Where does a Tibetan Buddhist Monk Go When He Wants to Learn about Jesus?

By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (Jeremyreynalds@gmail.com )

SOUTH ASIA (ANS-FEB 23, 2016) -- In Tibet, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, a Tibetan monk wanting to learn about Jesus can turn on the radio.

According to a blog post from Advancing Native Missions (ANM), one of its native missionary partners, Good News for Tibet Radio, has been broadcasting in the region for 25 years.

Listeners enjoy programs on health, culture, science, history, as well as modern and traditional Tibetan music. Broadcasts also feature segments on Jesus and His teachings.

Each year thousands respond through personal visits, letters, phone calls, emails, and texts, and many also visit the ministry center for resources.

Here are some listener comments provided by ANM:

A monk wrote, “These past years you have regularly written to me and also sent me a Bible. I have read the Bible, and it has opened my eyes to so many truths. I was really lost in darkness.”

Another listener commented, “I am writing on behalf of 11 persons in my army unit. Your program is so helpful and essential to us. We like the songs and the Tibetan proverbs, and we listen regularly. Whenever we receive your letters we put them on our unit notice board so that everybody can know.”

A Tibetan Muslim said, “Sometime back a student gave me a picture book on the life of Christ. I read about the love God had for the world in this picture book. I want to know more about the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus. I have heard from my friend that if you want to know more about the life and teachings of Jesus, it is found in a book called the Bible. Please send me a Bible if you have one.”

Someone else said, “You are like a torrential rain in a hot, sandy desert, like a cool breeze. You are a great relief.”

According to ANM the head monk at a monastery said, “It is my desire to know about all religions. I especially want to know about the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus. If you have any book on his life and teachings, please send it to me.”

A Buddhist monk said he wants to become a Christian, commenting “I have still not changed in my mind; please help me.”

One listener perhaps said it best. This region is a desert, dominated by Buddhism and other influences, but God is bringing rain and changing lives through the broadcasts and outreaches of Good News for Tibet.”

For more information visit http://advancingnativemissions.com/about/

Photo captions: Tibetan monks in prayer. 2) Jeremy and Elma Reynalds.

About the writer: Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, www.joyjunction.org. He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "From Destitute to Ph.D." Additional details on "From Destitute to Ph.D." are available at www.myhomelessjourney.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Elma. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@gmail.com .

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