In this week’s News Briefs:
- Myanmar: Sentenced to Six Years in Prison
- Burkina Faso: Displaced by Extremists and Nearly Killed
- World: Decade of Great Commission Effort
- Southeast Asia: The First Believers in Their Province
- East Africa: A Once-Ridiculed People Find Joy and Identity
Read or share the email edition or scroll down for individual stories and links.
Greetings!
Passover and Easter always come at the same time, but sometimes other religious holidays overlap as well. The timing of Ramadan this year meant all three Abrahamic faiths had celebrations around the same time. But did you know Hindus and Buddhists had something to celebrate as well?
- Many Buddhists recently celebrated the lunar new year—Songkran is a national holiday in Thailand. Read Water, Water Everywhere: How Christians View Thailand’s Water Festival (Christianity Today).
- The Hindu celebration of Hanuman Jayanti was this month as well. Read one man’s thoughts about this legendary monkey/man’s devotion and why he honors him in How Hanuman Guided Me as a Son and Father (Religion News Service).
Speaking of honored leaders, you likely heard about the Dalai Lama’s controversial request of a young devotee. It may not be what you think. Two views:
- Dalai Lama Tells Young Boy “Suck My Tongue” – Former Buddhist Lama Reveals the Dark Reason Why (Back to Jerusalem)
- Dalai Lama’s Tongue-Sucking Request Was ‘Innocent Grandfatherly Affection,” Says Tibetan Leader (The Independent)
Want to understand Buddhists better? Check out the Change the Map Podcast and subscribe for more about sharing Jesus with Buddhists.
Looking forward to the next Christian holiday,
Pat Noble
Image: Translators and cousins Ezekiah Dada and Enos Dada carry an ark holding newly translated Keliko New Testaments through the streets of Koboko, Uganda (Wycliffe Bible Translators).