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Unreached Peoples: The Drokpa People of the Himalayas
Paul Hattaway
Paul Hattaway (birth year unknown–present). Born in New Zealand, Paul Hattaway is a Christian missionary, author, and founder of Asia Harvest, a ministry dedicated to equipping Asian churches to reach unreached people groups. Leaving home at 16, he faced homelessness in Australia, sleeping on a public bathroom roof, until a factory worker’s witness led him to faith. In 1988, he arrived in Hong Kong with $50, a backpack, and a call to serve China, smuggling hundreds of Bibles across the border. Founding Asia Harvest in the early 1990s, he has supported over 1,500 indigenous missionaries, provided over 20 million Bibles in 140 Asian languages, and aided persecuted believers through funds like the Asian Workers’ Fund and Persecution & Relief Fund. His preaching, rooted in personal testimonies of God’s provision, inspires global audiences at conferences and churches. Hattaway authored books like An Asian Harvest (2017), The Heavenly Man (2002, about Brother Yun), and Operation China (2000), documenting revival and unreached tribes. Married, though family details are private, he operates from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with offices in Australia, the UK, Germany, and Malaysia. He said, “God’s call is not to comfort but to obedience, no matter the cost.”
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This sermon delves into the unique traditions and lifestyle of the Drogpa people, who live in a fruitful yet isolated area, practicing ancient customs and idol worship. Despite their abundance, they hold on to beliefs that hinder their spiritual growth, remaining unreached by the gospel. The sermon emphasizes the need for their hearts to turn from false gods to the true God, praying for a transformation from idolatry to worship of the one who brings unity and true fulfillment.
Sermon Transcription
Recently the area of the Drogpas was closed. It is only 5 hours by car from Leh. Even after centuries these people still practice their very old traditions. In contrast to the rest of Ladakh, the Drogpas live in a very fruitful area. They have two harvests in four months of mainly barley, tomatoes and wheat. The area is also full of flowers which they use in their idol worship. But there isn't a lot of fruitful soil, so the eldest son is the only one to inherit the land, which happens on the day he gets married. His wife automatically becomes the wife of all his brothers. In this way the land stays in the family and isn't divided up. The Drogpas are still cold towards the gospel and are not ready for the harvest yet. They are still completely unreached. The Drogpas farm with animals and grow crops to help them survive the long cold winter months. During the short summer months tomatoes, apricots and nuts are dried on the roofs in preparation for the long winter. In spite of having enough water, the Drogpa don't bathe often because they believe that they will wash off their luck. The Drogpas are lost, trapped in Buddhism and the worship of their own false gods. Even their jewellery is worn to honour Buddha. They grow flowers to wear on their heads every day, to make the gods happy, to get riches and wisdom from the gods and protection from demons. According to their faith the gods and humans used to live together in harmony. The harmony was broken so the gods decided to rather live in the heavens. The Drogpas dance to celebrate this separation, but believe that one day in the dance they will be united again with their gods. Pray that their idol dance will be replaced by a praise dance for the true god. The Drogpas dance to celebrate this separation, but believe that one day in the dance they
Unreached Peoples: The Drokpa People of the Himalayas
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Paul Hattaway (birth year unknown–present). Born in New Zealand, Paul Hattaway is a Christian missionary, author, and founder of Asia Harvest, a ministry dedicated to equipping Asian churches to reach unreached people groups. Leaving home at 16, he faced homelessness in Australia, sleeping on a public bathroom roof, until a factory worker’s witness led him to faith. In 1988, he arrived in Hong Kong with $50, a backpack, and a call to serve China, smuggling hundreds of Bibles across the border. Founding Asia Harvest in the early 1990s, he has supported over 1,500 indigenous missionaries, provided over 20 million Bibles in 140 Asian languages, and aided persecuted believers through funds like the Asian Workers’ Fund and Persecution & Relief Fund. His preaching, rooted in personal testimonies of God’s provision, inspires global audiences at conferences and churches. Hattaway authored books like An Asian Harvest (2017), The Heavenly Man (2002, about Brother Yun), and Operation China (2000), documenting revival and unreached tribes. Married, though family details are private, he operates from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with offices in Australia, the UK, Germany, and Malaysia. He said, “God’s call is not to comfort but to obedience, no matter the cost.”