On May 21st, carrying a generator and a projector, Ugyen walked for two days into interior villages of Bhutan with a single purpose—to give people a chance to learn about Jesus.

But when one of the village chiefs learned of the movie’s content, he informed the chief of his district, who then called the police to arrest Ugyen.

Investigations and Questionings
The days following the arrest were a whirlwind of investigations, questionings, postponements, police statements and waiting.

While police investigated his case, Pastor Ugyen was kept in a small, dark, mosquito-filled room along with three other inmates.

On June 14, the police attempted to search Pastor Ugyen’s house, but they were unable to enter because the house was locked.

In need of more information, the police sent a team to the villages where Ugyen showed the Jesus film to reinvestigate and conclude whether people were converted through the screening.

The police summoned the village chiefs and others present at the showing and asked them a series of questions concerning what happened the night of Ugyen’s arrest. Both Christians and non-Christians presented statements for Ugyen’s case.

Patiently Waiting and Sharing
Ugyen’s case eventually made its way to the district court as he patiently waited in his jail cell and continued to share the Good News with his fellow inmates, all the while enduring harsh living conditions, which aggravated his asthma.

“Pastor Ugyen said he is not sitting idle, and though he is not able to share openly, he is making the best of every opportunity he is getting to share the Good News of Jesus,” a GFA field correspondent reported. “There are a few inmates who are interested.”

When GFA leaders came to visit the prison, Ugyen asked for a supply of New Testaments to distribute to the inmates and encouraged his visitors not to worry about him.

The Court Process
On July 22, two months after Ugyen’s arrest, he was taken to court for the first phase of his hearing—after multiple postponements and cancellations.

GFA leaders had initially met with local officials to appeal for Ugyen’s release on bail, but the officials refused their petition because they considered Ugyen’s case very serious and a possible violation of Bhutan’s constitution, which states that “No person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement.”

Ugyen was asked to write a statement for the court, but his first statement was considered insufficient. Nine times Ugyen rewrote his statement, paying $2.50 each time.

On August 17, the court presented all of Ugyen’s statements in the presence of the officials and asked Ugyen to screen the controversial film on the life of Jesus before the court the following day. Although it was reported that the court officials wanted to watch all the films Ugyen had shown before a final verdict was pronounced, the film was never shown.

Bhutan’s High Court declared Ugyen guilty and gave him three years in prison.

Bhutan and Religion
Bhutan is one of the least evangelized nations, according to Operation World. This is due in part to the country’s deliberate isolation from other cultures. The government and its people seek to protect their ancient traditions, their way of life and especially their religion.

Bhutan’s constitution states that “Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance,” yet Christians have often been persecuted for their faith even though their constitutional right grants them freedom of religion as long as they weren’t compelled by coercion to convert to Christianity.

Please pray for Pastor Ugyen while he is in prison. Pray for his health, and that he will be able to effectively minister while he’s behind bars. Pray also for the other believers living in Bhutan. Pray for their protection, strength to endure persecution, and discernment on how to share the Good News with those around them.

Pastor Ugyen’s timeline:
• May 21, 2010 – Ugyen is arrested by Bhutan police for showing the Jesus film. Film equipment confiscated.
• June 4, 2010 – The police summon the village chief and people who saw the film to give detailed information. Police give Ugyen’s case to Divisional Magistrate, who forwards the case to the District Magistrate for further investigation.
• June 9, 2010 – Case forwarded to the district court. Ugyen awaits his first hearing.
• June 14, 2010 – Police try to investigate Ugyen’s house but can’t enter because the door is locked.
• June 15, 2010 – Police go to villages where film was shown to reinvestigate.
• July 5, 2010 – GFA leaders meet with officials to appeal for Ugyen’s release on bail. The petition is refused because of the gravity of the case.
• July 22, 2010 – First phase of hearing scheduled for July 23 postponed until July 26.
• Aug. 4, 2010 – Ugyen asked to write a statement. The statement is invalid, and he is asked to write another one.
• Aug 6, 2010 – Ugyen has written nine statements thus far. He is questioned as to why he shared the Good News. Next court date set for Aug. 9.
• Aug. 9, 2010 – Ugyen’s court date rescheduled for Aug. 17.
• Aug. 17, 2010 – Pastor Ugyen taken to court and his statements are read before the court officials. Asked to appear before the court again on Aug. 18 to screen the Jesus film.
• Aug. 19, 2010 – Pastor Ugyen asked to appear on Aug. 20 instead.
• Aug. 23, 2010 – The district court forwards all of Pastor Ugyen’s statements and a report from the police and district court to the High Court in Thimphu for verification. Screening of Jesus film never takes place.
• Sept. 8, 2010 – District court takes over case again. Court officials suggest Ugyen write an apology to the judge of the district court.
• Oct. 7, 2010 – High Court sentences Ugyen to three years in prison.

Amil was summoned to the office of the local political leader. The man asked him to write a statement saying, “I will never preach about Jesus Christ and will never show the film on the life of Jesus Christ in this area.”

Since Amil refused to turn his back on Christ, the officials have threatened to send his case to a higher authority.

Amil and his ministry have been the target of anti-Christian extremists for several months. In June, local officials interrupted a worship service that Amil was leading. They were delivering a warrant calling for each of the Christians in the service to appear before the local government body and answer questions.

On June 30, Amil and his congregation appeared before the authorities, at which time each believer was questioned individually about how they became a Christian.

“We received Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior by our own decision and conviction,” one believer told officials. The other Christians echoed this testimony. Amil answered each of the questions they asked about the ministry.

They authorities declined to arrest Amil or the Christians, but they tried to force them to sign a statement saying they would not tell others about Jesus.

When these Bhutanese Christians refused to sign the statement, the officials let them go under the condition that they would not have any meetings or worship services and that they would come back and clean the government office and grounds every 15 days.

Amil and his church members are making the most of their unusual “punishment” by continuing to be examples of Christ’s love and humility as they serve these local officials.

Bhutan is a difficult place to minister the Gospel. In the past, elected officials have banned Christianity and denied citizenship to anyone who refused to practice the state religion of Buddhism. It is illegal for Christians to even meet in homes for worship in Bhutan.

Amil asks for continued prayer that God will continue to use him effectively, in spite of the circumstances. He also seeks prayer for those who oppose the ministry. He would like to see them turn to Christ.

Amil also asks for prayer for the Christians in his congregation, that God would continue to give them courage and help them stand firm in their faith.

Bhutanese officials interrogated Amil and 30 other Christians, after Amil was charged with forcibly converting people through the allurement of film. Despite the new believers’ testimonies of independently choosing to follow Christ, the authorities opposed Amil’s ministry.

On June 24, officials interrupted a worship service and issued Amil and the believers a warrant, summoning them to a hearing. The authorities had noticed the tremendous fruit Amil’s ministry produced and wanted to put a stop to more people choosing to put their faith in Jesus.

On June 30, Amil and the other Christians reported to the authorities’ administrative office. Each believer was questioned individually about how they became a Christian.

“We received Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior by our own decision and conviction,” one believer boldly told officials. The other believers echoed this testimony.

Amil also openly and honestly told the authorities about his ministry. And he answered each question they raised.

When they could not find reason to legally arrest the Christians, the head official tried to force them to sign a statement saying they would not tell others about Jesus anymore.

When they refused, the official sternly told Amil not to preach the Gospel or have Christian meetings again. He also would not let the Christians leave unless they promised to come back to the office every 15 days to clean the building and grounds. Although it was not lawful for him to make this demand, Amil and the believers had no choice but to comply. But they look forward to being a continual example of Christ’s love and humility to the officials through these acts of service.

Amil requests prayer that the government authorities will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He also asks for prayer that the believers will continue to stand firm in their faith despite this opposition.

After seeing many people turn to Christ after watching the movie, several religious extremists recently filed a complaint against Amil, his film team and other local believers. They claim that Amil is luring people into Christianity through the film, which is made in traditional Asian style.

“People from all walks of life from our villages are deserting their traditional religions and embracing the Christian faith because of the regular film showings,” the extremists told police.

Although Bhutans new constitution guarantees religious freedom, the extremists are pressuring police to take action against Amil. And authorities are summoning him for questioning.

For over a year, the missionary has shared the love of Christ through film in this area. As a result of his outreach, 35 people have begun following Jesus. Two GFA women missionaries serve in the area as well.

Amil requests prayer that the Lord will give him the words to say as he speaks with the local police. He also requests prayer that the police and extremists will come to know Christ through his testimony.

Gospel for Asia missionaries Lali Bharose and Ekta Surgari, who recently began ministering in their village, shared the Gospel with these families and they chose to follow Christ.

On Saturday, April 12, their fellow villagers attacked the new Christians and forced them out of the village. They also told Lali and Ekta to leave the village.

Less than one percent of Bhutan’s residents claim to follow Christ. Sharing the Gospel with people who follow the two traditional religions in the country is illegal. Bhutan has a population of about 2.1 million. It is a small, landlocked country sharing borders with India, Bangladesh and China.

GFA leaders ask for prayer for these two families who were attacked, that they would be able to feel the real power of Jesus in their lives. Pray also for their complete healing and for strength to stand firm in their situation.

Prayer is also requested for GFA missionaries sharing God’s love in Bhutan. Pray specifically for Lali and Ekta as they are in a tense situation at present.

-GFA-