited by Mrs. OSCAR L. MYERS

2024 N. 14rii SK

Terre Haute, Indiona

For

4-7SD4

Sec. 34.66 P. L & R U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

NORTH BURMA CHRISTIAN MISSION

Terre Haute, Ind.

PERMIT NO. 321

RETURN

REQUESTED.

W. Eo McGHJSTRES: mission simicES

MC 9685 ODLIET, UL