2008
Global Mosaic International is expanding its range of ministry this coming year. In February and March, Dr. Evelyn Biles and teams comprised of volunteers from both the USA and Malaysia, will give training at two seminaries and four churches in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. She will be joined by Renae Smith and Miriam Boyd from the USA. We will then take training to leaders and church-planters from the country of Bhutan. This will take place in Jaigoan, India, on the border of Bhutan. Because of the limits on outsiders entering Bhutan, it is easier for the Bhutanese to cross over the border. Evelyn will lead the sessions in counseling and Rev. Gene Cornett will lead the sessions in leadership skills. Joining Evelyn and Gene from Malaysia will be Fan Yoong, Sian Li Wee, Li Ping Pook, and Joshua Tan. Linda Philpot and Audrey Robinson-Mial will journey to India from the USA.
Although the time frame for this specific outreach will be in February and March, 2008, the goal of Global Mosaic will be to continue with an ongoing relationship so we can follow-up with more training in the future.
As in all endeavors by Global Mosaic in Southeast Asia and Africa, each volunteer team member raises funds for his or her personal travel, food, and lodging needs. GMI raises funds to provide the translations, training materials, food, housing, and travel for local participants in the various countries. We value your prayers and support as we prepare for this trip. We accept contributions throughout the year for specific projects or ongoing support.
Bhutan, a country about half the size of Indiana, is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world. It is a landlocked nation in the Himalayan Mountains, sandwiched between India and China in South Asia. Foreign influences and tourism are heavily regulated by the government to preserve the country's traditional culture and national identity. Buddhism and Hinduism are the only two recognized religions in the country. Bhutan remained closed to Christianity until 1965. About 50,000 (or 0.25 percent) of Bhutan’s predominantly Buddhist population are reportedly Christian. Through the fervent witness of Christians inside Bhutan and on the Indian border, the number of believers has grown steadily in the past 25 years.
The increase in converts has brought renewed restrictions. Since October 2000, the government of Bhutan has embarked on a sustained campaign against the Christian minority in the country. Christians in the south in particular, have come under severe pressure from the authorities to renounce their faith. Believers have also had their names struck from census records and then are refused government services. These Christians become refugees in their own country. Bhutan is listed as 8 among the top 50 countries where Christians suffer the most. Freedom of worship is severely restricted with many believers meeting secretly in private homes, fearing government scrutiny and retaliation.
We trust that our ministry will encourage and edify the new church planters and in a small way do our part in the increase of God’s Kingdom.
