4,700 Buddhist Monks Accept Christ as their
Savior.
March
18, 2008
For many years Christian Aid has
been helping ministries in Burma and has witnessed many wonderful
reports from missionaries laboring in this troubled land. But this
latest startling report tells of 4,700 Buddhist monks who accepted
Christ as their Savior.
Years of
Oppression
This miracle came about amid a backdrop of
more than a decade of political cruelty toward certain Burmese
ethnic minorities. Over the years, 3000 villages in eastern Burma
have been destroyed and the people were either killed or driven
into remote mountainous areas. Some were able to escape to
neighboring countries, although they were not particularly welcomed
there.
Of the total population of 57 million
people, 51 million are Buddhists – and one percent of this
population are monks. There is a monastery in most villages.
Children are often educated in monasteries, so even if they do not
actually become monks themselves, they have been thoroughly
indoctrinated with Buddhist beliefs and practices. The monks have
always had a very strong influence in Burmese politics and
government. They led the way in kicking out the British in
1948.
The Rebellion
In August of last year, the government
doubled the price of fuel and food when it was already priced at
exorbitant rates. It came as a surprise to the rest of the world
then, when Buddhist monks led peaceful demonstrations against the
government protesting rising costs, as well as the repressive
government.
Indigenous Missionaries Respond to the
Call
It was in the midst of this darkness that
Buddhist monks and nuns began inviting Christian missionaries to
come and share the gospel in the privacy of their monasteries.
Despite the dangers involved, missionaries went to several
monasteries, and visited each one several times. The majority of
these monks are from the dominant Bama people, normally very
resistant to the gospel. One of the ministries supported by
Christian Aid sent this report: Over the past three years "...4,700
Buddhist monks were led to Christ through our ministry. It appears
that the Holy Spirit had urged these monks and nuns to call our
evangelists to come and share the gospel of hope and love. After
several intense discussions, close to 80% of the monks present in
each of the monasteries raised their hands to accept Christ, and
then received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Baptisms are being
done discreetly – no more than three at a time for the sake of the
safety of the converts as well as our workers."
And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians
6:9
We believe it was your fervent prayers for
our brethren on the battlefield that brought about this miracle.
Please continue your vigilance for 1) the indigenous missionaries
who are doing follow-up with these new believers and 2) for these
monks who trusted Christ – that they will grow in grace and be used
by the Lord to reap a new harvest for His
kingdom.