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  UNREACHED PEOPLES: THE LADAKHI PEOPLE OF THE HIMALAYAS
  by Paul Hattaway
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Summary: The people of Ladakh are spiritually isolated and in need of
the life-giving message of Christ.

Topics: "Missions Work", "Unreached Peoples"
Scripture References: Matthew 9:37

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DESCRIPTION
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This sermon focuses on the unique and challenging spiritual landscape of
Ladakh, a high and dry region in the Himalayas with a predominantly
Buddhist population. Despite the physical beauty of the land, the
spiritual condition of the people is described as lifeless and
unwelcoming, with a very small percentage knowing Christ. The cultural
practices, such as dancing and daily offerings to Buddhist altars, are
deeply ingrained in the society. The region is sparsely populated and
home to three unreached people groups, highlighting the need for
spiritual revival and the spread of the Gospel in this remote area.

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CONTENT
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Ladakh is one of the highest and driest places in the world where people
live. It is in the north of India and it is a land like no other. It is
surrounded by the world's greatest mountain range, the Himalayas.

The mountains keep the rain out, making Ladakh a desert. Leh is the
capital of the region. It was once a major city along the Asian Silk
Route.

For many months of the year it is the only connection to the outside
world. Ladakh is very high up, between 9 and 25 thousand feet. In the
winter it is covered in snow and almost completely cut off from the
outside world.

But in summer it is a desert. In the same way that the land is dried up,
the spiritual condition of the people is also lifeless. Less than 0.08%
of the population know Christ.

Even though life-giving water has been poured out here many times,
people's hearts were not open to receive it. The ground in their hearts
remains lifeless and dry. Ladakh is very unwelcome.

There are only two people per square kilometer in this mountainous
region. That makes it one of the least populated places in the world.
Three unreached people groups live here, the Ladakhis, the Drogpas and
the Kampa nomads.

Dancing to the beat of the hobo and drum is an important part of Ladakh
culture. Especially at every ceremony and festival, these dancers show
honor to the Buddhist trinity. The majority of the Ladakhis are
Buddhist.

There is a Buddhist altar in every house for daily offerings and
worship. According to tradition, families give their youngest son or
daughter to a Buddhist monastery to become a monk or a nun.

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Video: https://sermonindex2.b-cdn.net/TximODo4Wgo.mp4
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/paul-hattaway/unreached-peoples-the-ladakhi-people-of-the-himalayas/
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