March - 08

COUNTRY:BHUTAN Population 671,000 Peoples Only rough estimates can be given. Drukpa 60%. Three major indigenous groups: Ngalong, Kebumtamp, Sharchop, but speaking numerous dialects. Nepali 30%. Indo-Aryan Paharia and Tibetan Sherpa, Gurung, Rai, Tamang and Limbu. Mainly in the southern lowlands. Other 8%. Assamese 30,000, Loba, Kirabi, Lepcha, Santali and others. Expatriates 2%. Mainly Indians, some Westerners. Literacy 18%. Official language: Dzongkha. All languages 11. Languages with Scriptures 2Bi 1NT 3por. Cities Thimphu 28,000. Urbanization 13%. Economy Undeveloped subsistence economy but with development potential should the government desire it. Income/person $300 (1.4% of USA). Politics Moving from feudalism to a constitutional monarchy. Isolated from the outside world until trade and cultural links with Tibet were severed after the Communist Chinese invasion. India plays a dominant role in foreign affairs of Bhutan and also in its development, but the government fiercely protects its own sovereignty and oppresses those considered non-Bhutanese citizens. Over 70,000 of Nepali descent were forced to become refugees in 1992 due to fighting in the south. Religion Unity and independence of the country under state religion of Buddhism. All public worship, evangelism and proselytization by any other religion is illegal. Lamaistic Buddhist 70.1%. With a strong element of Bon, the animistic pre-Buddhist religion. Hindu 24%. Mainly Nepali and Assamese. Muslim 5%. Assamese and Indians. Animist 0.6%. Predominantly tribes originating from Arunachal Pradesh in India. Christian 0.33%. Affil 0.13%. Growth 3.2%. Mainly Nepali and Santali. Protestant 0.25%. Affil 0.10%. Growth 4.4%. Missionaries: to Bhutan 72 (1:8,300 people) in 11 agencies. from Bhutan 1. Roman Catholic 0.08%. Affil 0.03%. Growth 0%. Missionaries to Bhutan 10 (1:60,000 people). 1. Bhutan was tightly closed to any Christian witness until 1965. After a very slight relaxation for 25 years, increased success in soul-winning by the few Christians has brought renewed restrictions. National Christians have been denied promotion and overseas training, and pressure has been occasionally brought to bear on any Christian house gatherings. Pray for the opening of this land for the light of the gospel. 2. The government has pressed the Nepali minority to assume Drukpa customs, language and clothing. This has provoked a violent reaction with outbreaks of terrorism. Many Nepalis have been expelled, or fled the country to India and Nepal. Pray for the king and his government, and for wise and enlightened rule that gives peace and freedom to all the land's peoples. 3. The Drukpa majority is strongly Buddhist, and Christians among them number only about 120-150. Most of these believers are isolated and scattered with little opportunity for fellowship, and some have suffered for their faith. Pray for the emergence of a vital witnessing fellowship in every ethnic group of the Drukpa. 4. The number of believers among the Bhutanese Nepali has grown steadily since 1970 through the fervent witness of believers inside Bhutan and on the Indian side of the border. Believers meet in about 20 places but mainly along the southern border. It is not easy for foreign Christians to fellowship with them. Pray for these believers, who face growing pressure from the authorities 5. Missions have been welcomed to operate leprosy hospitals and be involved in health, agricultural and educational programmes, but only on the condition that they do not proselytize. Leprosy is almost eradicated, and leprosy ministries are being phased out. Small aid projects continue. Pray that aid workers may be called and granted visas. Pray for the silent witness of Christians in various aid missions (TLM, Interserve, Norwegian Santal Mission, etc.). Pray for a relaxation of restrictions on entry and witness for missionaries. 6. Indian believers in India's border region are active in evangelism and literature distribution among visitors from Bhutan. Many of the Christians in Bhutan have come to the Lord by these means. Pray for conversions among the Bhutanese. Pray also that Bhutanese students in India and lands around the world may hear the gospel. 7. Christians in government service -- mostly Indians and some Westerners -- have good opportunities to witness all over the country. Pray for Christians who work in such frustrating and lonely situations. 8. Literature distribution is possible in Bhutan in a limited way, through personal contacts and the mail. Pray for fruit from the literature now spreading through the land. 9. Bible translation is making slow progress. Parts of the New Testament have been translated into Dzongkha, but are only in draft form. The main translator has died. Pray the New Testament into print and into the hands and hearts of Bhutanese. Translation is under way in the Kebumtamp and Sharchagpakha languages. 10. Radio programmes in Dzongkha and Sharchopkha are being prepared for broadcasting.