About 6 months ago we shared a prayer request about a 2008 IGSL Graduate from Bhutan who was arrested and held for a long period without formal charges.  The charges at the time related to evangelistic activities in Buddhist Bhutan. Until 2008 the Church was underground in Bhutan and it’s still not safe to evangelize in many places openly. The charges however shifted to accepting outside money for Christian activity inside the country (foreign funding – i.e. “financial support”).

As we’ve followed the story through many here who taught him and knew him and his family, it’s been a difficult journey though God has shown himself faithful in many ways. Pastor Tandin rejoiced at his original hearing because most in his situation would be tried without a fair hearing because most evangelistics do not speak the native Bhutanese language, but are Nepali culturally. Most arrested Christians submit a 2-3 page defense at most, but Tandin submitted a 13 page, well researched defense using Bhutan’s own Constitution. He credited IGSL for giving him the research skills to give such a defense.  And like the Apostle Paul, Pastor Tandin preached the gospel along the way – in the courts and while being held.

We’ve been praying as his trial finally was held this week after several postponements.  It has it the community hard here that Tandin was sentenced as guilty and given almost 4 years in prison. The charges, from what it seems, are not even what were originally filed and are not true.  His colleague Pastor David was sentenced to 2 and 1/2 years as well.  They have 8 more days from this email going out to file a formal appeal, but please pray that they are granted bail so they can return home to their families. Pastor Tandin has a wife and 3 small kids.

It’s a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship for many of the students at IGSL and many of the Christians around the world.  It’s humbling and compelling to be in a position to train and mentor these courageous men and women of God as they prepare to lead in some of these countries!  You can also pray for Gopal and Leia, a newlywed couple from Bhutan that I just spent the week doing ministry with.  Gopal is Tandin’s nephew and is in the small group I am mentoring. He is training at IGSL for his calling as an evangelist in Bhutan. Pray that God is glorified, but that Tandin is granted bail and that the appeal goes in his favor.

Here is an article you can read more from on Pastor Tandin’s situation so you can pray!