Ladakh . . .Most of you are used to hearing about our lives in Manali, but this month we want to share about another piece of our hearts. Ladakh is a high-altitude mountainous district in the state just north of us, a 20+ hour trip by road. Grant first visited Ladakh in 2001, and our dear friend and ministry head, Clayton King, has traveled and served in many villages in this district. Some of you have heard his amazing stories and can feel his heart for its people when he speaks of them.

Last week we made the journey to this isolated, Tibetan-Buddhist land. For me (Charlene) it was mainly a holiday, a chance to enjoy a clean, bright guesthouse and time with a dear friend who lives and works in ministry there. For Grant it was more; he was able to meet up with 6 or 7 of the boys who grew up in the children's home we work closely with here in Manali. These young men are from Ladakh and have relatives there who are deeply committed to Buddhism and its culture. They are each trying to make a life there, primarily working in tourism or other shops within the city of Leh. The local church shuns them and fellowship is very difficult to find. They will face persecution if they decide to practice their faith openly, not only by their families but also from the Buddhist association which is strong and sometimes violent.

Many in our youth group are from Ladakh and will someday return to its beautiful desert-like mountains. What will they discover there? Will they be able to stand for the Truth? Will they find healthy fellowship with Believers or loneliness, opportunities or obstacles? We don't know. But we can be certain that they will find it difficult to follow Jesus there. However we are able to have hope. Through prayer, teaching, and pouring into relationships with them, we hope to encourage and enable them to be light and love to everyone they encounter, even in such a place.

So please pray for Ladakh, that the thick walls of its religion will be broken down, that its people who are fiercely devoted to Buddhism will see its darkness and turn their hearts toward the One true God. Pray for our youth who long to be there, in their homeland, but struggle with the fear of being turned away by their families. Pray for Grant, who has earned the respect of these young men and is taking every opportunity to pour into them, even if it may mean making the long journey a few times a year. Thank you for your part in this work . . .With love. . .