Images of Shangri-La come to ones mind – a hidden
utopian paradise, tucked away somewhere in the harsh Asian mountains.
Shangri-La was dreamed up by author James Hilton in his 1935
novel, “The Lost Horizon” – and portrayed in a classic film.
As a result, it has captured the imagination of readers and explorers for years.
Images of Shangri-La come to ones mind – a hidden
utopian paradise, tucked away somewhere in the harsh Asian mountains.
Shangri-La was dreamed up by author James Hilton in his 1935
novel, “The Lost Horizon” – and portrayed in a classic film.
As a result, it has captured the imagination of readers and explorers for years.
While no one has found Shangri-La, the country of Bhutan stands
as a likely substitute. It is a peaceful country, bejeweled with glacier-fed
streams and the highest original forest cover of any country.
In other words, it fits the bill.
Known to its people as “Druk-yul” or “Land of
the Thunder Dragon,” this tiny dot on the map is about half the size of
Indiana. And it is isolated from the rest of Southeast Asia by the jagged peaks
of snowcapped Himalayan Mountains to the north and Indias arid plains
to the south.
The Bhutanese people also have existed in self-imposed isolation
for centuries to preserve their culture and historical identity. Among the nations
600,000 people are the Drukpa, or “people of the dragon.” They stand
as Bhutans majority people group.
Television and radio are almost non-existent in the nation
– and outside influences (including Christianity) are considered disruptive
and unwelcome.
The Bhutanese continue life in the footsteps of generations
before them, using the same ancient farming methods and techniques that were
used hundreds of years ago. Electricity and running water are limited.
What could disrupt this image of Shangri-la paradise?
For Christians, the greatest concern is the souls without Christ
that dwell beneath the amiable Buddhist exterior.
Bhutan is the worlds only Tibetan Buddhist kingdom. An
overwhelming 99 percent of its population never have had a chance to hear the
good news of Jesus Christ. The Drukpa worship a pantheon of Buddhist gods and
demons who are depicted graphically in every business, every building, every
home.
They adhere to ancient folk practices of shamanism, magic,
ancestor worship and divination. Altars and shrines dot the mountains, and in
every village and on every hillside, prayer flags – tall poles with streamers
of imprinted material – snap in the cold mountain air, delivering prayers
to the gods at every moment.
While a handful of Drukpa Christians maintain their faith,
the strict Buddhist climate does not allow for variation in religion. In larger
cities, Christians may lose jobs, even their citizenship. In remote areas, Christians
have been physically harmed. Children whose families follow Christianity are
ridiculed and denied further education.
“Dorji” is a Drukpa who embraced Christianity more
than 20 years ago. He says the Bhutanese people hold to a fatalistic view of
life.
“Everything is determined for you within the law of karma,”
he explains. “Everyone is stuck in the wheel of life, and while you cant
control your ultimate destiny, you can make the best of what you have.”
The task is great for Dorji and Christians around the world
who want to see the Bhutanese know Jesus Christ. They insist Jesus is the only
one who can deliver the people from the meaningless “wheel of life”
and give them “a hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
Now, they are calling others to join them in that task.
Indeed, they are asking Southern Baptists to focus on the Drukpa
people of Bhutan during the annual Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization
– and unite in prayer from 6 p.m. on June 1 through 6 p.m. on June 2.
“One of the reasons its so important we pray for
the Drukpa is we know the love of God and they dont – and when we
pray for those who dont, were expressing the very essence of love,”
said Randy Sprinkle, director of the Prayer Strategy Office of the International
Mission Board.
“For most of us, the first verse of Scripture we learned
was John 3:16: For God so loved the world. … Gods heart
is for all the world. Jesus sacrificial death was for all the world, and
He has revealed to us that this is a divine moment in which He wants to reveal
Himself to the Drukpa of Bhutan. Hes saying to us, Ask of me, and
I will surely give this nation (Psalm 2:8, NKJV).”
In an age of cell phones, workdays and maxed-out schedules,
many Southern Baptists certainly wonder how they can devote one hour to prayer,
much less an entire day, Sprinkle acknowledged.
To pray for a people they have never met – probably never
will – is an even greater challenge, he said.
However, self-sacrifice is the nature of a Great Commission
Christian whose own heart beats in sync with Gods, Sprinkle emphasized.
“When we deny ourselves and instead give that time to fervent prayer, were
not only agreeing with God, were expressing the very heart of God.
“So, why is praying for the Drukpa so important? So that
they, too, will know how much he loves them and how much hes already done
for them through Jesus, the Savior of the world,” Sprinkle noted.
Like Dorji, Christians who desire to see salvation among the
Drukpa can plead for the people of Bhutan during the emphasis, Sprinkle explained.
“Being a Christian hasnt lessened my patriotism
and love for my country at all,” Dorji said. “But finding the personal
God made the difference for me. There are no more pujas to be done,
pilgrimages to go on, amulets to wear, no more mantras to be chanted.
“Jesus Christ has done it all.”
But there are others who need to realize that. (BP)
(To participate in the Day of Prayer and Fasting for the Drukpa people of Bhutan,
order a free video resource kit or request a copy of the April issue of “The
Commission” magazine featuring the people group, persons should call 800-866-3621,
visit www.imb.org/resources or e-mail
resource.center@imb.org … include
name, church name, shipping address, city, state, Zip Code, e-mail address and
daytime phone with the e-mail message.
Persons also gather information via the Internet at:
www.imb.org/tconline/Stories
April01_Bhutan_video. html
www.imb.org/tconline/Stories
/April01_Bhutan.html,
www.imb.org/learn/news/story
.asp?id=646
www.bethany.com/profiles/c_c
ode/bhutan.html