Hello around the world.
Today is July 6th, the 71st birthday of the current Dalai Lama - leader
of Tibetan Buddhism. This date could also be of historical
significance for our work here in Northeast India. One of the main
goals we have in our work with the Shillong base is to train and send
Northeasterners to places like Tibetan China. Today, after being
closed for 44 years, the border between India and China was opened in
the nearby state of Sikkim (just to the west of the country of Bhutan).
As of now, we can't tell how good this news is, but my hopes are high.
Currently, if we (or those we train) want to go to China, we have to
go first to Thailand. This is not only out of the way, but it is also
expensive. There is no way to do it without flying, which adds a lot
to the cost of the trip. For some of our local workers, it seems
impossible to raise the hundreds of dollars required. With this new
border crossing that opened today, we may be able to get to China for
$20 or less.
At the moment the border is only open for business. China and India
are both keen on increasing trade with each other - giving each the
large population of the other to sell various goods to. Today's
ceremony was mostly symbolic, and I read that only residents of the
state of Sikkim were allowed to cross to China. But in the days to
come it is possible that they will allow more freedom for the sake of
tourism. The Chief Minister of Sikkim even suggested that they would
like to start a direct bus service to Lhasa. Oh how I would love to be
on that bus! If that happens, it would be a great blessing to our long
term workers - and possibly even allow us to send short-term teams! It
would seriously change things for us in major ways.
Just the other day, July 1st, the Chinese government inaugurated a new
train linking Tibet with the rest of China. The project has caused a
lot of criticism from Tibetans who fear their culture is being wiped
out by the majority ethnic Chinese. At the same time, it will allow
increased tourism and trade to the region, which again helps our long
term workers who also need to travel throughout the area.
So I wanted to write to all of you and ask if you could join us in
prayer for history in the making. The news coverage is all about how
cheaper electronic items will come down from the North, but our prayers
are for much more than that. Please pray for a release of the Gospel
through this border. And on this day, as Tibetans around the world
celebrate the birthday of their leader, let's join together to ask for
that God would touch their hearts in a powerful way.
Please also pray for our current DTS and upcoming SOFM (it starts on
the 19th), that we would be faithful to train, equip, and send more
young workers to these needy places of the world. My wife and I will
be quite busy in the coming months. It's a bit overwhelming to have so
many people coming through our base at this time, but it's exciting to
see what God has for us as we walk with Him. Please pray that we would
be faithful in all of our opportunities.
Blessings to all of you in all you are doing. Thank you for standing
with us. I believe history will thank you too.
