Ring the Bells

“The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” Exodus 28:34-35, NIV.

In a prominent city of a restricted country in Southeast Asia, five Western women sat to have tea with two Buddhist nuns. Nan and Sak* are both in their thirties. Gracious and friendly, these women had dark eyes that sparkled and their smiles lit up the rooms of the temple. They served tea and answered the many questions of the Western women.

Both these Asian women were poised. They were not shy or reserved like the stereotype that most Americans have of Asian women. They willingly posed with the group for a photo.

Sak shared that the goal of Buddhism is to achieve a state of no desire. Nan agreed and added that finding truth is what she is looking for. As Sak continued to talk about her life at the temple, Nan excused herself. It was time for her to perform a ritual bell-ringing.

Nan was focused as she went through the proper forms for ringing the bell. As soon as she finished she rejoined the group, and Sak excused herself for her turn at the bell. With equal devotion and precision she followed the same pattern that Nan had just completed.

Watching these women, no one would doubt their sincerity or effort. The sad thing is that while these women are seeking the truth, they have not found it. And unless someone from the outside comes and shares with them, they will not find it in their monastery. Before the Westerners left they asked these nuns, “How can we pray for you?”

The nuns assured the Westerners that they didn't need to pray because they basically didn't need anything, which is the way of the Buddhist. One of the American women asked, “Do you have any dreams?” 

“Yes,” Nan admitted. Her admission was followed by a brief conversation about dreams. Just before the Americans turned to go Nan stopped the woman and said, "Ok, if you want, you could pray for me. You could pray that I would have a dream." 

“What kind of a dream she wanted to have?” 

“I want to have a dream to know the truth.  If you are going to pray for me, pray I will have a dream about the truth,” said Nan.  After leaving the monastery, the American Christians prayed for their new friends, Nan and Sak. They prayed that they would meet God in their dreams, and that they would come to understand that truth is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Nan and Sak and women like them will see truth from God.

Believers traveling in restricted areas will share the Gospel with love.

Nan and Sak’s people group will have a reproducing church started before the end of 2007.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.