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This morning our Sunday School teacher told us all about the state of Sikkim, but before I tell you what she said, I want to make sure you don’t get confused like I was. A few weeks ago, she told us about the Sikhs who follow the religion of Sikhism and live in Punjab. The name of our next state is spelled very similarly—Sikkim—but it is not the same thing at all. Most of the people who live in Sikkim believe in Hinduism or Buddhism.
Sikkim is a very small state that has important jobs to do. It is tucked up in the eastern part of India in between Nepal, Bhutan, and the part of China known as Tibet, snug in the Himalayas. All except about one-third of the state is covered by snowy mountains, but those mountains are the doorway into three different nations. That is part of what makes Sikkim so important.
Another important job Sikkim has is telling other people about Jesus. Actually, that is the job of every person who knows Jesus, but there is one group of people in Sikkim who has a special opportunity. The Lepcha people, who have lived in the area for more generations than anyone can count, have learned about Jesus. Many of them believe that He died for them because He loves them, rose again, and lives forever with everyone who trusts Him. They are one of the few Himalayan people groups who have heard about Jesus and trusted Him. Not all of the Lepcha believe in Jesus, but many do.
If the Lepcha tell their friends and family about Jesus, and those people tell their friends and family about Jesus, before you know it, the Good News about Jesus will be spreading all through the Himalayas!
There is a verse in Nahum that talks about how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of people who bring good news. I’m going to pray that the Himalayas are filled with beautiful feet carrying the Good News to everyone! Will you join me?
“Dear God, thank You for the Lepcha who have heard about You and believed in You. Please give them everything they need to tell people everywhere about Jesus. Please spread Your Word to all the people of India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and beyond. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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