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GlobalJune 2016 • Frontier Ventures • Prayer35: 6 Digest

Mindanao: A Beautiful Island Caught Between Rebel Insurgents

9— Tuboy Subanon On the Run From Muslim Insurgents 18—Don’t Cross the Rebels, Or They Will Burn Your Home 19—Islam and Animism Blend Among the Pangutaran Sama People 25—Tausug People May Not Be Unreached Much Longer! ? 27—Yakans Use Cloth to Protect Newborns from Spirits Editorial JUNE 2016 Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Frontier Ventures Dear Praying Friends, 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Every time we cover the Tel: (330) 626-3361 Philippines I feel a little [email protected] guilty. We haven’t prayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF for the unreached people Keith Carey groups in this country in 15 ASSISTANT EDITOR years. Every June we pray Paula Fern for spiritually needy people WRITERS in Southeast Asia. In this Patricia Depew Patti Ediger issue of the Global Prayer Digest we will concentrate Wesley Kawato on the Muslims of Mindanao, the most southern Ben Kluett Arlene Knickerbocker island in the Philippine nation. Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj Christopher Lane This country is blessed with a large local mission Annabeth Lewis force that is reaching the Muslims on the island. Karen Hightower Ted Proffitt We don’t hear much about all the effort being made Lydia Reynolds by dedicated believers. Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith If we publish too much about their work, we might Jane W. Sveska cause security problems. But we did find out about DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES a Filipino pastor, Feliciano “Cris” Lasawang, who Keith Carey David Dougherty gave his life for the gospel last year at the hands of Robert Rutz one of Mindanao’s rebel groups. The church plant- CUSTOMER SERVICE ing work is now blossoming. You will read about Dan Eddy this work on the first three days of the GPD, thanks Lois Carey

to the Morning Star News. GRAPHICS Garrett Inouye There are numerous rebel groups that each have PRINTER their own wicked agenda for Mindanao. As usual, Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA innocent people get harmed in the crossfire. Pray for safety for the people who live on this island, as WEB SITE well as for those who boldly take the gospel to this www.globalprayerdigest.org beautiful part of the world. ISSN 1045-9731 Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2016 In Christ, Frontier Ventures 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104

Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and Keith Carey, editor-in-chief, GPD subscription information are given. [email protected] For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. Globalprayerdigest.org For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241.

46 Editorial Feature of the Month

Pray for a Disciple-Making Movement Among Every People in Mindanao

PHILIPPINES Manila

Mindanao Is. Palawan

Davao Zamboanga

47 To Help You Pray Better Pray for the Unconquerable Peoples of Mindanao Island in the Philippines

—by Wesley Kawato

ver 2000 years ago Mindanao Island was home to a black-skinned people. Then a wave of brown-skinned invaders arrived from Asia. These Onewcomers became the ancestors of the people groups that now call Mindanao their home. The invaders settled on all of the islands that make up the Philippines.

They worshipped a god called Bathala, the head of a pantheon of nature spirits. This early religion lacked any moral code. Around 1300 A.D. a Muslim missionary named Tuan Masha’ika arrived on Mindanao. People flocked to hear him teach about a god with a well-defined moral code. Masha’ika, and those who came after him, won many converts to the Muslim religion on Mindanao. The worship of Allah filled the moral vacuum many of these people had felt. By 1521 Islam was firmly established on Mindanao, but there were few, if any, Muslims on the Filipino islands north of Mindanao. Background 48 Unconquerable Peoples of Mindanao

Spanish Colonizers

In 1521, Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines. He claimed all of those islands for Spain and even won a few converts to his Catholic faith. Magellan died on the island of Cebu while trying to settle a tribal dispute. Spain used the death of Magellan as an excuse to take over all of the Philippines. Spain then issued land grants to Spanish families who went to the Philippines. These land grant recipients established the dozen or so rich families that still control the Philippine economy today. In time most people in the northern Philippine Islands adopted a form of Roman Catholicism brought to them by missionaries.

Things were different on Mindanao. Spanish settlers had to be well armed because that island was ruled by a powerful Muslim sultan. There were frequent clashes on Mindanao between the Spanish settlers and the local Muslim population. Often the Spanish army had to rescue the settlers. Catholic missionaries made little effort to understand the culture of the people groups on Mindanao. Such insensitivity often led to local upris- ings. The Spanish army often had to rescue missionaries who’d gotten themselves into trouble with the local people. By the end of the Spanish rule in 1898, Spain still didn’t control all of Mindanao. The Spaniards managed to force the Muslim sultans to pay tribute to Spain, but they held very little political control. From the Spanish to the American Colonial Powers

America took control of the Philippines after defeating Spain in the 1898 Spanish-American War. At first the Muslim sultans of Mindanao considered the Americans to be their friends. The Americans had just crushed some “Christian” resistance groups on the northern islands, people the sultans considered to be their enemies.

But the sultans quickly learned that the Americans were just as exploitive as the Spanish. A revolt began on Mindanao. The American army crushed that revolt with the help of Muslim collaborators. A few sultans had accepted American bribes and had provided troops for the American side. They had done this as a way of settling scores with other sultans.

continued on next page 49 Unconquerable Peoples of Mindanao

Independence and Conflict with the Southern Muslims

In 1946 the Philippines became independent, and Manuel Roxas was elected the first president. Roxas tried to unify the country, but his efforts were rejected by the Muslim leaders of Mindanao. They didn’t trust Roxas because he came from a Christian people group on one of the northern islands.

People began migrating to Mindanao from the northern islands in droves after 1946. These newcomers were nominally Christian, and came from people groups who’d embraced the message of the Spanish era Catholic missionaries.

The newcomers often staked out land claims before a region had been opened for settlement by the new Philippine government. On Mindanao many Muslim people groups had no concept of personal land ownership. They considered all land to be owned by the community, and assigned for use to groups by the local village chief. People receiving such land never considered themselves to be the “owners” of it.

Trouble started when settlers took over land that had been claimed by nearby Muslim villages. Armed clashes became a problem. Often the Philippine Army was unable or unwilling to stop the fighting. Both sides began forming militia groups for protection. By the 1960s the situation was out of control.

In 1971 efforts were made to negotiate peace on Mindanao. Peace talks were scheduled to begin in the Muslim town of Manili. But on the ap- pointed day, a “Christian” militia, not diplomats, arrived in Manili. They opened fire killing 75 Muslims, including women and children. Reprisal killings followed the Manili Massacre. The tensions on Mindanao escalated into a full-blown civil war.

In 1972 a military coup turned the Philippines into a dictatorship. President Ferdinand Marcos, elected in 1966, began ruling by decree. That frightened the Muslim leaders of Mindanao. Marcos came from one of the northern island “Christian” people groups. The Muslim leaders feared the coup might be a prelude to genocide. Many Muslim militias banded

5050 Unconquerable Peoples of Mindanao together to fight the expected “Christian” invasion of Mindanao. That was how the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was formed.

But the MNLF was never able to gain the support of all Muslims on Mindanao. Many militias either left the MNLF or never joined the guerilla group when it became clear that Marcos wasn’t going to launch a war of genocide. The lack of unity prevented a successful war of secession for the people of Mindanao.

In 1986 the People Power Revolution ousted President Marcos and restored democracy to the Philippines. The changed political climate restarted the peace negotiations on Mindanao. Those negotiations split the MNLF into two factions. In 1989 the hard line faction cut their ties with the moderates and formed a group called Abu Sayyaf. In 1996 a Muslim autonomous region was formed in part of Mindanao and the MNLF evolved into a legitimate political party. But Abu Sayyaf continued to commit acts of terror. In recent years ISIS has also become active on Mindanao.

There will be continued unrest on Mindanao until the causes of that unrest have been dealt with. One big cause is the lack of economic opportunity. In the Philippines 10 to 15 families control most of the wealth. A second cause of discontent is cultural insensitivity. Until recently the northern “Christian” people groups in the Philippines made little effort to understand or appreciate the culture of their Muslim neighbors on Mindanao.

Let’s Pray! • Pray that there would be peace on Mindanao. Peace will allow mis- sionaries to spread the message of salvation on that island. • Pray that the Muslim people of Mindanao would come to see the difference between true faith in Christ and nominal Christianity. • Pray for the Lord to establish his presence in Mindanao through economic justice. • Pray for every people group in Mindanao to soon embrace Jesus Christ, the One who is above all political and religious disputes.

51 Day 1 Isaiah 59:7-9, NIV Missionary Biography, Feliciano Lasawang

Their feet rush into sin; hristians on the Philippine island of Mindanao they are swift to shed believe Maoist rebels are responsible for killing innocent blood. They Ca Baptist pastor and his adult son near a southern pursue evil schemes acts town on Nov. 27, 2015. of violence mark their A friend of the pastor in Mindanao told Morning ways. The way of peace Star News that area Christians believe insurgents they do not know; there is with the New People’s Army (NPA), an armed no justice in their paths. wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, They have turned them were responsible for shooting Pastor Feliciano into crooked roads; no “Cris” Lasawang, 50, and his 24-year-old son one who walks along Darwin as they bathed in the Culaman River at 6 them will know peace. a.m. (http://morningstarnews.org/2015/12/maoist- So justice is far from us, rebel-group-suspected-in-killing-of-pastor-son-in- and righteousness does the-philippines/) not reach us. We look for According to relatives, Pastor Lasawang was shot light, but all is darkness for three times in the body, and his son was shot once brightness, but we walk in in the face. The two men died at the site. They had deep shadows. conducted baptisms in the same river where they died, according to U.S.-based Christian Aid Mission, which assists native ministries around the world. The pastor’s friend, whose name is withheld for security reasons, said the area Christians suspect New People’s Army (NPA) rebels because the guerrillas believe church growth dampens insurgent recruitment efforts. The pastor had received reports that communist militants were monitoring his movements. “Pastor Cris had received intelligence reports that the NPA guerillas were eyeing him as he was going around to communities telling NPA sympathizers that armed struggle was not the solution,” he told Morning Star News.

Pray that the blood of these martyrs will cause church planting movements to spring up among every unreached people group in Mindanao.

52 Day 2 Biography Continued, Lasawang Isaiah 9:2, NET

astor Lasawang is survived by his wife and The people walking in seven other children, the youngest 13 years darkness see a bright Pold. Pastor Lasawang put his faith in Christ in 2007 light; light shines on after observing positive change in a cousin who had those who live in a land of become a Christian. In 2013, he dedicated himself deep darkness. to pastoring and planted a Baptist church in Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur (technically Davao Occidental Province, but still governed by Davao del Sur until elections in 2016). The church, where 300 people attend worship service weekly at a building with a capacity of 150, remains without a pastor, and NPA guerillas continue to be a threat, sources said. Members of the congregation are volunteering to exhort the gathering on Sundays. Despite opposition in the area from both communist and Islamic insurgent groups, another house church has opened in a nearby village to meet the needs of a growing number of people interested in Bible study, the pastor’s friend said. “The ministry in Jose Abad town will continue despite the absence of a full-time minister there,” he said.

Pray that the ministries in Mindanao will be strengthened by these efforts of Satan to kill, steal, and destroy. Pray that thousands will understand the difference between doctrines that promote killing versus the teachings of the Almighty Jesus, who teaches us to love our enemies.— Morning Star News

53 Day 3 Isaiah 11:6-7, NET Biography Continued, Lasawang

A wolf will reside with a hristian communities in the southern lamb, and a leopard will Philippines are vulnerable to sporadic rebel lie down with a young Cattacks as a result of failed peace talks between the goat; an ox and a young national government and numerous separatist groups. lion will graze together, The Philippines, with an estimated 100 million as a small child leads people, is choosing a new president, and many Christians in the region hope that the next president them along. A cow and a will address the complex problems of insurgencies on bear will graze together, Mindanao Island. their young will lie down together. A lion, like an Rolly Pelinggon, former vice president of the ox, will eat straw. Philippine Student Alliance Lay Movement (PSALM), told Morning Star News that the next president of the Philippines should have peace negotiators from the southern Philippines. Most peace negotiations with the rebels fail, Pelinggon said, because the designated peace negotiators are based in Manila and do not have an in-depth understanding of the regional complexities. The pastor’s friend had not been able to visit the church for two years because of the rebel presence, but he received permission to do so on Oct. 27, he said. According to Christian Aid Mission, he was able to meet briefly with Pastor Lasawang and discuss how to manage the increased attendance at the church and how to continue evangelistic outreach and discipleship. “We both had lively plans,” he told Christian Aid Mission, “full of hopes, accelerating desires to serve the Servant King, not knowing in God’s plan that that would be our last fellowship here on earth.”

Pray for believers to boldly and lovingly go, even to their enemies, with the message that Jesus offers far more than they can ever imagine.— Morning Star News

54 Day 4 Rebels Coming to Christ Isaiah 52:7, NIV

he November 14, 2015, How beautiful on the Mindanao Examiner’s mountains are the feet Tbanner read, “From Warriors of those who bring good to Preachers: More Rebels news, who proclaim Embrace Jesus Miracle Crusade peace, who bring good International Ministry.” What’s tidings, who proclaim happening? God is invading the PHILIPPINES salvation, who say to Zion, Manila Philippines! Why have these “Your God reigns!” former communist rebels in the Mindanao Is. Palawan southern Philippines embraced Davao Zamboanga the teachings of God and been baptized? Why have they vowed to preach the miracles they themselves have witnessed? They were convinced by so-called “prayer warriors.” Prayer is a mighty tool God uses to change the hearts of people - even the hearts of communist rebels who have committed countless atrocities. A small team of prayer warriors led by Brother Danny Cuarteros braved the mountains and jungles of an area of Mindanao where they visited the town of San Fernando to meet with the armed group of Alde Salusad’s communist rebels. Brother Cuarteros risked his life to bring the message of hope and love to entire communities. Just a few months after his first visit, he returned to baptize Salusad and dozens of his followers from the local indigenous group. Even Salusad’s father wanted to join his son and become the instrument of God so that he too could spread the peace and love of Jesus among other indigenous communities. This father/son team is very influential in the local Manobo communities.

Praise God for the salvation He is bringing to the Philippines! Pray for God’s word to spread throughout the nation until there is a church planting movement among every people group.—JS 55 Day 5 Isaiah 6:2-3, NET Cotabato Manobo People

Seraphs stood over Him; he Cotabato Manobo people of Mindanao are each one had six wings. one cluster of eight closely related groups that With two wings they Tinhabit this Philippine island. Their lifestyle is very covered their faces, with primitive as seen in their slash and burn agricultural two they covered their practices. Thus, the Manobo do not get good yields feet, and they used the from their land. They are thought to be descendants of early Malay people who migrated to Mindanao. The remaining two to fly. They Cotabato Manobo are centuries behind the rest of the called out to one another, world in their way of life. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord who commands armies! His They have a tribal lifestyle with a leader called a majestic splendor fills the sultan who is the head of the group. Beneath him entire earth!” are the royal and non-royal classes. The sultan or dutu officiates at many social activities. The people believe in unseen spirits which interfere in the lives of humans to accomplish their desires. They also believe in one “great creator spirit.” The Manobo need a modern day Apostle Paul to share with them what he told the Athenians: “I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown God. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23).

Prayer alone has the power to break through the strong- holds of spirit worship. Ask God for believers to regularly stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of the Cotabato Manobo people. Pray that soon there will be a disciple- making movement to Christ among them that will spread to all their villages.—JS

56 Day 6 Umayamnon Manobo People Isaiah 40:10-11, NIV

robably the least advanced of the seven Manobo See, the Sovereign Lord tribes in the mountains of Bukidnon in central comes with power, and He PMindanao are the Umayamnon people. Their lives rules with a mighty arm. are still very primitive, and they depend on below- See, His reward is with subsistence level farming. They fish in the nearby Him, and His recompense Pulangi and Umyam Rivers. There are only a little accompanies Him. He tends over 6,000 Umayamnon people. Their language is not His flock like a shepherd: understood by some of the other Manobo tribes. He gathers the lambs in His Mission agencies are reaching out to them. One arms and carries them close organization is OMF International whose stated goal to His heart; He gently leads is being “advocates” for Christ for every people group those that have young. in East Asia. They encourage, enable, and equip the body of Christ to serve God’s purpose among them. Very few Umayamnon children get an education, but OMF International has a project called Umayamnon Student Sponsorship P65149 that solicits donations to support a school and dormitory. The school serves 100 children from grades one through six and 30 high school students. OMF’s hope is that God will bring students to the program who will benefit the most from their education. It is very important to the tribes to maintain their ancestral culture. Every September the seven tribes that occupy the mountains of Bukidnon in central Mindanao meet and celebrate the Kaamulan Festival which shows how they have preserved their culture despite huge changes these past decades.

Pray for the school’s protection from oppressive political leaders. Pray for appropriate livelihood projects that will help them to flourish in the 21st century. Pray for them to meet Jesus, their savior and healer.—JS

57 Day 7 Isaiah 40:25-26, NIV Mamanwa Negrito People

“To whom will you (This story illustrates what might happen among this compare me? Or who is people group.) my equal?” says the Holy he leaves hardly twitched as the python One. Lift up your eyes and slithered intricately through the jungle floor. look to the heavens: Who HeT watched the rat caught by his paw in the trap for created all these? He who several minutes. It was time. He struck like the tail brings out the starry host of a whip, snatching the rodent unaware. “We have one by one and calls forth him!” The dark-skinned men pounced on the python each of them by name. and killed him with a single blow with their steel Because of his great power machetes. They carried the prize into the commune and mighty strength, not of 20 houses formed in a circle. The women and one of them is missing. children ran laughing and celebrating, looking forward to a great feast of wild fruit, honey, nuts, and savory python meat that night. The tribal Mamanwa Negrito people are descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines. They number about 8,000 and live in the southern region of the islands. They have respect for their elders and they select a wise older person as judge and leader of each commune. The groups are comprised of three to 20 family households. Mamanwa Negrito is one of the Philippines unreached people groups, and only about two percent of their population call themselves Christian; all of these are Roman Catholic.

Pray that gospel recordings and the New Testament, which have been available in their language since 1982 will find eager and accepting hearts as the Lord thrusts out workers to share the gospel with the Mamanwa Negrito people. Pray that God’s church will be raised up and new and eternal life will bless these beautiful people.—PE

58 Day 8 Tau’t Bato People Isaiah 40:3-5, NIV

(This story illustrates what might happen among this A voice of one calling: “In people group.) the wilderness prepare umihay, dressed only in a bark and cloth G-string, the way for the Lord; make swung the spiked bat-catcher with gusto. Ah, these straight in the desert Twill make a good dinner, he thought. His blowgun a highway for our God. brought down two birds. Together with tomatoes, Every valley shall be raised cassavas, and beans from the garden, there should be up, every mountain and plenty for the four families that dwell in his cave. hill made low; the rough On the way home Tumihay drew another tobacco leaf ground shall become level, “cigarette” from his pouch and lit it from the stub of the rugged places a plain. the one he was finishing. Everyone in his cave smokes And the glory of the Lord almost endlessly. will be revealed, and all people will see it together. Twenty years ago only the Lord God knew of the small group of people called, “the Rock People.” They For the mouth of the Lord were the last discovered tribe of the Philippine Islands. has spoken.” Because of their isolation and extremely remote location, they have remained a very primitive people. There are only 100 families of the Tau’t Bato known to exist. They are only one percent evangelical Christian, 10 percent Islamic, and the rest follow other beliefs. Missionaries once tried to approach them, but left saying the “Rock People” were “too hard-headed.”

Pray that God, who is our rock, will send His Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to these one hundred families. Pray that a supernatural revelation would sweep the people so that they will forsake false gods and turn to Jesus with open hearts. Pray that followers of Christ will go to them and remain with patience and love so that they will have a chance to be discipled into His kingdom.—PE

59 Day 9 Isaiah 66:12-14, NIV Tuboy Subanon People

For this is what the Lord (This story illustrates the lifestyle of this people group.) says: “I will extend peace oJo packed her simple belongings in bundles and to her like a river, and the placed them in front of her thatched home. She wealth of nations like a Jtook a last aching look at the fields that lay below. Her flooding stream; you will husband, Paterno, would soon take the last load to nurse and be carried on their new home south of this mountain. She sighed, her arm and dandled on knowing the grueling work involved in setting up a her knees. As a mother new house and field once again. comforts her child, so will The Tuboy Subanon are a farming people of about I comfort you and you 21,000. Their farming practices include slashing and will be comforted over burning an area for family fields, growing rice for Jerusalem.” When you see four years, then moving to another area to repeat the this, your heart will rejoice process while the land lies fallow for 15 years. Because and you will flourish like of Muslim incursions, they have been forced into the grass; the hand of the Lord mountainous areas. will be made known to His The Subanon, meaning “river people,” believe in many servants, but His fury will gods, and most of these people have never heard the be shown to His foes. gospel. The JESUS Film is in their language, but they have no written Bible. Only about one in 500 is a follower of Christ.

Pray for missionaries to take the good news of Jesus to the Tuboy Subanon in Mindanao. Pray for wisdom and favor for mission agencies trying to reach them. May God grant the Tuboy Subanon the gift of a triumphant, vibrant church. Pray that the missionaries would be sensitive to the strongly-held ties these indigenous people have to their ancestral domain. Pray for God’s mercy for these people who suffer at the hands of Muslim rebels who want to take their land.—PE

60 Day 10 Jama Mapun (AKA, Bajao Kagayan) People Isaiah 6:5, NET

(This is a fictional I said, “Too bad for me! I am account that reflects destroyed, for my lips are how they live.) contaminated by sin, and I he heavy live among people whose raindrops lips are contaminated by Tcreated circular sin. My eyes have seen patterns on the the king, the Lord who

Bailey water on which commands armies.” her house stood. She sat on the wooden platform that circled their single room home. Shading her eyes, she looked up at the sky to see if the rains would be torrential or if it was just another quick passing shower. Dark clouds hung low and ominous. A worried frown began to take shape on her forehead. Her husband was at sea, fishing with her brothers. They had left late in the evening the previous day when the sky was blue and there was not even the faintest indication of rainfall. She told herself she was not going to worry. They have faced this situation before and have returned safely. If Allah wills, they will be safe, she thought as a chill ran down her spine. The Kagayan Bajao inhabit the Cagayan de Sulu and Turtle (Taganak) Islands. They live in houses that are built on stilts. Their main source of livelihood is fishing. They fish often at night, mostly in all male crews, returning home in the morning. They are Sunni Muslims. According to the Joshua Project, there are few resources and believers to tell them about the loving Savior.

Pray that God would raise from among His children laborers to work among the Kagayan Bajao. Pray also that the Lord would speak to them in His still clear voice, and they would listen.—EJD

61 Day 11 Isaiah 32:17-18, NIV Kalagan People

The fruit of that (This story illustrates righteousness will be peace; what might happen its effect will be quietness among this people group.) and confidence forever. My itting under the people will live in peaceful protective shade dwelling places, in secure Sof a small pavilion, a homes, in undisturbed group of colorfully places of rest. Bailey dressed women are producing music from a set of gongs that appear similar in shape to cooking pots. They sound like steel drums, and children are dancing to the traditional ringing tones. The Kalagan people probably migrated several thousand years ago from the Asian mainland. They are primarily an agricultural people, growing vegetables, fruits, and grains. Fishing is another source of food along the coast. Goats and chickens are also common livestock. Reflecting their agricultural ways, household items are typically crafted from natural materials, whether for personal use or resale. The social structure of the Kalagan is largely based on blood ties; however, those of highest rank in society do not perform manual labor. Once believers in traditional religion, the Kalagan are now primarily Islamic, though their religion is somewhat mixed with animistic traditions of old. There are Christian resources available, though they are few, and little progress has yet been made in reaching this people group for Christ.

Pray that the Lord would send believers to the Kalagan people, and that the few who are here would be strength- ened and granted favor. Pray that Kalagan Christians will have the courage to share the gospel with their people. Pray that the few gospel materials would be easy to obtain.—BK

62 Day 12 Kalibugan People Isaiah 44:6, NIV

ong ago in the age of sailing, conquest, and This is what the Lord exploration, a coastal people of Mindanao Island says—Israel’s King and retreatedL to the interior of the Zamboanga Peninsula Redeemer, the Lord to escape slavers that would raid their coastline. The Almighty: I am the first and once seafaring people became the Subanon, or “river I am the last; apart from me people.” Continued attacks against the Spaniards and there is no God. Filipinos who resettled the coast only drove them deeper inland. Eventually, some Subanon migrated back to the coast, intermarrying with Sama or Tausug peoples, and adopting their Islamic beliefs. The result was the creation of a new people group: The Kalibugan, or “half breeds.” The Kalibugan are little more than Islamized Subanon, as they maintain the belief that all things have a spirit or soul, including animals, plants, rivers, mountains, stars, the moon, and the sun. There is very little in the way of political organization amongst the Kalibugan, and external trade is largely dominated by the surrounding Sama-Tausug peoples. There are approximately 31,000 Kalibugan in the world today, all of whom reside on Mindanao. They are considered to be “engaged” by missionaries, but yet unreached. There are language-specific resources such as Bible portions, gospel recordings and the JESUS Film available to be used in reaching the Kalibugan, but those resources must be brought to Kalibugan communities.

Pray that workers would be drawn to this harvest field. Pray that the Kalibugan people will find life in Christ beyond subsistence. Pray that Jesus would come to them in dreams and visions, and that Kalibugan followers of Christ would be raised up for a widespread disciple- making movement.—BK

63 Day 13 Isaiah 40:13-15, NIV Iranun People

Who can fathom the Spirit or centuries, the Iranun people were pirates in of the Lord, or instruct the Malay world. The Malay word for pirate the Lord as His counselor? (lanun)F was derived from the word Illanun, a name Whom did the Lord consult given to the Iranun during the colonial era. The to enlighten Him, and who Iranun people are one of the oldest existing people taught Him the right way? groups in this region. Who was it that taught Him Today their estimated population is 256,000. Iranun knowledge, or showed Him villages are concentrated in the Iranun Bay, also called the path of understanding? Illana Bay, although some live in the hill country. Surely the nations are like Iranuns make their living as fishermen and traders, a drop in the bucket; they farmers, game hunters, blacksmiths, and goldsmiths. are regarded as dust on Women weave mats, and barter for other needs. the scales; He weighs the Fathers teach sons survival skills. Mothers teach daughters homemaking and childcare skills. Children islands as though they were are taught in the home to be loyal to their people and fine dust. to Allah. Embracing the ways of Christ would be viewed as straying from the ways of their people. Their main language is Iranun. Ninety seven percent of the people identify themselves as Muslims, and three percent are non-religious. Iranun people have many superstitions and folk beliefs in addition to an Islamic identity. They have many barriers that keep them from embracing the Savior. There are no written or oral Bible portions in this language, and there is no JESUS Film.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will send servants who will if necessary lay down their lives for these family oriented people living in darkness. Pray for audio gospel materials in their language to be produced and widely distributed soon. Pray for an openness to Christ that will spread to every Iranun community.—KH

64 Day 14 Iranun People Maguindanao People Isaiah 40:22-23, NIV

(This fictitious story illustrates He sits enthroned truths about the Maguindanao above the circle of the people.) earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. raceful dancers in bright He stretches out the clothing embroidered heavens like a canopy, Gwith silver and gold thread and spreads them out moved fluidly in swirls before the man observing them from like a tent to live in. He Bailey his comfortable lounge. His brings princes to naught eyes were half shut as if he and reduces the rulers of were about to fall asleep. He was one of “high rank.” this world to nothing. Such men don’t do manual labor like most other Maguindanao men. He will not participate in their festivals except as a distant observer. The Maguindanao people migrated to the southern Philippine islands from southwest Asia centuries ago. Today they live primarily on Mindanao. They are divided into two principal groups, each with its own dialect and location: Tau-sa Ilud (people of the lower valley) and the Tau-sa Laya (people of the upper valley). With an estimated population of 1,236,000, the Maguindanao people are the largest group of Muslim Filipinos. Their belief system is more a form of folk Islam than orthodox Islam. Nominal Islamic practices are mingled with animistic beliefs. Some Christian radio and television broadcasts are available to them, but there have been very few responses. The Christian population is estimated at about one in a thousand! The others identify with Islam.

Pray that these talented, artistic people will see their need for the Savior. Pray that the few Maguindanao believers will be united in their Savior’s love and reach out to their people in such a compelling way that there will be Christ-centered Maguindanao fellowships throughout Mindanao.—KH

65 Day 15 Isaiah 55:1-2, NIV Lanao Maranao People

Come, all you who are ohn 4:10: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is thirsty, come to the waters; who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have and you who have no Jasked Him, and He would have given you living water.” money, come, buy and Water vapor rose from the hydroelectric plant making eat! Come, buy wine and misty rainbow colors in the sun above Lake Lanao, the milk without money and deepest and largest lake in the southern Philippines. without cost. Why spend The Lanao Maranao, an unreached people known as money on what is not “people of the lake,” has lived in this beautiful watery bread, and your labor on region in Mindanao since the 13th century. what does not satisfy? Though the physical climate is wet, the spiritual Listen, listen to me, and climate is as dry as an arid, parched desert. Agriculture eat what is good, and you and lake fishing are the main occupations of the Lanao will delight in the richest Maranao people. Those who are willing may find work of fare. opportunities in business and exporting ventures. Except for 30 to 50 followers of Christ, this people group of over a million is solidly Muslim. Traditional superstitions are still a part of their belief system. There has been a Maranao New Testament since 1981. The JESUS Film and radio broadcasts are also available in their language.

Pray that spiritual strongholds will be broken so the Maranao people will be free to respond to Christ. Pray for safety and spiritual blessings for the 30-50 Lanao Maranao believers. Pray for fruitful ministry of the few Christian workers in this area. Pray for the JESUS Film to be shown in their communities, and for open hearts.—KH

66 Day 16 Badjao People Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV

uropean Gypsies Do you not know? Have you got the name not heard? The Lord is the EGypsy because people everlasting God, the Creator thought they were from of the ends of the earth. He Egypt. Actually, they will not grow tired or weary, Bailey are from South Asia. and His understanding no A Badjao girl Today’s people group one can fathom. He gives is from Southeast Asia, strength to the weary and and they are known as “Sea Gypsies,” even though increases the power of the they have no relationship with real Gypsies. They are called Sea Gypsies because they are maritime nomads, weak. Even youths grow fishing, pearling, and trading in the Philippines and tired and weary, and young between the Philippines and Indonesia. men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord Their way of life, however, is dying as they move to will renew their strength. land and farms or engage in business. They often live They will soar on wings like in houseboats or in houses on stilts over the water. eagles; they will run and not Almost all are at the bottom of the social ladder, and many are illiterate. Some 470,000 live in the grow weary, they will walk Philippines, along the coast of Mindanao. Due to and not be faint. local conflicts, many have fled to Indonesia. Approximately 95 percent are Muslim, one-half percent Christian, and the rest are either animists or of no known faith. Most of these Muslims practice folk-Islam, a syncretism of animist and Muslim beliefs. Some Badjao people seek guidance from relics of the dead. Because of the need for education, the Catholic Presentation Nuns sponsor Badjao children in school. Some graduates have returned as teachers to their community. Others have become educated enough to get government jobs.

Pray that the nuns and others will present Christ as the real solution to the people’s needs. Pray that people trained in story-telling evangelism will reach these people with the good news of Jesus.—TP

67 Day 17 Isaiah 55:10-11, NIV Work among Badjao People

As the rain and the snow hat come down from heaven, happens and do not return to it Wwhen laymen take without watering the earth the Perspectives and making it bud and on the World flourish, so that it yields Christian seed for the sower and Bailey Movement bread for the eater, so is my course? Some Word that goes out from have gone to my mouth: It will not return the Philippines to do medical missions and reach to me empty, but will the Badjao people of Mindanao with the gospel through oral/pre-literate story telling. They also accomplish what I desire teach Bible stories at an oral Bible school. and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. During a ten-month period, when Christian Badjaos attend an oral Bible School, they learn 200 stories from the Bible which culminate in the resurrection of Jesus. After being trained, the students return home to evangelize friends and family. Because many families are composed of Christians and Muslims, these evangelists have a ready entry into the Muslim community through family members. As a result, there are groups of Muslims who regularly meet to share the gospel, study the Bible, and pray. This method allows the church to begin to grow on both land and sea among the literate and pre-literate Badjao people of Mindanao.

The Oral Bible School requests prayer that it be success- ful in recruiting Badjao students who want to become evangelists to their people. Pray that new believers will grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. Pray that Bible-centered churches will develop and multiply among animists, Muslims, and culturally Catholic Badjaos of Mindanao. Pray, too, that they will learn to be economically independent.—TP

68 Day 18 Bangingi Sama (aka, Northern Sama) Isaiah 55:7-9, NIV

(This story illustrates what might happen among this Let the wicked forsake people group.) their ways and the alib, a Bangingi Sama, eagerly began to help his unrighteous their friend Faari to build his new stilt house above thoughts. Let them turn to theT water. Faari and 50 other Bangingi family homes the Lord, and He will have had been burned down during a battle that took mercy on them, and to place three years earlier between the government our God, for He will freely forces and the Muslim guerrilla fighters of the Moro pardon. “For my thoughts National Liberation Front (MNLF). It had taken are not your thoughts, this long for the government to give the people neither are your ways my the lumber and supplies they need to rebuild. The ways,” declares the Lord. MNLF purposely attacked Faari’s settlement because “As the heavens are higher they had heard that Christians were reaching out to than the earth, so are my help them. The MNLF rebels wanted to warn them ways higher than your not to leave Islam or turn their backs on their cause ways and my thoughts which is to take over Mindanao. than your thoughts.” The Bangingi, a major Muslim Sama group, are also known as the Northern Sama. They are dispersed throughout the greater Sulu Archipelago, which extends from Mindanao towards Borneo. The majority are poor fishermen, farmers, and boat builders. Some have assimilated into the Filipino culture, attending schools and working in small businesses within local cities as vendors. Christians, primarily Catholics, have reached out to help these people in the areas of health and education. A few have become Christians, but fear of persecution has kept them in bondage to their folk Islamic practices.

Pray that God will protect the Christians reaching out to the Bangingi Sama. May the Bangingi have faith to accept the living Lord and not have fear.—PD

69 Day 19 Isaiah 45:5-8, NIV Pangutaran Sama People

I am the Lord, and there is no (This story illustrates how this people group blends Islam other; apart from me there and animism.) is no God. I will strengthen he white sandy shore of Tawi-Tawi island you, though you have not glistened as the crystal blue waters broke onto acknowledged me, so that Tthe shore. Sahali, a Pangutaran Sama woman, from the rising of the sun walked on a narrow pathway leading to the burial to the place of its setting site of her family. She balanced two baskets in her people may know there is arms filled with food, brushes, and a cloth. She put none besides me. I am the the baskets down and her attention was drawn to Lord, and there is no other. a small toy-like boat that would mark her father’s I form the light and create grave. After cleaning the boat she placed food in darkness, I bring prosperity dishes inside the boat. She then offered prayers to and create disaster; I, the Allah to protect her father and her family. Macaque monkeys were jumping nearby which reminded her Lord, do all these things. to pray for these “guardians of the gravesite.” She You heavens above, rain thanked the gods for allowing her, a Pangutaran down my righteousness; let Sama woman, to live on an island revered for having the clouds shower it down. the oldest mosque in the Philippines, and the Let the earth open wide, revered mountain of Bud Bongao, a famous burial let salvation spring up, let site of an Islamic saint. righteousness flourish with Over 48,000 Pangutaran Sama people live along it; I, the Lord, have created it. the Sulu Archipelago between Mindanao and the island of Borneo. Like other Sama peoples they live by fishing, building boats, and harvesting seaweed. The majority combine their ethnic religious beliefs with Islam. During the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan they believe that God permits the souls of the dead to return. To honor those souls, they offer special prayers to their dead and clean the graves.

Pray that God will open a way for the Pangutaran Samas to find their true Savior and King.—PD

70 Day 20 Southern Sama People Isaiah 64:8-9, NIV

(This story illustrates what could happen among this Yet you, Lord, are our people group.) Father. We are the clay, wish! The spear-gun met its target, and Edjie you are the potter; we are emerged from the water with a smile on his face all the work of your hand. andS a grouper fish on his spear. Still wearing wet Do not be angry beyond clothes, Edjie and his son hurried barefoot towards measure, Lord; do not a nearby village to sell the fish. After entering the remember our sins forever. fish market and having the fresh fish weighed, they Oh, look on us, we pray, for received 8.00 (USD)! This was a good day’s wage for we are all your people. them, and they were pleased. Most Sama children learn how to swim when they are two or three years old, to paddle a boat at five, and dive at age six. The men make their living almost entirely from the sea through net fishing, hook-fishing, spear gun fishing, and diving for sea cucumbers and pearls. They are proficient canoe builders. Women weave rugs, make pottery, tend small gardens, and take care of their families. The Sama peoples live in one of three types of dwellings: stilt houses on the coast, houseboats, or ordinary land houses clustered along protected shorelines. Households are grouped in larger units called tumpuk, which means, “clusters.” Several clusters form a parish headed by a selected spokesman. Lack of education, health benefits, and job opportunities have kept the Sama poor. Their spiritual lives are a combination of Islamic and animistic beliefs.

Pray that local followers of Christ will befriend these Sama and help them meet their physical and spiritual needs. May they come to know the grace and joy of the Lord.—PD

71 Day 21 Isaiah 48:17-18, NIV Global Recording Network Work in Mindanao

This is what the Lord (This story illustrates what says—your Redeemer, the could happen among this Holy One of Israel: “I am people group.) the Lord your God, who bdul shook his head teaches you what is best for sadly. “Mindanao you, who directs you in the Acould be such a beautiful way you should go. If only place to live, but the you had paid attention to constant warfare has turned it into a place of violence. my commands, your peace My cousin in Maguindanao says that 40 percent of would have been like a the people have been displaced because their houses river, your well-being like have been destroyed.” the waves of the sea. “Yes,” responded Gamil. “I hear about kidnappings and bombings by different groups.” Bahir added, “The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other groups like them are supposed to be fighting for freedom, but all they do is hurt our people.” Abdul sighed and commented, “Will we ever have peace?” Gamil responded, “My brother-in-law in Zamboanga City has a computer and found a website called Global Recordings Network, and he downloaded some audio messages in Maguindanao onto his phone called ‘Words of Life.’” “What are they about?” Bahir asked. Gamil explained, “I didn’t get to hear them, but he told me they answer questions like, ‘Who has power to forgive sins?’ and ‘What is after death?’” He is a Muslim like all of us, but he is thinking about these things. He said he would download messages for me in our Balangingi dialect.”

Pray that Christ will bring peace to hearts of people in Mindanao. Pray that the hundreds of people who download Global Recordings’, “Words of Life” and “Good News” messages daily will use them to begin Christ- centered fellowships throughout Mindanao.—Allan Starling, GRN

72 Day 22 Sangil People Isaiah 65:1-3a, NIV

(This story illustrates what could happen among this I revealed myself to those people group.) who did not ask for me; I he old Sangil man carefully stepped out onto was found by those who did the sandbar and walked forward until the water not seek me. To a nation that wasT up to his thighs. He whirled, releasing the net. did not call on my name I It spread gracefully, flew through the air and landed said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ softly on the surface of the beautiful blue water. “Like All day long I have held out that,” the old man said. He then gathered the net my hand to an obstinate and handed it to his grandson. “Your turn.” The boy people, who walk in ways replied, “But grandpa, why don’t we get a boat? That’s not good, pursuing their own how fishing is done now.” “That’s one way fishing is imaginations—a people done. Net fishing is our way.” who continually provoke me The boy accepted the net and frowned down at it. to my very face… He hesitated, then asked, “If there is more than one way to fish, can’t there also be more than one way to worship Allah? I met a boy who said his family knows Allah and that Allah has a Son.” “Blasphemy!” the old man shouted. He snatched the net from the boy. “That boy must be a Christian. They don’t understand the ways of Allah.” The Sangil people were followers of Islam even before they migrated to Mindanao. It is ingrained in their culture, and Islam is a large part of their identity.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to send workers to the Sangil people. Pray that the Sangil will understand that all nations must accept that the death of God’s Son is what it took to pay for our sins. Pray for the salvation of the Sangil.—CL

73 Day 23 Isaiah 64:6-7, NIV Tausug (AKA, Moro Joloano) People

All of us have become like (This story is intended to illustrate the lifestyle of this one who is unclean, and all people group). our righteous acts are like he young Joloano man sat on the beach watching filthy rags; we all shrivel the waves come in and go out onto the beach. up like a leaf, and like the THe considered the fighting that past generations wind our sins sweep us have done. They would fight and retreat, fight and away. No one calls on your retreat. Now he had the same decision. He was a name or strives to lay hold Sunni Muslim in a nation of Christians. He was of you; for you have hidden a fundamentalist Muslim like other Joloanos, and your face from us and have yet he had also retained the gods of his ancestors, given us over to our sins. like the sea god, the rain god, and the harvest god. Would he fight the Christians and their God? The Moro Joloano, or the Tausug are the most dominant of all the south Philippine Muslim groups. Most of the Tausug reside on the island of Jolo, and those that do are called the Moro Joloano. Even their name means “people of the sea current.” They live in tight communities, with each bamboo dwelling on stilts. They are fishermen and agriculturalists. Of the total population of 1,234,000, 98 percent of the Moro Joloano are staunch Sunni Muslims as were their ancestors. Some belong to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), an Islamic separatist group that desires an independent Islamic state in Mindanao. Fighting between the MNLF and the Filipino government continues today.

Pray that the Moro Joloano will see past the traditions of their elders to the truth of the living God. Pray that they will find true liberation in the freedom of Christ.—LR

74 Day 24 Sulu Tausug People Isaiah 65:5, NIV

(This story illustrates … who say, ‘Keep away; what could happen don’t come near me for I among this people am too sacred for you!’ Such group.) people are smoke in my he children nostrils, a fire that keeps were running burning all day. Bailey inT circles around the trees; all of them were carrying sticks that were swords in their imaginations. They were shouting, and every so often a stand-off would occur with fierce sword fights between two or three of them. Just as this epic battle was at its height, the tutor arrived and called them to gather in the clearing under the trees. He had come to teach them about the Qur’an. One of the children groaned. “Why can’t we keep playing pirates?” Sensing the need to draw their attention away from their make-believe war, the tutor began to tell them a story about real pirates – their ancestors who survived and prospered in the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines by stealing and marauding on the high seas. Though the children had heard the story before and it had fueled their pretend battles, they always enjoyed hearing it yet again. Aside from their history of piracy, the Sulu Tausug people also have a history linked to Islam. The majority of them continue to be Muslim, and most of them also mix animistic beliefs into their view of the spirit world.

Pray for the Lord to soften Sulu Tausug hearts to receive the gospel. Pray for a strong network of Tausug fellow- ships. Pray for the kingdom of God to come to the Sulu Tausug.—CL

75 Day 25 Isaiah 53:4-5, NIV Work Among the Tausug People

Surely He took up our pain atthew 28:18-19, NET. Therefore, go and and bore our suffering, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them yet we considered Him Min the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy punished by God, stricken Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have by Him, and afflicted. But commanded you. And remember, I am with you He was pierced for our always, to the end of the age. transgressions, He was Jesus told us to “disciple” nations and “teach them to crushed for our iniquities; obey everything” He commanded. How do we know the punishment that when we have finished the job? In the last 40 years, we brought us peace was on have tried to define what is a nation, and when it is Him, and by His wounds we actually discipled, or reached. are healed. In the last two days we have prayed for Muslim Tausug people. They have churches, and sometimes they are being violently persecuted by Muslim separatist rebels. They have numerous ways to hear the basic message: Global Recordings, the JESUS Film, and God’s Story. About two percent of them are some type of Christian which includes people who profess to be Catholic, but continue to worship traditional spirits. As people groups go, the Tausugs are not far from becoming reached with the gospel. There are those who are doing church planting and pastoral training among them, according to Christian Aid Mission (http://www. christianaid.org/News/UPI/Tausug.aspx).

Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring about a Christ-ward movement among the Tausug that will result in them being discipled as a nation. Pray for more Bible teachers and disciplers to work among the Tausug people in the next five years. Pray for the Tausugs to have faith to believe that Jesus died for their sins.—KC

76 Day 26 Far East Broadcast Co. (FEBC) Radio Isaiah 53:6-7, NIV

n 1945, two young men named Bob Bowman and We all, like sheep, have John Broger, burdened with the spiritual needs gone astray, each of us has Iin Asia following World War II, began Far East turned to our own way; Broadcasting Company (FEBC). FEBC originated and the Lord has laid on in China, but in 1948, China closed its doors to Him the iniquity of us all. foreign missions, and FEBC had to move to Manila, He was oppressed and Philippines. FEBC-Philippines has grown into a afflicted, yet He did not network of nine local stations as well as international open his mouth; He was led transmitter sites. FEBC now broadcasts by like a lamb to the slaughter, shortwave, sharing Christ in 100 languages to hard- to-reach minority groups. and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did Project Isa (Arabic for “Jesus”) is FEBC’s outreach to not open his mouth. Muslims. FEBC radio proclaims the name of Jesus in places where missionaries are not able to travel. But in order for people to hear the broadcasts, they must have radios, and FEBC distributes them to the needy. It is not unusual for one radio to impact as many as 25 people. M is a Muslim who tuned into one of FEBC’s programs. After listening faithfully to the radio, she put her faith in Jesus Christ. Some FEBC staff were able to visit her and talk with her very anti-Christian husband. Thanks to God’s grace, M’s husband was convicted of the truth, and now M and her husband share the same faith!

Pray that God will provide many radios for those who live in remote areas. Pray that these Muslims will hear the name of Isa and be given the gift of faith. Pray that FEBC radio broadcasts will result in thousands of home fellowships in the Muslim world.—CMW

77 Day 27 Isaiah 30:21-22, NET Yakan People

You will hear a word spoken ou are a tourist visiting the Yakan people in behind you, saying, “This is the interior of Basilan Island in the southern the correct way, walk in it,” YPhilippines. To welcome you, the locals invite you to whether you are heading to participate in a betel-nut chewing ceremony. When the right or the left. You will you accept this gesture of kindness, you will end up desecrate your silver-plated with a mouthful of red saliva and teeth. On your way idols and your gold-plated to your next destination, don’t be surprised if your images. You will throw host spits freely along the way. He believes that the them away as if they were red juice scares away evil spirits. a menstrual rag, saying to Your guide then takes you to a rice-planting them, “Get out!” ceremony. The first seed will be planted in the center of the field by the imam, the Muslim prayer leader. You might later see a musician playing a gabbang, a bamboo xylophone, to serenade the seedlings. He hopes to encourage the plants to yield a bountiful crop. In subsequent weeks Yakan children will play a gabbang around the fields to protect the crops from hungry animals. Finally, your host takes you to his home to meet his family. His wife shows you her latest handiwork – cloth that she has woven with bright colors to look like embroidery. This particular piece of fabric is designed to cover a pregnant friend in labor to protect the baby from evil spirits.

Ask God to send out laborers to plant the seeds of faith in the hearts of the Yakan people. Pray that God’s word will blossom into numerous fellowships of believers. May they know freedom from superstition, and freedom to worship the Savior.—CMW

78 Day 28 Karaga Mandaya People Isaiah 5:12, NET

(This story illustrates what could happen among this They have stringed people group.) instruments, tambourines, ayumi and her husband moved about their flutes, and wine at their house in a flutter of traditional costumes, parties. So they do not jewelry,M and instruments. Mayumi made sure to recognize what the Lord is gather their gimbao, or large drum made using deer doing, they do not perceive hide from a doe on one side and from a stag on the what he is bringing about. other side to produce different tone and pitch. The drum is played as an attempt to summon the spirits. The Mandaya post-harvest festival would begin shortly, where the village would celebrate the crops gathered from their cooperative farming. Their people value this festival; they believe it will lead to the blessing of a better harvest next year. The Karaga Mandaya are a group of only 5,700 people. found mainly in Mindanao. Most Karaga Mandaya people live as cultivators and as expert fishermen. Their name means “the first people upstream,” and some have survived as traders, bartering goods like their famous metal work such as weapons and jewelry. Recently they have become part of a cash economy. The Karaga Mandaya are neither overwhelmingly Christian nor Muslim. Only four percent claim to be Christian, but even this small group still holds to a mixture of previous beliefs, and a form of Christianity that will not allow them to enter into the joy, peace, and blessings of our Lord.

Pray that the Karaga Mandaya will encounter the only living loving God, and experience the blessing of sharing Him with one another. Pray that soon there will be strong fellowships among them.—LR

79 Day 29 Isaiah 43:25, NIV Arabs in Mindanao

I, even I, am He who blots out or centuries the Arabs have had a significant your transgressions, for my presence in the Philippines. Those Filipinos with own sake, and remembers FArab parentage live primarily in Mindanao, while your sins no more. the more recent immigrants are living in Manila. Arab traders have been visiting the Philippines for about 2,000 years (https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Arab_settlement_in_the_Philippines). Until around 1380 Arabs actually brought Christianity to the region along with pre-Islamic belief systems. Following 1380, Islam was the religion that most Arabs brought with them. Generally moving from the southern islands like Mindanao towards the northern ones, they converted the Filipinos to the Islamic faith. In more recent months, ISIS terrorists have moved into Mindanao. This is something the Philippine government has taken seriously. In April of 2015, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary renewed their commitment to fighting all forms of terrorism in their country. The Arab people in Mindanao are likely to be vulnerable in such a situation. Because they are Arabs like most ISIS members, they can be viewed as possible sympathizers to ISIS.

Pray that innocent Arabs in the Philippines will be spared from both sides. Pray that the Muslim Arabs in Mindanao will have their faith in Islam challenged and shaken. Pray that the Lord’s people would share the love of Christ with their Arab neighbors in such a way that these Muslims will begin a discipleship movement that will affect the Arab world. Pray that Arabs in Mindanao will be reminded of their earlier history and return to Jesus. Pray that the efforts of ISIS in Mindanao will be thwarted.—JR

80 Day 30 Rohingya People in Myanmar Isaiah 11:9-10, NET

ome to me, all you who They will no longer injure or

Bay of are weary and burdened, destroy on my entire royal Bengal “Cand I will give you rest.”-Jesus, mountain. For there will be Matthew 11:28, NIV universal submission to the South China Sea The Rohingya people of Lord’s sovereignty, just as INDIA CHINA Myanmar have been without the waters completely cover BANG. rest for a long time. A group of the sea. At that time a root MYANMAR VIET. LAOS 3,000 Rohingyas were blocked from Jesse will stand like a THAILAND from entering Thailand in May signal flag for the nations. CAM. of 2015, with no offers of help, Nations will look to Him for except some repairs done to their guidance, and His residence ship’s engine by the Thai navy. will be majestic. They were also turned away by Malaysia and Indonesia, citing a migrant crisis and lack of resources. The Rohingya have lived for centuries in southwestern Myanmar in an area that once was part of India. To those in power in Myanmar, the Muslim Rohingyas are living an unacceptable foreign way of life. The military government enforces the ways of the dominant Burmese culture and Buddhist religion. Despite this tragedy, there have been some good reports regarding the growth of the Rohingya church. During the course of 2015 there were reports of over 4,000 Muslim Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine coming to know the Lord and being baptized. There have also been about 200 churches started among these two unreached people groups.

Thank the Lord for the great work He has already done. Pray that the growth of God’s church will continue among the Rohingya and result in a church planting movement. Pray that they will find refuge and safety in their own homeland, without having to flee.—JR

81 Day 31 WILLIAM CAREY LIBRARY

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God & • asa guide is for groupthe Bible world’s study and reflection busiest at the end of each airport. chapter Not Like manythe stories of womencitizens in the Bible, these are Gulf women’sChristians. stories teach lessons Not that apply to us in manymuch countries. religious conversion is allowed. How to flourisH spiritually and “TheseYet women throughare leaving indelible fingerprints migrant of faith. I couldwomen, not stop reading.” some of economically in the most powerlessCatherine B. Allen, peoplePhD, advocate for women in in missionsthe and great ministry tougH places “A totally engaging book. . . . I could not put it down.” sweep of human laborSamuel E. Chiang, exchanges PhD, president and CEO, Seed today, Company “TheseGod’s stories will touch grace you deeply. Someis atwill move work. you to tears.” Wong Siew Li, deputy director, Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre, Malaysia

MiriamIn Adeney, this PhD, is anbook anthropologist you and missiologist will at findSeattle Pacific University and the author of Kingdom without Borders, Daughters of Islam, and God’s Foreign Policy. • primary research not available Sadiri Joy Tira, DMiss, is senior associate for diasporas with the Lausanne Movement and editor of Adeney • Tir The Human Tidal Waveanywhere and Scattered To Gather. else, narrated in a highly readable style

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massive culture change MiriaM adeney & Sadiri Joy Tira   • Jesus women—maids, nurses, pastors—experiencing rape, jail, and the opportunity to mentor hundreds • a guide for group Bible study and reflection at the end of each chapter These Gulf women’s stories, like those in the Bible, teach lessons that apply to us in many countries.

ISBN: 9780878086238 List Price: $12.49 Miriam Adeney (Author), Sadiri Joy Tira (Author) Our Price: $9.99 WCL | Pages 214 | Paperback 2016

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Mission History of h Mission Wealth, Women, & God Mission History of People are on the move—and when people move, God moves too. The great new fact of our time is that the Christian missionary How to Flourish Spiritually and movement from the majority world is vital, growing, and far outnumbers

Wealth, Women Asian Churches The Arabian Gulf—the wealthiest country in the world is located here, as is the world’s busiest airport. the movement from the West. This book brings together important AsiAn research on that movement and will be an encouragement to all . . . to Not manyEconomically citizens are Christians. Not much religious in conversion Tough is allowed. YetPlaces through migrant women, the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Wealth is some of the least powerful people in the great sweep of human labor exchanges today, God’s grace PAul e. Pierson, PhD, dean emeritus and senior professor of History of — T ChurChes Mission and Latin studies, fuller theological seminary ory Asi of is at work. In this book you will find • primary research not available anywhere else, narrated in a highly readable style Women Mission History of Asian Churches is a collection of academic essays The Arabian Gulf—the wealthiest expounding and exploring the growing Asian missionary movement that • globalization, diasporas, and massive culture change Missionbegan more History than a century ago. of Presented Asian at the Churchessecond international • countryJesus women—maids, in nurses, the pastors —worldexperiencing rape,is jail, located and the opportunity here, forum of the Asian society of Missiology, these essays explore the mission history of Asian nations like China, india, the indochina region, to mentor hundreds & God is a icollectionndonesia, Korea, the Philippines, of academic and singapore, as well essays as the cross- A

God & • asa guide is for groupthe Bible world’s study and reflection busiest at the end of each airport. chapter Not cultural works of Asian missions and missionaries. n Chur

Like the stories of women in the Bible, these Gulf women’s stories teach lessons that apply to us in expounding and exploring many citizens are Christians. Not this book is a springboard to an in-depth discussion and analysis of the many countries. How to flourisH the genesisgrowing and expansion Asian of the cross-cultural missionary missionary movements in much religious conversion is allowed. Asia. it presents the coming-of-age of the Asian church as demonstrated C spiritually and by its unique way of participating in the Great Commission of Christ hes “TheseYet women throughare leaving indelible fingerprints migrant of faith. I couldwomen, not stop reading.” some of economically in movementand its significant thatcontributions began to world mission more amidst struggles than and adversities. the most powerlessCatherine B. Allen, peoplePhD, advocate for women in in missionsthe and great ministry tougH places a century ago. Presented at the “A totally engaging book. . . . I could not put it down.” Timothy K. Park earned his PhD in intercultural studies from sweep of human laborSamuel E. Chiang, exchanges PhD, president and CEO, Seed today, Company Second Internationalfuller theological seminary andForum is the director ofof Korean the Ti m oT h y K. Pa r K, ed i To r studies at the school of intercultural studies at fuller, where “These stories will touch you deeply. Some will move you to tears.” he is also an associate professor of Asian Mission. He is God’s grace is at work. Asian Societythe founding of director Missiology, of the institute for Asian Mission these and Wong Siew Li, deputy director, Iclif Leadership and Governance Centre, Malaysia president emeritus of the Asian society of Missiology. Park essays explorewas a missionary the to themission Philippines where hehistory coestablished of MiriamIn Adeney, this PhD, is anbook anthropologist you and missiologist will at findSeattle Pacific University and the author and served as president of the Presbyterian theological

seminary and helped establish several local churches in P of Kingdom without Borders, Daughters of Islam, and God’s Foreign Policy. Manila, Bulacan, and Laguna. A Asian nations like China, India, the r • primary research not available K Sadiri Joy Tira, DMiss, is senior associate for diasporas with the Lausanne Movement and editor of Adeney • Tir Indochina region, Indonesia, Korea, The Human Tidal Waveanywhere and Scattered To Gather. else, narrated in a highly readable style the Philippines, and Singapore, as

isBn 978-0-87808-623-8 A well as the cross-cultural works of

 • globalization, diasporas, and  Asianwww.missionbooks.org missions and missionaries. massive culture change MiriaM adeney & Sadiri Joy Tira   • Jesus women—maids, nurses, This book is a springboard to an in-depth discussion and analysis of the pastors—experiencing rape, jail, genesis and expansion of the cross-cultural missionary movements in Asia. and the opportunity to mentor It presents the coming-of-age of the Asian church as demonstrated by its hundreds way of participating in the Great Commission of Christ and its significant • a guide for group Bible study and reflection at the end of each chapter contributions to world mission amidst struggles and adversities. These Gulf women’s stories, like those in the Bible, teach lessons that apply to us in many countries. ISBN: 9780878084708 List Price: $17.99 Timothy K. Park (Editor) Our Price: $14.39 ISBN: 9780878086238 List Price: $12.49 WCL | Pages 256 | Paperback 2011 Miriam Adeney (Author), Sadiri Joy Tira (Author) Our Price: $9.99 WCL | Pages 214 | Paperback 2016 www.missionbooks.org www.missionbooks.org 1-800-MISSION 1-800-MISSION • All Resources available from: • • www.prayerguard.net/?page_id=209 www.ethne.net/prayer/prayer-resources www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php www.globalprayerdigest.org www.frontierventures.org www.adopt-a-people.org Need more details?See: 1-800-MISSION William Carey Library: DVD to introduction mission) PurposeGlobal (a20minute in print and ontheweb Adoption List, Agency available print andon theweb and Brochures available in LiteratureAAP Introductory (more resources!) (listings ofUPGs, profiles!) (downloadable (timeless prayer requests!) RESOURCES GPD issues!) ON THEWEB

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