Nubri in Nepal

In one of the most isolated areas in the Himalayan region bordering Tibet, the Nubri people live in scattered villages throughout the Nubri Valley. In this beautiful yet harsh setting, the Nubri herd their animals, make beer, grow wheat, welcome a few tourists, seek out a location for their cell phone signals and celebrate their traditional Buddhist festivals. Nubri follow the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism which allow their lamas (priests) to marry. Each village has a temple and the lamas do rituals to bless houses and fields, heal the sick and appease local mountain spirits with offerings. The traditional life of the Nubri is rapidly changing. Up to 70 percent of their young people are being sent to Kathmandu and India for education. A major development has been the road and bridge building projects funded by the Nepalese and Chinese government.

Ministry Obstacles

Obstacles include a difficult geographic setting, Nubri's determination to maintain their Buddhist identity and lack of Christian outreach.

Outreach Ideas

Determined long term workers can go with gospel materials in Nubri and help them establish a healthy church that can spread throughout this mountainous region.

Scripture Focus

"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, If you will, you can make me clean. Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, I will; be clean."  Mark 1:40-41

Scripture Prayer

Pray for this people group to feel the healing touch of Christ and be cleansed from their sins.

Prayer Focus

Pray for spiritual hunger that would lead the Nubri people to the foot of the cross and the empty grave. Pray that they would hunger and thirst for righteousness.