Guangxi Zhuang Han Chinese 60.3%. Mainly Putonghua, Hakka, Autonomous Cantonese, Pinghua and Pingdi. Ethnic minorities 39.7%. Region Zhuang 35.5%. 17 peoples. Northern Zhuang(7) 12.8m; Southern Zhuang(10) 4.2m; Tho 160,000; Nung 125,000. Yao-Mien 3.1%. Iu Mien(3) 1.3m; Biao Mien(2) Area 220,400 sq km. The southernmost 80,000; Nunu 63,000. C mainland coastal state, adjoining . Tai 0.9%. Mulao 225,000; Maonan 66,500; E 41,000. Subtropical. The home area of ’s largest Others 0.2%. Jing (Vietnamese); Palyu (Mon-Khmer); ethnic minority, the Zhuang, and the province Gelao (Miao/Hmong). therefore given a higher, though nominal, degree of autonomy. Population 48,605,300; 220 people/sq km. Capital Nanning 2.1m. Other major city Mainly Chinese religions and animism among Liuzhou 1.4m. the minorities. Christian 2.0%: House churches 1.2%, TSPM 0.4%, all Catholics 0.4%.

Guangxi is one of China’s least-developed and most-remote provinces, with q one of the largest ethnic-minority populations. The isolated and mountainous terrain hampers development; the porous border with Vietnam and prevalent poverty put it at high risk of drug and human trafficking. Pray for development that is healthy for society, will oppose social evils and will not exploit minority populations. The area is also one of China’s least evangelized – some reckon Guangxi is as much 0.3%. Dozens of smaller peoples. w as 90% unevangelized. Difficult terrain and poor transportation keep many villages isolated Hani 4.2%. 8 peoples. Hani 1.6%; Akha 0.5%; Baihong fromgovernment, the truth, NGOs and the and government morally concerned restricts the people number among of meeting Yunnan’s points. indigenous Pray that groups Christians might 0.5%; Haoni 0.35%; Kado 0.35%; Biyo 0.35%; Woni mightbe able carry to put the an light end of to the these gospel evils. even Praise to theGod darkest that some and Christianmost remote peoples, corners such of asthe the region. Lisu, 0.3%; Lami 0.25%. Praisehave demonstratedGod for rapid thegrowth harmony among and the wholesomeness Han-majority ofhouse communities churches inwho recent follow years. Jesus. Province Nosu 1.9%. 4 peoples. b) BibleThe translation Zhuang is peoplea massive are unmetChina’s need. largest The ethnic-minority Bible is available population. for four languages,They number the Lisu 1.9%. eNT aroundin a further 17 million four and and work are comprised is in progress of 17 in sub-groups. another six Less languages. than 1% The are Christian.great majority Most Tibetan 0.4%. Deqen and Zhongdian. followof languages traditional have animist nothing; beliefs, a large often number combined of withthese ancestor have in worship, fact no Buddhismwritten system and Daoism. at all. Tai 5.2%. 23 peoples. Largest: Tai(6) 3.3%; Giay 0.7%; YoungerMany languages generations have are morea high likely degree to be of urbanites, mutual atheistsintelligibility and struggling with another to retain language,their cultural so Hongjin Tai 0.4%; Huayao Tai 0.2%. Area 436,200 sq km. In China’s mountainous distinctiveness.good surveys Yetare they necessary are somewhat to ascertain responsive translation to the needs.gospel. Pray FEBC for radio this vitalprogrammes ministry and to thebe Hmong 2.4%. 8 peoples. Hmong(6) 1.8%; Kim Mun C southwest. 0.5%. JESUSexpanded film inin Yunnan.the largest of their dialects have helped in this, and the NT translation in progress Population 46,174,000; 106 people/sq km. C Mon-Khmer 1.4%. 4 peoples. Wa 0.8%; Bulang will go a long way toward their evangelization and their cultural preservation. Capital Kunming 3.1m. c) Christian materials in minority languages are essential. FEBC broadcasts several in 0.2%; Kawa 0.2%; Klawa 0.15%. differentThe languages.numerous The other JESUS minorities film is available include in the a few, Iu andMien GRN peoples and who other number audio ministries about 1.3 Other 0.1%. rare producingmillion, but Christian are much content less than in 1% more Christian; and more a few languages. years ago therePray forwere maximal hardly anyimpact known of believersthese ministries, among them. made Among all the the more Biao important Mien, Nunu, by theMulao, lack E, of Palyu written and Scripture,Gelao are verythe lowfew Han Chinese 65.4%, speaking several southwestern orliteracy even norates known and the believers oral nature and virtuallyof many noof thesespecific cultures. ministry. Pray for the evangelization of Mandarin dialects and Putonghua. Buddhist, animist, polytheist and ancestor every people in Guangxi. Bible translation for most peoples has yet to begin. Tibetan-Himalayan 25.5%. 11.6m in 154 peoples. worship. Muslim 1.7%. Christian 7.2%: House Main people clusters: churches 3.1%, TSPM 2.6%, Roman Catholic West China/Yi 17.0%. Bai 4.3%; Nasu(4) 2.3%; 1.0%, CPA 0.5%. Nisu(3) 2.2%; Laluo 1.7%; Luolupo 1.6%; Lahu 1.3%; Zhejiang Naxi 0.7%; Lipo 0.6%; Poluo 0.6%; Sani 0.3%; Lami Guizhou Han Chinese 99.2%, mostly speaking several Wu dialectsHan andChinese Putonghua. 63.7%. Others 0.8%. She 0.4%; Hui. Province Ethnic minorities 36.3%. 55% of the province’s Yunnan is, ethnically, China’s most complex province. There are over 200 Province land is designated as autonomous regions for minorities. different ethno-linguistic peoples, but possibly up to 400 groups regard themselves as SecularismHui 0.4%. and traditional Chinese religions. q Miao/Hmong 20.5%. 41 peoples. Largest, Miao- distinct peoples. There were famous and dramatic workings of the Holy Spirit among some of Muslim 0.3%. Christian 19.5%: House churches Area 101,800 sq km. Prosperous coastal 9.0%,related: TSPM Hmu(3) 5.8%, 3.0m;all Catholics Miao(21) 4.7%. 1.6m; A-Hmao the tribal groups earlier last century, especially among the Lisu, Hmong, Wa, Jingpo and Nu. The provinceArea 174,000 south of sq Shanghai. km. Mountainous, southern 426,000; Hmong(7) 295,000; Gha-Mu 140,000; Ge Eastern Lipo, Hani, Maru, Ayi, Eastern Nasu, Naluo, Lawa, Lashi and Nu peoples also have a Populationinland province. 51,294,000; Poor and 504 underdeveloped. people/sq km. 132,000; Ga Mong 69,000. Yao-related: Baheng(2) large proportion of their population who are Christian, but out of hundreds of peoples, this is CapitalPopulation Hangzhou 38,697,000; 3.9m. Other222 people/sq major citieskm. 50,000; Baonuo 25,000. only a humble beginning. Although the Church thrives in a few ethnic groups, the mountainous WenzhouCapital 2.7m;Guiyang Ningbo 2.2m. 2.2m; Other Taizhou major 1.3m; city Tai 12.3%. 13 peoples. Largest: Bouyei 3.5m; Dong(2) terrain, vast numbers of cultures and languages, ancient hostilities and spiritual bondage all JiaxingLiupanshui 1.0m. 1.3m. 3.4m; Shui 520,000; Yanghuang 63,000; Mulao Jia hinder the spread of the gospel. Pray that many more peoples may experience similar spiritual 39,000. breakthroughs. Traditionally one of China’s wealthiest and most stable provinces, Zhejiang’s Yunnan’s indigenous ethnic minorities – numbering 16 million in at least 208 powerful economic growth since the 1980s can be attributed to the fact that 90% of ethno-linguistic peoples – are an immense challenge for the Church in China and the q w businessesSino-Tibetan are privately 3.1%. 10 peoples.owned. Largest: Zheijiang’sChina Shuixi Nosuentrepreneurs 0.5%.April Christian were 5-19 investing 5.8% (mainly overseas among even Miaobefore233 and it world. Pray for Christians to be raised up who will intercede on their behalf, raise awareness of was260,000; legal in Nanjingren China to 157,000. do so! Its wealth is also moreminorities): evenly spread House than churches in most 3.2%, provinces; TSPM 1.8%,pray their plight and go to them as spiritually effective and culturally astute missionaries. that Zheijiang’s success might spur on other provincesall Catholics toward 0.8%.greater private enterprise, more a) Ninety-five peoples have no known Christians, and a further four are less than 1% financial equality and less corruption. Christian. Many of these groups are small in number, geographically isolated and with unique BuddhismZhejiang mixed province with polytheism enjoys andChina’s animism highest proportion of Christians. At 19.5%, it is strong among ethnic minorities. Muslim languages and cultures. Most of these groups believe in some combination of animism, w almost certainly possesses more born-again believers than any European country. Wenzhou ancestor worship, polytheism and Buddhism. Prefecture is nearly 30% Christian. Yongjia county and Xiaoshan district both hover around 50% b) Pray for indigenous believers to reach out to related ethnic groups still unreached; pray also Christian! Praise God for this amazing growth in the Church – TSPM, Catholics and especially for missionaries from elsewhere in China and beyond to reach these unreached of Yunnan. C house churchesPraise God enjoy for sustained the continued increases growthin numbers of theand Church;maturity. more areas and peoples than The poverty of local believers and difficulties in travel slow any attempts at evangelism. q ever have been impacted by the good news. Two Miao peoples, A-Hmao and Gha-Mu, are majorityZhejiang’s Christian, Christians and many have Yi donepeoples much have largeto evangelize Christian minorities other parts (Guopu of China 20%, as Lagouwell The Han Chinese Christians have experienced notable church growth in the last 10 e35%,as Wusa the two Nasu million 30%, migrantTushu 10%). labourers Most who of thesework Christianshere. Many arewealthy in the Christian northwest. entrepreneurs The 10,000 e years, among both Catholics and Protestants, registered and unregistered. Yet the useChristians their business of 1949 skills have to grown reach theto around rest of 2.2China, million travelling in 2010. around A number on business of peoples and thatsetting had up no percentage of Han Chinese in Yunnan who are Christian is still only at the national average. fellowshipsbelievers now (and have businesses) small but as growingthey go. Thesechurches “boss among Christians” them. use their business acumen and Pray for the growth of the Church among them, and pray for an awakening to the spiritual their companies as a means to spread the good news. Other Christians are likewise generous in The challenge of the unreached also continues to be great. Spiritual breakthrough needs of the ethnic minorities among whom they live. supporting the vision of China’s evangelization. Pray for this vision to grow. w in a few ethnic groups obscures the fact that most peoples remain unreached. Pray for: The government continues to exert pressure on non-TSPM congregations, Special issues needing prayer: r ra) Thedestroying 21 Miao hundreds peoples – of three unregistered have small church Christian buildings minorities, each but year 11 inhave a driveno known to eliminate believers. religious expressions operating with no state approval.with noBut Christians a new breed whatsoever, of Church including arises inthe a) A combination of social evils plagues many peoples in Yunnan. The proximity to the b) Many of the peoples indigenous to Guizhou Zhejiang,four Yao one peoples. that raises The or three restores million-plus church structures Bouyei andare onlyregisters about publicly, 0.5% Christianbut does notand adhere remain Golden Triangle countries of Thailand, and , as well as to Vietnam, means that to theover state/TSPM 70% unevangelized. restrictions. Most Government Hmong groups,crackdowns as well on asthese the sitesHmu have and in Shui, turn arecaused very drug trafficking and human trafficking for the sex trade are constant threats. Widespread drug tensionspopulous and even peoples riots. but But withthis newonly expression small numbers of Christian of believers. faith is boldPray andfor confident,local and legallyoutside abuse as well as prostitution/sexual exploitation have led to Yunnan possessing China’s highest savvyChristians as to their to rights reach and out will to these.not be intimidated. It may even point the way forward to China’s prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The opening of the area to trade, tourism and transport combined Christian future. with the region’s endemic poverty accelerate these destructive patterns. Pray that the

250 China Operation World Hainan China HanApril Chinese 5-19 74%. Mainly Hainanese, some Hakka;251 10,000 from Indonesia. Tai 24.5%. Li(5) 1.25m; Lingao Province 730,000; Cun 89,000. Other 1.5%. Miao 60,000; Zhuang 50,000; Utsul (Cham) 8,000.

Area 34,300 sq km. A tropical island facing Mixture of polytheism, Buddhism, Daoism and Vietnam. China’s southernmost and smallest ancestor worship among indigenous peoples. province, but its largest Special Economic Zone Christian 6.4%: House churches 4.9%, TSPM and tourist haven. 1.3%, all Catholics 0.1%. Population 8,611,000; 251 people/sq km. Capital Haikou 1.6mill.

Hainan’s subtropical climate and pristine environment have turned it into a q booming economy focused on tourism. This is rapidly transforming a formerly sleepy island, attracting many well-heeled mainlanders, but also raising costs to beyond what many locals can afford. This bubble has already burst once. Pray against Hainan becoming an island of hedonism and iniquity for the super-wealthy; pray also that the opening up of the island might bring a greater degree of freedom to evangelize this once-frontier area. The Church in Hainan grew considerably in recent decades, but not without difficulty. w There have been significant divisions between TSPM and house churches as well as among Christian leaders. Likewise, researchers cannot seem to agree on the number of actual Christians in the island (OW’s number is at the high end of estimates in this case). Pray for Christian unity to prevail and for the Church to be a profound witness to the power and authority of Christ. The five Li peoples make up the largest indigenous group and have a history of e rebellion against Chinese rule. Pray that they may openly receive the King of kings – only 2,000 have done so. Among the related Lingao, there are 3,000 Christians, and the Cun have 900. There is nothing of God’s Word and no known Scripture recordings or the JESUS film in any of the seven languages or dialects; the only exceptions to this are the Gospel of Luke and the JESUS film in Lingao. Pray that these peoples may be reached.

234 China Operation World www.globalprayerdigest.org

GlobalJuly 2011 • US Center for World MissionPrayer • 30:7 Digest

Finishing the Harvest Among China’s Miao Peoples

Day 3 Why Bua Hmong Boys Hate Garlic Day 4 Known By Their Combs Day 19 Miao Yodelers Day 26 A Horn on the Head, But No Savior in the Heart Day 28 Give Them the Tools, and They Will Reap a Harvest!