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StoryBhutan | 27 March 2025
An incredible testimony from Bhutan
Show: false / Country: Bhutan /
Suman’s powerful story of God’s goodness is a rare look at how people find the Lord in Bhutan.
Suman Ramtel’s journey is one of resilience, faith and transformation. He follows the Lord in Bhutan (ranked No. 36 on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List)—a place where Christians are used to pressure and difficulties. His testimony of God’s goodness in the aftermath of addiction and despair reminds us of the power of Jesus’ hope. This is Suman’s story, in his voice, edited for clarity:
I was raised by my grandparents after my father abandoned my mother before I was even born. Growing up without my father was hard enough, but life took another turn when my mother left me to marry another man. I was just 9 years old when she walked away, leaving me in the care of my grandparents.
Though my grandparents loved me dearly, they couldn’t provide the emotional support I longed for. My mother never spoke of my father, and I never knew his whereabouts. I grew up without experiencing parental love.
Before she left, my mother was a believer. I remember how my grandmother was very sick, but was miraculously healed after coming to Christ. This led my entire family to embrace Christianity. From a very young age, I started attending church with my mother, but I didn’t truly understand God's love and sacrifice. Sadly, when my mother married a Hindu man, she returned to her original faith. My grandparents also renounced their faith, and I was left without proper spiritual guidance.
Thankfully, my uncle, who remained a Christian, took me to church. Attending Sunday services became a routine, but I was never serious about my faith.
Pain leads to addiction
At the age of 14, I fell into bad company and started using drugs. I was also a football (soccer) player on the national team, but my addiction overshadowed my talent. My situation became unbearable. I longed for my parent’s love, but since I never got it, I tried to fill that void with drugs.
When Suman’s addiction was discovered by his family, he was locked in a room for three days. But the withdrawal was so painful that he broke through the door and fled in search of more drugs.
During [my last year of secondary school], I lived with my uncle, who continued to take me to church. In 2019, I was baptized, yet my addiction persisted.
One night, after taking an excessive dose of drugs, I had a terrifying dream. I saw two demons with big horns dragging me toward hell. I was so scared that I screamed, “Jesus, save me!” Immediately, the demons vanished. When I woke up, I was trembling with fear. That was the first time I had ever called on Jesus for help. The dream repeated. This time, I repented and promised Jesus that I would stop taking drugs. But despite my vow, I couldn’t quit. My three-year-long relationship with a girl also ended, leaving me heartbroken and
further deepening my addiction.
From bad to worse—and a glimmer of hope
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, I moved in with my mother. It was the first time I had lived with her for an extended period, but I still didn’t feel the love I longed for. The pain of my breakup and the emptiness in my heart pushed me to the brink of suicide.
One day, I met a Christian who invited me to a midnight prayer meeting that started at 10:30 p.m. Reluctantly, I agreed to go. That night, January 3, 2020, remains crystal clear in my mind. It was a turning point in my life.
As I listened to the youth leader share the Word of God, his message pierced my heart. I felt as if he was telling my life story through Scripture. In that moment, I realized that God was speaking to me through [the youth leader].
After the fellowship, I asked everyone to pray for me. I opened up and told them that I had seen no hope and was on the verge of ending my life. But coming here, I saw a ray of hope. I pleaded: “Please pray for me.”
As they prayed for me, I felt a warm embrace from Jesus. I still remember that moment vividly. I cried all night—confessing and repenting. That was when I truly experienced love … real, unconditional love.
The next morning, I didn’t even look for the [drugs] beneath my pillow. My day, which used to start with drugs and cigarettes, began with prayer instead.
Overcoming addiction was not easy. My body craved drugs, but every time I felt weak, I prayed and remembered the embrace I felt from Jesus.
Miraculously, my cravings disappeared over time.
Since then, I have attended the midnight prayer meetings without fail. It has been five years now, and my faith has only grown stronger.
I struggled financially, but God always provided for me. During college, I had no financial support, but every time I prayed for my fees, God used His people to meet my needs.
‘Why me, Lord?
In July 2023, I had an emotional breakdown while walking through a market street. Seeing a happy family holding hands, I longed for the parental love I never had.
That night, I attended a midnight prayer service. After the fellowship, I took a guitar and went to a nearby park by the river. It was midnight. As I played the guitar, I worshiped the Lord. Meanwhile, I cried out and asked God: Why was I deprived of such love? I longed for the simple joy of holding my parents’ hands, receiving their love and care, and making beautiful memories together. But I never got to experience any of those things.”
I kept asking: Why me, Lord? Why?
At that moment, I heard a voice say: “Until now, you served me as your Master; but from now on, I am your Father, and you are my son.”
Those words still echo in my heart. I had searched for love in the world but forgot that my Heavenly Father had already given me the greatest love of all.
Ongoing persecution—and how your gifts and prayers have helped
My stepfather, a devout Hindu, despises Christianity. He pressures my mother to worship Hindu gods and constantly tells me to renounce my faith. In 2020, he tried to force me into Hindu rituals, but I fled and stayed with my grandparents.
Despite this, I have joy in my heart. I have experienced God’s blessings and His presence in my life. He has given me wisdom and a discerning spirit. Through my testimony, many young people have repented and returned to the Lord. Today, I lead the youth of a local church.
Christians here in Bhutan face persecution. Although the constitution grants religious freedom, we cannot fully practice our faith. Christian children are forced to follow Buddhist rituals in school, and Christian holidays are not recognized. Building churches is prohibited, and many Christians struggle to obtain citizenship. Paramilitary training forces us to participate in Buddhist rituals, and those who refuse risk losing their citizenship.
Attending a short-term Bible training program conducted by Open Doors local partners changed my perspective. The sessions, especially the ones on discipleship and the second coming of Christ, helped me understand the importance of serving the Lord.
The topics were relevant to the youth. We see many young people going astray and indulging in unholy things. The training was effective and helped us realize how important it is to serve the Lord at a young age.
One of the sessions reminded us of the need to be ready for the second coming of Jesus. The [sessions on the parables of the] lost sheep/lost coin taught us that no matter how sinful we are, God is gracious to forgive us if we confess and return to Him. Even when we neglect His love and turn away, He
eagerly waits for our return, ready to embrace us with His everlasting love.
This message is especially important for young people, as many do not truly value God’s love or understand how good He is. Every topic encouraged us to stay strong in our faith and fully surrender our lives to Jesus.
I am grateful to the people who made this training possible. I encourage them to continue this ministry across Bhutan. Despite the risks, it will strengthen the youth to stand firm in their faith.
I draw strength from John 3:16 and John 17:3. Prayer, to me, is complete surrender. Before I present my requests, I first repent and cleanse my heart.
Please pray for me:
• Pray that I will continue to grow in Christ and glorify God with my life.
• Pray for my mother and siblings to find courage to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Also, please pray that God transforms my stepfather’s heart.
• Pray for Christian youth in Bhutan to stand firm in their faith.
• Pray for the salvation and spiritual transformation of youth trapped in drug addiction.
