Bhutan
In 1986 I had the opportunity to serve as a facilitator for the Billy Graham International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists. The conference took place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. While there I met three Bhutanese Christians. I listened in awe as I heard of some of the suppressive condition for Christians in parts of the world. When I had studied about about foreign mission I had heard about imprisonment and persecution but I had never spoken with any first hand witnesses. From 1986 to date conditions in Bhutan have not changed significantly regarding the Christian community. The letter below written to a friend of mine in Tennessee gives you a flavor of the great faith and deep humility of this Bhutanese pastor. I hope you are encouraged as you read it. I have deleted the sender's name to eliminate any passivity of endangering him and his family.
J. Wayne Lester
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Dear Bryan & family,
Greetings!
Thanks a lot for your mail. I am sorry for delay in writing you mail.
I am fine and well by your fervent prayer and concern. I really thank you for your help and prayer. Till date I am doing well I my ministry. How was my interview in CD which you have took from Rangpo, sikkim? I have been working hard and leading the believers in proper way to glorify our Mighty God. I still wonder that how deep and how uncountable in the blessing of God.
About Family: After the birth of my daughter we (Sheila & myself, and Mom) are really enjoying the life. Especially myself as a father, I feel that I am good father to my daughter. This is how has has arranged my family life to be a blessed. And it is all because of your fervent prayer. And now my daughter is 6 month old and it is ready to take the picture of my daughter. If I get one camera then I will send you the present picture of my daughter Jerica.
Ministry: At present I still doing a pastoring work in Chukha, Bhutan among 31 believers and there is a need of God's word. And about Children I am planning to do small SS teacher training by myself. Because some time I go out station from my Church and there is no one to do a Sunday School service. There is a lack of worker beside myself & wife.
I have to look after all area of the office like Cottage Meeting on Wednesday & Friday, Prayer Meeting on Monday, Visiting and Follow up on Thursday, Youth and Children service on Saturday. And on Sunday really busy because I go to three places to conduct & share the message.
My Problem & Prayer Request: These days I am facing many needs but I learned to be contented with what I have. Some time there will be no oil, salt and vegetable to have a meal. Some time there would be no money to go to Hospital for baby Checkup. Some time I there won’t be any option in my home, still then God is building the foundation in my life. During this situation I learned to practise on the Word of God and feed on those living word. I don't give up, but I am excited that how great is God. I confess that God is greater than the problem that I have.. Amen! I saw the power of Word of God. I never complain when there is a need in my home. I always thanked God for that needs. And God always supplied my needs according to richest glory in Christ! Jesus, still then I am in needs. I am praying to God for new place to plant the Church. I have started to pray for my Project for Orphan Faith Home in Bhutan. I have been praying for this and I would like you to joined in this prayer too in your daily prayer schedule. I am crying as I am writing this mail to you because how I feel is that your mail made me to cry. There are few words, but it's really a concerned words and you want me to write you. Till now there was no one who tell me to write mail about How am I and family doing and about Ministry. It is only you who concerned about me. Thank you for your fatherly love and concern. I rejoice in the Lord for your concern towards me. Please do write about yourself, let me know how is my spiritual dady doing. Let me hear from you.....
Spiritual Strength: I feel that I need to do a pastoral training as well as anointing along with ordination. I too need your fervent prayer, guidance and counselling. Without this I am very helpless. Let God met this needs through your life.
Beware: Beware of those people who give you good report and don't follow the biblical doctrine. There are some pastor and christian who are like Judas who betrayed Jesus. If you meet this people they might show you the rong picture. There are some pastor who are after the lust of money and luxury life. There are some pastor who have third wife. This type of peopl are found in Bhutan border and inside bhutan too. They pretend to be simple and hardworking but when we see their work it is really shameful. Please pray for this situation.
till then bye
Your Loving Spiritual Son & Brother whatever you call.....!