»Land of the Thunder Dragon«
Incredible 7,000-metre peaks of the Himalayas tower above the largely untouched landscape. The climate ranges from subtropical to harsh. The 94% rural population of the “most rural nation in the world” is amiable and hospitable. But the apparent peaceful quiet and isolation of the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” (Bhutan) is deceptive: The country that changed from a kingdom to a constitutional monarchy in 2008 is torn by ethnic tension. The meaning of the name Bhutan is not far from the political reality.
Christians under pressure...
In the Lamaistic/Buddhistic Bhutan, being a Christian is very costly. Harassment from the family or local authorities is the order of the day. Jobs are threatened and some children are denied the possibility of attending school. While in the old constitution it was still forbidden to accept the Christian faith, today a process of change is underway. Christian churches still cannot be officially registered, but they are tolerated. There are problems, however, when people accept the Christian faith for the first time.
...but the trend is positive
Since 1994, AVC is in contact with local Christians and, in 1999, supported the planting of a church. This church has grown significantly and now planted fourteen additional churches and five smaller house churches with a total of 700 members. Around 100 people are baptized each year, thereby publically professing their Christian faith. The churches have a growing influence on their Buddhistic surroundings and make a significant contribution towards renewing people’s values and establishing a standard of social behaviour that, in this form, is new to this society.
AVC is currently funding and supporting 17 workers who are passing on the Christian message in all parts of the country. The long-term goal is for the activities to become self-supporting, with local leaders taking over the responsibility.
Breaking news: Bible printing in the Dzongkha language
Until recently, only the New Testament was available in the national language. A “historical” event for the Christians of Bhutan came when, after ten years of preparation and translation work, the whole Bible was published. AVC supports the printing and distribution of Bibles in Bhutan. The Bible project was carried out in cooperation with other Christian churches who have recently joined together to form an alliance.
Christian travel agency in Bhutan
By means of a travel agency and a shop, Bhutanese Christians are trying to generate funds to support the project. (www.bhutanmysticaltours.com)
