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11th October 2009 |
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Population of 2.2 million people with 60 people per sq. km. A small kingdom in the eastern Himalaya mountains between India and China. India plays a major role in its foreign affairs. The government fiercely protects its own sovereignty. Large-scale Nepali immigration over the past century and agitation for more democracy have provoked severe measures against non-Drukpa peoples since 1985. Lamaistic Buddhism with a strong element of Bon, the pre-Buddhist demon-worship, is the state religion. All other religions are barely-tolerated foreign intrusions. All proselytization of Buddhists and Hindus is banned. Bhutan is over 70% Buddhist.
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Bhutan was closed to all Christian witness until 1965. There followed 25 years of slight relaxation during which Indian and other expatriates were able to witness through NGOs. Over the 1990s restrictions increased because of the success of that witness, especially among the Nepali. There are now a few legally permitted congregations with their own buildings. Pray for the growth of the Church in this land. 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.
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