The respect Muslims have for the written word means that Bible correspondence courses profoundly touch Muslims, often bringing them to commitment to Christ. Yet despite increased interest, the percentage of missionaries reaching Muslims is still a small fraction of the total mission force. Pray, support, and even go. Jim Tebbe is International Director for InterServe, Nicosia, Cyprus. When a Christian lives a hard life and faces persecution or is martyred, this picture of burden and oppression is one a Buddhist can understand.
Salvation is only a distant possibility.
He must instead concentrate on the slow accumulation of merit by conscious effort. The good Buddhist is constantly reminded of the merit of almsgiving, which has priority in the list of exalted qualities. This ideology of merit is reinforced by the threat of rebirth in animal form or tortures of hell for those who are not generous. Until now, ethnic and religious minorities in these countries have been far more receptive to the gospel. But ethnic and power conflicts, along with ensuing social and political upheavals, are undermining the foundation of Buddhism in these lands.