The Legacy Of Faith And Service To God In

Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw’s Family Across Generations

Lahpai Nang Lu Mai

Kachin Theological College
(Kutkai)
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1.Introduction
Heirloom is an irreplaceable and blessed thing that ever happened to the new
generations. Some people inherit, like property, habits, and authority from their
ancestors. In the same way, the generations of Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw’s family
inherit an invaluable legacy; faith and service to God from their ancestors. The
purpose of this research is to highlight the lasting impact of faith and service to God
in the family of Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw, and help the strangers who want to know
about Sara Kaba Zau Yaw’s family briefly and roughly.

Background/ History
Pursuant to the historical stories passed down orally, the root ancestry of Lahpai
clans came from, Lahpai Wa La Jawng, one of the sons of Wahkyet Wa Singawng
Magam and Magawng Shayi Shingtung Kabang. They had five sons and those sons
became the ancestors of Duwa clans: Marip, Lahtaw, Lahpai, Nhkum, and Maran. The
third son, Wa La Jawng inherited an lance from his father Wahkyet Wa Singawng
Magam and his lineages became Lahpai clans. Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw’s clans
came from Gauri Lahpai, one of the Lahpai clans. The territories of Gauri chieftains
were the verdant mountains which are located in the front of Irrawaddy River and till
the Yunan froniter from Silum Hills. The great-great grandfather of Gauri chieftains,
Duwa Gauri Lahpai Jauhpa Khun was educated from Shan’s monastery and he could
speak not only Shan, Burmese and Chinese but also the languages of Kachin tribes:
Zaiwa, Maru, Lauhvo and Minji Milan really well. In his time, Bhamo was business
zone and really crowded with Chinese traders and all businessmen from different
districts came to Bhamo. At that time, the traders from Yunan had to cross Sinlum
Hills, and they had to pay taxes to Gauri chieftain, Jauhpa Khun. When those traders
arrived Bhamo, they had to pay taxes to Burmese king’s governor again, and they said
they had already paid and rejected to pay it again. When the Burmese king heard that
he ordered his soldiers to kill Jauhpa Khun. Before the Burmese king’s soldiers
arrested him, he had already run away to the Azi Wang Gaw district and his friend ,
Duwa Wi Gau La hid him in a village named Bwi Zan Hkung. After they heard the
king’s soldiers went back, Duwa Wi Gau La sent him back to Sinlum again and he
was attacked by them extremely. He died because of sore wounds. Jau Hpa Khun was
an ancestor of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw’s family. At that time the family was still in the
darkness; believed in spiritual practices. Jauhpa Khun was really good at black magic.
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Once a time, when he was journeying, it was getting dark and he rested in a
monastery. When he asked a monk for some woods to cook a meal, the monk said him
“find yourself as you know.” At the time, Jauhpa Khun said took out his dagger from
sheath which was carried on his shoulder and cut his shin in front of the monk and
used it as for fuel. The monk was really shocked and the next morning , after Jauhpa
Hkum had left, he found that it was not shin and it was the pillars from his monastery.
Duwa Lahpai Khun Gam was a son of Jauhpa Khun and his son, Zau Bawm was the
Gauri Lahpai chief who found Sinlum Kaba, one of the many villages that dotted the
Sinlum Hills overlooking Yunan, China. Sinlum Kaba is famous with Victory Manau
which celebrated on March,1945 to make the rout of the Japanese from Kachin land
and upper Burma. At least 1,500 Kachin rangers involved in that communal dance
celebration. At that time, the lowland Burma did not initiate resistance against
Japanses rule until March 27, a day after that Kachin had declared victory over the
Japanses. The timeline around the turn of the 1800s, as oral narratives relate that the
son of Zau Bawm, shadip Zau Seng was one of the Kachin chiefs who attended the
friendship feast given by British Colonel Sladin when he passed through Bhamo on a
mission trip to the Chinese frontier in1868. The son of Shadip Zau Seng, Lahpai Zau
Li, the grandfather of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw established a new village, in Sinlum
Pangmu; a place where Ola Hanson translated the last chapter of the New Testament,
Yoba from English to Kachin. Lahpai Zau Li and Zahkung Ja Nu gave birth Lahpai
Zau Tu, father of Lahpai Zau Yaw who would be a beacon for Sinlum Hills. They
moved to Sinlum Pangmu when their son, Lahpai Zau Tu was 12 years old. In 1891 or
1892, the Reverends Roberts and Ola Hanson came up to Sinlum Hills from Bhamo
and asked his father Zau Li, uncles Zau Tang and Gauri Nawng for a piece of land to
build a house for the missionaries and they agreed to give them. Mrs.Hanson tried to
educate children from the village and Zau Tu also one of them Mrs. Hanson taught
them songs and sometimes, told bible stories and read bible. He was so passionate to
learn letters he always went to Hanson’s house. His father did not like that and warned
him not to go again. However, his father could not stop his willing mind to learn
letters. He went to Bhamo mission school without telling his parents and he went to
Bhamo school with his uncle, Zau Tang and his cousin, Seng Li (Kutkai). He studied
the bible long and hard, and gradually he came to understand the saving grace of Jesus
Christ and accepted him as his Lord and savior. He was baptized by Rev. Robert in the
Irrawaddy river in 1897. In 1899, when he came back home, his parents also
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abandoned spirit worship and they were the first of the Kachin chieftain clans to
become Chirstian. However he could not be at peace because the rest of the hills still
remined in darkness. He was married to Nangzing Hka Jan on April 14,1902, at
Pangmu, at the hand of Sara Kaba Ola Hanson. Nangzing Hka Jan was the daughter
of Nangzing Yung and Lazum Kaw Lum who were one of the first seven Kachin
people who were baptized by Rev. Robert on March 19, 1882 in Na Mawk river, Bum
Wa village. The name of she and her sister, Nangzing Doi were also involved in the
list of first Kachin people to be baptized, but at that time their ages were too young
and they were left. She finished her education at the Anglo-Vernacular Baptist mission
school at Bhamo. She completed 7th standard, the highest level offered in the Kachin
area at that time and she started to work as a teacher in that school in 1899.After she
got married to Sara Lahpai Zau Tu, they went to Sinlum and served for God and their
Kachin people. They can be regard as the second generations who became Christians
within the family. From that time, that blessed thing flour across generations by
generations.

Argument
Receiving a legacy from parents or grandparents is graceful, weather to legacy is
expensive property or not. It is only relevant to the inheritors who will keep them as
valuable heritage. In Sara Kaba Zau Yaw’s family, after their great-grandparents
received God as their Savior in their hearts, they passed it down as an irreplaceable
heritage, inherited through the hearts within the family. From the first generations that
was baptized first in the family to the current generations, they are still faithful service
to God. This uninterrupted tradition has not only shaped their spiritual identity but
also positively impact the communities surrounding them, as the family’s values of
faith, service and devotion to God.

Research questions
1.What challenges had they faced in preserving their faith and service to God, and
how had they overcome them?
2.How did they sacrifice and service for their Kachin people by the love of God?
3.How did each generation serve God and uphold their beliefs in him?

Methodology
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 The writer will do this research paper by using books, collecting some information
from online and interviewing some members of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw, Kutkai.
Reference Books
1. My life and Ministry: Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu
2. Sarama Kaba Nangzing Hka Jan written by Maran Kai Bu
3. My Life and Times: A Journey in Faith of Lahpai Hkun Nawng
4. Kachin’s Images: Kachin’s lives and thoughts edited by Lahpai Nang Kai
5. A Brief History of Pangmu Duwa Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu and Sarama Kaba
Nangzing Hka Jan written by Lasi Htang Wa
6. History of Gustaf A.Sword Baptist Church
7. Some brochures

Outline of the paper

The paper is divided into three main sections, (1) introduction, (2) theory and
analysis, and (3) conclusion. In the section one , it includes the historical background
of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw’s ancestors and theme of the topic. In the section two, it is
divided into three main sub sections and the writer mainly analyzes the faith and
service to God of second generation Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu and third generation, Lahpai
Hkung Nawng and Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw. In the third section , conclusion, it covers
the legacy and of faith and service to God of Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw’s generations
briefly.

2. Theory, Analysis
Religious Socialization Theory, as developed by scholars like Robert Wuthnow,
explains how Christian values and commitment to God are passed down through
generations. In the case of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw’s family , this theory highlights how
each generation serves God and carries forward the work of faith in their own time,
while also transmitting those responsibilities to the next. With each generation, the
family’s faith not only persists but also positively impacts the surrounding
community. New generations engage with their community, serving God and sharing
their faith through acts of kindness, leadership and service.

The Journey of Christian Generations in the Family of Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau
Yaw and Their Beliefs
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 The paternal grandparents of Rev.Lahpai Zau Yaw, Shadip Zau Seng and Maru
Zahkung Ja Nu, and the maternal grandparents, Nangzing Yung and Lazum Kaw
Lum, were the first generations who became Christians in the family. After they
received Lord as their savior , they praised the Lord with a deep heart and service to
God. That blessed inheritance flowed down to their generations.

2.1 Second Generation

The second generations were Sara Lahpai Zau Tu and his wife, Nangzing Hka Jan
served God after they finished their education at the Anglo-Vernacular Baptist mission
school at Bhamo.

2.1.1 Serving Education to Their Kachin People

Sara Zau Tu and Sarama Hka Jan started off from Bhamo to Sinlum Hills to help
their people to escape from the darkness, and establish a mission school. At that time,
they did not get any support. They went out with just a few tools. However, they were
not disappointed because of their strong beliefs to God. When they arrived to Sinlum
Hills, they cleaned the shrubs and built a hut to live. They started to teach the children
around the village. When they stared to open the school, they got 12 students and all
were boys. They fed the students and supported for their school supplies. When Ola
Hanson saw their hard working he supported them Rs 8 per month. When British
colonial reached Sinlum Hills, they wanted to settle their offices to Sinlum. Sara Zau
Tu and Sarama Hka Jan moved their school to Pangmu. After several years English
government recognized Pangmu school as a government primary school, and Sarama
Hka Jan got paid Rs.15 per month from the English government. From that time, they
did not take Rs.8 from Ola Hanson and they paid Rs.15 to Sara Maran Naw who was
trying to preach and share happy new of Jesus Christ to China. In 1928, they got
almost 80 students. Sara Zau Tu and Sarama Hka Jan tried to support students and
Zau Tu’s parents also helped to feed students by doing agriculture. Before they started
anything, they prayed to God and asked for strength. Sarama Hka Jan put effort to
educate the students, while Sara Zau Tu preached around the village which still
believed in spirit worship. They faced with really difficult situation and villagers said
Sara Zau Tu, to get paid salary. At that time he said like “I am full with blessing and
God bless me crops from my agriculture that I grow with my strength that God give
me.” According to Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his
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righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow it will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
2.1.2. Serving God As An Acolyte
Sara Zau Tu accepted lord as his savior after he had studied the Bible long and
hard at Bhamo mission school that established by Rev. Roberts. He was baptized by
Rev. Roberts in the Irrawaddy River. After that, he went back home and saw that his
parents also abandoned spirit worship. He was glad but he could not be at peace
because even though they were believers and received Jesus Christ, the rest of the
Silum hills remained in the darkness. He was depressed but did not know how to do.
He always went to the forest and prayed to God to guide him. One day, he went to the
forest and in prayer, a scripture text entered to his head; 2 Corinthian 12:9 “My grace
is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power rest on
me.” He got strength from God and from 1902 he started to preach around the
Sinlum Hills which were still in the darkness. By that time the Lazum window Ja Pri,
had become a believer. Then an old woman from Guhhtang, the Lasi La Doi family
from Hodung-Manmau Kawng, and the Lasi Pangdum became believer. Sara Zau Tu
was ordained pastor of Sinlum Church by Sara Kaba Ola Hanson and Sara Kaba
Roberts, assisted by Sara Shwe Gyaw, Sara Shwe Soe and Sara Damau Naw. He
shared the good news of Jesus Christ along the Sinlum Hills and helped to establish
village Churches. In the world war two , villagers and Baptists were damaged not only
mentally but also physically. Sara Zau Tu visited all the churches in the area and
encouraging them, giving them comfort and supported to the best of his ability. In the
war years his Pangmu house also attached by a group of Chinese bandits and they
took all possessions from house. Sara Zau Tu was also shot by them but fortunately he
could escape from death all because of God’s protection.

2.1.3 Living by the love of God

By the time Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu and Sarama Hka Jan were faced with sadness
because of they lost their third, Zau La son he was at the young age, an unexpected
event took place. Lazum Tu Gawng and his family who accepted God because of Rev.
Lahpai Zau Tu, faced of strong protests from his two elder brothers and their families
who believed in animism. The tension between his brothers and him became
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intensive. He decided to separate from the family, he took his own family and moved
away from his brothers. He built a small hut near a mountain book and did a small
paddy field and supported the family. They had to live in the deep forest, and in the
rainy season because of its damp weather his family suffer from seasonal sickness,
cerebral malia. Two daughters and two sons, and only two younger daughters left.
They were in a dreadful situation. However, he did not want back to his parents and
his wife had given birth to the third son, she had very high fever and could not nurse
the baby. Lazum Tu Gawng determined not to allow any child of his to taken away
from him again, and he decided to seek the protection of God. He left his sick wife
and child, and started off to the Pangmu village and asked for help to Rev. Zau Tu.
Without hesitation, Rev. Zau Tu said him to bring his family to Pangmu and he put
some villagers with Tu Gawng to take his family. As soon as they brought back the
sick mother and child to Pangmu, they brought the sick mother to the government
hospital located at Sinlum town. After they started off from Pangmu and reached to
Aura village, they were stopped by Tu Gawng’s older brothers. Tu Gawng asked them
for help to carry his wife to the hospital. They not only refused to help, but ordered
them to stop as they were going to perform animal sacrifices for her. Rev. Zau Tu said
not to stop and not to be afraid and they continued their journey to the hospital.
Gratefully, they reached to Sinlum Kaba and could hospitalize the sick mother in
time. By the grace of merciful God, the mother gained her health and could able to
escape from the death. Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu named Lazum Tu Gawng’ son “La Ring”
and adopted him like his third son, he had lost. Her son could able to escape from the
jaws of death because of God used Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu to help them and they were
alive by the love of God. According to Galatians 3:7a “know ye therefore that they
which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham”, Lazum Brang, one of La Ring sons testified
that “If I might substitute the name Lahpai Zau Tu in place of Abraam here, I can say
because we have inherited the faith of Lahpai Zau Tu, we are blessed because of
faithful Lahpai Zau Tu. If there was not wonderful grace of God shine from the
Lahpai Zau Tu who serve fro Gpd to upon them, there would not be La Ring who
would be a physician of the “Lazum La Ring Pharmacy.” If there was no Lazum La
Ring, there would not be Lazum Brang too.” They are alive live by the love of God.

2.1.4 Participation in the request for a Bible School for the Kachin People
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 Ola Hanson completed his translation of the Old Testament into Jinghpaw on
August 11, 1926. After he finished his translation of bible into Jinhpaw, he endued it
to the Kachin people at 50th golden anniversary which celebrated in Bhamo on 27
March, 1927. When he gave the Kachin Bible to the Kachin People, he said that
“Today is I am going to endue this holy bible that I have completed by the strength of
God to you. This will be the light of all Baptists, soul and foundation to be frowth, so
do not eat this books like the way you did before”. Sara Damau Naw received it as a
representation of all Kachin people. According to the Sara Kaba Ola Han’s words that
he said to the Kachin people when he endued the Bible to them, they started to think
about to get a Kachin Bible School. In 1930, at the second general meeting of the
Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) held at Manhkring, they selected three delegates to
request Bible School at the annual general meeting of Burma Baptist Convention
(BBC) that would be held in Rangoon. The three delegates were (1) Sara Labya De
(representing the Shan State Association) (2) Duwa Sara Lahpai Zau Tu (representing
the Bhamo Association) and Sara Robin (representing the Myitkyina Association).
When they requested for a Kachin Bible School. The executive committee rejected
their proposal and said that “Kachins do not need yet a Bible Schools of their own and
they can learn easily from Burma Bible School.” At that time, Sara Duwa Lahpai Zau
Tu, a member of Kachin delegates, stood up from his chair and talked back to them
1. Learning from Burmese Bible School and preaching by Kachin is ineffecitive.
Studying Bibe by Kachin language and preaching by Kachin is more effective
and fruitful. That is why we want a Kachin Bible School.
2. You, Burma and Karen people could learn the bible by your own language
and preach it to your people and it is almost all of you could not accept.
3. How long have you, Burmese people got Jesus and became Christians. Your
Christian journey is short to compare with Kachin people Christian journey.
4. We Kachin hunger for the good news- so impatiently and fervently that we are
ready to gulp it down in the raw. A Bible School for the Kachins is a must for
us. So I would ask you not to drag your feet about giving us a Bible School.
5. If you not open a Bible School for Kachins, God will not agree with you. You
missionaries, you have crossed vast expanses of water to come to this land to
do God’s will.
6. If we look at this big city of Rangoon, we see a reluctant population being
force-fed, even to point of regurgitation. If you are so intent on feeding those
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 who are so adverse to your efforts, why not feed those of us who extremely
hunger and thris of God’s word for a change?
When he talked back to them continuously and started to argue, one of delegates,
Sara Robin tugged his edge of shirt and said “Zau, it is enough stop, your words
are too sharp.” At that time Sara Zau Tu turned back to Sara Robin and said him
back “what, you too? Are you also on their side rather than me?” At that time, the
missionaries said Zau Tu “Zau Tu, we understand what you are trying to say. So
let’s stop the meeting here”, after that the missionaries discussed by themselves.
Sara Lahpai Zau Tu could not able to sleep the whole night and he was so worried.
The next morning, after he had washed face, he was sitting despairingly on his bed
and moping. At that time, Ma Ma Smith knocked his door and called his name. He
reponded to Ma Ma Smith and Ma Ma told him “Last night, the missionaries
discussed again about for giving a Kachin Bible School and I heard that, they are
going to establish a Bible School for Kachin.” After he heard that blissful new he
shouted and said “Ara le, there are nothing that God cannot do, only God can do
even though it seems like no way.” In 1931, the Kachin Bible School was
established in the mission compound of Bhamo on June 1,1932. The Bible School
was started with 9 students in the first year. On April 15,1935 the Bible School
moved to Kutkai.

2.2 Third Generations

Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu and Sarama Nangzing Hka Jang had 5 sons and 4
daughters. They are Hkun Nawng, Shan Lum, Zau Neng, Zau Yaw, Zau Awng,
Nang Bang, Nang Doi, Htu Raw and Seng Tawng. They were brought up on cow
milk and goat milk. As soon as they were old enough to learn to talk, they were
taught short songs, prayers, told stories from the Bible. Sara Lahpai Zau Tu and
Sarama Nangzing Hka Jang always taught their children not to hesitate to share
God’s word and to love everyone and show love to everyone by the love of God.
According to Mattew 22:3,40 “Love the Lord your God with all love heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Sara Lahpai Zau Tu taught his eldest daughter Nang Bang to love her younger
sister and brothers. She had been a loving mother to all her siblings. She continued
to be mother to the Bhamo Church also, showing care and concerned for all
church members as they were her own children Sara Zau Tu believed in God and
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rely on him with all hearts. They also taught them to be educated, share whatever
they God to their people and guide their people by the knowledge that they
received.

2.2.1 THE LIFE JOURNEY OF LAHPAI HKUN NAWNG AND HIS

BELIEF
Lahpai Hkun Nawng was the second son of Sara Zau Tu and Sarama Hka Jan.
He was born on January 15,1907 in Pangmu village. He attended his primary
school at his parents Venacular Primary School and he could read and write
Burmese and Kachin. When he was 8 years old, he went to Bhamo and attended
middle school at American Baptist Mission Middle School. At that time, his
parents were so poor and could not afford for good clothes for him. In the rainy
season, he asked his father to buy an umbrella, his father said “In the rainy season,
the wind is so strong so umbrella could not defense”, and he just brought a
Chinese conical hat. However, Hkun Nawng always said “even through my father
and mother cannot decorate me with good clothes and finance, they always pray
for me before I started off from home. That’s why whenever I am far form home, I
have never faced with dreadful things.” After he had finished Grade 7, he attended
high school at Bassein Sgaw Karen High School. After that he could join to the
Judson College all because of God’s blessing. In 1932, he could able to get
Bachelor of Science (I.SC) degree at university convocation held in Yangon.

2.2.1.1 Life Journey In World War II

In World War II Japanese soldiers came into the Myanmar as thunderstorm
and took place British offices. Sara Zau Tu, Sara Kaba Maran La and others
chieftain met and discussed to protect Sinlum people from the torture of Japanese
soldiers, and they went to Bhamo Japanese office and request to meet. At that
time, Japanese officers said to select a person to administer Kachin mountain
districts under the hand of them. The chieftain went back to Sinlum and they gave
that duty to Lahpai Hkun Nawng to serve as a chief for Japanese officers. He did
not want to do, but there were no way instead accept the duty to protect Kachin
Hill districts villagers. In 1944, in the summer time, Sumlut La visited to him and
slept a night at Hkun Nawng’s house and said “British American army are ready to
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fight Japanese and their intelligence headquarters also establish in Munggyi
Htingnu Kawng, Myitkyina.” After Hkun Nawng heard that new, he invited all
chiefs from Sinlum and they met at Hkaya river and discussed to fight Japanese
soldiers as soon as British, American (Allied Forces)entered Myanmar. After that,
the Sunday of that week, when he worshiped in Pangmu Church, Lasi Tu Jan, a
villagers from Pangmu run toward him said “Japanese soldiers are coming.” Agter
he finished worship he followed Japanese soldiers to Kala Kawng and they
brought him into their meeting in Aura village. He was scared, but when he
noticed for his people, God took away his anxious mind and he gave his soul to
God and, continued to face the enemy with smile and love of God. God gave him
peace of mind according to John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
unto you not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.” When Japanese officers asked him questions
and threatened he just talked back to them with smile and calm voice. Finally,
Japanese brigadier said “he is innocent” and he allowed him to go back home,
Pangmu. When Japanese officer from Bhamo heard that they were unsatisfied
because they knew about our plans that we discussed at Hkaya River. However
they could not do anything against the other of Brigadier General and they did not
have conclusive evidence. He and villagers from Sinlum Hills could escape from
fascist Japanese soldier all because of God’s protection. According to Psalm 46:1-
3, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into
the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the
waters surge.”
2.2.1.2 Service to God
After he worked as a principle in Defense Services academy (DSA) Maymyo
(1957 -1968), he was retired when he was 67 years old. At that time, he realized
that he believed in God but not with all his hearts. He was always busy with his
work and departed from God for a long time. When he was retired from work he
tried to close with God and he went to every Church. However he realized that
there were no church could not give immortal holy spirit only we could get if we
accepted Jesus as our savior. According to I John 5:12 “Whoever has the son has
life”. John 1:12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 3:3 “Truly, truly I
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say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” He
decided to serve God and kneed down and prayed. On December 10,1974 he went
to Chin State with 8 college students who were involved in revivalism to share
God’s word. They preached in Falam first and after that continued their journey to
Haka. Lots of people went to listen to God’s word and they welcomed them
joyfully. After that they continued their journey to Chauk and shared happy news
of Jesus to Buddhists. He shared God’s words around the country and even though
faced the with difficulties in his journey he could past all because of the strength
of God. He prayed to God and believed in Him with his whole heart and walked
through any situation. According to Ephesians 6:16 “ In every situation take the
shield of faith, and with it you will be able to and extinguish the flaming
arrows of the evil one.” On January 18th , 1976 when he was in prayer at home,
Kachin soldiers arrested him and bring him with them to their (KIA) 1 st Battalion
Headquarter beside the Chinese border on the way of the journey he fell down
from house and broke his leg, he had to suffer from affliction. When he arrived
their headquarter he said them “Why they arrested him and he just share God’s
word to everyone, if you want to ask him politics I was retired and now all I want
to serve for God.” The commander, Awng Shin did not respond anything. They
prepared him a hut to rest, he had to stay a small hut and suffered from the pain of
his broken leg. He stayed at their headquarter and tried to share God’s word again.
He preached to them, read Bible for them. At that time, the commander Awng
Shin said “We have not heard that for so long, the alive of God’s word and we
were ignored by Baptists because of they considered us as rebels. From that time
they asked him for forgiveness and moved him to bigger house from a small hut.
He felt the love from the enemy who hated him at first it is all because of the love
of God. According to Matthew 7:11 “So if you who are evil know how to give
good gifts to your children. How much more will your father in heaven give
good things to those who ask him.”

2.2.2 Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw: Service To God

Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw was the third son of Rev. Lahpai Zau Tu and
Sarama Nangzing Hka Jan. He was born on December 31,1916 in Silum Kaba. He
came to be dedicated to serve the Lord even before he was born as told by his
father. When his mother was carrying a child, the fifth daughters, she tried to
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 harvest some leaves on the slopes of the backyard garden and she slipped and fell.
She was bleeding profusely and had high fever. His father took her to the Bhamo
hospital with the helps of villagers. When they reached it was dark and too late to
go to the hospital. They rested at the mission guest house for the night. All night,
the mother was delirious in and out of consciousness. His father kneed down
beside her mother and prayed to God all night for her recovery. He made a pact
with God that if he spared the mother life, he would dedicate the new born child
son or daughter to his service. In the next morning the mother felt better and wake
up with full of energy and said, “ What are we doing here? The weather was so hot
I cannot endure it even though another minute. Let’s go to Pangmu.” Sara Zau Tu
had dedicated his son Zau Yaw to serve to Lord even before his birth and the day
after he was born, his father asked Mama Smith to come to the house and gave his
son to the hand of Mama and said, “Let this son of mine grow up to be a faithful
servant of God.” Lahpai Zau Yaw finished his high school at Anglo-Vernacular
High School in Myitkyina. After he finished high school his father sent him to
Gustaf. A Sword to request a endorsement for going to Insein Bible School.
However Dr.G.A Sword said to stay with him and he would teach him theology,
Church history and Holy Bible by English. He helped Sara Sword by helping in
his teaching. After world war 2, he served us a principle of Kutkai Bible School
from 1946 to 1996 till it moved to Nawng Nang, Myitkyina. He was ordained
pastor on March 7, 1942. He also served as a pastor of Kutkai Kachin Baptist
Church from May 1, 1939 to March 29 , 2007 till he was called to rest in the
hands of God.

2.2.3 The Fourth and The Fifth Generations of Sara Kaba Zau Yaw and Their
Inheritance
Sara Kaba’s Zau Yaw and their inheritance Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw and Sarama
Maran Nang Seng have eight children; Rev. Lahpai Hkun Gam (USA), Lahpai Hkun
Nawng (Yangon), Lahpai Zau La (Kutkai), Lahpai Zau Shan (Yangon), Lahpai Zau
Gun (Yangon), Rev. Lahpai Zau Ya (USA), Sarama Lahpai Seng Bu (Kutkai) and Dr.
Lahpai Zau Ba. Two of them inherit their father’s legacy: service to God. The first son
Rev. Lahpai Hkun Gam served as a senior pastor of the first Kachin Baptist Church of
America (FKBCA) in Omaha, Nebraska, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit religious
organization. He served as a senior pastor from 2002 June when the Kachin Baptist
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Church of America was officially founded, on till his retirement in 2020. The sixth
son Zau Ya also serve God as a pastor in Burmese Community Church, USA till now.
After that the fifth generations that passed down through the fourth generation also
inherited legacy: faith and service to God. The first son of Lahpai Hkun Nawng (third
generation), Lahpai Zau Hkung Seng (fourth generation) serves as a preacher of KJH
(Kutkai Kachin Baptist Church) since January (1), 2023. Moreover he has been
serving as a supervisor in orphanage, block (2) Kutkai since 2026. He chose to serve
God because he is interested in missionary work and he wants to maintain the
irreplaceable heirloom. The first son of Dr. Lahpai Zau Ba (third generation), Rev.
Lahpai Jau Fa Hkun (fourth generation) also serves as a pastor in KBC Lower
Myanmar, Mandalay.
The fourth daughter of Lahpai Zau Shan (third generation) Dr. Lahpai Fanang
Lum also serves as an assistant professor of Myanmar Institute of Theology, Yangon
subce 2016. She has been working as a dean in Institute of Myanmar Graduate Study
since November, 2019. From the first generations to the fifth generation till now Sara
Kaba Zau Yaw’s Family maintain preciously their heirloom.

Conclusion
The generations of Sara Kaba Lahpai Zau Yaw’s family maintain their
irreplaceable heirloom from the first day, when their ancestors accepted Lord as their
Savior to till nowadays. Their beliefs and loves from God have not only impact on
their individuals family members but also their communities around them. According
to Matthew 22: 37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind”, they praise the Lord with all of their hearts and share
the love of God to their people. From the first generations, who were baptized first
and receive God in their souls to the current fifth generations has been serving to God
in different situations. Some family members serve God as a pastor, preacher and
missionary worker, while others serve by their faithfulness. The legacy of Sara Kaba
Zau Yaw’s family come from their souls, and inherits it across generations. From the
first generations, now it reaches to the sixth generations and also the sixth generations
are trying to serve God and maintain their irreplaceable heirloom in their souls.
The researcher could only analysis the faith and service to God of (Rev.
Lahpai Zau Tu and Sarama Nangzing Hka Jan), the third generations (Lahpai Hkun
Nawng and Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw) and briefly the fourth and fifth generations. The
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researcher welcome to the new researcher who will want to explore the rest family
member’s faith and service to God. This term paper is lot of necessary and the writer
is willing to receive any advices.

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